Our Mission
The Mission of the National Pacific American Leadership Institute (NAPALI) is to identify, train, and nurture Pacific American Emerging Leaders.
NAPALI is unique in that it conducts the only leadership program in the nation that integrates the leadership values of Pacific American cultures and western society.
It is committed to making a difference in the quality of life of Americans who trace their ancestry to the indigenous peoples of the Pacific islands - Samoans, Chamorros, Fijians, Maori, Native Hawaiians, Tongans, Tahitians, and others connected with Pacific American cultures.
NAPALI is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Our history
The National Pacific American Leadership Institute conducted its inaugural class in June 1998 in partnership with the internationally and nationally acclaimed Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont, CA.
The second class met at the Kapiolani Community College, Honolulu, Hawai'i on August 6 - 11, 2000. In attendance were sixteen Fellows, three Pacific American cultural elders, distinguished professors of the University of Hawai'i, and a support staff of dedicated professionals.
Since then, over 310 Fellows have graduated from The National Pacific American Leadership Institute.
Our Name
NAPALI, the acronym for the National Pacific American Leadership Institute, is the Hawaiian word for “the cliffs.” It is an appropriate image of our mission, for leaders to ascend to the heights and their vision extends into the far horizon.
Our Leadership
Our Board
Heather K. Minton, President
Reidar H. Smith, Vice President
Stanley C. Dahlin, Secretary
Larry M. Kamahele, Treasurer
Iosefa Aina
David H. Burge Jr
Abreu R. Correia
Kauka DeSilva
Colette Higgins
'Anapesi Ka'ili
Tēvita Ō. Ka'ili
Coral Kenolio
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Area Coordinators
Coral Kenolio San Diego, CA
John Kaulukukui Los Angeles, CA
Kau’i Peralto Northern CA
‘Anapesi Ka'ili Utah
Stan Dahlin Washington
Abreu R. Correia Hawai’i