KALOHCC.org - ʻAha Hoʻokō (Executive Board)

E Kūpaʻa Kākou (Aha Hoʻoko & Keʻena)

Nā Lima Kākoʻo ʻO KALO

Leialoha Kaʻula

Luna Hoʻokō (Executive Director)kaelele@kalohcc.org

Aloha kākou! ʻO wau no ʻo Leialoha Kaʻula a he kama au ʻo ka pae ʻāina ʻoi kelakela ʻo Hawaiʻi. Born on the island of Oʻahu, raised on Moku O Keawe, and now humbly appreciate the lands of the Atfalati tribes in hopes to uplift their stories and community. As a hula practitioner, cultural practices and the stories of our ancestors is the foundation of all that we do. These practices and protocols that have been instilled since a young age continues to guide me each and every day. As a proud graduate of Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi surrounds all that we do and has allowed for me to carry what has been taught to me here in the Pacific Northwest. In 1918, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaʻole founded the Honolulu Hawaiian Civic Club with a vision to engage our lāhui in the need to be civically involved in matters that impact our community. Today, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs is home to over 60 chartered clubs that stretches across Hawaiʻi and Moku Honu (Turtle Island). Ka ʻAha Lahui O ʻOlekona or KALO is one of those proud organizations with a mission and a vision to carry out the work of our Prince. Living in diaspora is a challenge that so many of us are faced with and donʻt have the tools to navigate when it comes to how we can make an impact here in the Pacific Northwest. Our Aliʻi were world travelers - navigators! Here at KALO, my goal is to establish, grow, and maintain relationships within our communities here on the continent and in Hawaiʻi to insure our lāhui, ʻohana from Hawaiʻi, and our Pacific Island communities feel uplifted, seen, and heard. WE are the IMPACT and the CHANGE for we are ALOHA. - Maikaʻi ke kalo i ka ʻohā!

Nicole Tagalicud

Luna Papahana (Program Manager)nicole@kalohcc.org

Aloha mai kākou, ʻo Nicole koʻu inoa. I am the Office Coordinator at Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekonaʻs AloHā Resource & Community Center and I am super excited to work with you all!

I am originally from Waiʻanae, Hawaiʻi but came to the continent for school in 2019. I recently graduated from Portland State University with my Bachelor's Degree in Womenʻs Studies and Psychology, where my interest for social justice began. I was also apart of the Pacific Islanders Club Student Organization for three years. hope to use the knowledge that I gained over the years to serve the community I hold close to my heart.

Aside from working at KALO, I am also a small business owner specializing in wedding & portrait photography. You'll always find me at the Oregon Coast, the Gorge, or traveling back home to Hawaiʻi!

Mandilyn Suzuki

Alakaʻi - Malama Ola(Community Health Programs)mandi@kalohcc.org

Aloha mai kākou! 'O Mandi (she/her) ko'u inoa a me no Waipahu mai au. I am super excited to be starting my work as the Community Health Worker here at Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona and am looking forward to working with and creating programs that support overall health and wellbeing!

I was born and raised on the island of O'ahu and graduated from Oregon State University (Go Beavs!) with a Bachelor's in General Science. I continued on to pursue my love of movement sciences and got my Doctoral of Physical Therapy degree from George Fox University and, within my practice, discovered my passion for health justice and holistic wellbeing and decided to pursue a Master's in Public Health at OHSU/PSU. I am also a certified instructor for CPR and first aid and a facilitator for mind-body medicine practices. My vision and hope is to create health and wellness programs that address health inequity, promote accessibility, and create safe and empowered spaces for people to heal and thrive as individuals and communities.

When I'm not busy being a professional student, I enjoy being out in nature, practicing yoga, shooting photography, and spending time with family and friends. I am also a part of Hula Hālau Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani. I love meeting new people, so if you ever see me at the AloHā Resource & Community Center, always come by and say hello!

Constance James

Alakaʻi - Mala/Meaʻai(Food Justice Programs)cj@kalohcc.org

Aloha mai kākou! ʻO CJ koʻu inoa and I am the Food Justice Program Coordinator here for KALOHCC! I am from Wyoming and am an extroverted pastry chef who loves the outdoors! I am also a queer Black woman.

Working for KALO is one of the ways my love for food and my drive to nurture community intersect. Growing up, I watched and helped my grandparents coordinate massive community food drives and cooking days for the purpose of providing holiday meals for the elderly and disabled folks in my home town. I am fortunate to have witnessed so much community collaboration during my time on this beautiful planet. I believe that feelings of home, safety, and healing can be achieved by a plate of food that tastes like what grandma used to make.

I love performing stand-up, attending immersive art events, and competing in trivia competitions, but clothing swaps, themed potlucks, and food box assemby+delivery are my favorite kinds of social gatherings. I have hosted many of them throughout the years.

My work with the KALO and PCW (Pacific Climate Warriors) involves connecting culturally specific food (and clothing) access to the Hawaiian community in our corner of the PNW. I coordinate work days on our mala with our hard-working volunteers. We are growing kalo (taro) and have plans to grow more food that can contribute to traditional Hawaiian dishes. I manage our pantry and our closet as well. I am grateful to work for the Hawaiian community through KALO and enrich my existing knowledge of Hawaii while doing so!

Isabel Steinhoff

Kākoʻo ʻO Ke Keʻena

(Office Coodinator)

isabel@kalohcc.org

Kuʻulei Martinez

Alakaʻi - Nā Lālā(Membership Manager)kuulei@kalohcc.org

Mayma Garvey

Lima Kāokoʻo(Office Support)

Aloha mai kākou! My name is Mayma (she/her), and I am a proud member of MŌHALA's Youth Council. I'm seventeen years old and identify as Japanese. My family is originally from Osaka, Japan, but was born in Vacaville, California. In 2007, my family and I moved to the Pacific Northwest where we call Oregon home. I have been blessed with numerous relationships, opportunities, and memories that this Moku Honu has provided for me and my ʻohana. I have been dancing hula with the hālau, Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani a little over ten years, which has provided many awakenings to my puʻuwai on how important it is to continue the culture and existence of not only kānaka Hawaiʻi but of our ancestry. Fun fact is that one of my favorite foods (that I can eat in gallons) is ikura, but only the best is in Japan lol. Working in MŌHALA's Youth Council is my way of giving back to the community that has provided me a platform to learn and grow as a nihonjin here in Oregon. Through youth advocacy and civic engagement, the voices of our youth grow as we venture into the future!

Chloe Rodrigues

Lima Kāokoʻo(Office Support)

Aloha Mai Kākou! ʻO Chloe koʻu inoa, and I am one of the Office Assistance here at the KALO office. I have been staffed here since summer of 2022, but have been involved with KALO since 2020 as an active member and a director for Mōhala Youth Council. I was born in Torrance, California to my mom who is Mexican from East LA and dad who is Puerto Rican from Kona, Hawaiʻi Island. I have been living in Oregon since 2010 and began dancing hula with Hālau Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani shortly after in 2012. I am currently 17 years old and a Senior at Aloha High School.

KALO HCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Organization, drug free workplace, and encourages diversity and equity in all the organization’s work. Does not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.