Alumni team
A key part of Kamehameha Schools’ Office of Advancement, Alumni Relations is dedicated to keeping our alumni connected with each other as well as providing opportunities for alumni to give back to our haumāna and lāhui.
The team works across the organization, along with staff on each campus, to create programs that strengthen our alumni ‘ohana.
Alumni Relations also works with the Pauahi Foundation to build a culture of giving among our alumni and create giving opportunities for class gifts, individual donations, and volunteering.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at alumni@ksbe.edu and follow our KS Alumni social media for updates: KS Alumni Facebook, KS Alumni Instagram
Pono Ma‘a
Director of Advancement
Executive Director of the Pauahi Foundation
pono@pauahi.org
(808) 534-3966
Pono is the Director of Advancement, Executive Director of the Pauahi Foundation, and the Director of Alumni Relations. He is responsible for leading the development of the Office of Advancement’s strategic plan to align with Kamehameha Schools Strategic Plan 2020 and Strategic Vision 2040.
Pono has more than 20 years of experience in planning and implementing community driven programs and initiatives. His previous positions include Director of Kamehameha Schools’ seven resource centers, as well as Admissions Manager for Kapālama campus.
Pono is a 1982 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Dancine Takahashi
Associate Director
datakaha@ksbe.edu
(808) 534-8283
Dancine is responsible for the development and implementation of programs and events that keep Kamehameha Schools alumni connected and involved with their alma mater, the Pauahi Foundation and other alumni.
Her work history includes time as the assistant vice president and manager of the Pukalani branch of American Savings Bank.
Dancine is a 1979 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, and received a Bachelor of Arts in liberal sciences and Hawaiian studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Jacqui Sovde
Alumni Relations Specialist
jasovde@ksbe.edu
(808) 534-8172
Jacqui works as a liaison to alumni from all three campuses in partnership with staff, as well as Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association regions, to deliver programs and events that improve alumni engagement and foster advocacy.
Previously, Jacqui was a Program Coordinator for the Committee on National Statistics in the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education at The National Academies in Washington, DC.
Jacqui has a Bachelor of Arts from Porter College at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Debbie Lukela Suyat
Alumni Relations Specialist
desuyat@ksbe.edu
(808) 534-8169
Debbie brings over 30 years’ work experience at Kamehameha Schools to her focus on alumni engagement and stewardship of our alumni ‘ohana. Prior to joining the alumni team, Debbie was a Coordinator for the Nā Kula Kamali‘i (Preschools Division) in the Honolulu Region for over 5-years. Before that she was an Administrative Coordinator in the Athletics Department.
Debbie was recognized in 2023 as an Outstanding Sports Volunteer, for her significant contribution in support of officials throughout youth or prep level sports. For the past 25+ years, Debbie has been a scorekeeper/timer at Kamehameha, Mid-Pacific, HPU, Chaminade, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) in basketball, volleyball and canoe paddling.
Debbie is a 1987 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Human Sciences (Early Education) from Colorado State University.
