Governing Board Member Introductions
Nicolette Hubbard 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!
David Borsh is a nine year resident of the Hāmākua Coast previously living in Pāpaʻaloa before moving to Nīnole four years ago with his wife Cheryl where they built their forever home. David holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Phoenix. David brings 20 years of experience to the LCPCS Board from his work with a global medical equipment manufacture out of Solna, Sweden where he managed people, processes and budgets. David enjoys spending his spare time gardening, playing golf and scuba diving.
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.
Noe Iokepa-Keliikoa is a fourteen year resident of the Big Island previously living on Oahu. Noe holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Southern New Hampshire University. Noe brings data analysis experience to the LCPCS Board as well as experience from Hawai'i state law, Title IX knowledge and experience, and from many other life and career experiences such as owning and managing a business, health care, and educational background. Noe enjoys spending her spare time learning new things, going to the gym and beach, and relaxing with family.
Kumu Kaulana
is in her 10th year at LCPCS. Her professional career spans over 25
years in service to Hawaii’s children in public education. She is a
graduate of U.H. Manoa and Chaminade University with professional
degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership. A first
generation college graduate, her passion is working with students with
special needs, providing the skills and strategies needed to become
self-determined in their community of choice. Her leadership experience
includes an array of roles in retail management and coaching, as well as
positions as faculty representative, department chair, Po’o Kumu, and
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Kumu
Kaulana resides in Hakalau with her husband. She has four adult
children, and 3 grandchildren on Kauai whom she visits often. She enjoys
outrigger canoe paddling, na mea Hawaii, and lifelong
learning. Laupahoehoe has a significant history and personal connections
for her. She takes pride in the fact that Papa’aloa is the birthplace
of her great-grandfather, and recognizes ke kuleana o keia wahi pana o kona mau kupuna.
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 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 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 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.