Alyssa An
Alyssa was born and raised in Hawai‘i, where she developed a deep passion for supporting her community. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Communicology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Alyssa is a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu, dedicated to advancing her expertise in helping individuals and families navigate mental health challenges.
Alyssa's unique blend of academic knowledge, professional experience, and personal insight equips her to effectively support and advocate for the well-being of Hawai‘i's diverse communities. She is passionate about fostering resilience and strength within families, ensuring that everyone has the resources and support they need to succeed.
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Brandee Carvalho
Brandee is a proud parent leader and passionate about her community. She serves as a member of the E Ola Hou Prevent Suicide Task Force and is a certified trainer for Youth Suicide and Bullying Prevention with Mental Health America of Hawai‘i. She is a 2021 graduate of PLTI who looks forward to her second year as a facilitator. Brandee continues to advocate for mental health and suicide prevention #Passion4Prevention. She continues to advocate for our local families and pressing issues like the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and paid family leave. Brandee is the co-host of the KISS Morning Show with Ed Kanoi and a full-time Media Consultant with Pacific Media Group, Hawai‘i's leading and locally owned, multi-platform media company. Brandee also enjoys spending time and making memories with her ‘ohana.
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Christen Zulli
Christen is a Reproductive Neurobiology Coach and Communications Consultant with a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a writer, artist, activist, and mother who passionately shares her wisdom around menstruation, female-specific disability, women's rights, and being an advocate/advocacy educator for females and families.
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Dawn-L Estrella
Bio coming soon!
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Gabby Constantino
Bio coming soon!
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Heidi-ann Allencastre
Heidi-ann was born and raised on Maui. She is the proud single mother of three keiki. She is currently finishing up her Bachelor's in Social Work at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health. She has a passion for helping families and keiki in Maui County. Being a single mother raising keiki in Maui, she knows firsthand how extremely hard it can be. She is determined to help break down some of the systemic barriers that prevent local ‘ohana from thriving in their homelands. Heidi-ann's hope is every parent learns to be their child's number-one advocate and hopes through OLC, she can help give a voice to all Hawai‘i families.
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Jason Estrella
Jason is the husband of Dawn-L and the father of their children, Ka‘aumoana and Kealohilani.
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Joanna Galingana
Joanna is committed to creating a brighter future for children and supporting families within her community. As the first generation in her family to take on a leadership role, she has embraced this responsibility from a young age. Born and raised on O‘ahu, Joanna is an alumna of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and has gained diverse experience working across the island. Her deep passion for early childhood education has guided her through various roles, including classroom teacher, family advocate, and health professional. Currently, she collaborates with pediatricians at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, focusing on supporting children with developmental delays and behavioral concerns, as well as addressing their families' socio-economic needs. In addition to her professional experience, Joanna is a mother of three young children, giving her a personal understanding of the challenges faced by families in Hawai‘i. She is enthusiastic about contributing to OLC and making a positive impact.
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Joëll Edwards
Bio coming soon!
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Kristy Arias
Bio coming soon!
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Leilani Kailiawa
Leilani supports her family in Hilo while caring for her child's medical and special needs, most of which their family navigated resources on their own. Through her lived experience she can support her role with Leadership in Disabilities and Achievemment of Hawai‘i. She has worked since the age of 15 and is now starting her own business. She understands the need for financial stability while balaning the importance of family. While working hard, Leilani earned an Associate of Liberal Arts and Teaching. There are many different values of Leilani, but most importantly... community work! For the last 15 years, she continues to volunteer with Aloha Council (Boy Scouts) through various positions.
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Lukas Petersons
Lukas moved to O‘ahu in 2016 and is a single father of two wonderful children. With a robust background in the construction industry, Lukas brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his role as an advocate for OLC. Driven by a profound belief in the importance of parental advocacy, Lukas champions initiatives that prioritize children's well-being, education, and future prospects. Recognizing the critical role of father advocates in shaping policies that impact the lives of Hawai‘i's youth, Lukas is dedicated to promoting health, safety, and educational opportunities for all children across the state. Through his unwavering dedication and collaborative spirit, Lukas strives to foster a brighter future for Hawai‘i's families and communities as a member of OLC. In his free time Lukas enjoys playing golf, reading, volunteering, and advocating for parent rights.
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Lynn Nguyen
Lynn was born and raised on the island of O‘ahu and is an alumni of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Lynn is passionate and involved in many different areas including social work, education, healthcare, public health, and education. Lynn has experience working with locally undeserved families and children ranging from the ages of 0 to 18. Lynn is also on the board of the Hawai‘i Society for Technology in Education. In her free time, Lynn enjoys being outdoors and going on adventures with family and friends.
