Share This Page<\/h4><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Board of Directors<\/h1><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>The twelve members of the Somos Ohana Nicaragua Board of Directors<\/strong> are volunteers who work effectively on Maui to plan and oversee fundraising and expenditures for our projects in rural Chinandega Province, Municipality of Villanueva, NW Nicaragua. They also communicate all year with our partners in Nicaragua regarding ongoing and future projects, and several go every summer to work with our Nicaraguan partners.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Our Valuable Team Members<\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Mele](\"\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Mele2-300x227.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>Mele Stokesberry<\/span>Board Member, President<\/span><\/div><\/div>Spanish Teacher (ret)
\nKula, HI<\/p>\nI had taught English in Nicaragua in the 1980\u2019s with Maestros Por La Paz and had come to feel a strong solidarity with the people as they were forging a new society following the overthrow of Somoza in 1979. It has been a privilege to continue to contribute to this effort by helping to provide educational opportunities and health care services, smiles and hope for kids and adults in the municipality of Villanueva.<\/p>\n
I joined the Somos Ohana Nicaragua board in 2006 and have served in fund-raising and publicity, and from 2021 as Vice-President. I became president in 2023 following the passing of our co-founder Charlotte “Maura” Flavin.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Mary](\"https:\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/MarySantaMaria-cropped.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>Mary Santa Maria<\/span>Board Member, Vice President<\/span><\/div><\/div>Public Health Educator (ret)
\nMakawao, HI<\/p>\nSomos Ohana Nicaragua gives me the opportunity to work with communities in Central America where I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. It is rewarding to be able to give back in a very concrete way by providing educational and other opportunities that help these communities achieve goals that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"James](\"\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Jim2-300x227.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>James Kahler<\/span>Board Member, Treasurer<\/span><\/div><\/div>Physical Therapist\/Healthcare Admin (ret)
\nWailuku, HI<\/p>\nTen years ago I volunteered to provide physical therapy to children from Villanueva. Since then I have gone every summer to live with “my family” and have watched the kids grow up. I feel that I have gained more than I have given. Our goal of improving healthcare and education is being met through scholarships enabling local youth to become a physical therapist, speech pathologist and nurses. But much more is needed. I am proud to be part of Somos Ohana Nicaragua.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Barbara](\"\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Bobbie-new-300x227.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>Barbara Lee<\/span>Board Member, Secretary<\/span><\/div><\/div>Registered Nurse
\nKula, HI<\/p>\nOur health and education projects are making a difference the community! I’m especially interested in health care issues and have learned much by volunteering since 2012. It’s exciting to see the improvements of special needs children every year at the summer camp. Our group works well with the volunteers and families in Nicaragua, and it’s great to see the community come together. I look forward to returning to see our dear friends and continue our projects.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"John](\"\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/John-300x227.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>John Powley<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Olinda, HI<\/p>\nMy prior Peace Corps experience in Gabon and Cameroon and later work for the US government in Vietnam and the South Pacific islands, instilled in me a love for travel and working alongside native peoples to improve their lives through education and farming. By volunteering for Somos Ohana Nicaragua I want to share what I have learned with rural communities working to provide clean water, healthy animals and drought resistant crops. As a board member, I aim for clarification on how we set priorities, and can suggest alternative approaches to solving problems.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Judith](\"\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Judy-300x227.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>Judith Buettner<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Substitute Teacher
\nOlinda, HI<\/p>\nI wanted to volunteer in a short-term community development project in South America and joined Somos Ohana Nicaragua. The work is exciting and fulfilling and I’m learning Spanish. I see us as “planting a seed” for change.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Katherine](\"https:\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Katherine-Don-board-photo.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>Katherine Don<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Los Angeles<\/p>\nBorn and raised on Maui, I\u2019m grateful for opportunities to stay connected to my Hawaii roots and engage with the community. My mother, Edith Don, was from Bluefields, Nicaragua, and though she emigrated to the U.S. as a child, she carried the spirit of her first home to Maui. Her stories often focused on the life-changing impact of education and the importance of sharing resources. With the knowledge and means she cultivated, she dedicated her life to service, believing education and opportunity create lasting change. Having led several nonprofits, I\u2019m passionate about mission-driven work and honored to continue my mother\u2019s legacy in serving both the SON and Maui communities, while sharing their spirit with the world.