Every board member serves without pay. Most are Molokaʻi High graduates, and between them they have taught, coached, counseled and cheered for Molokaʻi students for decades.
Kimberly is president of Molokai Drugs, the pharmacy her grandfather Richard Sakata, Molokaʻi’s first pharmacist, founded in 1935. After Pomona College and years in nonprofit management, marketing and hospitality, she came home to run Hawaiʻi’s oldest independent pharmacy. Both of her sons are Molokaʻi High graduates.
Born and raised in Kaunakakai, Lori-Lei has served on the Friends board since 2013. She leads her family’s business, Rawlins Enterprises (Rawlins Service–Texaco), directed Pūnana Leo o Molokaʻi preschool for ten years, and has organized events from the Molokaʻi Keiki Expo to a Friends benefit concert on Oʻahu.
Ron grew up on homestead land in Kalamaʻula and spent 33 years as Molokaʻi Island Program Coordinator for Kamehameha Schools. Talk-story sessions with former principal Clifford Horita and alumnus Greg Helm led him to start the Foundation in 2001, and he served as its first president. His wife, Camie, gave 37 years to both schools as a teacher, athletic director and registrar.
Kai is the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator at Molokaʻi High School, helping students build skills for the careers they choose. She calls Manaʻe, on the island’s east end, home.
Susan grew up in Maunaloa during the pineapple plantation years. A longtime University of Hawaiʻi counselor at Kapiʻolani Community College and UH Maui College, including its Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Hāna outreach sites, she joined the board in 2018 and helps run the Earl Nakamura Scholarship.
Tylor was president of Molokaʻi High’s Class of 2008. He has worked in economic development for the County of Maui, served as president of the Hoʻomohala O Molokaʻi Foundation, and led Molokaʻi’s Kamehameha Day celebrations as poʻo.
Lori works in the front office at Molokaʻi High School, where she supports students and staff every school day as an office assistant. She is a familiar, welcoming face at her alma mater.
Arlene is a social worker with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. She brings a social worker’s understanding of what students and families need to the board’s decisions.
James spent 28 years with the University of Hawaiʻi as an assistant professor and farm manager, and is now retired. He graduated from Molokaʻi High with the Class of 1972.
The Foundation’s funds and scholarships honor people who gave their lives to Molokaʻi’s students. Former principal Clifford Horita and alumnus Greg Helm helped found the Friends with Ron Kimball in 2001.
The Friends are always glad to meet new volunteers, especially alumni and parents with time, skills or connections to share.
