Kamalani Dung

Q: What excites you most about being a Twin Fin Ambassador?

My favorite thing about being a Twin Fin Ambassador is the family I've gained representing this hotel. From the staff, to the other ambassadors, everyone here is looking to create change and put their best foot forward. I am so proud to represent the Twin Fin 'Ohana and my favorite hotel!

Q: When did sports start influencing your life?

I started playing sports when I was around 6 years old; since then, everything I've learned competing and playing around the world has had a major influence on the way I live my life.

Q: If you’re not dabbling in the sports community, what do you love to do in beautiful Hawaii?

If not in the sports community, I love fashion, art, entertainment, and having fun. I love walking runways, attending art shows, hosting different events, and traveling around the world.

Q: What do you believe makes the Twin Fin a great space for creatives and artists to visit?

I believe Twin Fin is leading the pack in the hotel industry when it comes to creating a community and space for creative and artists to visit. Featuring local talent ambassadors of all walks of life, and creating a safe environment for us to pursue our creative visions is something I'm so thankful for.

Q: Finally, if you could spend the day with any athlete, who would it be?

If I could spend the day with any athlete, I'd love to spend the day with Serena Williams. A true hard worker and absolute class act. I'd love to learn more about her story and trade sports secrets :)

Ambassador

@kama.dung

Xeana Kamalani Dung, also known as “Kama Dung,” is a professional softball pitcher, model, ESPN Sports Analyst, and philanthropist from Waianae, Hawaii. She is a gold and bronze world medalist and is known as the first professional softball pitcher from Hawaii. Kamalani is currently plays on the Puerto Rican National Team and in the USA Athletes Unlimited Softball league. Kamalani is a Kamehameha Schools Kapalama and UC Berkeley Graduate who is passionate about sports, entertainment, fashion, and community. Kamalani is the founder and CEO of multiple businesses and recently started a non-profit supporting underserved youth of the pacific – providing coaching and mentorship to the next generation of athletes. Kamalani is known for her aloha spirit, and enjoys surfing, pilates, art, music, and spending time with her family and friends.

What is your Ambassador Role?

I’m so excited to partner with the TwinFin Hotel because of their aligning values. Not only do I love that TwinFin is supporting local talent, but they’re all about creating lasting connection with the community that surrounds them. I love beautiful experiences rooted in culture and it’s refreshing to be partnered with a hotel that brings all of that together, in an authentic way, in the heart of Waikiki.

What excites you most about being a Twin Fin Ambassador?

When did sports start influencing your life?

Your story and your determination are an inspiration to many young adults. Can you share how your challenge motivated you to become the person you are today?

Kamalani: Coming from Makaha and being one of the first pro softball pitchers in the World to come out of Hawaii, the odds were always stacked against me. I was never the biggest, strongest, or most financially equipped athlete out there, pure hard work and relentlessness was the key to all the success I’ve found in sport and now in life.

How did your Olympic training (and overall sports career) change you? And is it for the better?

Kamalani: My experience as an Olympic athlete showed me that anything is possible. From a small town girl, to traveling the world and playing on the biggest stage in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, I’ve become a better and more fearless person. I’ve been blessed to experience the lowest of lows and highest of highs at an early age, I challenge everyone I meet to live big and challenge finding their fullest potential.

If you’re not dabbling in the sports community, what do you love to do in beautiful Hawaii?

You’re known for your aloha spirit. What motivates you to be part of the Hawaiian community?

Kamalani: Good people helping me along my journey have got me to where I am today. Everyday, I aspire to be what I needed when I was younger, which is a helping hand. My aloha comes from the love I have for people and the love I have for watching them achieve their dreams. My goal is to always show aloha and help without expecting anything in return, whenever I can. We never know what anyone is going through, and one act of aloha can change a whole life!

You’ve created a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting underprivileged youth in the Pacific region by offering coaching and mentorship to nurture the future generation of athletes. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

Kamalani: I believe sports is a powerful force able to teach the youth important lessons about life. Sports can also be used as a vessel to help propel someone out of difficult situations providing a community and the opportunity to further one’s education. Sports changed my life, and I’m passionate about creating a space where it will do the same for many other children.

What do you believe makes the Twin Fin a great space for creatives and artists to visit?

Finally, if you could spend the day with any athlete, who would it be?