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, used 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 • ticket manager for 9 Jazz and Blues festivals • manager of online ticket sales for 7 of the 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
-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
Laurence B. Irwin
Experienced attorney/Staff Relations/Program Manager with an extensive background in: government sector labor, EEOC and NLRB administrative agency actions, contract, workers’ compensation, military, insurance defense, business license and taxation, insurance portfolio management, freedom of information act, aviation, intelligence law, regulatory compliance, unemployment and ethics law as well as general corporate law and conduct and supervision of internal and external employee investigations. Trusted advisor and leader with nine years of experience as an Assistant General Counsel. Licensed to practice law in Nevada as well as the Ninth Circuit and United States Supreme Court. Advanced Law (LL.M.)and Business (MBA) education, certified mediator.
Keolis Transit America- (May 2022-present)
Labor Relations Director
Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (December 2017- October 2020)
Program Manager and Staff Relations
National Security Technologies, LLC (December 2011- December 2017)
Senior Counsel/Employee and Labor Relations Manager
Nevada National Guard (1996-2011)
Attorney Advisor, State Judge Advocate, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, Graduate Student
Education
California Western School of Law, J.D., San Diego, California, 1993
Morrison University, Reno, Nevada, MBA, Summa Cum Laude, 2007
Army Judge Advocate General’s School, LL.M, Military Law, Charlottesville, Virginia, 2002
San Diego State University, B.A., San Diego, California, 1984
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.