Kuleana Academy is 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.
Meet Kuleana Academy’s Cohort 8
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Jonathan Simonds 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.
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Maile Lavea-Malloe 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.
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Kiʻinaniokalani Kahoʻohanohano is a cultural practitioner and aloha ʻāina advocate committed to the protection and ability of our land waters and communities to thrive.
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K. Kuʻulei Kanahele 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.”
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Jackie Keefe is a dog mom from Lāhainā and a community advocate activated by the 2023 Maui wildfires.
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Skye Narvaez is a mother of three, part-time freelance model, and nano-influencer who tailors her content towards civic/community engagement and advocacy.
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Kate Ozawa is a proud Yonsei and Kānaka Maoli from Mililani, a lifelong democratic civil servant, and a theatre nerd on the side.
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Danae Marin 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.
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Kalena Poland 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.
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Cristina Holt is a small business owner, family entertainer, producer and animal trainer living in Hilo, Hawaiʻi.
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Kainoa Lei MacDonald is a native Hawaiian credit strategist, devoted Hawaiian Homes Commission Act policy advocate with a passion for the game of kōnane.
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Mokihana Maldonado 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.
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John W. Cortez Jr. is passionate about sustainability, community resilience, and blending Hawaiian values with modern solutions.
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Samantha Alvarado is an ʻĀina-based Educator, PhD Student, and Farm Owner from Oʻahu.
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Nani Brown is the owner and electrician for Electrix LlC in Wahiawā, HI, exploring political independence.
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Alice Luck is a nonprofit professional who is passionate about helping make any community she calls home a better place.
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De Andre Makakoa is a Maui born videographer and organizer for the lāhui.
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Sam Peck is a legislative staffer, progressive activist and avid surfer from Boston.
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Dr. Bradley Kuo 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.
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Harley Broyles is an environmental law attorney, mea Hawaiʻi enthusiast, and boy mom from Kauaʻi.
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Yvette Amshoff is a dedicated advocate at the intersection of public health and politics, driving policy change for healthier communities.
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Taytum K. Herrick is an aspiring lomilomi cultural practitioner who started her journey after being displaced by the Lahaina fire.
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Malia Davidson is a daughter of Maui, a loving mother and grandmother, a community champion to mitigate suffering, a trusted confidant and Master Tao Teacher
