Cherilyn Shiinoki

Executive Director

Cherilyn truly believes that families are children’s first and most influential teachers. “As a child, I watched my mother make an impact on her community by helping families partner with their children’s schools. Now, as a mother of three boys, I am inspired to continue her work. When my first son was born, I wondered how I could be the best parent for him. I joined a parenting program that helped me get through the tough situations and the sleepless nights. I enjoyed it so much that I signed up with my second son. Shortly afterwards, I began working for the program as an early childhood teacher. Now, at Family Hui Hawaii, I hope to bring this experience to more families. As parents, we all need help and together we can build stronger families and communities, giving our keiki the best start to their education, development, and lifelong happiness!”

Cherilyn has worked in various capacities in preschools, parenting programs, and children’s ministry. She holds a Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education and serves on the board of the Association for Infant Mental Health Hawaii (AIMH HI) and the Hawaii State Early Learning Board.

Jade Stice

Family Program Manager

Jade Stice was born and raised on the windward side of Oahu. At 19 she moved to New York City to be a part of the Original Broadway cast of Miss Saigon. For the next 15 years, Jade performed on Broadway, Carnegie Hall and many other stages both national and international.

Jade returned to Hawaii in 2004 and continued to perform locally until she began to raise her family. At the age of 37 and after the birth of her first child, she became very passionate about childbirth education and became a certified Bradley instructor and doula. This naturally led to an interest in different styles of parenting and child development as well.

Jade participated in both Baby Hui and Family Hui with her 3 children before accepting the position of Program Manager within the organization. She enjoys helping families navigate these first few precious years of parenting; from making informed decisions about birth to helping them find their tribe.

Gwen Dufault

Early Childhood Programs Manager

Gwen remains open to all experiences that come her way along her parenting journey. Packed full of challenges that seem like impossible mountains in the moment, times of overwhelming love and joy and all the stuff in between, her experiences create a tapestry of learning and growth. She is thankful to be a part of Family Hui, where parents and caregivers walk together reminding one another that we are not alone.

Gwen and her husband have 2 daughters, a 9-year old and 6-year old. Their favorite things to do together are getting outdoors to the water to swim, fish and play, or riding things with wheels.

Gwen’s work with families began with her passion for working with young children as an early childhood teacher for over 16 years. She recognizes that even when children are with her in the classroom for majority of the day, five days a week, the biggest influence on their learning and development are their families. She holds an MEd in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Johanna Nielson

Director of Operations and Programs

Johanna is a former early childhood educator that has taught in preschool and multiage kindergarten-first grade classrooms. She enjoyed her time as a teacher of young children developing curriculum and integrated studies while remaining true to teaching the whole child. Most enjoyable was developing relationships with children and their families to maximize the home-school connection to foster a love of learning at both home and school. She holds her Baccalaureate in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and a Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

 Johanna is a mother to two active, loud, fun-loving and silly boys. They love to eat and play, spend time with friends, swim at the beach, read and watch tv together.

 Family Hui Hawaii has provided Johanna with a vast landscape of personal and professional experiences. As a parent, she is able to learn from and share with others - opening her eyes to a wealth of parenting and community resources, including support and encouragement in mindful and gentle parenting. In business, she is continuing to develop her skills related to grant funding, networking, and teamwork

Jamie McOuat

Communications / Peer Group Coordinator

Jamie, a former talent agent to major Hollywood stars and global publishing professional, feels parenting is her most challenging and satisfying calling. She is a licensed resource caregiver (foster parent), a Child Advocate on many boards, a graduate of The Parent Leadership Institute and, in her fifth decade, a proud Advanced Maternal Age mom. As a writer and former journalist, she loves stories and helps parents across Hawai’i ensure that their ‘ohana tales are grounded in a sound knowledge of child development gleaned from the supportive environment of a Hui. “It’s all about relationships and those first bonds formed that let you know you’re not alone in this high-octane circus called early childhood; they’re all “our kids” after all.”

Jamie and her husband first participated in an Infant Hui when their son was 6-months old. She then led two Toddler Hui, became an advisory board member for Hui and has worn many Hui work hats since 2016. She has a Bachelors in Communications from Rider and a Masters in International Publishing from Oxford.

Lauren Danner

Community Engagement Specialist

Lauren believes that giving aloha and educating people is an important part of her journey, being born and raised in Hawaii. Lauren looks forward to helping her community connect with resources and bring 'ohana's together during struggles and success.

Heidi-ann Allencastre

Maui Family Programs Specialist

Heidi-ann Allencastre is a proud mama of 3, two under the age of 8, and a Parent Leader. She was born and raised in Maui, where she currently resides. Heidi understands how important it is for parents to feel supported especially during challenging times. Heidi loves that Family Hui Hawaii provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to support each other through Parent Hui's and Parent Cafes so they not only refill their own cups but they help to uplift each other. Being our keiki's first and most important teachers is a big kuleana and if a parent doesn't feel like they have all the skills it's important for them to be able to go to different spaces to learn and grow. Family Hui Hawaii provides that for so many parents and caregivers across the state. As they say, it really does take a village! 

Heidi's hope is that every parent will find the support and  the confidence they need to be the best they can be for their keiki and 'Ohana!

Traci Garma

Early Learning Program Specialist

Traci's hopes and dreams are for every family to have a support system available to them. Family Hui Hawaii is a piece of the support system puzzle. Family Hui Hawaii has given me opportunities to meet families, professionals, and co-workers who have the passion to develop and enhance a community that believes in empowering families to raise their children through providing safe, healthy and nurturing environments.

Being a Early Learning Programs Specialist with Family Hui Hawaii allows me to provide support through our LENA Program, partnerships with various organizations, and special events.

Traci has been in the early childhood/family community for over 30 years. Her journey began at working in private/church preschools, then 24 years at Head Start as a teacher, monitor, mentor, manager, & health specialist. She has a BA in Social Sciences with a focus in Early Childhood Education. Traci is endorsed by the Association for Infant Mental Health Hawaii (AIMHHI) as an Infant Family Specialist.

Traci and her husband have 2 sons, 1 daughter and a son in law, and a grandson and granddaughter. Traveling, sunset/sunrise watching, movies, staycations, spending time with family, and crafts are just a few activities Traci enjoys doing.

Jennifer Neely

Data Coordinator

Jennifer works with Family Hui Hawaii to support their data coordination and evaluation of grants and programs. Jennifer first became involved with Family Hui Hawaii after participating in a Neighbourhood Hui in 2019 in Kaimuki, with her daughter who was born in 2018. Jennifer specializes in Program Evaluation and supports family hui with reporting impact, outcomes and telling the story of our programs. Jennifer has a MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Jasmine Anderson

Family Programs Specialist

Jasmine looks forward to support families in connecting, reflecting, and growing together. Jasmine enjoys theater and performing, and will use her skills to support others to empower themselves and find connections in all aspects of life. 

Chelle Galarza

Maui County Family Programs Specialist

Chelle believes in living life with an open mind and an adventurous spirit filled with compassion and heart. She is committed to service through leadership in the community, and looks forward to connecting families with one another across Maui County.

Sade Kahue

Family Programs Specialist

Being born and raised on Molokai, then later moving to Maui, I understand the importance of community and know that even the smallest changes can make the greatest impacts. I believe that everyone needs someone that they can count on. I enjoy my work as a teacher in early childhood classrooms and I extend that joy into my work with Family Hui by providing support and appreciation to  parents and caregivers island-wide