Announcing Kuleana Academy's Newest Cohort!
Kuleana Academy cohort 8 with trainer and former Rep. Hussey-Burdick, PC: Nick Armero
Kuleana Academy proudly announces the selection of its 8th cohort—its most competitive yet—with over 70 applicants from across the islands vying for a spot in the leadership development program. Designed to train and support future public servants rooted in values of aloha ʻāina, equity, and justice, the 2025 cohort brings together a powerful and diverse group of emerging leaders from across pae 'āina, ready to transform Hawaiʻi’s political landscape.
This year’s program is led by Aria Juliet Castillo, Kuleana Academy co-founder and HAPA’s Reclaiming Democracy Program Director. She is joined by Nadia Alves, Kuleana Academy’s Program Manager with extensive experience working at the State Legislature and a KA alumna.
Participants in this year’s cohort gathered over the weekend for their first in-person session and had the opportunity to learn directly from some of Hawaiʻi’s most visionary changemakers, including:
Mason Chock – Former Kauaʻi County Councilmember and founder of Leadership Kauaʻi
Rep. Ikaika Hussey - HAPA Board President and State House Representative for District #29 (Kalihi)
Marti Townsend – Engagement Specialist for Earthjustice Hawaiʻi, attorney and community advocate
Wayne Tanaka – Director of the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi
Dr. Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio - Dean of Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, Scholar, Author, musician, and advocate for Hawaiian sovereignty
Maui County Councilmembers Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Gabe Johnson & Shane Sinenci – Maui County Councilmembers representing Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and East Maui and Kuleana Academy Alumni
Natalia Hussey-Burdick – Former State House Representative and campaign strategist, Kuleana Academy Alumna
Since its founding, Kuleana Academy has served as a launchpad for dozens of leaders who have gone on to serve in elected office, build grassroots movements, and lead transformative campaigns across Hawaiʻi. This year's record-breaking interest is a clear sign that the next generation of public leaders is rising—and they’re ready to serve.
“Change is happening—on every island. From the progress we’re seeing on bold housing policy in Maui County to the BLNR’s rejection of a flawed environmental impact statement for Pōhakuloa, it’s clear that people power is working. Kuleana Academy exists to make sure that momentum continues. We’re here to ensure that ʻāina is always prioritized over corporate profit, and that the next generation of leaders stays rooted in their values and always accountable to their communities.” - Aria Juliet Castillo
The 8th Cohort of Kuleana Academy includes:
Samantha Alvarado (Oʻahu) is an ʻāina-based Educator, PhD Student, and Farm Owner from Oʻahu.
Yvette Amshoff (Kauaʻi) is a dedicated advocate at the intersection of public health and politics, driving policy change for healthier communities.
Nani Brown (Oʻahu) is the owner and electrician for Electrix LlC in Wahiawā, HI, exploring political independence.
Harley Broyles (Oʻahu) is an environmental law attorney, mea Hawaiʻi enthusiast, and boy mom from Kauaʻi.
John W. Cortez Jr. (Oʻahu) is passionate about sustainability, community resilience, and blending Hawaiian values with modern solutions.
Malia Davidson (Maui) is a daughter of Maui, a loving mother and grandmother, a community champion to mitigate suffering, a trusted confidant and Master Tao Teacher.
Taytum K. Herrick (Maui) is an aspiring lomilomi cultural practitioner who started her journey after being displaced by the Lāhainā fire.
Cristina Holt (Hawaiʻi Island) is a small business owner, family entertainer, producer and animal trainer living in Hilo, Hawaiʻi.
Kiʻinaniokalani Kahoʻohanohano (Maui) is a cultural practitioner and aloha ʻāina advocate committed to the protection and ability of our land waters and communities to thrive.
K. Kuʻulei Kanahele (Hawaiʻi Island) is a farmer, musician, educator, and Panaʻewa native whose priorities are truth, Aloha, and relation to land. “He kuaʻāina Panaʻewa nō ‘o Kuʻulei e paipai mau ana i ke Aloha, ka ʻoiaʻiʻo, a me ka pilina ʻāina.”
Jackie Keefe (Maui) is a dog mom from Lāhainā and a community advocate activated by the 2023 Maui wildfires.
Dr. Bradley Kuo (Oʻahu) is a dual-certified nurse practitioner, healthcare entrepreneur, and mental health advocate based in Honolulu, where he leads Wellness Partners Mental Health and finds creative grounding through ceramics.
Maile Lavea-Malloe (Hawaiʻi Island) was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and was raised by her kūpuna Hawaiʻi. She graduated with a double bachelor's in Administration of Justice and Political Science. She is grateful to continue advocating for the betterment of ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi and our ‘Āina Aloha as the Hoʻohana Kuaʻana Chief Administrator for EA Ecoversity on Hawaiʻi Island.
Alice Luck (Kauaʻi) is a nonprofit professional who is passionate about helping make any community she calls home a better place.
Kainoa Lei MacDonald (Maui) is a native Hawaiian credit strategist, devoted Hawaiian Homes Commission Act policy advocate with a passion for the game of kōnane.
De Andre Makakoa (Maui) is a Maui born videographer and organizer for the lāhui.
Mokihana Maldonado (Oʻahu) was born and raised in Hawaiʻi, and is committed to democratic values and education. As an aspiring pilot and constitutional law attorney, she serves her community by inspiring minds and soaring to new heights.
Danae Marin (Maui) enjoys connecting community to indigenous host culture with aloha ʻāina. She serves as a Director of Community Engagement for a Maui non-profit while passionately working on water and land restoration efforts, promoting food sovereignty and housing opportunities for locals. She has been serving youth and communities on Maui and Oʻahu for over 15 years and calls Maui home.
Skye Narvaez (Hawaiʻi Island) is a mother of three, part-time freelance model, and nano-influencer who tailors her content towards civic/community engagement and advocacy.
Kate Ozawa (Oʻahu) is a proud Yonsei and Kānaka Maoli from Mililani, a lifelong democratic civil servant, and a theatre nerd on the side.
Sam Peck (Oʻahu) is a legislative staffer, progressive activist and avid surfer from Boston.
Kalena Poland (Kauaʻi) is a retired RN, active member of her Kauaʻi cultural and community groups, and is always seeking to increase her knowledge for the betterment of her community.
Jonathan Simonds (Hawaiʻi Island) works in East Hawaiʻi local agriculture, loves plants, animals, and people, and is passionate about regenerative food systems, political advocacy, and racial, gender, and economic justice.
ABOUT KULEANA ACADEMY
Kuleana Academy identifies 20-25 rising leaders per cohort throughout the archipelago and provides them with in-depth political leadership training. Participants run for elected office, manage political campaigns, and deepen their community organizing and engagement. By attending Kuleana Academy, individuals are given the opportunity to do the following:
Examine their own political and civic kuleana
Develop skills in leadership, community organizing, communications, and advocacy
Attend campaign skills training sessions conducted by professional trainers
Develop an understanding of how to effectively engage around a range of important community issues through policy education sessions led by our Alliance Education Partners
Kuleana Academy has graduated over 120 participants and has alumni currently serving in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives, on the Kaua‘i County Council, Maui County Council, Hawaii Island County Council, and Honolulu City and County Council, and on various O‘ahu Neighborhood Boards. For more information, please visit hapahi.org/kuleana-academy-program.
HAPA’s Kuleana Academy is a non-partisan educational program. HAPA will not…
Endorse any political candidates for public office.
Make any campaign contributions (monetary or in-kind).
Ask candidates to sign pledges on any issues.
Friends of HAPA at the opening reception for Kuleana Academy's Cohort 8, PC: Nick Armero
