A culturally grounded consulting company advancing leadership, organizational growth, family well-being, and community impact across Hawaiʻi.
A culturally grounded consulting company advancing leadership, organizational growth, family well-being, and community impact across Hawaiʻi.
David
"Kawika" Mattos
David “Kawika” Mattos is a father, grandfather, mentor, and lifelong advocate for children and families. He and his wife, Kaʻo, were married in 1987, and together they share a deep devotion to their adult children and grandchildren. ʻOhana sits at the center of his life and work. Kawika has dedicated himself for more than three decades to supporting families, strengthening communities, and walking alongside individuals through healing, growth, and change.
Kawika’s work began in the nonprofit sector, where he spent ten years leading programs for at-risk youth and fostering more than 20 young people, later adopting two brothers in 2007. He went on to serve for a decade with the Boys & Girls Clubs before finding his latest calling at Maui Family Support Services (MFSS), where he has spent the past decade supporting fathers, families, and communities.
As the Program Supervisor for Kāne Connections, Kawika facilitates men’s groups and parenting classes for both men and women, creating spaces for healing, accountability, and personal growth. The MFSS Papa Mākua Parenting Program now utilizes the Alakaʻina parenting curriculum he developed over many years—a culturally grounded approach that continues to grow in demand across the islands.
In addition to his work with MFSS, Kawika supports individuals in recovery through his work with Aloha House Residential Addiction Treatment and Outpatient Programs, where he shares life skills, ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian-based knowledge), and lessons rooted in lived experience. He has also served seven years as Maui County’s representative on the Hawaiʻi State Commission on Fatherhood, including 3 years as the commission chairman, and continues to be a steadfast advocate for early childhood development, the prevention of child abuse and neglect, the prevention of domestic and family violence, and stronger support systems for men and families.
Grounded in ʻike (knowledge), aloha (compassion), and decades of lived experience as a father, mentor, and community leader, Kawika believes healing begins in relationships and that strong families create strong communities. His lifelong commitment to growth, learning, and service continues to guide the work he does alongside individuals and families across Hawaiʻi.
Melia Mattos is a Native Hawaiian leader, mother, and community advocate dedicated to uplifting Hawaiʻi’s families and communities through culturally grounded leadership and meaningful change. Born and raised on Maui, Melia brings a deep sense of kuleana (responsibility) to her work, guided by the values of aloha, mālama ʻāina, and pilina (connection).
With a background in higher education, organizational leadership, and community resilience, Melia has spent over a decade supporting students, families, and professionals across Maui Nui. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Industrial-Organizational Leadership and is currently completing her Master’s in Organizational Leadership.
Melia
Mattos
Melia co-founded Alakaʻina Consulting Hawaiʻi with a vision to guide, strengthen, and heal communities by centering indigenous knowledge, cultural values, and people-centered practices. Her areas of focus include leadership development, personal growth, family strengthening, organizational strategy, and community-based program design.
In all of her work, Melia honors the stories, wisdom, and resilience of Hawaiʻi’s people. She believes meaningful leadership grows from within our communities — rooted in place, values, connection, and collective responsibility.
Guided by the meaning of Alakaʻina — “guiding leader” — Melia’s mission is to help cultivate leaders, families, and systems that serve not only with strategy, but with true aloha.
Outside of her professional work, Melia is deeply committed to family, culture, and creating a stronger future for Hawaiʻi’s next generation. Whether through community service, mentorship, or cultural perpetuation, she believes lasting change begins by investing in people and strengthening the relationships that connect us.