Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows

08/31/2026

✨ Introducing the 2027 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows! ✨

We are excited to welcome our newest cohort of emerging leaders as they begin their Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows journey! 👏

Over the months ahead, these 16 Fellows will learn from leaders across Maui Nui, explore the issues and opportunities shaping our community, broaden their perspectives, build meaningful relationships, and deepen their understanding of what it means to lead and serve Maui Nui.

Please join us in welcoming the 2027 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows 🎉:

Bill Alec
Kukii Falahee-Walker
Stacey Gonsalves
Shaylisse Gregory
Maile Kepler
Cayla Kutaka
Cassidy Matsuda
Mark Mattos
Rai Morimoto
Katrina Ogata
Jon Pasion
Matt Pires
Kuuipo Ryan
Jake Simons
Cassi Yamash*ta
Bree Zamora

Link to read their bios: https://kaipukukuifellows.org/2027-fellows

We look forward to watching the connections, conversations, challenges, and growth that unfold throughout their year together. 🌱

Welcome to the Ka Ipu Kukui ʻohana! 🩵🌟

Huge mahalo to all of our first Hālāwai speaks and hosts! 💗

08/29/2026

It’s time for a long-overdue celebration of our 2026 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows! 🎓🌺

These 16 leaders completed their year-long journey together, showing up month after month to learn, listen, ask questions, understand different perspectives, build relationships, and deepen their connection to Maui Nui.

Their graduation was an especially meaningful milestone for Ka Ipu Kukui. With the Class of 2026, 250 Fellows have now graduated from the program since the first graduating cohort in 2008.

Our 2026 KIK Fellows:

Anu Bernades
Denver C**n
Ashley Cooper
Lika Fujihara
Noelani Hessler
Shaina Hipolito
Rachel Kondo
Chelsea Livit
Angel Melone
Nahulu Nunokawa
Yosef Onodera
Rysan Ouye
Maggie Pulver
Maggie Sutrov
Sara Tanaka
Mitchell Wendorff

A heartfelt mahalo to Fairmont Kea Lani for hosting and supporting this special celebration; Acting Lieutenant Governor Keith Reagan and Jeanne Skog for joining us; the Ka Ipu Kukui Board of Directors and KIK alumni for their continued support; and the many family members, friends, colleagues, and Ka Ipu Kukui supporters who attended and helped make the evening so meaningful.

The bonds these Fellows formed through Ka Ipu Kukui continue to connect them to one another and to the broader alumni ʻohana. We look forward to seeing how they carry what they learned, the relationships they built, and their unique leadership into our community.

Congratulations once again to the 2026 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows! 🌟🥂 We are proud to welcome you into the growing alumni ʻohana and mahalo each of you for the time, energy, curiosity, and heart you brought to this journey.

Once a Fellow, always a Fellow. 🩵

📸 Photo credit: Bryan Berkowitz ❤️

05/08/2026

Applications for the 2026–2027 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows cohort are open. 📢

This year-long leadership experience brings together individuals committed to understanding Maui Nui’s challenges through place-based learning, relationship-building, and direct engagement with leaders across communities and sectors.

Applications are open through June 1.🗓️

Interested in applying? Join us at our upcoming “Learn More” event to talk story, ask questions, and learn more about the program experience.

Links in bio to RSVP and How to Apply.

Grow your leadership. Deepen your impact.✨

04/20/2026

Our 2026 Legacy Awards Fundraiser Ends Tonight 4/20 9:00PM - Bid Now to support the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Program!

https://kikf.betterworld.org/auctions/2026-legacy-dinner-auction

04/19/2026

Mahalo to everyone who attended last night’s Legacy Dinner!

04/18/2026