Hapai Pohaku: Respecting our past, we come together to help carry the kuleana to build our community and give future generations a sense of self and place.
Our History
The Kapolei Heritage Center is operated by the Kapolei Community Development Corporation (KCDC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation incorporated in Hawai'i. The Center is the product of homesteaders coming together to enhance their lifestyle and well-being.
In early 2007, leaders within the Kapolei Hawaiian Homestead community recognized an opportunity to lease land from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to benefit the growing community.
To determine the community's priorities, a door-to-door survey was conducted among Kapolei homesteaders. The overwhelming response was a desire for a community facility that would serve the expanding Native Hawaiian population in Kapolei while providing culturally relevant programs focused on education, family, culture, and community well-being.
Community leaders petitioned the Hawaiian Homes Commission and were awarded a lease for land dedicated to community use and benefit. As a condition of the lease, a separate nonprofit organization was required to serve as the lessee and oversee the project. In 2008, the Kapolei Community Development Corporation (KCDC) was established to fulfill this role and bring the community's vision to life.
In 2013, KCDC launched a capital campaign and secured more than $2 million in state and private funding to support the development of its vision—the Kapolei Heritage Center. The first phase of the Kapolei Heritage Center opened in July 2016 and includes a certified commercial community kitchen and two multi-purpose classrooms that serve residents through educational, cultural, and community-based programs.
Today, KCDC's Board of Directors is composed of leaders representing the Kapolei Hawaiian Homestead communities of Maluʻōhai, Kaupeʻa, Kānehili, and Kaʻuluokahaʻi. Fundraising efforts continue to support the construction of the remaining phases of the Kapolei Heritage Center, expanding opportunities to serve Native Hawaiian families and the broader West Oʻahu community for generations to come.
Mahalo nui loa to all of our sponsors, partners, donors, volunteers, and supporters who have helped make this vision a reality.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Dedication. Community. Passion.
The KCDC board consists of community leaders from the Kapolei homestead communities - Maluʻōhai, Kaupe'a, Kānehili and Kaʻuluokahaʻi.
President
Kamaehu “Kama” Keone
Kamaehu “Kama” Keone, is a proud leasee and Vice President of Kaʻuluokahaʻi. He lives with his wife of 20 years, Hannah, has served as an Adult Correctional Officer at OCCC for 20 years and as a UPW shop steward for 15 years. He is grateful to KCDC for believing in him and his skills, and is excited to be a part of this cooperation. His goal is to continue growing, strengthening and further rooting our communities in our Hawaiian culture.
(Ka'uluokaha'i Board Designate)
Secretary
Kapela Wong
Kapela is an HHCA beneficiary and community representative from the Kaʻuluokahaʻi Homestead. She teaches ‘ōlelo Hawaii at Windward Community College, is a graduate student at Chaminade University, and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Mental Health. Experience: Ho‘oponopono, practices Aloha ‘Āina, and was one of our first Hāpai Pōhaku scholarship recipients.
(Kaʻuluokahaʻi Resident Seat)
Vice President
Sonny Del Toro
Sonny is an HHCA beneficiary and a community representative from the Kanehili homestead. He has worked with the Department of Defense for 42 years and serves as an active member of the Kapolei homestead community. Sonny values inclusion and continues to be an advocate for community voice in KCDC’s decision making.
(Kanehili Resident Seat)
Treasurer
Homelani Schaedel
Aunty Home is an HHCA beneficiary, KCDC & Maluʻōhai Residents’ Association founder and previous president. Since 2002 she has been “giving back” in service to Prince Kūhiō and his legacy, a task given by her kūpuna to promote and protect the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, and advocate for those waiting, on the lands, and those to come.
(Maluʻōhai Resident Seat)
Director
Kekoa Young
Kekoa has lived on Hawaiian Homelands for over 30 years, including 19 in Kaupe'a building a strong family life. A husband and father of five, he is committed to perpetuating culture and caring for the land. He first joined the Kaupe'a Homestead Association and now serves on the KCDC working board.
