HAʻAHEO ZABLAN
Pronouns: he/him/his
Director since 2022
Haaheo@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Executive Committee: Chairperson
As a product of Papakōlea, the first Hawaiian Homestead on Oʻahu, Haʻaheo synthesizes traditional Hawaiian values with hotel and restaurant operation knowledge throughout his 10+ years of industry leadership. Haʻaheo paves the way for a new generation of hospitality, prioritizing inclusivity, positive working relationships, and fostering efficient whilst sustainable best-practices for the workplace and island environment. His plethora of industry experience and passion for honoring Hawaiʻi and local communities solidifies Haʻaheo as an anchor for his team members and an empathetic, dynamic leader, mentor, and friend.
Haʻaheo adapts quickly to multiple priorities as he has executed management roles from Front Office, Heart of House, and Food & Beverage departments. He has held key roles and leadership positions at The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and Waikiki Beach Marriott. Currently, he is the General Manager at Kaimana Beach Hotel, “Waikīkī’s Only Boutique Hotel Located Directly on the Sand”, voted #6 “Top Hotels in Hawaiʻi in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel+Leisure’s 2022 IT LIST of the Best New Hotels In The World.
Haʻaheo pays homage to Waikīkī, making a full circle as his tūtū was one of the original lei sellers on Kalākaua prior to statehood. He honors her, his ‘ohana, his roots, and community in his daily practice of welcoming guests across the globe with an open heart in sharing his home and culture.
ZABRINA ZABLAN-DUVAUCHELLE
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Director since 2023
Zabrina@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Executive Committee: Vice-Chair
Chair: Honolulu Pride
Zabrina Zablan-Duvauchelle calls Kapolei home, where she resides with her partner Ipolani and their beloved fur companion, Grey. A proud alumna of Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama (class of 2012), she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Azusa Pacific University (class of 2016).
As the CEO and Founder of The Gay Agenda Collective, LLC, a wedding and event planning company in Hawaiʻi specializing in LGBTQ+ events, Zabrina stands out as one of the few Queer Kanaka professionals in her field. Her mission is to pave the way for greater inclusivity and allyship, ensuring that every couple feels celebrated and represented on their special day.
Leveraging her extensive background in the service industry, along with experience in planning fundraisers and corporate events, Zabrina brings a wealth of expertise to her role on the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation board. She envisions extending the foundation’s impact to the West Side of Oʻahu, facilitating a broader range of hosted events across the entire island.
CHAD YAMAMOTO
Pronouns: he/him/his
Director since 2022
Chad@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Executive Committee: Treasurer
Chair: Finance
Chad Yamamoto oversees First Hawaiian Bank’s advertising strategy and is responsible for implementing its media campaigns, brand management, and branch merchandising program. He is a leader in the bank’s employee driven LGBTQIA+ resource group and has worked to create a more inclusive workforce.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Chad holds a degree in Finance and Business Economics from Seattle University and serves on the board of the Honolulu Professionals Foundation.
Born and raised in Pauoa, Chad holds a degree in Business Administration and Finance from Seattle University. He can often be found running to catch his flight at the airport, dining with friends at local spots for his next Yelp review or whipping up something in his kitchen while Adele is playing in the background. He also serves on the board of the Honolulu Professionals Foundation and is a member of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce.
LORD RYAN LIZARDO
Pronouns: he/him/his
Director since 2024
LordRyan@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Executive Committee: Secretary
Chair: Honolulu Pride Festival; LGBTQ+ Center; Rainbow Legacy Scholarships
Lord Ryan Lizardo is a strong advocate for education here in Hawaiʻi and currently serves as the Vice President of Education at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi.
Originally from Ewa Beach, Lord Ryan spent the first years of his career teaching at his Alma Mater, James Campbell High School. During his six years there, he taught Sociology and Psychology, advised the Class of 2020 Student Council, and co-advised the Rainbow Sabers, Campbell’s GSA / QSA. One of his proudest moments came from supporting the first cohort of Rainbow Sabers walking in the Honolulu Pride Parade.
In his current work, Lord Ryan provides access for students through connecting them to work-based learning opportunities in the state. In addition to this, Lord Ryan leads the Chamber’s Pride initiatives in the Young Professionals Program. Lord Ryan hopes to build a more LGBTQ+ accepting community and environment for current LGBTQIA+ and MVPAFF professionals and future leaders.
Lord Ryan is excited to continue to build more educational opportunities through his work with the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation and build more connections to the community. In his free time, Lord Ryan likes to watch reality TV shows, read, exercise, and enjoy a Happy Hour with friends.
