The next class of Pacific Century Fellows was recently announced.
The 15th class of fellows will include 36 program participants, including one from Kauai and another from Molokai, who will explore solutions to challenges facing Hawaii. The program is modeled after the White House Fellows program, and was founded by former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.
Participants get the opportunity to interact with seasoned community, social and government leaders. A working relationship with the East-West Center and an alliance with the Marianas Chapter of the Pacific Century Fellows will also expose participants to emerging leaders in the Pacific.
“With our 15th class of fellows participating in this unique executive leadership program, we continue to build a cadre of bright, talented and energetic professionals who will make contributions to the betterment of Hawaii and the Pacific region in the years to come,” Hannemann said in a press release. “Many of our previous Fellows already have made a positive impact in our community, and this class will be no different. This year’s class represents a broad cross-section of our community. They come from all parts of the state, with different backgrounds and professions — all committed to making Hawaii a better place for generations to come.”
Hannemann is a former White House fellow (1983-84) who worked for then-Vice President George H.W. Bush in the Reagan administration.
The program will begin with a two-day retreat Sept. 25-26.
This year’s class members are:
>> State Rep. Henry Aquino, 38
>> Walden Au, 29, Pacific Resource Partnership
>> Lisa Ayabe, 33, Cades Schutte
>> Joy Barua, 38, Kaiser Permanente
>> Doris Bitonio, 41, SpeediShuttle
>> James Chan, 35, Locations LLC
>> Jin Chang, 41, Partners in Development
>> Ryan Char, 30, Group 70 International
>> Calvert Chipchase, 39, Cades Schutte
>> Daniel Cody, 41, MW Group Ltd.
>> Andrew Coffin, 33, Joint Interagency Task Force West
>> Ryan Donn, 36, Trinity Investments
>> Kevan Gregory Gaug, 34, Ulupono Initiative
>> Dana Gusman, 42, Alexander & Baldwin
>> Elia Herman, 35, Department of Land and Natural Resources
>> Michael Iosua, 37, Imanaka Asato LLLC
>> Kisan Jo, 36, Prince Resorts Hawaii
>> Malia Ka‘aihue, 35, Strategy, DTL
>> Michele Kurihara-Klein, 34, Hawaii Government Employees Association
>> Caleb Lisenbee II, 33, Air Force
>> Chris Lovvorn, 39, Castle & Cooke Properties
>> Jesse Markham, 44, AJA Benefits Consultant
>> Scot Matayoshi, 30, McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon
>> Reiko Matsuyama, 34, Grove Farm Co., Kauai
>> Jaime Oliveira, 39, Upspring Media LLC
>> Trevor Ozawa, 32, Honolulu City Council
>> Diane Paloma, 41, Queen’s Health System
>> Laura Reichhardt, 31, Hawaii State Center for Nursing
>> Mahealani Richardson, 42, Shriners Hospitals for Children
>> Tiffany Tanaka, 35, Fresh Cafe
>> Jason Thune, 37, Hawaiian Telcom
>> Dane Tonaki, 37, Central Pacific Bank
>> Thanh Tu Tran, 38, Bank of Hawaii
>> Matthew Wagner, 40, Armstrong Produce
>> Noelani Yamashita, 39, Ka Honua Momona International, Molokai
>> Kimi Yuen, 41, PBR Hawaii and Associates
