Meet the PONO Legal Team

BOARD MEMBER

Aunty Dani was born and raised in Paia, Maui. She attended Kaunoa School and then Kamehameha Schools Kapālama as a boarder. Diane is the founder of Hui Malama Learning Center, the head coach of Hawaiian Canoe Club, and has been practicing law on Maui since 1979. PONO Legal is housed in her law office in Wailuku.

BOARD MEMBER

Aunty Bina has an extensive background in education and political science. From 1988 to 2011, Aunty Bina raised numerous haumāna at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Bina brings a strong educational perspective to PONO Legal, as well as a deep understanding of the complex and nuanced politics in Hawaiʻi.

BOARD MEMBER

Tanya was born and raised in Hawaiʻi. She is a 1985 Lahainaluna High School graduate and currently lives in Wailuku with her husband who is a Lahaina firefighter. Tanya is committed to helping Maui rebuild with the community’s voices and interests leading the effort.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Heidi was born and raised in Makawao. She is a 1988 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and currently a law professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law. She maintains a law license in Hawaiʻi, California, and Massachusetts. In response to the Maui fires, Heidi and her friend Susan started PONO Legal to support her community.

STAFF ATTORNEY

Hiʻilei is a kupa of Waiʻehu, Lāhaina, and Kaupō, Maui. She received a B.S. in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Cornell University, a Master's in Environmental Management from the Univeristy of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and recently graduated with certificates in Native Hawaiian Law and Environmental Law from the William S. Richardson School of Law. As a legal advocate, Hiʻilei looks forward to contributing her skills in community engagement and natural resource stewardship to support PONO Legal’s mission.

OFFICE MANAGER

Crystal has lived on Maui for the last 24 years and is married to a Maui native. Prior to joining PONO Legal, she spent her career working in accounting. In her spare time Crystal enjoys walking, scrapbooking, and going on vacations with her family.

INTAKE COORDINATOR

Margot is our intake coordinator at the Office of Recovery located at Lahaina Gateway Unit 102-B, 325 Keawe St., Lahaina. She will be available on Mondays and Fridays to answer questions, obtain your information, and get you started in receiving PONO Legal's free legal services.

DESIGNER

Chris brings her love of design and branding to PONO Legal. Raised in the Bay Area by parents from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi has always been a big part of Chris’ life, and she feels fortunate to be able to support the efforts of PONO Legal.

MAUI-BASED INTERN

Annie grew up in Los Angeles, California, and earned a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Legal Studies and Computer Information Technology from the University of Oregon in 2022. Currently a 2L at the William S. Richardson School of Law, she is a part of the inaugural Online JD Flex program, which allows her to pursue her legal education while continuing to reside in upcountry Maui. This flexibility enables her to support PONO Legal’s mission directly from the island.

LEGAL INTERN

Jina grew up on Maui, specifically in Upcountry and Kīhei, and has also lived on Oʻahu and the Big Island. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology and is currently a 3L at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Jina brings a diverse professional background, having previously owned a construction company and worked in domestic violence advocacy. Currently residing in Nevada, Jina remains deeply committed to contributing to her community in Hawaiʻi.