Ka Hale A Ke Ola Welcomes Yamashita as New Executive Director

Incoming Ka Hale A Ke Ola Executive Director Monique Yamashita, Women Helping Women Executive Director Stacey Moniz and incoming Women Helping Women Deputy Director Sanoe Kaaihue.

Maui’s Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center announced the hire of new executive director Monique Yamashita.

Yamashita brings more than 10 years of nonprofit experience to the organization, most recently serving as the deputy director of Women Helping Women Maui. Prior to that, she held positions at Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., The Salvation Army, Child Welfare Services and Maui Youth & Family Services.

The hire takes effect today. In her new capacity, Yamashita will oversee the organization, which provides educational and emotional support to thousands of Maui’s less fortunate so that they can restore their lives and become productive members of the community.

“We are very confident in Monique’s ability to provide the leadership necessary to advance KHAKO’s mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness on Maui and to enhance its growth and sustainability for the future,” said KHAKO Board President Steve Miller. “Our board is extremely grateful to have attracted a person as passionate as Monique is about making a positive difference in our community and advocating for those individuals and families experiencing hardship.”

Yamashita said she is eager to become acquainted with KHAKO’s staff, stakeholders and programs while assessing the agency’s challenges and successes. “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to work for KHAKO, which has a longstanding reputation for helping the homeless on Maui,” Yamashita said. “A great need of KHAKO that I’m excited to continue to develop and implement is a fundraising program. During this crucial time of need to house the homeless, KHAKO would more than welcome donations and gifts from the community to build capacity and strengthen programs.”

Yamashita credits her six-year tenure at Women Helping Women for much of her professional success. “My time with Women Helping Women has been instrumental in my growth and knowledge as a nonprofit program manager,” she said. “Stacey Moniz has been more than a mentor—she’s a loyal ally and friend. I owe much of my growth to Stacey, the staff and the participants of Women Helping Women.”

Moniz says that Yamashita’s work at Women Helping Women—which included overseeing the day-to-day operations of the 24-hour women’s shelter—makes her perfectly suited for KHAKO. “Monique has done such an amazing job at Women Helping Women and she’s made a name for herself at our agency helping people,” Moniz said. “With everything she’s ever done, she’s absolutely perfect for KHAKO—and the community will be better for it.”

Women Helping Women’s incoming deputy director is Sanoe Kaaihue, who has worked with the agency as a Temporary Restraining Order advocate. In her new role as deputy director, Kaaihue will oversee shelter operations and provide support to the TRO and Transitions programs, Women Helping Women’s ReVive Boutique and the agency’s West Maui, East Maui and Lānaʻi offices.