John Kealoha Garcia is a Native Hawaiian entrepreneur and award-winning creative director based in Honolulu, Hawaiâi.
Known for curating some of Honoluluâs most vibrant creative hubs and community spaces, John Kealohaâs forward-thinking approach and ability to execute and evolve ideas has lead to his success over a twenty-year media and technology career in Hawaiâi and New York.
Voted one of Hawaiiâs top new media influencers, with design accolades from the Society of Professional Journalism (SPJ) and the American Advertising Federation (AAF) â John Kealohaâs mindful approach to user-experience and attention to cross-cultural values bring new perspective to his creative work and enterprise projects.
As Minister of Commerce and 2nd Deputy Head of State for The Independent & Sovereign Nation State of Hawaiâi, John Kealohaâs work encompasses economic development, International relations, business development and digital logistics for a team of International Delegates and Government officials across 9 countries.
John Kealohaâs latest venture, Exchange Ave â is an Ahupuaâa inspired digital economy with a mission to pioneer an Indigenous-led economic framework centered around shared abundance and peer-to-peer social exchange. Since launching in June 2020, the EA economy has grown to over 1500 registered members, with private exchanges launching across Hawaiâi and New Mexico, providing turnkey digital communications, outreach, and data collection for tribal communities.
In 2019, John Kealoha was instrumental in launching Hawaiâiâs first community managed broadband network at Puâuhonua O Waimanalo, and is currently the statewide technical lead for the Hawaii Community Broadband Network, comprised of 5 networks serving communities and over 1000 residents on 3 islands.
John Kealohaâs life work is centered in the education and advocacy for the reconciliation of justice for Indigenous Peoples, globally.