LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
The Leadership Council represents the business, philanthropic, social services, faith, education, government, and community sectors from across Hawaiʻi Island. They are tasked to listen deeply to community and analyze data to deliver a 3-5 year strategic plan in September 2020 to reduce poverty and increase community wealth by building human, social, financial and natural capital.
BREEANI SUMERA-LEE
Bree is most recently the Hotel Manager for Hilo Seaside Hotel and has also helped open and manage the Keaukaha General Store for the last 7 years. She is very actively involved in sectors of our community and currently serves as the Vice Chair for Hawaii Island United Way, the President of Hui Kahu Malama , and is our Hawaii Island Representative for The Hawaii State Rural Health Association. She is also a Program Director for Hawaii Rise Foundation. Bree currently holds an Masters in Business and hopes to continue to give back to her community in all the ways she can.
JESSICA KANEAKUA
Jessica is the Community Change Initiatives Lead for Liliʻuokalani Trust. "I said "Yes!" to Vibrant Hawaii because it works in tandem with what weʻre doing at Liliʻuokalani Trust - disrupting intergenerational poverty of lāhui. Together, we can make even bigger change for Hawaiʻi Island."
KEHAU COSTA
In 2013 I joined Hawaii Island REALTORS® as its Executive Officer, a position that gives me the opportunity to understand the many moving parts of our housing market. I am always thoughtful about collaborations that afford a diversity of perspectives in problem solving complex systems which indeed Vibrant Hawaii is looking to do.
LAURA AGUIRRE
Laura's financial career spans 40 years with the last 27 as the CEO of Hawaii First FCU, a certified Community Development Financial Institution whose mission is to provide hope and financial empowerment to the residents of Hawaii Island. Laura is a firm believer that no one should be without hope or left behind.
LEE-ANN HEELY-ROLSTON
Dr. Lee-Ann Heely-Rolston is the Director of Innovation and Transformation at West Hawaii Community Health Center. The mission of WHCHC is to make quality, comprehensive, and integrated health services accessible to all who pass through our doors regardless of their ability to pay. These services are culturally sensitive and promote community well-being through the practices and values of Hō’ihi, Aloha, Kāko’o, ‘Ohana.
“Hō’ihi ke Aloha, Kāko’o i ka ’Ohana”. Respect and truth in all our relationships, binding our family and community.
MAGGIE KAHOILUA
Maggie’s experience includes business development, real estate
sales/investment, travel and tourism services as an Expedia Local Expert, ocean awareness, forest out plantings, and art. While her interests are expansive, priority is placed on being a mother to her only daughter and dedication to criminal justice as a Bail Bondsman.
RACHEL SOLEMSAAS
Dr. Rachel Solemsaas proudly serves as chancellor of Hawai‘i Community College since 2016. She is committed to positively impacting the world today so that she can provide a better future for the next generation and makes it her calling to eradicate the debilitating effects of poverty to families and children.
SHARON HIROTA
Sharon is an Executive Assistant to the Mayor. She is charged with overseeing the development of the Countyʻs Financial Empowerment Center, an initiative to end homelessness. Prior to her appointment, she managed the Existing Housing Division, and oversaw federal, state, county and private grants that primarily benefitted low- and moderate-income persons.
SHELLY OGATA
Shelly is a RN for 25+ years and earned her Master’s in Public Health in 1997. She is passionate about communities organizing to promote healthy behaviors and currently is part of the team for District 3 under the leadership of Council Member Sue Lee Loy. It is her hope to develop well-thought out and meaningful policies to help promote healthy communities.
UʻILANI HAILI-SOARES
Raised in Keaukaha and Kalapana, U'ilani serves her community as a resource instructor through Hawai'i Community College's EDvance program. She played a critical role in volunteer recruitment and training with the American Red Cross and served as a community liaison during the 2017 Puna Lava Flow disaster response.