Dr. Mālia Purdy, a leader in the field of public health and community empowerment, serves as the Executive Director of Hui No Ke Ola Pono (HNKOP), a prominent organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness within the Native Hawaiian community. Her journey towards leadership in health advocacy began with a deep-rooted connection to her Hawaiian heritage and a passion for social justice. Armed with a PhD in Public Health and an MPH specializing in Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health, she embarked on a career devoted to uplifting underserved communities, particularly focusing on integrating traditional Hawaiian healing practices with modern healthcare methodologies.

HNKOP offers a wide array of culturally sensitive services ranging from preventive care to chronic disease management emphasizing community engagement and collaboration, recognizing the inherent wisdom within indigenous knowledge systems. With a profound commitment to indigenous health initiatives and cultural revitalization, Dr. Purdy has spearheaded numerous impactful programs aimed at addressing health disparities and fostering holistic well-being. Her unwavering commitment to the well-being of her community, coupled with her innovative strategies and cultural humility, continues to inspire positive change and empower individuals to reclaim their health and heritage.

Cory Lehano, PharmD, CDCES, was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu. Since earning his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2015, Cory has been deeply committed to serving his community through the practice of pharmacy.

In 2018, Cory embarked on a transformative journey by founding Mauliola Pharmacy, a beacon of health and wellness nestled within the heart of Maui. With a vision to provide personalized care and integrate moʻomeheu within his practice, Cory has cultivated a warm and welcoming environment where patients feel heard, valued, and supported on their personal healthcare journey.

Driven by a desire to expand his impact and address broader health and cultural wellness needs on Maui, Cory further solidified his commitment to the well-being of his community by founding Nohona Health Inc in 2022. Through this innovative venture, Cory aims to empower individuals to take control of their health and live their best lives by offering comprehensive health management services and promoting preventive care strategies by integrating traditional Hawaiian practices.

With a deep-rooted passion for improving the health and quality of life for his community, Cory continues to be a trusted and respected figure in the field of pharmacy. His unwavering dedication to excellence, coupled with his genuine compassion for others, has earned him the admiration and gratitude of countless individuals throughout Maui and beyond. As he continues to pave the way for a healthier future, Cory remains steadfast in his commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, one prescription, one patient, at a time.

My name is Maricel Abad, and I am the Assistant Supervisor for Maui County Public Health Nursing section/ Maui District Health Office. I grew up and currently live on Maui. I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing from University of Hawaii at Manoa. My master’s degree is specifically in Public Health Nursing. Since 2002, I have been Public Health Nurse with the Hawaii State Department of Health. I worked approximately 14 years on Oahu as a Public Health Nurse in the Honolulu and Waipahu area. Then returned home to raise my son and live closer to family. I have a lot of experience with working in the community with schools, individuals, families, and groups. As a public health nurse, I worked a lot with the underserved, high risk, and vulnerable populations promoting health care services and advocating for health equity.

Elisabeth Gundersen is a nurse practitioner and one of the founders of Medspire, a non-profit free mobile clinic that was established after the 2018 Camp Fire devastated her community of Paradise, California. Together with her mother and sister (both nurses) and a team of local health care workers who sprang to action, she served in an evacuation shelter for the six weeks after the fire, providing care to more than 200 evacuees. From this initial disaster response, the idea for Medspire was born, to meet the immediate post-wildfire needs of the community that was left with only a limited health care infrastructure. She also works for the University of California San Francisco Division of Palliative Medicine as an inpatient hospice nurse practitioner, caring for hospitalized patients at the end of life and teaching serious illness communication workshops to medical & nursing students, residents and nurse practitioners. In her free time, she can be found outdoors- camping, backpacking and hiking with her husband & 2 year old son and tending to her backyard chickens.