Kyara Kahakauwila

L.A. Limousines & Transportation Services, Victoria, BC

 

In 1999, at the age of 21, Kyara ran in the Civic Election in Metchosin.  Also running was Edison Kahakauwila (owner of L.A. Limousines).  While Kyara was successful in her election bid, coming 212 votes ahead of Edison, they were married the following year. 

 

At that time, L.A. Limousines was a six-car company with a strong retail base.  Kyara attended the 2000 LCT Limo Show in Las Vegas and quickly learned that a new corporate market was available to build on.

 

 Through creating relationships with International Affiliate Companies she was able to begin the corporate base of the company.  With that came a shift in vehicle focus of L.A. Limousines and the company began to acquire Luxury Sedans, SUVs and Vans.

 

Closer to home, she sought out local corporate clients through active involvement with Associations and by participating in industry events.  She became the Director of Sponsorship for the Vancouver Island Meeting Planners and Suppliers (VIMPS) in 2005 and was asked to take on the Chair’s position in 2007.  She has also served on the Tourism Victoria Strategic Issues Committee.

 

2002 saw the birth of Kyara and Edison’s first son, Nahoa.  In 2003, their second son, Koa arrived.  When Nahoa was two and half, they became aware that Nahoa’s development was slowing down.  A year later he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  To complicate matters, it was learned that Koa had several life threatening allergies that needed to be managed.

 

During her three successful terms as a Councillor for the District of Metchosin, she served as Chair of Parks & Recreation, Planning & Zoning, and Highways & Public Works.  She also serves in the community as Chair of the Victoria Family Court & Youth Justice Committee and was Chair of the Regional Arts Committee.  Her other committees included the Capital Regional Emergency Services Telecommunications (CREST), West Shore Parks & Recreation and the Regional Housing Trust.

 

In July 2008, LCT Magazine held their 1^st annual LCT Canada Show in Toronto; Kyara was a speaker on “How to Survive Wedding & Prom Season” and on “Effective Networking”. At the upcoming LCT International Show in Las Vegas in January 2009 Kyara will be the first Canadian woman to speak. Her topic – “How to Run a Successful Business and Have a Life, too!”