Meet KCAI's Leadership

Makalapua Kanuha

Makalapua Kanuha, President Makalapua has 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.

Taro Apo

Tara Apo, Vice President, Tara is the daughter of 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.

Rose Soon

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

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.

Tyler Galigo

Tyler Galigo, Secretary Tyler Kauikeaouli Galigo was born and raised in Waimea, Hawai‘i but his ‘ohana originally comes from Hāna, Maui. While living on the Big Island, Tyler danced for Hālau O Kekuhi—deepening his understanding of Hawaiian culture and heritage which became his passion. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 2013 and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian language to become a kumu ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i. Tyler moved to Maui in 2018 and fell in love with the moku of Kaupō and all of its wonderful beauty. Tyler continues to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and ‘ōlelo wherever he goes.

Elise Moniz

Elise Moniz, Treasurer Elise Moniz was born and raised on Maui and is the granddaughter of famed Kaupō entrepreneur Nick Soon. Her childhood memories include learning how to work in her grandfather’s store, Kaupō Store, and carefully packing merchandise to make the rugged three and a half hour journey to town. She has more than a decade of accounting and contract management experience and is currently a personnel assistant in the Department of Water Supply. She has been an active USTA tennis player and member for 25 years. She has also been a volunteer at the Wailuku Junior Tennis Club for 15 years.

Lori Lett

Lori Lett, Director Lori is a strong believer in giving back to community, and has always contributed to the communities where she’s lived. She and her husband Gary moved to Kaupō in early 2020 and have since developed a deep aloha for this special place and its people. Lori brings to KCAI a wealth of experience in nonprofit governance, community building, home design and construction, farming, and catering and event management. Lori has served as a volunteer for many organizations with national and international reach. Her service-oriented, “can do” attitude is an invaluable asset to KCAI and our community.

Kauwila Hanchett

Kauwila Hanchett, Community Liaison Kauwila is the daughter of Mike and Carla Hanchett, and the grandaughter of Muriel “Babes” Haia & John Ikua Hanchett of Hāna, Maui. Her grandmother’s ancestry is tied to Kaupō, and she was raised on the ‘āina where she currently resides with her husband and daughter in Manawainui, Kaupō. Kauwila graduated with a degree in Hawaiian education and has spent the past 10 years growing community-based nonprofits. She is the Executive Director of Hōlani Hāna, a nonprofit focused on perpetuating Hawaiian cultural practices and landscapes.