OUR VISION
We envision abundance. We envision economic opportunities that allow our children to thrive- and providing them incentives to stay. We envision meaningful work. We envision ʻāina healing industries that prioritizes ʻāina based education. We envision a resilient community connected and empowered to care for each other in times of disaster. We envision an engaged citizenry that contributes to a Vibrant Hawaiʻi.
OUR STRATEGY
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Engage community in the revision of the 2021-2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
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Cultivate relationships and leverage assets to build creative and innovative policies, partnerships, and initiatives
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Provide training and incubation for a network of community-driven, government-supported resilience hubs
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Strengthen academic and business relationships to build a pipeline of workforce training and development and opportunities for youth
OUR TEAM
Ashley Kierkiewicz, Chair
Ashley Kierkiewicz is a policy maker who leverages her experience in communication, outreach, and grassroots organizing to make local government more accessible. She works to build economic resilience through bold vision, good policy, community empowerment, and coordinated, meaningful action.
Farrah-Marie Gomes, Co-Chair, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Farrah-Marie Gomes is an education administrator with a passion for and experience in building community capacity through partnerships and collaborations. She has participated in various levels of the private and public sectors with emphasis on empowering individuals and strengthening families as a way of building resilient communities.
Kaʻea Lyons, Co-Chair, Community Resilience Hubs
Kaʻea Lyons is a former kula kaiapuni teacher who often witnessed keiki attending school hungry and unable to concentrate. She became the founder and lead of the Kākoʻo I Nā Keiki, providing slippers, school supplies and emergency food for hundreds of keiki for over 10 years. In response to COVID-19, Kaʻea has transformed her hālau into a community resilience hub, providing over 4,000 pounds of food to the community each week.
Maggie Kahoilua, Co-Chair, Community Resilience Hubs
Maggie Kahoilua serves as a Surety Agent for Hawaii Island. Her tenacious fervor for our ‘āina and lāhui is coupled with extensive entrepreneurial experience and philanthropic motivation to provide beneficial opportunities for our community. Maggie’s most valuable contributions emerge from her network of trusted relationships and are founded in a desire to promote social stewardship.