John Leong’s passion for creating a more resilient Hawai‘i is the inspiration and foundation for his ground-breaking work and accomplishments. As an environmental entrepreneur, Leong has helped to develop Hawai‘i’s green jobs industry, increasing conservation awareness and creating career opportunities in natural resource management and sustainability.

After graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2000, Leong founded Pono Pacific Land Management, LLC, a conservation and land management services company. Pono Pacific is the only comprehensive, private natural resource management company in Hawai‘i, which provides services such as conservation, sustainable energy and agriculture. Striving to continually innovate the company and its services, Leong has bridged Pono Pacific’s long-term conservation management goals with revenue-generating, land-based sustainability projects including reforestation, local food production, and renewable energy.

In 2007, Leong co-founded non-profit organization Kupu, to cultivate positive environmental impact by focusing on developing Hawai‘i’s next generation of environmental stewards and community leaders. Kupu’s youth conservation and sustainability programs provide environmental and cultural education and experiences, as well as personal and professional development opportunities. Through its innovative programs and partnerships, Kupu has over 6,000 alumni and generated a total of more than $200 million in socio-economic benefits within the Pacific region with a 1 to 3 cost-to-benefit ratio.

Leongʻs awards and recognitions include: 

• 2024: Pacific Century Fellow Ho'o Pasifika Honoree

• 2023: Pacific Business News Hawaii's Most Admired Leaders and Punahou School, Charles S. Judd Jr. Humanitarian Award

• 2019: Development of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Ho`okupu Center and Obama Foundation Fellow

• 2018: Testified to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

• 2016: Hawai‘i Community Foundation Ho‘okele Award

• 2014: Na Kama Kai Ho‘okele Award

• 2013: Hawai'i Institute for Public Affairs Ho‘oulu Leadership Award

• 2012: Hawaii Business Magazine 20 for the Next 20

• 2010: Pacific Business News Forty Under 40 and Bank of Hawai'i Community Leader of the Year

• 2007: Pacific Century Fellow

Leong serves on the following boards: Alexander and Baldwin, Island Insurance, Punahou Board of Trustees, Lambda Alpha International (LAI), University of Hawai'i Sea Grant and is the Chair of City and County of Honolulu Board of Parks and Recreation.

Leong successfully completed several fellowships, notably earning recognition as a Pacific Century Fellow, Omidyar Fellow, and Obama Foundation Fellow. These associations reflect a commitment to leadership, innovation, and community impact.

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Leong is a graduate of Punahou School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. He is married to fellow high school alumna and Pono Pacific and Kupu co-founder Julianna Rapu Leong. Together they have four amazing children and live in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.