GREGORY HACKLER, First Hawaiian Bank

Greg Hackler is a Vice President and Private Banking Officer with First Hawaiian Bank’s Private Banking Division. With over 15 years of experience in the banking industry, Mr. Hackler’s background is primarily in commercial lending. He began his banking career in wealth management, focused on insurance and estate planning, before moving to retail banking and later commercial banking. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and is a graduate of ‘Iolani School.  Born and raised in Honolulu, Greg is an active volunteer with First Hawaiian Bank’s Community Care program. His other community service includes serving on the board for Residential Youth Services & Empowerment. He is nominated to a first term on the HHF Board.

CHRIS HONG, AIA, Whisper Architects

Chris Hong is a Principal at Whisper Architects, where he oversees projects ranging from financial institutions to healthcare architecture. Mr. Hong graduated from California Polytechnical Institute at San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Architecture. He is a licensed architect in Hawai‘i and Washington. He worked with the Seattle-based architecture firm NBBJ before returning to Hawai‘i to join G70, a local design and planning firm. After a time with Redmont Group as the president of architecture, Chris co-founded English Hong Architecture in 2019. The successor firm of Whisper Architects was formed in 2023. His community service includes terms as director and president of the Hawai‘i Architectural Foundation, president of AIA Honolulu, and an active member of the Build Committee and Board member for Honolulu Habitat for Humanity. He is nominated to a second term on the HHF Board.

I‘INIMAIKALANI KAHAKALAU, Kū-A-Kānaka

I‘ini Kahakalau is Hiapo (Senior Director) for Kū-A-Kānaka, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Hawaiian language, culture and traditions. Fluent in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language), Ms. Kahakalau is a lifelong practitioner of Hawaiian cultural practices, including protocol and ceremonies, food preparation and knowledge of Hawaiian stories, chants, songs, plants and native science. She is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i – Hilo as a Liberal Studies major integrating Computer Science, Business e-commerce, and Hawaiian language and culture. I‘ini develops culturally-grounded websites for businesses, nonprofits and education enterprises, develops social media and public relations campaigns, and leads cultural education field schools and camps. A resident of Waipi‘o Valley, she is a graduate of the Kanu o Ka ‘Āina New Century Public Charter School and served on the school’s Hawaiian language curriculum committee, assisting with K-12 Hawaiian language curriculum mapping. Her other community service includes being the Hāmākua representative to the Hawai‘i Island Burial Council, Treasurer for the Waipi‘o Taro Farmers Association, and member of the Kōmike Ho‘okele (leadership committee) for Kanaeokana. She is nominated to a first term on the HHF Board.

JAMES KELLY, Hawaiian Electric Co.

Jim Kelly is Vice President, Government and Community Relations and Corporate Communications for Hawaiian Electric. He is responsible for overseeing the company’s relationships with state and local government and its community engagement and customer education activities. He also oversees internal and external communications. Before joining HECO in 2016, Mr. Kelly worked as manager of member services and communications for Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, where he was responsible for KIUC’s customer service and community engagement. Mr. Kelly joined the energy industry after a career as a reporter and editor at newspapers in Massachusetts, Minnesota, California and Hawai‘i. He worked as editor of Pacific Business News in Honolulu and as managing editor of The Honolulu Advertiser. A native of Minnesota, Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He has also taken graduate-level courses in historic preservation at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. His community work includes serving as member of the board of directors of the American Red Cross, Hawai‘i State Chapter and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i. He serves on HHF’s Executive Committee as Board Vice President and is also a member of the fundraising committee. He is nominated to a second term on the HHF Board.

THOMAS LAMBERT, Morgan Stanley

Tom Lambert is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor and Kahului, Maui Branch Manager for Morgan Stanley. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Colorado College. He lives in a historic home in Upcountry Maui. He is nominated to a first term on the HHF Board.

KAWIKA MCKEAGUE, AICP, G70

Kawika McKeague brings over 23 years of expertise to his role as Principal and Director of Cultural Planning at G70. His deep understanding and passion for ʻāina engagement and kaiāulu based planning have fostered a distinctive and knowledgeable approach to indigenous responses in design. Kawika’s professional journey includes notable positions such as Senior Cultural Resource Manager at Kamehameha Schools and cultural specialist at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. He holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a graduate certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. A dedicated Native Hawaiian rights advocate, Kawika is trained as a ho‘opa‘a and ‘ōlapa under Kumu Hula Victoria Holt Takamine and as a kīhōʻalu (slack key guitar) artist by the late Cyril Lani Pahinui. His commitment to preserving Native Hawaiian culture extends to his 22-year role as board president of the PAʻI Foundation, an organization dedicated to perpetuating Native Hawaiian arts and cultural traditions for future generations. He is nominated to a second term on the HHF board.

