Council Leader | ʻAha Hoʻokō

Aloha! My name is Noelani Tanaka (she/her), and I am seventeen years old and a senior in the Beaverton School District. I’ve been dancing hula for 10 years with Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani and I’ve been a competitive hip hop dancer for 8 years. I love sitting down and reading a good book during any free time I have outside of school. Through MŌHALA, I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much about others in the community and create meaningful connections with them. I’ve been able to see that what we can do in our community really makes a difference. I’ve also been able to develop many new skills through the work that we do. Being a part of MŌHALA has had a huge impact on my life and I want to continue helping others and advocating for change that needs to happen within our community.

Director of Government Relations

Aloha Mai Kākou! ʻO Chloe koʻu inoa and I am director of Government Relations for Mōhala Youth Council. I was born in Torrance, California to my mom who is Mexican from East LA and dad who is Puerto Rican from Kona, Hawaiʻi Island. I have been living in Oregon since 2010 and began dancing hula with Hālau Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani shortly after in 2012. I am currently 18 years old and a Senior at Aloha High School.

Secretary

Aloha mai kākou! ʻO Mayma koʻu inoa (she/her), and I am the Secretary (a founding member) for Mōhala Youth Council of KALO HCC. We focus on encouraging ʻōpio to be engaged in civic activities, community organizing, and leadership development! I am seventeen years old and identify as a proud nihonjin here in the PNW, but my ʻohana and I came in 2007 as I was born in Vacaville, CA. Post high school, I am interested in studying to become a CRNA in Nursing within Oregon. I am also an ʻōlapa o ka hula hālau, Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani, and have been dancing for a little over ten years now. I enjoy watching sunsets and cruising me koʻu ʻohana a me nā hoaaloha, and am obsessed with Asian cuisines! Mahalo nui me ke aloha!

Youth Council Member

Director of Health

ʻO Kahoku koʻu inoa. ʻUmikumawalu oʻu makahiki. E hele au i ke kula o Pacific University. No Aloha, ʻOlekona mai au. I was born in Hilo, Hawaiʻi and moved to the continent when I was five. I have been dancing hula for almost twelve years now. I volunteer closely with Ka ʻAha Lahui O ʻOlekona Hawaiian Civic Club of Oregon and SW Washington. I am the Director of Health for the MŌHALA Youth Council, which sits under KALO HCC. I am also one of the editors/writers of Nā Kamaliʻi Talk Story; Inquiring Minds of Todayʻs Youth. I am attending Pacific University to pursue my BSW. I was one of the founding members and president of my high school Pacific Islander Club.

Director

Aloha mai! ʻO Sophia Sakaino koʻu inoa (she/her), ʻumikūmālima oʻu makahiki. My name is Sophia Sakaino. I’ve lived my entire life in Oregon but most of my ʻohana lives on Oʻahu. I get to live a mixture of both places by being a hula ʻōlapa of a decade at Ka Lei Haliʻa O Ka Lokelani, a hālau here in Beaverton. In my free time, I enjoy thrifting, trying new food, volunteering, and spending time with my loved ones.

I am an active member and director for Mōhala Youth Council, and I love it! I enjoy being apart of this family of young leaders who are constantly learning and questioning the world around us. Through our advocacy and organizing work, I’ve been privileged to gain a sense of identity within my culture and community. I look forward to continuing my journey on the Mōhala Youth Council, meeting more ʻōpio, having more talk stories, and gaining more skills to better serve the community.