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Noelle Zimdahl
Noelle was born on O‘ahu and grew up all over the world. Noelle was blessed to return to Hawai‘i with her husband and three children. She is dedicated to advocating for the diverse social, emotional, medical and educational needs of children and families in Hawai‘i. Noelle is a PLTI Alumni and believes in educating and elevating parents as leaders, advocates, and professionals within their child’s life. Joining OLC, Noelle brings the passion to improve the education of students with learning differences and working to improve the education, response and healing for those individuals and families with a history of adverse childhood experiences. When she is not busy with carpooling, she enjoys continuing her own education to better serve the community, cheering at paddling regattas, prepping for dance shows, stargazing, and, of course, relaxing at the beach.
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Pua‘ena Vierra-Villanueva
‘Ano ‘ai kākou, ‘o au nō ‘o Pua‘ena. No O‘ahu mai au. Noho au i Waiau. ‘O Honolulu ku‘u one hānau. Hānai a mālama au i nā keiki i He‘eia, Kāne‘ohe, a me Kalihi. ‘O Ko‘olau ku‘u mauna. ‘O Kawahaokamanō ku‘u kai. He Hawai‘i au.
As a Māmā to a NICU warrior and an Infant/Toddler Educarer, I envision a Hawai‘i where kamali‘i use ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i and thrive in their homes, lāhui, and ‘āina. Where they can confidently learn and grow in ‘ike Hawai‘i, native Hawaiian, multiethnic, and multilingual society and personal identity. Access to basic needs and cultural and educational resources for all families and keiki drives my kuleana. Aloha for keiki, ‘ohana, and Hawai‘i has always guided my kuleana. My educational background in Hawaiian-Pacific Studies and Early Childhood Education from Honolulu Community College and the University of Hawai‘i-West O‘ahu has helped me to continue my journey to leadership and advocacy. I hope my experience in college-based lab preschools, Hawaiian medium programs, Family Child Interactive Learning preschools, and as a parent will help me in my role as an agent of change. My deep aloha for ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i and my young keiki continue to inspire and guide the kuleana to normalize the Hawaiian Language throughout Hawai‘i. Mahalo for letting me share my gifts and the opportunity to advocate for Hawai‘i alongside you. I look forward to hearing your stories. Me ka ha‘aha‘a.
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Regina Blanchard-Walker
Bio coming soon!
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Rein Terrado
Rein works as a Community Engagement Specialist of Hawai‘i Appleseed. Before joining Appleseed, Rein worked as a disability rights outreach advocate for the unserved and underserved population across Hawai‘i. She also worked as a parent consultant to help families and schools understand the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how to use it to benefit children with all disabilities. She is a voting member of the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities (DD Council). She is also a PLTI alumna. Rein has an educational background in journalism, communication management, and theology and divinity. She was born and raised in the Philippines, and has called Hawai‘i home since 2007. Rein lives in Ewa Beach with her husband and two children. She is passionate about issues impacting the unserved and underserved communities, immigrant populations, and individuals with disabilities in Hawai‘i, economic justice included.
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Sherrie Galdeira
Sherrie is an advocate parent with a background in the legal and real estate field. As a surviving victim of abuse, Sherrie became a Paralegal out of necessity, learned the language of the court and how to navigate through our local court system to help save her child from the same fate. Sherrie now serves relentlessly as a member of OLC to contribute to the systemic changes needed on behalf of and for our beloved keiki.
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Shisa Kahaunaele
Bio coming soon!
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Star Kemfort
Star is a wife and a mother of three. She recently graduated from PLTI on Maui and has now become a Parent Leader for Family Hui Hawai‘i and will be starting her first hui here on Maui at Kenolio Apartments. Star looks forward to learning and growing in her role of advocacy to work towards a better future for our Keiki here in Hawai‘i.
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Tara Mossman
Tara is excited to be a part of OLC and looks forward to learning, growing, and advocating for the safety, health, and education of our nā keiki a me nā ‘ohana o Hawai‘i. Currently, Tara is a student at Kapi‘olani Community College and is a dedicated mother to her 12-year-old son, Luke, who was born with trisomy 21, also known as down syndrome, and has special needs. One of Tara's key aspirations is to ensure our Hawai‘i families can continue to live in the place they know and love, without feeling the need to leave their home. She is passionate about creating a supportive and nurturing environment for all families in our community.
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Tricia-Lee Lum Ho
Bio coming soon!
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Zane Lacaden
Bio coming soon!
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