Board of Directors
Who We Are
NT Dottie “Georgette Kyser“
Board Member and Kupuna Advisor
My name is NT Dottie “ Georgette Kyser “ a kanaka maoli, born and raised in Opihikao, Puna. My parents are Gabriel L. Kealoha lll from Kaimu, Hawaiʻi and Mary K. Makuakane from Opihikao, Hawaiʻi. I had 4 brothers and 3 sisters, who all live in lower Puna. My husband is Michael W. Kyser SR, a son, Michael Jr, 2 daughters, Nikki K. Florendo, daughter Jayden Florendo and Nina K. Lominario , “ Dwayne Lominario “, daughter Destiny Lominario and son Dwayne Jr. Lominario.
Our hale in Leilani and now Maku’u Homestead has been a gathering place for our ʻohana and friends. Our doors are always open for those that need a safe place, a friend to talk story, come get a hug or just to hang out. We continue to practice our cultural traditions and teach our keiki’s, mo'opuna and whoever comes over to help. My passion has alway been to help anyone in their time of need.
Our kupuna and keiki are an important aspect in my life. I was the vice Chairman/President from 2/8/2019 until 1/14/2024 of Pōhaku Pelemaka and I am now a Board of Director and Kupuna Advisor.
Jannette Pelton
Board Treasurer
Aloha, I am Jannette Eboa Pelton and I was born in the Philippines. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce in the Philippines and bring over ten years of accounting experience to my work.
After relocating to Hawaiʻi Island in 2014, I continued my career in financial management. Since 2017, I have served as the Fiscal Officer of Kua O Ka Lā PCS and currently manage several bookkeeping clients. I also have six years of experience handling the financial records for nonprofit Ho‘oulu Lāhui.
I am actively involved in community service and have served as the Treasurer for the Hilo Visayan Club from 2020 to 2025. I am married to Leimana Pelton and am a proud mother of two sons, Nino and Nico. I am passionate about serving my community and supporting organizations through strong financial stewardship
Mina Viritua
Vice President
Ano ai me ke aloha nui, ‘o Mina Viritua Jr. ko‘u inoa. No Hilo a me Puna mai au. Na ka hau o Mauna Kea ku‘u ni‘o, na ke ahi o Mauna Loa ku‘u mole, o nā kai a me nā kahawai mai Hakalau a hiki aku i Pohoiki kahi o nā ‘āina i hānai a mālama mai iā‘u, a o Lehia ku‘u one hānau.
My name is Mina Viritua Jr. I am a kupa of Hilo a me Puna on Moku o Keawe and a father of three pua. I am the keiki of Mina Viritua Sr and Mahina Salave‘a and the ‘iwi of my tūpuna rest in Kahali’i Kalaoa, ‘Opihikao ma Puna, Miloli’i i Kona hema, Maupiti ma Tahiti and Leone ma Sāmoa. I am the youngest of 5 Kāne and a proud graduate of Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Keaukaha, Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, HawCC, UH Hilo and UH Mānoa. Rooted in the essence of my ‘āina kūpuna, ‘ohana, and communities has shaped, nurtured, inspired and afforded me the blessing to be raised and immersed in the richness of the Hawaiian language, culture and lifestyle like surfing, farming, fishing, hoe wa‘a, diving, animal husbandry, lei making, hula, arts, craft, and mālama ‘āina/kai. These experiences have not only forged a profound connection to myself, my ‘ohana, community and my function/purpose but also fostered strong bonds with our ecological communities mai uka a i kai that continues to guide my life path.
Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, I gained a deeper appreciation for my ‘Āina Aloha of Hilo/Puna. My life's journey was elevated upon welcoming the blessing of my first keiki which marked my return home to Moku o Keawe and rekindling my passion for serving in aloha ‘āina.From 2020 to 2023, I've had the privilege of spearheading undergraduate programs at the University of Hawaii at Hilo in the Pacific Internet Program for Exploring Sciences. This program serves as a conduit for guiding and inspiring local and kanaka ʻōiwi from Hawai‘i and the Pacific on pathways centered on self-discovery, academic study, and career pursuits focused on nurturing island resources and fortifying resilient communities.
