Staff

Administration

Dr. Mālia Purdy – Executive Director

Dr. Purdy was born in Fort Polk, Louisiana and raised in Waiehu, Maui. She attended Pūnana Leo O Maui, Kula Kaiapuni O Maui ma Pāʻia & Kalama, and graduated from Kamehameha Schools Maui. She then went on to receive her BS in Biology at Pacific University, and MPH in Native Hawaiian Health and PhD in Community-Based & Translational Research at UH Mānoa. Dr. Purdyʻs journey at Hui No Ke Ola Pono started in 2022 as the Executive director and she believes her path was set forth by her kūpuna. She descends from a line of advocates and educators, as her tūtū was part of the pioneer group that fought for Hawaiian language and culture to be taught in public schools and was a lāʻau lapaʻau practitioner. Her education started in the Hawaiian language, and she is a product of the values and foundations instilled in her by the many kumu and mentors that have taught her along the way. There is no greater way to honor them than to serve as Executive Director and have the opportunity to directly impact the Native Hawaiian community of her one hānau at The Hui. Dr. Purdy is a true local girl who loves going to the beach, chasing sunsets, and always trying to find the water wherever she is in the world.

Risa Mamalias – Director of Programs

Risa was born and raised in Waiehu, Maui and joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in August of 2023. She enjoys working in a non-profit, community-based organization where she has the opportunity to impact community health and wellness.

Mikaela Aki – Programs Administrative Assistant

Mikaela is a proud Waiehu girl and graduated from Baldwin High School. Her journey at Hui No Ke Ola Pono started off as a receptionist in the Traditional Healing Department in June 2021. You can now find her in an administrative role, working alongside the Programs Director. She knew The Hui was where she was meant to be because of the joy she finds in serving others. During her free time, you can find her anywhere the fresh water runs or chasing sunsets. She also enjoys dancing hula and is a proud haumāna of Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua.

Jennifer Kekiwi-Brown – Operations Manager

Jennifer was born in Wailuku, Maui and raised in Haʻiku and Keʻanae/Wailuanui. Although being raised on the East end of Maui, Jennifer graduated from Maui High School. She joined the Hui in August of 2019 and brought with her 30+ years of Clerical/Administrative work. Jennifer loves art and enjoys shooting bow. However, her favorite thing to do is spending time with her ʻohana.

Jillayne Ching – Data & Compliance Specialist

Jill was born and raised in Kauaʻi and moved to Maui when she was 9. She graduated from Baldwin High School, Go Bears! She received her Associate of Science degree in Human Services at UHMC. Jill has been part of the HUI ohana since 2004. Her career began as a Community Health Worker and has evolved into an administrative role, working with data and compliance. She strongly believes in the Huiʻs mission and is honored to be a part of such an awesome organization.

Jill loves spending time with her ʻohana, hubby, three babies and two fur babies. She absolutely loves to sing and dance; however, most of her time is spent in the stands at basketball games, on the sidelines at a soccer or football field, and on Facetime with her college baby.

Fiscal

Holiann Ho – Controller

Holly was born and raised in Maui and grew up in the little town of Hāliʻimaile. She explored a year of boarding at Lahainaluna High School then graduated from Maui High School. Holly received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from UOP. She always knew from the 6th grade that she wanted to become an Accountant and have practiced in the field for the last 30 years. She originally joined the Hui in 2013, left for 1 ½ years, and have returned to fulfill her purpose of helping our lāhui. Fun fact about Holly, She is a die-hard 49er fan, Forever Faithful. During her free time, she likes to read, watch movies, and hang out with family and friends.

Kalena Hoʻopiʻi – A/R Specialist

Kalena was born and raised on Maui in a small village beautifully known as Kahakuloa. She is a mom to a sweet little boy named Keawekapuokalani and during their free time you can find them in the māla or in the wai. She is very passionate about hula and is a haumāna of Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua. Kalena joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in October 2023 and looks forward the amazing journey here.

Kaiāulu

Wellness & Outreach

Ashley Tone – Kaiāulu Wellness & Outreach Manager

Ashley was born in Maui and raised in beautiful Kihei. She attended Maui High School and went on to Missouri Valley College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Psychology. Ashley always felt a strong desire to serve and meet the needs of our local community. Working as a community health professional has given her many opportunities to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our locals. Ashley joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in January of 2023 and her commitment to our community truly shows through her hard work. Ashley loves being quirky and adventurous with her ʻohana and friends. Being outdoors, traveling, enjoying a great meal, and learning are things that are always welcomed.