ANDREW OGATA
Pronouns: he/him/his
Director since 2018
Andrew@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Executive Committee: At-Large
Andrew Ogata was born and raised in Kealakekua, Hawaiʻi, and attended the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa where he received his degree in Political Science in 2007. Andrew is the Director of Marketing and Development at the Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC), an organization created through the merging of the Life Foundation and the CHOW Project. HHHRC serves Hawaiʻi communities by reducing the harm and fighting the stigma of HIV, hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, and poverty.
Previous to his position at HHHRC Andrew was the Retail Manager of MAC Cosmetics at Ala Moana Center, Honolulu, where he continues to work as a Makeup Artist.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation, Andrew focuses on community outreach and education, helping to organize projects such as 2020’s Rainbow Town Hall virtual panel discussions that brought diverse groups together to address the challenges facing LGBTQIA+ people and their ʻohana.
SAMI L.A. AKUNA
Pronoun: māhūi
Director since 2022
Sami@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Chair: Māhūi & Kūpuna Projects
Internationally, Sami L.A. Akuna has performed in Asia, Europe, North America, and across the Pacific. With over 25 years of professional experience, Sami has performed as principal dancer with Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, is Artistic Director of Giinko Maraschino, Jhalak Dance Company and Piko Dance Arts.
Sami holds a BFA in Theatre and Dance, and MFA in Asian Theatre Directing from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and currently teaches the nation’s very first Queer Dance class. This course looks at the communal embodiment of gay nightclubbing during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s through Disco, the Hawaiʻi Drag Scene and Vogue and Ballroom Culture.
Sami began a career in Butoh and Drag in 1991, performing at various nightclubs, house parties, and non-traditional performance settings. Cocoa Chandelier, Sami’s alter ego, travels continuously as an advocate and spokesperson for HIV/AIDS, and is a long standing member with the United Territories of Pacific Islanders in Alliance that serves the Native Pacific Island and MVPFAFF+ community across the Hawaiian islands and the Pacific.
BRENT ANBE
Pronouns: he/him/his
Director since 2024
Brent@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Chair: Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival
Brent Anbe is a locally born and raised Hawaiʻi casting director, film-festival director and an award-winning filmmaker, writer and director. He’s dedicated over a decade to LGBTQI+ community activism as the Festival Director for Hawaiʻi’s only LGBT Film Festival, the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.
Most recently, Brent is the Hawaiʻi Casting Associate for the Disney+ Series Doogie Kamealoha, MD Season 1 and 2, and Season 1 – 5 of CBS/NBC’s Magnum P.I. Brent’s previous accomplishments include original U.S. casting for the international Netflix hit series Terrace House: Aloha State and Casting Associate work for CBS’s Hawaii Five-0 and Jurassic World.
Brent has been awarded the Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 Award for his success in business and community work.
JONATHAN ENOS
Pronouns: he/him/his
Director since 2025
Jonathan@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Jonathan Enos, born and raised on Oʻahu, is a proud alumnus of Mililani High School and a 2022 graduate of Chaminade University, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Management Jonathan brings a wealth of expertise in technology, operations, finance, and leadership, currently serving as the Senior System Platform Manager in Retail Lending at Bank of Hawaii. He is also a co-chair of the RainBOH Employee Resource Group, where he works to foster an inclusive and supportive workplace environment for LGBTQIA+ employees and allies.
Jonathan is committed to empowering the LGBTQIA+ community, fostering a world where individuals can thrive, grow, and flourish. His focus is on promoting inclusivity, equality, and advocacy, ensuring that the voices and needs of the community are heard and supported at every level.
In addition to his professional achievements, Jonathan has a passion for helping others and is deeply committed to his community. You will often find him volunteering with various non-profit organizations, including those supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his husband, exploring new cuisines, and spending quality time with his two golden retrievers.
JENNIFER LI
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Director: 2020-2021 and since 2024; Advisory Council: 2022-2023
Jennifer@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Chair: Queer Women Initiative
Born and raised in Honolulu, Jennifer Li is a local girl at heart. She enjoys water sports, socializing with friends and family, dining out, traveling, and loves animals. Jennifer attended McKinley High School and graduated shortly after with a Finance Degree from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Jennifer’s passion is real estate. Being a second generation American, since a child, she always dreamed of living the American Dream–owning a big house with a yard to entertain. Jennifer kicked off her real estate career with Keller Williams Honolulu in 2016 as a full-time Realtor and joined Locations in 2018 with a desire for growth to continue helping her clients meet their real estate needs. Within her first year at Locations, she was recognized with the Master’s Circle and Client Service Awards, and nominated by her own clients for the Aloha ‘Aina Realtor Awards. During the summer of 2021, Jennifer obtained her Broker’s License, furthering her knowledge and leadership to advise her clients.
