Meet Our Team

Compassionate leaders working together to support successful reentry and healing.​

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Les Estrella 

CEO & President 

Les serves as the CEO and Founder of Going Home Hawai‘i, leading the organization with a deep commitment to restorative justice, reentry support, and community healing. Driven by a passion for creating second chances and strengthening communities across Hawai‘i, Les works alongside staff, partners, and participants to advance meaningful change and support successful reintegration for individuals returning home.
[email protected]

Michelle Manalo

Director of Finance 

Michelle serves as the Director of Finance for Going Home Hawai'i, overseeing financial operations with a strong commitment to integrity, accountability, and organizational sustainability. Passionate about supporting the mission through strategic financial management, Michelle works closely with leadership and staff to help ensure long-term success and positive community impact.
michelle@goinghomehawaii.org

Allie Vanetti 

Executive Systems Coordinator

Allie serves as the Executive Systems Coordinator at Going Home Hawai‘i, supporting organizational systems, CIS, marketing, and internal operations. She works to streamline processes and strengthen communication across teams to help ensure efficient and effective program support.
allie@goinghomehawaii.org

David Wischermann

Staff Accountant 

David serves as Staff Accountant at Going Home Hawai‘i, supporting the Director of Finance, staff, and resident financial needs. He helps maintain accurate financial records and ensures smooth day-to-day accounting operations in support of the organization’s mission.
david@goinghomehawaii.org

Trillium Simington

Program Services Manager / Window of Hope (EH) 

Trillium serves as Program Services Manager, overseeing East Hawai‘i programs, including Window of Hope (WOH), a program dedicated to supporting pregnant women struggling with substance use disorders (SUD) and other barriers to stability. She provides compassionate trauma-informed care and coordination.
trillium@goinghomehawaii.org

Laura Balai 

West Hawai'i Housing Program Manager 

Laura serves as West Hawai‘i Housing Program Manager, overseeing housing programs and supporting stable housing pathways for participants. She works to coordinate services that promote long-term housing stability and success.​
laura@goinghomehawaii.org

Kristin Hennig

SUD Reentry Care Coordinator

Kristin serves as the SUD Reentry Care Coordinator, supporting justice-involved individuals with substance use disorders as they transition from incarceration back into the community. She provides recovery-focused care coordination, reentry planning, advocacy, and connection to treatment, housing, behavioral health services, and essential community resources to help participants build stability and maintain long-term recovery.
kristin@goinghomehawaii.org

Ola Jenkins

East Hawai'i Care Coordinator

Ola serves as the East Hawai‘i Housing Care Coordinator, supporting individuals through individualized care coordination, housing stabilization, and connection to essential community resources. She works closely with participants to navigate services, maintain program compliance, and strengthen their path toward long-term stability, wellness, and independent living.  
ola@goinghomehawaii.org

JamesDean Gamponia

Justice Navigator 

JamesDean serves as a Justice Navigator, supporting justice-involved individuals experiencing homelessness and barriers to stability through street outreach, advocacy, and reentry support services. He works closely with participants to connect them to essential community resources while helping them navigate systems and build long-term stability within the community.
jamesdean@goinghomehawaii.org

Alexis Manuia

Peer Mentor Coordinator

Alexis serves as Peer Mentor Coordinator, supporting the development and coordination of peer mentorship services. She works to empower participants through lived experience support and connection.​
alexis@goinghomehawaii.org

Ashley Carpio

West Hawai'i Office Assistant

Ashley serves as Office Assistant for the West Hawai‘i team, supporting daily administrative operations and staff coordination. She helps ensure the office runs smoothly and efficiently in support of program services.​
ashley@goinghomehawaii.org

Michelle Kobayashi

Peer Specialist Intern 

Michelle serves as a Peer Specialist Intern at Going Home Hawai‘i, supporting both organizational needs and resident engagement. She assists with connecting residents to church, community programs, and supportive resources to encourage personal growth and reentry success.
mk@goinghomehawaii.org

Kaipo Ha'o

Contract House Monitor ​

Kaipo serves as Contract House Monitor at Going Home Hawai‘i, providing on-site support at the transitional home for justice-involved individuals. He helps maintain a safe, structured, and supportive living environment for residents as they work toward stability and independence.
kaipo@goinghomehawaii.org