Governing Board Member Bios
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.
Wendy Hickok
lives in Laupāhoehoe and resides at the Rosie Rainbow Ranch (about a
mile away from the school). She is the proud Mother of a 7th grader at
LCPCS. Wendy has her BA in Communications from UCLA. She has traveled
the nation offering consulting services of business development, process
improvement, and systems redesign for the automotive industry. Wendy
has served as a board member for various charitable organizations. She
stays busy; however, her happiest moments are spent with her family on
the ranch where she raises mini cows, mini horses, mini donkeys, mini
goats, and llamas.
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.
Dawn Kulberghas
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.
Susan McCarthy holds a BS in Operations Management from Hawai’i Pacific University. She worked in retail management for Liberty House Stores for 20 years (1976 - 1996). Susan volunteered as Chairperson of the Waiheke Community Art Gallery in New Zealand and served on the board of the Honolulu Symphony Guild. In both of these roles, Susan had a prominent part in promoting and supporting the arts. Before retiring to the Big Island in 2016 with her husband, they previously lived in New Zealand for 21 years.
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.