Our BOARD
Kawika aspili
A Lahaina native, Ryan Kāwika Aliʻinoa Aspili graduated from Lahainaluna High School in 2009 and earned an M.A. in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2022. An accomplished musician with global recognition, his music reaches audiences in over 160 countries. With over 13 years of experience as a healing arts practitioner, he has provided relief to numerous community members dealing with pain and trauma. Additionally, Ryan is a skilled multi-media artist, showcasing his dedication to fortifying lāhui-conscious identities in Hawaiʻi.
Kekai Keahi
Kekai Keahi is a Maui Komohana community leader and kiaʻi, and a ninth generation Lahaina resident. Kekai is an educator and leader, advocating for Maui Komohana and its wai. In the wake of the wildfires that ravaged Maui, he is who the community looks to for guidance on water and really any issue concerning Lahaina, Maui Komohana, or Maui Nui.
Erena Mikaere
Erena is of Ngāti Whakaue and Tūhourangi descent – tribes within the Central North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. Erena speaks around the world on Indigenous Collective Impact Models and frameworks to drive community-led development and strategy design. Erena is the founder and CEO of Waihuia Group, a consulting company. Erena has experience as a tribal Chief Executive, governed education trusts, consulted on multiple strategic communication and branding projects, managed tribal/government partnership models, and held roles including principal advisor roles in New Zealand government and for pan-tribal collectives. Erena is also co-founder and director of Identity, Connection, Evolution (ICE) a software company specializing in technology solutions for tribal sovereignty. ICE is most well-known for their tribal registry system - The Original Registry Application (O-RA).
KAINALU SEVERSON
Kainalu Severson is a seasoned executive with over 10 years of experience in management and advisory roles across Hawaiʻi, specializing in finance, social impact, and government contracting. Currently serving as the Deputy Administrator of Kilohana at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), Kainalu oversees a $30 million statewide contract focused on destination management for the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. His leadership extends to various community programs and emergency financial assistance initiatives, managing contracts exceeding $250 million. Kainalu holds advanced degrees in Nonprofit Management and Data Science, with a strong background in analytics, strategic thinking, and executive leadership.