Dr. Adrienne Dillard, PhD, MSW, LSW, Board President is the Executive Director of Kula No Na Poe Hawaii, a nonprofit community development organization. She is a licensed social worker in the State of Hawaii with a Bachelors and Master’s degree from Hawaii Pacific University and a doctorate in Social Welfare from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Ms. Dillard has over 20 years of experience in community development, community-based participatory, and youth programming. She currently serves on the Board of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Hawaii’s largest community-based community development financial institution providing housing and small business loans to underserved communities statewide.

Kaipo Kukahiko, Vice President joined Hawaiian Community Assets in 2022 from HMSA Foundation. As a Native Hawaiian resident raised in the rural area of Kahalu’u and former Executive Director of the KEY Project, a community center serving the Kahalu’u community providing job and training opportunities for residents with few resources. With an organic personal connection to the area, the community, and its economy, Kaipo was recruited to reinforce the Board’s roots within our constituency.

Gavin Thornton, Board Secretary and Treasurer joined Hawaiian Community Assets Board in 2022. He joined Hawaii Appleseed in 2012 and became Co-Executive Director in 2016, and Executive Director in 2019. Gavin began his career in the AmeriCorps program in Kona, Hawaiʻi in 2002. Since that time, Gavin’s work has focused on trying to ensure that low-income people have the basic resources they need to build a safe, stable foundation for a successful life. Gavin serves on the board of Hawaiian Community Assets and is an Omidyar Fellow. He has previously served on the boards of the HMSA Foundation, PHOCUSED, Partners in Care, the Young Lawyers Division of the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, the Hawaiʻi District Court Rules Committee, and the Board of TeamChild, an organization that assists youth at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. For his work in subsidized housing, Gavin was awarded the National Housing Law Project’s annual Housing Justice Award. He is a 2002 graduate of the University Of Virginia School Of Law.

Kui Meyer, Board Director is a Residential Loan Officer at Freedom Mortgage. Ms. Meyer graduated with a BA in Business from the University of Colorado in Boulder. She has 18 years of experience in the mortgage industry in Hawaii having worked at Hawaii Community Lending, Bank of Hawaii, and HomeStreet Bank prior to her current position. She assists low- and moderate-income families across the state to access mainstream mortgage products for homeownership.

Jasmine Branco began her career in Public Service in 2002 at the Hawai’i State Capitol and has served our state at the County, Legislative and (most recently) Congressional levels. She has an understanding of the legislative branch of our government and the acute and long term needs of the communities that make up the state of Hawai’i. She holds over a decade of grant writing and development experience through work with nonprofit organizations throughout Hawai’i. Jasmine currently owns a small business in Hilo, is an alumna of Kamehameha Kāpalama and received her BA from Saint Mary’s College of California. Born and raised in Hilo, she is honored to raise her ‘ohana in the community that raised her and lives in gratitude to honor the legacy of our kupuna.

Anela Holt-Mizuguchi was born and raised in Hilo. She received her AS in Early Childhood Education in 2013 and used that to advance her career in the preschool setting with Kamehameha Preschool. She worked as a Teaching Assistant for seven years before taking a break to get her BA in English in 2022. She recently worked with ThirtyOne50 Management as an office clerk, where she was able to receive her HUD Certified Occupancy Specialist certificate. Her experience working closely with Native Hawaiian ‘ohana in the preschool, along with her new career path in housing management and resources, influenced her excitement and gratitude to be part of the HCA team.

Ashleigh Loa was born and raised on Oʻahu, where she was nurtured by a community that instilled values such as compassion, kindness, and integrity from an early age. She remains committed to living out those values in her everyday work.

With a diverse background in the nonprofit sector, Ashleigh has gained invaluable experience, ranging from providing direct service as a housing specialist at a homeless shelter to leading as the executive director of an interfaith community organization focused on social justice issues and grassroots leadership development.

Ashleigh attributes her personal and professional growth and love for community to the mana wāhine of Wāhine Pōʻai, her 2022 Obama Foundation Leaders Asia-Pacific ʻohana, her many mentors, and the countless communities that taught her, challenged her, and uplifted her over the years.

