No Mākou
Our Vision
ʻĀIna Momona: A productive and thriving Hawaiʻi
Our Mission
To cultivate and support ʻĀina Momona, thriving communities of people and place.
Our Purpose
To provide culturally grounded educational programs and partnerships that support the over all health of our communities; mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
Nā Maka Onaona is a 501c-3 non-profit organization based in Hawaiʻi.
“The health of our environment is a direct reflection of the health of our people and vice versa.”
Pelika Andrade
President, Nā Kilo ʻĀina
Our Team
Lauren Kapono
Alakaʻi - Nā Kilo ʻĀina
Lauren Kapono is a Native Hawaiian from Hilo, Hawaiʻi, with a background in marine science and conservation. She first connected with Nā Maka Onaona during her time at UH Hilo through the Keaholoa STEM Scholars Program, and later through their Nā Kilo ʻĀina program, which sparked deeper involvement in research monitoring, a research cruise, and educational exchanges such as Kūkaʻi Laulaha. She has remained a kākoʻo ever since, continuing to support the organization’s efforts however she can. Her academic work focused on ʻopihi habitats and sea level rise, combining scientific research with hands-on learning through Productivity Area and Caring Capacity (PACC) surveys, alongside Nā Maka Onaona and the MEGA Lab at UH Hilo. Over the years, she has been involved in community monitoring, ʻāina based resource management, and cultural exchange efforts across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, including visits to Aotearoa and the Cook Islands through the Kūkaʻi Laulaha program. These days, Lauren supports administration and programming with Hui Aloha Kīholo, while continuing to stay engaged in community and ʻāina based efforts. She’s passionate about uplifting community health, stewardship, and connection to place through ʻike Hawaiʻi.
Our Board
Pelika Andrade, M.A.
Executive Director and Founder
A native Hawaiian born and raised on the island of Kauaʻi (and across the paeʻāina), Pelika Andrade is a founder and Executive Director of Na Maka Onaona, a Hawaii based non-profit, and an extension agent for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program. She has a long history working with Hawaii communities throughout the archipelago as a community member, hoaʻāina, and researcher. Pelika has been developing alternate pathways and tools that address how relationships and the growing awareness of indigenous literacy can support our engagements and understanding of ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. These pathways and tools help guide, inform, and advise the decisions and contributions we collectively make to support the ability of our people, places, and akua (natural world) to thrive.
Lehua Ah Sam, M.A.
President
Lehua Ah Sam is a cultural practitioner and community educator. She lives in Kohala with her husband and young daughter. She currently is a Lecturer at Hawaiʻi Community College and assists organizations with organizational capacity development and community engagement.
Kaliko Ching
Treasurer
Hailing from Kahalu'u & Keauhou, Kona now in Kawaihae, Kaliko comes from an 'ohana of educators and has a strong passion for places and people of Hawai'i. Kaliko is currently at The Kohala Center as a grants accountant since 2013 specializing in grant management and sits on several community boards focused on project supports.
Carolyn Wong Auweloa, M.S.
Secretary
Carolyn is a range ecologist and ʻāina advocate. Previously in her role as Range Management Specialist for USDA NRCS Hawaii, she provided leadership for conservation planning on grazing land from Hawaii to Guam, supporting 10 offices and over 30 field staff positions. Born and raised in Lahaina, Carolyn returned home after the 2023 wildfire where she is a founding member and serves as Director of Operations for the Lahaina Community Land Trust and the Rangeland and Natural Resources Manager for the Hawaii Farmers Union. Carolyn is passionate about finding solutions for the challenges facing Hawaiiʻs diverse landscapes, especially the working landscapes of Hawaiiʻs grasslands. As a perpetual student of ʻāina she advocates for balance and understanding of the novel ecosystems that occupy most of Hawaii today.
