HomeMy WebLinkAboutVibrant Hawaii - OH.7 Instructional Systems (Design of Training, Faciliation and Evaluations Programs)
June 26, 2025
Ms. Kehaulani M. Costa, Administrator
Housing and Community Development
1990 Kinoʻole Street, Suite 102
Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
RE: Professional Services Statement of Interest
Aloha Administrator Costa,
On behalf of Vibrant Hawaiʻi I am submitting our statements of qualifications and interest to provide
professional services for the following categories:
OH.1) Community Planning (Community Engagement, Strategic Planning)
OH.7) Instructional Systems (Design of Training, Facilitation and Evaluations Programs)
Contact Information
Janice Ikeda, Chief Executive Officer | Phone (808) 936-2268 | Email: janice@vibranthawaii.org
Vibrant Hawaiʻi | 305 Wailuku Drive, Suite 6A, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
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. Vibrant Hawaiʻi is a Hawaiʻi Island–based
nonprofit organization with proven expertise in community-driven planning, and the design and delivery
of culturally grounded training programs. We led the development of our own Hawaiʻi Island Economic
Development Strategy (EDS), engaging over 300 residents and sector leaders to identify priority
industries, co-create implementation plans, and launch community-led projects to advance digital
literacy, food security, entrepreneurship, and launch scalable solutions for early childhood learning and
workforce education. This process demonstrates our capacity to facilitate inclusive planning processes,
synthesize community input into strategic frameworks, and guide cross-sector execution.
In parallel, our Resilience Training Center delivers a range of instructional programs that build local
capacity to respond to emergencies, strengthen wellbeing, and advance economic opportunity. These
include Psychological First Aid, First Aid/CPR/AED certification, Freeze-Dry Food Preservation, Chainsaw
Safety, and a Youth Resilience Academy focused on leadership and systems thinking. Each training is
designed using adult learning principles, facilitated by qualified instructors, and evaluated for impact.
Together, our planning and instructional systems reflect a coordinated, community-first approach to
building a more resilient and self-determined Hawaiʻi Island.
Qualifications Summary
Founding CEO Janice Ikeda brings over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit administration, community
organizing and facilitation, community based research, and program design, implementation, and
evaluation. Janice received her MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and was
awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws in 2023 from Gonzaga University. Since 2020, Janice has
coordinated and provided technical assistance and training for a network of over 30 Resilience Hubs on
Hawaiʻi Island and the Koʻolau region of Oʻahu.
Chief Operating Officer Maurice Messina leads day-to-day operations and strengthens cross-sector
collaboration to support community resilience initiatives across Hawaiʻi Island. He previously served
as Director of the Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation, where he managed emergency
evacuation shelters in coordination with Civil Defense, the American Red Cross, and other partners
during volcanic eruptions and severe weather events. A U.S. Navy veteran, Maurice brings extensive
experience in operational leadership, crisis coordination, and community engagement.
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.
Communication and Events Coordinator, Raynn Dangaran holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from
Oregon State University and brings strong qualifications in project coordination, event management,
and public engagement. At Vibrant Hawaiʻi, she serves as Communications Coordinator, supporting
the planning and execution of internal and community events while managing social media and
marketing strategies. She also leads event production as Executive Director of Hānau Hou Arts &
Fashion and has coordinated projects and campaigns for ʻĀina Hou Workshops and the American
Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Recent Projects
Resilience Training Center – Project Summary
Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s Resilience Training Center (RTC) serves as the backbone of our islandwide efforts to
build local capacity, enhance disaster readiness, and strengthen the social fabric of our communities.
Through hands-on training, network coordination, and culturally grounded approaches, the RTC equips
individuals, families, and community-based organizations with the skills and strategies needed to
respond to emergencies and sustain long-term resilience. Whether preparing neighborhood hubs to
activate during a disaster or offering wellness-based approaches to community care, our programs are
rooted in trust, collaboration, and aloha ʻāina.
Hui Hānai Ka Moku – Freeze-Dry Training
As part of a growing food resilience strategy, the RTC launched Hui Hānai Ka Moku to train residents
from nine communities in freeze-drying techniques. This initiative provides practical skills in food
preservation, enabling communities to reduce waste, store emergency supplies, and support mutual aid
networks using locally grown and harvested food.
Resilience Hub Summit
The Resilience Hub Summit brings together hub leaders, emergency managers, government partners,
and grassroots organizers from across Hawaiʻi Island. Designed as a space for skill-building and
cross-sector collaboration, the summit strengthens coordination protocols, showcases successful
practices, and activates new leaders to support neighborhood-level disaster response and recovery.
