Our Team
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Miki Tomita Okamoto
Born and raised on Maui, Miki graduated from H.P. Baldwin High School, earned a B.S.E. in Biosystems Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and a Ph.D. in education at Stanford University. She has worked in education for 25 years as a teacher, administrator, curriculum developer, and researcher in public, charter, independent, post-high and informal education. Miki’s focus is on placing youth and communities at the center of transforming society’s challenges into opportunities for learning and invention, elevating the role of traditional, cultural and place-based knowledge and practice to the forefront of a regenerative society that holds ALOHA at its core. She is the named successor in ALOHA Response teachings and practice of renowned Hawaiian storyteller and cultural practitioner, Pono Shim.
She identifies as a descendant of Japanese settlers in Hawaiʻi, an indigenous ally, a student of traditional healers and practitioners, an entrepreneur and a maker. She has spent her life working to help create positive change for our planet and people, and is accompanied on her path by her daughter Mayumi and husband Jon.
CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER
Hye Jung Kim Tano
Hye Jung was born in Busan, South Korea, raised in Mount Dora, Florida, and now resides in Maunawili, Hawaiʻi. Before transitioning to her current role, she gained valuable experience working with youth in various educational settings, including public, charter, and independent K-12 schools, such as Akaʻula School, ‘Iolani School, and the University Laboratory School. Additionally, she has held positions at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu and Kapiʻolani Community College. Her journey has been enriched by the birth of her two children, Hayden and Haylee, as well as her supportive partner, DJ.
Hye Jung earned her Bachelor of Science degree in pure mathematics from the University of Central Florida and went on to pursue a Master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she was also a fellow in the National Science Foundation’s GK-12 program. Beyond her academic pursuits, she volunteers as a crew member with the Polynesian Voyaging Society and has served as an advisor for the Nā Kelamoku youth group.
Our Board
CHAIR
Brian Dote
Brian Dote is an experienced innovator, technologist, and educator whose career bridges global technology leadership and Hawaiʻi-based innovation. He is the founder of Tapiki, a mobile application development company, and holds multiple patents in mobile technologies. Earlier in his career, Brian served as a User Interface Engineering Team Manager at Apple, where he contributed to the development of core iOS patents and technologies and worked on groundbreaking products including the iPhone, iCloud/MobileMe, iTunes Music Store, iPhoto, iMovie, iWeb, Motion, and OS X.
In Hawaiʻi, Brian has brought his expertise to both education and industry. He was the first Chief Innovation Officer at Mid-Pacific Institute, where he advanced digital learning and innovation initiatives, and he also served as Senior Vice President and Director of Mobile and Digital Commerce at Bank of Hawaiʻi. His contributions to technology and design have been recognized nationally and locally, including being named a Webby Honoree in 2009 and selected as one of Hawaiʻi Business Magazine’s 20 for the Next 20 in 2017, honoring emerging leaders shaping the future of Hawaiʻi.
As a long-time board member of Education Incubator, Brian brings a wealth of experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology to help advance EI’s mission of fostering creativity, purpose, and positive change for learners and communities across Hawaiʻi. Brian is the bridge between EI’s first decade of board members, to the next set of new board members listed below.
Reflecting on his journey with EI, Brian shares:
“I have learned more by being a part of EI than I could have ever imagined. EI impacts all of us, and the world needs this work now more than ever. There is still so much to do, and I can’t wait to see what happens when place, purpose, and ancestry combine into something truly magical. I hope our paths cross in the future so I can share all that is happening. And I hope you join us on this journey, in whatever vessel may be right for you.”
VICE CHAIR
Molly Noelaniokekai Gismervik Mamaril
Molly Noelaniokekai Gismervik Mamaril serves as the Community Innovation Connector at the Oʻahu Economic Development Board, where she helps anchor innovation in relationship with community, culture, and place. She believes that a thriving Hawai‘i begins with healthy land, healthy people, and relationships rooted in aloha.
Born in Honolulu and raised in Minneapolis, Molly returned to Hawaiʻi in 2012 to explore her family’s heritage. She earned her B.A. in Journalism from the University of St. Thomas and a M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her professional experience spans ʻāina-based education, communications and public health, all with a focus on community well-being and connection.
One of her greatest joys is producing podcasts that uplift the voices of Hawaiʻi. She currently hosts and produces two podcasts, Above the Sides and Heartbeat Narratives.
TREASURER
John Huliheʻe
John Huliheʻe brings over 20 years of leadership experience in banking, innovation, and community service to the board.
Starting his banking career in 1993, John steadily advanced through the ranks, reaching Vice President before joining Central Pacific Bank in 2017 as Senior Vice President and Manager of Institutional Deposit Services. In this role, he was instrumental in developing the bank’s institutional deposit and treasury management programs. Known for his strategic leadership and talent development, John was recognized in 2020 by Hawaiʻi Business Magazine as one of their “20 for the Next 20,” honoring emerging leaders shaping Hawaiʻi’s future. His colleagues commend him for his ability to uplift both clients and teams by sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration across departments, and driving meaningful results in financial services.
Beyond his professional achievements, John is deeply invested in giving back to the community. He serves on the fundraising committee for the Hawaiʻi Children’s Cancer Foundation and has held leadership roles including former board president of Prevent Child Abuse Hawaiʻi, Board Director for the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, and Board Chair for Rise HI, an organization dedicated to empowering children through supplemental curriculum and culturally inclusive education.
SECRETARY
Roy Kimura
Roy started his professional journey in the late 1970s under the tutelage of Steve Hirano, who ran a one-man advertising agency. Learning from Steve Hirano was a privilege, as Steve, despite being a solo ad agency, carried the weight of clients like First Federal Savings & Loan, Marukai, and the 1978 Hawaii Constitutional Convention, along with playing in the deep waters of the Democratic party in Hawaii.
After Hirano & Company, Roy gained valuable experience in the studio of KHON-TV, starting as a camera operator and floor director, eventually moving into a directorʻs chair for live news, live coverage of the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest, documentary work including Molokai Hoe, Na Wahine O Ke Kai, The Dick Tomey Show, and direct account commercials.
Roy then moved to McHale Videofilm, a high-end commercial production house where, in addition to directing commercials for Long Distance USA, and Central Pacific Bank, he moved into copywriting and directing for Local Motion, Liberty House, Theo Davies, Georg Jensen, Servco Automotive (Toyota Dealers of Hawaii, Servco Lexus, Subaru Dealers of Hawaii) and the Hawaii Firefighters Association.
Most recently, Roy has worked as a freelance director and storyteller, with a brief stint at PBS Hawai‘i as Vice-President of Creative Services, where he wrote and produced multiple Na Meles, pledge events in support of PBS Hawai‘iʻs capital campaign, and managed the department responsible for all video production at the station. As a director, Roy has worked on various commercials and documentary pieces, collaborating with Anthology Marketing Group, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Shinnyo-en, and most recently, is partnering with Hawai‘i Foodbank.
Roy is a graduate of Damien Memorial High School and the University of Hawai‘i. While both institutions gave him a social and educational base from which to launch his life, he feels that his experiences in the profession of television and video production gave Roy the true foundation for life…the triumphs, the mistakes, and the learning opportunities given to him by so many mentors and teachers have culminated in who he is today.
Roy is grateful and humbled by the gifts given to him in the form of friends, family, teachers, and collaborators.
