Makani and Brianna Kema-Kaleiwahea CFP Profile Video

SEATTLE – Casey Family Programs has named University of Hawai'i junior linebacker Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea among the eight winners of national Casey Excellence for Children Awards.
 
The awards recognize outstanding individuals and leaders in child welfare who have demonstrated distinguished work, exceptional leadership and relentless dedication in improving child welfare in America.
 
Kema-Kaleiwahea and his wife, Brianna, earned the family award in the Kinship Caregiver category. Kema-Kaleiwahea grew up on O'ahu in an adoptive family of six children, including his brother, a female cousin and three other boys. To remove the children from an abusive environment, the couple created a home for the children in Arizona, making sacrifices to become their caregivers so they would not be separated in the child welfare system, in spite of the time commitment assumed as a full-time student playing football at the University of Arizona. 
 
With assistance from Casey Family Programs, the couple found extended family members who wanted to help. A couple adopted one child, their great-niece. Another couple became parents to two others.
 
Kema-Kaleiwahea and the former Brianna Summers married in 2014 and adopted the other two children. The couple's efforts, and those of relatives, are being recognized for their invaluable impact for the five vulnerable children.
 
"It's our honor to recognize these individuals for their powerful commitment to make life better for the children and families who need it most," said Bob Watt, chair of the Board of Trustees of Casey Family Programs, of all the award winners. "These champions for children are making incredible contributions to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families."
 
Casey Family Programs, headquartered in Seattle, is the nation's largest operating foundation focused solely on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America.
 
Kema-Kaleiwahea and his family relocated from Arizona back to his home state of Hawai'i last fall. Thanks to the acceptance of his request for the NCAA's Legislative Relief Waiver for year in residence—commonly referred to as a hardship waiver—he was able to return to O'ahu and compete immediately for the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors football team during the 2015 season.
 
In 2015, he appeared in 10 games as an outside linebacker and rush end for UH, registering 23 total tackles, including 2.5 sacks on the year.