Kualii was born and raised on Molokai, and is raising his family in Kuamana, Hilo, Hawaii. Kualii graduated from Kamehemeha Schools in Kapalama Oahu and has received a BA in Environmental Studies with Certificate in Forestry and Natural Resource Management from UH Hilo. Kualii has worked in Natural Resource Management for 17 years, working with DLNR in the Hawaii Island Natural Area Reserves program from 2008-2017. Since 2017 Kualii has managed the DHHL Aina Mauna Legacy Program on Maunakea. Kualii also assists DHHL with Natural Resource issues across Hawaii, including the Pili Na Moku Kohala Project Area in Kawaihae, where overgrazing by feral animals contribute to coastal sedimentation along the Kohala Coast and wildfire threatens DHHL Homestead as well as neighboring communities.