Amithea Love, Psy.D. is a Clinical Psychologist who is employed at Kaua‘i Medical Clinic, serving patients in Central, East, and North shore regions. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo, and her M.S. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, New England. Dr. Love is the current President of the Hawai‘i Psychological Association (HPA), Co-Chair of HPA’s Rural Health Committee, and Co-Chair of the Kaua‘i Mental Health Consortium (KMHC), which is a group of most Kaua‘i mental health providers. Dr. Love is committed to serving and advocating for her community’s mental health needs. When she is not working or volunteering, she enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with her pets (two turtles and a puppy).

Christina Uemura, PsyD, is a Clinical Psychologist currently working at Kaua‘i Medical Clinic. She previously worked as a Psychologist for the Department of Education at the Westside schools as well. Dr. Uemura graduated from Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Honolulu, HI in 2018. She is the Co-Chair of the Kaua’i Mental Health Consortium, a group of Kaua’i mental health providers, and is also the Kaua‘i Representative on the board for the Hawai‘i Psychological Association. She has a passion for serving her Kaua‘i community and being a mom to her 2 children.

Marissa currently leads Hawai‘i Community Foundation's Community Centered Economy (C sector) grantmaking team. Prior to joining Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Marissa served as chief operating officer of Common Ground, an agriculture accelerator and innovation company located in Kilauea. Marissa previously served as Vice President of Grove Farm Company, one of the island’s largest private landowners, and as president of the Grove Farm Foundation. A graduate of Waimea High School, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Marissa currently serves as a director for Shioi Construction and is on the Advisory Board for the American Red Cross – Kaua‘i Chapter and the Community Advisory Committee for PBS Hawai‘i. Marissa has served as Board Chair of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Kauaʻi Planning & Action Alliance, and the Kauaʻi Economic Development Board and as a director for the Economic Development Alliance of Hawai‘i. In addition to being a graduate of Leadership Kaua‘i, she is also a Pacific Century Fellow and Omidyar Fellow.

Jayson Watts is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety at Mahi Pono, LLC, a Maui-based farming company committed to strengthening Hawai‘i’s food security, developing high-quality local produce, and fostering agricultural sustainability. With over 700 employees, Mahi Pono is revitalizing 41,000 acres of former sugarcane land, transforming it into a diverse agricultural hub that supports and drives economic growth in the state. He also serves as the Chair of the State of Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC). 

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After three years in San Francisco at Foothill College, McKenna Maduli moved to Los Angeles to pursue the Broadcast Entertainment program at UCLA Extension. The Roosevelt High School graduate excelled as an entertainment reporter for NBC’s Access Hollywood, MTV, VH1, and Billboard Magazine’s “Billboard Live.” McKenna moved back to Hawai‘i in 2016 and joined KHON2 (FOX) as the Weekend Weather Anchor and morning news reporter on WakeUp2Day. Next, she moved on to Hawai‘i News Now, and in addition to being the creator and host for Talk Story, she carries the role of Native Hawaiian Content Development. “Talk Story with McKenna Maduli” celebrates all things entertainment and shines a light on the many talented people from the islands in music, fashion, art, hula, and Hawaiian culture. In its first season, McKenna garnered two Emmy® nominations, winning her first regional Emmy® Award in 2020 for Interview and Discussion Segment. In 2021 & 2022, McKenna received six Emmy® nominations for her work as a producer and host, furthering her goal to elevate Hawai‘i television in the multiple roles she passionately carries

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Wesley (Wes) Lo is the Chief Executive Officer of both Ohana Pacific Health and Hale Makua Health Services, which were affiliated with Ohana Pacific Health in 2020.  Ohana Pacific Health (which includes Hale Makua Health Services) spans Maui, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island, resulting in the creation of the state’s largest post-acute care organization. Locally owned and operated, Ohana Pacific Health employs over 1,500 individuals serving 950 post-acute care beds, three home health agencies, three adult day health operations, two adult residential care homes, and care management operations on Maui and Kauaʻi. Prior to joining Ohana Pacific Health, Wes was the CEO for Hale Makua Health Services, and previous to this, he served as the CEO of the Maui Region of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, which had oversight over Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, and Lāna‘i Community Hospital. During his tenure with Maui Memorial, he was involved in the start-up of the first and only full-service Cardiac Program on the Neighbor Islands, which includes open-heart surgery and angioplasty. In the community, is on the Healthcare Association Board of Directors, serves as the current Chair of the Long-Term Care Committee for Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i, and serves on the State of Hawai‘i Board of Education, where he previously served from 2011-2013. Wes’ background also includes time as the County Finance Director and many years in banking.

Jacob Aki is the Senior Public Affairs Manager for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, leading state and local government affairs across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. With nearly a decade of experience in the Hawaiʻi State Senate, he is a trusted strategist in legislative affairs and political communications. A respected Native Hawaiian leader, Jacob serves on the Board of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and has held leadership roles in the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and Hale O Nā Aliʻi O Hawaiʻi. He also advocates nationally for AANHPI communities through his service on the Asian American Action (AAA) Fund Board and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS). Jacob is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, the University of Hawaʻi at Mānoa, and The George Washington University. In 2024, he was named one of Pacific Business News’ “40 Under 40.” He lives in Honolulu with his wife and two children.

