The North Kohala Community Resource Center has named Leelen Park as its new Executive Director effective January 16.
Park most recently served as Director of Development for the Food Basket, Inc. in Hilo. He also served as District Director for Aloha Council, Hawaii Island.
“Leelen will bring additional leadership, passion, and creativity to our organization along with a deep sense of commitment to his hometown community,” said board president Nathan Trump. “He has served other Hawaii Island non-profits at the program, fundraising, and leadership levels, and has a breadth of perspective and experience that we welcome.”
Park was born and raised in North Kohala and is a graduate of Kohala High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
“It is an incredible honor and privilege to be given this opportunity to come home after 21 years and serve the community where I was raised,” expressed Park. “Together with the dynamic board of directors and hard-working staff, I will work tirelessly to reaffirm the importance of our mission to our valued donors and supporters.”
The mission of NKCRC is to support successful projects that benefit the North Kohala community. The Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, currently provides training, education, and bridges to funding for more than seventy projects. Supported by three staff and a dedicated board of directors consisting of community members with diverse backgrounds, the Center’s projects include after-school programs, affordable housing, agriculture, kupuna (elders), cultural celebrations, athletics, and more. NKCRC also leases the Kohala Village LLC, more commonly known within the community as “The Hub.” The location is home to the Kohala Resilience Hub which, in partnership with Vibrant Hawaii, is part of an island-wide network of trusted, people-powered spaces that provide resources to build more connected and prepared communities.
