Nonprofit Background
KAʻEHU is a nonprofit organization with the goal to restore the land and perpetuate traditional Hawaiian culture using community-based, inclusive, family-oriented approach to environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture. Our mission statement is to 1) promote the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of the land area and natural resources at Kaʻehu Bay, and 2) utilize the land and natural resources, in conjunction with other agencies and cultural organizations to promote, preserve and perpetuate traditional Hawaiian cultural activities.
Kaʻehu continues to work with community organizations, the MPD Juvenile Crime Prevention Division and other agencies to provide team building activities, land restoration and cultural opportunities at Kaʻehu Bay. Volunteers and staff work together to restore and maintain ancient taro patches, harvest taro, taro leaf, ulu, noni, and other traditional foods and medicinal plants. We will continue our work with youth to provide a healthy environment and place of learning.
Over the past 30 years, board members of Kaʻehu and Kauahea Inc., along with the Trust for Public Lands, have collected data and input from the community regarding the area. The community input will help guide the planning and development process of this pristine area.
In July 2017, Kaʻehu partnered with Hawaiian nonprofits and businesses to help restore the area and promote cultural practices. Our partners include Kauahea Inc., Hale Hoʻolana, MAA (Makahiki Athletic Association), and PIKO (Planning Innovative Kommunities & Opportunities)
Board Members
Kalena Eaton
President
Kalena Eaton has a Bachelorʻs Degree in Family Resource Management and Masterʻs degree in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling. She has worked with youth of all ages as a Mentor Health Coordinator at the Department of Health, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division and was the Director Services Specialist IV for the Queen Liliuokalani Childrenʻs Center. She is currently working at Maui Waena Intermediate School as a youth counselor.
Nanifay Paglinawan
Vice-President
Nanifay Paglinawan has her Bachelorʻs Degree in Psychology and recently retired from Women Helping Women as a Counselor and Women and Childrenʻs Advocate for the past 40 years on the island of Maui. Paglinawan was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her service and dedication to serving women and children of Maui County in the area of domestic violence.
Nicole Hokoana
Secretary
Nicole Hokoana has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy. She has worked with youth on middle and high school campuses, with young adults at University of Hawai Maui College and with families at Child & Family Service. She served as a Program Director and Individual/Family Therapist at Child & Family Service for 4 years. She currently works at Maui Behavior Health Resources.
Kandyce Giles
Treasurer
Kandyce Giles has been working in the financial and banking sector for the past 11 years and has worked her way up to becoming a personal banker at First Hawaiian Bank. Starting as a bank teller in 2009, Giles has held various positions in the banking industry including Head teller, Branch Manager, Branch Support, Mortgage Loan Processor, Compliance Associate and is knowlegable in the Community Reinvestment Act. She has been active in coordinating annual fundraising events for nonprofits and has volunteered for the Maui Food Bank, Maui United Way, and the Oklahoma Multiple Sclerosis Society Committee.
Kuʻuleinani Maunupau, Executive Director, KAEHU
Ku Kahakalau, Kuakanaka LLC, Planning Facilitator/Educator/Cultural Resource
Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla, Kauahea Inc., Cultural Practitioner & Resource
Kiʻi Kahoʻohanohano, Hale Hoʻolana, Cultural practitioner, midwife, native plant specialist
Pohaku Kahoʻohanohano, Hale Hoʻolana, Lauhala Weaving practitioner
Tanya Lee-Greig – Āina Archaeology, Hawaiian Archaeologist
Lohelani Furtado-Gaspar – UH Manoa student, Kaʻehu summer intern, apprentice wood and bone carver, artist.
Torgen Johnson, Johnson Designs, Planner, Landscape Architect, Architect
Matteo Raspagni, Johnson Designs, Architect
Lily Donge, PIKO (Planning Innovative Kommunities & Opportunities), sustainability, renewable energy, clean tech and finance
Alika Seki, Civil Engineer
Jay Carpio, Wailuku CMMA (Community Makai Managed Area), traditional fishing practices and limu (seaweed) restoration
Nakoa Goo – UH Institute of Marine Biology
Hannah Bernard & Magda Carey, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Marine Education and Removal & Recycling Plastic Marine Debris