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"James](\"https:\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/JimFlavin-cropped.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>James Flavin<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Pukalani, HI<\/p>\nI grew up in Pukalani, Maui, and attended Caldwell College in New Jersey. I am a Behavioral Health Specialist at King Kekaulike High School, Pukalani, Maui. I have traveled to Nicaragua with my sons as part of the Somos Ohana team and have volunteered for over 20 years with Somos Ohana Nicaragua through fundraising, transporting donated goods, and being all-around indispensable at our huge, annual yard sales. I love coaching basketball, traveling with my wife, and going fishing with my two sons.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Diana](\"https:\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Diana-Gaylor-cropped.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>Diana Gaylor<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Haiku, HI<\/p>\nI have been part of SON since 2010. I began my journey as a volunteer, traveling to Nicaragua four times to help teach children with special needs to swim at our yearly held summer camp. I loved visiting Nicaragua and experiencing first-hand helping kind people that are not as fortunate as we can be here. As of today, I am now part of the Board and assist wherever I\u2019m needed.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"John](\"https:\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/John-Flavin-cropped.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>John Flavin<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Seattle, WA<\/p>\nI made my first trip to Nicaragua with my mother in 1989, visiting the remote regions of Matagalpa and El Cu\u00e1 and working with the poor in the villages heavily affected by the war that had been raging on for many years. After graduating from college, I have gone each year with my parents since the 90\u2019s, working on schools, medical centers, houses, and the many other wonderful programs which Somos Ohana has accomplished with the people of Nicaragua. The lifetime service of Dan and Maura Flavin continues with their children, and now their grandchildren, who have stayed active with the amazing volunteers of the organization to help the beautiful communities in Nicaragua.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Dominic](\"https:\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Dominic-Cropped.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>Dominic Flavin<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Honolulu, HI<\/p>\nGrowing up with Dan and Maura Flavin as grandparents and role models, I have always been happy to help the Somos Ohana Nicaragua team, and I’m excited to now be able to participate in a more official manner. As of 2024, I am a student and member of the class of 2025 at the University of Hawai’i at M\u0101noa. I plan to attend medical school and become an eye surgeon, serving my home community of Maui. (Picture L-R brother Alexander Flavin, cousin Charlotte Flavin, Dominic Flavin, cousin Rhys Flavin)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Gretchen](\"https:\/\/somosohananicaragua.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Image-Not-Available.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>
Board of Directors<\/h1><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>The twelve members of the Somos Ohana Nicaragua Board of Directors<\/strong> are volunteers who work effectively on Maui to plan and oversee fundraising and expenditures for our projects in rural Chinandega Province, Municipality of Villanueva, NW Nicaragua. They also communicate all year with our partners in Nicaragua regarding ongoing and future projects, and several go every summer to work with our Nicaraguan partners.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Our Valuable Team Members<\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Mele Stokesberry<\/span>Board Member, President<\/span><\/div><\/div>Spanish Teacher (ret)
\nKula, HI<\/p>\nI had taught English in Nicaragua in the 1980\u2019s with Maestros Por La Paz and had come to feel a strong solidarity with the people as they were forging a new society following the overthrow of Somoza in 1979. It has been a privilege to continue to contribute to this effort by helping to provide educational opportunities and health care services, smiles and hope for kids and adults in the municipality of Villanueva.<\/p>\n
I joined the Somos Ohana Nicaragua board in 2006 and have served in fund-raising and publicity, and from 2021 as Vice-President. I became president in 2023 following the passing of our co-founder Charlotte “Maura” Flavin.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Mary Santa Maria<\/span>Board Member, Vice President<\/span><\/div><\/div>Public Health Educator (ret)
\nMakawao, HI<\/p>\nSomos Ohana Nicaragua gives me the opportunity to work with communities in Central America where I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. It is rewarding to be able to give back in a very concrete way by providing educational and other opportunities that help these communities achieve goals that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>James Kahler<\/span>Board Member, Treasurer<\/span><\/div><\/div>Physical Therapist\/Healthcare Admin (ret)
\nWailuku, HI<\/p>\nTen years ago I volunteered to provide physical therapy to children from Villanueva. Since then I have gone every summer to live with “my family” and have watched the kids grow up. I feel that I have gained more than I have given. Our goal of improving healthcare and education is being met through scholarships enabling local youth to become a physical therapist, speech pathologist and nurses. But much more is needed. I am proud to be part of Somos Ohana Nicaragua.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Barbara Lee<\/span>Board Member, Secretary<\/span><\/div><\/div>Registered Nurse
