Our Team
We are a group of professionals dedicated to eradicating hunger and serving our community here on Hawaiʻi Island.
Administration
Kristin Frost Albrecht
Executive Director
Matt Crosson
Director of Finance
Mercy Nakayama
Director of Special Projects
Enola Kaneta
Operations Director
Development
Duryn Izumo
Managing Director
Tisha (Tish) Lunsford
Donor Relations Specialist
Operations - East Hawaiʻi
Justin Clayton
Hoʻolako Project Director
Hoʻolako
Alanna Bumatay
East Hawaiʻi Operations Manager
Mesepa Short
East Hawaiʻi Warehouse Team Lead
Vince Cruz
East Hawaiʻi Senior Warehouse Associate & Driver
Erwin (Aliʻi) Puahala
East Hawaiʻi Warehouse Associate & Driver
Micah Fukunaga
East Hawaiʻi Warehouse Associate & Driver
Kauaokawehi (Ua) Kailianu
CSA Warehouse Associate
Danette Ayala
Administrative & Point-of-Sale Specialist
Kat Bumatay
CSFP/Kūpuna Pantry Coordinator
Mildred (Mel) Visitacion
Customer Relations Specialist
Keani (Titi) Agustin
Customer Relations Specialist
Operations - West Hawaiʻi
David Haʻalilio Jr.
West Hawaiʻi Operations Manager
Duane Pajimola
West Hawaiʻi Warehouse Manager
Linson Hiraoka
Warehouse Associate & Driver
Healthy Food Access Initiatives
Chelsea Takahashi
Director of Healthy Food Access Initiatives
Michael Wakimoto
DA BUX Accounting & Data Specialist
Sinarleen Peres
DA BUX Accounting Specialist
Kerri Okamura
Food is Medicine Director
Mari Andres
DA BUX Community Engagement Manager
Rafaell Rozendo
DA BUX Retailer Support Manager
Maria Vicente
DA BUX Retailer Specialist
Alex Haban
Food Hub Development Specialist
Carmen Liberatore
CSA Coordinator
Kōkua Harvest
Lisa DeSantis
Kōkua Harvest Manager
Carlee Gillespie
South Kona District Harvest Leader
Michael Bergin
Puna Harvest Leader
Charlotte Leger
North & South Hilo Harvest Leader
Dillon Crum
North and South Hilo Harvest Leader
SNAP Outreach
East Hawai’i SNAP Outreach Specialist
summer@hawaiifoodbasket.org
(808) 796-0132
Summer Tawney
West Hawai’i SNAP Outreach Specialist
melanie@hawaiifoodbasket.org
(808) 796-0133
Melanie Iwaishi
Director of Communications and Public Relations
Leelen Park
The Food Basket is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. The Food Basket prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Food Basket conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
The Food Basket is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants so they may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of any special needs at the time of application.
Nixon Jack
DA BUX Community Engagement Specialist
Tomasz (Tomek) Bilan
Hoʻolako Farm Manager
Sarah Hamakawa
Grant and Events Director