REACH. IMPACT. HAVE FUN!

Our Team say "Aloha"

Joshua "Ikaika" Duvauchelle President & Founder

Josh, born and raised on Oahu, brings over 20 years of experience working with at-risk youth in Hawaii's Correctional and Juvenile Detention facilities—the same institutions he was once incarcerated as a youth. His personal journey drives his passion for breaking the cycle of juvenile crime. For 14 years, he and his wife Maria have dedicated their life to guiding numerous youth through trauma and adversity as licensed therapeutic foster parents. He leads a Warrior Notes Ministry in Kapolei and has served on-staff with various faith-based organizations including Victory Ohana prison ministry and God Squad ministry. Currently pursuing his Master's in Theology, Josh combines his business experience, musical talents, and powerful testimony to reach youth across Hawaii and beyond. Josh reflects regularly on the word from John 3:16 which says, "For God so loved the world that He gave...." Just a testament to the Power of Change!

Kirk Wakaumi Secretary & Treasurer

Kirk, raised in Kailua, O'ahu, combines business acumen with a dedication to youth mentorship and community service. His leadership journey began in Boy Scouts and high school student government, leading to a Bachelor's in Business Marketing and roles spanning non-profit administration and telecom management. Currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Bible and Theology, he actively supports ministries serving families and houseless individuals in West Oahu, focusing on mentoring youth to become Ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

Merilyn Wakaumi Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Merilyn, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor in Hawaii, holds degrees from the University of Hawaii (BA, Speech Communication) and Chaminade University (MS, Counseling Psychology with Marriage and Family Therapy emphasis). With 12 years of experience counseling individuals, couples, and families, she brings expertise from working with keiki in the Department of Education system, child development centers, and serving kupuna as a senior case manager. Together with her husband, she extends her commitment to youth through sponsoring four Compassion International children.

Maria Duvauchelle Outreach, Diversion Manager & Founder

Maria, a lifelong Oahu resident and licensed medical assistant, has dedicated her career to supporting youth and families in need. Together with her husband Joshua, she has served as a licensed therapeutic foster parent with Nā 'Ohana Pūlama for over 14 years, specializing in trauma-informed care. Her expertise includes working as a Associate Family Teacher at the NOP boys home and serving as a Youth Counselor providing mental health support to West side families. With more than 20 years of ministry experience and time at Catholic Charities working with houseless families, Maria founded Hope for Hawaii Youth to address the growing needs of local youth. She combines her professional training, faith-based approach, and passion for family support to create transformative experiences for keiki and their 'ohana.

Francine Medeiros Vice President

Francine Kaohulani Kimiko Medeiros, born and raised in Lahaina's Mill Camp, now calls Nānākuli home, finding in its tight-knit community echoes of her plantation upbringing. As a first-generation college graduate, she has dedicated over 17 years to educational advocacy, currently serving with Ka Lama Education Academy to support and uplift aspiring kumu. Her deep connection to community, family values, and Christian faith guides her work, inspired by Jeremiah 29:11's promise of hope and purpose. Living on the Waiʻanae Coast with her husband Leland and father Roy, she continues to build bridges between education, culture, and community service.

Dr. Laurine LeBlanc-White Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Dr. Laurine LeBlanc-White has extensive experience in the mental health, behavioral health, and emotional health field. She provides short-term, situational, problem-solving, non-medical, life counseling services. Her professional background also includes child and youth behavioral counseling along with clinical therapeutic services to children adolescents, and adults with identified mental health or substance abuse diagnosis. Dr. LeBlanc-White has a PhD- Education & amp; Leadership, MA- Professional Counseling, and BS-Psychology/Therapy. Dr. LeBlanc-White is also a author, her book “Unapologetically Resilient” A guide to getting through Trauma and living your full potential.

Rudy & Sophia Amasol Youth Mentor Directors

Leland Medeiros Youth Mentor

"Thank you for taking the time to visit us. Myself and my wife Maria are humbled to serve in this capacity. Alot of what we do is not advertised. We've kept things pretty simple. The age that we seek to reach is a tender age, where the heart is more ready to receive. Jesus said, unless you become like a child (not childish), but tender, you will by no means enter the kingdom of Heaven.

A message from Josh "Ikaika" Duvauchelle, HHY President