Meet Our Team

Leialoha Kaʻula

Luna Hoʻokō | Executive Director

Leialoha Kaʻula was born on the island of Oʻahu and raised on Moku o Keawe. She is a proud graduate of Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, where ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and ʻike kūpuna shaped the foundation of her leadership and community work. Now residing in the Pacific Northwest, she humbly lives on the lands of the Atfalati tribes, with a deep commitment to uplifting Indigenous stories, relationships, and communities.

Leialoha is a Kumu Hula of Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani, and as a hula practitioner, she centers cultural practice, protocol, and ancestral knowledge in all that she does. These values, instilled from a young age, continue to guide her work and approach to community engagement. Carrying her ʻike Hawaiʻi beyond Hawaiʻi, she remains dedicated to strengthening cultural continuity within Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities living in diaspora.

Leialoha is actively involved in regional and national civic and advocacy efforts. She serves as Corresponding Secretary for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and as Hope Pelekikena ʻElua (Second Vice President) for Nā Lei Makalapua, the Mainland Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. She also serves on the Executive Committees of the Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition and Oregon State Voices.

In addition, Leialoha contributes her leadership and cultural expertise as a member of the Pacific Northwest Regional Advisory Board for the ʻOhana Center of Excellence, the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Advisory Board for the Oregon Department of Education Student Success Plan, and the Oregon Youth Authority Partnership Committee.

Our Administrative Team

Isabel Steinhoff

Luna Hana

Operations Coordinator

  • Aloha kākou, ʻo Isabel Steinhoff koʻu inoa. I am the Office Coordinator here at Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona. Prior to joining the team, I had very little experience working with non-profit organizations, so I'm excited to explore a new territory while connecting and supporting our communities. 

    I was born and raised in North Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi and currently live here in Beaverton, Oregon. I graduated from Corban University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and Marketing, which is how I ended up here in Oregon (and my sister lives here too!). With Corban being a predominately white institution, I longed for a sense of belonging while living on the continent. Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona was where I found it when I least expected to. It took moving away from home and finding this community to truly appreciate where I come from. I'm so grateful to be part of this ohana and look forward to what's to come.  

    Fun facts about me: I love food and finding new places to eat at. My top 3 bucket list places to travel to right now are Aotearoa, Australia, and Greece. And if I'm not out gallivanting with my friends, I'm most likely cozy at home watching a guilty pleasure rom-com. 

Joseph Cruz

Luna Hoʻokaʻaike

Strategic Initiatives Director

  • Aloha - My name is Joseph Cruz, and I am the Strategic Initiatives Manager dedicated to equity, food justice, and systemic change. My background includes financial management, nonprofit operations, and leadership development, with a focus on creating inclusive and empowering spaces.

     

    My lived experience with houselessness and food insecurity drives my passion for addressing hunger and advocating for marginalized communities. I’ve worked extensively in food access programs, youth leadership development, and emergency response, ensuring resources reach those who need them most.

Sophia Sakaino

Lima Kākoʻo

Administrative / Center Support

  • Aloha mai kākou! ʻO Sophia koʻu inoa and I'm the Administrative/Center Support at KALOHCC! I am truly grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that helped raise me and shape me into the person I am today.

    I was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon, but my family lives in Kaimuki, O’ahu. I’m a junior at Southridge High School where I lead the Mock Trial Team and Pacific Islander Club. After high school, I plan to go to college to become a teacher to further serve my community and do what I love. 

    As the Administrative Support, I primarily maintain the AloHā Resource and Community Center and support KALO events. The Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community is beautiful in every way and it’s a privilege that I get to learn and serve this community through my work here at KALO. 

    Most people know me for being a hula ʻōlapa at Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani, a hālau I’ve been dancing with for over a decade. I’m also a director of KALO’s Mōhala Youth Council, an ʻōpio led group that strives to create the next generation of leaders through various programs, discussions, volunteering, and other community-building events. During my free time, I enjoy thrifting, trying new hobbies, and discovering new cute coffee/bubble tea shops with my friends!

Jayden Kepoʻo-Caspino

Luna Hoʻokūkulu Hoʻolaha

Communications & Marketing Manager

  • Aloha mai kākou, ʻo Jayden koʻu inoa and I'm the Communications Support at KALOHCC. I am beyond blessed to be able to stay connected with my heritage and share my manaʻo in story-telling with the Pacific Islander communities here on the continent.

