Leadership & Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MHC is led by a group of committed volunteers representing diverse sectors of our community.
Scott B. Power (President)
McKibbin Mist (Vice President)
Glenn E. Mason, FAIA, NCARB (Treasurer)
Aloha McGuffie (Secretary)
Maenette Ah Nee Benham
Beryl B. Blaich
Mark Burak
Catherine L. Cooke
Edi Cooke
Julie Cooke
Mike Horikawa
Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu
Jon Lee, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Sam A. Cooke (Founder Emeritus)
Mary M. Cooke (Founder Emeritus)
Carol M. Fox (Director Emeritus)
STAFF
Jenny Engle
Director of Education
Jenny brings almost 20 years of experience designing museum education programs that engage students and help teachers. She has a Masters of Education in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Kenyon College, OH.
Kelsey Hara
Collections Specialist
From graduate school intern to staff member, Kelsey formerly managed MHC’s social media and communications but has transitioned to be part of the new collections team. She has a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science and a graduate certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Skye Haraga
Project Manager
Born and raised in Kāneʻohe and Kaimukī, she began her journey with MHC as a Kupu intern before going on to serve as a Garden Educator. After a short stint with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Forestry & Wildlife, Skye is happy to be back with the amazing MHC ʻohana coordinating efforts to open Kūaliʻi to the public as a historic home.
Jennifer Juarez
Museum Housekeeper
Lilia Lorenzo
Education Designer
As education designer, Lilia works with the rest of MHC’s education team to create and implement programs for visitors of all ages. Born and raised on Maui, she rides her bike to work, and has her own small business Lilia Poliahu Studio.
Kanoa Nakamura
Botanical Educator
As the botanical educator, Kanoa is part of the team that tends to and shares MHC’s gardens with school groups of all ages. Born and raised in Waimānalo, Kanoa has a passion for native plants and is working towards a degree in the UH system. When he’s not at MHC, Kanoa can be found surfing and volunteering for island-wide restoration efforts.
Susan Pelfrey
Collections Manager
Born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia, Susan got her love of history and museums from her parents. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Marshall University and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma. Susan is passionate about caring for museum collections to ensure their stories are protected for future generations.
Kevin Prior
Facilities Manager
As MHC’s Facilities Manager, Kevin ensures that our buildings and physical assets are well-managed and maintained. Originally from Pennsylvania, Kevin grew up on a farm, is a certified machinist, and moved to Hawaiʻi in 2009.
Cedar Soberman
Finance Manger
Kawai Souza
School Group Educator
Kawai Souza is from Honomakaʻu, Kohala and is passionate about ʻāina stewardship. She is grateful to be working with MHC as the School Group Educator to support and advocate for the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiʻi’s wahi & ʻike kūpuna.
Jessica Welch
Executive Director
Jessica Welch comes to MHC with 20+ years experience developing fundraising programs and building community for Hawaii museums. She believes in the power of place-based learning and connecting people to the place they call home. Jessica has an MA in Arts Administration from the University of Oregon.
Keʻala Wong
Cultural Educator
Lindsey Ke‘ala Wong is a graduate of Kamehameha Kapālama (2009) and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (2014/2020) where she received a BA in Hawaiian Studies/Hawaiian Language and a MA in STEMS^2 Education. She is passionate about perpetuating ʻike Hawai‘i and appreciates the Cooke ‘ohana and what they stand for: cultural preservation through education.
MHC’s gardens are lovingly maintained by KUPU members and a corps of volunteers.