Building upon my kuleana and passion for cultivating resilient communities, the opportunity arose to participate in the Economic Recovery Corps Fellowship in 2024. I started ‘Āina Aloha Management LLC with the goal of supporting community driven economic development initiatives to increase economic opportunities for Hawaiians to connect their own kuleana, passion(s), and inherited and acquired mana to career pathways in Puna. My commitment lies in ensuring the legacy of my kūpuna lives through the perpetuation of Hawaiian cultural practices, language, knowledge, lifestyle, and Hawaiian identity in communities across Puna and Hawaiʻi pae ʻāina. With a profound sense of responsibility, I strive to safeguard my ancestral lands and communities from harm, expose the prolonged illegal occupation of Hawaii by the US, preserve Hawaiian ways of living and foster prosperity for generations to come.
E holo mua, ʻaʻohe hope e hoʻi ai. Aloha!
Yoshito L'Hote
Board President/Chair
Aloha, my name is Yoshito L'Hote,
I am currently the CEO for a non-profit, 'Aina Ho'okupu o Kilauea and I currently reside in Kalihiwai, Kaua'i. I am also the current President/Chair of Pōhaku Pelemaka since October 2022.
I am married to Jennifer Waipa, from Kapa'ahu, Puna, Hawaiʻi and have three adult children, Malu, Kalei, and Ililani who were all born in Koaʻe, Puna. I lived in Puna, in Koa'e, Kapoho from 1993 until 2008. I have raised my kids in Puna makai, in a place that provided for us and now it is time for me to give back.
I manage the Kīlauea Ag Park which consists of 45-acres. We focus on sustainability of food crops, animal husbandry and supplying local stores and families with food on a weekly basis.
Jennifer Waipa
Board Secretary
Aloha. My name is Jennifer Waipa. My connection to Puna comes from my grandfather who was born and raised in Kapaʻahu. While I was born in California, I was raised by extended ʻohana in Keaukaha and Panaewa, Hawaiʻi. In 1995, I graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with a Bachelor of Arts in both Anthropology and Speech & Communications. I worked at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park as an Archaeologist in the Cultural Resource Management Division for several years prior to moving to Kauaʻi where I worked as the Visitor Services Manager for the Kilauea Point National Refuge and from which I have recently retired. I currently reside in Kalihiwai, Kauaʻi and serve on the Board as Secretary of Pōhaku Pelemaka. I am married to Yoshito and have three adult children, Maluhia, Kaleiokalanakila, and ʻIliani who were all born in Koaʻe, Puna, which was home base while my grandfather harvested hala.
Leina’ala Makuakane Kaualalena Kealoha
Board Member
Aloha, my name is Leina’ala Makuakane Kaualalena Kealoha. I was born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island. I am the third of four daughters. My father is John David Kaualalena Kealoha and mother is Gail Bee Holland. I want to ensure that the places I grew up in are going to be there for the future generations. I am passionate about Aloha ʻĀina and I love to spend time with my family.
I graduated from Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School in 2008 and I was part of the first year of students who started with the school. I am a part of the 2nd graduating class in 2009. I participated in many years of Makahiki celebration, Arbor Day, Earth day, and many other events.
I teach Lauhala weaving. I have been working at Pahoa Elementary School for over 15 years and I have been a part of Pōhaku Pelemaka since 2019 and served as the treasurer until 2022. I now serve as a Board of Director for Pōhaku Pelemaka. I am also the Treasurer for Nanawale Community Association.
Mikey Kyser
Program Technician
Aloha, my name is Michael W Kyser Jr., “Mikey” a kanaka maoli, born and raised in Kalapana and Opihikao, Puna. My parents are Georgette (Kealoha) Kyser from Opihikao, Puna, Hawaiʻi and Michael Kyser Sr. from Kalapana, Puna, Hawaiʻi. I have two sisters, who both live in Puna makai. I grew up learning the traditional practices of lawaiʻa, mahi ʻai, music, and most of all, Aloha Nā ʻOhana. We spent a lot of time with all our families having parties and enjoying each other. I spent years on Mauna Kea as a kiaʻi with my ʻohana protecting our sacred Mauna from being desecrated. I also lived in North Dakota with our fellow cousins at Standing Rock to help protect their natural and aquatic resources. I strongly believe in equal rights for our Kanaka Maoli and indigenous peoples.
