Partners in Development Foundation: Meet Our Mentors

Meet Our Mentors

Bert Kanoa

Taro Lo‘i Cultivation Mentor Bert Kanoa, is a 1986 graduate of Kohala High School. He proudly served 4 years in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) as Chapter President and Hawaii State Sentinel. His early project was in Taro cultivation ... Learn more
Bronson Fuertes

Saddle Making Mentor Bronson Fuertes was born and raised in North Kohala, a graduate of Kohala High School and a partner in DC Enterprise Ohana, LLC, a ranching business in Makapala, North Kohala. He is currently employed by the County of Hawaii, Waste Management Division as a CDL type A Equipment Operator for the past 11 years. He was mentored ... Learn more
Billie Brown

Culinary Arts Mentor Billie was raised on Oahu and is a graduate of Farrington High School. Received a Bachelor of Education from University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is a High School Special education English Teacher for 35 years at Kohala High school and still counting. She wholeheartedly loves... Learn more
David B. Fuertes

Native Hawaiian Plant Propagation and Animal Husbandry Mentor David B. Fuertes, is a 1995 graduate of Kohala High School and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture Degree from the University of Hawaii at Hilo majoring in Animal Science and a minor in Plant propagation. He is employed by Shell Vacations LLC as Executive ... Learn more
Yvette (Kaui) Kealii Onalani Kathleen Nakamura

Hula Mentor Kaui has been mentoring for the past 4 years at the Kohala Intergeneration Center under the Ka Hana No`eau program. Her past studies of the Hula art began as a child under the direction of Kumu Patricia Kalaniumi Roxburgh, her mother ... Learn more
Lehua Matsuda

Sustainable Garden Mentor Lehua Akima Matsuda born and raised on the family Akima Farm where they raised pigs and were also vegetable producers supplying such markets as Cal Produce of Kona, Sure Save Supermarkets, KTA super stores, Safeway, etc. The family business was their lively hood while growing up and attending Kohala High and Elem. School. Lehua mentors her students at ... Learn more
Dennis Matsuda

Cultural Arts Mentor A lifelong resident of Kohala, Dennis resides in Kapaau with wife Lehua and grandsons Keoni and Onipa’a. He has recently retired from the County of Hawaii after 33 years in the Parks and Recreation Department. He served as a Recreation director in Kohala for 11 years and as District Supervisor for the N/S Kohala District for 22 years. He is a graduate of Kohala High School and has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Hawaii ... Learn more
Michael Salvador

Machinery Michael is 36 years old and was born and raised in North Kohala, and has lived in Halaula all his life.He graduated from Kohala High in 1991 and is a certified ATV instructor by the ATV Safety Institute. he currently works full time on the Mauna Kea golf course as an equipment ... Learn more