KCAI BOARD & COMMUNITY LIAISON
Makalapua Kanuha, President Makalapua has
Tara Apo, Vice President, Tara is the daughter of
Rose Soon, Director Rose Soon is the daughter of Nick Soon, Kaupō’s most notable entrepreneur in prestatehood times, who constructed the Kaupō General Store in 1925 and built Kaupō’s first Model-T car—even before there was a road to drive it on! Aunty Rose, now in her late 90’s, fondly recalls growing up in Kaupō and attending the Kaupō School. She is retired after more than 30 years as a customs officer on the mainland and now serves as our board’s historian. She has spent many years gathering old photographs, family histories, and traditional stories about Kaupō.
Sam Aina, Director Sam Aina has strong family ties to Kaupō and his ancestors were among those who built the original school and church building at Mokulau, Kaupō. Sam was born on O’ahu in 1950 , baptized at Huialoha Church, and raised in Kaupō. Sam attended Kamehameha Boys School and Kaupō School, and also attended Leeward Community College where he majored in business law. Sam is retired from the Hāna Post Office and resides in Kaupō where he is known for his efforts to protect our precious marine resources, and for his role as caretaker of the historic Huialoha Church.
ancestral ties to Kaupō and her family has lived on their ‘āina in Naopu‘u for many generations. Makalapua is the wife of Cornelio Bancaco, a retired Maui County Fire Capt, and together they have a blended family of eight children, and 16 grandchildren. Building community through “Sense of Place” is Makalapua’s passion. Among Makalapua’s many contributions to her community has been her volunteer service on a number of community boards. Makalapua has been recognized for her outstanding service and leadership at both the community and county level.
Kawehi Apo and the granddaughter of Kauhi and Barbara Apo. She comes from the Ke‘ike ‘ohana of Niumalu and the Apo ‘ohana of Mikimiki. Her family has been in Kaupō for many generations. Tara was a boarder student at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus from the seventh through twelfth grade, then ventured to New York for college. She is currently studying Sustainable Science Management at UH Maui, and works with the Sierra Club Maui Group on community stream monitoring. Tara joined the board in late 2021 and is our newest member.