I served as the Vice President of Pōhaku Pelemaka from January to December 2024, preceding my mother who has been Vice Chair since 2019. I am the current Program Technician for Pōhaku Pelemaka. I'm also Hawaiʻi Island Representative for E Alu Pū within Kua ʻAina Ulu Auamo (KUA) and member of Nā Kai ʻEwalu. And I am a boardmember and President of Kahu ʻAina o Puna 501(c)3.
Leah Gouker
Board Member
Aloha mai kākou,
My name is Leah Gouker. My ʻohana moved to Pāhoa in 1990 when I was five years old. I am a grassroots community activist and a single mother of two girls, Maluhia and Hulali. I am a 12- year Dagger, and now work as a Social Studies teacher at my alma mater. I have a BA in Journalism and a Certificate in Peace Studies from UH Manoa, and a teaching certification from Kahoʻiwai. In addition to teaching, I work part-time as the Mentor for ʻAha Lamakū ʻOiaʻiʻo, and administrative assistant for Kealoha Estate. I also have a small business making skin care products using noni. My daughters and I are ʻōlapa in Hālau Hula Te Haʻa Lehua under Kumu Hula Kauilani Almeida.
I am wholly dedicated to the betterment of my community through social, environmental, political, and economic justice for Kanaka Maoli. I was the secretary and now member of the board of directors for Pōhaku Pelemaka.
Makani Gregg
Program Coordinator
Hui! aloha mai! I am Makani Gregg. Daughter to Tony and Pilahi Gregg, sister to Molena and Keola, and aunty to many. I am originally from Kailua and Waimānalo, Oʻahu and moved here to Hawaiʻi in 2005 for college at UH Hilo. I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Marine Science in 2010 and Masters of Science in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science in 2013. I worked with Leila Kealoha at Kua O Ka Lā PCS from 2013-2015. Then worked at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in Natural Resource Management Divsion as the botanical field and data technician from 2016 to 2024.
I am fortunate to still live in Pohoiki with my daughter while my parents live in Makuʻu Hawaiian Homestead. I started Kahauliuli LLC which highlights my passion in art design and printing. I am a member of Halau ʻOhiʻa and Nā Kai ʻEwalu.
I was the Treasurer of Pōhaku Pelemaka from 2020-2024 and now program coordinator because I want to auamo kuleana as a resident of Puna. And I believe in the mission and vision of Pōhaku Pelemaka.
Leila Kealoha
Executive Director
Aloha, my name is Leila Kealoha and I am the daughter of John David and Gail Kealoha. I have three sisters and I was born and raised in Puna makai. I am married to my husband Jonathan and we have two sons, Thomas Makua and Joseph Poepoe. We reside in Makuʻu Hawaiian Homesteads where we relocated from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
My husband and I founded Ke Aloha ‘Aina Foundation, LLC in 2016 to service the needs of landowners in forestry, agriculture and natural and cultural resource management through culturally appropriate and sensitive land management opportunities. My passion is to ensure that our places we grew up in are protected, preserved and held in perpetuity for our keiki and for the seven generations to come.
I was a teacher for 17 ½ years servicing our keiki in Puna with Kua O Ka Lā PCS. I have my teaching license in Science and natural resources, grades 6-12, which I received through Halau Wanana, UH-Hilo. I have received two Associates degrees at Hawaiʻi Community College in Liberal Arts and Tropical Forest Ecosystems and Agroforestry Management (Forest TEAM), my Bachelor's degree from Ashford University in Environmental Studies and my Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Chaminade.
I was the President/Chair of Pōhaku Pelemaka from 2019 -2022 and now I am the current Executive Director.