\nKula, HI<\/p>\nOur health and education projects are making a difference the community! I’m especially interested in health care issues and have learned much by volunteering since 2012. It’s exciting to see the improvements of special needs children every year at the summer camp. Our group works well with the volunteers and families in Nicaragua, and it’s great to see the community come together. I look forward to returning to see our dear friends and continue our projects.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John Powley<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Olinda, HI<\/p>\nMy prior Peace Corps experience in Gabon and Cameroon and later work for the US government in Vietnam and the South Pacific islands, instilled in me a love for travel and working alongside native peoples to improve their lives through education and farming. By volunteering for Somos Ohana Nicaragua I want to share what I have learned with rural communities working to provide clean water, healthy animals and drought resistant crops. As a board member, I aim for clarification on how we set priorities, and can suggest alternative approaches to solving problems.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Judith Buettner<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Substitute Teacher
\nOlinda, HI<\/p>\nI wanted to volunteer in a short-term community development project in South America and joined Somos Ohana Nicaragua. The work is exciting and fulfilling and I’m learning Spanish. I see us as “planting a seed” for change.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Katherine Don<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Los Angeles<\/p>\nBorn and raised on Maui, I\u2019m grateful for opportunities to stay connected to my Hawaii roots and engage with the community. My mother, Edith Don, was from Bluefields, Nicaragua, and though she emigrated to the U.S. as a child, she carried the spirit of her first home to Maui. Her stories often focused on the life-changing impact of education and the importance of sharing resources. With the knowledge and means she cultivated, she dedicated her life to service, believing education and opportunity create lasting change. Having led several nonprofits, I\u2019m passionate about mission-driven work and honored to continue my mother\u2019s legacy in serving both the SON and Maui communities, while sharing their spirit with the world.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>James Flavin<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Pukalani, HI<\/p>\nI grew up in Pukalani, Maui, and attended Caldwell College in New Jersey. I am a Behavioral Health Specialist at King Kekaulike High School, Pukalani, Maui. I have traveled to Nicaragua with my sons as part of the Somos Ohana team and have volunteered for over 20 years with Somos Ohana Nicaragua through fundraising, transporting donated goods, and being all-around indispensable at our huge, annual yard sales. I love coaching basketball, traveling with my wife, and going fishing with my two sons.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Diana Gaylor<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Haiku, HI<\/p>\nI have been part of SON since 2010. I began my journey as a volunteer, traveling to Nicaragua four times to help teach children with special needs to swim at our yearly held summer camp. I loved visiting Nicaragua and experiencing first-hand helping kind people that are not as fortunate as we can be here. As of today, I am now part of the Board and assist wherever I\u2019m needed.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John Flavin<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Seattle, WA<\/p>\nI made my first trip to Nicaragua with my mother in 1989, visiting the remote regions of Matagalpa and El Cu\u00e1 and working with the poor in the villages heavily affected by the war that had been raging on for many years. After graduating from college, I have gone each year with my parents since the 90\u2019s, working on schools, medical centers, houses, and the many other wonderful programs which Somos Ohana has accomplished with the people of Nicaragua. The lifetime service of Dan and Maura Flavin continues with their children, and now their grandchildren, who have stayed active with the amazing volunteers of the organization to help the beautiful communities in Nicaragua.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Dominic Flavin<\/span>Board Member<\/span><\/div><\/div>Honolulu, HI<\/p>\nGrowing up with Dan and Maura Flavin as grandparents and role models, I have always been happy to help the Somos Ohana Nicaragua team, and I’m excited to now be able to participate in a more official manner. As of 2024, I am a student and member of the class of 2025 at the University of Hawai’i at M\u0101noa. I plan to attend medical school and become an eye surgeon, serving my home community of Maui. (Picture L-R brother Alexander Flavin, cousin Charlotte Flavin, Dominic Flavin, cousin Rhys Flavin)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