Brandie Morales grew up in a multi-generational home in Waiʻanae, Oʻahu. After getting her Communications degree from UH Mānoa, Brandie has been working in the community providing care and support through various programs. She began working with fellow Native Hawaiians and Waiʻanae residents under Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, where she developed a greater passion to elevate the lāhui. Eventually, she transitioned to a Permanent Supportive Housing Program, followed by Partners in Care, before joining HCA. Brandie values how her work at HCA will help Hawaiians to thrive and to ultimately stay in Hawaiʻi.

Aloha mai kakou! ‘O Bree Maumausolo ko’u inoa, no Honolulu, Hawaii ma ka ahupua’a ‘o Ko’olaupoko mai au.

Bree is the youngest child out of three to her parents Lorianne Makalena and David Maumausolo. She has one sister and a brother who are 10 and 12 years older than her.

She is a proud mother and provider of two precious young children, daughter Jayzen (7) and son Breydan (4). Her hobbies include anything to do with DIY projects as well as arts and crafts. She enjoys dedicating her time, attention and love to the lord (first and foremost) and spending quality time with her children if not at home or church, then at the beach or park on the weekends.

In addition, she attended Hawaiian immersion school Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Anuenue in Palolo Valley from Papa Mala’o (kindergarten) through the end of Papa Eha (4th grade), from there she transferred to Aina Haina Elementary, moved on to Niu Valley Middle School, advanced to Kaiser High School for first two years and ended the rest of her schooling at Farrington High School where graduated high school and earned her diploma in May of 2011.

Her personal journey from sophomore year through part of junior year highly impacted her professional career in many ways, such as caring and fending for herself at such a very young age while living on the streets for 1 ½ years. During that time, she had very little to make it through the week on a full stomach, on most days she showered at the beach in cold water and slept in dark and cold places at night. Through it all she learned to be resourceful, self-sufficient, humble, appreciative and optimistic.

The path of her professional career has been paved for her since then… she knew that deep down in her heart she wanted to serve the community in every way she could while making a living at the same time. She’s worked for three different Community Health Centers island wide (Kokua Kalihi Valley, Waimanalo Health Center and Kalihi-Palama Health Center) and gained an enormous amount of experience and knowledge in many areas that deal with community health that can and has drastically improved the quality of life for people of Hawaii.

“As a client and now, new Employee of Hawaiian Community Assets, I can continue to give back to na keiki a me na kupuna of Hawaii nei whole heartedly by applying all that I know and experienced from a personal/and professional standpoint to fulfill HCA’s mission to build the capacity of low and moderate income communities to achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency as well as teach and promote HCA’s philosophy of Kahua Waiwai.”

Camijei was born in Hilo, raised in Maunaloa, Molokaʻi, and currently resides in Hoʻolehua. Her professional career prior to HCA has consistently spanned and empowered Hawaiian knowledge and organizations including UH Hilo, Pūnana Leo, Ke Kula o Nawahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, and Kamehameha Schools. Camijei and her ʻohana have a homestead farm called Kamakani Farms in Hoʻolehua, distributing fresh produce island wide including to Sustainable Molokai. At HCA, Camijei hopes to continue helping Native Hawaiians achieve a quality way of life and building generational wealth.

Chelsea Smallwood was born and raised on the island of Oahu. Chelsea graduated from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Management in 2021.Chelsea has over 15 years of experience in customer service and case management plus working with the mental health population. 

Chelsea is excited to start this new journey with Hawaiian Community Assets as a Community Service Specialist. Chelsea is very passionate in working with the people in her community providing resources and self-sustainability.

Proud mother of three children and any free time she has she loves spending it with her children and family

Cheyna was born on Oʻahu and raised on Kauaʻi. She is now married with three children. Cheyna has an educational background in nursing; however, with a desire to be present with her ʻohana, she found her way to a career with Hawaiian Community Assets. Here, she is able to be a significant part of the HCA team as the Lead Native Hawaiian Focused Housing Counselor. Working with a diverse group of people is a skill and a strength as Cheyna navigates counseling and guiding many local families through HCA. She hopes to be an open mind and active participant in reaching her community.

