Linda Machado, Executive Director

Linda has been with HFAA since 1995 and held several positions beginning as a Parent Partner, Lead Supervisor, Youth Coordinator, Deputy Director and has now been at the helm of the organization as the Executive Director for the last few years.  Linda is a former foster parent for more than 26 years and many youth she fostered experienced emotional/behavioral or mental health challenges.  Linda's professional recognitions include being awarded the Family's Choice Award from the Special Parent Information Network (SPIN), being a former co-Chair with the Leeward Community Children's Council and a former Co-Trainer for Adoptees and Foster parents in the child welfare system.  Linda attributes her successes to her wonderful family network - her supportive husband, two darling daughters, six handsome grandsons and her newest love, "Sam" her bull mastiff! She enjoys working with the dedicated staff at HFAA and celebrates all the challenges that equate to success for children's mental health.

 

Charlene "Charlie" Daraban, Family Resource Specialist

Charlie is the mother of five children, now all grown adults. One of her children was diagnosed at the age of 12. Charlie has 16 grandchildren, 5 whom have challenges. Charlie was born on the island of Kauai and raised on Oahu since the age of two. She loves to dance and enjoys doing activities with her grandchildren and playing with her dogs and resides in Wahiawa. Charlie supervises HFAA's Parent Partners, coordinates their training curriculum and conducts many training and outreach activities in support of HFAA's mission.

 

Brende Ancheta, Kauai Parent Partner

Brende is from the island of Kauai and has been the Kauai Parent Partner for many years. As a single parent raising 3 sons with special needs, her parenting skills were constantly tested, resulting in what she describes as a 'higher level' of parenting. As a Parent Partner, Brende enjoys meeting new people and assisting parents and helping them understand their child's ability in learning. The collaboration on Kauai is special, HFAA, the Dept. of Education and the Dept. of Health have a great partnership in working together to help families succeed. Brende is very involved in the Kauai community, she is a member of the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC), Community Children's Council (CCC) and Dept. of Health Waiver Pac.

 

Nicole Bell, Leeward Oahu Parent Partner

Nicole is the Parent Partner for the Leeward Oahu area that serves Waipahu through the Waianae Coast. She has a daughter and son which she admirably adores! Her son has an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and attends SPED school, while her younger sibling also has an IEP and is tackling high school. Personally and professionally she is very familiar with the concerns and challenges parents may face while advocating for their child's success, in and out of an educational setting. She uses her own life experience to relate to parents and help them achieve their own success.

 

 

Carmen Bowman, Hilo/Puna Parent Partner

Carmen has been the Hilo/Puna Parent Partner for 10+ years. She has raised 2 sons and been a fixture at the Hilo Family Guidance Center, helping parents and families with her personal knowledge, community expertise and understanding.  Carmen has served on several task force and community committees and is compassionate about suicide prevention and raising awareness about bullying. She enjoys conducting parent trainings and raising mental health awareness.

 

Alice Bratton, Kona/Waimea Parent Partner

Alice is the Parent Partner for Kona/Waimea on the Big Island. In 1998, Alice moved to Kona from Tokyo, where she lived for nearly 20 years working as a teacher, teacher trainer and cross-cultural counselor. Since relocating to Kona, she's been a therapeutic foster parent and respite provider. Having parented children with extreme challenges, Alice believes that finding someone who truly understands what you are going through is the most nourishing thing in the world. She is very excited to part of an organization that helps create that experience for caregivers. She offers workshops, trainings and support groups in Kona and North Hawaii.

 

Crystal Brown, Project Kealahou - Peer Support Specialist

Crystal's bio information is coming soon...

 

Lani Carrillo, Project Kealahou - Parent Support Coordinator

Lani recently joined HFAA as the Parent Support Coordinator for Project Kealahou. The project focuses on providing support for girls ages 11-18 who have experienced significant trauma. Lani has her B.A. in Justice Administration with a focus on Juvenile Justice. Her professional experience includes working for various non-profit organizations (in collaboration with DHS, CWS, DOE, DOH & Family Court) that service and advocate for children and families. Lani is married with 3 children (1 in college, 1 in middle school & 1 in elementary). Her youngest child was diagnosed with a speech impairment at the age of 3. She also has a teenage nephew who has emotional/behavioral challenges and has been his strongest advocate/supporter throughout the years. Through her personal and professional experience she has learned to navigate the different service systems and in turn, assist other families. Lani has a passion to positively impact future generations by working with child serving agencies that support children and families.

 

Malia Daraban, Central Oahu Parent Partner

Malia has been with HFAA since 2006, as the Central Oahu Parent Partner. She is the mother of three boys, two of which have challenges. Malia utilizes her own personal experience to help families and caregivers navigate through the system of care by providing workshops, support groups and out reach in her community. She finds great satisfaction in helping families help themselves and enjoys celebrating their success. She enjoys going to the beach with her family, reading and writing.

 

Tara Du Bose, Lanai Parent Partner

Tara is the Parent Partner for the island of Lanai. She will be providing support groups and workshops in Lanai City, please check our Upcoming Events page periodically for her schedule.

 

Friter Ham, Micronesian Parent Partner

Friter is our other Micronesian Parent Partner. He will focus on providing support groups and workshops for the Micronesian population and is in the process of collaboration to translate many of HFAA's resources into the various native languages of this special population.

