About Us

About Us

OUR VISION

Waipā is an ahupua`a where the land, resources, and people are healthy, vibrant, and overflowing with abundance.

OUR MISSION

Waipā Foundation’s mission is to restore Waipā’s vibrant natural systems and resources and inspire healthy, thriving communities connected to their resources.

OUR ROLE

To practice balanced stewardship of Waipā’s natural resources, maximizing health and productivity, and moving toward sustainability. Waipā is a living learning center that teaches, shares, and inspires Hawaiian values and ahupua`a practices; Builds passion, skills, competency in related areas of knowledge; and takes care of its people & communities.

OUR CORE VALUES

Kūlia i ka Nu`u

Strive for Excellence

Kūlia i ka Pono

Strive to do the Right Thing

Aloha `āina

Love the Land and Resources

Hiki Nō

Resourcefulness and a “Can-Do” Attitude

WAIPĀ FOUNDATION’S TEAM

These are the hardworking and motivated folks who, along with our regular volunteers, keep Waipā beautiful, productive and accomplishing our mission on a daily basis. Most of our team have multiple kuleana so you may see names listed more than once below. In addition to their specific titles/kuleana nearly all of our team also support poi day and the planning and implementation of Waipāʻs programs.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Stacy M. Sproat  Executive Director

ADMIN

Lea Weldon Administrative Manager

Ka’ui Fu Community Services Coordinator

Johanna Ventura Grants Manager

PROGRAMS

Lea Weldon Youth Programs Director

JoAnne Kaona Youth Programs Assistant Director

Kirstie Daly Youth Programs & Community Workday

Emma Stauber Youth Programs & Community Workday

FACILITIES

Jess Ivey Facilities & Laukupu Kitchen Manager

GARDEN & FOOD SYSTEMS

Kari Shozuya Garden & Food Systems Manager

JoAnne Kaona Garden & Food Systems Assistant Manager

Jess Ivey Farmer’s Market & Food Systems Manager

Bobbi Akana Chef, Baker & Product Development

STREAM

Matt Rosener Stream Projects Manager

Emma Stauber Watershed Technician

OPERATIONS: `Āina Stewardship

Kaipo Like  `Āina Stewardship Manager

Chris Zauner  `Āina Stewardship /Equipment Maintenance Assistance Manager

Kirstie Daly  `Āina Stewardship Assistant Manager

Marjorie Milbrand  `Āina Stewardship

Richard Ham Young  `Āina Stewardship

Keala Davis  `Āina Stewardship

Olivia Ruff  `Āina Stewardship 

Kalia Kunioka-Volz  `Āina Stewardship

Lokelani Mahuiki  KUPU Intern

WAIPĀ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Waipāʻs board is comprised of a group of visionary, positive and committed community leaders who volunteer their time.

The board meets quarterly and is the primary governing body overseeing Waipāʻs direction and activities.

Mr. Wallace Rezentes  Jr. President

Mr. Dennis Chun  Vice President

Mrs. Denise Wardlow  Secretary

Mrs. Michelle Swartman  Treasurer

Mrs. Donna Aana-Nakahara  Director

Mr. Michael A. Dahilig  Director

Ms. Gayla Spencer  Director

Mrs. Lillian Watari  Director

Mrs. Līhau Hannahs Paik  Director

Mr. Presley Wann  Director

OUR COMMUNITY

Waipā welcomes groups and classes of lifelong learners from all over Hawai’i and beyond, in addition to serving the communities of Kaua’i’s north shore.

Our core target community includes families with multigenerational ties to Kaua`iʻs north shore (Kīlauea to Ke`e) as well as Native Hawaiians and at-risk keiki, `ōpio and `ohana from this area. Every year, our programs serve over a hundred children and youth from this community through programs after school, on weekends, intersession breaks, and during the summer.

These programs focus on cultivating our next generation of community leaders by focusing on enrichment, community building and skills development. The programs also provide continuous opportunities for children and youth to develop a deep connection to place, while learning, practicing and living cultural skills and values from preschool age through post high. Internship opportunities for youth 14 and up introduce work skills and values and provide job opportunities close to home. Although recruiting for these programs generally happens in March/April, those who fit this criteria are encouraged to contact us anytime.

The ahupuaʻa of Waipā is a space for community gatherings, learning and cultural practice.

In all that we do, we hope to foster a strong connection with, and love for, the `āina (land and resources), at Waipā and everywhere else too. Ultimately, Waipā’s community includes each and every helping hand, of all ages, who contribute to the work.

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