Damayanthi Fernando leads the execution of HCA programs statewide, aligning them with the agency’s strategic goals. She collaborates closely with HCA program managers and staff, providing support and guidance to help community members achieve their financial and housing goals.

Damayanthi has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for children and families. She began her work in health agencies serving families affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa. She then transitioned to immigrant and refugee resettlement programs, assisting children and families impacted by the Iraq wars and other regional conflicts worldwide.

After moving to Hawaii, Damayanthi served as Group Life Manager at Hawaii Job Corps-Maui, supporting youth and young adults from Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, including Palau, Pohnpei, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Guam, and Kosrae.

Damayanthi holds a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, and a master’s degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR.

Dana Penner was born and raised in Alaska and is one of five siblings. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and has extensive professional experience with data production, project management and data management. Her prior background includes non-profit work serving youth and providing direct case management services to families. Most recently Dana was a Data Analyst at Maika’i Health in Hilo, a non-profit community clinic that works to address health inequities and provide access to healthcare for all.

Dana brings practical knowledge and experience with data management, as well as passion for equity and empowerment, to her role as Research and Data Management Director at Hawaiian Community Assets. She resides in Puna with her husband and two terriers, who enjoy going on walks. In her spare time, Dana also enjoys gardening and bike riding.

Danie-lyn, a proud fourth-generation Maui native, has a deep connection to the beautiful island where she was born and raised. With over 12 years of experience in affordable housing management and compliance, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that families have access to quality, affordable housing. Her deep roots in Maui and passion for her community are evident in her work and daily life.

Danie-lyn feels incredibly fortunate to raise her family on the island she holds so dear, continuing the legacy of her ancestors and contributing to the vibrant community she calls home.

Danielle Filiva’a has resided on the Kona side of Hawaii Island for ten years. She began her career at Konawaena Middle School as a tutor for English language learners. Transitioning into social work, she became a family homeless case manager, driven by the need for housing and resources for Native Hawaiians. This motivation led her to Hawaiian Community Assets, where she now provides essential financial and homebuyer counseling as a HUD-trained counselor.

As a proud mother of three young adults and five hanai children, all of whom are now young adults themselves, family remains at the heart of Danielle’s life. Over nine rugby seasons, her family has been deeply involved in the rugby community, witnessing not only her children’s growth in the sport but also its expansion within the local community.

Dave Richardson grew up in Vancouver, WA, just north of Portland, OR. After high school, they attended Washington State University (Go Cougs!). Growing up, their family enjoyed spending time at their cabin near Olympic National Park. They have always been connected to the outdoors, engaging in activities like fishing, hiking, backpacking, and visiting national parks. Their favorite parks are Glacier and Zion, which they highly recommend visiting.

Previously, Dave worked as a loan officer for two years. Prior to that, they held various roles, including working in business development at a financial technology company, serving as an admission counselor at a university, and working in marketing for a non-profit. Additionally, they spent six months traveling abroad, an experience that brought them up close with communities dealing with extreme material poverty and increased their motivation to live a life of impact.

Their work history has shown them that education is key to breaking cycles of poverty and empowering others. They have learned how critical homeownership is in shrinking the wealth gap and how discrimination towards different groups has created generations of issues. They went into lending to help educate others who didn’t think they could own a home, guiding them to a place of peace and confidence in buying.

Dave hopes to bring the ability to amplify others. They believe the best player on a team isn’t the most talented but the one who makes everyone around them better. They plan to work with a servant’s heart and to empower those they serve, their colleagues, and partners in the community to create an even larger impact. They are eager to learn and eager to serve, and they are grateful to be here.

