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Albert Garcia

Andrew Stenovich

Andrew Stenovich is 50 years old, and has lived on the island of Kauai for over 20 years. He is a recovering addict with 6 years sobriety. He is actively involved in Alcoholics Anonymous. The 12 steps of AA have changed his life in ways he could only dream about. One of those ways is the realization that he is passionate about recovery. He’s been through some very dark times and places when he was active in addiction. He now knows it is his purpose to use those experiences to help other people. He is enrolled in the COSUD program at Leeward Community College and has completed one year of schooling to someday become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Next school year he will be continuing with school and his practicum. Andrew says there is very little on Kauai in the form of recovery for substance abusers. He is hoping to be one of many coming through the COSUD program to get more going on Kauai. Andrew says Kauai is in desperate need of more recovery programs. In the future he would like to achieve his master’s in social work and become a licensed therapist. He is also in the process of developing a Therapeutic Living home with other students from the COSUD program.

Chillian Filiupu

Chillian Filiupu is an undergraduate student at University of West Oahu in a B. A in Public Administration-Justice Administration. She is in her last year and will be graduating in the Fall of 2023. After she graduates she plans to continue her education in a Masters in Psychology. Her interests are in mental health as a Substance Abuse Counselor and advocacy for unprivileged population especially in the Polynesian community and not limited. She wants to make a difference in the community and help others find their purpose in life. “Being successful to me is being able to use your gift to give back to people in need”.

Edmond Pulu, Jr.

Edmond Pulu Jr is a returning student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences at the University of Hawaii West Oahu. He has recently earned a Certificate of Competence in Substance Abuse Counseling from Leeward Community College and four years into his recovery. He plans to become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and continue on to graduate school. After he graduates, he hopes to return home to American Samoa to help those with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. His main interests include mental health, addiction, recovery, and spirituality. He’s grateful for the opportunity to give back to his community working as a substance abuse counselor.

Genesis Kepo’o

Genesis Kepo’o earned her Certificate of Competence in Substance Abuse Counseling (COSUBS) from Hawaii Community College in May 2022. Genesis currently works at The ‘Ohana Addiction Treatment Center on the Island of Hawai’i helping others along the road to recovery. She is working her way to becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) through the Hawaii ADAD.

Julia Lewis

Julia Lewis is finishing up her time at Leeward Community College (as of May 2022) and will be graduating with a degree of Associate of Arts and her COSUDS. She plans to obtain her Bachelor’s in Psychology and then transition to achieve her Master’s of Social Work. Julia’s eventual goal is to accomplish getting her PhD in Psychology. Julia’s career goals include but are not limited to: working with HPD as a social worker, working with domestic violence survivors & perpetrators, and starting her own clinic for mental health & substance abuse disorders. Julia is driven to be a positive light in her community because of her own history with incarceration and addiction. She knows firsthand what it’s like to endure traumatic situations and the lingering effects of destructive events in life. Julia identifies as a “student parent”, with emphasis on parent. While managing her upcoming career, academic journey and other aspects of life, Julia’s young children are prioritized in all that she does. It’s her desire to also be an advocate for other “student parents” as well as a testament that all things are possible.

Kimberly Nabarro

Kimberly is a COSUDS student at Leeward Community College. She completed her Associates of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. She is passionate about serving the population of women and men battling substance use disorder, incarceration, homelessness and those navigating the state’s child welfare system. She served as a Recruitment Peer Facilitator and Peer Mentor for the Access to Education program at Leeward CC Waiʻanae, assisting individuals transitioning into the community from SUD Treatment and prison to consider pursuing higher education. Currently, Kimberly works as a Parent Partner with EPIC ʻOhana and works alongside parents within the child welfare system.

Leialoha Kaleimamahu

Leialoha Kaleimamahu is currently an undergraduate student at Hawaii Community College in Hilo. She has currently finished her course for her human services certificate and is working on her last class in the Certified Substance Abuse program. She will finish off my last year at HCC with my AA in liberal arts degree while also accelerating into �鶹��ýManoa for her bachelor’s in social work. After she graduates, she will be working on opening a therapeutic living program with a targeted population for men in recovery. Her interest is working with the community to help with risk assessment, life skills, helping with food and housing for the bettering lifestyle for the people of Kauai.

