#167 | Sterling Higa | From community college to Harvard graduate & changing the future of Hawai'i

Sterling Higa is an entrepreneur and change-maker from the island of O’ahu. He is a former teacher and writer who has taught creative writing and performing arts in numerous high schools. At 19 years old he became the youngest slam poetry state champion ever and has traveled the country representing Hawai’i at Thirteen poetry festivals. This Harvard graduate also is a co-founder and served as executive director of Housing Hawai’i’s future, a nonprofit movement creating opportunities for Hawai’i’s next generation by ending the workforce housing shortage. In 2025, he resigned from his position and is ready for his next adventure as an entrepreneur. In this episode we talk about life as a townie, going from a bad student to a Harvard graduate, falling in love with poetry, debate team, housing Hawai’i’s future, his leap of faith meeting his wife, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Sterling here: https://www.instagram.com/sterlinghiga/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod