Kilia Purdy-Avelino is an assistant extension agent with the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program working as the Molokaʻi (Kona) Moku Resilience Stewardship Coordinator, specializing in resilient populations and economies. Her work focuses on public engagement and outreach, project management, holistic environmental stewardship, capacity building and knowledge sharing, and policy backing for the moku of Molokaʻi.

Kilia is a 4th generation Hawaiian homesteader of Hoʻolehua, Molokaʻi. She graduated from Molokaʻi High & Intermediate School and continued her higher education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Since returning to Molokaʻi in 2005, she has been an educator in various educational institutions and grade levels, from Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kualapuʻu Elementary School, High School and Early College Advisory at Kanu o ka ʻAina Hawaiian Focused Charter School, to the University of Hawaiʻi, Maui College as a Hawaiian Language/Studies Lecturer. Because of her passion in education, Kilia is actively involved in her island, volunteering on boards and creating and coordinating youth programs focused on traditional and conservation efforts.