 

Krystalynn Kado, Project Kealahou - Peer Support Specialist

Krystalynn is a recent graduate of Kapolei High School and is currently enrolled in Leeward Community College where she was studying to become a pharmacist. However, her work with HFAA and a recent family tragedy has led her to pursue a career in psychiatry, specializing in working with troubled youths. While Krystalynn has no official credentials, she feels that as a youth working through her own obstacles, she's suited to connect with, work with, and represent the girls in Project Kealahou.

 

Leinaala Launiu, Youth Specialist Coordinator

Leinaala is the Youth Specialist Coordinator for Hawaii Youth Helping Youth's Big Island branch. She grew up in Keaukaha on the East side of the Big Island.  After graduation from Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama, she began her post-high education focused in on Psychology and Education in Oregon.  She later chose to focus on one area of study and have recently graduated with my BA in Psychology from Brigham Young University - Hawaii in 2010. She is a wife and a mother of three children, two boys and a girl.  Her oldest son, Kalena, was diagnosed with having a speech delay and possible signs of autism at the age of 18 months.  It is through her son that she feels reassured with her career and education in Psychology, especially since he has recently been diagnosed as having Pervasive Developmental Disorder (NOS).  Leinaala's passion has always been to help the families, particularly the children and youth, of Hawaii nei.  I am very greatful to be apart of an organization that has that same passion.

 

Shanelle Lum, Public Policy/Information Specialist

As the Public Policy/Information Specialist, Shanelle handles the legislative initiatives for HFAA. She also produces HFAA News, our quarterly newsletter and manages the hfaa.net website. Being a proud mother of 3 children, one diagnosed with Autism and Epilepsy, has helped Shanelle turn her personal struggle with her child's diagnosis into a fulfilling and rewarding career working alongside those who share the cause. Having a child or children with any diagnosis is often a frightening experience and it's comforting to know that there are many people out there who can relate and that organizations like HFAA help lead the way to mental wellness.

 

Donna Makaiwi, Youth Programs Coordinator

Donna is the Youth Programs Coordinator, overseeing the efforts of Hawaii Youth Helping Youth. She also chairs the local Children's Mental Health Matters Campaign Committee (CMHMCC) which is a collaborative effort to raise awareness about children's mental health.  In addition to that Donna serves on several committees, councils and task groups that promote mental health for children and youth. Donna is the mother of four children, ages 16-25, one of which was diagnosed with Bipolar as a teen. She is also a former foster parent and current legal guardian to three children, all of whom have varying diagnoses and challenges.

 

Clarita "Nani" Maikui, Molokai Parent Partner

Nani is the Parent Partner for the island of Molokai. She works closely with families and is able to provide them with support, technical assistance and resource information. She likes facilitating informational workshops and support groups to her close knit community on Molokai.  As a parent herself, Nani enjoys working with families, especially children and learning from others while sharing her own personal experiences. She is priveleged to work with HFAA knowing that the information provided helps all families and children with disabilities.

 

Kristina Nardo, Project Kealahou - Peer Support Specialist

Kristina recently joined HFAA as a Peer Support Specialist and will be providing peer to peer supports for girls via Project Kealahou. Her biography information will be coming soon...

 

Caren Pantezzi, Maui Parent Partner

Caren serves as the Maui Parent Partner, working closely with the Maui Family Guidance Center.  She is the mother of 2 sons and has experience navigating the system on behalf of her children. Caren strives to raise awareness and participates in many community taks force initiatives and work groups that help children with challenges.  She also coordinates many outreach and resource activities and is a seasoned pro in doing presentations on behalf of HFAA. Caren is very knowledgable and enjoys meeting and helping new people through sharing her own experiences.

 

Esther Puna-Fonoti, Office Manager

Esther is the Office Manager and also the friendly voice you'll hear when you call our office.  Esther handles the day to day office operations and is the backbone of the organization. She is also a certified Common Sense Parenting (CSP) Trainer and conducts CSP workshops all over the island.  During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.

 

Kim Rivera, Family Court Parent Partner/Youth Program Assistant

Kim provides program assistance to HYHY and serves as the Parent Partner for the Family Court program. In addition, she is also a member of the Special Parent Information Network (SPIN) Advisory Board and the Children's Mental Health Matters Campaign Committee (CMHMCC). Kim is a mother and grandmother who has an interest and compassion for people from all walks of life. Together with her husband, they have cared for and overcome obstacles they've experienced with their own children and former foster children (now adopted) with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. Kim enjoys Hawaiian music and hula, decorating for parties and "treasure hunting" at garage sales and thrift shops!

 

Antonette Tulenkun, Honolulu Parent Partner

"Nette" has three sons, which were all in the system of care at one time. Her youngest child still receives services and it was because of her own sons that she decided to change careers from an Administrative Management focus into full time mom/advocate to be able to support her children's challenges. She has never regretted her choice and credits the ability to manage her children's endeavors with the help of her faith and all those who came before her and taught her about the system of care.  Nette's goal is to support the families with as much knowledge and know how that was provided to her family and offer that support when they need it. She hopes that what she passes on to families will help them not only help themselves, but help others too.

 

 

 

Our Staff