WELCOME NEW ALOHA CHAPTER MEMBERS 2023!
WELCOME NEW ALOHA CHAPTER MEMBERS 2022!
Colton Ching Senior Vice President - Planning and Technology and is responsible for climate change adaptation for Hawaiian Electric. This includes developing plans to achieve Hawaii's 100% renewable and net-zero carbon goals, as well as resilience strategies for the electric system. He is a professional engineer with a 31-year career with Hawaiian Electric and is versed in utility planning and engineering and in project development. He sits on numerous energy-related boards, the YMCA of Honolulu and BSA Aloha Council.
Ryan Churchill has over 25 years of experience in managing all aspects of real estate investment and development in Hawaii. He has been President of Pacific Rim Land since 2015 and develops, invests, and manages a variety of real estate assets including residential, industrial, retail and hotel properties in Hawaii and across the mainland. Prior to that, Ryan worked his way up to President of Maui Land and Pineapple managing strategic transactions and the diverse real estate holdings and operations of the Kapalua Resort. Ryan was born and raised in Kailua, Oahu and has been a resident of Maui for over 20 years.
Kalani Fronda is the Land Assets Division Director at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs where he is responsible for the planning, development, stewardship and the overall management of OHA's investment, corporate, programmatic and legacy lands. This includes including advising the organization on real estate strategies, asset allocation, financing options, and management plans for its real estate portfolio. Prior to joining OHA in 2020, Kalani was a Senior Asset Manager at Kamehameha Schools where he was seasoned in multiple real estate asset types and in community engagements and collaborations, including for commercial real estate or with strategic partners (government agencies, large landowners and NGO's) to execute strategies to enhance the regional landscape including wahi pana (cultural/historic sites) restoration, food sustainability, renewable energy development, shopping center development, and strategic real estate acquisitions.
Ka'aina Hull is the Planning Director for the County of Kaua'i. He oversees the department including preparation of General and Community Plans, preparation and implementation of zoning and subdivision ordinances, maps and regulations; and implementation of the Coastal Zone Management Act and related shoreline ordinances. He is also responsible for proposed capital improvements for the County's agencies, planning and land use policies, and representing the County at permit proceedings or State Land Use District amendments before the State Land Use Commission.
Doug Johnstone is President of the Hawaii Region for The Howard Hughes Corporation. He oversees asset management, financing and development initiatives for the 60-acre master-planned community of Ward Village. Previously, Doug managed redevelopment efforts within the commercial real estate portfolio at Kamehameha Schools. Prior to that, he served as Vice President at a boutique L.A.-based firm, Cyburt Partners, focusing on opportunistic investments and developments with institutional partners. He is a member of the Hawaii Business Roundtable, Young Presidents' Organization, and serves on the Boards of several charitable organizations. He has received recognition by Pacific Business News and Hawaii Business Magazine as an outstanding professional in business.
Zendo Kern has had over 20 years of experience in real estate development, land use planning and County government. He currently serves as the Planning Director for the County of Hawaii. He has also served in various roles including former Chair of the County of Hawaii Windward Planning Commission, former Chair of the County of Hawaii Planning Committee and Former County Councilmember for the County of Hawaii. He is experienced in land use and real estate investment and development and was selected as the SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2007).
Michele McLean is the Planning Director for the Maui County Planning Department. She serves as chief planning officer for the County, managing about 75 employees and four divisions within the department and providing technical support to the Mayor and City Council on all planning-related matters. Prior to this, she served as Legislative Assistant to a New York congressman, leading efforts which ultimately resulted in the Department of Defense studying whether racial bias prevented the military from recognizing minority service members with military honors (eg. Medal of Honor or Navy Cross) and many receiving such recognition, most posthumously. McLean also served as Chair of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission for eight years and oversaw the creation and implementation of a financial sustainability plan.
Jonathan Mitchell is the Vice President - Land & Asset Management for the Parker Ranch Inc. and Parker Ranch Foundation Trust. He is responsible for the integrated asset management for a diversified portfolio consisting of equities, fixed income, private equity, strategic alternative asset investments, joint ventures, and business development opportunities for one of the largest and oldest private landowners in Hawai'i. He also manages a real asset portfolio with focus on alternative assets, real estate, natural resources, and renewable energy including wind, solar, and hydro. Jonathan has achieved numerous advance educational distinctions, served on the Boards of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, Parker School and has been selected/or participated in leadership programs such as the Pacific Century Fellows, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, Ulumau - Hawaii Island Leadership Series and Center for Creative Leadership.