Harli was born and raised on the island of Maui. Her tumultuous upbringing resulted in an overwhelming passion for people. She commits her life to the lord, her kane, and keiki. They are the driving force for everything she partakes in. In her free time, she loves to adventure with her ‘ohana. However, her education has been dedicated to helping others in need; especially other Native Hawaiians. She studied both at home here in Hawai’i at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo as well as in California at Woodland College. She then went on to study at UC Davis where she received her FEMA Emergency Management Certificate during the peak of the Northern California Wildfires in 2015. Her educational endeavors have focused on Human Services, Social Services, Hemodialysis, and Substance Abuse Counseling. Upon returning home from California last year she has focused on helping those affected by the wildfires. In the last year Harli has worked alongside Maui Food Bank, Common Ground Collective, Maui Emergency Food Task Force, Rotary Club, and is a member of The Hawai’i Oral Health Coalition. She is excited to enter HCA as the Disaster Recovery HUD Housing Counselor.

Heather Kaikuana was born and raised on the Big Island. She recently graduated from Hawaii Community College with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts in 2023. Heather is currently taking online courses with the University of Hawaii West Oahu campus to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Heather has over 11 years of experience in customer service, educating and assisting patients with their visual needs.

She is excited to start this journey with Hawaiian Community Assets as a Community Service Specialist. Heather intends to bring the skills she’s attained over the years, working with people one-on-one by helping the people of the community “achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency.” Outside work, she has four beautiful, energetic children who constantly keep her on her toes. On the weekends, she spends time with her kids, whether watching them do their extracurricular activities or just hanging out with family. In Heather’s spare time, she loves to read and play volleyball.

Born and raised in Wailuku, Maui, Kawehi graduated from Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus and studied Public Health at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. As the oldest of 6 children Kawehi cherishes spending time with her family, especially her 6 nieces and nephews. In her free time, she loves serving in her church, tasting delicious foods from all around the world, learning about art, and reading.

Kawehi’s career path has allowed her to serve in other non-profit organizations where she worked with youth in substance abuse prevention programs, guided families in preparing their toddlers to be school ready, and helped foster parents navigate the ups and downs of caring for children within the foster care system. Through her experiences she has developed a firm belief that by helping others we can create thriving communities where all can benefit and lead fulfilling lives.

“As I start this new chapter at Hawaiian Community Assets I am excited to serve the Native Hawaiian community in helping individuals and families to achieve their goals of becoming more self-sufficient, especially in terms of housing in Maui County. I am grateful for this opportunity to grow and work with an organization and team who are passionate about the well-being and success of those from these islands.

Lara is one of eight children in a blended family from Oahu. She and her older sister were born on Guam, where their father was transferred by IBM to work on the military bases. What was supposed to be a one-year assignment turned into three years. Lara’s family moved back to Oahu before she was a year old, leaving her with no memories of Guam. She grew up in Kane’ohe and Hawai’i Kai and now lives in Kapahulu.

Lara has two daughters and six grandchildren. Her weekends are spent interacting with her grandchildren. The older ones enjoy playing ball or gaming, while the younger two like to play in the dirt and with their toys. She enjoys watching them grow. Her grandchildren also like to visit her mother’s condo to swim in the pool and play tennis. Due to the pandemic, they have stopped participating in group sports.

She graduated from Star of the Sea High School, which had its last graduating class as an all-girls school. In her 40s, she attended Kapi’olani Community College, earning Associate Degrees in Medical Assisting, Culinary Arts, and Culinary Arts in Institutional Food Service Management.

Lara worked for Liberty House during high school and later at a bank as a Teller, then at a credit union for 16 years. She started as a Teller, then worked as a New Accounts Specialist, Loan Specialist, Visa Specialist, and finally as a Loan Officer. She took time off to care for her family. While attending KCC, she worked in the Innovation Center and as a Storeroom Clerk. After several injuries, she was unable to work in a kitchen and later worked as an Escrow Assistant (DCPU), disbursing escrow files upon recordation.

“I hope to bring my knowledge of the financial industry and the escrow knowledge I have gained to Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawai’i Community Lending, along with the customer service skills I have developed over the years. Being able to relate to the people we serve is very important to me.”

