- info@cdlteams.org
- Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 4:00
The Team
Project Leads
Dr. Hye Jin Park
PI & Gifted Education Specialist
parkhye@hawaii.edu
Has over 20 years of experience working with diverse students, including: gifted and talented, disabilities, and indigenous students. For the last 13 years, her research has brought multi-million dollar federal grants to Hawaiʻi’s education system. Currently, Dr. Park is a principal investigator and co-principal investigator of five STEM research projects assisting underrepresented students. Dr. Park’s research interests include education for exceptional students and evaluation.
Dr. Kiriko Takahashi
Co-PI & Disability Specialist
kiriko@hawaii.edu
Along with Dr. Park, Dr. Takahashi has directed numerous educational research and demonstration projects aimed to improve the STEM outcomes of underrepresented students. She has over 20 years of experience working with children, youth and adults with diverse abilities and cultural backgrounds. For Project Hōkūlani, she will provide guidance and expertise on how to support each student’s educational endeavors. Dr. Takahashi is passionate in seeing all students become excited about science and mathematics.
Dr. Lisa Galloway
Training coordinator
lgallowa@hawaii.edu
She has been an educator for 30+ years and most recently taught biology & environmental sciences at Lānaʻi High and Elementary School for 6 years. She also was the principal author of 2 Native Hawaiian Education curricula at the Center on Disability Studies over a period of 5 years.
Jerica Mānoa
Curriculum specialist
jmanoa@hawaii.edu
For over a decade, she has developed curriculum and programming for K-12 students addressing academic skills in math, reading, writing, communication and social skills. In addition, she has bridged student programming to parents, teachers, mentors and community members. She specializes in diverse student cultures including Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, and more specifically students with disabilities, English language learners, and gifted students. Jerica is passionate in bridging culturally responsive teaching and mentoring with STEM education in school and at home.
Jerrik Feliciano
Hawaiʻi Project Coordinator & STEM Specialist
jerrik@hawaii.edu
He has over 10 years of experience working on federally funded grants aimed to provide STEM culture-based education approaches for diverse populations representing indigenous, disabilities, and other underrepresented students. For Project Hōkūlani, he provides specialization in teaching and developing science curriculum to diverse populations. Jerrik is passionate in providing opportunities for underrepresented and underserved students to learn through fun culturally-responsive hands-on lessons.
Dr. Kendra Nip
Data Coordinator
kendraw@hawaii.edu
For over a decade, she has worked on providing educational programs for diverse student populations. She is also pursuing her doctoral degree in educational psychology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. For Project Hōkūlani, she brings her expertise in data analysis and culture-based methodologies. Kendra’s research interests also include educational and neuropsychological assessment and educational program evaluation.
Dr. Yoko Kitami
Family Engagement/Outreach Coordinator
kitami@hawaii.edu
She has over 15 years of experience working with diverse and at-risk K-12 students, parents, teachers, school liaisons, and adults with disabilities. She is passionate in working with parents/legal guardians of students. For Dr. Kitami, “it has been a joy to help them learn to work with children through our mathematics-related cultural activities and watch the parents and children grow closer to each other in education.”