Our Staff & Board
Administration
Erik Mann
Executive Director
Erik Mann comes to Hawaii Habitat after providing family services and managing an affordable housing land trust as the Chief Operating Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Island County in Washington State. Erik helped to secure federal and State funding for several projects, and was instrumental in creating a new local tax relief policy for Habitat families. He was self-employed as a broker at Windermere Real Estate before joining Habitat to put his skills to use in creating affordable homeownership opportunities.
Community Service has been at the core of Erik’s life for many years, including serving on his local public school board as the legislative representative and eventually VIce-President, for five years prior to his move to Hawaii. Erik has 15 years of service with his hometown Kiwanis Club, built a competitive high school sailing program that now employs local teenagers and served on the youth sailing board locally and the Northwest Interscholastic Sailing Association regionally. Erik prides himself on finding mutually beneficial solutions to complicated challenges, and brings a passion affordable housing and serving his community by developing programs and resources benefiting the community. He is excited to lead an organization that can create opportunities statewide. In his free time, you may find Erik volunteering on Habitat build sites, sailing, or exploring new areas of the islands and all they have to offer.
Susan Le
Program Manager
Susan Le is the Program Manager with Hawaii Habitat. In her role, her goal is to increase community engagement and participation in areas of research and development for affordable housing opportunities. Originally from Seattle, she has seen firsthand the detrimental impact of limited affordable housing and is excited to be in a role that will support efforts in alleviating the issue in Hawaii. Previously, Susan worked as a Manufacturing Engineer in the aerospace industry before leaving to pursue her passion for community service and non-profit work.
In her free time, Susan likes to read, write, cook, and spend time with family and friends. She is self-described as a funny and outgoing empath who appreciates good company and strategy board games. She is always on a never-ending search for her next obsessive hobby and her newest favorite beer.
2023 Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Milo Spindt
President
Broker-in-Charge, Property Management, Elite Pacific, LLC, Kauai
Milo was born in Lawai Valley on the island of Kauai. He attended Kapaa Elementary and Island School before moving to Waimanalo to help take care of his Tutu. Milo attended Iolani School before graduating from Kaiser High School and the University of Oregon where he met his wife Amy. In 2011, they moved home to raise their kids in Kalaheo on Kauai. His work background includes 19 years as a real estate entrepreneur, working for the Department of Land and Natural Resources as the District Land Agent, as a part-time EMT on the Ambulance, as a Firefighter for the County of Kauai and as a Soccer and Track Coach. He is the Founder of Housing For All, a non-profit Affordable Housing Community Land Trust in Washington State. Milo has served the people of Hawaii as a Director and Chairperson on the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board and as a Director and Chairperson on the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.
Maile Alau
Vice President
Organizational Development Advisor, American Savings Bank
Maile is a Certified Master Virtual Trainer for instructor-led trainings and provides hands-on leadership and cultural training. Her previous experience includes Executive Director of Hawaii Maoli; development director for Honolulu Habitat for Humanity; Communications and Donor Relations Manager of YWCA O’ahu; Director of Development and Major Gifts for Chaminade University; Director Fund Development for the USS Arizona Memorial Fund and various positions at the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii. Maile also has specialized training in Planned Giving and Marketing Planned Giving Programs; Major Gifts Fundraising; and Virtual Trainer Certification. She is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and St. Mary’s College of California.
David Enersen
Temporary Treasurer
Retired
David Enersen is a retiree since August 2000, having worked in the finance and information technology field. David was a US Peace Corps Volunteer where he served two years of teaching and operating a hospital blood bank in Nigeria. He received a BA in Chemistry from Harvard and an MBA in Finance from Stanford Business School. He has worked as a financial analyst for the Dole Pineapple Company, Sr. Director of Information Systems with Amface Inc. and Sr. Director of Information Technology with Hawaiian Airlines. David’s knowledge and interest in finance have brought him on board as Treasurer since 2005.
In his free time, he enjoys a game of racquetball three to four days a week. He also enjoys going to a movie and dinner with his wife of more than 54 years.
“A key strength that I bring to the team is an interest in following the money.”
Secretary
Chris Patulski
Finance Director, Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island
Affiliate Representative of Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island
Chris graduated summa cum laude from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with a B.S. B.A., with a major in Accounting. She has worked 40 years in the accounting field,
starting at a local C.P.A. firm where she gained practical hands-on experience while attending college. Chris has held numerous accounting/finance-related positions in a variety of small and large corporations in numerous industries in the for-profit world, with a heavy emphasis in the manufacturing sector. Throughout her career, Chris has been responsible for treasury management, banking relations, risk management, payroll, human resources, procurement, system administration, several ERP system transitions, as well as overseeing all aspects of finance, accounting, and tax functions. Finance Manager (now Director) at Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island is Chris’ first position at a non-profit organization. She enjoys seeing the results of advocacy, philanthropy, and volunteerism come together with Habitat staff’s efforts to further the organization’s mission.