    I was born and raised in Wai’anae, O’ahu, where we have the best sunsets and beaches. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and Advertising Management from Portland State University, which explains my love for visual and digital arts.

    As the Communications Manager, I primarily manage KALOHCCʻs social media channels (@kalohcc), photography/videography assets, advertising campaigns, and graphic design efforts used to promote KALOHCCʻs mission in amplifying the voices and practices of our lāhui. The best part about my position is being able to share the beauty and strength of the Hawaiian culture through a creative lens – flyers, reels, short-films, and photos!

    If you donʻt see me with a camera in my hand, I'm usually cruising at the Oregon coast, eating all the foods in the world, watching Marvel movies, or adventuring nature with my wife and my puppy, Konapiliahi. I am also a new member of Hula Hālau Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani.

Our Programs Team

Nicole Kepoʻo-Caspino

Luna Papahana | Program Director

  • Aloha mai kākou, ʻo Nicole koʻu inoa. I am the Program Manager at Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona and I am super excited to work with the community of Oregon + Washington + Hawaiʻi + and beyond.

    I am from Westside of Oʻahu and although I have created a life here on the continent, I will always call Waiʻanae home. I graduated from Portland State University with my Bachelor's Degree in Womenʻs Studies and Psychology, where my interest for community service and social justice began. I was also apart of the Pacific Islanders Club Student Organization for three years in hopes to use the knowledge that I gained over the years to serve the community I hold close to my heart.

    As KALO’s Program Manager I strive to provide a wide variety of programs that are accessible but also brings a part of home to here on the continent. Through community health resources, youth programs, food accessibility resources, college-support, etc – KALO is here to do it all! In all, It is a great privilege to be apart of this team and work alongside these powerful wāhine!

    Aside from working at KALO, I am also a proud small business owner specializing in wedding & portrait photography. For the past 4 years I’ve had the pleasure of working with such amazing people and traveling to the most beautiful places. If you are ever interested, here’s my website – www.shotsbyjxn.com!

Kahōkū Kaʻula

Traditional Health Worker

  • Kahōkū serves as a Traditional Health Worker committed to bridging cultural practices with modern healthcare to support the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) community. In this role, she advocates for holistic health by integrating cultural values, ancestral knowledge, and community-based approaches into wellness practices. Kahōkū also strives to be a trusted resource, providing guidance and support to empower individuals and families in their health journeys. 

    A second-year student at Pacific University, Kahōkū is majoring in Social Work and minoring in Public Health. She is also the Director of Health for Mōhala Youth, where she helps lead initiatives that empower and uplift the NHPI community. She is also an 'olapa of Ka Lei Hali'a O Ka Lokelani, having been dancing hula for 13+ years now. Kahōkū embraces the cultural practices that deeply shape her approach to wellness and connection.

    As a Traditional Health Worker, Kahōkū focuses on fostering trust and connection within the community, providing resources, education, and culturally aligned support to address health disparities. Whether through organizing health events, facilitating access to vaccinations and screenings, or sharing knowledge rooted in ancestral practices, Kahōkū ensures that the NHPI community feels empowered in their health journeys.

    Kahōkū upholds these responsibilities with aloha, pono (integrity), and mālama (care), striving to create a safe and inclusive environment for healing and growth. Dedicated to serving and giving back to her community, Kahōkū is excited about this incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact. 

Haia Ku

Kumu ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

  • Aloha! ʻO wau no ʻo Haia Ku, he kama no ka ʻāina ʻo Hawaiʻi. I was fortunate to be raised in Hawaiʻi, where I was continually shaped by its land, traditions, and community. I started my ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi path at a young age of 3, attending Pūnana Leo o Honolulu. There I began my solid foundation in who I am as a kanaka today. My journey had so much kākoʻo, not only the amazing kumu I had, but my mom, Kamanaʻo Ku who emphasized the importance of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in our ʻohana. My time in Kula Kaiapuni (Waiau, Ānuenue) allowed me to immerse myself more in mea Hawaiʻi. To be surrounded by our kanaka and to learn of our lāhui in such a setting is an experience beyond simple explanation. I am beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a Kumu ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi  and Kanaka ʻūnuhi (translator) in the Pacific Northwest. With so many kanaka moving to the ʻāina ʻē, we have kuleana here to also kokua and kākoʻo our kanaka while they are away from home. Reconnecting our kanaka back to Hawaiʻi and each other is one of the biggest missions I hope to achieve. E ola ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

Jolie Jessie

Lima Kākoʻo | ARCC Support

  • Aloha mai kākou, ʻo Jolie koʻu inoa. I am the Administrative/Center Support at Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona. After many years of working for corporations, schools and other non-profits, I feel extremely Blessed and excited to be a part of the KALO family. I look forward to supporting the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community in Oregon and SW Washington. My goal is to help families by providing meaningful programs, events and a welcoming environment at our community center.