Leihua Crabbe – Community Healthcare Worker (CHW)

Leihua was born and raised in Moʻiliʻili, Oʻahu and moved to Maui in 1987. She attended Maryknoll Elementary, Kamehameha Kapālama and received her BS in Fashion Design & Merchandising at UH Mānoa. For the last 20 years her profession has been in teaching and community health. She became a CHW with Hui No Ke Ola Pono in 2014. Whenever she finds the time, she makes kapa and plant-based dye.

Friday Eleneki – Community Healthcare Worker (CHW)

Friday was born and raised on Maui. Her goal as a CHW is to implement the importance of Mental, Spiritual and Physical Healing and how it will benefit the overall health of our community. She believes there are a lot of social determinants that are destructive to our health and the overall need of our community is navigation and education. Together with the help of other local organizations we can create stepping stones to help live happy and healthier lives.

Alohalani Planesi – Front Desk Receptionist

Aunty Alohalani Planesi is the first face you see when you visit the Main Office at Hui No Ke Ola Pono. She was born and raised in Papakōlea and moved to Maui in 1973. She remains very busy with her large ʻohana of 7 children, 15 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Aunty Alohas journey here at The Hui began on October 4th, 1993. She has dedicated 30 years of service to our organization, and we are so grateful to still have her working alongside us. She is a pillar of our organization, and we look forward to many more years.

Kūaʻuaʻu

Traditional Hawaiian Healing

Kaunoa Hoopai – Traditional Healing Manager/Practitioner

Kaunoa was born and raised in Hāna, Maui and is a U.S Army Combat Veteran. He joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in 2006 and loves the mission and vision of the Hui. Kaunoa loves to travel, hiking and just enjoying the great outdoors.

Kamalu Roloos – Lomilomi Practitioner

Kamalu was born here on Maui and raised in Kihei. She joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in 2019 and loves that she is able to work in an environment that promotes health and healing for our community. The ocean is her sanctuary whether it be collecting shells on the shore or playing in the waves.

Kaui Krueger – Traditional Healing Coordinator

Kaui Krueger is a proud kupa of Wailuku. He has studied under Hālau Hula Kauluokala for 23 years. He joined the Hui in 2018 as a Coordinator for the Kūaʻuaʻu Traditional Healing providing support, advocacy, and technical assistance to that department. His favorite part about his kuleana is collaborating with the community to help address all health aspects of our Native people. Kaui loves his ‘ohana, Hawaiian music and ‘ono food.

Desiree Kekiwi-HIga – Traditional Healing Receptionist

Desiree was born and raised in Maui and attended Maui High School. She joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in January 2023 and loves the opportunity she has to interact with the community. Desiree enjoys spending her free time with her family and working on DIY projects.

ʻImi Ola Hou

Health Clinic

Dr. Heather Haynes – Director of Medical Services

Dr. Heather Haynes was born and raised in Makawo, Maui. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara in Neuropsychology. She later went on to Georgetown University where she completed medical school and her Internal Medicine residency program. She also holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Haynes has been a part of Hui No Ke Ola Pono since 2001 as an Internal Medicine physician with a special interest in Native Hawaiian health disparities. In her free time, Dr. Haynes enjoys spending time with her children & family, traveling, running & playing tennis.

Dr. Arleen Ricalde-Garcia – Internist

Dr. Arleen Ricalde-Garcia was born and raised in various parts of the world due to her father being in the United States Navy. She was born in Guam and raised in Okinawa, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, California and eventually settled on Oʻahu where she graduated from James Campbell High School. She received her BA in Biology from he University of Hawaii-Manoa and Medical Degree from John Burns School of Medicine. She completed her Medical Residency Program in Honolulu and an additional year as the Internal Medicine Chief Medical Resident at St. Francis Medical Center in Liliha, Oʻahu. “Educate a man, you educate and man. Educate a woman, you educate a generation.”

She has been an Internist for 29 years having worked in Honolulu and California prior to moving to Maui in 1999. She was previously on staff at Maui Medical Group before joining Hui No Ke Ola Pono in 2021. She states that being part of the Native Hawaiian Health System has reinforced her purpose in serving others, marrying traditional Hawaiian values with Western medicine. She upholds Hui No Ke Ola Pono’s mission to empower the community to be their own health advocate in her medical practice through education, compassion, respect and trust. “We rise by lifting others.”

In her spare time, she volunteers with the homeless in the community, providing noncritical medical service. Her hobbies include traveling, hiking (Half Dome in Yosemite and the Narrows in Zion are her favorites so far), and photography. She once wanted to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine, but she states that raising her 2 boys to be positive citizens has been her greatest achievement in life, more than any Nobel Prize. “Being good is great, but doing good is even better.

