Women make all the difference in the world, especially on Kauai. The YWCA of Kauai is celebrating female leaders with its 9th annual Na Wahine Alakai O Kauai. The annual event will honor three women who have had a positive
Women make all the difference in the world, especially on Kauai.
The YWCA of Kauai is celebrating female leaders with its 9th annual Na Wahine Alakai O Kauai. The annual event will honor three women who have had a positive impact on the community: Sabra Kauka, Jen Chahanovich and Marynel Valenzuela.
“The YWCA is honored to highlight the diversity of amazing women of our community and to honor them for their many talents and accomplishments,” said Renae Hamilton-Cambeilh, executive director for YWCA of Kauai. “This year’s honorees are perfect examples of the depth of women’s leadership on Kauai. The collective force of Jen, Sabra and Marynel’s wisdom, experience and generosity is a positive force that moves the business community forward, ensures the future of Hawaiian traditions and values, and makes our community healthier.”
Over the years these motivated individuals have been teachers, business operators and volunteers. The annual event celebrates the women who, in a variety of ways, inspire, motivate and effect positive change in our community.
“The YWCA has named three of us as outstanding Kauai women,” said Kauka. “I was recognized for all my years on Kauai and my contributions here. What outstanding women, as I heard their stories, the programs they’re doing and their contributions to the community.”
As Hawaiian Studies kumu at Island School, Kauka is a true example of aloha spirit. She travels the world involving herself deeply with indigenous cultures, while teaching Hawaiian heritage practices. In addition to educating the community about culture and environment, she also serves as consultant on Hawaiian protocol. A founding member and past-president of Na Pali Coast Ohana, Kauka serves on the Garden Island Resource Conservation and Development board. She is well known for her mastery of fiber arts, including kapa making and lau hala weaving.
“YWCA has a fundraising dinner on Thursday, Nov. 9 that we’re all invited too,” Kauka said. “So I told my son, please come to dinner with me that night with his wife and my grandsons. I also want to include some of my senior Hawaiian Studies kupuna that I’ve worked with for so many years.”
The second honoree, Chahanovich, is president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO for Kauai Medical Clinic. She serves and volunteers for various community organizations and professional associations, including Easter Seals Hawaii, AccessSurf, Hawaii Pacific Chapter of American College of Healthcare Executives, Chamber of Commerce, and SubArea Health Planning Council. She also facilitates the Kauai Community Health Improvement Initiative Leadership Team to discuss joint efforts and initiatives targeted at improving health care on Kauai.
“I am honored to be recognized by the YWCA with this prestigious award,” said Chahanovich. “This recognition is really a reflection of the tremendous work being done by our entire team at Wilcox Health. Our mission is to create a healthier Hawaii, and we know that to accomplish that we not only need to continue to provide quality care for our patients within our medical center and clinics, but we must also partner with our community to address all the factors that impact an individual’s health. Health starts in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods and communities, and we are committed to working to ensure a healthier future for Kauai.”
Some of the efforts Chahanovich is being recognized for include establishing new community health education events, along with employee well-being and work-site wellness initiatives, with an emphasis on supporting women and encouraging their health and wellness.
The third honoree, Valenzuela, is the owner and operator of Inkspot Quality Printing Corp. and a prominent figure in the Filipino business community. Her voluntary and professional associations are numerous, having served as past president of the Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce, current vice president of the Board for Kauai Hospice, and officer of Kauai Philippine Cultural Center since its forming in 2010. She sponsors graphic design students at Kauai Community College, and her passion for creativity and fashion has resulted in the annual Kauai Fashion Weekend event.
“Being a small business owner on Kauai is extremely rewarding and a bit crazy,” Valenzuela said. “Dealing with constant deadlines, attention to details, hard work and long hours has been doable, because I have been blessed with a very supportive husband, a wonderful family and hardworking staff who supports me to do a little bit of both when I need to. Through this business, I have been given the freedom to step out and the opportunity to give back.”
“I want to thank the amazing leaders of this organization (YWCA) for doing this program to inspire more women in our community and to recognize them for their efforts in promoting freedom and equality,” she added.
Empowering women leaders and eliminating racism are core to the nonprofit organization’s mission.
“All three women have faced challenges in their leadership journey,” Hamilton-Cambeilh said. “It’s inspiring for all people but especially for young women to hear their stories and to know that they too can become positive leaders and make Kauai better for everyone.”
The event begins at 5 p.m. on Nov. 9 at a new location, Smith’s Tropical Paradise in Wailua, with an awards dinner, live entertainment and silent auction. All proceeds benefit YWCA programs.
Info: www.ywcakauai.org, 245-5959
