New Salvation Army leaders take command in Maui County

The Salvation Army appointed three veteran ministers to lead its Kahului and Lahaina community centers in July.

Majors Kevin and Heather Pope took charge of the Kahului Corps. The organization also named them Maui County coordinators to guide efforts on Maui and Molokaʻi.

The Salvation Army transferred the Popes from its Alaska division. Kevin Pope, a former firefighter, previously deployed to Maui in 2023 to assist with wildfire disaster response. Heather Pope built a career in early childhood education before entering full-time ministry work.

“We’ve seen firsthand the heart this community brings to caring for one another, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of that work,” Kevin Pope said.

The Popes also manage the organization’s family thrift store in Kīhei. Store revenues fund services at the Kahului center.

Captain Shawn Uilani Keoho assumed command of the Lahaina Lighthouse Corps. Keoho brings a dozen years of experience with drug treatment, family reunification and domestic violence recovery programs. She helped provide transitional housing for recovering mothers and children. She has a bachelor’s degree in counseling.

She previously served at Salvation Army centers in Honolulu and on Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi islands.

Salvation Army officials said Keoho will provide community-based services and guide the development of future programs in West Maui. The 2023 wildfires destroyed the original Lahaina Lighthouse Corps building.

She succeeds Envoy Kevin Nagasaki. Nagasaki directed the Lahaina ministry for nearly three decades until his passing in September 2025.

“Lahaina has been through so much, and I don’t take lightly what it means to serve this community as we look toward rebuilding,” Keoho said.

Divisional commander Major Troy Trimmer said the new officers bring deep leadership experience to the islands. Trimmer said this background will assist their ongoing work across Maui and Molokaʻi.