Shannon Abarra – Registered Nurse

Shannon was born and raised in Wailuku, Maui. She attended Kamehameha Schools – Maui and later received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Administration at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Shannon has been a registered nurse in our Adult Health Clinic (‘Imi Ola Hou) since 2020. She is passionate about providing care to our Native Hawaiian population and Maui community while incorporating aloha, compassion, and empathy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hanging out at the beach with her family, and golfing.

Malia Jensen – Nursing Assistant

Malia was born and raised in Maui and graduated from King Kekaulike High school. She currently works as a nursing assistant while attending UHMC to pursue a degree in nursing. Malia Joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in June 2023, she enjoys her job because she gets to connect with patients and help care for the community. In her free time, Malia enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her friends and family.

Christina Honokaupu – Front Desk Coordinator

Christina was born and raised on Oahu and moved to Maui 23 years ago. She joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in August 2023 as a Medical Front Desk Coordinator. Although she has 20+ years of Administrative experience, she did not have medical office experience, but really enjoys learning the medical clinic workflow. Christina loves interacting with patients and being a part of an amazing organization that is taking care of our community in so many ways. She likes to cook, work out and travel, but what she enjoys most is spending time with her husband and fur babies.

Hoʻōla Puʻuwai

Ornish Program

Tricia Mooney – Ornish Program Director

Tricia was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Cleveland Heights and has lived in 9 states and 3 countries outside of the US. She attended Cleveland Heights High; alma mater of the NFL Kelce brothers; and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1984. She then attended Inner Peace Yoga Therapy school. Her career began in large resorts working in the recreation departments but moved into fitness/rehabilitation/wellness while an AF spouse, working primarily with wounded warriors. She then transitioned into cardiac rehabilitation in 2016 because she believes that illness is rooted in heart disease and overall wellness is dependent on heart health. Tricia joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in 2019 after moving to Maui from Colorado. During her free time, she loves to swim, surf, ride bike, hike, and practice yoga and pilates. A fun fact about Tricia is she has been a groupie of the band U2 since 1983 and have seen them in concert 12 times from Honolulu to Belfast, Ireland and most recently in the Sphere in Las Vegas. She can definitely rock hard!

Christy Inda – Registered Dietician

Christy was born and raised on Maui and graduated from Baldwin High School. She attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she got her bachelor’s degree in food science and human nutrition. She then went onto Eastern Illinois University to complete her internship and master’s degree in Dietetics. Christy chose to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist because she is passionate about helping people and she LOVEʻS FOOD. She wants to help people choose the nutrition path that best suits their own life and health goals. Christy joined the Hui in 2018 as part of the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine (heart disease reversal) program and hopes to continue to expand nutrition programs and services offered at the Hui. In her spare time, she enjoys any activity done with family, whether it be housework or hiking. Fun fact: Christy aspires to be a farmer someday, to grow food for her family and community.

Mālama Niho

Oral Health

Dr. Emi Eno Orikasa – Director of Dental Services

Dr. Emi Eno Orikasa was born in Southern California, raised on Maui, and a graduate of Baldwin High School. From a young age, dentistry had always been her career goal. She obtained both her Bachelors of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees from the University of the Pacific. Upon graduating from dental school, she returned home to practice with her uncle in Upcountry Maui. After almost 10 years in private practice, Emi joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono as the oral health director. She values the whole health concept that Hui No Ke Ola Pono fosters, which allows clients to not only address their oral health, but also their overall health concerns in one place. In her free time, Emi enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and traveling.

Dr. Steven McDaniel – Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Steven McDaniel was raised in Portland, Oregon. He received a B.S. in biology from Eastern Washington University and later completed his Doctorate in Dental Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Steven then completed a two year residency program in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he served as chief resident. His passion is to make a difference in my patients lives through quality care and education.

In his free time Dr. Steven enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also enjoys cooking, video games, Star Wars, and Disney.

Kaulana Bivit – Dental Assistant

Kaulana was born and raised on the island of Maui. She graduated from Baldwin High School and then pursued her career as a dental assistant. She enjoys educating her patients of the importance of oral health, and as a member of the Hui No Ke Ola Pono team she is impressed with what our services have to offer.

In her free time, Kaulana enjoys spending time and making fun memories with her family. She also enjoys traveling and exploring new things.