At-Large Board Members
Hawley Iona
Director of Finance and Operations, The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii
Hawley Iona is the Director of Finance & Operations of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of Hawaii. Prior to joining TNC Hawaii in 2017, Hawley served as Chief Financial Officer at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. She is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and a CPA (not in public practice), spending eight years in Cleveland, Ohio in public practice prior to returning to Hawaii in 2007.
Hawley is a results-driven leader with the ability to position public and organizations as leaders within local communities. She joined the board because affordable housing helps to ensure communities are physically, mentally and financially healthy—which allows families flexibility in their budgets for food and healthcare. Hawley welcomes this opportunity as a board member to help create more opportunities for affordable housing with Hawaii.
Hawley’s all-time favorite hobby is going on new adventures with her son. They love to travel and especially going on roller coasters.
“I welcome this opportunity to help create more opportunities for affordable housing with Hawaii.”
Rene Berthiaume
Retired, Non-profit Executive
Rene Berthiaume has spent over 40 years working with Hawaii non-profits in the areas of human services and housing and retired after 31 years as Vice President of Network Enterprises, Inc., a non-profit organization. Much of his experience has been in program development that provides employment and training services and housing for persons with disabilities, ex-offenders, and homeless veterans. Rene is very active in veterans’ affairs and served in the United States Marine Corp from 1961 to 1966. Past Post Commander for Vietnam Veterans V.F.W. Post 10583 in Honolulu. He also has served as the Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council and was a member of the Government Relations Committee of the Board of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Currently a board member of the State Rehabilitation Council & Chair of the Legislative Committee. Rene has served as a member on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and several other boards, commissions and councils. Currently, Rene serves on the Catholic Charities Housing Corporation Board of Directors and Board Member for non-profit Housing Hawaii.
Rene contributes to this board as a knowledgeable non-profit developer as General Manager of a non-profit 501 (C) housing development Corporation, TransPacific Housing Corp., and developed housing projects. Rene’s favorite past-time is as a part-time Professional Musician playing nights and weekends and hiking.
Victor Geminiani
Retired Director, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice
Victor Geminiani is the Founding Executive Director of the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice. He began his legal services career as a VISTA Volunteer lawyer with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society after graduating from Villanova University School of Law in 1969. He has served as the Director of Litigation and Law Reform with Bedford-Stuyvesant Community Legal Services and as Executive Director of the Legal Services of Western Massachusetts, the Legal Services of Northern California, the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice. He has also worked in the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) as Associate Director of Support and Finances, responsible for LSC funding policy and as the Southeast Regional Director, overseeing the 75 legal services programs located in the 10 Southern states.
Victor has served in a variety of capacities with the boards of several national associations including the Executive Committee of the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association, as a founding board member and President of the Management Information Exchange, and as a board member of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. He has also served as a member of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services and the ABA’s Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Public Service Responsibility, as Chairperson of the Litigation Section’s Pro Bono Committee, and founder of the Section’s Legal Services Project. He has been recognized for his contributions to legal services delivery by being presented with the Reginald Heber Smith Award by National Legal Aid and Defender Association, the John Minor Wisdom Award by the ABA’s Litigation Section, and the Champion of Social Justice Award by the Hawaii State Bar Association. He currently serves on the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission. Today, Victor continues to serve on the board of Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association since 2016. He hopes to help make a difference in housing opportunities for low/moderate-income families by working with a great group at Hawaii Habitat. In his spare time, he likes restoring old British Sports Cars, gardening, and playing Bocce every Sunday in Kapiolani.
“I hope to help make a difference in housing opportunities for low/moderate income families by working with a great group at Hawaii Habitat.”
Justin Murata
Asset Management – UH Manoa
Justin Murata joined the Board in 2019 after being introduced to Habitat for Humanity by fellow board member Rene Berthiaume. While he continues to learn about the various Habitat for Humanity Hawaii projects and initiatives, Justin is excited to contribute what he can. A graduate of Punahou, UC Berkeley and UH Manoa, Justin has worked in education and real estate. For the past five years, he has handled property management, leasing and development throughout the state of Hawaii for the Liliuokalani Trust. In his free time, Justin loves to play music.
Ray P. Wimberley
Retired Attorney
Ray P. Wimberley, practicing in Hawaii since 1987, works with condominiums, homeowner and community associations. Additionally, his work includes litigation concerning prosecuting claims on behalf of said associations and defending a variety of matters including commercial, real property, and construction cases. His experience includes bench trials, appeals, private arbitration, mediation, and administrative hearings. He advises clients regarding business transactions and real property and construction matters.
