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Noʻeau Peralto, Executive DirectorDr. Leon Noʻeau Peralto was born and raised in Waiākea Uka, Hilo, Hawaiʻi, and is a proud descendant of kūpuna from Koholālele, Hāmākua, Hawaiʻi. He is the son of Joel & Valerie (Miranda) Peralto, and holds a PhD. in Indigenous Politics from UH Mānoa. His dissertation research explored the continuity of aloha ʻāina praxis in Hāmākua Hikina through the resurgence work of huiMAU and its founding ʻohana. Noʻeau is a founding member of huiMAU, a former president of the huiMAU Board of Directors, a storyteller, avid gardener, and the editor of our Moʻolelo no ʻUmi Blog, featuring the story of our famous chief, ʻUmi-a-Līloa.
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Haley Kailiehu, Director of Creative DevelopmentHaley Kailiehu was born and raised in the ʻili of Kukuipuka, ahupuaʻa of Kahakuloa, on the island of Maui. She is a granddaughter of Mary Keliʻipahulio Travis of Kainehe, Hāmākua, and the daughter of Alfred & Ina Kailiehu. Haley is a professional artist, and is currently pursuing a PhD. in Education at UH Mānoa, with a focus in Curriculum Studies. As an artist and researcher she is interested in creating community-centered and ‘āina rich experiences that allow current and future generations of Kanaka ʻŌiwi to (re)learn and (re)establish their kuleana and connections to our moʻolelo and kūpuna.
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Hōʻale a Maninini (HoAMa) Program Staff
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Loke Alpiche, HoAMa After School & Summer Program CoordinatorAunty Loke Alpiche, Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian), was raised in Paʻauilo before moving to Kainehe, Hāmākua, Hawaiʻi, where she now resides. She is the daughter of Primo & Millie Travis Bailado of Kūkaʻiau and Kainehe. Aunty Loke has had the honor of taking care of the keiki of Hāmākua through her seven years of work in after school programs in Paʻauilo and her current work at Paʻauilo School. She is grateful to be able to give back to the community she grew up in.
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Melissa Frazier, HoAMa After School & Summer Program AssistantMelissa Frazier is the daughter of Rudy & Marlene Palacol, the wife of Genard Frazier, and mother to two beautiful daughters, Azahrae and Ghenae. She loves going to the beach, spending time with God, family, and friends, and enjoys her arts & crafts. Melissa has over 18 years of experience with children and currently resides with her family in ʻOʻokala, Hilo Palikū.
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Hoʻoulu ʻAi Staff
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Kodie Solis-Kalani, Hoʻoulu ʻAi SpecialistKodie Solis-Kalani was born and raised in the Kanilehua rains of Hilo. As a youth, she participated in numerous environmental education programs that led to her passion to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture: Tropical Plant Science and Agroecology. When first introduced to the KaHua HoAMa project, Kodie was just a volunteer that wanted to mālama ʻāina with people that aloha ʻāina. In just a year or so, she has seen KaHua grow and become an ʻāina momona and hopes to continue to restore it to the functionalities that it once had before, while giving back to her ʻohana that were from Hāmākua a few generations ago. Ola!
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Hoʻonohopapa Koholālele Program Staff
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Melanie Leilā Dudley, Koholālele ʻĀina Education CoordinatorMelanie Leilā Dudley was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and a B.A. in Hawaiian Language from UH Hilo, and is currently prusuing a M.S. in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Sciences at UH Hilo. Additionally, Leilā has 8 years of work experience in the fields of natural resource management and conservation education, having served as a team leader for the Hawaiʻi Youth Conservation Corp, and Environmental Outreach Education Assistant for the ʻAlalā Project, and and Environmental Outreach and Education Coordinator for Nāpuʻu Conservation Project. She is also an active member of Hālau ʻŌhiʻa Hawaiʻi Stewardship Program, under the director of Kumu Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani.
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Bronson Palupe, Koholālele ʻĀina Restoration CoordinatorBronson Palupe is from Kahaluʻu, Oʻahu but currently resides in Waimea, Hawaiʻi. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (UHH) with a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies. Since graduation he has work experience as a research assistant for the Liko Nā Pilina Forest Restoration Project in Keaukaha, Hawaiʻi and a field assistant for the Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance (MKWA). He also has work experience as a field technician and field crew supervisor for the Hawaiʻi Island Natural Area Reserves Systems (NARS). He joined Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili as the Koholālele ʻĀina Restoration Coordinator in August 2019.
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