Board of Directors

 Pictured:  Nohealani Ralar, Sally Werblun, Louise Ross, Janice Studwell (back), Shelley Hee, Yvette Laborte, Feliza Duque
Not Pictured: Chuck Barnum

Message from the Board of Directors:

The Foundation Board of Directors are truly a special group of volunteers.  For the past 50-plus years, the Board has been comprised of current and past employees of the Napili Kai Beach Resort, shareholders and owners of the Resort, parents of current and past keiki (children) members of the program, and adult alumni of the Foundation.

The first and foremost qualification for a Director is a true love and respect of the culture and of the keiki, as well as a firm determination to preserve and protect its values and teachings for the present and future generations.

Directors come to the Board with their individual expertise, but share the common goal of maintaining both the cultural aspects of the program and the unique aspect of encouraging the higher education component through the scholarship program.

The Board also has in place an Advisory Committee that further expands the expertise needed in the area of financial investments, cultural awareness, and community outreach and fundraising.

Fundraising is a crucial part of the Foundation’s program, and since all Directors and Advisors are unpaid volunteers, 100 percent of all donations go directly to program expenses.

We invite you to view our website, visit our show, and become a part of the Napili Kai Foundation ‘Ohana (family).
With warmest Aloha,

The Napili Kai Foundation Board of Directors

Napili Kai Foundation Board of Directors & Advisory Committee

President – Louise Ross

Louise is a retired Certified Hotel Administrator, who worked at the Napili Kai Beach Club (and later the Resort) in various executive positions for 25 years (1977-2002).  Her involvement with the Napili Kai Foundation began almost immediately.  She was born in Gibraltar, U.K., grew up in the International Zone of Tangiers, Morocco, and married Al, a ‘Maui Boy’ in Rabat, Morocco.  They had 4 children, travelled extensively during his military career, and continued to do so even after settling on Maui permanently.  She is fluently tri-lingual (English, French and Spanish).

Louise’s community involvements included Maui County Planning Commissioner 1994-1999; Director, West Maui Taxpayers Association; West Maui Road Clean Ups coordinator 1980-1990; and President, Treasurer, Secretary and/or Director of numerous homeowner association boards.  In her spare time, Louise became a student of the eminent Kumu Hula Auntie Emma Farden Sharpe in 1985 until her death in 1995.  She is passionate about the Hawaiian Culture, hula, genealogy and travel.

Vice President – Janice C. Studwell

Janice is a Director and Shareholder of the  Napili Kai Beach Resort.  She is experienced in public relations in business, schools, and community organizations.  She has board experience with the City of Manhattan Beach (California), Coordinating Council, Legislative Representative to Sacramento for schools, District Strategic Planning Committee and District Advisory Council.  She was on the Board of Directors for Soroptimist International, an organization working to improve the lives of women and girls.  She has been involved in the Maui community since 1988, and is a resident.

Treasurer – Shelley Hee

Shelley has been in the Hospitality and Hotel Industry for over thirty-five years serving in the finance field. Her career was primarily with Sheraton and Starwood properties working with properties on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and currently on Maui since 2020. She also worked in the Peoples Republic of China in the city of Tianjin. As an alumnus of Kamehameha Schools and growing up in Waianae, Oahu, her love for educating our keiki was instilled since childhood growing up with Hawaiian culture activities.

“We can perpetuate the Hawaiian culture touching today’s keiki thru the mission statement of Napili Kai Foundation.”

Nohealani Ralar

 Nohealani Holoaumoku Ralar is one of our Napili Kai Hula Foundation Board Members. Employed at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Resort as Sales & Marketing Coordinator since 2002.

A few highlights about Nohealani H. Ralar, is that she is our Parent Liaison, as while as a

former member for 15 years, a graduate and Scholarship recipient of our beloved Napili Kai Foundation. 

A Lahainaluna High School graduate c/o 2000, and a dedicated former cheerleading coach of Lahainaluna High School for over 10 years. Nohealani, is a current member with the Lahaina Hawaii Civic Club since 2004, in which the LHCC plays an important role within our warm-hearted community providing scholarships for Lahaina students. Adding to tradition, she is a third-generation hula dancer starting at age 3 with Na Pua Kapiolani Hula Studio (founded by ‘Ohana Kumu Hula Auntie Emma Farden Sharpe).