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Fern Ānuenue Holland is a born-and-raised Kauaʻi resident with nearly two decades of experience in environmental science, conservation, and community advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Science with triple majors in Wildlife Management, Environmental Science, and Marine Biology from Griffith University in Australia, and has worked professionally as an environmental scientist and consultant on ecological and contaminated land assessments across Hawaiʻi and internationally. In addition to her environmental background Fern is also a Kauaʻi County Councilmember. Fern has been a tireless advocate for land stewardship, native ecosystem restoration, food sovereignty, and regenerative agriculture. She organized rallies and community events, drove action around conservation and species protection, as well as pesticide impacts, and has spent nearly 20 years working on environmental justice issues tied to industrialized agriculture and biotech experimentation in Hawaiʻi and globally. She is heavily featured in the award-winning documentary Poisoning Paradise. Among her most defining experiences, Fern sailed to Antarctica in 2007 aboard the Sea Shepherd, spending 41 days at sea intervening against illegal whaling operations in the Southern Ocean, a mission that reflects the depth of conviction she brings to every cause she takes on.

Leticia, also known as Letty, is a mother of 5, grandmother to 3, and a wonderful wife to Noel Ruiz for 35 years. She was born in Cebu, Philippines, but later moved to the Garden Isle at the age of 12. She has 14 years of experience in the medical field and 9 years of experience in the banking industry.  Letty brings over 20 years of combined experience to support restorative and educational youth programs across the island. As in charge of Kaua‘i Teen Court, Letty hopes to bring further notice to Drug-Substance Abuse and Prevention—how to confidently abstain and avoid it as a youth through the Ka Pewa Youth Summit.

Tamara Lawrence serves as the Program Director of Ho‘okele Coalition, working to create a healthier, drug-free future for Kaua‘i’s youth through community collaboration, drug prevention, and education initiatives. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and mother, she is passionate about supporting families, empowering youth voice, and strengthening protective factors across the island.

Born 1982 on Kaua‘i,  graduated from Waimea High School in 2000. Attended KCC in the culinary program and graduated with my degree. Went on to work for Roy Yamaguchi's restaurant in Poipu, starting in pastry and eventually working my way up to the current Executive Chef of the Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi.

Aaron Hoff, born and raised on Kaua‘i, is the Founder of the Keala Foundation and a man in long-term recovery. After overcoming addiction in his own life, he now dedicates himself to serving youth and adults on Kaua‘i, helping them build strength, take ownership of their choices, and believe that a different future is possible.

Chris Osborn is the Program Director at the Keala Foundation, with over 10 years of experience in behavioral healthcare. He brings both professional expertise and personal experience in recovery from addiction and trauma to his work supporting youth and families.

Sarah Braunsdorf is the Executive Director of the Keala Foundation, bringing over 14 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a deep commitment to building strong, healthy communities for youth. She is a driven and compassionate leader, dedicated to empowering her team and creating impactful programs that uplift and support the next generation.

Born and raised in Anahola, Dr. Kapua Medeiros is a Family Medicine Physician at Kaiser Lihue Clinic, with over 15 years of experience providing healthcare to patients of all ages. She focuses on preventive care, health maintenance, and treating a wide range of medical conditions. Dr. Medeiros is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus, where she was a four-year boarder. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree in biochemistry at Dartmouth College. She then graduated in 2010 from the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine, where she continues to volunteer on the Imi Ho‘ola Advisory Committee as well as the Kaua‘i Rural Track Selection Committee.  Dr. Medeiros completed residency at the University of Hawai‘i Family Medicine Residency Program in 2013 and has returned home to Kaua‘i since then.  Dr Medeiros is also active in the Native Hawaiian Physician Association ‘Ahahui O Na Kauka, where she is currently a Board Member. Dr. Medeiros resides on Kaua‘i, practicing medicine full-time while raising four active keiki ages 8 to 16 with her husband, Joshua Martin.

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Jaedyn Pavao is the 2025 Miss Aloha Hula, a prestigious title that honors her lifelong dedication to the art of hula. She has been dancing since the age of three and is a proud dancer of Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinaʻala, under the direction of Kumu Hula Leinaʻala Pavao Jardin. Through years of study and practice, Jaedyn has cultivated a deep respect for the traditions, discipline, and cultural responsibility that hula carries. In addition to her accomplishments in the hula world, Jaedyn is a registered nurse serving as a public health nurse with the Department of Health. Her work in healthcare reflects the same values of service, compassion, and kuleana that guide her practice in hula. She is honored to join this panel to share her experiences as both a dancer and a health advocate, and to highlight the powerful role hula plays in preserving Hawaiian identity, fostering wellness, and building community.

Lovinna Cayabyab is a veteran police officer with over 19 years of law enforcement experience. She began her career with the Honolulu Police Department in 2007 and later joined the Kaua'i Police Department in 2024. Her background includes community relations, state and federal narcotics investigations, and undercover work focused on human trafficking cases. She currently serves as a uniformed officer in the Patrol Services Bureau in the Kawaihau District.