Nonprofit People in the News

Ho'okele Awards go to four nonprofit leaders

Leaders of four local nonprofits received $10,000 each to be used for "personal renewal and professional development" through the annual Ho'okele Awards, presented by the Hawaii Community Foundation. Winners were selected through community nominations and the awards go to the individuals, not to the organizations. "The award money is to help them stay motivated and take care of themselves so that they stay in the sector," said Kim Vierra, of the foundation. Winners are:

• Dale Bonar, executive director of the Maui Coastal Land Trust. The nonprofit works with private landowners to help conserve ecological and historic qualities of Maui's environment.

• Gary and Kukui Maunakea-Forth, founders of MA'O Farms of Waianae. The nonprofit is a "living local food system" that strives to fight hunger, improve nutrition and empower low-income families to move toward self-sufficiency.

• Mike Gleason, president and CEO of The Arc of Hilo. The organization's mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through educational, recreational and vocational training, as well as employment and housing assistance. Mike is also on the Board of HANO and was a Hawaii delegate to the 2006 Nonprofit Congress.

• Rose Nakamura, administrator of Project DANA of Honolulu. The interfaith group of volunteers helps independent senior citizens with day-to-day assistance, such as transportation, home repairs and grocery shopping.

Partnering with Hawaii Community Foundation for the awards were the San Francisco-based Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation, which supplies grants to nonprofits in the Bay Area and Hawaii.

Dawn Southard takes over at the Community Conservation Network

Dawn Southard, the former Director of Foundation and Individual Giving at Bishop Museum, was named executive director of the Community Conservation Network, based in Honolulu. Prior to joining the museum, Southard served as the executive director of the Native Seed Trade Association and as director of Conservation and International Programs for the Xerces Society. She also owned a private, environmental consulting firm and served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Interior. In Hawai‘i, CCN helps implement programs such as the documenting the traditional knowledge of youth in Miloli‘i and Ho‘okena in South Kona and the collaborative Makai Watch at the Pupukea-Waimea Marine Life Conservation District on O‘ahu’s North Shore.

Alan White, CCN board chair, said, “We’re delighted CCN was able to attract someone with Ms. Southard’s talents and experience.” Her unusual combination of local and international experience will be particularly useful as CCN expands its array of services and programs, both in Hawai‘i and abroad, he said.