Kiawe Miliani

Kiawe Nihopalaoa Miliani is from Paniola Town on Akala Island in the Alola region. He's traveling with the Mokusetsu through his hometown as they look for Hi no Tama, the Fire Plate. He's the brother of Mimo Miliani and the son of Sima Miliani and Rango Miliani.

Background
When Kiawe was young, his family was poor. They struggled each day to make ends meet. Kiawe sometimes went nights without eating. His mom, Sima, didn't work and his dad, Rango, didn't have a well-paying job, since there weren't that many jobs available in a rural Paniola Town.

When his sister, Mimo, was born, Kiawe was 9. Sima and Rango didn't know if they could continue supporting the family financially. As a result, they started a farm in their vast yard. This farm ended up generating good income for the family. Kiawe worked on the farm after his homeschooling each day. He labored hard to help provide for the family.

Growing up, Kiawe had a neighboring house where a boy and his father lived. The boy's name was Harry. Kiawe and Harry became close friends. The two hung out, played games, and even picked on Mimo whenever Kiawe wasn't too busy tending to the farm. Harry's father even purchased some of Kiawe's family's produce in their farm, even though the family insisted he didn't have to pay. Everyone got to know Harry and his father well.

At times, Kiawe's family was robbed, since people envied the family's success. It was sometimes strangers, but mainly, it was Team Skull. This dwindled down when the Tekiyoku was formed, and the farm helped with the family's taxes. But, back when Team Skull was still running, they would make sporadic attempts to steal a portion of the family's supplies and income. Kiawe was angry that he was too weak to do anything. Sometimes, he would see these horrific events make his mother and little sister cry. This infuriated Kiawe.

Harry eventually became aware of these robbings by Team Skull. Kiawe had been trying to keep these events a secret from him, as not to worry him, but Harry saw from outside his house at times. During one instance of Team Skull robbing, they demanded a larger portion than usual from the farm. They were being more vicious. Harry bursted outside while his father was asleep and yelled at them to stop. Kiawe screamed at him to go back inside, but Harry didn't listen. He ran to Team Skull with a baseball bat. Team Skull ended up killing Harry. They then left the area. The event left Kiawe sad and furious, as he became determined to kill Team Skull members if he saw them. He desired to become stronger so he can defend his friends and family.

Present
Kiawe officially debuted in Episode 30. He's one of the few students of Professor Kukui's Alolan summer academy, along with Mallow, Lana, and Lillie. This academy isn't official; it's meant for more specialized knowledge that can only be learned in Alola. It was Kukui's idea and since participation isn't certified, student numbers remain low.

During one of their classes, which take place in Hau'oli City, they received a visit from Alain, Ash, and Dawn, who were there to recruit people to the Mokusetsu while they look for the two Plates in Alola. Neither Kiawe nor his classmates knew who they were at first and thought they were new students, until Kukui informed them about their mission. The Mokusetsu mentioned their first destination was Paniola Town on Akala Island to get the Fire Plate, Hi no Tama. This prompted Kiawe to express his desire to come with them, since that's his hometown. After being accepted, he notably expressed anger as he pondered about this being a chance to get payback on those who seek to take advantage of the poor and innocent. After this, his classmates agreed to come as well.

In Episode 31, Kiawe, Mallow, Lana, and Lillie traveled with Division A of the Mokusetsu through Hau'oli City. Kiawe had earned the nickname, "Grumpy", by Alain. Kiawe told Alain that he's well versed in martial arts and wants to fight the Tekiyoku, too, instead of just hiding while Ash and Alain fight. Alain accepts, telling Kiawe to be careful.

Later, Kiawe tells everyone about himself, including the part about Sima and Rango's farm and how robbers, including Team Skull, messed with the family's source of income. Kiawe emphasized that seeing Sima and Mimo cry is part of what makes him so angry and determined to beat up those who mess with the innocent and weak.

