Keao NeSmith, President, Outreach Committee, Protocol Committee born and raised in Kekaha, he is a Native Hawaiian linguist, educator, and translator. He has taught at various universities, including UH-Hilo and Manoa, where he received graduate and post graduate degrees; l'Universite' de la Polynesie Francisco, Tahiti; and University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand where he received his PhD. Presently, on faculty at UH-Manoa, he has translated a number of books into Hawaiian, including The Hobbit, The Little Prince and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. His most recent release was: Harry Potter a Me Ka Pohaku Akeakamai; an olelo Hawaiʻi translation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and is currently working on a Hawaiian translation of The Chronicles of Narnia. He developed Kaua‘i Nui Kuapapa: kauainuikuapapa.com for and with Kauaʻi County as a resource on moku, ahupuaʻa, place names, and moolelo from Kaumualiʻi's time. He was also the model for our statue of King Kaumualiʻi, by artist Saim Caglayan.

Bob Westerman, Executive Officer, Vice President / Treasurer Recently retired after 14 years of service as Kauaʻi Fire Chief, he grew up in a military family and joined the Air Force at 17 where he served for 20 years. After 13 years, eight as Fire Chief at Pacific Missile Range, he was appointed by Mayor Bernard Carvalho as Fire Chief to Kauaʻi Fire Department in 2005. Professionally and personally his mission is to give back whenever possible. Under his leadership the Ocean Safety Bureau thrived; and KFD helped with countless projects like Valentine Day dances for kupuna, swimming with long-term care patient from Kauaʻi Veterans Memorial Hospital and assisting Kauaʻi Hospice with its Fourth of July Celebration. His familiar refrain was, "What have we done to polish the Badge lately?" Off duty, he is a past President and 24 year veteran leader in West Kauaʻi Business and Professional Association (WKBPA); served 10 years on Kauaʻi United Way; and was appointed in April 2019 to the UH Board of Regents.

Adam Jaramillo, Co-Treasurer, Grant Committee, Outreach Committee, Protocol Committee After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Adam spent the next decade managing various organizations throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Following this brief period, he decided to switch his focus from corporate management to philanthropy as he continued to develop and redefine what it means to "leave a legacy". In recent years Adam has adjusted his focus to entrepreneurship and community engagement. The freedom of business ownership has allowed him the opportunity to serve the greater good of the community with an emphasis in youth and cultural development.

Michael DeMotta, Board Member, Grant Committee, Protocol Committee Newly retired from 30 years at National Tropical Botanical Garden as Curator of the Native Living Plants Collections; is currently involved with landscape projects across the island from his own private nurseries; and is expanding the King's Garden at Paʻulaʻula. He started the Kauaʻi Native Plant Society many years ago which is instrumental in providing Native Plant education and restoration. He has traveled across the state, continent and worldwide as a Consultant and Presenter at Conservation Events. From his experience, including that as former haumana of Kumu John Lake, he believes: "understanding Hawaiian values, world view, and his place within it - Kuleana & AlohaʻĀina - is key for bio-cultural conservation."

Peleke Flores, Board Member, Protocol Committee was born in Hilo and raised in Hanapepe, Waimea, and Makaweli ahupuaʻa. After graduation from Waimea High School in 2001, he pursued a double degree in Hawaiian Language and Studies at UH-Manoa. He worked for 8 1/2 years as Ku Hou Kuapa Project Manager / Caretaker of Paepae O Heʻeia. He returned home to Kauaʻi in 2018 to become Project Manager for Malama Huleia where he labors tirelessly to remove invasive mangrove along the river and surrounding Alekoko / Menehune Fishpond, thereby restoring native species to this site. He conducts trainings and workshops for volunteers, schools, and groups interested in restoration of ancient Hawaiian sites and the sustainable practices used to support a vibrant, cooperative pre-contact society. "Our kuleana is to restore, repair, educate, maintain, sustain, and show the brilliant work of our ancestors and how we can carry it on in our lives today using this 800 year old fish pond." He also serves on the Boards of Iwi Kua and Napali Coast Ohana.

Denise Karratti, Board Member, Protocol Committee serves as the Vice Principal at Waimea High School, bringing over a decade of experience to the role as a former classroom teacher and academic coach. Her dedication to her profession has earned her distinction as a National Board Certified Teacher, a Hawaiʻi State Teacher Fellow, and a recipient of the HEA Centennial Award. Throughout her career and as an ʻōlapa of Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana ʻo Leināʻala and haumana of the late Pono Shim, Denise has remained deeply passionate about connecting public education with traditional moʻolelo.

Jasmine Ikeda, Board Member, Protocol Committee was born and raised on Kauaʻi, raised mostly in Poiʻpu as well as Kalāheo, Puhi and Līhuʻe ahupuaʻa. Has a BA in Sociology and a minor in Leadership Studies. After college, got involved with indigenous relations in the PNW that led to creating grassroot community building, with focuses on cultural practices, canoe paddles, first foods and traditional values. A water woman at heart she has participated in multiple canoe voyages and a number of sailing voyages including her first open ocean crossing the Pacific in July 2025 using celestial navigation and crossing the Mediterranean via flotilla in September 2025. After recently returning back home to Kauaʻi after traveling the world she has gotten involved with Nā Kiaʻi Koʻa O Kauaʻi, a coral restoration project, Kāneiolouma Heiau, and a number of ʻāina restoration projects.

Kaulana Mossman, Board Member

Shara Bucasas, Secretary