Kula no na Po'e Hawai'i
Education Is Our Priority
MARIA SUGANUMA, DIRECTOR
THEONE KANUHA, PRESIDENT
KEOLA NAKANISHI, VICE-PRESIDENT - We are who we need, and Papakōlea community demonstrates this through practice more than talk. Education in particular is a primary vehicle to addressing major community challenges, from health to environment to economic. Well before Hawaii was even aware of the opportunities that charter schools present as a vehicle for community-based education, KULA had the foresight of one day having a charter school serving its community. As Director of Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School, whose host communities are Papakōlea and Maunalaha Valley, I am both ha'aheo and ha'aha'a (honored and humbled) at the opportunity to support Papakōlea community in whatever ways I can, both in my role with Halau Ku Mana, and as a member of the KULA board.
PUNI KEKAUOHA, TREASURER
- Born and raised in the Hawaiian homestead community of Papakolea, Puni has served as president of the Papakolea Community Association since 1999. She currently serves as health committee chair of the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations. A strong believer of change needing to start from within, she is founder and director of Ke Alaula, a statewide community-based organization devoted to the advocacy of Native Hawaiian Health and Wellness concerns. Puni's professional career spans twenty years in Health Administration. Her work in the health arena ranged from a subsystem analyst for the Hawaii Medicaid program to community health outreach worker at Queen Emma Clinic. A single mom, Puni has one daughter, Kahelekaapuni, 15 years old.
PATRICIA LEIMAMO KAPEA, SECRETARY
HAILI POKIPALA, DIRECTOR - I celebrate the opportunity with my fellow Directors
and all interested members of our Hawaiian community that Kula no na Po'e Hawaii offers all of us, who share in the
common goal of providing an array of programs and opportunities that excites, motivates and educates our community
members to improve upon, secure and maintain: good health, a financially satisfying career and a loving family
and home environment; that can ensure a strong and healthy Hawaiian community that contributes GOOD to our larger
Hawaii state community and beyond.
J. ALOHA KAIKAINA, DIRECTOR - As an advocate of the
education, health and the overall wellbeing of our Hawaiian people, I feel that
I am both fortunate and blessed to be a part of Kula no na Po`e Hawai`i. Our
motto, “Education Is Our Priority” serves as the heartbeat at which we step to.
Health driven initiatives such as Nā
Lomilomi o Papakōlea and the “Community
Kauka”, strengthen our mental and physical capacity to serve our community. The
Youth programs we offer, comparable to Multimedia C.O.R.E., fortifies our
purpose and efforts by providing the life giving hope for the future. With such
divine purpose it is my pleasure to serve.
CLARICE TUASIVI, DIRECTOR - Born and raised in Papakolea, product of both public and private schools, passion for working with kids, strongly value education, BS in Family Resources from UH Manoa, MS in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade, Clinical Therapist with the Hawaii Counseling and Education Center.
GERRY LEE, DIRECTOR
ED DELAMARTER, DIRECTOR
NANCY DELAMARTER, DIRECTOR
