Staff
Riki Fujitani | Executive Director
Committed to changing the way the State of Hawaii builds preschools, schools and workforce housing through the strategic use of prequalified architects, engineers and contractors for innovation, speed and efficiency.
Email: riki.fujitani@hisfa.org
Kenyon Tam | Administrative Services Officer
Kenyon is an experienced professional who has been working in public education for over fifteen (15) years. He has a diverse range of experience in policy development, government administration, and formulating and implementing organizational and administrative structures. Before joining the Hawaii School Facilities Authority, he worked with the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission and was recently the Board Analyst for the Hawaiʻi State Board of Education. Kenyon holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa.
Email: kenyon.tam@hisfa.org
Cheri Nakamura | Policy and Program Officer
Cheri was previously the Director for the coalition Hui for Excellence in Education. She worked with education-focused community groups and non-profits, parent groups, and the Department of Education to support Hawaiʻi public schools. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from the University of Hawaiʻi.
Email: cheri.nakamura@hisfa.org
Liz Lee | Planning Officer
Liz possesses an extensive background in project management and demonstrates a steadfast commitment to excellence. She has successfully led various public-private partnership projects, including education programming and planning for numerous international initiatives that have benefited thousands of students. Before joining the Hawaiʻi School Facilities Authority, Liz served as a Project Manager for AHL (formally Architects Hawaii Limited), and prior to that, held the position of Global Director of Planning and Design at Avenues World Holdings, LLC. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Barnard College, Columbia University in New York.
Email: liz.lee@hisfa.org
Douglas Cullison | Program Manager
With over thirteen (13) years of experience working with various private and public agencies, Douglas brings a remarkable degree of expertise and knowledge to the team, ranging from project, construction, risk, and financial management. Prior to joining the Hawaiʻi School Facilities Authority, Douglas was a Deputy Director of Project Controls for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and, most recently, a Risk Manager for the Jacobs Engineering Group. Douglas holds a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and International Business from the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, Shidler College of Business.
Email: doug.cullison@hisfa.org
Brian Canevari | Program Manager
Brian has served Hawaiʻi since 2007 through Safe Routes to Schools, Kailua Urban Design Task Force, Kaʻōhao Public Charter School governing board, and most recently as a Project Manager for the Hawaiʻi Department of Education Facilities Development Branch. Brian developed expertise on schools and housing as a designer, constructor, and manager since earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.
Email: brian.canevari@hisfa.org
Joji Matsumoto | Program Manager
Joji has extensive engineering experience, with roles spanning from software development and system administration to facilities management. He previously worked as an engineer at the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Office of Facilities and Operations. Joji received at Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kyushu University and a Masters in Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Email: joji.matsumoto@hisfa.org
Cindy Watarida | Business Management Officer
A former Finance Officer for a non-profit and Administration Services Assistant for the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area, Cindy’s fifteen (15) years of experience in the non-profit and public sector has enabled her to bring a wealth of knowledge in administrative and management functions, budgeting, and accounting. Cindy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration degree.
Email: cindy.watarida@hisfa.org