(Kaupe'a Resident Seat)
Director
Daniel Luke
Daniel is an HHCA beneficiary from the Kaupeʻa Homestead and a former KCDC board member who currently serves as a volunteer. He is a heavy equipment operator and has been a proud member of Operating Engineers Local 3 for 25 years. In addition, Daniel is a local entrepreneur and the owner-operator of Fish4Days, a business providing locally sourced poke.
Director
Kawika Kane
(Maluohai Board Designate)
Kanehili Vacancy
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(Kanehili Board Designate)
Meet our Staff
Operations Manager
Bella Leonardi
Bella Leonardi is a Kaupeʻa resident who has lived in Kapolei her entire life. She resides with her father, Attilio Leonardi, an HHCA beneficiary. Bella is a proud double graduate of Arizona State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Master of Science in Community Development. Passionate about community-centered work, she brings strong skills in communication, program development, and stakeholder engagement.
Program Manager, CHW, Research Assistant
Ursula Ka‘uhane Tuzon
Ursula Tuzon, Community Health Worker (CHW) and Research Assistant– is an HHCA beneficiary living in Kānehili Homestead. She has served our four homesteads since 2022, holding a B.S. in Family Resources and a Gerontology certificate from UH Mānoa. Leading the 'IKE Kupuna Hula and PILI 'Āina Garden Box Study programs her passion is to improve Native Hawaiian health outcomes. She considers it an honor to support the well-being of our homestead communities.
Program Manager Homestead Night Market
Kona Chang
Kona Chang and his ‘ohana have been proud Kanehili Homestead residents since 2010. A trusted radio personality for 30+ years, he has led programming and on-air teams at KCCN FM100, Hawaiian 105 KINE, Power 1043, Krater 96, and created Onipa‘a HD2 “The Music of Hawai‘i.” He now brings his community passion to KCDC’s Homestead Night Markets, uplifting local businesses, cultural practitioners, and Hawaiian musicians.
Kūpuna Program Manager, CHW
Kehau Holi-Robb
Leasee and board member (director) of Kaupe'a homestead. Recognized as an Ambassador of Aloha by The City and County of Honolulu, advocate volunteer to community events, programs and social wellness, it is my aspiration to bring "LIVING ALOHA" and enduring compassion for our kupuna and ohana.
Community Health Worker
Jkae Holmberg
Jkae Holmberg is a kanaka ʻoiwi wahine from Kāneʻohe, residing in Maluʻōhai Homestead with her husband, Lopaka, and their two sons, Gibson and Hendrix. Both work full-time at Aulani Disney Resort and Spa. Jkae believes that to be accepted and loved in this community means her ʻohana has a place and purpose. She hopes to kōkua and kūkulu hou on the foundation paved by their kūpuna. She believes we all have kuleana—we just have to awaken it.
Community Health Worker
Kyra Santos
Kyra Santos, a Kānehili Community resident and medic in the Hawaii Air National Guard, holds degrees in Allied Health and Electronic Communications. As a training manager, she ensures her medical unit's readiness. Active in her community, Kyra leads school supply drives and free medical screenings. She is pursuing her Community Health Worker certification and enjoys outdoor activities with her family.
Meet our Volunteers
Attendant/Volunteer
Scott Abrigo
Scott Abrigo set roots in the Maluʻōhai Homestead in 2000 and has witnessed the growth of the Kapolei homesteads and the emergence of KCDC. As a professional planner, he advised KCDC early on and helped develop the master plan for the Kapolei Heritage Center. In 2016, he joined the KCDC board, later becoming its third President. With a deep sense of kuleana, he brings his experience and mana‘o to advance KCDC’s mission.
Attendant/Volunteer
Sam Keli'iho'omalu
Sam is an HHCA Beneficiary and has lived in the Kanehili homestead since 2010. He is a proud graduate of Kahuku High School and retired cement truck driver after 36 years of service to Ameron/HC&D. Sam’s passion is paddling and coaching and playing music. Sam has made it his personal mission to give back to community by helping maintain and improve the grounds and projects here at the Kapolei Heritage Center. Whether it’s his music or improvements here — When Sam sees Kupuna smile it makes it all worth while.