Dennis Oshiro
Retired, Non-profit Executive
Dennis Oshiro retired from full-time non-profit work in 2019 but continues to have a passion for creating homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers with low to moderate income. Despite high rising home prices, he believes that CDFI’s are best equipped to address financing challenges for aspiring homebuyers. Dennis is appreciative that Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association Inc. is in a great place to fill this need under its current visionary leadership, and he welcomes a chance to serve in any way possible to grow capacity for more financial services statewide.
Greg Thielen
Complete Construction Services, Corp., Owner and President
Greg Thielen is an award-winning small business owner with over 30 years of experience in the construction industry in Hawaii. He is an active member of the community as an advocate for housing and small business issues as well as a volunteer in youth sports, helping the homeless and community build projects. He is the Owner and President of Complete Construction Services, Corp., which he started in 2001 and has built into a multi-million dollar business with 18 employees. Greg is a Licensed General Contractor, and active member of the Building Industry Associates Hawaii, National Association of Home Builders and currently sits on the Honolulu Building Board of Appeals. He is a graduate of Punahou High School and Oregon State College.
Janice Takahashi
Retired, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation
Janice Takahashi recently retired from the State of Hawaii where she was the Chief Planner for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. She oversaw the planning, evaluation, legislative, compliance, and asset management functions to support the agency in the development of affordable housing statewide. Prior to joining the state, Janice was a residential loan counselor at State Savings and Loan Association. Janice holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is a proud graduate of Farrington High School and an active member of Shinnyo-en Hawaii.
Kamuela Cobb-Adams
Real Estate Planner/Developer
Kamuelaʻs professional experience includes Oahu Senior Director at Kamehameha Schools where he leads the planning, development, and management of their property portfolio across the state; Director of Kauai County Housing Development; President of GSI Americas Inc.; Executive Director of Kahuku Housing Foundation; and Acting Administrator of Land Development Division at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. He is an active member of the community and a Kamehameha Schools and UH Manoa graduate.
Sara Lin
Journalist and Public Policy Advocate
Sara Lin is an accomplished journalist and public policy advocate who enjoyed successful careers at two of America’s largest newspapers before becoming a speechwriter and chief housing advisor to Governor David Ige of Hawaii. Sara helped the governor surpass the goal of building 10,000 new homes by 2020 and led critical stakeholder discussions that resulted in substantive policy changes that generated more housing. Her role expanded in 2020 to include all land use issues, coordinating key messages and policies to address competing land uses in Hawaii between housing, energy and agriculture. Prior to her government career, Sara covered real estate as a staff writer for The Wall Street Journal in New York, profiling the modest Honolulu neighborhood where former President Barack Obama grew up, and covering a variety of civic beats for the Los Angeles Times. Sara moved home to Honolulu in 2010 to be a founding editor of Honolulu Civil Beat, Hawaii’s leading investigative news site started by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar. She is a graduate of Punahou School and Princeton University.
Affiliate Representatives
Affiliate Representative of Habitat for Humanity Leeward
Vacant
Milani Pimental
Executive Director, Kauai Habitat for Humanity
Affiliate Representative of Kauai Habitat for Humanity
Milani has over 19 years of nonprofit fund development experience. Prior to joining Kauai Habitat in 2010, Milani served as director of annual giving at National Tropical Botanical Garden and worked for several years in the Workforce Investment Act program with the County of Kauai and Network Enterprises, Inc. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach, having served as president from 2017-2018, and teaches Sunday school at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Milani earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Loyola University Chicago. She joined the board of Hawaii Habitat to serve as a representative for her affiliate, to ensure that Kauai’s affordable housing needs are promoted strongly on a statewide level, and to use her skills to join the effort in creating more affordable housing opportunities for Hawaii.
Bri Littlefield
Director of Philanthropy, Honolulu Habitat for Humanity
Affiliate Representative of Honolulu Habitat for Humanity
Born and raised in New England, Bri relocated to Hawaii in 2017. Prior to joining the Honolulu Habitat ‘ohana, she worked as a fundraising coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for nearly a decade in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and then Hawaii. Bri is a certified yoga instructor and lives in a tiny house on a small, organic homestead in central ‘Oahu. She enjoys reading in her hammock, tending houseplants, DIY home projects, and spending time outdoors.
Matthew Bachman
Family Services Director, Habitat for Humanity Maui
Affiliate Representative of Habitat for Humanity Maui
Matthew graduated from Stetson University College of Law with a J.D. degree. Prior to joining Habitat Maui, Matthew worked in the legal service industry for over 20 years. He is an advocate for children and youth in the foster care system. Matthew currently serves as the chairperson for a multistate networking group for nearly 100 affiliates in the Western Region Collaborative.