Leana Riglos was born and raised on the island of Maui. On her free time she likes to practice self-care by watching the sunset and hanging out with her family at the beach. Leana has an Associates degree in Human Services at the University of Hawaii Maui college (UHMC). A fun fact about Leana is that she was and is to this date the youngest graduate to gain her associates degree in Human Services at UHMC. While gaining her associates degree on the island Maui Leana interned at the Women Helping Women shelter and worked with high risk youth at Maui Family Support Services. Leana continued on in her educational journey and graduated with Cum Laude Bachelors in Social Work at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. While Leana was in Nevada she interned for nonprofit agencies and the University of Medical Center of Southern Nevada in the Burn Care Unit and Palliative Care Unit. After graduation Leana quickly moved back home to the island of Maui and has been working in the nonprofit sector specially with children and families for several years. In 2020 Leana gained her Masters in Social Work specialized in Behavioral Mental Health with an outstanding 4.0 G.PA. at the University of Hawaii Manoa. This accomplishment was Leana’s educational dream and also part of her family’s accomplishment being she is now the first generation graduate in her ohana to receive a Masters degree. Leana hopes to inspire others to pursue their educational milestones when sharing her educational journey. Leana values her clients’ resiliency and vulnerability to pursue generational health and wealth for their ohana. Leana’s main goal with her clients is to build rapport and relationships with them so together we can reach their individual and/or family goals.

Lily is located on the island of Molokai.  Both and her mother and father have lineal ties to the island.  She has one older sister and one younger brother.  Her educational background is a dual associate from UH Maui College, a bachelors in Business Administration and a master’s in Business Administration from Western Governors University.  Favorite hobbies are canoe paddling, surfing, and sunbathing.  On the weekends, Lily and her family enjoys being out in the yard and playing board games.

Lily came from a single parent (elderly father) household.  Being raised with a single parent father, Lily learned early on how to adapt, pivot, and remain steady and focused on life goals throughout her childhood and into her adult years.  Initially Lily started her career off by volunteering at numerous agencies ranging from Liliuokalani Trust better known as LT, American Cancer Society, and Hawaii Tobacco Coalition.  Lily served in positions within the Queens Health System-Molokai General Hospital and the University of Hawaii Community Colleges.  Through her role with the University of Hawaii, Lily was introduced to the train-the-trainer with Hawaiian Community Assets in 2015.  Since then Lily has served as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Hawaiian Community Assets on the island of Molokai and has provided Financial Education Workshops to hundreds of on-island residents, students, and kupuna’s though the years.  Lily is ecstatic to continue serving Hawaiian Community Assets within her new role as Special Projects Coordinator.

Lily hopes to continue the momentum created during her volunteer years with HCA and seamlessly transition into the Special Projects Coordinator position to provide a comprehensive and holistic training experience for both employees and agencies throughout the State of Hawaii and eventually abroad as Native Hawaiian’s are throughout the world!!

Makana Reilly is a lineal descendant of West Kauaʻi, born, raised, and empowered by the beauty of Kahalaopuna, in Mānoa, Oʻahu. After completing a BFA from the University of Miami, her educational journey led her to a Masters in Hawaiian language at UH Mānoa. Fluent in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, a language instilled in her from birth by her mother, Makana resides on Kauaʻi with her ʻohana, where they share a profound connection to the realm of Kanaloa. She is a proud mother of two daughters who share her passion for ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, contributing to their collective commitment to preserving their language, worldview, and cultural practices.

Makanaʻs deep sense of kuleana to Hawaiʻi has shaped her professional journey, with over a decade of service on multiple non-profit boards and experience in both private and non-profit sectors, equipping her with a diverse skill set. Her dedication to community empowerment and commitment to pilina and kuleana inform her impactful role as Director of Advancement & Communications at Hawaiian Community Assets.

Melissa Kaapuni was born and raised on the Big Island, she has deep roots in the local community and is committed to serving the needs of individuals and families in Hawaii.
Her educational journey began at Pahoa Elementary and then to Hilo High School, where she received a solid foundation in education. Later, she pursued her passion for understanding humans big and small with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and then a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  Her education and experience enable her to understand and meet the unique needs of individuals and families at different stages of life.

Family is everything to Melissa, and she spends her extra time with her loved ones. Her love for family drives her passion for uplifting and empowering families in Hawaii.