As an alumnus of Napili Kai Foundation Nohealani is proud to be a part of the generations of keiki that have come before her. However, her joyous honor is being a mother of NKF member and daughter Nāmahina Holoaumoku NāniuKūkilakilaopuamana Kawabata who is “carrying on the touch” in our history, livelihood, and culture for the future generations. 

Living each day to perpetuate all things native and sharing the Aloha spirit, is Nohealani’s hope in this journey of life. She contributes her passion and blessed life to the leading example of her mother, our “Kumu Hula” K. Holoaumoku Ralar. 

Secretary – Yvette Laborte

• Born and raised in Lahaina
• Graduate of Marylhurst College in Oregon
• Working  in the resort hospitality  industry for over 40 years in different management positions.
• Human Resources Generalist  – Napili Kai Beach Resort since 2005 (15 years) – Manager of Year (2010) (2019)
• NKF Board member since 2008.
• Daughter, Dominique Kamakanakai’inialoha Laborte, 11 year  member of NKF,  graduate and scholarship recipient for 5 years.
• Niece, Lauryn Malia Laborte, 11 year member of NKF, graduate and scholarship recipient.
• Extraordinary Minister ( Sacred Heart’s Mission Church, Kapalua) and volunteers  with various community services on Maui.

Director – Chuck Barnum

Chuck is a shareholder at Napili Kai Beach Resort.  He is the Owner and Administrator of the Appleton, Wisconsin, Extended Care Center. He was a member of Habitat for Humanity from 1967-1987.  He was a board member of the Greater Fox Cities Area from 2000-2006.  He is a member of Fund Development for Fox Valley Memory Project from 2000 to present.  He is the Founder of Stay Near the Cross (www.staynearthecross.com).  He has been a Foundation board member from 2004 to present.

Director – Sally Werblun

Sally is a parent of a Foundation member graduate who is also a recipient of a Foundation higher education scholarship.  
Sally attends every weekly show and is in charge of the logo items and the craft table.  
Sally was originally from Philadelphia and has been a Maui resident for 12 years.

Financial/Investment Advisor – Sheila Burke

Sheila is a shareholder at the Napili Kai Beach Resort.  She has 32 years of board experience and leadership in strategic planning and finance with an emphasis in historical preservation and career pathways for youth.  For the past 20 years, she has been the Founding Director and President of Borina Foundation, an eight figure foundation designating millions of dollars for the betterment of children and communities.

Cultural Advisor – Hailama Farden

Hailama VKK Farden is a passionate and compassionate community leader who is currently the Director of Civic Engagement, Civic Leadership and Ho‘omana Advocacy for the Kamehameha Schools, where he has also served as a vice principal and taught Hawaiian language and cultural classes in his 29 years there. A 1989 graduate of Kamehameha, Hailama earned a BA in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. He later earned a Master’s in Education. Hailama currently serves at the Premier of the Hawaiian Royal Society, Hale O Nā Ali’i O Hawai’i, President of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Club and has served on numerous community boards; and has served 15 years as Kahu of a Hawaiian Protestant Church in Wai’anae. Hailama was designated a Living Treasure of Hawai‘i in 2018 by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i and has been associated with the Nā Pili Kai Foundation since 1987.

Fundraising and Special Events Advisor – Tina Woodward

Tina is a retired Human Resources executive who held both HR and line positions at IBM, Cisco, and Charles Schwab.  Tina is currently the Vice President of the Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope.  She has previously been an officer on the boards of ARIS (San Jose, CA) and Family Service Agency and Out & Equal Workplace Advocates (both based in San Francisco, CA).  Tina lives in Palo Alto, CA, with her wife, Lynda Slutman Elliott, and their cat, Zoe.  She loves to read, loves sports, and loves animals.

Hui Makua Association President – Sara Lo

Sara’s nephew was a member of the Foundation until he moved to the mainland.  Sara is an enthusiastic volunteer and became involved in all aspects of fundraising.  Her commitment has provided great success in fundraising activities and she coordinates the parents and guardians of the Foundation members in these important activities.  Sara was named President of Hui Makua Association, which is the parent association of the Foundation.

Founders and Past Presidents:

Margaret Millar – Founder
Jack Millar – Founder
Dorothy Millar – Founder
Douglas Tihada – Past President
James Shefte – Past President
Linda Iwamoto – Past President