Kaleo Manuel was born and raised on the Island of Hawai‘i and now resides in Wahiawā, O'ahu. He is currently the Director of Water Resources for Kamehameha Schools and was formerly the Deputy Director for the State of Hawai‘i, Commission on Water Resource Management. Kaleo began his professional planning career at the State of Hawai‘i, Department of Hawaiʻian Home Lands. He is an 'ōlapa and ho‘opa‘a in Hālau Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima, completing his traditional ‘ūniki rites with Kumu Hula Victoria HoltTakamine in 2017. Kaleo also holds a B.A. in Hawaiʻian Studies, a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, and a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation, all from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Evolving from a land use focus, over the past 16 years, Kaleo strives to bring planning and indigenous knowledge to the fields of water advocacy and management in Hawai‘i.