Current and recent HIVM Board members

Denise Nakanishi, Chair – Major USAR, retired • Attorney and Realtor/Broker with Hawaii Life Realty • owns and manages two other small businesses in Hilo.

Jeremy (Jay) Kelley, Vice Chairman • Board Secretary 2011 to 2024 • US Navy enlisted vet,  operational flight simulators and link trainers for recurrent training of Naval Reserve pilots •   Acquired:   airline transport pilot license • FAA certified airplane and helicopter instructor • ground instructor • retired after 30 years of Alaska Bush flying.  created website, https://www.flyalaska.com 1999  • HIVM optional duties: website creator • tech support • text editor • graphics creator for various aspects of the annual Jazz and Blues Festivals •

Leonard Woods, Treasurer: Vietnam vet • Masters degree in Experimental Social Psychology • University of Utah (16 years): Administrative Faculty Director • Educational Equity Programs University of Nevada Reno (16 years) • Financial Aid Officer • TRiO Programs Director • University of Hawaii Hilo (14 years) • TRiO Programs Director • Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel CFO (4 years); WESTOP President-Elect (1 year), WESTOP President (1 year), WESTOP Past-President (1 year); Pacific Island TRIO Chapter President (2 years) • Grant Writer (30 years) • Grant Writing Trainer and program reviewer (16 years).

Jim Wyban, PhD,  – Consultant and retired founder of Hawaii’s shrimp broodstock industry; creator of the highly successful “HIplan” business plan competition; and advisor to the UHH Business and Economics Department.

Reeve (Bob) Williams, Chairman Emeritus • USMC vet • retired USA Lt Col and VN combat-wounded vet • VFW and MOPH life member • retired Hi state DOE HS Counselor • community activist and environmental advocate.

Michael Doolittle Chairman Emeritus, Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc 2019 – 2024, Decorated Combat Infantry Platoon Sargent 1962 – 1970 • Formula II Grand Prix Driver 1970Formula II Grand Prix Driver 1970 •  Firefighter • Paramedic • Engineer @ Piedmont Fire Department, Calif 1974 • 1978Owner Builder, Shipyard Cove Marina / San Juan Shipyards, San Juan Islands, Washington 1978 – 1992 • Captain, 100 Ton USCG License, Yacht Delivery Captain & Long Distance Ocean Sailor 1982 – 2012 • Senior VP, Barnhill Construction • Pre Cast Erections Builder Lincoln Financial Center, Bellevue Washington •
Successful Real Estate Developer @ Wallace & Wheeler Real Estate, Bellevue Washington • Owner, Mystic Palms Plantation – Veterans Vocational Training 2010 – Present • Board Member / Host Hakalau Farmers Market, Hakalau Hawaii • Chairman, Hawaii County Veterans Advisory Committee 2017 – Present • Vice Chairman, Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc 2017 – 2018 •• Chairman, The Wall That Heals – Hawaii County Committee 2023 -2025,

Andrew Iwashita, Attorney at Law • Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii  member and past President • Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association, instructor • father served as an interpreter in post-war Japan • Son serves as a weather officer in Air Force Reserve after active duty as a USAF weather officer.

David Minor Fireman ex0fficio , a full-time College student.

Joe Kamelamela Attorney at Law and Previous Corporation Council for Hawaii County.

George Sheridan – retired HI ARNG Col and VN combat vet • former G3 of the Hawaii Army Guard • USA War College graduate member VFW life member • Active member of VFW Post 3038 • member of the Hawaii Army National Guard Retirees’ Association.

Mike Singer – Founder/CEO Heartwood Pacific LLC, general contracting, commercial and residential • board member for Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1182 • board secretary for the General Aviation Council of Hawaii; various industry groups • aircraft owner and active instrument-rated pilot.

Mabel Waltjen De Silva  Deceased March 2025, widow of a USA combat vet, retired from COH • Member, Hawaii Civic Club • administered and managed the Hilo Elks Club • active in ball room dancing • Officer in Malama Oiwi Hawaii Health Care non-profit corporation • original founding member of HIVM and held various leadership positions.

Sonia Juvik, PhD – worked in COH Planning while also earning multiple graduate degrees here and in Australia before becoming a tenured Professor of Geography at UHH • expert in land use planning who has been instrumental in guiding HIVM successfully thru pre-development and gaining all land use entitlements • active member of Zonta Club of Hilo and AAUW.

Tom Fraternardo, Extensive experience in the Marine Corps and COH police operational planning, investigating, and logistics with diverse community involvement • skilled in communicating and dealing with conflict resolution with every socio-economic group in our Island community • environmentally committed to sustaining our natural resources.

Mary Strong Web master ex-officio
-14 years – Sole Proprietor: ‘Ekahi Design Graphic design, website development, and marketing
-6 years – St. Lawrence Arts Council Potsdam, NY
Graphic Design/Marketing/Website development
-3 years – North Country Management Ogdensburg, NY, Real Estate Appraiser Trainee / Office Manager
-Volunteer with Office of Mauna Kea Management
– Consultant at Seedcorn (1993 – 2004) Community-based, not-for-profit educational 501(c)(3) organization

Jeff Nason Work Experience: Cybersecurity Manager for Cybersecurity Program Management Office (CSPMO) August 2019- Present • United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), Fort Shafter, HI • Served as the project manager for planning, coordinating and procurement of communications assets throughout the Pacific theater • Supervised and led personnel in the development of mission plans for over 70 exercises and communications planning across multi-organizations and countries in the Pacific theater • Supervised and led personnel in the development of mission plans for over 70 exercises and communications planning across multi-organizations and countries in the Pacific theater • Senior Communications Officer August 2014 – July 2017 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, Fort Carson, CO •
Cyber Protection Team Lead August 2012 – August 2014 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Meade, MD •
Assistant Operations Officer July 2010 – August 2012 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, Fort Riley, KS •
Company Commander January 2009 – July 2010 Signal Company, 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, Fort Riley, KS.

Education
Western International University Phoenix, AZ December 2009 Master’s Degree Global Leadership • MA Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Edinboro, PA • May 2003 Bachelor’s Degree Physical Education Erie Business Center Erie, PA • December 1998 Associates’ Degree Computer Information Systems.

 Steven Bader, ex officio, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Washington • Worked as a College Counselor and Dean at Evergreen College • worked for the state Governor as a Special Projects Assistant before moving back to Hilo • Opened and operated the non-profit East Hawaii Homeless Coalition Shelter as their Executive Director • Worked for the UHH Vice Chancellor as her Executive Assistant • Successfully ran Gov Ige’s first Campaign on Island • worked for him as a Special Assistant • Respected versatile jazz drummer well known in Seattle and statewide in Hawaii • Producer of HIVM’s Jazz & Blues fundraisers for the past 10 years.