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Executive Team & Management

Dr. Adrienne Dillard, Ph.D., L.M.S.W.

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Adrienne Dillard has served as the CEO of Kula no nā Po'e Hawai'i, serving the Native Hawaiian Homestead communities of Papakolea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine for over two decades. She is well-versed in community-based participatory research. Dr. Dillard earned her Ph.D. in Social Welfare in 2018 from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health focusing on caregivers of kūpuna (elders) with age-related memory loss. She also holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's in Social Work from Hawai‘i Pacific University. In addition to her role as CEO, Dr. Dillard is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Department of Native Hawaiian Health. She is a member of the founder's circle of the Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Community Health Worker Alliance and chairperson of the Center for Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO) Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Core, Community Advisory Action Committee. Dr. Dillard is also an Advisory Committee Member of the Resource Center for Native Aging and Disability from the Native American Resource Center on American Aging and a consultant for the National Center for Engagement in Diabetes Equity Research (CEDER). She is the board chair for Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA), a nonprofit organization that assists low—and moderate-income families in achieving economic self-sufficiency. Additionally, she serves as a board member of the City and County of Honolulu, Her extensive experience and commitment to the community has made her an influential advocate for Native Hawaiian health and well-being.

B. Puni Kekauoha

Senior Vice President

Puni Kekauoha has served Papakolea since 1992. Ms. Kekauoha works closely with community organizations and the Department of Native Hawaiian Health. She is most comfortable working with organizations and local service agencies to address the health disparities in the Native Hawaiian community. As a visionary leader Puni helped to form Kula No Na Po'e Hawaii serving on the board from 1992-2002. In 1999, she along with key members of the community founded the Papakolea Community Development Corporation serving as its Executive Director for 12 years. She has extensive experience in collaborating effectively with university departments to provide services to residents of Papakolea, as well as providing care to kupuna. She is a proponent of community health care networks and the strength and resiliency of a strong community.

Kaapuni Kama

Vice President Of Programs

Kaapuni Kama joined KULA in 2006 and serves as the VP Programs, where she oversees planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and program staff. Born and raised in Papakolea, she is grateful to the kupuna and makua that paved the way for KULA, allowing her to continue to serve the families of Papakolea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine.

Meghan Kenney, L.M.S.W.

Vice President Of Research

Meghan Kenney, LCSW, joined KULA in 2019 as the VP of Research where she oversees all community research projects such as the Homestead Health Survey and ʻIke Kupuna, manages data collection and analysis, and translates findings into insights for community and academic partners. Her 'ohana is from Maui and though she was raised in Arizona, Meghan is grateful to have been welcomed into Papakolea and feels blessed to work in this community.

ʻIolani Kamauoha

Director Of Education

ʻIolani Kamauoha, B.A. Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Language, joined KULA in 2016 and serves as Director of Education to oversee the educational programs and school-based initiatives, Lamakū & Junior Leader Afterschool Program, with intention and heart. Born and raised in Papakōlea, ʻIolani aims to create nurturing spaces and opportunities for the youth and community of Papakōlea with spaces rooted in ancestral knowledge and Hawaiian values that deepen identity and connection to place.

Mahealani Mahiai Austin, L.M.S.W.

Director Of Health & Human Services

Mahealani Austin, LMSW, joined KULA in 2016, and is the Director Of Health & Human Services, overseeing the Kūpuna Community Care Network, Ho'okele program and HHS Staff, while working to ensure culturally responsive care, and to identify needs and resources to support community well-being, address the social determinants of health and health equity. With 20 years of experience working with kūpuna as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Private Caregiver, and Care Home Operator, Mahea feels that it is her kuleana to care for and serve the precious kūpuna and community in Papakōlea, where her father was born and raised.

Tatiana Kekauoha

Executive Assistant

Tatiana Kekauoha joined KULA in 2020 and serves as Executive Assistant, providing high-level administrative support to the leadership team while helping the organization run smoothly and effectively. With 'ohana from Papakolea, she is grateful to continue the KULA tradition of raising the next generation in a spirit of community, love, and service.

Jeremiah Kama

Facilities Manager

Jeremiah Kama joined KULA in 2020 and works as facilities manager, handling labor, storage, and maintenance tasks to support KULA programs and community events. Born and raised on Maui in Paukukalo and Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteads, Papakolea has been home since 2009.

