Ka Ipu Kukui program celebrates 16th year; seeks applicants for 17th cohort

The Ka Ipu Kukui program marked its 16th year with a graduation ceremony at Heritage Hall on May 29, 2024. As this milestone is celebrated, the program is now inviting applications for its 17th cohort.

An initiative of Decisions Maui and Focus Maui Nui, the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows program is a year-long leadership development initiative. It aims to equip future leaders with the skills to not only identify the challenges in Maui County but also effectively address and overcome them. The name “Ka Ipu Kukui” translates to “crucible of light,” a test and a furnace for seeking and taking the best path ahead.

“Maui Nui occupies a special place in the state, country and world, but as all of us know, we face many challenges that could very well erode the unique splendor of these special islands,” said Scott Nunokawa, a founding board member of Ka Ipu Kukui.

Inspired by the concerns raised by Decisions Maui in the 1980s and reinforced by the 2003 Focus Maui Nui visioning process, the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows program was created to foster leadership development through a community-centric approach. Each month, the program addresses various perspectives on Maui County’s challenges, providing participants with comprehensive learning experiences known as hālāwai. These sessions help Fellows gain a deep understanding of the issues, enabling them to develop a well-rounded perspective and a robust network to tackle future challenges.

“Each month we were thrown into immersive agendas to develop a holistic appreciation and understanding of Maui Nui’s challenges, all with the goal to develop emerging leaders and there is no doubt this program lived up to its goals,” said Olena Alec, 2024 Fellow while addressing the crowd of family, friends, and supporters at the recent graduation ceremony. “To everyone considering Ka Ipu Kukui, I say with absolute conviction, do it. This program is more than a leadership Fellows program. It is an investment in yourself, your community, and the future of Maui County.”

The hālāwai cover topics such as infrastructure, community planning, sustainability, fiscal policy, governance at county and state levels, water, and energy.

Applications are now open for the 2024-2025 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows program. The program requires active participation, with fellows dedicating approximately two to three days each month between August and May, depending on scheduled activities. Around 15 fellows will be selected through a competitive process overseen by the program’s board of directors.

The application deadline is July 1, 2024, with notifications to applicants by late July.

For more information or to nominate a candidate, visit Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows website at https://kaipukukuifellows.org.

Board of Directors of Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows: Sayble Bissen, Dennis Ducatt, Daniel Emhoff, Tambara Garrick, Amber Hardwick, Troy Hashimoto, Logan McBarnet, Scott Nunokawa, Leilani Pulmano, Marc Takamori, Candace Thackerson, Lori Teragawachi, Dean Tokishi and Lianne Yoshida.

The 2024 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows cohort is: Olena Alec, Christian Apo Takayama, Kauanoe Batangan, Jack Dowling, Jason Economou, Jayci Alohi Gomes, Sterling Higa, Nicole Huguenin, Backy Lind, Matthew Lugo, Brialyn Onodera, Matt Padget, Makayla Rickard, Bailey Spry, Jill Wirt and Dav Yuan.