Kainoa Casco and 15 other locals are welcome leaders into the ninth cohort of the Hawai‘i Leadership Forum’s Omidyar Fellows program. Photo courtesy Omidyar Fellows

The Maui News

KAHULUI–Hawai’i Leadership Forum (HLF) welcomed 16 local leaders into the ninth cohort of its Omidyar Fellows program, including Maui’s own Kainoa Casco.

The program seeks to cultivate the conditions in which Hawai’i thrives by equipping leaders with the skills and cross-sector relationships necessary to affect societal change.

“Following a rigorous application process, these individuals were selected from the for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors based on their accomplishments, innovative skills, ability to collaborate with other leaders, and motivation to make a positive difference,” the HLF said of the fellows.

Kainoa Casco has dedicated his career to helping Hawai’i transition to a resilient and prosperous future. He is currently a climate + resiliency executive for Johnson Controls Sustainable Infrastructure in Hawai’i where his responsibility is to support the County of Maui with its energy and resiliency goals. An expert in ESG and organizational sustainability, he has over 15 years of experience in Hawai’i and across the continental U.S. He has worked across numerous industries including banking, nonprofits, real estate development, transportation, tourism and hospitality, agriculture, government, and sports.

Kainoa has served on boards such as the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, Mālama Maui Nui, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (O’ahu), and more. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Portland State in business administration: real estate finance with a minor in community development and an MBA in sustainable management from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco.

“We are excited to bring back this unique opportunity for emerging leaders to engage in impactful discussions, learn from one another, and help make Hawai’i even better,” said AJ Halagao, president of Hawai’i Leadership Forum. “We strive to develop, engage, and inspire leaders to drive impact and catalyze positive change.”

Cohort IX members will undergo nine months of curriculum beginning September 2024, which includes monthly sessions; coaching; conversations with community, business, and government leaders; and more. At the end of the curriculum phase, Cohort IX will join the active Fellows Network comprised of 115 Fellows from Cohorts I through VIII.

Bill Coy has directed every Omidyar Fellows cohort since 2012. At the conclusion of Cohort IX, Coy will step down from his role in June 2025.

“I am so proud of what the Omidyar Fellows has accomplished,” said Coy. “We see leadership as an activity, not a role, and I am confident that each Fellow will continue to utilize their strong networks and skillsets to create a stronger Hawai’i. These are some of the finest leaders I have had the privilege to work with.”

Cheryl Ka’uhane Lupenui will co-facilitate Cohort IX and will lead the next cohort. Lupenui is the principal and founder of the leader project and will continue to serve as president and CEO of the Kohala Center.

“As an Omidyar Fellow myself and having been a member of Cohort II, I came away transformed by this program,” said Halagao. “We have all learned so much from Bill. We are forever grateful to Bill for his vision, innovation, mentorship, and leadership. And I’m thrilled that Cheryl will be joining our team to help us navigate a new path forward.”

Please visit www.omidyarfellows.org for more information about its latest cohort and the Omidyar Fellows program.