In addition to her position at the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation, Jennifer is also currently serving as a Board Member/Chair position of the Rotary E-Club of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Humane Society PetWalk Committee, Honolulu Board of Realtor Leeward Regional Group and Honolulu Board of Realtors Leeward Regional, and is a devoted volunteer for the Locations Foundation. Jennifer enjoys giving back to her community and participating in projects that improve the lives of people, not only in Hawaiʻi but across the globe.
KELII OPULAUOHO
Pronouns: he/they
Director since 2025
Kelii@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Kelii Opulauoho is a seasoned professional in human resources and organizational development, and a long-time advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. They hold a BA in Asian Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Kelii’s career spans many years in human resources, advancing learning, diversity initiatives, and people solutions — currently serving at our local utility, Hawaiian Electric.
Their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is evident through Kelii’s active participation in workplace employee networks and resource groups. They currently serve on Pride Power’s executive planning committee (the utility’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group), the board of the Dartmouth College LGBTQIA+ Alumni Association (DGALA), and as Vice President of DEIB for the Association for Talent Development-Hawaii board.
Born and raised in Pearl City, Kelii was a 13+ club member at Punahou School. As the child of two teachers, Kelii is grateful for their early exposure to art and music, and still loves opera, musical theater, stage plays, concerts, and performance art to this day. Proud father and biggest fan of his son Miles, currently studying at Dartmouth College, Kelii is enthusiastic about collaborating with the Legacy Foundation board to enhance queer visibility, representation, and community in Hawaiʻi.
MAX RODRIGUEZ
Pronouns: he/him/his
Director since 2023
Max@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Chair: Rainbow Town Hall
Max Rodriguez, a native of Coachella Valley, California, is Communications Manager at the Honolulu City & County Office of Economic Revitalization. Previously he was a reporter at KHON2, and before moving to Honolulu in 2020, he worked at NBC Palm Springs as a general assignment reporter. Max earned his master’s degree at Boston University and interned at WBUR Boston, and then at NPR headquarters in Washington DC during the 2016 presidential election.
As a first-generation American and son of Mexican immigrants, his mission is to normalize conversations about gender and sexuality within the Latino community. Max wants to continue to use his position to amplify the voice of others who would usually not get a chance to speak.
MATHEW “MANAKŌ” TANAKA
Pronouns: he/him/his
Director since 2023
Manako@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Chair: Vision Without Limits Gala; Volunteers
Mathew “Manakō” Tanaka is from Āliamanu, Oʻahu and attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where he obtained a bachelorʻs degree from the School of Travel Industry Management and both a bachelorʻs and Masters degree in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi from Kawaihuelani, under the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. He currently works as Senior Specialist, Community & Cultural Relations at Hawaiian Airlines where he oversees community outreach projects, and both internal and external cultural activations.
Manakō is passionate about normalizing the recognition and celebration of native Hawaiian and local culture, and would like to see the LGBT+ community woven more tightly into that moena. Prior to his current role, Manakō worked as a Sales Manager at the Oʻahu Visitors Bureau and served as Disney Ambassador to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa from 2017-2018.
RANDY SORIANO
Pronouns: he/him/his
RandyS@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com
Executive Director
Randy is a marketing and communications professional with over 15 years of management experience at proven industry-leading companies throughout Hawai’i. He has a long history of outstanding leadership and service to the MVPFAFF/LGBTQIA+, and non-profit communities, including the Hawai’i Health and Harm Reduction Center, HLLF and Rotary E-Club of Hawai’i. Randy is a graduate of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i’s Fellows Program, a Pacific Business News Business of Pride honoree, and the recipient of Pacific Edge Magazine’s Young Professional of the Year award.
Photos of Haʻaheo, Sami, Max and Manakō by Kimo Lauer
The Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation produces Honolulu Pride, hosts the LGBTQ Center Honolulu and creates educational programs that inform and empower Hawaiʻi’s MVPFAFF/LGBTQIA+ community. The Foundation also provides financial and in-kind support to organizations addressing social, health and economic inequalities in our communities. You can help us continue our work by making a contribution. Just click here.Thank you!