In Episode 32, Kiawe told Ash the extra detail of his backstory: the part that involved his childhood friend, Harry. He told Ash the events about him that are outlined in the Background section, including the death of Harry at the hands of Team Skull. He was blinded with rage during the recollecting of these memories and wanted death to all Tekiyoku members, especially those formerly involved with Team Skull. Ash calmed him down and reminded him that Ash lost his mother to the Tekiyoku as well. Kiawe declared that he'll find a better solution to help the world other than more death. He saw Lillie walking on her own after this and suggested that Ash goes to talk to her, then started walking with his Charizard.

In Episode 33, Kiawe and Ash woke inside their tent that next morning. Due to not being at the tent before Ash slept because of walking with Charizard, he asked Ash if Lillie told him about her past. Ash confirms, who is surprised at how positive the Alolan friends stay, despite what all they went through. Later at a Pokémon Center after video calls with Professor Kukui and Division B, Kiawe was pulled aside for a private talk with Alain. Alain warned him to keep his emotions in check or else he might lose whatever possible fight might happen over the Fire Plate. Kiawe assures him that he'll be fine. Alain then asks what would happen if the enemies turn out to be the ones who killed Harry. Kiawe says nothing, as Alain goes back inside.

Soon, the group arrived in Paniola Town. They went to Kiawe's house, where his mom, Sima, and his father, Rango, were there to greet Kiawe's usual friends and his 3 new friends. Kiawe introduced Ash, Alain, and Dawn to them. Kiawe and Rango explained that there's been a recent drought that has been negatively affecting the crops in the family farm. If rain doesn't come soon, they'll have to adjust for a lack of steady income soon. Kiawe adds that this lack of rain is unusual for this time of year (the end of August), since there's normally more rain when it's close to Autumn. Mimo bursts out suddenly and demands Kiawe to give her a dollar and a quarter so she can get some ice cream. He says no. The group prepares to leave the area to find the Plate, so goodbyes are said as the Mokusetsu departs.

In a nearby area where the Plate is supposed to be, Kiawe states that this area is used to help supply farms with materials and grain. The search for the Plate here is unsuccessful at first. People are approaching, which turn out to be Tupp, Rapp, and Zipp, three former Team Skull members now with the Tekiyoku. Upon seeing them in their Team Skull uniforms, Kiawe instantly became enraged. He yelled at them for what Team Skull did to Harry. Tupp tried to explain it wasn't them, but other former Team Skull membes who aren't even in the Tekiyoku. Kiawe says he doesn't care and that he still wants them dead. He doesn't respond when Ash tries to calm him down. They all get ready for a fight, with Kiawe being instructed to fight Tupp.

In Episode 34, the fight commenced. Kiawe charged at Tupp with intense anger and intent to kill him. Tupp told him he didn't kill Harry, but insisted that Tupp die in Harry's honor. He did poorly in the fight, though, and was knocked down constantly. He continuously got up, though, determined to win. He gained an advantage for some time and made Tupp back away from the fighting area, far from the others. This turned out to be a plan from the enemy, as Tupp then started using his 60% boost to knock Kiawe down after violent blows. Tupp then started choking Kiawe, as Kiawe struggled for his life. He was then suddenly saved by Ash. Alain took care of the enemies in the fight, as the Mokusetsu was victorious.
 * Hidden Plot Information for Kiawe

Before the enemy retreated, Kiawe once again yelled that he wanted to kill the enemy and charged at them, but was held back by Ash. Mallow, Lana, and Lillie calmed him down, reminding him they'd be there for him like always. The enemy retreated. Kiawe didn't want to talk about it afterwards.

Kiawe and the rest of the group continued searching for Hi no Tama. This lasted a long while, as the scorching sun quickly fatigued them. Kiawe reminded Ash that it's so hot because of the recent drought in Paniola Town, which is making it impossible for his family to maintain their farm. This would negatively affect their income. After more searching, Ash ended up using Alain's Charizard to go to the top of a silo. When he came down, he had the Fire Plate. This caused rain to fall shortly afterwards, ending the drought. Kiawe was pleased at this, since it meant his family could harvest this Autumn.

