Meet the PONO Legal Team

BOARD MEMBER

Aunty Dani was born and raised in Paia, Maui. She attended Kaunoa School and then Kamehameha Schools Kapālama as a boarder. Diane is the founder of Hui Malama Learning Center, the head coach of Hawaiian Canoe Club, and has been practicing law on Maui since 1979. PONO Legal is housed in her law office in Wailuku.

BOARD MEMBER

Aunty Bina has an extensive background in education and political science. From 1988 to 2011, Aunty Bina raised numerous haumāna at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Bina brings a strong educational perspective to PONO Legal, as well as a deep understanding of the complex and nuanced politics in Hawaiʻi.

BOARD MEMBER

Tanya was born and raised in Hawaiʻi. She is a 1985 Lahainaluna High School graduate and currently lives in Wailuku with her husband who is a Lahaina firefighter. Tanya is committed to helping Maui rebuild with the community’s voices and interests leading the effort.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Heidi was born and raised in Makawao. She is a 1988 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and currently a law professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law. She maintains a law license in Hawaiʻi, California, and Massachusetts. In response to the Maui fires, Heidi and her friend Susan started PONO Legal to support her community.

STAFF ATTORNEY

Hiʻilei is a kupa of Waiʻehu, Lāhaina, and Kaupō, Maui. She received a B.S. in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Cornell University, a Master's in Environmental Management from the Univeristy of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and recently graduated with certificates in Native Hawaiian Law and Environmental Law from the William S. Richardson School of Law. As a legal advocate, Hiʻilei looks forward to contributing her skills in community engagement and natural resource stewardship to support PONO Legal’s mission.

OFFICE MANAGER

Crystal has lived on Maui for the last 24 years and is married to a Maui native. Prior to joining PONO Legal, she spent her career working in accounting. In her spare time Crystal enjoys walking, scrapbooking, and going on vacations with her family.

INTAKE & SUMMER PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Margot is our intake coordinator at the Office of Recovery located at Lahaina Gateway Unit 102-B, 325 Keawe St., Lahaina. She will be available on Mondays and Fridays to answer questions, obtain your information, and get you started in receiving PONO Legal's free legal services.

DESIGNER

Chris brings her love of design and branding to PONO Legal. Raised in the Bay Area by parents from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi has always been a big part of Chris’ life, and she feels fortunate to be able to support the efforts of PONO Legal.

LAW STUDENT INTERN

Lenei is a rising 2L at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and has a passion for kū‘ē lawyering as an alaka‘i for ‘Ahahui o Hawai‘i- Advocates for Native Hawaiian Justice. She holds a Master of Education in Teaching from UH Mānoa, a B.A. in Writing from University of California, San Diego, and was a kumu in both the public school and Hawaiian charter school sectors for five years. Lenei has over a decade experience in Native Hawaiian business entrepreneurship and started a farm and non-profit with the mission to kōkua Hawaiians steward land and improve food security. Recently, she received her paralegal certificate and worked for a short time with the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation assisting kānaka maoli with land, water, and customary rights issues, especially those affected by the Lāhainā wildfires. Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono.

COLLEGE STUDENT INTERN

Lynzee Borchers was born and raised on Maui, growing up in the communities of Haʻikū and Makawao. A 2024 graduate of Haleakalā Waldorf School, she is currently a second-year undergraduate student at the University of San Francisco, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Environmental Studies. Lynzee is passionate about social justice, environmental justice, and uplifting community voices through policy and advocacy. Deeply rooted in her love for Maui and its people, Lynzee is committed to returning home after college to give back to the Maui community and contribute to building a more just and sustainable future for Hawaii. She is extremely excited to be joining the Pono Legal team for the summer. 

COLLEGE STUDENT INTERN

Leiʻohu was born and raised on Maui, specifically in Pukalani and Waikapū. She was raised in the Kula Kaiapuni program on Maui until high school where she graduated from Seabury Hall. Currently, she is a second year student at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire studying both Government and Native American and Indigenous Studies. Leiʻohu is thankful to be home for the summer and for the opportunity to spend it learning and contributing alongside the team at PONO Legal.