NICOLE OKUNA, The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort

Nicole Okuna is the General Manager for the historic The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort in Waikīkī. She was previously the Resident Manager and operations leader for the historic Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort and Spa. Other hospitality work has included Director of Sales and Marketing of the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort and Account Director for the Sheraton Kona at Keauhou Bay. Mrs. Okuna holds a Master of Science in Travel Industry Management from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a B.A. in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in mathematics from Pepperdine University. Her other community work includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association and formerly served on the TIM Alumni Association and HLTA’s Kaua‘i Chapter of Hospitality’s Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs. She is nominated to a second term on the board.

JOANNA OSHIRO, Deloitte & Touche

Joanna Oshiro serves as the audit managing director in audit enterprise and risk service for the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. She also is the talent recruiting leader in the firm’s Honolulu practice. Ms. Oshiro is a graduate of Punahou School and the University of Washington. She spent a few years in the Deloitte Seattle practice and then made her way home to the Hawai‘i practice. She serves as HHF’s Board Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Executive and Fundraising Committees. Ms. Oshiro’s other community service includes terms on the boards of Institute for Human Services, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i and Aloha Harvest.  She is nominated to a second term on the Board.

MICHAEL ROBINSON, Hawai‘i Pacific Health

Mike Robinson is Vice President for Government Relations & Community Affairs for Hawai‘i Pacific Health. He is responsible for leading legislative advocacy and community health improvement efforts for four hospital healthcare systems (Kapi‘olani Medical Center, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and Wilcox Medical Center). He previously served in several other roles for HPH, including executive director for philanthropy and government relations and director for institutional funding. Prior to joining HPH, Mr. Robinson worked for the University of Hawai‘i Foundation for four years and had stints as a commercial real estate analysis and urban planner with the architectural firm Media 5. He holds a Juris Doctor in Law from the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law; a Master’s in Business Administration from the UH Shidler College of Business; and a Master of Arts in Economics from UH-Mānoa. His undergraduate degree in Economics and Business is from Cornell University. His other community service includes serving on the boards of directors for the City & County of Honolulu Department of Parks & Recreation; Bikeshare Hawai‘i (BIKI); Alzheimer’s Association of Hawai‘i; and the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute. Mike is nominated to a first term on the HHF Board.

JAN TENBRUGGENCATE, Island Strategy LLC

Jan TenBruggencate is the author of books on the history of the Hawaiian sugar and pineapple industries, on Pacific piracy, menehune, volcanoes and other topics. He is a retired daily newspaper journalist (The Honolulu Advertiser) and a more recently a communications consultant. He serves on the Kaua‘i County Charter Review Commission, and the board of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and is a founding director of Mālama Hulē‘ia, which operates the 600-year-old Alakoko Fishpond on Kaua‘i. He coordinates the Environmental Journalism Fellowship at the National Tropical Botanical Garden. He was born in Holland, raised on Moloka‘i and coaches paddling with Kaiola Canoe Club at Niumalu, Kaua’i.

STEPHEN UEDA, Suisan Company, Ltd.

Stephen Ueda assumed the role of President and CEO of Suisan Company, Ltd. in 2017. He is the eighth president of the 117-year-old family-owned company. Prior to Suisan, Mr. Ueda worked throughout the United States and United Kingdom as a product and systems developer for Ford/Visteon. He returned to Hilo to join Suisan in 2007, and held numerous positions including distributor sales representative, buyer, key accounts manager, and vice president. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration from University of California–Irvine. His other community service includes board service and volunteering with Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai‘i, The Food Basket, Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i Island, Family Business Center of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce and Hawai‘i Food Industry Association. He is nominated to a first term on the HHF Board.

RICHARD KIEFER, Cades Schutte, LLP

Rick Kiefer is a Partner with the law firm Cades Schutte LLP in the Kahului, Maui office.  He is a lifelong Hawai‘i resident, originally from Kailua, O‘ahu and currently living on Maui.  Mr. Kiefer has practiced real estate law for 35 years and does extensive pro bono work for several of Hawai‘i’s largest conservation organizations.  His practice focuses on resort, condominium, commercial and subdivision developments.  He earned his JD from the University of California Davis School of Law and his BA from University of California Irvine. He has served on the Board for six years and is nominated to a second term as Board President.