About Us

President

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Nestor Limon Ugale, Jr. was born and raised in Lahaina. As a product of Lahaina he understands the significance of its streets and those who paved them. Nestor is the great grandson of an ilokano sakada, he carries with him the same courageous pioneering spirit and a duty of servant leadership.

With a leadership pedigree born out of Lahainaluna High School (Class of 2001), he continues to perpetuate the legacy and lineage of leaders to emerge from that institution. In the wake of he Lahaina wildfires, calls were made internally and externally seeking representation and a voice for the Filipino community in Lahaina. Like so many other multi-generational Filipinos, Nestor's identity is more Lahaina (Hawaii) than it is Filipino but without hesitation he started his journey to rediscovering what it means to be Filipino in a Hawaiian landscape.

Vice President

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Debra Andres Arellano was born on Maui and raised in the Kapunakea neighborhood of Wahikuli, Lahaina. Her roots in the Philippines are Marcos, Ilocos Norte and San Fernando, La Union. She is a proud member of the Lahainaluna class of 2003.

Debra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Ethnic Studies, with undergraduate certificates in Women’s Studies and Ilokano, from the University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Anthropology from American University in Washington, DC.

Debra is an educator with experience working in the Hawaiʻi Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi System. She has worked for student support services and education equity programs for underrepresented high school and college students. She has also served as an Instructor for Ilokano language and Philippine culture in the University of Hawaiʻi System.

She is a scholar practitioner, currently pursuing a doctorate in Education at the University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa, College of Education from the Foundations of Transformative Education Program. Her dissertation research includes critical pedagogy, culturally-responsive teaching, and liberatory education for Lahaina. She aspires to contribute to Ilokano research, the Nakem Conferences movement, and to education policy. She is passionate about empowering Filipino youth through education, community and social justice.

After the fire, Debra saw the need to connect Filipinos to Filipino food. With those who responded to the call to serve, Kaibigan ng Lahaina was formed. Debra has also been assisting administration in serving the students and families of Lahaina since the fire.

Debra currently serves as a Vice-Principal at Lahainaluna High School.

She hopes to relocate back to Lahaina one day with her husband Brandon and her son, Bayani.

Treasurer

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At 7yrs. old, Cindy stood in front of many students and nervously gave her speech in hopes of becoming their school’s Treasurer. This ignited her leadership journey throughout her educational life, highlighting her roles as Class President at Lahainaluna High School (LHS) and as a Senator in Inter- Business Council (IBC) for her involvement in the Financial Management Association (FMA) at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. There, Cindy received her bachelor’s degree in finance. She recently aided in the establishment of an annual scholarship for graduating seniors of Lahainaluna High School, on behalf of her graduating class.

Cindy loves the Lahaina community, having been born and raised there and is a Lahaina girl through and through. One of her activities she truly misses are her morning runs down Front Street and passing by “the uncles” that congregated on the stairs of the Old Lahaina Courthouse sipping their coffee as they “talked stories.” She hopes to bring back this kind of familiarity for her loved ones and for her community by exemplifying bayanihan, a shared community spirit in rebuilding Lahaina.

Cindy put her career on pause as well as her new venture in healthcare pursuing nutrition to ultimately focus on the upbringing of her three beautiful kids. She raises her kids to always be kind to oneself and others but to especially be proud of who they are, Ilokano, Tagalog and with a sprinkling of Chinese. Aside from chauffeuring her children to their many activities and sporting events, Cindy simply loves to lay on the sofa and read a good book. So, whenever you see her around, do recommend a good read to her.

SECRETARY

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Axel Beers was born and raised in Happy Valley, Wailuku, Maui. He is the son of Alex and Herminia (Ora-a Cesar) Beers. His mom is from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, and his great-grandparents were sakadas.

Axel holds a master’s degree in education from UH Manoa and has worked as a caseworker, student advisor, social studies teacher, and newspaper editor. As the editor of MauiTime Weekly from 2018-2020, Axel strove to publish stories that centered the land, quality of life, and working class people of Maui, earning his work national recognition by the Association of Alternative Newsmedia.

Axel is currently an executive assistant to Maui County Councilmember, Gabe Johnson, where he does policy and legislative analysis. He is committed to empowering the kama’aina and working class of Maui and the accomplishments he is proudest of include leading efforts to make Summer and Winter PALS childcare programs free of charge for parents, establish a free bus pass program, advise the inaugural Maui County Youth Council, and increase county funding for human concerns grants.

