The Team
13th FestPAC Commission
In 2018, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature appointed a temporary commission to oversee the planning and implementation of FestPAC Hawaiʻi. Its nine members, appointed by the Governor, state lawmakers and officials, represent the culture, spirit and heart of Hawaiʻi. Many have experienced the power of FestPAC first hand over the years. See the Commission activities.
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
Chair, 13th FestPAC Commission
Māpuana de Silva
Community at-large
Chair, Council of Pacific Arts & Culture
Sen. Jarrett Keohokālole
Hawaiʻi State Senate
Rep. Richard Onishi
Hawai‘i House of Representatives
Jamie Lum
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Makana McClellan
Governor’s Designee
Stacy Ferreira
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Shanty Asher
City & County of Honolulu
Snowbird Bento
Community at-large
Festival Provider
Gravitas Pasifika, LLC
Gravitas Pasifika is a boutique firm intent on harnessing the power of creative storytelling to advance Native Hawaiian, local Hawaiʻi, and Pasifika worldview and talent through the exploration and integration of, and experimentation with, creativity in production.
Aaron J. Salā, PhD
President & CEO
Festival Director
C. Makanani Salā, PhD
Chief Operations Officer
Director of Operations
Pua Sterling
Director of Programs
Jayme Mokulehua
Project Manager
Tolua Samifua
Community Liaison
Jose Iñigo “Jigs” Santos
Assistant to the Executive
Alyssa Mei Chau
Project Assistant
Lead Curator, “Our Sea of Islands” Exhibit
Co-Curator, FestPAC 50th Anniversary Exhibit
Nohea Lileikis
Project Assistant
Lead, Young Pacific Leaders Program
Program Leads
Andre Perez
Hui Kālai Kiʻi o Kūpāʻaikeʻe
Kālai – Carving
Bonnie Kahapeʻa-Tanner
Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy
Waʻa – Traditional Voyaging
Cheryl Hirasa
Pacific Islanders in Communications
Film, New Media
Dalani Tanahy
Hawaiian Kapa Arts
Kapa – Traditional Cloth
Dave DeLuca
Bess Press
Literature, Storytelling
Hiwa Vaughan-Darval
Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine
Hulahula Hoʻoilina – Heritage Dance
Ipolani Vaughan
Kealaleo
Ulana – Weaving
Kalehua Krug, PhD
Ka Waihona a Ka Naʻauao
Kākau Uhi – Tattoo
Manaola Yap
Manaola
Fashion
Nola Nāhulu
Hawaiʻi Youth Opera Chorus
Hīmeni – Choral Performance
ʻUmi Kai
ʻAha Kāne
Wehi & Mea Kaua – Adornment & Tools
Festival Provider Partners
Pacific Islands Institute
Logistics
Event International
Event Production
AHL
Festival Village
DataHouse
Digital Platform
Carlsmith Ball LLP
Legal
Stryker Weiner & Yokota
Communications
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Volunteer Coordination
ACM West Oʻahu
Website Development
The FundDevelopment Group
Fund Development
4Miles, LLC
Media
KTER4U
Catering