"We are our ancestors wildest dreams."
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President, Founder
Born Rene’e Kealoha Park in the great state of Texas. I’m 1st generation in my ‘Ohana to be born “off the rock” (away from the islands) and an American. I’ve been raised to be thankful every day, to show respect to everyone, to honor our Kūpuna (elders), be proud yet humble, and to live life with our cultural values. My parents are generations born from the islands of Hawai’i, so culture has always been a part of everyday life. Being a diaspora kid, I have lived my life in both Texas and Hawai’i and as I grow older I realize that I was very different from my peers growing up in Texas. This is when I started sharing and teaching them of my heritage and 60 years later I haven’t stopped. Long live the aloha.
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Vice President
Stephenie has been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, she started her career with Hawaiian Airlines. She has been a participant in many of Hawaii’s festivals from Aloha Week, Kamehameha Day parade and the Onipaa. She moved to Texas in 2009 and has been an active member of the Hawaiian community since. She brings many years of experience and her mana'o to our organization.
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Treasurer
Valerie Rueda has been a dedicated member of the public school district for the past 18 years, drawing on her strong academic background with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting from UTSA. As the treasurer for our nonprofit organization, she plays a crucial role in managing our financial resources and supporting our mission to cultivate and perpetuate indigenous culture, heritage, values, and traditions for future generations. Valerie is also a veteran hula dancer with Hula Halau Ohana Elikapeka and has been an active supporter of the Hawaiian community for over two decades. With her Mexican heritage and commitment to cultural preservation, Valerie brings a unique and valuable perspective to our team.
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Chief Executive Officer
As a bi-racial indigenous nomad and jack of all trades by nature, I have been servicing and advocating for indigenous cultures, locally and internationally, for the past 23 years. My professional background is in business administration and corporate event coordination. I have also cultivated a multifaceted career within the entertainment industry, holding various roles that span the spectrum of production, management, and creative development. In my most my recent travels as a military spouse, I have noticed that not many people know much about the various indigenous communities of the world. Specifically, all the confusion and in generalization of the Pacific Islander Community in which I was raised. Passionate about making a difference, I've now dedicated all my skills to this nonprofit, focusing on empowering indigenous communities and fostering ethnic awareness. Outside the office, you'll find me advocating for inclusive growth and connecting cultures in the vibrant Heart of Texas. In the tapestry of life, I am but one thread, yet my colors are woven into the stories of many creating a legacy that resonates with the heartbeat of the Earth. Imua!
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Chief Cultural Officer
Aloha nō kākou, I'm Rene‘e's "mini-me", Bella! I am a second-generation Hawaiian born in the Hawaiian diaspora of San Antonio, Texas. From learning to hula and to make lei from my kūpuna (elders) at a young age, I have proudly taken my thirst for cultural knowledge all the way to the university level. In 2022, I completed two Bachelor’s Degrees at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa: One in Hawaiian Studies with a concentration in Mālama ‘Āina, and another in Pacific Islands Studies with a concentration in Arts, Performance and culture. Though now based in San Antonio, I am continuing my graduate studies at the University of Hawai’i, studying Indigenous Language Revitalization and improving my fluency in ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i. I am proud to be part of Nā Mamo, and share my passion for language and keeping indigenous culture alive throughout the community for all generations, and those to come.
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Chief Communications Officer
Growing up in a Black/Filipino household, my parents made sure my sisters and I were always busy in extracurricular activities after school whether it was music and/or dance. I have been performing in cultural groups around San Antonio since the age of 3 with the Filipino Americans in San Antonio (FAISA), Karilagán Philippine Cultural Group, Inc. and Hula Hālau ‘Ohana Elikapeka. After graduating from Trinity University with a Bachelors in Theatre, my main focus has centered around continuing to share the Pacific Island culture on the stage and behind the scenes whether I am spreading the news of Pacific Island events, organizing cultural events around San Antonio, or getting to do what I love since I was 3.