Kalewa earned a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Engineering and Design from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During her time at UNLV, she participated in the Solar Decathlon competitions in 2013 and 2017, an international intercollegiate challenge where students design, build, and operate solar modular homes before transporting them to a central location for competition. As part of the project, she worked closely with industry professionals, securing advising, deep discounts, and donations. One of those key partners was The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, which later offered her a full-time position in their Las Vegas office after graduation.

Kalewa’s first major project was the College of Southern Nevada Student Unions, where she contributed to building identical structures with unique finishes across three campus locations. As Whiting-Turner expanded to Hawai‘i, she was selected to join their first major project on Schofield Barracks’ Quad A Renovation on O‘ahu. This complex undertaking involved the renovation of three three-story buildings, four administrative wings, and the addition of a central plant—all within an active military base.

Following her work at Schofield Barracks, Kalewa was assigned to the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on Maui, where she played a key role in executing multiple projects, including upgrades to the resort’s grounds, corridors, guest room lanais, and exterior pavilion areas.

From developing manufactured housing and securing community partnerships in the Solar Decathlon, to managing phased scheduling for large-scale student facilities, to navigating the complexities of federal projects at Schofield Barracks, and coordinating high-end renovations in an occupied five-star resort, each experience has shaped Kalewa’s expertise. Her diverse background in construction, project management, and stakeholder collaboration now plays a vital role in her work with HomeAid Hawai‘i.