The 2019 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows are (from left): Hoapili Ane, Chase Kawika Rogers, Lana Ruth Kaimipono, Daryl Fujiwara, Chandy Ann Lopes, Cristina Schenk, Jonathan Jennings, Shaun Pederson, Gabriel Lucy, Jodi Arisumi, Alana Yurkanin, Sherman Baisa, Robert Bennett Coryell, Lauren Armstrong, Leonardo Lunario, Saumalu Mataafa and Grazel Caceres. PHOTO BY CHRIS SUGIDONO.

KAHULUI – The Ka Ipu Kukui program completed its 12th year with a Graduation Ceremony at the University of Hawaii Maui College on May 23, and is now seeking applicants for its 13th year.

Ka Ipu Kukui educates, cultivates and inspires emerging leaders to contribute to a thriving future for Maui Nui. A Decisions Maui and Focus Maui Nui initiative, Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows is a year-long program designed to help develop and train future leaders not only to identify challenges, but more importantly, to overcome them.

After 12 highly successful years graduating a total of 159 individuals, plans are to continue enhancing the program to have an even better year ahead.

“Through monthly halawai, the fellows are exposed to the challenges and opportunities facing Maui County, with an emphasis on the widest representation of the nuances and perspectives of those issues. We do not propose solutions but instead challenge the fellows to use critical thinking in considering solutions of these critical and complex topics,” said Troy Hashimoto, chair of the Ka Ipu Kukui Board of Directors.

From concerns and beliefs expressed first by Decisions Maui in the 1980s and reinforced by the 2003 Focus Maui Nui visioning process, the fellows program was conceived to provide significant help in identifying and developing leaders through a community-based program specifically designed to address all aspects of planning for Maui Nui’s future. Each month, the program’s content focuses on the multiple perspectives of Maui’s different challenges. Through these monthly learning opportunities, known as halawai, participants develop a holistic appreciation and understanding of these unique challenges, ultimately arriving at a more informed framework and a more enhanced network to better address Maui Nui’s challenges in the future. Halawai include topics such as infrastructure, community planning, sustainability, fiscal policy, county and state governance, water and energy.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2019-2020 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows program. The program requires active participation during the year, for approximately two to three days each month, depending on the activities planned. Up to 15 fellows will be selected through a competitive process conducted by the board of directors for the program. Applicants will then be notified by early August.

The deadline for applications is July 1, 2019. For more information about the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows program, or to apply, visit kaipukukui.com or contact Lori Teragawachi at (808) 344?3181.