Governing Board Members

The LCPCS Governing Board is composed of dedicated community members who bring a wide range of experience, insight, and commitment to the success of Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School. Each member serves with a shared purpose — to support the school’s mission, ensure accountability, and guide strategic direction through a strong foundation in Policy Governance.

 

Policy Governance empowers the Board to focus on long-term vision and student outcomes while entrusting the school director with day-to-day operations. This model ensures that decisions are made with clarity, transparency, and in alignment with our school’s values and goals.

 

Through regular monitoring, open communication, and a deep commitment to servant leadership, our Board members work collaboratively to uphold the educational excellence and community spirit that make LCPCS unique.

We are grateful for their service and proud to recognize their vital role in shaping the future of our school.

 

Weston Willard – New School Director of LCPCS

 

We are excited to welcome Weston Willard as the new School Director of Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School (LCPCS). Weston brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership, with a strong focus on student achievement, community engagement, and fostering a positive school culture. His passion for education and dedication to supporting both students and staff align perfectly with the values of LCPCS.

 

Weston is committed to working collaboratively with our talented team, families, and community to continue enhancing the learning environment at LCPCS. We look forward to the positive contributions he will make as he leads our school into an exciting new chapter.

 

 

Nicolette Hubbard (Chair)  was born and raised in Laupahoehoe and is lucky to be able to raise her 3 children near her home town! She is also a proud Colorado State Alumni, class of 2004. Niki was a part of the steering committee that worked to convert LCPCS to a charter school and has served on the governing board at LCPCS for the first few years. Niki is a mortgage loan officer at Pacific Isle Lending Group, LLC and has worked in the mortgage industry since 2010.

In her (limited) free time, Niki is heavily involved in the community as she enjoys volunteering in her hometown to make sure all the children in the rural area have as many opportunities as possible. She assisted in coaching Novice swim and is somewhat of a team mom for the Park and Rec age group basketball teams in Papa'aloa, which her husband coaches. She also has helped to coordinate the Laupahoehoe Music Festival, is BNI Hilo Innovators chapter vice president, and loves all the connections she makes as a business partner at Hawaii Island Realtor Board. Niki also has a love for sports, she is a swimmer and enjoys being near the water all the time. She is energetic, as you would need to be with 3 beautiful children, and carries over that energy into every activity!

Erika Closter is a mom of 5 keiki; 4 who currently attend LCPCS, and her eldest graduated class of 2023. Erika is dedicated to her family farm in Laupāhoehoe, and is a local business owner. She’s lived in Hawaii since 2002, is a trained chef and entrepreneur in the field of organic health, farming, and food as medicine on all levels. She is passionate about sustainability, learning and perpetuating local cultural traditions, community relationships, and health of āina. Erika greatly values shaping a positive future for the next generation. You will also often find her volunteering within the school, community gardening, and dancing hula in local hālau.

Yvonne Manupuna is a parent to 4 keiki that currently attend LCPCS. Born and raised in Hawaii, she moved to Hawaii Island from Maui in 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and masters degree in marriage and family therapy and am currently a doctoral candidate completing her final year. She currently owns a group family therapy practice. She also is on staff with Hāmākua-Kohala Health, Laupahoehoe clinic. Yvonne is  passionate about understanding and treating mental and behavioral health issues from a culturally adaptive approach. As a graduate of a charter school, She has a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities a charter school provides for the keiki, ohana and its surrounding community.  She is extremely  honored to serve on the LCPCS board.

Ariel Maguire (Treasure)  is a mother and entrepreneur. She moved to Big Island in 2020 and lives on her parents' chocolate farm in Hakalau with her husband and four daughters; two in elementary at LCPCS and two still at home. Ariel has a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in Interdisciplinary Studies, and she's been a business owner since the ripe age of 23. She is an Accountant and Business Coach working to empower and educate small business owners. She finds great joy in helping the local community thrive in whatever ways she is called. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, astrology, and dancing. 

Dawn Kulberg (Secretary) has been a resident of Laupahoehoe for 26 years. She is a proud member of the Sugpiaq tribe in Alaska and often spends summers with family up there. Dawn is a multi-generational jewelry artist with over 20 years of experience in selling and creating her artwork. She showcases her work in galleries and Native American art markets around the world. Dawn holds an A.A.S. degree in Jewelry Design from F.I.T. in NYC. She is a proud mom to three keiki, two of whom currently attend LCPCS elementary, and a teen who attended LCPCS from K-8th grade but is now at Hilo High.

Kurtis Sherer moved to the Big Island in 2008 to attend UH Hilo and play baseball with Vulcans where he received a BA in history and a Postbaccalaureate in teaching social studies grades 6-12.  He was hired as the social studies teacher at LCPCS in 2012 when it was converted to a charter school. While teaching social studies for 10 years he has taken on various leadership roles supporting faculty and students in accomplishing the school’s mission. Now as LCPCS Student Success Coach, Kurtis will be representing the faculty on the school’s governing board.

David Marshall joined the LCPCS governing board in March of 2025 and looks forward to serving his community and the board to up hold LCPCS mission and values.