Our History |  About the name Purple Mai’a |  Our Team |  Our Sponsors

Our co-founders are: Olin Lagon and Donavan Kealoha. They brought on third co-founder Kelsey Amos.

Our first board members were Levi Hoʻokano and Nāpali Souza, who were quickly joined by Kamuela Enos.

Our first kumu was Bill Evangelista. Bill taught at Jarrett Middle School’s Kūlia All-Stars, working with Charles Nguyen of DevLeague and aided by Kimberly Peterson and Caitlin Falls.

We added board member Forest Frizzell.

Our second kumu was Marion Ano. We taught at Kamaile Academy and Stevenson Middle School. We added kumu David Pickett to work with Hui Mālama Learning Center on Maui. We had help from Kanani. Kumu Keahi joined us.

We worked with Ka Waihona, Hālau Kū Māna, the Sullivan Center, PACT, Pauoa Elementary, Kapolei High School, Farrington High School, Hālau ʻĪnana, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue, Kailua High School, Waiʻanae High School, Hālau ʻIke o Puʻuloa, KUPU, Boys and Girls Club Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha Schools Maui.

Our kokua were kumu Kelela Moʻo, kumu Makayla Yanos, kumu Brian Mayeshiro, Ashlynn Miyashiro, kumu Ikaika Hussey, Karen Tanigawa, Davin Carvalho, Daniel Thipphavong, Kaliko Adams, Sean Hite, Shane Tajima.

We brought on board members Blaine Kahoʻonei, Martha Evans, and Elena Farden.

We brought on kumu Sheldon Abril on Hawaiʻi Island. We were joined by kumu Joe Baranowski and kumu Jenny Estrella on Maui.

Our kokua were Rachelle Mansilungan, kumu Nate Nahina, kumu Kahea Hendrickson, Keanu Freitas, kumu Kurt Noe, Jeannie Ramelb, Keola Chang, and kumu Jouveth Cotte.

Mike Sarmiento, Alec Wagner, and Kalei Akau joined the team.

Maiʻa means “banana” ma ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. One of our co-founders, Donavan, came up with the name Purple Maiʻa, which combines English and Hawaiian words and references the purple flower of the banana tree. Purple is the rarest color in nature, reminding us to seek out the “purple-ness” in our haumāna–the things that make each student rare and unique.

Our History |  About the name Purple Mai’a |  Our Team |  Our Sponsors

Our co-founders are: Olin Lagon and Donavan Kealoha. They brought on third co-founder Kelsey Amos.

Our first board members were Levi Hoʻokano and Nāpali Souza, who were quickly joined by Kamuela Enos.

Our first kumu was Bill Evangelista. Bill taught at Jarrett Middle School’s Kūlia All-Stars, working with Charles Nguyen of DevLeague and aided by Kimberly Peterson and Caitlin Falls.

We added board member Forest Frizzell.

Our second kumu was Marion Ano. We taught at Kamaile Academy and Stevenson Middle School. We added kumu David Pickett to work with Hui Mālama Learning Center on Maui. We had help from Kanani. Kumu Keahi joined us.

We worked with Ka Waihona, Hālau Kū Māna, the Sullivan Center, PACT, Pauoa Elementary, Kapolei High School, Farrington High School, Hālau ʻĪnana, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue, Kailua High School, Waiʻanae High School, Hālau ʻIke o Puʻuloa, KUPU, Boys and Girls Club Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha Schools Maui.

Our kokua were kumu Kelela Moʻo, kumu Makayla Yanos, kumu Brian Mayeshiro, Ashlynn Miyashiro, kumu Ikaika Hussey, Karen Tanigawa, Davin Carvalho, Daniel Thipphavong, Kaliko Adams, Sean Hite, Shane Tajima.

We brought on board members Blaine Kahoʻonei, Martha Evans, and Elena Farden.

We brought on kumu Sheldon Abril on Hawaiʻi Island. We were joined by kumu Joe Baranowski and kumu Jenny Estrella on Maui.

Our kokua were Rachelle Mansilungan, kumu Nate Nahina, kumu Kahea Hendrickson, Keanu Freitas, kumu Kurt Noe, Jeannie Ramelb, Keola Chang, and kumu Jouveth Cotte.

Mike Sarmiento, Alec Wagner, and Kalei Akau joined the team.

Maiʻa means “banana” ma ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. One of our co-founders, Donavan, came up with the name Purple Maiʻa, which combines English and Hawaiian words and references the purple flower of the banana tree. Purple is the rarest color in nature, reminding us to seek out the “purple-ness” in our haumāna–the things that make each student rare and unique.