The twelve members of the Somos Ohana Nicaragua Board of Directors<\/strong> are volunteers who work effectively on Maui to plan and oversee fundraising and expenditures for our projects in rural Chinandega Province, Municipality of Villanueva, NW Nicaragua. They also communicate all year with our partners in Nicaragua regarding ongoing and future projects, and several go every summer to work with our Nicaraguan partners.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> I had taught English in Nicaragua in the 1980\u2019s with Maestros Por La Paz and had come to feel a strong solidarity with the people as they were forging a new society following the overthrow of Somoza in 1979. It has been a privilege to continue to contribute to this effort by helping to provide educational opportunities and health care services, smiles and hope for kids and adults in the municipality of Villanueva.<\/p>\n I joined the Somos Ohana Nicaragua board in 2006 and have served in fund-raising and publicity, and from 2021 as Vice-President. I became president in 2023 following the passing of our co-founder Charlotte “Maura” Flavin.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Somos Ohana Nicaragua gives me the opportunity to work with communities in Central America where I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. It is rewarding to be able to give back in a very concrete way by providing educational and other opportunities that help these communities achieve goals that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Ten years ago I volunteered to provide physical therapy to children from Villanueva. Since then I have gone every summer to live with “my family” and have watched the kids grow up. I feel that I have gained more than I have given. Our goal of improving healthcare and education is being met through scholarships enabling local youth to become a physical therapist, speech pathologist and nurses. But much more is needed. I am proud to be part of Somos Ohana Nicaragua.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Our health and education projects are making a difference the community! I’m especially interested in health care issues and have learned much by volunteering since 2012. It’s exciting to see the improvements of special needs children every year at the summer camp. Our group works well with the volunteers and families in Nicaragua, and it’s great to see the community come together. I look forward to returning to see our dear friends and continue our projects.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> My prior Peace Corps experience in Gabon and Cameroon and later work for the US government in Vietnam and the South Pacific islands, instilled in me a love for travel and working alongside native peoples to improve their lives through education and farming. By volunteering for Somos Ohana Nicaragua I want to share what I have learned with rural communities working to provide clean water, healthy animals and drought resistant crops. As a board member, I aim for clarification on how we set priorities, and can suggest alternative approaches to solving problems.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> I wanted to volunteer in a short-term community development project in South America and joined Somos Ohana Nicaragua. The work is exciting and fulfilling and I’m learning Spanish. I see us as “planting a seed” for change.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Born and raised on Maui, I\u2019m grateful for opportunities to stay connected to my Hawaii roots and engage with the community. My mother, Edith Don, was from Bluefields, Nicaragua, and though she emigrated to the U.S. as a child, she carried the spirit of her first home to Maui. Her stories often focused on the life-changing impact of education and the importance of sharing resources. With the knowledge and means she cultivated, she dedicated her life to service, believing education and opportunity create lasting change. Having led several nonprofits, I\u2019m passionate about mission-driven work and honored to continue my mother\u2019s legacy in serving both the SON and Maui communities, while sharing their spirit with the world.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> I grew up in Pukalani, Maui, and attended Caldwell College in New Jersey. I am a Behavioral Health Specialist at King Kekaulike High School, Pukalani, Maui. I have traveled to Nicaragua with my sons as part of the Somos Ohana team and have volunteered for over 20 years with Somos Ohana Nicaragua through fundraising, transporting donated goods, and being all-around indispensable at our huge, annual yard sales. I love coaching basketball, traveling with my wife, and going fishing with my two sons.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> I have been part of SON since 2010. I began my journey as a volunteer, traveling to Nicaragua four times to help teach children with special needs to swim at our yearly held summer camp. I loved visiting Nicaragua and experiencing first-hand helping kind people that are not as fortunate as we can be here. As of today, I am now part of the Board and assist wherever I\u2019m needed.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> I made my first trip to Nicaragua with my mother in 1989, visiting the remote regions of Matagalpa and El Cu\u00e1 and working with the poor in the villages heavily affected by the war that had been raging on for many years. After graduating from college, I have gone each year with my parents since the 90\u2019s, working on schools, medical centers, houses, and the many other wonderful programs which Somos Ohana has accomplished with the people of Nicaragua. The lifetime service of Dan and Maura Flavin continues with their children, and now their grandchildren, who have stayed active with the amazing volunteers of the organization to help the beautiful communities in Nicaragua.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Growing up with Dan and Maura Flavin as grandparents and role models, I have always been happy to help the Somos Ohana Nicaragua team, and I’m excited to now be able to participate in a more official manner. As of 2024, I am a student and member of the class of 2025 at the University of Hawai’i at M\u0101noa. I plan to attend medical school and become an eye surgeon, serving my home community of Maui. (Picture L-R brother Alexander Flavin, cousin Charlotte Flavin, Dominic Flavin, cousin Rhys Flavin)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Our Valuable Team Members<\/h2><\/span>
<\/div><\/div>
\nKula, HI<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\nMakawao, HI<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\nWailuku, HI<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\nKula, HI<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nOlinda, HI<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>