Kaukau 4 Keiki – Food Distribution Drill
Kaukau 4 Keiki not only addresses food insecurity during the summer months but also functions as a
large-scale emergency food distribution drill. In 2025, the program will serve over 5,000 keiki through a
network of over 400 volunteers. By engaging hub partners, logistics teams, and community volunteers in
real-time operations, the program reinforces critical capabilities for mass feeding, communication, and
supply management across the island.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training
To strengthen emotional resilience, the RTC offered Psychological First Aid Instructor training to hub
leaders, health professionals, and community volunteers. These Instructors are committed to holding
certification workshops free of charge over the next 2-years, increasing our island’s capacity to recognize
stress responses, offer compassionate support, and connect individuals to appropriate resources in the
aftermath of a disaster or crisis.
First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification
Through partnerships with certified instructors, the RTC coordinates First Aid, CPR, Hands Only CPR, and
AED training across Hawaiʻi Island. These life-saving courses are prioritized for resilience hub teams,
youth leaders, and community members most likely to respond in the early moments of an
emergency—often before professional responders arrive. Over the past 12 months,
Chainsaw Safety Training
Recognizing the need for safe and effective debris removal after storms and other disasters, the RTC
offers Chainsaw Safety Training for hub members and community volunteers. This certification-based
training covers personal protective equipment, operational safety, maintenance, and situational
awareness—empowering residents to support post-disaster recovery while minimizing risk.
Youth Resilience Academy
The Youth Resilience Academy prepares the next generation of community leaders by offering summer
workshops focused on leadership, preparedness, mental wellness, and practical response skills. The
Academy weaves together cultural values, peer support, and hands-on learning to engage youth in
building stronger, more connected, and better-prepared communities.
No Nā Pua – Community-Based Research through Cross-Sector Collaboration
No Nā Pua is a community-based research initiative led by Vibrant Hawaiʻi to explore the impact of
culturally rooted practices on mental health, resilience, and social connection. Designed and
implemented in collaboration with local cultural practitioners, mental health professionals, academic
researchers, and first responders, the project exemplifies our commitment to cross-sector partnership as
a foundation for meaningful inquiry. Rather than positioning community members as subjects, No Nā
Pua centers their lived experience and expertise—ensuring that the research process is participatory,
relational, and grounded in local values. Findings from the study are actively informing the design of
resilience training, systems of care, and public health strategies that reflect the realities and strengths of
Hawaiʻi Island communities. Through this work, Vibrant Hawaiʻi demonstrates its ability to convene
diverse sectors, translate qualitative insight into action, and advance equity through culturally responsive
research.
KōCreate – Advancing Community Capacity for Civic Planning and Leadership
KōCreate is a civic engagement initiative developed by Vibrant Hawaiʻi to equip community members
with the skills, tools, and confidence to lead local planning processes related to housing, economic
development, energy resilience, and emergency preparedness. At its core, KōCreate invests in
people—providing a structured learning journey that develops competencies in visionary
communication, relational leadership, strategic planning, and organizing for collective action.
Participants gain practical experience in areas such as group facilitation, systems thinking, public
speaking, grant writing, and adaptive strategy—ensuring they are prepared not only to contribute to
planning efforts, but to lead them.
The initiative emphasizes reflection, cultural grounding, and sustained engagement, enabling residents
to design initiatives rooted in community values and responsive to local complexity. Through KōCreate,
Vibrant Hawaiʻi is cultivating a new generation of civic leaders who can navigate tension, mobilize
resources, and build trust across systems—ensuring that community voices drive the decisions that
shape their futures.
Summary
Together, these initiatives reflect Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s commitment to advancing community-led solutions
through strategic planning, skill-building, and authentic partnership. Whether through training programs
that equip residents with life-saving competencies or engagement processes that elevate local leadership
in planning and decision-making, our work centers the knowledge, capacity, and aspirations of Hawaiʻi
Island communities. We are prepared to continue delivering high-impact services that are locally
informed, culturally grounded, and designed for long-term resilience.
Client References
● Ashley Kierkiewicz, President, Nā Leo TV. Email: akierkiewicz@naleo.tv
● 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.
Naʻu me ka ʻoiaʻiʻo,
Na Janice Ikeda
Chief Executive Officer
Vibrant Hawaiʻi