Clifford Naeʻole was presented with a Koʻi Award at Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce 2025 Holomua. 

The Koʻi Awards were given to honor outstanding Native Hawaiian leaders in the Maui community. Koʻi is an ancient Hawaiian tool that was used for carving and shaping items such as canoes and bowls. This tool was presented to each of the awardees as a symbol of “craftsmanship, purpose and transformation,” values that each of the honorees exemplifies. 

Clifford Naeʻole was one of the six awardees and was honored for his lifelong dedication to Hawaiian education, protection of kūpuna and guardian of Honokapua. Clifford continues to inspire and guide future generations as an educator and cultural practioner. The Ledcor Maui team is grateful to have Clifford as a cultural advisor for their work in South Maui. 

The other Koʻi awardees were Mercer “Chubby” Vincents, Hokulani Holt-Padilla, Bobby Pahia, Wayne Wong, and Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey. Hoʻomaikaʻi to all recepients and mahalo nui for all you have done to lead and uplift Maui nui!