    I was born an raise in Kailua Oʻahu and a proud public school graduate of Kailua High School. Go Surfriders! I went to University of Oregon ( Go Ducks!) and got my Bachelorʻs in Journalism. Although, I intended to go back to Oʻahu after I graduated, I met my husband at UO and stayed in the mainland. I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 20 years and raised my two kids there before making my way back to Portland, Oregon.

    When Iʻm not working, you can find me curled up reading murder mystery books, walking my very spoiled St. Bernard dog Hoku or going to all the pop-up events around Portland with my daughter Janae.

Our Interns

Devon Muña

Program Assistant Intern

  • Aloha mai kākou, ʻo Devon koʻu inoa! I am the Program Assistant Intern here at KALO, and Iʻm very grateful for this opportunity to work with the team and the community.

    I was born and raised in Saipan, and moved to Oregon with my family several years ago. I am currently a Senior at Portland State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Studies and Social Science. Throughout my college career, I have had the privilege to work with the Pacific Islander community through various jobs, conferences, clubs, and other opportunities that have come my way. Giving back to my community through these positions has been the highlight of the past few years, and I have gained so much knowledge, experiences, and connections that have made me the person I am today. This internship is the first opportunity that has allowed me to consistently engage with the broader Pacific Islander community off-campus, and has taught me so much in the short time that I have been with KALO. Iʻm excited to continue working with the KALO team, and I am curious see where life takes me after graduation and this internship.

    When Iʻm not at work, you can find me playing volleyball, going out with my friends, or thrifting; on the days I prefer to stay at home, you can typically find me playing video games, taking care of my houseplants, or watching TV.

Laurissa Tsukimura

Marketing Intern

  • Aloha mai kākou, ʻo Laurissa koʻu inoa, and I am the Marketing Intern at KALOHCC! I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to expand my knowledge and connect with the communities here in Oregon and Washington.

    I currently reside in Camas, where I grew up, but Hawaiʻi is where my heart resides. Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate enough to regularly visit Waikapū, Maui, and Pearl City, Oʻahu to see both sides of my family. I graduated from Pacific University–Oregon in 2024 with my Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. At Pacific, I was an executive board member of Nā Haumāna O Hawaiʻi for three years, where I found a deep sense of belonging that I didn’t fully experience growing up in a predominantly white community on the continent. Now, with KALOHCC, I feel so blessed to continue nurturing that sense of belonging within, while working to amplify Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) voices and practices.

    When I’m not designing, you can find me spoiling my family dog, Lexi, jumping on a video game with my friends, or snacking on anything and everything! I love to talk story and get to know all about what interests my peers!

ʻAha Hoʻokō – Executive Board

Cheryl Dutro

Pelekikena

Jill Kakehi

Puʻuku

Kākau ʻŌlelo

Laʻakea Bryne

Nicole Lee Ellison

Hope Pelekikena

Kēhau Searle

Luna Hoʻokele o Nā ʻAha
Conventions Director

Noelani Tanaka

Luna Hoʻokele ʻŌpio
Conventions Director

Nā Lālā Hoʻokumu - Founding Members (Est. 2019)

Michael Aeto

Gabrielle Anderson 

Ben Baker

Canya Barnes

Julianne Byrne

Chaunsey Chen

Tiffany Hart

Marianne Itkin

Erin Kaʻaiakamanu

Leialoha Kaʻula

Waialoha Marquoit

James Mattern

Brittany Rivera

Wiliama Sanchez

Kim Sherwood

Aaron Smith

Krystina Tabangcura

Nancy Thompson

Louise Wilmes

Selena Yokoyama

Kaliko Yokoyama

Donna Ching

Natlie Dutro

Garin Fukushima

Kerri Hanson

Kiele Harmon

Shane Hart

Mealoha McFadden

Uilani Nakoʻoka

Miechelle Nations

Lauren Oka

John Pacheco

Steffany Wong Pacheco

Where programs come to life

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