Kiawe decided to keep traveling with the Mokusetsu for the next Plate after Lillie was determined to stay, since she wanted the Mokusetsu to bring Gladion back to her.

In Episode 35, everyone returned back to Kiawe's house to let Sima and Rango know what happened in the fight. Mimo joined shortly after. Everyone was happy about the rain, which came from finding Hi no Tama, since it helped the family farm to prosper this Autumn. Sima started to say, "Citizens never knew that so many people would step up to fight the Tekiyoku. Especially that oth--", but Kiawe quickly stopped her from finishing that sentence. Kiawe offered for everyone to stay at his house for the night, but Alain refused, saying the house wasn't big enough for all 7 of them traveling together. Lillie volunteered her house since it's large enough. With this, everyone left Paniola Town to head back to Hau'oli City on Melemele Island for the night. Kiawe insisted on staying with them for the night instead of staying home.

While walking through the downtown area of Hau'oli City that evening with Alain, Alain asked Kiawe if Kiawe was sure about joining that "other organization". This hinted at an additional organization besides the Mokusetsu and Tekiyoku. Kiawe was adamant about joining them because only they can help him feel better by punishing the Tekiyoku more than just finding Plates. Kiawe says he heard of the group from speaking to the leader, prompting Alain to guess that Kiawe has been to Unova, which he confirms. He says that he travels to find connections with other farms, since that helps his family's farm to stay in business. Alain warns Kiawe that if this other organization gets in his way, he and Kiawe would become enemies. Kiawe acknowledges this and admits he hasn't told anyone about this except his parents, not even Mimo. He notices that Alain hasn't told Ash nor Dawn as well. They agree to keep this conversation a secret. Kiawe then suggests that Alain find a place to have as a headquarters for the Mokusetsu, but Alain doesn't express interest in doing this. He stays that night with the others at Lillie's house.

The next day in Episode 36, Kiawe's with everyone as they trek through Hau'oli City and hang out some, since they all had decided to wait a few days before seeking Ganseki, the Rock Plate, in that city. Kiawe and Alain got by themselves again to speak of this other organization that the former still wishes to join. Alain tells Kiawe that it's fine if he joins, but that he might not have time for the Mokusetsu, but that there's always a spot for him if he wishes to become a Manipulator. Alain also explains how this organization was formed. They're interrupted by Ash, who says a video call is happening in the nearby Pokémon Center. Here, Division B (Barry, Zoey, Kenny, and Bianca) checks in with them. Lillie tells Kiawe, Mallow, and Lana that she's okay with her "Silver Moon" moniker again, making them happy.

Later that evening, a big talk is had with everyone where a lot of things get revealed. It ends with Alain enlisting Kiawe's help in finally revealing details about this other organization. It's called eXpulsion and Kiawe finally admits to his Alolan friends that he wishes to join. This shocks them; he says he didn't say this because he didn't wish to worry them. They end up skeptical of eXpulsion at first, but end up supporting Kiawe with whatever decision he ends up making.

Additional Information
Hidden Plot Information

Pokémon
Kiawe has a Charizard with him as his one Pokémon he's allowed to keep in his possession. He raised it as his own ever since it was a Charmander in his early life in Alola. During the main years he got to know Harry, it was a Charmeleon at the time.

Kiawe revealed the Charizard in the series in Episode 32 when he was talking with Ash. He'd later leave to go walking with it that night.

Naming

 * His first name, Kiawe, is his name in the English dub of the Pokémon anime. It comes from "kiawe", which is a species of mesquite tree whose wood is a source of long-lasting firewood and charcoal.
 * His middle name, Nihopalaoa, and his last name, Miliani, were randomly selected from a Hawaiian name generator. Hawaii was chosen for the name generator, due to his region, Alola, being based on Hawaii.

General

 * His birthday, October 13th, is the birthdate of his Japanese voice actor in the Pokémon anime, Kaito Ishikawa.
 * As of the airing of Episode 32, Kiawe is now the third character in the series to be shown to have a Charizard, the other two being Alain and Trevor.