Alana Kobayashi Pakkala the Chief Operating Officer and Partner of The Kobayashi Group LLC, where she is responsible for managing and overseeing all real estate development projects through all stages characterized by a diverse range of development types, focused attention to detail, value creation and innovation. Her projects have ranged from single family affordable subdivisions, luxury high rises, ultra-luxury resorts, luxury spec home construction, and complex joint public/private mixed-use affordable housing projects with both State and County agencies. Alana is active in numerous community organizations and serves on the board of directors of the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, Kapiolani Health Foundation, Hawaiian Electric, Oahu Transit Services Inc., Assets School, and GIFT Foundation of Hawaii and on the City and County of Honolulu Community Development Block Grant Selections Committee. She has been honored by the Girl Scout of Hawaii “Woman of Distinction” and Pacific Business News “Women Who Mean Business Award”.
Dean Uchida is the Director of the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu. He is the chief planning officer for the largest County in the State of Hawaii. Dean is responsible for the oversight of eight divisions: Administration, Building, Customer Service, HoLIS (GIS), Land Use Permits, Planning, Site Development, and Transit Oriented Development. Prior to joining the City, Dean headed the Land Use Research Foundation which represents major landowners, organizations and utilities to advocate for reasonable, rational and equitable land use planning, legislation and regulations that encourage well-planned economic growth, development and sustainability, while supporting environmental stewardship of Hawaii’s significant natural and cultural resources.
LAI - ALOHA CHAPTER WELCOMES OUR OUTSTANDING NEW 2021 MEMBERS!
Hilarie Alomar, Senior Planning & Development Manager, Kamehameha Schools, Commercial Real Estate Division: Hilarie has over 20 years’ experience in master planning, entitlements, community consultation, asset management and project execution producing mutually beneficial outcomes for economic development and cultural, environmental, educational, and community values. Hilarie was instrumental in KS’ nationally award-winning North Shore Plan. Other notable projects include Haleiwa Store Lots redevelopment, Kapalama Kai Plan addressing 105 acres of TOD lands, and the Kaiaulu ‘o Kakaako Master Plan. Her professional experience also includes many years as a planner with Wilson Okamoto and Associates. A Hilo native and native Hawaiian, Hilarie has a BBA in Political Science and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is a member of the American Planning Association (APA) Hawaii Chapter and Urban Land Institute (ULI) as well as a board member of Trees for Honolulu’s Future.
Mark Babin, President, MMR Realty Services: Mark has had a distinguished career in Hawaii commercial real estate management and leasing with MMI Realty Services, Inc. since 1984. Currently its president and principal broker, he oversees 20+ high profile retail and office properties. Mark is a Certified Public Accountant and was previously employed by the international accounting firm of KPMG Peat Marwick.
Catherine (Cathy) Camp, Senior Vice President, CRE Lending Division Manager, Central Pacific Bank: Cathy has an exemplary career in commercial real estate planning, development, asset management, land acquisitions and lending. She joined CPB in 2019 to oversee the bank's commercial lending division. Prior to that, she was Development Director at Kamehameha Schools for 15 years where she oversaw master planning and development in Kapalama, Mo'ili'ili, Waiawa and Windward Mall and other areas. She is well-versed in many real estate types and sectors and has wide-spread industry relationships. She previously served as development project manager with Alexander and Baldwin Properties overseeing numerous residential and commercial projects for A&B throughout the state.
Mike Dahilig, Managing Director, County of Kauai: Mike has had a diverse and distinguished career covering many facets. He previously served as Kauai’s Planning Director for eight years where his team received top national honors from the American Planning Association for the Kauai County General Plan update. He also served as a Deputy County Attorney for the County of Kauai, and clerked for the Honorable Randal Valenciano, Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court. Mike also spent some time working at PBR Hawaii and was a Legislative Staffer for both then-Senate President Robert Bunda and then-Representative Maile Shimabukuro. Recently, Mike has been busy with the post-disaster recovery from the April 2018 record rains across Kauai, and was deployed immediately after the event to the isolated Haena-Wainiha disaster area to coordinate relief efforts on behalf of the County. Mike is a graduate of Punahou School, received a BS with Honors in Geology and Geophysics, and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He received his JD with an Environmental Law certificate from the William S. Richardson School of Law and is a member of the Hawaii Bar.
Scott Head, VP of Resort Operations, Waikoloa Land, Hawai‘i Island: Scott has had a distinguished career in the Hawaii visitor industry. He is the tenured director for resort operations for Waikoloa Land Company where he oversees the development and operations at Waikoloa Beach Resort and the Waikoloa Development Company. He also oversees other Waikoloa/Transcontinental holdings on Big Island. He is the former chair of the State Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s Board of Directors. Scott is originally from Oahu and a 1990 graduate of the Shidler College of Business at UH Manoa.
