Meet our team

Executive Director Joylynn Paman

Joylynn Paman offers a well-rounded cultural perspective to the Kimokeo Foundation and has a Hawaiian family history on Maui that lasts for generations. In 1994, she graduated from Kamehameha and continued her education at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo where she received her Bachelors in Marine Science with an emphasis in Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies in 1998. For over 25 years, she has been fluent in the Hawaiian language and she and her husband are currently raising their three children in Hawaiian immersion schools. Mrs. Paman spends a majority of her time caring for her family and volunteering for Maui’s Hawaiian immersion programs.

She has been Executive Director of ‘Ao‘ao O Nā Loko I‘a O Maui, a non-profit organization that is revitalizing a Native Hawaiian fishpond in South Maui since 2008 and has been associated with this organization since 1997. She has also served environmental education leadership roles at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Maui Invasive Species Committee and NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Throughout her work and volunteerism, Mrs. Paman enjoys combining her love for the Hawaiian culture and language with the environment. She brings many non-profit leadership skills to the Kimokeo Foundation and became Executive Director of the Kimokeo Foundation in September 2019.

President Kimokeo Kapahulehua

Leonard Kimokeo Kapahulehua was born in 1947 on Kaua‘i’s west coast where he was an avid surfer, fisherman and outrigger canoe paddler. He was raised in a humble household in Port Allen camp where his family from Ni‘ihau often stayed and they enjoyed many family gatherings together. His parents radiated the aloha spirit to all they met, thus setting an example for Kimokeo. His family considered him “kōlohe” (rascal) during his formative years, hence he was given his nickname “Bully.” Much later in his life, he outgrew that lifestyle and used his middle name, Kimokeo, to reflect the warm, caring person that he has become. Always industrious, he worked during high school for Grayline Kaua‘i and eventually became manager of the company on Maui in 1970 where he raised his family.

While on Maui, he has been a part of various canoes clubs including Nā Kai ‘Ewalu, Mālama Ula (Wailea), and Kīhei Canoe Club. He has also been involved with many community organizations such as ‘Ao‘ao O Nā Loko I‘a O Maui, Hui O Wa‘a Kaulua, Mo‘okiha O Pi‘ilani, Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society, Pacific Cancer Foundation, Kīhei Youth Center, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s Advisory Council to name a few.

Vice President Nāpua Aloy

Nāpua Aloy was born and raised on Maui and attended the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Chaminade University and Maui Community College. She is currently a registered nurse at the Maui Memorial Medical Center Obstetrics Department. She is married to a Maui native and a mother of three talented children. Being part Hawaiian, she has been a recipient of many scholarships and opportunities. Mrs. Aloy and her children, have received Kamehameha School scholarships for their education and are blessed to live on leased land provided by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. All of these opportunities allowed her to obtain a higher education as well as afford to live on Maui.

Through the Kimokeo Foundation, she looks forward to giving back to her community. As Vice President, she will strive to carry out the Foundation’s vision which is to create a lasting legacy of preserving and perpetuating our Native Hawaiian culture, language, people and environment and she wants to provide this foundation for future generations. It is Mrs. Aloy’s hope that future generations will remember and cherish the place they call home and they will follow her example of giving back to Hawai‘i and her people.

Treasurer Michael Phillips

Michael Phillips is originally from California and moved to Maui in 1996 where he later retired in 2002. He has a daughter and a beautiful granddaughter. Mr. Phillips is a retired policeman and owner and operator of many companies including restaurant chains and a cellular phone chain in California. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Coconut’s Fish Café, a restaurant franchise found here on Maui and throughout the United States which began in 2009. Mr. Phillips and Kimokeo began a professional relationship as Kimokeo helped bless Coconut’s Fish Café in Maui. It didn’t take long before they created a tight bond and became good friends. Mr. Phillips listened to Kimokeo’s ideas of forming a foundation and he eventually became instrumental in getting the Foundation underway. As an owner of many successful businesses, Mr. Phillips has demonstrated his ability to manage large finances and he will do the same as Treasurer of the Kimokeo Foundation.

Director Brian Walsh

Brian Walsh was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended the University of Kentucky. Brian has been a serial entrepreneur most of his professional life. He owned and operated a Minuteman Press Printing franchise and set 3 sales records for the company. Brian later went into banking and worked at First Residential Mortgage, which was the largest independently owned mortgage company in the world, at that time. Brian was a Gold Level Producer (Top 100 out of 70,000) for Lending Tree for 2004, 2005 and 2006. Brian left the Mortgage Industry after the economic crash and founded International Energy Resources. While at IER he consulted on Renewable Energy Projects in Poland, Suriname, Cambodia, Vietnam and the United States. IER was acquired by the Hedge Fund Sheltowee LLC. Brian continued as CEO for IER and was later promoted to Partner of Sheltowee LLC. Brian left Sheltowee to work on independent projects in 2013. Since that time, Brian has launched 7 startups and consulted on many projects. Brian became a Partner of BioProducts LLC in 2018 and functioned as CEO until 2022. In addition to his professional career Brian has served on the Board of several non-profits and donates his time in entrepreneurial mentorships, public speaking and social activism.

Director Nāmomi McCorriston

Kumu Nāmomi McCorriston is Kawaikini’s Academic Director. She has taught preschool at Pūnana Leo o Kauaʻi as well as grades K-1 at the Kaiapuni elementary school level. Kumu Nāmomi holds a BA degree in Hawaiian Studies and an Elementary Teaching License from Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi, where she also served as the President of the Hawaiian Club. Kumu Nāmomi recently graduated from Chaminade University with a Masterʻs degree in Educational Administration and certification from Kahoʻiwai. She is a dedicated educator with a passion for teaching Hawaiian culture and language. Kumu Nāmomi is fluent in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. She has served two terms on the Governing Board. Nāmomi is a mother of four children and two grandchildren. Kumu Nāmomi was born and raised on the island of Kaua‘i and currently resides in Anahola.

Hawaiian Cultural Advisor and Director Kahu Lyons Naone

Born and raised in Kīpahulu, Maui, Kahu Kapi‘ioho‘okalani Lyons Naone is a native speaker of the Hawaiian language, a kahuna lā‘au lapa‘au (master of plant healing), revered teacher in Hawaiian spirituality, physical and energy healing, conflict resolution, ancient warrior arts, rituals, and protocol. A highly respected teacher and lecturer on Hawaiian culture and traditions, Kahu Naone teaches at the University of Hawai‘i – Maui College. He was the first president and founding member of Papa Lā‘au Lapa‘au in 1987 which is the first statewide organization of traditional Hawaiian healers. In the Hawaiian community, Kahu holds a rank as a lifetime high chief in the Royal Order of Kamehameha and is a teacher of ancient warrior arts and weapons. As a Director, Kahu Naone brings an extensive knowledge and expertise in the Hawaiian culture to the Kimokeo Foundation.