Staff
Tiani Cook
Executive Director
Tiani Pua’a Kawaauhau-Cook, known as “Ani,” is a passionate young leader dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of her beloved Molokai, Hawaii. Born and raised on the island, Ani’s journey with Ka Honua Momona International (KHM) began in her teens as a pond intern, before working her way up to office intern and eventually executive assistant. After a brief hiatus, Ani returned to KHM in 2018 and is now the executive director, using her deep connection to the ‘Aina to guide the organization’s mission. As a wahine entrepreneur, Ani’s all-time goal is to soak up the wisdom of her kupuna and pass it down, ensuring the next generation becomes the true caretakers of Molokai.
Shaye Lauifi
Executive ASSISTANT
Welina o ke aloha, O Shaye Kaililani Lauifi koʻu inoa. Noho au ma ke ahupuaʻa o Kaunakahakai. My name is Shaye Lauifi. I was born and raised on the island of Molokaʻi and hail from the ahupuaʻa of Kaunakahakai. I am the Executive Assistant of Ka Honua Momona Intl. I have learned so much from this company and the amazing people here. My love for the ʻāina and the Molokaʻi community drives me to pursue the many restoration projects today and in the near future. Before I left for college in 2010, my goal was to soak in as much ʻike (knowledge) as I can so that I could return home to share it with my people. Now I am privileged to work along side our Kupuna to kōkua and preserve the Hawaiian cultural practices as well as give back to my community.
Torae-Brooke Kawaauhau-Puaa
Office Intern
Aloha! I’m Torae-Brooke Kawaauhau-Puaa. As a dedicated volunteer at KHM since 2017, my pu’uwai sings with joy in every moment I spent here. Whether I’m listening to inspiring moʻolelos, rejuvenating the land from mountain to sea, or connecting with fellow peers who share my fervor for this work, I am in my element. With roots deeply intertwined with the rich soil of Hawaii, I bring a unique perspective to everything I do. My passion for preserving our culture and environment drives me to make a meaningful impact wherever I go. Through dedication and unwavering commitment, I strive to honor our past while building a sustainable future for generations to come.
Hoku Luʻuloa
ʻĀina Supervisor
Born and raised on the island of Molokaʻi, Hoku Luʻuloa is a proud member of the Kamiloloa ahupuaʻa community. Hoku spends her days doing chore service work and collaborating with her family on carpentry and construction projects. In 2023, Hoku’s passion for community service led her to an internship at Ka Honua Momona through the UH Workforce Development Program’s Overdose Data to Action initiative. During her time there, Hoku immersed herself in the organization’s important work, exploring the island and forming meaningful connections with fellow volunteers. Grateful for the opportunity to be part of the KHM ʻohana, Hoku is eager to continue learning and contributing to the betterment of her community.
Keoni Duffy
ʻĀina Maintenance
Born and raised in the East (Mana’e) of Molokai, I developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and community from an early age. Under the guidance of my father, I honed my carpentry skills, learning the value of hard work and creativity that comes with shaping materials into functional art. This foundation not only shaped my abilities as a carpenter but also instilled a strong sense of pride in the art of building. As I grew, I deepened my connection to the ‘aina (land) and embraced the principles of sustainability and stewardship that are vital to our culture. Today, I am proud to be an active member of our hui (community), dedicated to building bridges through shared passion and purpose. Together, we work towards fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring that our traditions and values continue to thrive for future generations.
Ka'ailau "Kaʻai" Puailihau
ʻĀina Maintenance
Ka’ailau Puailihau’s upbringing in Ho’olehua on the island of Moloka’i has profoundly shaped his values and commitments. Raised by his maternal grandparents, he absorbed the essential Hawaiian principles of ‘ohana (family), respect, and his kuleana (responsibility) to mālama (care for) his land, community, and environment. From a young age, he developed vital skills in farming kalo (taro), hunting wild game, and fishing, fostering a deep love for the outdoors. This passion drives his aspiration to work at Ka Honua Momona, where he can actively contribute to the preservation of his heritage and values. Ka’ailau is not just dedicated to his land and community; he represents a living commitment to the future of Hawaiian culture.
