Biography

Makalika Destarte Naholowaa is the Executive Director at the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. NHLC is the only law firm in the world dedicated to Native Hawaiian rights. The firm is proud to serve as legal and policy advocates for indigenous Hawaiians, contributors to scholarship and educational programs regarding Hawaiian rights, and a rare institution where students and professionals can train and develop an indigenous rights practices in the US. Makalika is also the President Elect of the National Native American Bar Association, an organization that she’s served within for nearly a decade. Makalika joined NHLC in December 2021. Before that, she held numerous roles at Microsoft Corporation where she worked for 8 years, including as the leader of the company’s global trademark intellectual property team and Chief of Staff to the General Counsel. Makalika also previously practiced at Perkins Coie LLP in Seattle. Makalika holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.S. in Mathematics with a Concentration in Computer Science from Arizona State University.  Between undergrad and law school she taught high school mathematics, sold technology for IBM, and supported public works projects working for an engineering services firm.