KAʻEHU
TEAM
MEET THE BOARD
President
Dr. Hōkūlani Holt
Dr. Hokulani Holt has been the Kumu Hula for Pāʻū O Hi’iaka for over 35 years. She has devoted her professional and personal time to many aspects of Hawaiian culture throughout the islands. Hōkūlani was a founding member, a parent, and a Director of Pūnana Leo O Maui Hawaiian Language Preschool. She was the first Maui Site Coordinator for Nä Pua No’eau, The Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children, she was the Culture and Education Manager for the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission and currently works at the UH Maui College, Director at Kahikina o Ka Lā. Hōkūlani is a cultural/lineal descendant of the Kaʻehu Bay area, aka Kauahea.
Secretary
Nicole Hokoana
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.
Sgt. of Arms
Kalena Eaton
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.
MEET THE STAFF
Director of Organizational Development
Keolamau Tengan
There are places we are raised, and then there are the places that raise us. A son of Waiʻehu, Keolamau Tengan grew up playing upon the shore of Kaʻehu Bay. Having pilina with this place, Keolamau takes his kuleana of stewardship as a priority to support in revitalizing the lands, restoring the waters, and doing his part to uplift the community of this ʻāina.
With a background in both nonprofit and entrepreneurialism, Keolamau brings his unique experience and perspective to further support KAʻEHU in the great work that has and continues to happen. With the vision of a Puʻuhonua at KAʻEHU, Keolamauʻs brings with him a desire to be of service, experience within community, and aspiration to be a great ancestor for generations to come into his daily work.
Director of Operations & Programs
Lohelani Furtado-Gaspar
Lohelani Furtado-Gaspar grew up on the island of Oʻahu in the ahupuaʻa of Kalihi. A proud 2019 graduate of Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue, a Hawaiian immersion school nestled in the back of Pālolo Valley, Lohelani began her cultural education journey at Ānuenue, where she immersed herself in the Hawaiian language and cultural practices from a young age.
Her connection to Kaʻehu began in 2016 as a haumāna (student), and she returned each summer, steadily embracing more kuleana (responsibility). By 2020, she joined Kaʻehu full-time and now serves as the Director of Cultural Education.
Lohelani holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and is dedicated to uplifting her community through cultural education and land stewardship. She believes Kaʻehu is a vital resource for the community, offering a space to come together, connect with culture, and get grounded through ʻāina (land).
Mannon Kamai
Bio Coming Soon