Our Volunteer Board
Pualani Akaka, MA
Pualani is a retired teacher of 27 years. She cares for her mo’opuna and volunteers in her church community. She is the daughter of the highly respected late Kahu and Mrs. Abraham Akaka and oversees the archival work of the Rev. Abraham Akaka Foundation.
April Kealoha.
April retired after many years with the Legal Aid Society She is a renown Kumu Hula (director and choreographer of a large Hula Halau).
Uluwehi Sai
Uluwehi retired after many years as an account. She continues as a tax preparer on Moloka’i.
"Omi" Lee
Omi is the newest member of the KHP Board. She is a person with lived experience and the mother of 5. She is an active volunteer within the local recovery community.
Our Dedicated Staff
Shari Lynn (M.Ed.)
Shari is in long-term recovery (1987) and has been serving KHP since its inception in 1996. She holds a Master’s Degree (M.Ed.) from the University of Hawai’i-Manoa, a secondary education license, is an internationally and locally Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC/ICDAC), Certified Prevention Specialist ( CPS), Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), Certified Transition planning Specialist (CTS) Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJAP), and a Certified Substance Abuse Program Administrator. She has extensive training in her career as a psychotherapist in the areas of sexual abuse/assault/offense, family dynamics, reactive attachment disorder, and addictions.
Molokai's Recovery Community
Amy Alvarez (PUBA)
Amy received her PU-BA degree from the University of Hawai'i. She has been with KHP for many years providing care coordination, case management and administrative assistance. She now combines her talent into her position as COO. Amy is active with her family businesses on Molokai. She enjoys the ocean, her fur babies, and her new grand daughter. She will be the friendly voice you'll hear when you call us.
Wanette Lee (AA, AS)
Wanette provides both group and individual counseling for those with substance use disorders. She has a vast amount of clinical and cultural experience in the field. She has also worked assisting victims of domestic violence. She enjoys all things paniolo and is involved with local Molokai preservation efforts. She is active with her faith community and in long term recovery.
Teddy Gorospe, PRSS, CSAC
Teddy is a state and nationally certified CSAC and PRSS, who provides direct peer-to-peer mentorship for folks in recovery. As a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, he conducts treatment groups, individual counseling and assessments. He enjoys hunting, fishing, sports with his family and music. He is active with his faith community. Teddy is in long-term recovery.
Dana Dudoit, TA
Dana provides direct peer-to-peer mentorship for folks in recovery. She provides transportation for clients and manages KHP’s Sober House. Dana is the mother of 8 and is in the process of completing her higher education to be able to become a CSAC. She was an active member of Hawai'i's first tobacco cessation cohort and is assisting with keeping KHP's Hale and surroundings, Tobacco and Vape free. Dana is in long-term recovery.
Our Founder
Ms. Varna Nakihei
Ka Hale Pomaika’i- The Blessed House was founded by Ms. Varna Nakihei who once struggled with substance misuse herself. After treatment she returned to Molokai and open a sober house so others would not have to leave the island for treatment. After 30 years, Ms. Nakihei is still active in her recovery journey which has taken her to Maui to reside.
Although They Have Passed, Our Kupuna's Guidance Lives On
Our senior Kupuna of Ka Hale Pomaika’i, Luana Hamakua devoted much of her life to the Hawaiian practice of conflict resolution called Ho’opono’pono. Aunty Luana was a Kupuna for the clients and staff of Ka Hale Pomaika’i. She was a skilled Native Hawaiian healer referred to as a La’au Lapa’au. She used many native traditional plants and methods for medicine.
Our Local Mana’e Kupuna was Uncle Damien Place was a practitioners of La’au Lapa’au. He provided invaluable help with all KHP activities as they resided right across the street!
Aunty Marie Place was very skilled in the Hawaiian art and spiritual practice of La’au Lapa’au native healing. She was the Po’okela for Kukui Kalani ‘o’ Lani’kaula, an ancient 800-year-old Kukui grove.