Kendra Kalua

**Kendra Marie Kalua** (born 28 July 1989) is a Hawaiian politician who has served as minister of the interior in the first and second Kanazawa ministries since 2018. A member of the Hawaii National Party, she has additionally represented Oahu in the House of Representatives since 2014.

Born in Kaaawa, Oahu, Kalua graduated from Kahuku High & Intermediate School in 2007. After graduating, she moved to Kapolei to enroll in the University of Hawaii, West Oahu, receiving a bachelor's degree in political science in 2011. Kalua subsequently found work as a researcher for the Honolulu City Council, later being hired as a researcher for the House of Representatives in 2013. Kalua entered elected politics in 2014, when she was included on the party list in Oahu for the Hawaiian National Party. After the party won enough seats in the 2014 election, Kalua was elected to the parliament. Upon taking her seat in parliament, Kalua focused her legislating on economic and civil rights issues. Following the 2018 election, Kalua was nominated by Kenzie Kanazawa to serve as minister of the interior in her cabinet, later being appointed by Queen Keʻalohilani. Following the appointment of the second Kanazawa ministry, Kalua was selected to remain in the position.

## Early life and education

Kalua was born on 28 July 1989 in Kaaawa, on the island of Oahu, to parents Reginald (born 1957) and Tonia Kalua (née *Williamson*; born 1961). Her father is a botanist, while her mother is a realtor. Kalua is of Chinese, English, Filipino, Irish, Native Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent, and was raised Roman Catholic. She is the second of three children, and the only daughter; her brothers include Kendrick (born 1986) and Kyle (born 1991).

Kalua began her education in 1994, attending a local, public elementary school in Kaaawa. While in elementary school, Kalua was a gifted student who was elected president of her class. She began high school at Kahuku High & Intermediate School in 2003, where was active in student government and various community service organizations. She graduated from the school in 2007, and afterwards moved to Kapolei to enroll in the University of Hawaii, West Oahu, majoring in political science. She graduated with her degree in 2011, and was elected vice president of the student government association.

## Political career

### Early politics

Kalua began her career in politics in 2011, shortly after graduating with her bachelor's degree. She was hired as a researcher at the Honolulu City Council, working for the committee on taxation and finance as a financial researcher. In 2013, she left the position and became a researcher at the House of Representatives. She worked for the standing committee on finance and economic affairs as an economics researcher.

Kalua was selected by the Hawaii National Party to be a candidate on their party list in Oahu for the 2014 general election. She was ultimately elected to the House of Representatives, and took her seat on 14 July 2014. Aged 25, Kalua was the youngest woman ever elected to parliament in Hawaiian history, and became the Baby of the House. Upon taking her seat in parliament, Kalua began to focus on issues regarding economics and civil rights.

### Interior minister

In the aftermath of the 2018 election, the Hawaii National Party lost their parliamentary majority. Due to the loss, David Chang resigned as party leader and a leadership election was called. Kalua endorsed the candidacy of Kenzie Kanazawa, who went on to win the election.

Following the conclusion of the leadership election, Kanazawa negotiated a coalition agreement with the Hui Pū ʻAna political party. The Hawaiian media reported that Kalua was in talks with Kanazawa to be nominated to a cabinet position. She was later nominated by Kanazawa to serve as minister of the interior in her cabinet. She was appointed by Queen Keʻalohilani on 18 September 2018. As interior minister, Kalua is responsible for overseeing Hawaiian national security, the immigration and citizenship system, election security, national intelligence, and emergency management. Following the appointment of the second Kanazawa ministry, Kalua was selected to remain in the position.

## Personal life

Kalua is unmarried and has no children. She resides in an apartment in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu. She is a Roman Catholic, but is non-practicing.