Axel’s family was impacted by the August 8 Fire. He sees Kaibigan Ng Lahaina as an opportunity to organize and empower Filipinos so that they not only recover from the recent tragedy, but also build power and resilience to advocate for a community and quality of life even greater than it was before.

Axel lives in Kahului with his three children and in his spare time you can find them at ‘Iao Valley or by the grill.

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Jeffrey Tangonan Miguel Acido is a 1.5 generation Ilokano in Hawaii. He was born in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte and grew up in a working class rural farming community. His father was a custodian who proudly cleaned community spaces while his mother took pride in cleaning Waikiki hotels.

Jeffrey is inspired by his Ilokano and Amianan roots. He draws strength from the ingenuity and critical lens of his working class ancestors and their relationship to Land, Language and their Bodies. He has developed popular education spaces in Honolulu through Kokua Kalihi Valley and Hawaii Peace and Justice for working-class youth of color. He has taught Ilokano and Filipino studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa as well as Ethnic Studies and Humanities in Seattle and The Bay Area, California. Jeffrey dreams of creating a space for popular education and ancestral wisdom.

He graduated from Farrington High School and earned his PhD in Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He also attend seminary at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley studying Asian American and Pacific Islander post-colonial theology and liberation theology.

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Ryan Corpuz is a dedicated founding member of Kaibigan Ng Lahaina, a non-profit organization focused on serving the community. Inspired by the August 8th wildfires, Ryan immediately sprang into action, working alongside his wife Sieny, best friend Nestor, and others to support Chef Hui in distributing food to West Maui residents during the crisis.

In addition to running a small sneaker business, Ryan’s fundraising efforts, which raised over $13,000 with the support of friends and colleagues, directly benefited families affected by the wildfires. With a career in food and beverage spanning 19 years, Ryan brings a wealth of experience and passion for serving others to his charitable endeavors.

A proud Lahaina native with Filipino roots, Ryan’s commitment to community service is deeply ingrained, reflecting his upbringing and values. He finds inspiration in his children, Rylee and Soren, who keep him motivated and youthful in his mission to make a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

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Marnelli Joy B. Ulep is the inaugural Pamantasan Director for the University of Hawai'i System where she supports the success, engagement, as well as recruitment and retention of Filipino students, faculty, and staff across all ten campuses.

A graduate of Shidler College of Business and the College of Education at UH Mānoa, Marnelli has worked as a Community Relations Coordinator for the William S. Richardson School of Law and Program Development Manager for the Business Administration and Cybersecurity Programs at UH West O’ahu. Marnelli was the first recipient of the UH West O’ahu Kumupa’a Staff award, recognizing her service and leadership, and fostering excellence in higher education.

A strong believer in the value of education, she dedicates herself to empowering students and communities at all levels. Marnelli serves on the advisory boards for Pearl City High School’s Academy of Culinary Arts, Health Sciences and Leadership and J. Campbell High School’s Academy of Energy, Natural Resources, and Business. In the past she has been involved with the Sariling Gawa Youth Council, contributed to the FilAm Courier, and served as Region XII Youth Representative to the National Federation of Filipino American Associations,.

Marnelli has fond memories of visiting her family in Lahaina and now visits often with her husband and children.

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Alyssa is an accomplished professional with a unique background in dentistry and a passion for people & philanthropy. After earning her degree in dentistry, she felt called & transitioned to pursue her true calling in community driven work, motivated by a desire to serve & create positive impact.

With a commitment to lifelong learning, Alyssa is currently furthering her degree, enhancing her knowledge, skills, & experiences in diverse environments. She has been an active member of various local & international np organizations, where she has demonstrated strong leadership. Her personal & work related accomplishments reflect her deep seated commitment to creating waves of compassion & successfully implemented initiatives that promote community engagement and resources to support our overall well being. Alyssa strives to amplify & support the voices of those who are often underrepresented in important discussions. She believes in the power of representation & actively works to ensure that our needs, our feelings, + perspectives of both youth AND elders are acknowledged. 

With a deep-rooted love for her hometown & philanthropy, she is beyond grateful to share her experiences & collaborative spirit. Alyssa is eager to work alongside passionate community members, friends, & families to share the mission of KNL + create a more inclusive environment where all immigrant Filipino members feel valued, welcomed, & heard.

Executive director

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Eric was born in Quezon City, Philippines to a father from Urdaneta City, Pangasinan and his mother from Bangui, Ilocos Norte. Eric immigrated to Lahaina, Maui at age three with his family, and considers Lahaina to not only be a place but a “member” of his family acknowledging the community that raised, fed and supported him throughout the years.

