HomeMy WebLinkAboutRD.9 - Vibrant Hawaii
June 18, 2024
Mr. Douglass Adams, Director
Research and Development, County of Hawaiʻi
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1301
Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
RE: Professional Services
Aloha Director Adams,
On behalf of Vibrant Hawaiʻi I am submitting our statements of qualifications and interest to provide
professional services for the following categories:
RD.1) Community Planning (Community and Economic Development, Community Engagement, Culture
and Indigenous Science, Data Science, Strategic Planning)
RD.3) Community Planning (Public Relations and Event Planning)
RD.5) Education and vocational training (Workforce Development)
RD.7) Education Services (Coaching)
RD.9) General Education and Training
RD.11) Instructional Systems (Design of Training, Facilitation, and Evaluation Programs)
Contact Information
Janice Ikeda, Executive Director | Phone (808) 936-2268 | Email: janice@vibranthawaii.org
Vibrant Hawaiʻi | 230 Kekuanaoa Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 |Email: contact@vibranthawaii.org
Organization Background
Vibrant Hawaiʻi is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, incorporated in 2021. Over the past (5) years, we
employ an average of 6 full-time Hawaiʻi Island residents.
Qualifications Summary
Founding Executive Director Janice Ikeda brings over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit management,
community organizing and facilitation, community based research, and program evaluation. Janice
received her MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and was awarded an Honorary
Doctor of Laws in 2023 from Gonzaga University.
West Hawaiʻi Director, Toni Symons brings over 20 years’ experience in grassroots advocacy,
community organizing and facilitation, and program design. Her completed coursework at UH Mānoa
and the University of Phoenix includes Organization Management, Communications, and Sociology.
ʻOAKA Coordinator, Amylia-Rae Gandolf, is a 2018 graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and recently
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Amylia brings 2-years of
experience in community engagement and facilitation, with a focus on youth engagement.
Graphic Artist, Cole Fuertes, is responsible for both print and nonprint media to advance the goals of
Vibrant Hawaiʻi, publications of annual and impact reports, web presence, and social media campaigns.
Cole provides support in data analysis and design of infographics to ensure effective communication
with diverse stakeholders. Cole received a BA in Business and Marketing from Menlo College.
Recent Projects
Bridging Gaps, Building Futures. An intermediary proposal to assess opportunities, readiness, and
barriers in work-based learning on Hawaiiʻi Island. 2023. LINK HERE
Waiākea Peninsula Design Lab. Design Labs leveraged the collective expertise and diverse perspectives
of stakeholders with strong ties to the Waiākea Peninsula to develop a guiding document based on
Asset Based Community Development principles, aimed at steering the peninsula's restoration and
revitalization in a way that aligns with community goals. Participants ranged from local community
members to officials and experts across various sectors, all united by their commitment to the
peninsula's future. LINK HERE
Aʻo A Mālama. In partnership with Vibrant Hawaiʻi's network of over 40 Resilience Hubs, the Vibrant
Hawaiʻi Ambassadors and UH Hilo's Ka Pouhana students connected with over 800 parents of children
ages 5 and below to learn more about their childcare and early learning preferences, barriers, and
experiences engaging with providers. LINK HERE
Aloha Vision Conference. The AlohaVision Conference, held in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, Feb. 1-2, 2024,
convened a diverse group of community partners to discuss and develop strategies for enhancing Public,
Educational, and Governmental (PEG) access and increasing workforce development opportunities in
creative and digital media industries in Hawaiʻi. This conference brought together educators, local and
state government, local business and social service leaders, youth, community members, and PEG
industry professionals from across the State to explore the value of PEG TV in workforce development,
community engagement, and educational opportunities. LINK HERE
Client References
• Ashley Kierkiewicz, President, Nā Leo TV. Email: akierkiewicz@naleo.tv
• Shelly Ogata, Legislative Aide for CD 3, County of Hawaiʻi. Email: Shelly.ogata@hawaiicounty.gov
• Matt Stevens, Executive Director, Workforce Funders Hui. Email: matt@hawaiiwork.org
• Harvey Stone, Executive Director, Koi Pond Bridges. Email: harvey@koipondhui.org
• Marisa Hayase, Managing Director, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Email:
mhayase@hjweinberg.org
• Ben Trevino, Network Coordinator, Omidyar Fellows Hawaiʻi. Email:
bentrevino@omidyarfellows.org
Mahalo nui for your review of our interest and qualifications. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me at the information provided above.
With aloha,
Janice Ikeda, Executive Director