Kuleana Academyʻs Cohort 7
Kuleana Academy is a civic-leadership accelerator that fosters leaders from frontline-communities that seek to center public and community interest policy ahead of corporate interests.
The four month accelerator nurtures the cohort’s leadership skills, vision, and voice through immersive training, a state-wide network of peers, and a platform to amplify their ideas. The cohort members come from diverse backgrounds, including ‘āina practitioners, farmers, organizers, public workers, indigenous elders, activists, advocates, and professionals— reflecting a wide spectrum of civic & social leadership.
One of the main goals of Kuleana Academy is to help its participants rethink their views of political and civic leaders. Each participant has already identified and started working on issues within their communities. The Academy helps them figure out how to take their projects and campaigns further. It provides them with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced in Hawai'i, equipping them with the necessary context to make informed decisions and strategies.
The Academy's program is about more than just teaching skills; it's about creating a supportive environment for growth. By connecting participants with a network of peers and giving them a platform to share their ideas, Kuleana Academy ensures that each participant has the resources they need for their initiatives.
To date, KA has completed 6 cohorts; we have 98 graduates, 12 hold elected office at the county and state level, and 20 alumni ran for elected office in 2022.
8 graduates serve(d) on Oʻahu Neighborhood Boards, 70 are currently leading community or civic projects or regularly engage in activism or advocacy, 5 sit on nonprofit Boards, 3 sit on State Boards or Commissions, 55 have worked on various advocacy or election campaigns, and 39 have led policy initiatives at the county and state levels.
HAPA is excited to welcome the newest cohort of Kuleana Academy and looks forward to witnessing the transformational journeys of its cohort 7 participants !
HAWAI‘I ISLAND
Laura Acasio, Hilo
Former State Senator Laura Acasio is an educator, birth support professional and community leader. Her life is dedicated to public service and community wellness, and she takes a systems-thinking approach to collaborative problem-solving. Laura believes in building relationships with people and place, empowering values-based civic engagement, and working for equity and justice.
Ethan McKown, Hilo
Ethan McKown is an environmental planner, political wonk, and advocate for progressive reform to Hawaiʻi's political system.
Christen Zulli, Hilo
Christen Zulli is a Conscious Communications Consultant & Women’s Holistic Cycle’s Coach with an MA in Counseling Psychology, mother of two miraculous children, wife of a seafaring husband, lifelong yoga practitioner, and community leader.
Jazzmin Cabanilla, Hilo
Jazzmin Cabanilla is a mother, a daughter, a surfer, a kānaka maoli wahine, an aloha ʻāina and a lifelong learner mai Ko Hawaiʻi PaeʻĀina.
KAUAʻI
Elizabeth Okinaka, Kōloa
Elizabeth Okinaka is a grassroots activist, protector of ʻ‘āina, iwi and wai, mother of three and cave docent at Makauwahi Cave Reserve.
Kealoha Matsuda, Kapaʻa
Kealoha Matsuda is an entrepreneur, Hawaiian activist, involved community member and radio personality, who focuses not on the party, but what is RIGHT.
Joëll Edwards, Wainiha
Joëll Edwards is a small business owner, parent, community leader, and aunty to all, who focuses on better support systems for adolescent mental health and working families.
MAUI NUI
Noelani Ahia, Wailuku
Noelani Ahia is a healer and an activist working in the community to protect what we love: ‘āina, wai, kai, iwi, and the people!
Naomi Griffiths, Wailuku
Naomi Griffiths is a Hawaiʻi Technology Academy high school senior, and a future political leader, with a passion for environmental justice and human rights.
Robert Pahia, Kula
Bobby Pahia is a kalo farmer, an advocate for food security, and supports political and economic reform through policy and legislation.
Nara Boone, Haʻikū
Nara Boone is a singer, voice teacher, activist and former Maui County Council candidate. She is also the mother of three teenagers. Nara actively works with suppressed voices, allowing them the strength to be heard.
Kaiea Edward Medeiros, Kahului
Kaiea Medeiros is a kānaka born from lepo, raised in aloha, whose kuleana is to serve ʻāina.
Robin Knox, Kīhei
Robin Knox is a Maui island resident, an environmental scientist and professional water protector, avid advocate for houseless residents, and promoter of mental health and wellness.
Rana Boone, Haʻikū
Rana Kili is a lifelong educator, teacher of teachers, mother to two daughters, who aspires to be a good troublemaker.
Kaipo Kekona, Lāhainā
Kaipo Kekona is a native Hawaiian born and raised, stands in service of land, water, and the people of Hawaiʻi, he is also the state president of Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.
OʻAHU
Asheemo “Koda” Daily, ʻEwa Beach
Koda is a young man who passionately cares about the natural environment and restoring the balance within humanity.
Vincent Kimura, Honolulu
Vincent Kimura is a lifelong learner, father, and pickleball enthusiast, born on Oʻahu and raised in Asia.
Fatima Abed, Kahaluʻu
Fatima is an advocate, small business owner, a legislative staffer who is a passionate environmental and animal rights activist from Kahaluʻu, Oʻahu.
Dave Nagaji, Honolulu
Dave Nagaji is a community volunteer, former legislative researcher and neighborhood board member from Mānoa.
Summer Yadao, ʻEwa Beach
Summer Yadao works as contracted personnel for Hawaiʻi Appleseed/HiHAC, and has worked mainly for non-profit organizations.
Maria Glodilet Rallojay, Puʻuloa
Maria Rallojay is a community advocate and proud Ilocana from Oʻahu with a strong passion for social justice.
Charles Jonsson, Honolulu
Charles Jonsson is a politics wonk and graphic designer who aspires to be a campaign strategist and help put as many progressives as possible in office.
Your generous support for this Cohort 7 mission is at the heart of Kuleana Academy's next generation of leaders.
About Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action
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The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) is deeply committed to championing social, economic, and environmental justice throughout Hawaiʻi. Recognizing the interconnected nature of food systems, we underscore that the challenges plaguing these systems are not isolated from broader social, economic, and environmental concerns. We believe in an integrated approach that addresses these interdependencies to create a just, equitable, and sustainable future for Hawaiʻi.
Contact: info@hapahi.org | (808) 212-9616
