Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Seeks New Applicants

Graduating Fellow Akili Jones accepts his certificate from Chancellor and Steering Committee Memeber Clyde Sakamoto. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

Applications and nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 edition of the University of Hawaii-Maui College’s Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows program.

The year-long program is designed to develop future leaders to address planning for Maui’s future, and was developed in collaboration between Decisions Maui and Focus Maui Nui.

Between 12 and 16 fellows will be selected for the next round of the program through a competitive process conducted by a steering committee.

The deadline to apply for the program or submit a nomination is Friday, June 27.  More information is available at the program website or by calling Dr. Lori Teragawachi at (808) 984-3406.

A total of 85 fellows have completed the program since it began seven years ago, including 11 graduates who were honored during a commencement ceremony held on May 7, at the Kahili Golf Course in Waikapū.

Back Row-Jordan Molina, Ali Martin, Candace Thackerson, Chuck Yeaman, Adam Radford, Akili Jones – Front Row-Sonya Niess, Nicole Nanea Spalding, Jennifer Chirico, Alison Cohan, Susan Clements. Courtesy photo.

Graduates of the most recent class include: Charles Yeaman, Candace Thackerson, Akili Jones, Alison Cohan, Adam Radford, Nicole Nanea Spalding, Susan Clements, Sonya Niess, Ali Martin, Jennifer Chirico, and Jordan Molina.

“There is no magic wand to wave that will give us the answers for all the challenges that face Maui,” said Class of 2014 Fellow Candace Thackerson in a press release.

“Being a leader is not only about finding solutions, but also about compromise and understanding. An effective leader must first listen to the wide range of voices within the community, truly understand their concerns and then use all the information they have available to create the best solution possible for Maui’s future,” she said.

A variety of topics will involve active engagement from participants, which in the past has included sustainability, water, energy, tourism, food sustainability and governance.