Marian Redd

Marian Redd, is from the Eastside of Honolulu, HI, who is an intern-substance abuse counselor. Marian graduated with her Master’s Degree, in Criminal Justice Administration with a minor in Psychology from Chaminade University in Honolulu, HI and obtained her second Bachelor’s Degree in Community Corrections Support Services. She is currently continuing her education and obtaining a certificate in Substance Counseling at Leeward Community College. Marian specializes in working with the correctional population. Marian works with adults who have experienced early age trauma, PTSD, diverse types of bipolar, anxiety, domestic violence, and depression at a dual-diagnosis facility. Marian works with individuals who have co-occurring disorders who come from the correctional population. Marian is a current/active member with the National Honor Society, Tau Upsilon Alpha and The National Society of Leadership and Success. Marian is passionate about her work and is devoted to helping clients attain unique solutions to their specific situations. Forming a strong alliance with a client based on trust, genuineness, and care can create a safe and respectful environment that can be potentially life changing. In her spare time, Marian enjoys traveling the globe and spending time with her family.

Rachel Lehn

Rachel Lehn is a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) student at the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is specializing in Behavioral Mental Health and graduates in May of 2023. She also completed her Certificate of Competence in Substance Abuse Counseling (COSUDS) from Leeward Community College in May 2022. Rachel is a graduate of California Institute of Integral Studies, where she majored in Interdisciplinary Studies. Prior to UH, Rachel spent three years living and working in both Bangladesh and Cambodia. She is passionate about intercultural learning and increasing the accessibility of behavioral mental health services for marginalized and underserved populations. She is interested in alternative ways of healing, including somatic and transpersonal therapeutic approaches, and is an advocate of the harm reduction approach towards healing and care. Rachel spent the past year interning with Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center’s Malama Recovery Services, where she provided behavioral health and substance use treatment services. She will be interning with Hawai’i Health and Harm Reduction Center this coming year. Rachel aspires to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.

Roger Sackowski

Roger Sackowski just completed the COSUDS program at Hawaii CC and has earned his certificate in substance abuse counseling. He is headed into his final semester to earn his AA degree with a focus on psychology. After Hawaii CC, Roger will attend the University of Hawaii to earn his bachelor’s degree in psychology. Roger’s ultimate goal of earning his master’s degree in counseling psychology will be realized in just a few short years. Roger has a passion to help the substance use disorder population here in Hawaii. Roger did his internship at Big Island Substance Abuse Council and has been subsequently hired as one of their new substance abuse counselors in the day treatment program. He has had previous experience in substance abuse and can boast 20+ years clean and sober. This is where his passion for helping this demographic stem from. He is committed to removing the past stigmas of substance abuse and is excited to start his new career. When Roger is not focused on healing members of the community he enjoys hiking, reading, meditating, and his spiritual practice.

Shana Wingler

Shana Wingler is from Seattle Washington and lives in Kea’au on Hawaii island. She is planning on receiving her Associates of Arts Degree at Hawaii CC with a major in Liberal Arts and her COSUDS certification. She plans on transferring to and majoring in Psychology at �鶹��ýHilo. Shana hopes to be a mental health and SUD counselor to work with co-occuring disorders.

Zach Hufft

Zach Hufft is a student at University of Hawaii Maui College pursuing higher education to become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. He is a graduate of Humboldt State University of a Bachelors in Psychology. Zach Hufft is currently working in the field to help individuals that struggle with addiction. Alongside working in the field he is currently taking classes that help him better understand and help the individuals he works with. These things allow him to have well rounded knowledge of the field he hopes to have a life long career in.

Devina (AhYou) Grant

Devina is 48-year-old and currently enrolled at LCC completing the CSAC Program. Devina became passionate about this field while working with the houseless veteran population, where she quickly realized that she was going to have to educate herself about Substance abuse in efforts to best support the client’s she encounters daily. Devina has also decided to continue her education to complete AA in Liberal Arts and then soon transfer to �鶹��ýManoa to obtain her bachelor’s in social work. Devina has been humbled by her experiences so far in this field and through this program.

Tassia Avila

Tassia Avila is originally from Brazil and moved to Hawaii when her husband, now a veteran Army soldier, was stationed in Oahu. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. However, she is passionate about helping people. Therefore, in 2021, she decided to pursue a Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate and work in this field. Even though changing careers later in her life was scary to her, Tassia still decided to do it, because she believes that helping other people is truly her calling. Also, being in service to the community is something that she had dreamt about for a long time. Moving forward, after obtaining her Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certification, she plans to start a masters program in Social Work (MSW) with a focus on Behavioral Mental Health at the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) at Manoa. Upon completing her masters degree, she plans on being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). It is a way for her to extend her CSAC competence and her ability to help the SUD population. She wants to be able to treat not only addiction but also other mental health issues that often occur together. Tassia is excited to start working in this field that is particularly highly meaningful for her while making a positive impact on people’s lives and giving back to this community.

