STAFF
Miki‘ala Lidstone
Executive Director
Miki‘ala M. Lidstone is the president and chief staff person of Ulu A‘e. Her experiences as a high school teacher and as a kumu hula in the rapidly growing community of Kapolei have lead her to develop programs and curriculum that help participants develop a sense of place and belonging. She believes strongly in place-based education and believes that all keiki and youth should have endless opportunities to grow their relationship to ‘āina (land). Miki‘ala also spearheads efforts to steward and bring awareness to Pu‘uokapolei.
Kamaka Cardines
Lead Instructor, Program Specialist
Kamaka Cardines was born and raised in Nānākuli, O‘ahu. Kamaka comes from a long line of hunters and knows the landscape and stories of our forests. Through his work at Ulu A‘e, he has expanded his knowledge of mo ‘olelo (stories) and native Hawaiian practices. His goal is to be a practitioner of sustainability by empowering communities to care for our land and engage in daily practices that feed both body and mind. Kamaka is a certified hunter and lifeguard.
Kekoa Osurman
Lead Instructor
Kekoa was born in Manana Uka (Pacific Palisades) and raised in Mililani. He earned his Hawaiian Studies Degree from Leeward Community College and has a Bachelors in Communications from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Mo‘olelo (storytelling) is what drew Kekoa to Ulu A‘e. “I like being a part of an organization that values storytelling,” says Kekoa. Kekoa is also a singer, songwriter, contemporary Hawaiian musician, Nā Hōkū Hanohano finalist and ordained minister. He’s been playing music since the age of 5. You can find his music on YouTube and Spotify, and can follow him @ko_koa_mele.
Kaelyn Pao
Lead Instructor
Born and raised in Mililani, Kaelyn is the eldest of seven siblings. She aspires to be an elementary school teacher and is working towards her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at UH West Oahu. Providing opportunities for keiki to grow in nurturing, safe learning spaces is something Kaelyn values in her work at Ulu A‘e. Kaelyn loves dancing hula, spending time with her siblings and creating creative lessons for the students she works with.
Kaʻike Akau
Program Specialist
Ka‘ike was born and raised in ‘Ewa, O‘ahu. She currently attends UH West O‘ahu and is working towards a BA in Business Administration. She discovered a joy for teaching and a curiosity for entrepreneurship when she began working at Ulu A‘e. Her goal is to start her own business with a focus on sustainability.
Vena Talia
Van Driver
Vena was born and raised in Kalihi and currently resides in ‘Ewa with his ‘ohana. Vena is a husband and father of two. His daughter and wife dance hula and his son is an aspiring chef. He started driving for Ulu A‘e in February 2020 when Ulu A‘e began after school pick ups. Fun fact is that he is a big Dragon Ball-Z fan!
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Position Title
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
The Program Coordinator is accountable to the Program Director for development, implementation and delivery of quality program services including: development of program materials and curriculum, scheduling assistants, record keeping, reporting, scheduling programming and instruction. Coordinator should have basic knowledge of Hawaiian language and native Hawaiian practices.
Position Title
PROGRAM ASSISTANT 1
The Program Assistant supports the lead instructor with the delivery of culture and place-based afterschool and non-school program services. Duties are both clerical and instructional. The Program Assistant will work with children from diverse backgrounds. Patience and a joy for working with children in a Hawaiian culture-based setting are essential to the effective performance of this job. This position is part time with potential to move full time. Applicant must be available on at least 2 – 3 weekdays from 2PM – 6PM.
Position Title
VAN DRIVER
The Program Assistant supports the lead instructor with the delivery of culture and place-based afterschool and non-school program services. Duties are both clerical and instructional. The Program Assistant will work with children from diverse backgrounds. Patience and a joy for working with children in a Hawaiian culture-based setting are essential to the effective performance of this job. This position is part time with potential to move full time. Applicant must be available on at least 2 – 3 weekdays from 2PM – 6PM.