| CRYSTAL LEISHMAN - Director of Operations, Treasurer & President Emeritus/Founder Born and raised in Seattle WA, Crystal has been actively involved in the LGBT community since she was 19. She donated her time as a volunteer for many years to the Folk Life Festival, Seattle Gay Pride Parade, and the Lambert House. She is a very passionate and driven woman that has a strong personal connection with the LGBT community. She Says, "Moving to the Big Island in 2005 from Seattle, where there is a prevalent LGBT network and community, was a shock, as I saw no real LGBT community base on the Big Island." This was when HIP was born."I am privileged and proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people so dedicated, loving and hard working". "My personal fight for equality has grown as I go through the amazing motions of motherhood. The desire for my son to be raised in an equal world burns deep." |
| JEN JOHANSEN - President & PR Coordinator On Jen's list of 100 things to do in her lifetime, "Being a Civil Rights Advocate", is near the top! "Equality is the key to Peace. I am a hopeful optimist who will not be satisfied until I witness a World that is equal, wherein everyone supports and respects each others true existence on Earth". Jen has been involved with Hawaii Island Pride (HIP) since the beginning and has found an outlet for one of her lifetime goals. She has dedicated herself to Equality through HIP's advocacy of the Civil Unions bill, HB444, that is coming back to the Hawaii State Senate floor this January 2010. The Bill, if passed, will provide many of the same rights of marriage to same-sex couples. "Our promotion of Equal Rights through Political Advocacy, Youth Advocacy, and through our Annual Gay Pride Festival is pivotal to the advancement of understanding, compassion, and sense of Pride for our entire Community". "I am grateful for the tireless efforts of my fellow Board Members & Coordinators. And I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to live in this Paradise, called Hawaii". |
| MAGGIE FOLEY - Vice President & Entertainment Coordinator Maggie is one of the founding members of Hawaii Island Pride (HIP) and serves as the HIP Entertainment Coordinator and Board Member. "The experience of sharing the 1st Annual Hawaii Island Pride Gay Pride Festival with our Big Island community has been life-changing." She has been involved in the LGTBQ community in Hawaii since relocating to the Big Island in early 2000 from her hometown, Seattle, WA. Maggie is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Hawaii and has enjoyed a successful massage practice in Kailua Kona, since 2005. |
| JUDE HERRERA - YOUTH ADVOCATE COORDINATOR & BOARD MEMBER "We are put on this earth to help each-other." This is the main reason Jude chose to become involved with Hawaii Island Pride. As a young gay person growing up in Los Angeles, Jude had the amazing benefit of having many positive gay role models in his life. "I am proud to be a self -loving out gay man in the Hawaiian community. My biggest wish is that my presence here will help others who are struggling with their sexual identity. We are all gods children , and we are all worthy of his love." Jude has lived in Kona for 3 years and has been involved with HIP since it's inception in 2008. Jude is single ;) |
| KEOLA SHIMOTSU - BOARD MEMBER Keola was born and raised here on the Big Island in Kailua Kona. He has been with HIP since the beginning as a Board Member. Helping the youth is very important to Keola. He would like to act as a gay mentor for Hawaii's LGBTQ youth struggling with their sexuality. Keola ventured to Oahu for about 6 years where he lived and volunteered for IKON a gay youth group. He found this to be rewarding and saw that he could make a difference. |
| JAIN - VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Born and raised in Chicago's south side till she was 18 years old, Jain moved to the Big Island in 1988 when she was 22. She has a son, 2 dogs and 2 cats. Jain is an adrenaline junkie, who loves to do anything that makes her heart go fast. Her biggest passions are golf, scuba diving, snowboarding and mountain biking. Jain has been a dedicated volunteer of Hawaii Island Pride since the 1st Annual Gay Pride Festival and is now our new Volunteer Coordinator. |
| Brian Lamb - ENTERTAINMENT COORDINATOR Brian has dedicated and donated his time and equipment as a DJ for the past two years to Hawaii Island Pride for our Festival and fundraising events. Brian is happily married to his lovely wife Deepa and has been a successful DJ for the past 10 years. He has always made it a point to donate or contribute to the surrounding community through Relay for Life events, the food bank and Hawaii Island Pride. We are excited to welcome Brian as one of our new Entertainment Coordinators |
| Jeffrey Werle - Secretary & Special Event Coordinator Jeffrey the oldest of three and his family traveled with their father to Europe, South America, and The Mainland USA, where he later attended college at The University of California, Long Beach. Pursuing an interest in Early Childhood Development and Primary Education. Jeffrey graduated and began his own family. After fathering his own children Jeffrey returned to the islands in 1989 and made his home in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. He began working in the Food and Beverage/Hospitality Industry while attending classes at The University of Hawaii, Hilo. Jeffrey now works for The State Education Department as a Substitute Teacher I for elementary schools in The West Hawaii District, specializing in long term assignments for the Department of Human Resources. Jeffrey was one of the original founding members of The Hawaii Island Pride service organization in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Jeffrey has also participated, volunteered and become a member/employee of dozens of other service groups and organizations throughout the island, state, and mainland USA: National Association of Education for Young Children NAEYC, Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project HERMP, Gays and Lesbians of Hawaii Island GALOHI, Kona Family YMCA, Act Up... to name a few. YES JEFFREY IS SINGLE. |
Big Islands LGBTQ Nonprofit 501(c)(4) Organization
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| PHOTO COMING SOON! |
| PHOTO COMING SOON! |
| East side Board Members |
| Kona/Headquarters Board Members |
| helped organize the first gay march commemorating Stonewall. That’s when he met 22 year partner Earnest, who lured him to Hawaii in 1973 to co-found Kalani Oceanside Retreat Village and instruct dance at UH campuses. Kalani, www. kalani.com, an oasis for nature-culture-wellness education and celebration, is part gay and lesbian owned and operated, with a spectrum of student guests and volunteers from around the world. |
