On July 21, 2017 the National Pacific American Leadership Institute (NAPALI) presented its 2017 Leadership Development Award to Kapi‘olani Community College (KCC) at the NAPALI ‘Ohana Night and Graduation at the Mānoa Grand Ballroom.  Accepting the award on behalf of KCC was Louise Pagotto, Interim Chancellor.

 National Pacific American Leadership Institute (NAPALI)

NAPALI is unique in that it is the only leadership program in the nation that focuses on producing a network of Pacific American servant leaders skilled in public policy making and committed to working together with counterparts at the community, state and national levels in order to effectively address and resolve the economic, educational, housing and health difficulties and hardships experienced by large numbers of Pacific Americans.  The first annual training program was held at the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont, California, in 1998.  In 2000, the training program was moved to Hawai‘i and since its inception has completed 21 training sessions with 300 graduates, who have moved on to serve their Pacific American communities.

NAPALI Leadership Development Award

The NAPALI Leadership Development Award, named in honor of Wanda J. Kamahele, who generously financed through the Geneva Foundation the launch and continued success of the leadership program, recognizes an individual or organization that not only has significantly improved the lives of Pacific Americans but more importantly has also supported the development of emerging Pacific American servant leaders.

Kapi‘olani Community College

 NAPALI is pleased to award the 2017 Wanda J. Kamahele Leadership Development Award to Kapi‘olani Community College (KCC).  KCC has spearheaded efforts to help students, many of which are Pacific Americans, ready themselves for college through its Kahikoluamea program.  The program’s name means lashing together three canoes for stability and strength.  In this respect, the college integrates first year experience, i.e Mālama Hawai‘i, and fundamental academic skills delivered in English reading and writing and in mathematics courses preparatory for college level work.  Like NAPALI, KCC is well aware that education is the pathway for underserved groups like Pacific Americans to improve their socio-economic status.

In addition, KCC has demonstrated a strong commitment to the continued development of Pacific American servant leaders in its long-standing support of NAPALI’s Pacific American Emerging Leaders Program.  In this regard, KCC has generously allowed the Program to use its educational facilities for the annual weeklong residential training program in Hawai‘i.  By doing so, KCC has provided in kind support vital to the continued operation and success of the program.

NAPALI staff and faculty are all volunteers and like KCC generously kōkua in order to empower our Pacific American communities to lead, develop and implement programs that improve the lives of their people.  KCC is a shining light for these communities and NAPALI is pleased to honor KCC for its long-term and strong support of the Pacific American Emerging Leaders Program.

Members of the NAPALI Board of Directors, L to R: Dave Burge, Lawrence (Larry) Kamahele, and Heather Minton