Born and raised in Kapahulu,
Oʻahu, Kanae is of Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino ancestry. Before returning to college after a ten-year hiatus, she worked as a secretary. Beginning at Kapiʻolani Community College, Kanae later transferred to the
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she earned her B.A. and then went on to earn her M.A. in 1999. ==Career==