Sarah Barrington

Sarah Barrington was raised where she currently resides in the rural district of Puna on the Big Island. Sarah Barrington has worked professionally as a Program Specialist for youth drug and alcohol prevention as well as case manager working with clients that have substance use disorders. Sarah took time out of the workforce to focus her attention on raising her boys. She has her MA in Public Sociology; BA in Sociology and AAS in Legal Studies. Sarah is currently working on her fieldwork at the Hilo office of Kū Aloha Ola Mau. Sarah felt that the COSUDS program would complement her education to allow her to become more relevant in the SUDS field as well as allow her to serve as a greater resource to her community.

Holly Calvert

Holly Calvert is currently working toward her associate’s degree in liberal arts and an undergraduate degree in substance abuse counseling both at Leeward Community College. Holly hopes to one day have her masters in social work and to work with at-risk youth.

Drew Camacho

Drew Camacho is a student at Hawai’i Community College on the island of Hawai’i. Born and raised in Kailua-Kona, he is currently pursuing his dream of giving back to his community by seeking higher education in the Social Work field. His long-term educational goal is to achieve a Doctorate in Social Work and use that as a catalyst to open a transitional housing program in Kailua-Kona, for parolees returning home from lengthy prison sentences. He hopes to help reduce the recidivism rate in his hometown and ultimately put fathers back into the lives of their children.

Joey Coveleskie

Joey Coveleskie is currently an IOP Substance Use Disorder Counselor with Hina Mauka. Joey is fulfilling the educational requirements in the COSUD Program at LCC, with a goal of earning a CSAC title. An active member of the NA Fellowship, Joey has over 26 years of recovery and is excited to be involved with carrying the message of recovery to others who have the disease of addiction. After finding the rooms of recovery via the NA Program at the age of 30, Joey decided to make a change from the Oil and Power Industry to Human Services. He expects to finish the 2nd Semester of Field Work in the Spring of 2023 and successfully become a CSAC a year later.

Phoebe Kaonohilani Ferguson

Phoebe, originally from California, relocated to Hawai’i to be near her husbands ohana. As an active member of the Harm Reduction community on the island of O’ahu, this work led Phoebe to pursue a path to complete the COSUD program. While actively completing this portion of her education goals, Phoebe also plans to work towards obtaining a Masters in Social Work. While engaging with the unsheltered population continuously on our islands, Phoebe recognized a great need within the caring professions. Phoebe wants to continue to advocate for changes within our community, through Harm Reduction practices, while utilizing her education to assist community leaders by removing the stigmatization of addiction or substance use. With her own personal lived experience, her previous work within the Harm Reduction community in Seattle, Washington, Phoebe hopes that through each educational step she takes, this will help assist with her passion of helping others.

Bernadette Fernandez

Bernadette Fernandez is a student at Leeward Community College- Wai’anae Moku.  A single mother of 3, She has changed her career many times and has settled down with extending her education in Social Services and Law. She is planning on achieving an Associates in Social Science with a COSUD certificate, and double major with Law. She hopes to continue with her education to the highest level that she can go. She is steering towards the Juvenile Justice System to provide her service to the keiki of Hawai’i. I have been inspired into this field by watching and learning from my mother, who obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work. She is a CSW 2 with the State of Hawai’i, Department of Human Services- Child Welfare. As a second-generation student of Dr. Gwen Williams, She is excited to put into practice what she has learned and be a productive member of society that will help to break vicious cycles our society today has to face.

Sonia Mora-Soriano

Sonia Mora Soriano, originally from California, obtained a B.A in Psychology from the University of San Francisco and is currently enrolled at Leeward Community College.  As a Case Manager working with the SPMI population, Sonia has observed the many ways individuals and communities on Oahu have benefitted from services that touch upon the different aspects of one’s lives. Sonia continues to learn about substance use disorders through the COSUD program and has adopted a compassionate and proactive approach to heal the whole person. Sonia will be interning at Malama Recovery Services through Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for their fieldwork while also completing their Master’s in Counseling Psychology. As Sonia continues to grow within the field and gain experience, their goal is to continue their journey in higher education and to be accepted into a doctorate program where they can obtain a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. 

Shirley Prehn

Shirley is a student at Leeward Community College Waianae Moku. In the COSAC/CSAC Course. She is majoring in Liberal Arts and pursuing an AA Degree. She is a recovering addict and on November 7, 2022, she will have 15 years of sobriety. She chose this profession to help other people who are suffering from their addiction. She truly believes that if she can, others can too. By sharing her experience, strength, and hope it can happen. She hopes and prays that she can make a difference in other people’s lives. Her goal is to become the best Substance Abuse Counselor she can be.

