When she was 18, and an intern at an art studio, Malia made a life decision. While waiting at Honolulu International Airport to greet clients from Japan (Hawaiian Host Candies, her first account), she was approached by an elderly tourist couple. The husband used a walker, but both were excited to see a Hawaiian dancer greeting people with flower leis. Although the flowers were for the clients, Malia gave each a lei and welcomed them back to the islands. "Oh no," said the husband, "this is our first trip. It took us 30 years to get here, but we made it."

That day, Malia made up her mind that she would not follow the "9 to 5" path, but seek to create a life where she would experience whatever, and wherever, her passionate creative heart would lead. 

Malia began her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 16 as a graphic designer and freelance writer in her hometown, Kailua, O'ahu, Hawai'i. Malia Design & Graphics eventually moved to California.

In 1992, that first studio became The Malia Agency Ltd., A California Limited Partnership in Riverside, California. Ten years later, in January 2002, Malia established Haili Wailele Film/Arts Foundation, an IRC Section 501(c)(3) public benefit California nonprofit. HWFAF was created to promote and support the visual, performing and cultural artists throughout the Inland Empire. That September, HWAF presented its first film festival, GLOBALFEST International Film Festival of the Inland Empire, which screened original independent film in Riverside and San Bernardino simultaneously. Na 'Au Native Youth Filmfest screened at Sherman Indian High School.

As an Artist; Entrepreneur; Financial Coach; Author; Educator; Children's rights advocate; Producer; Real estate investor; Business Development & Strategic Planning Consultant. Malia's work has taken her throughout California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

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Malia's business and professional experience and expertise is as diverse as her interests. She is a former appointee of United States Secretaries of Commerce, William Daly and Norman Mineta, to the California Inland Empire Export Council (CIEDEC). She was the first women president of the region's international trade association. She was managing editor of Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine and research director for The Business Press (The Press-Enterprise weekly business journal). She has held corporate positions (while still running her own company) in the for profit and nonprofit sectors, including District Director, San Bernardino County, for Muscular Dystrophy Association; Development Director, American Cancer Society and VP of Fundraising for A Special Wish Foundation.

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As a turnaround specialist, Malia is contracted to reorganize and "turn" businesses and organizations in trouble. A recent postion was for Indian Health Services, as Interim Executive Director of the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, UT. Another was as Vice President of Operations and Business Development, American Financial Group, Riverside, CA. 

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As founder/CEO of The Living Museum of California Indian Cultures, Malia collaborates with Native American tribal nations, Native youth, museums and cultural centers, organizations and artists, promoting cultural tradition, art and heritage and sacred sites preservation. ~