As a lifelong resident of Hawaii, she understands the challenges faced by local families, particularly the high cost of living and limited availability of affordable housing.  Her diverse background, passion for empowering individuals and families, and dedication to positively impacting the community make her a valuable asset to Hawaiian Community Assets and the families they serve

Michelle Del Rosario is the former Principal Broker of Keller Williams Realty Maui, a Maui real estate brokerage; having served local communities in the buying, selling, and investing of real estate since 1990. Additionally, Michelle served as Director of KW Commercial – Hawaii, serving commercial real estate and development communities.

Michelle is an alumnus of the University of Hawaii Maui College, earning a Bachelor’s degree of Applied Science (BAS) in Sustainable Science Management. Also a LEED Green Associate, Michelle’s focus is on green building as a pathway to supplying affordable, sustainable housing that is low in cost to operate and maintain while providing a healthy home environment for our families. A mother of 4 and grandmother of 2, Michelle enjoys discovering new recipes to prepare and gardening in her home garden.

Moana is from Windward O’ahu spanning Kane’ohe to Kualoa. She currently resides in Waihe’e, Ko’olaupoko, O’ahu with her husband and 3 children. In her younger years, Moana was fortunate to be raised by all her kupuna while her mom worked to provide for her household as a single mom. Being raised with native Hawaiian values by her grandparents shaped the way she sees the world and ultimately, herself.

Moana grew up talking about our lāhui and the changes within communities from the time her grandparents were young. Those conversations as well as the examples from both her mother as a provider and grandparents has influenced Moana to strive to be a kanaka who positively contributes to her community. Moana previously worked at Kualoa Ranch sharing about Hawai’i with visitors before becoming a stay-at-home mom for the past 3 years. During her time at Kualoa Ranch it allowed Moana to understand Hawaiian history more clearly and solidified her choice to continue to live in Hawai’i and create a solid foundation for her ‘ohana to also continue to live in Hawai’i for future generations.

Moana gained a lot of skills at Kualoa Ranch however, felt she needed to explore other avenues to better serve her community. “I’m excited for this opportunity to learn as a Community Service Specialist. I am eager to serve our lāhui and begin to have a positive impact on those within Hawai’i through the services Hawaiian Community Assets provides.”

Monalei, who prefers to be called “Mona,” attended Palomar Community College in California, where she obtained two degrees: one in general studies of science with a mathematics emphasis and another in Dental Science. She enjoys creating one-of-a-kind baby quilts, paddling, and kayaking with her children, and connecting with nature—until the mosquitoes start bothering her, that is!

Some time ago, Mona crossed paths with a woman named Lehua. Lehua’s story of trials and tribulations on her journey toward homeownership, along with her unwavering belief, deeply inspired Mona. This encounter taught her that anything is possible if you want it badly enough. Ever since, Mona has aimed for the stars, always working towards her goals. She carries Lehua’s “breath of belief” as she assists clients in achieving financial freedom through financial education.

As an adaptable professional, Mona hopes to bring her passion for service, creative solutions, and dedication to the Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawai’i Community Lending. She aims to serve as a bridge of knowledge, giving kānaka a fighting chance toward homeownership and financial freedom.

Punahele Todd was born and raised in Kāneʻohe on Oʻahu. Her professional journey started as a teenager as a summer intern for the Board of Trustees at OHA. Her professional growth continued with H&R Block and Aloha Airlines where she worked in customer relations, administration, management & HR. After a short break, her invitation back into the workforce was from Paul Mitchell the School Honolulu, where she wore many hats including Admissions & Financial Aid Leader. Being raised with Hawaiian values and appreciation for our culture, Punahele has much aloha for our lāhui and feels a kuleana to mālama and give back. Along with her professional experiences, she hopes to use that passion to kākoʻo and kōkua our kaiāulu to be able to thrive in our beautiful home of Hawaiʻi for generations to come.

Shai was born on the island of Oahu but was raised on Kaua‘i. Shai has an ‘ohana of four keiki, ranging from 1 year to 12 years old. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the beach with her family and hanging out in the yard.

Before joining the HCA team, Shai worked for Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, where she found it truly fulfilling to help her community achieve home ownership in the ever-growing housing market. She is very excited to continue this work in a different capacity and to help the native Hawaiian community achieve home ownership on Kaua‘i.

