MEDIA RELEASE

Richard Matsuda and Taffi U‘ilei Wise have been appointed to the board of trustees at Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA).

Gregory R. Mooers, chairman, announced the appointments after the board’s recent meeting in Waimea.

Matsuda, a current parent and Waimea resident, has extensive experience in engineering management in the astronomy and aerospace sectors.

He currently leads technical operations for the W.M. Keck Observatory, the world’s most scientifically productive ground-based optical/infrared telescope facility. Matsuda served as a mentor for the Akamai Workforce Initiative’s STEM internship program and also has been an active volunteer at the school, assisting with coaching duties for the girls varsity basketball team and the middle school boys basketball team.

Wise, a current parent and Waimea resident, combined forces with the Waimea community in 1999 to create Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School and a closely affiliated 501(c) (3), the Kanu o ka Aina Learning Ohana dba KALO.

Wise currently serves as KALO’s executive director and KANU’s business manager. She also serves as secretary for Lei Hoohala, a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), which provides credit, financial, and other services to underserved markets and populations.

Other members of the HPA board include Laurie T. Ainslie, Scott Bradley, Dr. Michael Chun, Putman D. Clark, Michael K. Fujimoto, Allison Holt Gendreau, Will J. Hancock, Nona F. Hasegawa, Charles G. King, Duncan MacNaughton, David W. Pratt, William D. Pratt, Michael S. Spalding, Hannah Kihalani Springer, Donna Tanoue, Dr. Peter Vitousek, Roy A. Vitousek III, and Harry M. von Holt.