Kanani Souza

Kristen Kanani Souza is an American politician serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives for the 43rd district. She won the seat in the 2022 election against Democratic opponent Stacelynn Kehaulani Eli.

Early life and education

Souza was raised in Kapolei, Hawaii and attended Kamehameha Schools, graduating in 2003. She attended the University of Southern California and graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Her brother, Keoni Souza, is a statewide elected official on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees.

Career

Souza has worked as an attorney in private practice and as a lecturer at the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu. She has also worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney with the City and County of Honolulu, and currently co-chairs the Hawaii chapter of Future Caucus with Greggor Ilagan.
In December 2024, Souza was selected for the Future Caucus Innovation Fellowship as part of the Criminal Justice cohort, a bipartisan coalition of Gen Z and millennial lawmakers interested in creating policies to improve the criminal justice system.