Bobby Rodgers

Bobby Rodgers is 66 years old and is a retired veteran living on the island of Oahu. He is a recovering addict with 23 years of sustained abstinence. Over the past 23 years, he has been active in the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous and as a result, he has developed a passion for giving back to his community He has worked with veterans, homeless, and mentally ill populations who struggle with addiction by sharing his experience and strategies for maintaining recovery He has earned an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. He is enrolled in the COSUD program at Leeward Community College and has completed his first year of schooling toward becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Bobby has the desire to become a certified substance abuse counselor at an agency that serves the alcoholic, addict, veteran, mentally ill, and homeless populations. Bobby has the desire to resume pursuing his educational endeavor of completing the Master of Science in Clinical Mental health Counseling Program at Grand Canyon University and becoming a licensed therapist.

Sheila Palumbo

Kristie Keehu

Edward Mersburgh

Debbie Alamillo

Debbie was born and raised in Maui and previously worked in the travel industry for more than 25 years. She is a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 8 children and enjoys writing, poetry and the ocean. She has a BS in Business Management from the University of Phoenix Maui Campus. In 2021, she was certified as a Community Health Worker (CHW) from the University of Hawaii Kapiolani College, where she completed her CHW practicum hours at the Maui Aids Foundation. Recovery advocacy is one of her passions and she is actively involved with the Recovery Advocacy Project and the Maui Homeless Alliance. She currently works at the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers. Debbie is pursuing the Certificate of Substance Use Disorders with the University of Hawaii Leeward College and plans to obtain the State of Hawaii CSAC certification upon the program completion. Her long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work so that she can positively impact the local island communities in Hawaii.

Amy Blanchard

Amy Blanchard is in her second semester at Leeward Community College studying to get her COSUD certificate. Amy is an Oregon native and graduate of Portland State University with a B.S. in Business Administration.  She works as a Personal Trainer at a gym in Koloa. She plans to work as an addiction counselor on Kauai. She is a mom with two teenage girls and is interested in working with young people to help them find purposeful lives without the use of drugs and alcohol. Amy is also looking to pursue her Master’s in Social Work and to be of service to the people of Kauai where there are currently very limited resources.

Ann Bowers

Ann Bowers is currently in her first semester of study in the COSUDS program at Leeward Community College. She resides on the Island of Kauai and has lived there for 45 years. She is a recovering addict and alcoholic and has 3 years of sobriety. She has experienced all levels of long-term homelessness and criminality. She would like to use her unique understanding of the barriers to being housed and getting sober to benefit her community and she looks forward to helping others.

Crystal Caday-Bargayo

Crystal is a returning student. She completed her CHW certification back in 2018 at Kauai Community College. She works for an agency whose focus is on homelessness. She has been working with the houseless community for the past 13 years, from the emergency homeless shelter to transitional housing. She is pursuing her AA in Liberal Arts and plans to complete her COSUD certification.

Koa Dougherty

Koa Dougherty is a recovering addict originally from Maui. He moved to Pearl City on Oahu to be with his fiance and 20-month-old daughter. Koa is an active member of Narcotics Anonymous that brings a meeting into the ATS treatment facility weekly. He works at the Leeward Community College Waianae Moku campus as a Peer Mentor for the Going 2 Finish On Time and Access To Education programs. Koa is also a college student pursuing his liberal arts degree in social science. His goal is to use his life experiences positively by becoming a certified substance abuse counselor to help other addicts find recovery.

Milo Haneberg

Milo Haneberg resides with his family in Anahola, on Kauai. He is currently in the COSUD Program at Leeward Community College (LCC). Upon completion of the COSUD Program, he hopes to finish his AA at LCC while working towards becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). Milo has a passion for the field of recovery and hopes to combine that passion with some hard work to help Kauai’s addicted population.

Thomas Kirkham

During his BA in human development at Prescott College, Tom Kirkham studied holistic approaches to addiction and recovery. He earned his MA in Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology at Saybrook University. Tom has worked with various populations, behavioral health, and therapeutic settings, including horticultural therapy with at-risk youth and mental health counseling with adult couples and individuals. After moving to Hawaii, Tom became interested in meeting their mental health and addiction counseling needs. Tom is now a student at the University of Hawaii’s Leeward Community College and plans to complete his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Saybrook University in 2025. In his free time, Tom enjoys exploring the beauty in nature of Hawaii.

Legalo Leslie

Legalo is 29 years old and is from Kalihi. She is currently getting her COSUD Certification at Leeward Community College. She is in recovery and cannot wait to use her life experiences as an addict along with the positive life changes she received during her own treatment to help improve the lives of others when she becomes a Substance Use Disorder Counselor.

Shawn Moreland

Shawn Moreland. has lived on Maui for over half of her 50+ years of life. Since earning an AS in Social Science, her professional career has consisted of working within the local community in the field of social services. Her professional experience includes supporting various populations via public and nonprofit agencies. As a single mother of two boys she endured many challenges therefore is no stranger to struggles in life. Shawn is very compassionate and finds purpose and gratification when helping those in need to overcome obstacles. Honored to be part of the HBHTI program, Shawn looks forward to adding COSUD and CSAC to her resume, not to mention serving the community with the skills acquired during this academic journey.

Michelle Rogers

Michelle Rogers is a 38-year-old COSUD student studying at Leeward Community College. Michelle hasrecently had the opportunity to start her journey towards helping other addicts. She is in her first semester of the COSUD program, and she is excited to learn all that the program has to offer. With 7 years of clean time, Michelle has recently been able to pursue her long-time passion. Michelle hopes to obtain her COSUD, AA, BSW and CSAC. In 2015, while in treatment, Michelle had a counselor that made a significant impact on her life and knows the importance of one addict helping another. “All it takes is that one connection to truly make a difference. And I hope to be able to provide that to others seeking recovery

Melvin Yamaki Jr.

Melvin Yamaki is currently a candidate to become a SUD counselor. After working at various State and City agencies, Melvin has lived a second career during the Covid-19 Pandemic and has been working throughout the entire pandemic. He has been a Contact Tracer, a Case Investigator, and a Community Health Worker. As Covid-19 is winding down, Melvin wants to help Hawaii deal with the substance use disorders and mental health problems that have surged during the pandemic. He wants to be remembered as doing all a person could do during the pandemic. Melvin is passionate about Telehealth. He has worked in advancing the use of Telehealth during the pandemic and has seen the advantages it provided both the patient and the provider. He believes that Telehealth will be relied upon post-pandemic and that it will help our rural population get access to health care.

Brianna Hazard

The Islands have always been home to Brianna Hazard. Brianna has been on the island of Oahu for 14 years, and was raised on the Big Island. Brianna’s beautiful son Kainoa was born in Kailua, she can’t believe he just turned twelve!!! The ocean is her healing place, it’s how she breathes, and surfing keeps her soul intact. Brianna’s educational journey began at Leeward Community College, completing the two year Substance Abuse Program in 2024. Brianna is currently at �鶹��ýManoa in the BSW program, just finished her first year with straight A’s. (Proud moment)

Career wise Brianna has been employed full time as an Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Counselor since September 2023, working under the YMCA. Brianna absolutely loves working with the diverse population of adolescents in the city of Kalihi. Brianna is school based at Dole Middle School and out in the field in all the surrounding housing projects. Brianna has been mentoring for two years now at Surfrider Spirit Sessions, taking at-risk youth and bringing surfing into their lives, with the outcome being transformational inner healing and empowerment, self esteem, and strength. What the ocean brings into these young people’s lives is that of pure connection to one’s self, the Mana is ever present as it transcends them into acceptance. Intentionally she will have her own center one day for youth on the water, while running her own private practice in the near future.

Christina Parke

Jacob Elizares

Beau Begeman

Beau graduated from Michigan Tech in 2018 not feeling satisfied. Soon after he would be asked to speak at a drug and alcohol treatment facility that he was once a client at in 2005. His enjoyment and satisfaction working with others struggling with substance abuse prompted a career change. He applied for a position at the treatment center and began working in the field, eventually in the detox department, confronting some of the tragedies of severe substance abuse first hand. The heartbreaking experiences further motivated the career change in helping people struggling with not only substance abuse but other co-occuring disorders, diseases, and criminal recidivism. His first attempt at medical school did not come to fruition so he enrolled in the COSUD program at Leeward Community College to better serve the community.

Gerry Crespo

Gerry Crespo has been in recovery since 2021. He is currently pursuing his Associate Degree in Liberal Arts at Leeward Community College. Gerry is an active member of Narcotics Anonymous and is in a service position as a secretary for Crystal Meth Anonymous. He is currently working at Julia Cafe as a Cook. He hopes to finish his AA at LCC while working towards becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) and will complete the COSUDS Program in 2025. His passion is to be an asset to this community and help recovering addicts like himself to achieve and and maintain recovery. Gerry also has been volunteering with Youth Challenge Academy.

Kauʻi Keola

Kauʻi Keola is married and resides in Halawa Heights. She has been teaching for twenty plus years. She is the mother of fifteen children and grandmother to five. Twelve of her children are former foster children that they have adopted. All of the adopted children were exposed in utero to crystal meth. She has the life experience of dealing with the effects of that exposure. She has seen some of her students go through the difficulties of substance use. Kauʻi has the experience of her sons journey with marijuana and crystal meth. With her son, she realized she had no knowledge about any type of substance use. At the time, it was difficult to get a counselor for her son due to the lack of certified counselors. Knowing the higher propensity of substance use by those exposed in utero and how that could affect her own children and so many others with that same risk, Kauʻi has sought out the SUDS program to get educated. When Kauʻi sees a problem, her nature is to step up and try to solve that problem. Her goal is to get certified to help others, especially the youth in Hawaiʻi to live their best life.

Arturo Magana

Arturo Magana is originally from San Diego, California. He moved to Hawaii in 2006 where he met his beautiful Island girl and eventually got married. He is about to celebrate 14 years of marriage with 4 amazing children Ariana, Joshua, Ethan and Brooklyn. His family means the world to him. He enrolled in the COSUDS program at Leeward Community College in 2022. He came from a life of gang violence and drug addiction and now has over 18 years of sobriety. He has a genuine passion to help people, giving them hope in this journey of change and recovery. He hopes to one day become certified and be able to work at a treatment facility!!

Seleena Ramelb

Seleena grew up on the island of Oahu and from a young age made a lot of choices that impacted her life tremendously. As a result of these choices she found herself struggling with life for many years. Through divine intervention and the help of many strong people in recovery. Seleena slowly started to rebuild her life and look towards a future. Over the years she worked at numerous substance abuse treatment centers however, still felt like something was missing. Fearful and with the encouragement of others to motivate her. She took a leap of faith and decided to go back to school in fall of 2023 and is currently studying at Leeward Community College where she is working towards her Associates in Liberal Arts while also obtaining a COSAC and Mental Health Technician Certificate. She is currently working in the behavioral health field while working towards building a residential reentry program and assisting in the opening of a SUD treatment center. Her plans for the future include furthering her work in the Human Services Field while obtaining a dual degree in Social Work and Psychology then ultimately earning a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree all within the U.H. system.

Jerry Jewell

Motivated by his own experiences as a recovering addict and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, Jerry Jewell enrolled in the Leeward Community College’s Certificate of Substance Use Disorders Counseling (COSUDS) Program in 2023. He is set to complete the program in 2025. Jerry plans to continue his education at the Moana campus, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, furthering his knowledge and skills in the field of substance use disorders counseling.

Looking ahead, Jerry is committed to furthering his education and professional development in the field of substance use disorders counseling. He aspires to obtain his CSAC certification and pursue advanced training in specialized areas such as trauma-informed care and rehabilitation counseling. Ultimately, Jerry’s goal is to establish a sober living farm on Big Island tailored to meet the unique needs of paroled inmates with substance abuse issues and mobility challenges. Through this endeavor, he aims to provide a supportive and structured environment for their recovery journey, empowering them to rebuild their lives and realize their full potential.

Kepola Kawaiala Allen

Kepola Kawaiala Allen is a single mother of three young daughters and has been in recovery since 2022. Kepola is currently pursuing a degree in Liberal Arts and working toward certification as a Certified Substance Use Disorder counselor (COSUD). Kepola’s journey has been one of transformation, resilience, and deep gratitude. Kepola looks forward to serving others and giving back the same aloha that has been generously extended to her.

Douglas Martin

Vivian Calderon Guzman

Leinna Kepano

Trude Marie Tokuda Wong

Payton Turner

Genesis Kerisiano

Gregory Firestone

Shelley Schuppert

Brian Zodrow

Trisha Keanu-Lua

In a story of profound resilience and personal transformation, Trisha, a compassionate advocate, has navigated a journey from the depths of addiction to the triumph of recovery. For over two decades, Trisha grappled with the ravaging effects of substance abuse, enduring the heart-wrenching loss of three children who were adopted due to the grip of addiction.

Trisha had gone through numerous attempts at sobriety, each effort met with its own unique challenges. However, eight years ago, a huge turning point unfolded as she finally hit her last bottom, marking the commencement of Trisha’s enduring recovery journey. Overcoming the shackles of addiction, Trisha has since not only reclaimed her life but emerged as a devoted mother to two younger children.

Employed with unwavering commitment, Trisha has dedicated three years to a meaningful role, providing support to homeless individuals grappling with mental health and substance abuse issues. Drawing from personal experiences, Trisha exemplifies empathy and understanding in guiding others towards recovery.

Looking towards the future, Trisha harbors aspirations of acquiring a CSAC (Certified Substance Abuse Counselor) certification, with an eye on maybe pursuing a degree in social work. Trisha’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, one can not only overcome personal challenges but also positively impact the lives of others through compassion and dedication

Farah Aquino

Farah Aquino enrolled in the COSUDS Program in 2024 at the urging of a close friend. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan (1999, Sociology B.A.) and had previously aIended Law School and Social Work School there as well. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks she dropped out and her life began a downward spiral. After following her family to Kauai in 2006 her life quickly got worse. She ended up incarcerated and lost everything that mattered to her, including her children. Eventually she was sentenced to one year in jail and Drug Court. After going to long term treatment (Sand Island Treatment Center) and graduating from Drug Court (2016), Farah began the process of rebuilding. She married and after several years she won custody of her children. Today she serves her community as the Homeless Coordinator for Kauai County. She began the COSUDS program after a long period of contemplation. She has seen firsthand how addiction has ravished her community. She serves on the Kauai Island Fentanyl Task Force. Her vision is to expand current service delivery on the island of Kauai and increase capacity for treatment services on the island. She would, one day, like to continue her education by pursuing a Masters in Social Work, however she currently has a hold on her degree because of past financial obligations. She will complete the COSUDS program in 2026.

Elizabeth Tucker

Elizabeth Tucker is currently working toward her associate’s degree in liberal arts and an undergraduate degree in substance abuse counseling both at Waianae Moku, Leeward Community College. Liz hopes to one day have her masters in social work. Liz loves helping people and has a passion to help the substance use disorder population here in Hawaii.

Brian Zodrow

Brian Zodrow’s journey to enrolling in the COSUDS program at Leeward Community College began with a deeply personal experience that reshaped his life. A former professional athlete, Brian represented the USA Men’s Volleyball National Team and played professionally overseas. However, his career took an unexpected turn when he was injured during a match and required surgery. As he navigated the pain and recovery process, he became dependent on prescription pain medication, which eventually led to addiction to harder substances found on the streets.

The destructive path of addiction brought Brian through harrowing detox experiences that left him feeling hopeless and broken. However, after entering recovery and successfully overcoming his struggles, Brian found a new sense of purpose. It was through this challenging and transformative experience that he realized the importance of helping others facing similar battles. Brian’s passion for recovery and his desire to offer others the hope he once sought led him to pursue the COSUDS program.

Brian enrolled in the program in the fall of 2025, with plans to graduate in the spring of 2026. His commitment to the field stems from his belief that “There is A Light in the Addict.” Brian is determined to dedicate his career to supporting others in recovery, guiding them to find the strength and clarity that he himself found after conquering his addiction. His personal journey fuels his resolve to help others achieve the same light at the end of their own tunnels.

Violet Fraser

Violet started the COSUDS program in 2024 in the fall. Their date of completion will be at the end of the spring semester in 2026. They were born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and from there, have lived in Utah and California. As someone from adolescence to the age of 30 struggled with the battle of substance addiction, they know firsthand the importance of proper support. This battle brought them out to Maui, which is where they attended their first NA meeting. An experience that led to active recovery and provided a community whose influence saved their life.

During COVID, a decade’s worth of sound engineer and lighting designer work came to a halt. After obtaining a year in active recovery, they started working at Malama Family Recovery Center, moving on to Aloha House, and eventually Maui Youth and Family Services. It is there that they are currently a counselor in training and program assistant working with teens and adolescents struggling with substance use addiction. Every day, they work on the front lines to make sure that these teens can get the support needed to help them avoid a lifetime of struggling with addiction.

 It is their goal to become a counselor and go for a Master’s in Child and Adolescent Development. Working to expand IOP services by starting more demographic-specific groups, adding more staff, and broadening the services available.

Tammy Antonio

Heather Hofferbert

Destiny Jones

Kylie Gouveia-Lee

Noela Andres-Nance

Dominique Miles

Dominique Miles holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is currently in her final semester of a second Bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She is also currently enrolled in the Certificate of Substance Use Disorder Studies (COSUDS) program at Leeward Community College and is actively pursuing her Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) credential.

Rooted in the values of aloha, kuleana, and mālama, Dominique is passionate about fostering culturally responsive, trauma-informed care throughout Hawaiʻi. She believes in the power of healing through authentic connection, community engagement, and honoring the wisdom and resilience of our local ʻohana. With a deep respect for Hawaiian values and practices, she strives to uplift and empower individuals on their path to wellness.

Drawing from both academic knowledge and lived experience, she is especially dedicated to the intersections of mental health, justice, and recovery. Her work is grounded in a belief that true support means meeting people where they are with compassion, humility, and cultural understanding.

As part of her journey with the Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute, she looks forward to growing alongside fellow professionals who share a commitment to holistic, person-centered care that reflects the unique strengths of our island communities.

Jerusha Creekmur-Dela Cruz

Jerusha Creekmur-Dela Cruz was born and raised on the Big Island and still resides there.  She took the non-conventional higher education route and recently re-enrolled to finish her AA with the intent to pursue her BA.  On that journey, she was introduced to a family member’s plight with substance abuse and mental health issues at the same time while being enrolled in a Human Services course at LCC.  It was life-changing for her to have the support she needed in her class at such a crucial time while experiencing firsthand the devastating effects of substance abuse.  She was given the opportunity to be a part of the 2025 COSUD Cohort.

Her goals are to finish her AA at Leeward CC and then continue onto �鶹��ýManoa to pursue a BSW and then finish off with her MSW. She hopes to one day form an anabolic steroid task force on Hawaii Island first and then expand statewide also involving students at the high school level to expose them to the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. 

Manalani Kanahele

Manalani Kanahele enrolled in the COSUDS Program in Fall of 2024 and will complete the COSUDS Program in Spring of 2026. Manalani is a full time student, full time employee at a local non-profit and single mother of a 3 year old boy diagnosed with Autism. Manalani has had many challenges that she’s faced within the past decade. Manalani started battling addiction at the age of 17. Manalani has faced many challenges since then like domestic violence, criminal activity, homelessness, verbal/pyschological abuse and sexual assault. Ever since she could remember, Manlani always had a heart for serving the people in the homeless community. It has always been a part of her life ever since she was a young child. Manalani likes to quote, “Helping others who were in the same situation as me once, heals a part of myself.” Manalani never imagined herself getting into a career that really captures what she loves to do until she was in a SUD treatment center and they offered the idea of going to college for something she loves like addiction counseling. Ever since the age of 18 when Manalani went to detox for the first time and that’s where the seed got planted. She met a counselor that made her feel so welcomed and understood. That’s when she knew, that’s what she wanted to be. A person that is able to meet clients where they are at in their life and make them feel love, understood and connected to society even when we are in the most vulnerable times in our life.

Daisy Miller-Andrino

Sandra Hose

Ashley Viluan

Joseph Wolff

Kimberlyn Cardines

Nanea Akau

Nanea Akau is a dedicated student at Leeward Community College, currently pursuing a Certificate of Competence in Substance Use Disorders Counseling (COSUDS). Her journey into the behavioral health field was shaped by personal experiences and a deep desire to support others navigating addiction and recovery. Growing up in Hawaiʻi, Nanea witnessed firsthand the impact of substance use on individuals and families in her community, which inspired her to become part of the solution.

After overcoming her own challenges and finding strength through community and education, Nanea enrolled in the COSUDS program to gain the skills necessary to serve others with empathy and cultural understanding. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for healing and believes in meeting people where they are with compassion and respect. Nanea’s future goals include completing her COSUDS certification, Ultimately, she hopes to become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and work directly with underserved populations across Hawaiʻi. Through the HBHTI fellowship, Nanea is excited to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to the behavioral health workforce in Hawaiʻi.

Shareefa Irwin

Shareefa has been employed for 27 years, but after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, she decided to enroll in college. Shareefa’s assigned counselor recognized her career goal of becoming a counselor for the Department of Education, where she aspires to work with early education and young people.

Shareefa’s dream is to encourage children to avoid substance use and to educate them on better paths for their lives. Having experienced her parents’ struggles with addiction and abuse as well a navigating the child protective services system, she understands the challenges these issue create. Shareefa is currently facing similar difficulties with her own child and want to comprehend the effects of drug abuse on our loved ones and our society as a whole.

Shareefa aims to find solutions and help children realize that there is hope. They don’t have to let their parents’ hardships define their future; they can become their own leaders and recognize that they are not alone in their struggles.

Samantha Kau

Samantha Kau is a student in the COSUDS program at Leeward Community College.  She is a recovering addict who felt that she would be able to be of service to the community by helping to lower addiction rates and sharing valuable information and resources with individuals and their families.  The COSUDS program is giving her the knowledge and skills needed to be helpful to people directly affected by addiction. She is on track towards getting her Certificate of Completion as a Substance Abuse Counselor along with simultaneously obtaining her A.A. in Liberal Arts by the Fall of 2026.  She will then be moving on to U.H. Manoa to work on her B.S. in Social Work so she can find long term career placement in an organization or entity that shares her common goal of helping the people of Hawaii who are battling addiction, mental health and homelessness. 

Rachel Kordell

Rachel Kordell is in her first semester at Leeward Community College, where she is pursuing a Certificate in Substance Use Disorders Counseling (COSUD). Originally from Appalachia, she has lived on the Island of Hawaiʻi since graduating high school and brings a strong understanding of rural living. In Spring 2025, she completed her Associate of Arts degree at Hawaiʻi Community College.

Rachel is passionate about helping individuals struggling with addiction and alcoholism, offering both support and resources to those in need. As a mother of two, she is dedicated to building a career in social work that will allow her to give back to her community. After completing her studies in substance abuse counseling, she plans to continue her education toward a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

John Mark Funtanilla

John Penitani

Denise Bailey

Tatiana Lee

Yoshiko Kameo

Nadia Schutte

Micah Bryan Tolentino

Jodene Tashiro-Miram

Amber Tagalog

Brian Borden