ACLU of Hawaiʻi Welcomes Nanea Lo as Communications Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
Sergio Alcubilla, Director of Community Engagement
Phone: (808) 371-4805 Email: [email protected]

ACLU of Hawaiʻi Welcomes Nanea Lo as Communications Manager

HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi — The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi (“ACLU-HI”) is pleased to welcome Nanea Lo as its Communications Manager. In this role, Lo will lead strategic communications efforts to amplify the organization’s public education, legal, and policy work while strengthening connections with communities across Hawaiʻi.

A Kanaka Maoli from Papakōlea, Oʻahu, Lo brings immense experience in communications, storytelling, advocacy, community engagement, and public service. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of communications and social change, using storytelling to elevate community voices, preserve histories, and advance movements for justice.

Before joining the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Lo served as Executive Director and producer for Native Stories, leading initiatives that uplifted Native voices connected to ʻāina through communications, digital content, and community-centered storytelling. She also worked as a storyteller and reproductive rights advocate with Planned Parenthood of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Northwest, sharing stories to advance conversations around reproductive health, access, and justice.

Her experience includes serving as Community Engagement and Administrative Coordinator for Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action, Center Manager with Native Hawaiian Student Services at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and supporting digital archival and oral history projects with Kona Historical Society. Lo has dedicated years to community advocacy, aloha ʻāina, and service. She serves on the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, Hawaiʻi Workers Center Board, and Circular Fashion Hawaiʻi Board. She previously served on the inaugural Oʻahu Historic Preservation Commission, the Oʻahu Island Burial Council as the Kona Representative, and the Hawaiʻi People’s Fund Grantmaking Committee, helping to develop grassroots social change movements in Hawaiʻi that challenge systems of oppression.

“I am excited to join the ACLU of Hawaiʻi and contribute to an organization with such a longstanding commitment to protecting civil liberties and advancing justice,” said Lo. “Throughout my career, I have seen the power of storytelling to create understanding, build community, and inspire action. I look forward to using communications to uplift the voices of those most impacted and support the important work of defending rights and freedoms for all people in Hawaiʻi.”

ACLU-HI Executive Director Salmah Y. Rizvi adds, “Nanea brings a unique combination of communications expertise, rich community relationships, and a deep commitment to justice. We are excited to learn from her fresh perspectives as she helps to advance the ACLU of Hawaiʻi mission through strategic storytelling and engagement. With her many talents, we are grateful she has decided to join our small yet mighty team.”

As Communications Manager, Lo will help lead media relations, digital communications, storytelling initiatives, public engagement, and strategic communications planning to advance the ACLU of Hawaii’s mission of protecting and promoting civil liberties for all.

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i strives to build an equitable society. Our mission is to protect and promote the civil liberties and fundamental rights enshrined in the United States and Hawai‘i constitutions through litigation, legislation, and public education. We serve – and center the voices of – our impacted and vulnerable communities, regardless of background, status, or circumstance. As a non-partisan non-profit organization, we provide our services at no cost to the public, and we never accept government funds.