Hawaii Nonprofit People in the News

Lowell Kalapa works for reasonable, focused and fair taxes

“There’s no need to fear the tax man. At least not when he’s Lowell L. Kalapa, the president and executive director of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research group specializing in explaining the intricacies of public finance, taxation and administration.” So begins a profile of Kalapa by Christine Donnelly recently published in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

“We don’t have an ax to grind. We don’t have an agenda other than to say, ‘Pass taxes that are fair to all of us,’” Kalapa told Donnelly about his approach at the state Legislature, where he testifies on a broad spectrum of finance-related measures. This session has been a particularly busy one.

Kalapa was born in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School and Northwestern University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in economics and political science and a master's degree in journalism. He returned to Oahu after college, working as a legislative researcher before joining the Tax Foundation in 1973 and rising to the top post in 1979.

He and two staffers analyze hundreds of bills annually, and he's struck more than ever by the apparent lack of understanding of basic economic principles among the public and even some lawmakers as the state deals with a $1.2 billion shortfall in the 2009-2011 biennial budget. Click here to read the entire profile of Kalapa.

Pat Hamamoto, former school superintendent, to lead St. Louis School

Pat Hamamoto, who recently resigned as superintendent of Hawaii’s public schools system, has been named principal of St. Louis School in Kaimuki. Hamamoto assumed her new responsibilities on Feb. 22, replacing former principal Jack Rizzo, who resigned for health reasons late last year from the Catholic Marianist campus. The all-boys private school sits on 70 acres shared with Chaminade University of Honolulu. It had an enrollment of 715 students last year. Hamamoto resigned as superintendent on Dec. 31 following eight years in the position with the state Department of Education.

Bar Association taps Deputy Attorney General Hugh Jones as president

The Hawaii State Bar Association has elected Hugh Jones as board president. He is a public-sector lawyer with experience working in the attorney general's office as well as on the Bishop Estate investigation. Jones is the first practicing public sector lawyer elected to the post. "I am deeply honored. Although I've been involved with the Bar Association for over 19 years, I think this next year will be the most memorable," he said. A 49-year-old resident of Kailua, Jones begins his term as president with several goals in mind. For one, he plans to utilize HSBA's newly renovated offices on the tenth floor of 1100 Alakea St. in Honolulu for more Bar gatherings and conferences. The Bar is also in the process of implementing a mandatory professional legal education program in which  he is involved, and Jones pledges to continue to develop the Senior Lawyers Division during his term. This division was created to allow more seasoned practitioners to mentor younger lawyers.

Hurney named Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii executive director

Patrick Hurney has been named executive director of Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii. He will oversee and direct the volunteer and professional staff in the building of quality homes throughout West Hawaii. Added responsibilities include overseeing Habitat’s ReStore where building supplies and gently used furniture are sold to raise funds for home building, growing and strengthening community relations, marketing efforts and housing development opportunities. Hurney was most recently the facilities director with the Catholic Charities Hawaii Kawaihae Transitional Housing Program, a 24-unit transitional housing facility located in West Hawaii. Some of Hurney’s day-to-day tasks included assisting families transition into long-term permanent housing, develop necessary skills and education among a long list of duties.

PBN names nonprofit and public agency finalists for CFO of the Year

Pacific Business News has announced the finalists selected for its 2010 Nonprofit and Public Agency CFO of the Year award. The recipient will be recognized on March 18 at a reception at the Halekulani in Waikiki. Finalists include: Joy Barua of the Honolulu Community Action Program, Wally Chin of the Hawaii Community Foundation, Nancy Foster of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Gaye Johnston of Housing Solutions, Inc., Georgina Kawamura of the State of Hawaii, Edward Keyes of La Pietra Hawaii School, Debbie Lorenzo of Maui Economic Opportunity, Dale Northrup of Castle Medical Center, Anita Swanson of the Pacific Health Research Institute and Kennenth Uemura of Hawaii Pacific University. 

New ED takes over at YMCA of Honolulu Central Branch

The YMCA of Honolulu has promoted Troy Tomita to executive director of the YMCA Central Branch from assistant director of Central YMCA. Prior to working full time at YMCA, Tomita worked in Osaka, Japan, implementing curriculum in the areas of aquatics, youth sports, preschool programs, outdoor education and English language.

Astronomy Center names Kaiu Kimura interim ED

Kaiu Kimura has been named interim executive director of the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. She previously was associate director of the nonprofit organization that operates a $28 million, 40,000-square-foot exhibition and planetarium complex on nine acres above the UH Hilo campus. She had worked for the center’s predecessor, the Maunakea Astronomy Education Center, since 2001. A Waimea native, Kimura, 32, is a Kamehameha Schools graduate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies and a master’s in Hawaiian literature, both from UH Hilo. She was a Pacific Century Fellow and serves on the boards of the National Ecological Observatory Network, the Big Island Visitors Bureau and the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce.

Other people on the move:

• Major leadership changes have been made at the Baltimore-based Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.  Donn Weinberg, the only family member, is the chairman, while Rachel Monroe is now president. It is the first time the positions have been separated. Shale Stiller, previous chairman and president, concluded his five-year term to return to his position as a partner at DLA Piper in Baltimore. Beginning a six-year trustee term is retired Baltimore Judge Ellen Heller, joining Barry Schloss, Robert Kelly Jr. and Hawaii resident Alvin Awaya. The foundation distributes about $100 million annually, much of it in Hawaii, to charitable organizations serving people's basic needs such as shelter, health and socialization and nutrition, and on enhancing their ability to provide for themselves.
• Hale Kipa has named Dana Barnum as development director. She has more than 20 years of manager and fundraiser experience and was previously a divisional development director for the Salvation Army. Marco Sausa becomes director of training with more than 10 years of experience in the field of education. Sausa is recognized for conducting research with stigmatized and underserved communities, including homeless youth. Brian J. Barnhart is the new Web application developer. He has an extensive background in IT and business operations as well as graphic design, illustration and Web development. Adrienne Suarez was hired as education researcher. Her experience includes being a youth advocate who coordinated area middle school afternoon-tutoring programs. She also tutored and taught at at-risk schools.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu has named Roger Higa as fund development and marketing director. He will be responsible for the "Bowl for Kids' Sake" event in August. Higa has eight years' experience in the nonprofit arena, including as fund development director for Alzheimer's Association-Aloha Chapter, co-founder of Kalihi Education Coalition and founder of Hawaii Brain Aneurysm Foundation.
• The Alzheimer’s Association, Aloha Chapter, has a new program director, Vicki Wallach, who holds a Masters and PhD in social work, a Masters of Public Health, and is a licensed social worker with an ACSW. Formerly with Child & Family Services for more than 16 years, Wallach most recently held the position of service director with Parents and Children Together.

• Luella Costales has been named executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, a statewide nonprofit organization counting more than 1,600 families and companies as members. Costales will oversee the group's administrative functions, fiscal responsibilities, internal and external programs, advocacy, communications and member support. She most recently served as the director of development with the University of Hawaii Foundation.
• Kuakini Health Systems has hired Suzanne Doran as manager of the Quality and Patient Outcomes office. She has 20 years of health care experience and was previously a medical staff quality supervisor at Scripps Health System in San Diego.
• The board of directors of Enterprise Honolulu has selected the following new directors: Robin Campaniano, Darren Kimura, Nelson Lau and David Tumilowicz. Elected on Sept. 17 were James Ajello, Colbert Matsumoto and Patrick Sullivan. Elected on Nov. 11 was Mike McCartney. From its start in 2001, Enterprise Honolulu has had the goal of creating and retaining high-paying jobs and diversifying economic opportunities for Oahu.