Maui Carries on Memory of Will Smith

Photo courtesy The Will Smith Foundation.

By Wendy Osher

Six Maui residents were named to the inaugural board of directors for the non-profit Will Smith Foundation.

The organization was formed in July 2007 following a tragic car accident on Maui that claimed the life of 8-year-old Will Smith.

Family members say the foundation honors Will’s memory by continuing the heartfelt kindness and generosity that he showed to other children in his life.

The newly named board members include: Mark Ellman, Archie Kalepa, Alicia Kalepa, Lawrence Kauhaʻahaʻa, Marian Feenstra, and Jenny Worth.

“The diverse set of ideas and personal experiences the new board members bring to our team are essential to our goal of further expanding the reach of the foundation on the island,” said Susan Moulton, founder of the organization and Will’s mom.

The following is background information on the newly selected board members:

• Mark Ellman: Restaurateur, entrepreneur and local philanthropist Mark Ellman is always searching for the perfect recipe to “Practice Aloha.” Mark Ellman and wife Judy have called the island home for 27 years. Ellman will serve as board president of the foundation.
• Marian Feenstra: Chief of aquatics, Department of Parks and Recreation, County of Maui, since 1996. Marian served as the executive assistant to the mayor in 1998 representing West Mauiʻs community concerns.
• Archie Kalepa: Head of Maui Ocean Safety and Rescue, Waterman Hall of Fame recipient, and pioneer in long-distance SUP racing. Archie strongly believes in the foundation’s strategic direction for giving children the chance for a better life than they otherwise would have had and hopes that the foundation will serve as a leader in grant making to native Hawaiian community.
• Alicia Kalepa: For the past 20 years she has been a part of the Old Lahaina luau and Feast at Lele family as their Mistress of Ceremony.  She has also served for the past 17 years as a concierge specialist in the hotel industry.
• Lawrence Kauhaahaa: Retired 20-year veteran of the Maui County Police Department.
• Matthew Murasko:  The Murasko ‘ohana is active in the non-profit Maui Cultural Lands and restoration efforts in Honokowai. Murasko has an eclectic business background and entrepreneur who cofounded the electro active polymer company Lumimove LLC dba Crosslink USA in 1997.
• Jenny Worth: studied at the University of Redlands and has a background in pre-contact archaeology of the Great Basin. Worth currently serves as the secretary for the Will Smith Foundation.

The board’s first order of business is planning special events to raise awareness and fund development. This includes the First Annual Will’s Hearts in Haiku Valentines Day Soiree planned for 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 14, at the Haiku Mill.

The event will feature live music by Henry Kapono and Ekolu Kalama, Valentines Day inspired food, silent auction and open bar.