I am born & raised on Oahu and the oldest of 5 kids. I have my Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from UH @ Windward Community College and currently in my senior year of my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University. I could not imagine growing up anywhere else but here in Hawai’i, there truly is no place like it in all the world. As a Native Hawaiian, I have seen and personally lived through the struggle to remain here in the islands due to increased cost of living and have a ton of friends and family as well as one of my own siblings who relocated to the states to pursue better cost of living. I am so excited to be a part of the HCA ohana and am passionate about being able to educate other Native Hawaiians on the tools and resources available to help keep them and their ohana’s here in the islands and help them thrive while doing so! In my free time, I love and enjoy spending time with family and friends, going to the beach or ice pond, relaxing and serving at my home church.

Tani is from the Ahupua’a of Manana. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and got her BA at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. She has 3 adult sons and a 9-year-old mo’opuna named Carly -Rose.   Tani has been a Case Manager for over 30 years and has worked   State of Hawai’i Child and Adolescent Division, Alu Like Inc, Housing Solutions , Mental Health Kokua, Parents Inc, and APS Healthcare.  Tani is very passionate on working with Native Hawaiians, giving them resources, and educating them on making their life better.  

Waiʻaleʻale “Liʻi” Sarsona was born and raised in Waimānalo, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu and is now residing in Waikahekaheiki, Puna, Hawaiʻi. Liʻi is a proud graduate of Ke Kula o Samuel Mānaiakalani Kamakau, LPCS and now holds a Bachelors of Arts in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is also a ʻūniki graduate of Ka Pā o Lonopūhā, Academy of Native Hawaiian Healing Traditions.

Liʻi has been an active community member since her teenage years and understands the importance of empowering indigenous voices. This commitment led her to a career in communications, where she focuses on digital storytelling and design for Native Hawaiian businesses and organizations. Liʻi believes her kuleana (responsibility) is to advocate for indigenous voices, ensuring they share their own stories on their own terms.

Wanda was born and grew up in Honolulu (Kona) moku of O’ahu, located on the southern side of the island in the ahupua’a of Kapalama. Her mother’s ‘ohana are from Manu’a American Samoa and Wainiha, Kaua’i. Her father’s ‘ohana are from hana, Maui and Kapa’a Kaua’i. She was educated in parochial schools since elementary, high school and college.

Her aspiration to pursue a Law Degree was deterred by the sudden death of her mother and her assumed responsibility to help her dad care and raise her young sister. She has two adult sons (Maka’ala and Salesi). The eldest son is a screen writer and the youngest son an entrepreneur and real estate investor.

She enjoys with her family, watching movies and series on Netflix, Hulu, Prime, Disney and AppleTV! Her family’s interest in financial literacy and growing generational wealth has become a priority in their lives.

She is intrigued with metaphysics and quantum mechanics and other world views, and what keeps life interesting for her is encountering a wealth of perspectives. She embraces and strives to live her Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures.

After colleges, her professional career path took her in the direction of social services working primarily for non profits, Victim/Witness Kokua Center at the Prosecuting Attorneys Office, ALULIKE Inc., Bishop Museum, Queen Liliu’okalani Children’s Center(LT) and most recent Papahana Kualoa.

Zara Naiʻa Nicholson, a certified public accountant (CPA), was born and raised in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. She graduated from Kealakehe High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She went on to complete her master’s in accounting at the University of Hawaii at Manoa on Oʻahu. After finishing her studies, Zara returned to Kailua-Kona to be near her family and live in the place she considers home. She obtained her CPA license in 2019 and specializes in financial accounting for construction and development projects.

Zara is deeply passionate about waʻa paddling and community service. In 2009, she and her team won the state championship in outrigger canoe paddling. Since her teenage years, Zara and her family have hosted and managed safety for the Pure Light Paddling Team during the Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race. In 2024, she had the honor of competing in the race herself. Additionally, Zara has served on the board of the Nakoa Foundation, an organization dedicated to teaching keiki how to sail Hawaiian sailing canoes. In her personal time, she enjoys free diving, watching native birds, and playing guitar with her two younger brothers.