
Staff & Board

Pwo Navigator
Kālai Waʻa
Shorty Bertelmann
Bio coming soon...

Pwo Navigator
Kālai Waʻa
Chadd 'Onohi Paishon
Chadd `Onohi Paishon was born in Papakolea and raised on the island of Oahu in Pauoa, Waikiki, Nanakuli, Hau'ula, and Laie. Chadd is a musician, sailor, cook, educator, husband, uncle, and friend. At a very young age, he was inspired by stories of his ancestors voyaging, on their canoes, to come to the Hawaiian islands and thrive as a people. He was then able to grow and learn from many, in his community, regarding the importance of our culture. He was invited to become a crew member onboard Hokule`a and has been able to be a part of the voyaging 'ohana and learn from heroes. He assisted in the building of several voyaging canoes and will continue to do what has been asked and tasked of him. To share what he has learned with all that come to the wa`a, our community, and our ohana. Chadd's role with Na Kalai Wa`a started with the building of Makali`i in 1994 and eventually being asked to sail aboard her maiden voyage in 1995. He has been a crew member, captain, and navigator onboard Makali'i ever since. Chadd has been involved in the education programs that continue to this day, but most importantly, he has been able to witness firsthand what can happen when our community comes together.
Hoʻokele Papahana

Hoʻokele - Executive Director
Chadd 'Onohi Paishon
Chadd `Onohi Paishon was born in Papakolea and raised on the island of Oahu in Pauoa, Waikiki, Nanakuli, Hau'ula, and Laie. Chadd is a musician, sailor, cook, educator, husband, uncle, and friend. At a very young age, he was inspired by stories of his ancestors voyaging, on their canoes, to come to the Hawaiian islands and thrive as a people. He was then able to grow and learn from many, in his community, regarding the importance of our culture. He was invited to become a crew member onboard Hokule`a and has been able to be a part of the voyaging 'ohana and learn from heroes. He assisted in the building of several voyaging canoes and will continue to do what has been asked and tasked of him. To share what he has learned with all that come to the wa`a, our community, and our ohana. Chadd's role with Na Kalai Wa`a started with the building of Makali`i in 1994 and eventually being asked to sail aboard her maiden voyage in 1995. He has been a crew member, captain, and navigator onboard Makali'i ever since. Chadd has been involved in the education programs that continue to this day, but most importantly, he has been able to witness firsthand what can happen when our community comes together.

Hoa Hoʻokele - Business Manager
Lehua Dircks Ah Sam, M.A.
Bio coming soon...
Kākoʻo Papahana

Kaʻi ʻAukai - Program Lead
Keala Kahuanui
Keala Kahuanui was raised in Waimānalo, now thriving in Puʻukapu, Waimea. She is a cook on the Hawaiian voyaging canoe Makali’i. She and her crew are committed to providing food provisions for voyages from home on Hawaiʻi island. Keala continues to learn and teach ancient and modern food preservation methods to maintain this practice of food sustainability for wa’a (canoe) and moku (island). She has been a crew member since 2000. Experience: Crew Member on Makali'i - Hana Taro Festival 2001 Crew Member, Cook & Quartermaster on Alingano Maisu - Ku Holo Mau 2007 Crew Member & Cook on Makali’i - Sail for Papa Mau 2010 Crew Member, Cook & Watch Captain - Malama Honua Hokule’a 2014 Crew Member, Cook & Quartermaster on Makali’i - Malama Honua 2017 Crew Member, Program Coordinator & Cook on Makali'i - Hanauna Ola 2019 Constellations Fellow & Project Director - Hanauna Mau 2023-2024

Kaʻi ʻAukai - Casual (Captains/Vessel Maintenance)
Keali'i Maielua
Bio coming soon...

Kaʻi ʻAukai - Program Lead
Mike Manu
Bio coming soon...

Kaʻi ʻAukai - Program Lead
Kalei Sine
Bio coming soon...

Executive Assistant
Leimana Spencer
Bio coming soon...

Kaʻi ʻAukai - Communications Lead
Puanani Faleofa
Bio coming soon...
Papa Alakaʻi (Board of Directors)

Board President
Brandi Beaudet
Brandi Beaudet is from Waimea. He lives on Hawaiian Homestead with his wife and two sons where they operate a small cattle ranch. He grew up on the ocean with a family of commercial fishermen and earned the privilege to be able to train, as a crew member, aboard Makali’i, about five years ago. The highlight of that beginning was that he got to train along side his son, who was 12 at the time. Brandi has a BA in Business Administration-Accounting and experience as a Project Manager and Land Use Planner.

Board Secretary
Pomai Bertelmann
Bio coming soon...

Board Vice President
Shorty Bertelmann
Bio coming soon...

Board Treasurer
Maʻulili Dickson
Bio coming soon...

Board Vice President
Kaimana Barcase
Bio coming soon...

Board Member
Deedee Bertelmann
Bio coming soon...

Board Member
Bonnie Kahapea
Kahapeʻa is from Kaneohe, Oahu. She first stepped foot aboard Makalii in 1995, Labor Day weekend in Kailua Kona and has been on the wa'a ever since. She immediately felt a strong connection to the wa'a and crew. For the last 28 years, she says "I have built my life on the wa'a". In 1996, she was a crew member on the Makali'i Statewide Sail, and in 1999 she sailed as watch captain for the E Mau - Sailing the Master Home voyage, and the 2019 voyage Hanauna Ola. Kaheape'a achieved her BA in Hawaiian Studies from UH Hilo, MS in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University, and MA in Transformative Learning and Change from California Institute of Integra Studies. She passed on the foundation and knowledge gained at NKW and Makalii by helping to establish a coastal sailing canoe and education program on Oahu at Hālau Kū Mana Public School. In 2014 the non-profit Kanehunamoku Voyaging Academy was created, and for the last 21 years, Kanehunamoku has worked with schools to provide waʻa education in our communities.

Board Member
Nate Hendricks
More Coming Soon

Board Member
Kala Akima-Akau
More Coming Soon