Moku'āina A Wakinekona Hawaiian Civic Club

Papa Alaka‘i (Governing Board)

We preserve and perpetuate the culture and traditions of Hawai‘i

LESLIE K. CHERRY

Pelekikena (President)

My name is Leslie K. Cherry. I have been in the background helping to direct corporate funding and resources to non-profit organizations for more than 10 years.

I am passionate about reclaiming my heritage. I was never the woman that could play an instrument or sing or dance, but I am the woman who can advocate, support and collaborate.

I want to use my skillset to drive awareness, inclusion and cultural growth in our communities.

MARY BUZA-SIMS

Hope Pelekikena (Vice President)

Aloha! I was born on the beautiful garden island of Kaua’i in the town of Waimea. I attended St. Theresa Catholic School, St. Francis High School. I received my B. A. Of Education from Seattle University, my Master’s of Social Work from the University of Washington and my Principal’s Certificate from Western Washington University. I'm married with 4 children and 11 mo’opuna and 3 hanai mo’opuna. I retired after 42 years in education. I started a Hawaiian bakery formerly known as Kaua’i Desserts now known today as Cakes of Paradise Bakery own and operated by my sons. I am a proud member of MAWHCC.

MARI HELENIHI

Kākau ‘Ōlelo (Secretary)

Aloha mai kākou! For over 15 years, my family and I have worked together to serve the Native Hawaiian community in the PNW, recognizing that the strength of our culture lies in collective effort. My husband and I have raised our children to be civically engaged, grounded in the values of aloha, kuleana, and mālama. We believe in the importance of giving back, advocating for our community, and ensuring that our ‘ōpio (youth) have the support and guidance they need to thrive.

I am honored to serve as your Kākau ‘Ōlelo and remain deeply committed to the mission of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole—to perpetuate and uplift the Hawaiian people and culture. My passion extends to education, advocacy, and fostering spaces where Hawaiian knowledge and values thrive.

ALI‘IOLANI NAIPO

Pu‘ukū (Treasurer)

Aloha! I've been a founding club member of MAWHCC since 2006. For many years, my family and I have been very active locally in our Hawaiian community activities and events.

I completed BS degree in Human Resource Development program of University of Illinois at Carbondale / McChord Airforce Base. I recently retired after 29 years working as a WA State employee with Division of Children and Family Services. Family is everything to me. I'm a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. I look forward to working closely with our members to engage our community and grow our club.

KAMALEI BRANDON

Kilo I‘a (Director)

Aloha kākou! ʻO Kamalei Brandon koʻu inoa. No Moku o Keawe mai wau. ʻO ka ʻOhana Jenkins a me ka 'Ohana Duvauchelle koʻu mau ʻohana. I work as the Pilimakua Family Connections Program Manager at Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services, as well as, a Kanaka Maoli Doula and Indigenous Lactation Counselor. As a Kanaka Maoli /Native Hawaiian makuahine (mother), I have a strong passion for early childhood education and maternal mental health rooted in cultural and language reclamation and preservation work for our Indigenous communities. I am super excited and honored to have the kūleana of being one of our Kilo I'a, especially after attending our AOHCC Convention last year with my kamali'i kāne. In my kūleana to our lāhui, I strive to help other Kānaka Maoli mākua (parents) preserve our 'Ōlelo Hawai'i and culture despite being disconnected from our 'āina (land).

BONNIE WONG

Kilo I‘a (Director)

I am honored to serve on Moku’AinaA Wakinekona Board as a support to our Lahui in Washington State. I came to this beautiful state as a student in 1968 who attended and graduated from Seattle University. My family roots and history in the past few generations are from the island of Oahu. My husband, Terry Wong, and I remained in Seattle for the same economic reasons as those who migrated from Hawaii to this Continent. We wanted a home and accessibility to employment. Our three amazing daughters were raised here and remain connected to their diverse heritage. As an elementary school teacher, I worked in the Seattle Public School District, and St. Paul Catholic School. I enjoyed the creativity of students and their willingness to find meaning in their future. However, it was always those students who needed extra time and more encouragement that I had to ho’omau. I pursued an administrative credential from Seattle Pacific University and became an Elementary Principal in the Kent School District. After thirty five years of working in schools I retired in 2014. I continue to support student teachers in their field experience as their Washington State University Field Supervisor.

Presently, my other days are filled with volunteer work, learning about biodiversity gardening, face-timing with my grandchildren and interacting with the Moku’aina A Wakinekona members at community events.

CHRIS NALANI LADD

Pelekikena Iho Nei (Past-President)

Aloha! My name is Christine Nalani Ladd. I was born and raised on the island of O’ahu in Kapahulu. I entered Kamehameha Schools in 7 th grade and graduated with honors in 1970. I took a 50-year gap year to get married and raise our family. I have been married to my awesome and supportive husband, Robert, for 53 years. We have raised three incredible kids and have been blessed with three grandsons. When Robert retired from the Honolulu Police Department with 26 years of service, we relocated to the Continent, to his hometown in Milwaukie Oregon. The high cost of living was one of the biggest triggers for our move to the Continent. I graduated this past December from Windward Community College with an associate degree in Hawaiian Studies and Liberal Arts. I am passionate about practicing, preserving and promoting our culture and was honored to serve as your Pelekikena. By all of us working together, we can accomplish the visions of Mokuʻāina A Wakinekona.

BENJAMIN KAEHA BAKER

Pelekikena Iho Nei (Past-President)

Mahalo Ke Akua for his blessings and my family for their support. I couldn’t have accomplished what I have without them. I am the 2nd son of 8 children of Edna Maile and Jack Napahuelua Jr and named after my grandfather, Benjamin Kaeha Kanealii Sr. whose Papakolea homestead was my birthplace.

We moved to Tacoma, WA in the late 1960’s where I learned to play guitar from my Godmother, Aunty Myrtle K Hilo and later entertained with my parents as part of ‘Keaka and the Serenaders.’ After graduating from Lincoln HS my first job was working at Mount Rainier clearing trails and assisting the Park Rangers. This led to becoming a police officer with the Puyallup Tribe and over the 40+ years in law enforcement I am now at the rank of Lieutenant. I am proud of the work I have done with the Puyallup nation and my contributions to its growth.

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