• Native Hawaiian Perspectives: How Can Native Hawaiians Achieve Economic Parity in the 21st Century?

    October 04, 2021

    Hawaii Island Economic Development Board is honored to announce panelists for this Thursday's Native Hawaiian Perspectives: How Can Native Hawaiians Achieve Economic Parity in the 21st Century? webinar happening at noon HST. The conversation is moderated by Jacqui Hoover, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board Executive Director. 

    You're invited to tune into this free webinar, this Thursday, October 7 at noon HST, designed to bring fresh native Hawaiian voices and new perspectives forward and contribute to today’s issues and discussions. 

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    Presenter: Greg Chun
    Greg Chun is the Executive Director for the University of Hawaii’s Center for Maunakea Stewardship. Chun’s unique qualifications lead the integration of cultural knowledge and practice into the management responsibilities and scientific
    endeavors on the UH managed lands on Maunakea.

    Chun has served at the senior executive level at both the Kamehameha Schools and Parker Ranch. He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and has formal training as a clinical psychologist. Chun has experience with restoration of historic
    Hawaiian sites and development of educational and cultural programming as well as Hawaiian culture and values training.

    Presenter: Kehau Gomes 
    Born and raised on a Kona family farm, Kehau earned her bachelorʻs degree in Business Administration from University of Hawaii at Hilo. After career stops in the airline business
    and banking, Kehau most recently transitioned from Liliʻuokalani Trust as their Kona Operations Manager to launching her own consultancy business. Active in the community, Kehau serves on the boards of Kaulana Nā Pua Inc., and Ahu’ena Heiau, Inc.

    Presenter: Noelani Kalipi
    Born and raised in Hilo, Noe attended George Mason University, earning a degree in Government & Politics and Economics and received her law degree from George
    Washington University.She is an active member of the Hawaii Leadership Forum, Omidyar Fellows program, and First Nations Futures Program. She serves on the several nonprofit boards including PBS Hawaii, Daniel Kahikina Akaka Family Foundation, and Sustainable Energy Hawaii.

    Noe is the newest Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army on the island of Hawaii. The Civilian Aides are business and community leaders appointed by the Secretary to advise and support Army leaders across the country.

    Presenter: Benson Medina
    Benson’s 40-plus year career includes senior executive positions in manufacturing, tourism and electrical maintenance contracting. He is a Senior Investment partner with Sustainability Partners, providing infrastructure capital to state and county governments. Benson also serves as the
    Vice President of the Hawaii Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and is active in many community organizations and service projects that serve east Hawaii Island communities. He is also an active member of Halau O Kawananakoa of Keaukaha and competes each year in Kupuna Hula Festival in Kona.

    Presenter: John Hau'oli Tomoso
    Hau’oli is a retired social worker with 42 years of professional, licensed and credentialed experience with a practice in various public and private sector positions and is an ordained priest with the Episcopal Church.

    Tomoso was previously Executive Director of Tri-Island RC&D Council, and Executive Director of Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Inc., a Native Hawaiian Health Care Clinic. 

    Tomoso received his Masters Degee in Social Work from UH Manoa. He volunteers his time with Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii, Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, March of Dimes, and the Royal Order of Kamehameha.