ʻIkea ka nani o ia kaha i ka ulu niu

Papahana Puakahīnano Program Director

From the shores of Piʻilani, ʻElika moved to Hilo about 15 years ago in pursuit of her degree at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Since 2010, she has called Hilo home and since earned a Bachelor's of Art in Hawaiian Studies and Marine Science. Her passion for Hawaiʻi-based education led her to a Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies at the University of Mānoa, and has since been dedicated to creating educational experiences for keiki and communities to connect to ʻāina.

Accountant

Haku was born and raised in Kaumana on the island of Hawaiʻi. Her early experience working for a local non-profit, beginning in high school, inspired her to pursue higher education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting. Guided by a passion for helping organizations thrive through financial stewardship, she continued her academic journey at the University of Connecticut, where she earned a Master of Science in Accounting.

ʻĀina Management

From the capital city of Suva in Fiji, Sam moved to Hawaiʻi after getting married in 2006. Growing up, taking care of the yard and growing food was just part of daily life—and as the only boy in his family, most of the work landed on him. Those early lessons followed him to Hawai'ʻi, teaching him the value of hard work and caring for the land. Once here, Sam worked with Big Island Tropical Landscapers, where a mentor’s love for plants and botany inspired him to turn landscaping into a career. Today, he brings that same passion to Hui Hoʻoleimaluō, keeping our spaces healthy and thriving.

Papahana Puakahīnano Educational Coordinator

Native to Hilo and its many flowing rivers, Nāhōkū was raised deeply rooted in community. Her strong sense of family has led her to pursuing her undergraduate education with a B.A. in Anthropology and a certificate in Beekeeping at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and then becoming a graduate of the Kahoʻiwai Center for Adult Teaching and Learning.

Director of Cultural Engagement and Create Arts

With a strong genealogical connection to Hawaiʻi Island, Manoa comes from the Hilo area famous for its heavy and fertile rains. His place-based upbringing has influenced him to pursue his education and obtain an Associates degree in Hawaiian Lifestyles with a focus on Cultural Fishery Management - Lawaiʻa Studies from Hilo’s Hawaiʻi Community College and a B.A. in Geography from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Executive Director

Born and raised on the island of Hawaii, Kamala grew up at Waiuli, Keaukaha. She earned a Bachelorʻs of science degree in Agriculture: specialty in aquaculture and a Master’s of Science in the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.