Rachel Kealaonapua Rodriquez

Rachel Kealaonapua Rodriquez was born and raised in Hawaiʻi on the island of Oʻahu, where she grew up immersed in Hawaiian culture, language, and community. She spent much of her childhood dancing hula, swimming competitively, and visiting her family’s tropical flower farm in Hāna, Maui.  

Rachel’s father tragically lost his life while serving in the military when Rachel was still in high school. This profoundly impacted Rachel and inspired her interest in law, as she wanted to learn how to help others navigatenavigate difficult circumstances. 

Rachel attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California where she continued swimming, dancing hula and studied abroad for a year in Florence, Italy. In 2018 she graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and an emphasis on Ethnic Studies. After graduation, Rachel attended law school at Golden Gate University in San Francisco before moving to Arizona to work for the Pima County Attorney’s Office. She subsequently transferred to Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2024.  

Rachel first joined NGRV as a law student, serving as a legal clerk and focusing her efforts on litigations that affect populations of color such as MDL 3060 In re: Hair Relaxer, and the Maui Fire litigation. Rachel now serves as NGRV’s Intake Attorney where she oversees intake operations for NGRV. She manages case evaluations, client onboarding, intake protocols, and referral relationships while working closely with clients and co-counsel throughout the country. Rachel is passionate about making the legal process accessible to everyone and believes the law is a powerful tool that should be used to make our world safer for all.  

Rachel is involved in the legal community as a member of the Minority Caucus of the American Association for Justice and is active in the Arizona Minority Bar Association. 

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys exploring new restaurants, gardening, and spending time with her family and her dogs, Anela and Beau.