In Memorandum
by Wilma Friesema
EPIC has been fortunate to have outstanding Board members since its earliest days and in this newsletter we will pay tribute to four who have passed away. These members may no longer be with us, but they planted seeds of hope and inspiration that are still thriving in EPIC today.
Bernice Pantell
Board Member: 1998 to 1999
Bernice Pantell was one of EPIC’s first board members and served for a year and a half. Though her time on the board was cut short due to illness, her impact was impressive. Always a trailblazer, Bernice was one of the first people in the US to work with computers. By the time she joined EPIC’s board, she brought with her a wealth of expertise in system organization, information management, data processing, and communication. She was instrumental in the development of `Ohana Conferencing evaluations and its targeted questions. She also helped EPIC staff collect the data needed to add weight and credibility to EPIC’s narrative.
Bernice, like a number of early board members, had a background in mediation. She easily engaged with people and had a clear and courageous voice. She also had a strong social conscience and a pioneering spirit. An interesting fact: Bernice and her husband were Jewish, yet they were among the first people to go to Germany after WWII to help reconnect families who had been torn apart. Her work in mediation, and at EPIC, reflected that same commitment to reducing people’s pain and suffering.
Michael Tongg
Board Member: 2000 to 2007
Michael Tongg was a renaissance man. Though he had a demeanor of quiet humility, he was a powerful influencer on every level. He was an accomplished Family Law attorney, ran a paddling halau in Aina Hina, was a Hōkūle'a crew member and President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, was a strong advocate and voice of the Hawaiian culture, and was a deeply religious, ethical man. He, and his wife, also fostered more than 50 children.
Michael’s contribution to EPIC cannot be overstated. One of EPIC’s goals is to help transform Child Welfare Services, but as a board member and president, Michael helped EPIC to make inroads into the court system as well. Due to being so respected in court, he was able to work with judges, guardian ad litems (GALs), and family attorneys to advocate for EPIC’s mission and services. He helped the EPIC team envision how to change the legal system so that agreements made by the families in `Ohana Conferences would be as powerful as CWS reports or GAL recommendations. He truly helped give Hawaii’s families a voice.
Earl Chapman
Board Member: 2001 – 2013
Earl Chapman grew up and spent most of his life in Chicago, but he fell in love with Hawai’i when he was stationed here during WWII. After successfully running his family business for nearly three decades he retired to O’ahu, but he didn’t slow down. He rallied a group of investors and developed Booklines Hawaii, which became the state's largest distributor of Hawaiian books, music, and gift products. He also became a meditator, volunteer trainer, and board member of the Mediation Center of the Pacific. In 2001, he joined EPIC’s board.
Earl brought many gifts to EPIC. He had an incredible sense of humor and made work fun. He lived aloha with everyone he met, and he was a creative risk taker who deeply believed in EPIC’s mission. As a business man and entrepreneur, Earl brought his out-of-the-box problem solving and visionary thinking to EPIC’s development. As the board president, he led with humor, positivity and support, but he also asked important questions. Earl was both kind and pragmatic. His guidance played a major role in helping EPIC become the successful non-profit business it is today.
Linda Naomi (Kahenue) Thomas
Board Member: 2000 - 2003
When EPIC’s founding CEO, Arlynna Livingston, was looking for board members she knew Linda Thomas was the ideal person. Born on Hawai’i Island, Linda had a strong connection to her heritage and the Hawaiian culture. After working as a CWS social worker for a number of years in Hilo, she moved to O'ahu to join the Queen Liliu'okalani’s Children’s Center (now known as the Liliu'okalani Trust or LT), where she eventually became the Assistant Director. It was after her retirement from LT that Linda joined EPIC’s board. While on the board, she contributed her powerful voice on behalf of Hawaiian families who were, and still are, disproportionally represented in the child welfare system.
Linda served on EPIC’s board for 1 ½ years until she stepped down to do direct service and become an `Ohana Conferencing Facilitator. Upon moving back to Hilo, she became EPIC’s Hilo office manager for approximately six years. Throughout her time with EPIC, Linda was an elegant force in both her words and appearance, and was a strong advocate for Hawaiian values and Hawaiian families. Her cultural insight and wisdom are still very much a part of EPIC’s foundation.
As we enter the year 2022, we want to honor and express our gratitude for the wonderful contributions these four remarkable people have made. Their guidance and support were instrumental in EPIC becoming, and remaining, an agent of hope and change for the youth and families we serve. Mahalo to these four, and all our outstanding board members, past and present. We couldn’t do what we do without you!