Naomi Kuwaye, Counsel, Ashford+Wriston: Naomi specializes in environmental and natural resource law, land use, real estate development, telecommunications law, public utilities, and administrative law. Her practice includes environmental litigation and regulatory compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. In the public utilities area, Naomi has extensive experience in the regulatory aspects of merger, acquisition and restructuring transactions in both the electric and telecommunications industries. She recently represented a $16 billion renewable energy company in one of Hawaii’s largest energy dockets before the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. She has also worked on principal market rate authority and transmission cases at the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission which have resulted in the establishment of new policies. Naomi is a member of the American Bar Association, the Hawaii State Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association (inactive), Oregon State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Women Lawyers Association. She has served as past chair, vice-chair and program chair for the Natural Resources Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association. She has been an invited speaker on issues involving land use and environmental compliance matters, and has authored a number of articles on the State of Hawaii’s land use process and environmental compliance issues.
Makani Maeva, President & CEO, Ahe Group: A Hawaii-based affordable housing developer, Makani was previously the director of Vitus Group’s Hawaii office. Since 1995, she has been instrumental in the development and preservation of over 2,200 affordable units. To-date, she has secured over $138 million in debt financing and $116 million in equity for affordable housing in Hawaii. A frequent speaker on affordable housing topics at both industry events and for the University of Hawaii, Makani was selected in 2011 by Hawaii Business Magazine for its annual list of emerging young leaders as one of “20 For The Next 20.” Makani holds a BA from Pepperdine University.
Melissa May, AICP, Senior Planner, Resilience Practice Leader, SSFM International. Melissa has been designing and facilitating inclusive planning processes encompassing transportation, long-range community outlook, infrastructure, resilience, and land use for county and state agencies to produce award-winning projects for resilient, healthy, and sustainable communities. She led planning efforts for the County of Kauai General Plan which won APA National Project of the Year 2 years ago; County of Hawaii (Island-wide Complete Streets Program and Downtown Hilo Complete Streets Project which won an APA Transportation Award; State Office of Planning Disaster and Resilience Planning including Business Resiliency Post Disasters; State Office of Planning, Waimanalo Community Plan; C&C Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Resiliency and Sustainability; Department of Transportation Services, Community Outreach. Melissa is active in the maker economy/community, having founded the Hawaii Fashion Institute. She is a subject matter expert in community engagement, branding, and complete streets.
Kawika McKeague, Principal & Director of Cultural Planning, G70 International Inc.: Kawika’s background, experience, and passion have resulted in a unique and knowledgeable approach to land use planning and cultural resource management. For nearly ten years as a Senior Planner at G70 from 2001-2011, Kawika effectively administered and advocated a Native Hawaiian perspective in environmental and land use planning, as well as architectural design and space programming. In January 2012, Kawika returned to G70 after serving briefly as the Senior Cultural Resource Manager for Kamehameha Schools, responsible for the stewardship of cultural resources within nearly 360,000 acres of conservation and agricultural lands. Kawika brings nearly 16 years of experience in facilitating local and national level planning efforts that have enabled a diverse clientele base within the private, public, and non-profit sectors.
Ben Rafter, CEO, OLS Hotels & Resorts. Ben has had dual careers in hospitality and technology. He leads growth, strategy and hotel revenue generation for OLS. Previously, he was president and CEO of Aqua Hospitality and president of Aston Hotels & Resorts, the largest hotel operator in the Waikiki market. He grew Aqua Hospitality fivefold in less than four years, from a small Waikiki operator to the only hotel company on all six Hawaii tourism islands. While at Aqua, Ben completed more than 20 renovations as well as new, ground-up developments. Prior to Aqua, he spent more than 15 years guiding successful tech companies. In various roles he created global innovation centers, acted as a principal strategist for G2000 and startup companies, and founded companies of his own. In 1996, he co-founded Innerlinx (LiveBid), which was acquired by Amazon.com. Ben began his career in the distribution department of Westin Hotels & Resorts. He is also an HTA Board Member.
Michael Shibata, Director of Strategic Development and Partnership, University of Hawaii. Mike has covered multiple facets of real estate including planning, entitlements, due diligence, acquisitions/dispositions, financial analysis and construction. He was recently named to serve at the University of Hawaii. Prior to joining UH, he managed land assets at Liliuokalani Trust; served as Vice President at Stanford Carr Development with a focus on the development of projects on Maui; and as an Associate at PBR Hawaii where he focused on land planning, entitlements, due diligence, and environmental compliance. He also serves on various boards including the American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School, Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, and Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference. Mike is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, and received his Bachelor's and MBA degrees from the University of Hawaii.