Special section by Hawai‘i Leadership Forum in Hawai‘i Business Magazine

Micah Kāne views leadership like philanthropy: a collective effort powered by many hands and resources. As CEO and president of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Kāne has led the organization through unprecedented times, recently raising more than $200 million for the Maui Strong Fund, while unifying individuals around a shared purpose of support and resilience.

“Leadership, especially in challenging times, is about creating opportunities for others to succeed,” Kāne says. “The more responsibility you have, the more thoughtful you need to be. Good leaders foster trust and work alongside their communities to achieve lasting change.”

The Maui Strong Fund, created by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, brings together financial resources from across Hawai‘i and beyond to support the immediate relief and long-term recovery needs for communities impacted by the devastating Maui wildfires.

Leaders in Our Community

Omidyar Fellows, a program of the Hawai‘i Leadership Forum, is invested in philanthropic and nonprofit leaders driving transformative change in Hawai‘i. Fellows are leveraging social investments to address some of the state’s key issues, amplifying solutions that promote sustainable and long-lasting impact.

Power of Philanthropy

Sulma Gandhi, Hawai‘i health lead for the Stupski Foundation, fosters community and trust-based partnership initiatives in early brain development and serious illness care. Marisa Hayase leads Hawai‘i grantmaking and communications for The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, supporting community partnerships that break cycles of poverty and improve housing, health, and career pathway opportunities in Hawai‘i. Marissa Sandblom oversees grantmaking efforts that empower community-driven programs as the senior program director of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. Alex Harris, vice president of programs of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, leads work to help more low-income students unlock upward mobility through high-quality education and obtaining a promising degree or credential.

Making Collective Impact

Suzanne Skjold, COO of Aloha United Way, collaborates with foundations, corporations, and nonprofits to advocate and build collective funding for long-term solutions to Hawai‘i’s pressing income inequality, housing, and workforce issues. Darcie Yukimura is the vice president of philanthropy at Kupu and secures crucial funding to support youth-focused environmental service programs. Jocelyn “Josie” Howard, CEO of We Are Oceania, helps Micronesian communities in Hawai‘i navigate cultural and social challenges while staying connected to their roots. Amy Miller, president and CEO of Hawai‘i Foodbank, leads efforts to end hunger in Hawai‘i by ensuring access to healthy food for those in need.