Eric graduated from Lahainaluna High School in 2001 and received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with minors in Sociology and Ethnic Studies. Upon receiving his degree, he worked at the Hawaii State Senate for five years as a bills researcher, committee clerk, legislative aide and office manager. Upon leaving the Senate, Eric dedicated thirteen years resolving appeals and grievances with the Hawaii Medical Services Association with specialized focuses on Medicare and Medicaid cases. In addition to his professional experience, Eric has been active with his church and has held leadership positions within the organization.

Immediately after the August 8th, 2023 fires, Eric responded by volunteering at the congregate shelters and continued recovery efforts with his church, Koinonia Pentecostal Church, which distributed over 2,000 Filipino meals over the span of three months. As a co-founder of Kaibigan ng Lahaina, Eric remains dedicated to the efforts to uplift Lahaina and Filipinos in Lahaina, envisioning both the longevity and sustainability of families to remain and grow in West Maui and celebrating the Filipino culture through educational experiences.

Community operations Director

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Sieny is a co-founder of Kaibigan ng Lahaina and a proud daughter of an immigrant from the Philippines. Sieny, her husband, Ryan along with friends, Nestor Ugale and Cassie De Silva, immediately sprang into action after the Maui fires. Having just evacuated themselves, they saw the need to gather their strength and pour into the community that has lost so much, recalling their call to action as a way to cope with the trauma.

Helping is not a foreign word to Sieny as she has devoted countless hours in community service such as delivering produce boxes to hundred of families for the Kaukau 4 Keiki Summer Meals Program with Maui United Way; assembled meals for children and seniors at the Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas, and has worked with the Maui Rapid Response team in distributing food and supplies to the biggest distribution center in Lahaina. Sieny, along with the help of generous donors has distributed multiple luggages to Lahaina families in need as they moved from shelter to temporary housing.

Sieny holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the New Era University in the Philippines. Her hobbies include running marathons, and training Aikido with her children, Rylee and Soren.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

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Wendy is a second generation Filipino who was born and raised on Maui. Her family's roots stem from Bacarra, Ilocos Norte and Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. Growing up, she spent her time in both Makawao and Kahului.

Wendy is a proud alumnus of Maui High School. She has a master's degree in English (Composition and Rhetoric), a bachelor's degree in Biology, and a minor in English. Her professional background includes experiences and skillsets in both healthcare and education. In the former background, she accumulated knowledge and skills by shadowing a variety of healthcare offices (e.g., optometry, ophthalmology, forensic pathology, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, etc.) and working as an optometric technician whose responsibilities extended throughout the office (e.g., surgical referral contact person, pretesting patients, front desk, etc.). In the latter background, she developed pedagogical approaches through her experience working with Maui Upward Bound students, mentoring first-year writers and students in upper division writing intensive courses, and providing consultation to a diverse clientele at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's The Writing Center. Moreover, she has participated in conferences that advocate for expanding the range and depth of discourses in Filipino rhetoric, first-year writing rhetoric, and pedagogy. In Spring 2025, she will be teaching English courses at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College campus. 

As a Maui-grown Filipina, she strives to expand the breadth and depth of Filipino and indigenous work within the healthcare industry and the field of education in Lāhaina and throughout Maui. 

Community Resource Navigator

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Kayzel was born in Pasaleng, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. She spent her early childhood in both Ilocos Norte and Nanerman, Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur until she moved to Maui in 2005. This transition marked a pivotal point in her life, as she embarked on a new chapter filled with possibilities and challenges in a foreign land like many other Filipinos.

Kayzel graduated from Maui High School and pursued her passion for science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. Her academic excellence and dedication led her to the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, where she joined the Population Sciences department and specialized in Nicotine and Tobacco Research. Kayzel's research focused on the social and behavioral aspects of nicotine and tobacco use especially for the vulnerable populations in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to mitigating the disproportionately high adverse cancer health outcomes that plague these communities. Her duties included analyzing data, conducting surveys, and contributing to the development of evidence-based strategies for tobacco control and prevention. Her research findings have been disseminated through multiple scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Driven by a deep sense of responsibility to the island and its people, she returned to Maui with a strong desire to give back to the community that had welcomed her and supported her for so many years. This led her to join Kaibigan ng Lahaina, where she aims to empower the residents and aid in their recovery.