Newest cohort of Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows graduate; 2026 recruitment underway

The Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Program celebrated the graduation of its 17th cohort at Guava Tree Bar and Grill on May 28, 2025. With this milestone, the program now opens recruitment for its 18th year, continuing its mission of cultivating Maui Nui’s next generation of leaders.

A joint initiative of Decisions Maui and Focus Maui Nui, the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Program is a year-long leadership development experience designed to prepare emerging leaders to address Maui’s most pressing issues—and, more importantly, to lead efforts to solve them.

Born from the long-term visioning efforts of Decisions Maui in the 1980s and reaffirmed by the 2003 Focus Maui Nui process, the program was launched in 2007 to provide a comprehensive, community-based platform for future-focused leadership development.

Each month, Fellows participate in immersive learning sessions known as Halawai, which explore Maui’s complex challenges through diverse perspectives. Topics include infrastructure, community planning, sustainability, governance, water, energy, and fiscal policy—equipping Fellows with a holistic understanding and the tools to take action.

“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, Ka Ipu Kukui founding board member.

The name Ka Ipu Kukui translates to “crucible of light”—symbolizing a vessel of transformation and a furnace for seeking and taking the best path ahead. After graduating 232 Fellows over the past 17 years, Ka Ipu Kukui remains committed to expanding its impact and strengthening the leadership pipeline across the islands of Maui Nui.

This year’s graduation was attended by family, friends, and community supporters, including State Rep. Terez Amato; State Sens. Lynn DeCoite and Angus McKelvey; Jared Agtunong, representing the Office of Council Member Tom Cook; and Erin Wade, representing the Office of Mayor Richard Bissen.

Attendees enjoyed live music from Josh Kahula before the ceremony and Nuff Sed following the program. The graduating cohort wore lei of kukui, hinahina, kaunaoa, and pink roses in place of roselani—each plant representing one of the four islands of Maui Nui: Maui, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaho‘olawe.

Applications for the 2025–2026 cohort are now open to residents of Maui, Lāna‘i, and Moloka‘i.

The program requires approximately two to three days of active full-day participation per month. Up to 15 Fellows will be selected through a competitive process overseen by the program’s board of directors. Selected applicants will be notified in late July, with the program beginning on Aug. 28, 2025. The application deadline is Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 5 p.m.

The current Ka Ipu Kukui Board of Directors includes Jessica Adkins, Kasie Apo Takayama, Sayble Bissen, Dennis Ducatt, Tambara Garrick, Troy Hashimoto, Keanu Lau Hee, Logan McBarnet, Scott Nunokawa, Leilani Pulmano, Marc Takamori, Candace Thackerson, Lori Teragawachi, Dean Tokishi, and Lianne Yoshida. The program is led by Executive Director Charen Aki Kepler.

The 2025 graduating class includes:

Naomi Cooper, Maui Hotel and Lodging Association
Daniel Goodfellow, Goodfellow Bros
Mike Gurat, Wailuku Federal Credit Union
Kaulana Kino, Maui Fire Department
Lauren Loor, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute
Kylee Okazaki, Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
Rachelle Ouye, Sae Design Group
Donna Paz, Maui Federal Credit Union
Kelly Potts, All Are We Water Collective
Jade Rojas-Letisi, County of Maui
Jill Senter, Morgan Stanley
Bri Simon, Pacific Whale Foundation
Stacey Sueoka, National Solar Observatory
Drew Sulock, Drew Sulock Creations
Dani Waring, Hale Makua

“Though this chapter is ending, the journey continues for all of us. We leave this program forever changed—carrying with us the light we found in each other, and the responsibility to share it with Maui Nui in all the ways that matter most,” said 2025 Fellow Jade Rojas-Letisi.

The Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Program is made possible through the support of generous community partners and funders. Leaders thanked the County of Maui, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Goodfellow Bros, Fred Baldwin Foundation, Atherton Foundation, Red Cabin Foundation, Spectrum, Turo, Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate, Ledcor, Flatbread Pizza, and all of the 3rd Annual Legacy Dinner table sponsors and attendees for their commitment to developing leadership across Maui Nui.

To learn more or to apply, visit kaipukukuifellows.org. A Recruitment and Information Event will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 5:30–6:45 p.m. at the J. Walter Cameron Center.

Potential applicants are encouraged to attend and may register at: https://bit.ly/3HfHthA.