Kaniela has organized at the intersections of climate and community for over 15 years. In 2020, he cofounded GNDN while working as Climate Justice Campaign Director at People’s Action. He led national campaigns to mobilize communities and Members of Congress to introduce the THRIVE Act and pass the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure and Investments Jobs Act. Kaniela became the Network’s first National Director in 2022.
Previously, he served in the Hawaii State Legislature, where he secured hundreds of millions of dollars in of climate investments and passed game-changing laws to advance climate justice and democracy. He is a proud parent of two young children, writes and performs music in his spare time, identifies as Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian).