Founding Team Full Bios

Founding Officers and Board of Directors

Grant’s professional experience includes twenty years in roles of service with over a decade of experience in sales, business development, and several years in management. Previously employed by companies such as Tesla, Revolusun, and CEI Hawaii- Grant is focused on using what he’s learned to best serve his community in the non-profit sector. After leaving the corporate world in 2019, it was a three-week volunteer trip to Rio’s infamous favelas that planted the seed in his heart to start what became- Kokua Project. With the organization formerly named “Thrive Global Hawaii” (https://www.we-trippin.com/) Grant volunteered and teamed up with several local NGOs (Projeto Escola Verde, Community In Action, Terere Kids Project, Impacto Das Cores, and others) for the purpose of supporting several of Rio’s neighborhoods, community leaders, and youth in: Ahuma, Cantagalo, Provedencia, Cidade, and Pavaozinho. Specifically, his work with the instructors and students at Terere Kids Project inspired him to carry on the spirit of Kokua and Aloha he saw and felt in the hearts of so many he was blessed to meet in Brazil. After returning home to Hawaii, the calling to dedicate his life to the service of others started him on a two year path- bringing all of the building blocks and like-hearted members of Kokua Project together.

Grant's other volunteer work includes: Show Aloha project in 2020 for its second Kupuna and Keiki food drive (Aloha Stadium).

Grant enjoys martial arts and has been training in the disciplines of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and the striking arts (Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai) since 2005. He has competition experience from white belt to purple belt in BJJ and fought a former amateur kickboxing champion under the Hawaii organization “Man up and stand up”. Martial arts have been a large part of Grant's journey in developing his character, critical thinking, and life values. He currently trains at Technics Jiu-Jitsu Academy and Legacy Muay Thai.

Kokua Project is proud to have Professor Leandro Nyza (“Nyza”) as our Board VP and the Head Director/Instructor of our martial arts program- Kokua Martial Arts & Self Defense. Originally from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Nyza has over 35 years of martial arts experience and holds the rank of 5th Degree black belt under Wendall Alexander (co-founder of Nova Uniao Jiu Jitsu alongside Andre Pederneiras).

Throughout his career and as a former regional BJJ program director for the UFC Gym, Professor Nyza has helped prepare and train many professional MMA fighters, including:  Renato Verissimo, Scott Junk, Brandon Wolf, Brad Tavarez, and BJ Penn. Nyza is currently the owner/head instructor of the "Masters Martial Arts" academy (in Kailua, Oahu) which also serves as our windward location for Kokua Martial Arts & Self-Defense.

Known for his calm demeanor and patient, mindful approach to teaching, Nyza has a knack for incorporating practical wisdom into his lessons with a focus on personal responsibility and self-improvement. “Martial arts is not about medals and championships. Martial arts is about building and developing one's character- to become masters of self and champions in life.” - Leandro Nyza

 BJJ Career

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Luis França > Oswaldo Fadda > Sebastião Ricardo > Wendell Alexander > Leandro Nyza

·        1993 Brazil National Champion in the Blue belt

·        1995 Runner-up Pan Ams in the Purple belt

·        1996 Runner-up World Championship in the Brown belt

·        2000 Rio de Janeiro State Champion in the Black belt

 MMA Career

·        World Cage Fighting 2 Win Marcus Blood by Strikes

·        Warriors Quest 7 Win Ed Newalu by Submission

Karli Anbe brings with her a genuine passion for helping others and a specialized background in education and legal document inspection. She is knowledgeable and well-versed in grant writing procedures and requirements from 6 years of experience as a Land Document Technician for the City and County of Honolulu. With a masters in Special Education from UH Manoa, Karli’s passion for education and caring for children, led her to spend five years as a child SPED educator, primarily working with grades K-6. Karli previously taught at Stevenson middle school’s English Language Learner program (grades 6-8), and was a SPED teacher assistant/SPED teacher at Pearl Harbor Elementary and Hickam elementary.

Karli currently works for the Hawaii Department of Education, serving her Aiea District as a full-time Community Homeless Concerns Liaison (CHCL). In her role, Karli mainly works within her designated district to support our local families and children identified by the state as coming from “unsecured/unstable housing” by placing them in the appropriate schools while also finding ways to source needed donations (school supplies/household supplies). (http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/EnrollingInSchool/Pages/Resources-for-homeless-families.aspx.)

Her familiarity and in-depth understanding of Kokua Project's target beneficiaries and their challenges and opportunities within education is a critical component. What spoke to Karli most about joining KP was the opportunity to offer her experience in a way that goes beyond basic services and bare essentials—an opportunity to empower our youth in a creative innovative way.

Other skills/experience include: volunteering at Pet Vets since 2017 (opening), experienced in education structures/techniques/delivery, SPED Education, community outreach, project management/completion, administrative tasks, audits/audit procedures, Master’s degree in Special Education from UH Manoa   

Karli is very family-oriented and spends much of her time getting together regularly with her siblings, cousins, nieces, nephew, aunties, and mother and father. She loves animals (especially cats and dogs) and has a knack for raising and releasing Hawaii’s endangered Monarch butterflies.

Patrick Lam has extensive experience in inventory management/account management, logistics and has been guiding daily warehouse operations at his family’s business- K & J Wholesale, for the past 14 years.  K & J Wholesale brings in about 30% of Honolulu’s dry goods, primarily serving Chinatown/Honolulu since 1998.  Pat not only brings his knowledge of inventory and warehousing management, but is also versed in accounting, bookkeeping, forklift operation, customer service, sales, and account management. As a proud father, Pat shares the passion for empowering our youth and sees the importance of supporting our next generation through education, creativity, discipline, and personal growth. As a BJJ and Muay Thai practitioner at Gracie Technics and Legacy Muay Thai he also brings a genuine caring, respect, and belief in the philosophical life teachings and character-building benefits of martial arts.

“Alika” offers his skills and professional network to KP (Kokua Project), carried by his passion for supporting the future of Hawaii- the next generation. Alika has a wide range of experience, from volunteer work in the nonprofit sector to a 10-year career within the Hawaii State Legislature. He's also a small business owner, passionately serving Hawaii’s residents through Visionary Inspections for over a decade. 

Throughout his professional career, Alika has been a successful fundraiser, involved in campaigns for several NGOs such wich includes serving as Director of Operations for the Board of the Lupus Foundation (2008-2010). Within his political career, he served the Legislature as Chief of Staff under Josh Green and Karen Owana. His experience in political campaigning goes back to 2004, working for candidates such former vice speaker John Mizuno.  

After a decade in politics, learning and understanding the challenges within the system, Alika decided to refocus his efforts on supporting our local communities through his personal business and volunteer work with NGO’s. The broad spectrum of his experience makes Alika a unique addition to KP, serving our board with high level guidance in all facets of the organization and its growth trajectory and internal compliance.

Alika has always had a passion for good food and holds a degree from Kapiolani Community College in Culinary Arts. He is also a certified lifeguard with a passion for real estate investing. He comes from a large family of seven; growing up he often found himself filling the gaps, caring for his younger siblings as a parent would. Alika’s huge heart and generosity truly shines through his years of dedication towards his family and loved ones.

Carolyn has spent several years as a volunteer team member for Camp Agape, a camp for children of incarcerated parents, helping children have a fun and carefree experience and connect with others who are just like them. She has also been a member of her church mission team, healing ministry, and women’s group.

Professionally Carolyn Pace is an interior designer, a career that spans two decades. In 2006 she opened her own interior design firm, Carolyn Pace Design, specializing in kitchen and bathroom design, space planning, and remodeling. Her passion in life is to make everything beautiful. She believes beauty is not just for the eyes, it comes from all the senses, how you feel, think, and respond to life and people.

In 2019 she teamed up with her son Grant to create Pace Space, a professional decluttering and organization service. Pace Space was born out of their own values and lifestyle of "less is better," a minimalist approach and philosophy they want to share with others. “It is hard physical work and takes patience and compassion to sift through personal clutter, but at the end of the day there is so much joy and freedom for clients.”

Carolyn will bring a stream of inventory to support KTS (Kokua Thrift Shop). Both Pace Space and Carolyn Pace Design welcome donated goods to support the Kokua Projects. As a single parent for many years, Carolyn understands the struggles many of these families go through both financially and socially. She worked long hours to support her family and many times her sons were on their own. Instead of having strong adult male role models in their life, they had their peers to learn from. Carolyn wants to be able to help change this for other children. With committed, talented, sincere role models, she believes the children will be inspired and will have bigger dreams for their future.