Kandis Phillips
ʻĀina Maintenance
Meet Kandis Phillips, a proud Molokai native with a heart brimming with love for her island and its future generations. As a devoted mother of four, Kandis has made it her mission to instill the values of sustainability and environmental stewardship in her children, spending countless hours teaching them to cherish and care for the land and sea. Her passion extends beyond her family; she is a longtime volunteer at Ka Honua Momona, where she has had the honor of learning from the wise kupuna and working to preserve the rich cultural traditions of her beloved island. This year, Kandis is especially excited to focus on two core values at KHM: Mahuaola (Health & Wellbeing) and Ka ‘Imi ‘Ike (Lifelong Learning). She finds peace and purpose in nurturing the ‘āina, often seen rebuilding rock walls and engaging in other hands-on tasks that honor her commitment to malama ‘āina and Kai. Kandis embodies the spirit of community, resilience, and love for nature, and her journey is a testament to the power of caring for both people and place.
Board of Directors
Brandon Choy
Acting President
Brandon Choy grew up in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He is the director of program management for Tyco Integrated Security. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington University in St Louis, Missouri. He is the Advancement Committee chair of the University of North Florida Foundation, a member of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Artistic Affairs Committee, a member of the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Steering Committee. He’s also a past member of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and Art in Public Places Committee.
Mahealani Richardson
Board Secretary
Mahealani Richardson serves as the director of communications and marketing for Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu. Giving keiki opportunities to appear in the hospital’s award-winning local TV ads; seeing physicians honored in the community; and landing patients’ appearances on Hawaii Five-0 were just some of the highlights. While working at Shriners Hospitals, she did some moonlighting by hosting Insights on PBS Hawaii where she moderated forums for the Governor’s and Congressional races. A Kamehameha Schools alum and 2016 cohort of Pacific Century Fellows, Mahealani currently serves on the boards of Friends of Shriners and Ka Honua Momona on Molokai. She has been honored with Pacific Business News 2017 Women Who Mean Business Women to Watch.
Manuel "Manny" Mejia
Board Treasurer
Born in the Philippines and raised in Maryland, Manuel now calls Hawaiʻi his family’s home. As an island boy, he was taught to respect the ocean and care for it since it takes care of us all. Through the Worldwide Voyage, Manuel would like to see communities around the world share their inspiring stories of how to care for our places and be inspired by the mālama honua message. Back in Hawaiʻi, he would love to see the fulfillment of the promises and pledges to mālama honua by the communities that he works with as a the Hawai‘i Community-Based Marine Program Manager with The Nature Conservancy.
Shaun Te Marino Lenihan
Director (Indigenous Epistemology)
Te Marino is currently the Kaiārahi (Director of Māori Achievement and Strategic Relationships) at the Ara Institute of Canterbury. He has been working for over 20 years as an advocate for iwi and hapū values and aspirations in both the natural and built environment realms within rural and urban landscape contexts. From 2006-2016, Te Marino worked closely with developers, local government, NGOs, schools, universities and businesses on behalf of his iwi and hapū to explore how cultural and natural heritage values can be recognised and provided for within the developing landscape and its waterways. From 2013-2016, Te Marino helped spearhead and embed local Ngāi Tahu representation in the redesign and rebuild of greater Christchurch following the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. At the end of 2016, Te Marino changed fields from town planning and environmental management to education. He . One of his key areas of focus is the integration of mātauranga Māori (Māori pedagogy and knowledge) as a valued and valuable aspect of mainstream education.
Uncle Kelson "Mac" Poepoe
Board Member
Uncle Mac Poepoe, a Native Hawaiian fisherman and a community leader on Molokai who has dedicated his life to ensuring that the ocean will be well-stocked for generations to come. Uncle Mac Poepoe has spent a lifetime putting traditional fishing practices and resources management into action on Molokaiʻs northern coast. And for that, he was honored with the 2013 Umu Kai Award. Established in 2008 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)ʻs Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Pacific Islands Region, the award recognizes Native Hawaiian practitionersʻ contribution to modern fisheries conservation.
