Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers
Mercer "Chubby" Vicens, BOD President, A proven executive and leader with strong success driving community relations and business growth for over 40 years and regarded as a sharp troubleshooter and solution oriented individual. Passionate about building strong relationships and working collaboratively in the Maui community. With more than thirty years with Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. Mercer has been intricately involved in the community and governmental processes while interfacing with the State of Hawaii Governors, Mayors of Maui County, and the Maui County Council furthering projects that have shaped and made Maui a better place to live and do business. Throughout his career Mercer continued his education thereby honing his leadership and managerial skills and became increasingly involved in various community and non-profit endeavors.
Anella Saito-Takabayashi, BOD Vice President. is an active member of the community to prevent child abuse and neglect participating in the Ho’oikaika partnership, has a background with work in the substance abuse field, and at-risk youth through Maui Youth and Family Services. Her degree in social services has enabled her to provide services to a multitude of at-risk youth and special needs individuals across the state. Employed at Catholic Charities Hawaii and working closely with the state of Hawaii Child Welfare Services, Anella provides Resource Caregivers with training and support while working with and caring for the foster children in their home.
Kaʻi Herrick, BOD Treasurer/Secretary, Lahaina grown mother of 4, small business owner and lomi practitioner/student with a passion to kokua and uplift our keiki through environmental preservation and stewardship. She has been an annual volunteer at Sacred Hearts School and past Board Member of the Wailuku Hongwanji to help further children’s educational outreach through cultural activities and community events. Since joining LPP the keiki and 'āina are still her main focus helping with after school programs that involve gathering, harvesting and reforestation.
Chana Makale'a Dudoit Ane, Executive Director.
Makale‘a has worked with indigenous communities & government agencies on ocean & coastal conservation issues for the public, private & non-profit sectors across Hawaiʻi for more than two decades. Her work focuses on incorporate her interest in Traditional Ecological Knowledge to facilitate the cooperation of government agencies with native people to uplift and implement indigenous solutions to climate change and mitigation. She leads LPP's Maui Wildfire relief, recover, climate innovation, and community resilience work.
Makale‘a has worked with indigenous communities & government agencies on ocean & coastal conservation issues for the public, private & non-profit sectors across Hawaiʻi for more than two decades. Her work focuses on incorporate her interest in Traditional Ecological Knowledge to facilitate the cooperation of government agencies with native people to uplift and implement indigenous solutions to climate change and mitigation. She leads LPP's Maui Wildfire relief, recover, climate innovation, and community resilience work.
Neal Hoapili Ane, (Past) Executive Director, has extensive knowledge in kalo cultivation, ranching, farming and inspiring those around him to be a better person and leave their mark in this world. Hoapili was born and raised on the islands of Oahu and Maui. As a youth he worked at Haleakala Dairy and throughout college worked on a family ranch on Oregon. He brings his extensive knowledge of this industry back to Maui to help the Living Pono Project be a bridge for others to become farmers and ranchers in Hawaii in a pono way, through sustainable practices and a circular economy mindset rooted in Hawaiian culture and community. With his ability to work with local stakeholders, community groups, and county officials the Living Pono Project strives to become a Pu’u Honua or bread basket for the surrounding community and source of cultural revitalization.
Makale’a and Hoapili, a husband and wife team, started the Living Pono Project in response to adversities faced by Kānaka Maoli and islanders to stay in Hawaii, thrive as a people, and retain cultural identity.
This NGO focuses on at-risk youth, vulnerable populations, people with disabilities, and re-entering individuals. These issues hit home as Hoapili’s younger brother is challenged with developmental disabilities. Their goal is to create opportunities in sustainable industries, rooted in Hawaiian cultural values, where all can prosper.
This NGO focuses on at-risk youth, vulnerable populations, people with disabilities, and re-entering individuals. These issues hit home as Hoapili’s younger brother is challenged with developmental disabilities. Their goal is to create opportunities in sustainable industries, rooted in Hawaiian cultural values, where all can prosper.
Renee Vegi
Malama Service Dogs Program Director My husband Maleko and I live on a small farm in the same area Maleko grew up, where we are living the dream of organically growing our own food and raising our own chickens and ducks along with our many farm kitties/kitty rescue . Shortly after moving to our farm, Maleko had a near-fatal accident, that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Although he is blessed to be very functional, we knew with his new limitations coupled with my disabilities, it was quite clear that we were going to need some extra help keeping track of, managing and keeping the poultry safe around our small homestead. This started us on our journey of breeding, training, and donating english shepherds to be used a service dogs. We love the work we do and partnership with the Living Pono Project. |
Maleko Uchimura,
Malama Service Dogs Program Director Maliko was injured while installing a garage door in February of 2008. Due to the defective cables given to him by the garage door company, Maleko sustained skull fractures and a traumatic brain injury. During his recovery and rehabilitation Maleko and his partner Renee joined the Living Pono Project to establish the Malama Service Dog Program. Through this program they have bread, trained, and donated 3 service dogs to individuals in need. |
Field Crew
This is our awesome and dedicated crew leaders Kaha'i Ane and Koa Mahuna. They are in the field tirelessly planting, harvesting, pulling weeds, and leading volunteer activities.
"If you don't KANU than you no can HUKI"
(If we don't plant our native foods than we can't harvest and provide for our family)
This is our awesome and dedicated crew leaders Kaha'i Ane and Koa Mahuna. They are in the field tirelessly planting, harvesting, pulling weeds, and leading volunteer activities.
"If you don't KANU than you no can HUKI"
(If we don't plant our native foods than we can't harvest and provide for our family)
Staff
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Program Manager (Bicultural Restoration and Poly-Agro Forestry) |
Food Systems Specialist |
Operations Manager |
Operations Supervisor |
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