Milene Homalon – Dental Assistant

Milene was born in Nevada, raised on Maui, and graduated from Baldwin High School. She started off doing her studies at UHMC but now continues online at Eastern Gateway in Ohio while also working as a dental assistant. Recently starting off as a member of the Hui No Ke Ola Pono team, she enjoys being able to educate other individuals about the significance of oral health.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on adventures, spending time at the beach, and exercising.

Meilani Pascual – Dental Hygienist

Meilani Pascual is a dental hygienist, who is bringing more than 15 years of prior dental experience to Hui No Ke Ola Pono. She earned her Associate in Science Degree in Dental Hygiene at University of Hawaii Maui College in 2011. Before that, she was a certified dental assistant. She teaches patients about proper oral hygiene techniques, customized for each individual and their personal lifestyle. She also encourages patients for total wellness by improving their oral health.

Meilani was born and raised on Maui. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. She also enjoys family movie nights and watching her children’s extracurricular activities.

Darlene Doquisa – Dental Assistant

Darlene was born and raised on Oahu. She and her family moved to Las Vegas for several years and eventually returned to the islands and settled on Maui. Darlene has been a Dental Assistant for a number of years and loves helping patients achieve better dental health.

In her free time, Darlene enjoys baking and sewing and traveling to Oahu to visit friends and family.

Rowena Estayo – Oral Health Coordinator

Rowena graduated from the University of Hawaii Maui College as a Certified Dental Assistant. She has been working in the Dental Industry since 2008. Row began working as a student assistant at the non-profit Maui Oral Health Center. After graduation, she started working as a dental assistant and learned the day-to-day operations of a dental office. Rowena realized that she could be more helpful to a Dental Office by working at the front desk with patients and healthcare professionals to improve efficiency and create a more organized and optimal healthcare environment. Rowena has come full circle to now work at our non-profit Hui No Ke Ola Pono Oral Health Care and she wants to give back to our community by providing the best service for all of our patients and the Native Hawaiian community that we serve.

Rowena was born and raised in the Philippines. She made her way to Oahu in 2000 and moved to Maui in 2004. Row spends time with her wonderful family and granddaughter. She enjoys yoga, walking, and spending time on our beautiful island of Maui.

Daphne Manaba – Front Desk Receptionist

Daphne Manaba is our oral health receptionist. She joined Hui No Ke Ola Pono in 2022, bringing many years of experience in the dental field. She says her favorite thing about her position is, “interacting with our patients and ensuring their dental needs are met.” Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Simply Healthy Cafe

Cinda (Kaina) Hueu – Cafe Manager

Cinda was born in Wailuku and grew up in Pāʻia and Haʻikū. She attended Wailuku Elementary, Kalama Intermediate and Maui High School. Cinda later went on to receive her degree in culinary arts from the University of Hawaii Maui College in 2015. Her journey at Hui No Ke Ola Pono began in 2016 as a cook. During that time the cafe was operating out of St. Anthony School Cafeteria cooking for preschools and kūpuna. They returned back to the Simply Healthy Cafe at the Cameron Center in December of 2016. Cindaʻs new journey as the cafe manager began in 2017. She chose this field because of her love for cooking and was always taught that “if you love what you do, then you will never work a day in your life” and that is what she finds here.

Sharon Manarpaac – Lead Prep Cook

Sharon was born in Hilo, Hawaiʻi and spent most of her time in Waimea, Honokaʻa, and Puna. She attended Hilo High School, Hawaii Institute of Healthcare & Training, and University of Hawaii Hilo. Sharon joined the Hui as a prep cook in 2017 although this wasn’t her first choice of a career, she has found joy in the creativity of exploring fusion cuisine. During her free time, she enjoys going to jiu-jitsu/judo to let out her frustrations and ground herself. “Catching Flights Not Feelings” or just lounging around and drinking beer.

Michael Mangca – Prep Cook

Michael was born and raised on Molokaʻi and graduated from Molokaʻi High School. He joined the Hui in 2016 as a prep cook because of his love for cooking. During his free time, he enjoys gardening, fishing, and hiking.

Jarron Hapakuka-Lono – Prep Cook

Jarron was born and raised in beautiful Hāna, Maui. Growing up on Maui has led him to discover many beaches, ponds and rivers throughout our beautiful island that he proudly calls home. He attended Hāna Elementary and High School and always dreamt of becoming a chef. Here at Hui No Ke Ola Pono he is able to work towards that dream as a prep cook at the Simply Healthy Cafe. He enjoys being able to improve the health of our kūpuna through meaʻai. Jarron joined the Hui in April of 2023 and has learned a lot from his co-workers and clients whom he is surrounded by daily. He enjoys spending his days at the beach or the river with family. Camping and playing volleyball are just a couple of the things he loves.