Nicole "Nikki" Cummings
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon…
Kupuna Council
Uncle Bobby Alcain
Hoewe - Cultural Rootedness
Uncle Bobby Alcain teaches many of Molokai’s keiki (children) and opio (youth) on his farm, ‘Āina Pulapula, and has been caring for Lanikaula for the past 17 years (Chair of group for the last 14 years), with the group La’au Lapa’au o Molokai. Uncle Bobby Alcain has been recognized with many awards from our Molokai community over the years. When asked what his qualifications were, Uncle Bobby said, “Being Hawaiian and living pono on a daily basis. My qualification is I accepted the kuleana.” He is quick to say that being born Hawaiian ensured he was instilled with these qualifications, but anyone who practices pono is able to learn and practice these things. “The care comes with loving Ke Akua (a greater being, everyone has their own idea of what it is) and loving yourself. Once you are able to do those things, you can extend your care elsewhere.”
Uncle Mervin Dudoit
Kahu Ho'ilina - Environmental Stewardship
Mervin “Uncle Merv” Dudoit was born and raised on the island of Molokai. For over 50 years, he has fished the ocean and tidal flats around the island, handling all manner of boats, gear, and weather. He worked as a commercial diver for 18 years. Uncle Merv’s homestead land abuts Ali’i Fishpond. He is personally dedicated to restoring the fishpond – singlehandedly if he must. He is equally dedicated to involving people from all walks of life in fishpond restoration and aquaculture skills, especially local Hawaiian youth. He has worked with hundreds of volunteers over the years, and inspires virtually all of them to return. He was honored in April 2010 with a “Malama I Ke Kai “ (Take care of the Sea) award, recognized by a Maui-based marine restoration collective for his work with Ka Honu Momona and with Molokai’s youth. He is also the Aha Kiole’s (Hawaiian traditional leadership model now recognized by the state of Hawaii) elected moku (traditional Hawaiian boundary marker) representative for Kawela Moku – the largest population moku on the island of Molokai.
Aunty Vani Ainoa
Kuka'i Ka Ha-Intergenerational Exchange
Aunty Vani comes to us with a world of knowledge and experience. She was born in Ualapue, and raised in Kamalo, Molokai. She married David Ainoa Sr and has five beautiful children, and many grand and great-grandchildren. She worked for Dave’s Enterprise for 35 years. After retirement she started getting involved with several Hawaiian agencies as a way of giving back to the Molokai community. She is currently involved with several different organizations. She is the President for Kamiloloa One Ali’i Homestead, President for Ka Honua Momona, Intl, President for Kaahumanu Chapter VIII, Board President for Napu’uwai Hawaii Health system, Secretary for First Hawaiian Homestead Credit Union and Board President for Papa Ola Lokahi (Oahu). Her ambition and passion is to see younger people step up to the plate, and learn to be Pono in whatever they do.
Aunty Pinky Gaspar
Ka ʻImi ʻIke-Lifelong Learning
Born and raised in the tranquil Hawaiian village of Kaneʻohe, Pinky has dedicated her life to uplifting her community. As the Executive Director of the Molokai Occupational Center, she works tirelessly to provide essential services and resources to those in need. But Pinky’s impact extends far beyond her day job – she also leads the non-profit organization Napualei O Hina, which focuses on preserving cultural traditions and empowering the youth and elders of her island home. With a heart full of aloha, Pinky is a true champion for her people.
Uncle Sanoa Liva
Mahuaola - Health and Wellbeing
Uncle Sanoa is an incredibly knowledgeable and resilient person. Uncle Sanoa has taught us many things. And although we were impressed to learn things like that drinking liquid awa can cool down the body temperature when working in the hot sun, and the leaf can be used as mosquito repellant perhaps most inspiring is his philosophy of happiness. Uncle has eliminated the word “work” from his vocabulary and instead uses phrases like “financial hobbies”. He finds that when you love what you do all the rest will fall in line.
Want to join our extended 'ohana?
Get involved by volunteering at the Ali’i Fishpond and filling out our waiver below!