Change is the only constant in life. As our 2025 comes to a close, this saying has special meaning for me. 2025 was a year of tremendous change for KPAA, defined by new challenges as well as exciting opportunities. 

It was a year for grieving, both personal and professional. One of our closest allies, Melissa McFerrin Warrack, passed away. Melissa was a constant beacon of hope, optimism, and possibility. These attributes are sorely needed in our community, particularly at this moment, and Melissa will be dearly missed. On the brighter side – one of our core staff, Alanna Souza, welcomed a baby into the world, giving us all the opportunity to reflect upon why we do this work. Congratulations Alanna and Ian, you will be wonderful parents. 

We are happy to announce that the County of Kaua’i has committed funding and has hired an Early Childhood Education, bringing this cycle of Alanna’s program to a close. In the meantime, our work in Maternal and Child Health will continue under Leah Ho’s coordination. Leah has demonstrated her excellence and unwavering commitment to supporting the well-being of mothers and children on Kaua‘i. We hope to continue our solid partnership with the Department of Health Family Health Services through next year for this program to continue its critical work providing information kiosks, child safety training, child abuse and neglect prevention, and resource navigation.

KPAA also welcomed a new Kaua‘i Resilience Project Coordinator, Heather Lebrun, to the team. Heather brings the ideal mix of knowledge and experience to drive the Kaua‘i Resilience Project forward. She has infused the initiative with fresh energy and optimism and we are excited about its future under her leadership. 

The Kaua‘i Resilience Project will pivot to focus more deeply on the social determinants of health and helping Kaua‘i youth to thrive into adulthood by connecting them with pathways to financial, physical, and mental health and success. Living on Kaua‘i, particularly now, comes with a complex set of challenges. Our youth and young adults need our support more than ever in order to have a viable future on our island, where the psychological and financial stress of breaking even has reached historic highs.

Last but not least, after six years at KPAA, I have chosen to step down as President and CEO. Our Board has begun the search for a new leader and I am excited about the future for KPAA with renewed energy. 

Since our founding in 2002, KPAA has continually adapted and evolved to reflect the needs of the community, the interests of our leadership, and the opportunities that come our way. From Diane Zachary’s thorough planning to Marion Paul’s achievements with Keiki to Career, and my own work for the organization, the throughline has always been partnership and collaboration. This is what sets us apart from other approaches to social or other systemic changemaking. As the saying goes, “If you want to go far, go together.” In that spirit, I will pass the torch to a new leader. Thanks to the generosity and support of our community partners and donors, we can continue to move forward through new changes and challenges, as we have done for the past 23 years.