Education Team

Victoria Solatorio

Program Coordinator, Lamakū

Victoria Ulalia Solatorio, BA in Business and Hospitality Management, is a Program Coordinator for Lamakū where she shares her passion for education, art, and service with the next generation of Keiki. Born and raised in Kewalo uka, she spent her formative years in Papakōlea and at KULA assisting her mother with the PILI 'Ohana program, participating in Zumba and as a media intern.

Kamalama Lehano

Assistant Program Coordinator, Lamakū

Kamalama Lehano is an Assistant Program Coordinator for Lamakū, with several years of experience working at Kamakau as a Kumu Kākoʻo, where he helped teach the upcoming generation ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in school. Born and raised in Papakōlea, he is grateful to be able to kōkua his own ʻahupua'a, and thankful for the opportunity to serve Papakōlea, the community he grew up in.

Nikki Woolsey

Program Coordinator, Junior Leaders

Nikki Woolsey, MSW, joined KULA in 2020 and serves as a Program Coordinator for the Junior Leaders Program where she leads education and cultural enrichment activities. Born and raised in Mānoa Valley, Nikki completed her MSW Practicum and Community Health Worker certification at KULA and is grateful to have returned to Papakōlea to serve the community.

Noah Au

Community Health Worker, Kukalahale Learning Project

Noah Au, BA Psychology, joined KULA in 2022, and is a Community Health Worker working to address and identify the needs of the community. Noah is from Kalawahine, and is grateful to be serving his community with KULA to positively impact community health for generations.

Sanoe Sexton

Community Health Worker, Kukalahale Learning Project

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Health & Human Services Team

Wilmagay Ka'opuiki-Heen

Program Coordinator, Kupuna Community Care Network

WilmaGay Kaopuiki-Heen joined KULA in 2017 as a Community Healthcare Worker and is now the full-time Program Coordinator for KCCN, where she works directly with kupuna and staff to deliver workshops and programs. Born and raised in Papakolea, working at KULA and helping her community brings her joy and happiness.

Nikki Hoopai

Assistant Program Coordinator, Kupuna Community Care Network

Nikki Hoʻopai, BA Early Childhood Education, serves as the Assistant Program Coordinator for the KCCN program. Raised in Wahiawa she now calls Papakōlea home, and feels privileged to support and be part of this community.

Hanakia Tui

Community Health Worker, Kupuna Community Care Network

Hannah Hanakia (Kaneakua) Tui is a Community Health Worker directly serving kupuna to deliver workshops and programs. Born and raised in Papakolea, she is grateful to have the opportunity to serve the Kupuna, their ohana, and the Hawaiian community, and passionate about sharing her Hawaiian culture, values, and aloha.

Ryan Eykel, M.S.W.

Assistant Program Coordinator, Ho'okele

Ryan Eykel, MSW, is an Assistant Program Coordinator for the Ho'okele program, working in community to provide social services that promote the long-term tenancy and self-sustainability of homestead beneficiaries. Originally from Southern California , Ryan moved to Oahu in 2019 to pursue my undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Social Work and is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Public Health.

Research & Community Engagement Team

Cappy Solatorio

Community Health Worker, ʻIke Kupuna

Cappy Solatorio is a Community Health Worker for the ʻIke Kupuna program, and has worked at KULA for over 12 years leading workshops and programs, while also working at Lincoln Elementary School as a P.E. teacher in 2020. Born and raised in the Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead, it is important for her to be able to serve and care for her community.

Faith Kalamau

Community Health Worker, Community Events

Faith Kalamau is a Community Health Worker, focusing on community events, advocacy, and outreach, and leads the Papakolea Board & Stone Program and also organizes Papakolea's Annual Trunk or Treat. Born, raised and residing in Kewalo homestead, Faith is passionate about Hawaiian cultural values, knowing her community and building relationships with her community.

Kamaka Kaaihue-Kekoa

Community Health Worker, Media & Communications

Kamaka Kaaihue-Kekoa joined KULA in 2017 as a Community Health Worker, focusing on media & communications to keep Papakolea families informed on KULA's programs, services, and events through social media and website updates. Born and raised in Kewalo and now a homestead lessee for my family home, I am grateful to work in the community and for the community.

Kawai Kaneakua-Rauschenburg

Community Health Worker, Media & Communications

Kawai Kaneakua-Rauschenburg, BA Elementary Education in Hawaiian Language Immersion, joined KULA in 2019 and is a Community Health Worker, focusing on media & communications to create and edit videos, design marketing materials and brand guides for KULA. Born and raised in Papakōlea, she is a 4th generation homesteader, and grateful for the opportunity to serve her community.