Daniel Lee Sharp

Returning to his home state of Texas after 36 years living abroad, Daniel is the Director of Finance for Oweesta; the longest standing Native Community Financial Development Institution intermediary, providing financial opportunities to strengthen sovereignty and economic independence for all Native communities.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M before being commissioned in the US Marine Corps. As a Captain he served for 10 years as an Air Traffic Control Officer where he managed the ATC Facility at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Southern California. He is a veteran of the first Gulf War and served on the General’s staff for the 3rd Marine Air Wing supervising the top secret and cryptographic departments.

Following his time in the Marine Corps he served 15 years as the Chief Financial Officer and Operations Manager for the Charismatic Episcopal Church. During that time, he earned his Master of Ministry Degree from St Michaels Seminary with a focus on nonprofit operational and financial management. As an Adjunct Professor of Church History and Religious Ritual & Liturgical Practices with St Michael’s Seminary he had the opportunity to travel to many continents and nations of the world.

During his travels to the Hawaiian Islands he discovered the “other Hawaii” and fell in love with its native people and culture. In 2007 Daniel moved to Oahu where he worked as the Assistant Controller for an international government contractor for the U.S. Defense Department. It was here that Mia Lalau told him of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Islands and gave him his Hawaiian name: Kaniela.

Returning to Texas in 2008, to assist his former father-in-law recover from a near fatal car accident, he conducted internal and forensic audits for a 3rd party administrator that provided tax sheltered account administration for over 400 public schools nationwide. He also learned the art of making Czech Sausage from Raymond Peterek as he managed the meat processing business, 3R Country Meats, during his former father-in-law’s recovery.

On his return to Oahu in 2010, he was employed by Hawaii Maoli as its Operations and Fiscal Manager. It was at this time he was welcomed into the Native Hawaiian community through the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs founded by Prince Jonah Kuhio in 1918. In 2011 he joined Keiki O Ka Aina as its Controller and Preschool Administrator. He served as the Director of Finance and eCommerce Manager for Hawaii Health Connector in 2014 and later rejoined Keiki O Ka Aina as its Director of Finance until 2016.

In 2016 he started Sharp Business Solutions where he provided executive level financial and business administrative services and staffing to small business owners and non-profit organizations. While operating his business, he continued to serve the Native Hawaiian people by volunteering to serve on numerous boards including, the Prince Kuhio Federal Credit Union, Treasurer for the Hawaii Maoli Board of Directors and Alii Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club as well as, Vice Chair for the Ways and Means Committee for the O’ahu Council of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

In 2018 the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement offered him the position of Chief Financial Officer, where he also directly supervised the organization’s Native Community Financial Development Institution, providing direct loans to Native Hawaiian businesses, organizations, and individuals.

In May 2020 he returned to Texas to serve his family during the COVID 19 crisis with more than 28 years of experience in organizational and financial management. Upon his return he assisted his brother, Jonathan in building the Lombard Group and related companies and served as the Chief Financial Officer for Sunrise Creek Pumping, LLC.