Leadership Team
Meet our Maui Behavioral Health Resources Leadership Team
Nicole Hokoana, LMFT
Chief Executive Officer
Nicole Hokoana has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy. She’s had the privilege of working in multiple settings — with youth on middle and high school campuses, with young adults at University of Hawai Maui College and with families at Child & Family Service. She served as a Program Director and Individual/Family Therapist at Child & Family Service for 4 years, before taking on the Chief Operating Officer Role in 2018. Now, she serves at CEO over the tri-agency partnership of Maui Behavioral Health Resources.
Ronald Nelson
Chief Operating Officer
Ronald Nelson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources from the University of Montana. For the past 34 years he served as a Human Resource Manager for Liberty House/Macy’s, where he oversaw the Maui, Kauai, Kona, Pearlridge and Windward Mall store locations. As COO he manages Human Resources, IT, Facilities. and organizational safety planning. He has been involved in the Society of Human Resource Management, Workforce Investment Board, Salvation Army and the Private Industry Council. He joined MBHR in October 2018.
Dr. Lisa Ponichtera, PhD, LMFT, CSAC
Chief Clinical Officer
Lisa grew up on Molokai and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa and her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. She has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Saybrook University and is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Lisa has worked with women and families struggling with drug addiction since 2004. Lisa has experience working with pregnant and parenting women, gender-specific substance abuse treatment, co-occurring disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, strengths and evidenced-based practices as well as motivational interviewing.
As Chief Clinical Officer, she provides program oversite and support for program directors at our three partner agencies.
Traci Fujita, Esq.
Chief Performance Officer & General Counsel
Traci has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Juris Doctor degree. Her career began at the County of Maui where she was appointed for 27 years to various positions, including First Deputy Corporation Counsel, Deputy Director of Liquor Control, and Director of Council Services. She is part of the MBHR leadership team responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of clinical care are delivered and that all targets and objectives are met in line with national, state, and local standards. Traci joined MBHR in August 2023.
Malia Bohlin, MNM
Senior Development Director
Malia gained key fundraising experience early in her career as Campaign Director for Maui United Way and later as Vice President of Donor Relations at Mile High United Way in Denver, Colorado. She has a BS in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Colorado, and a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. She has worked in fundraising since 1993, and is also certified as a PATH International instructor for therapeutic horseback riding. Malia joined MBHR in August, 2019.
Peter DeMichele
Director of Finance
Pete DeMichele has over 30 years of experience as a licensed CPA including being licensed in Hawaii since 1993. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Arizona State University. Previous to being promoted to Director of Finance, he has served in the role of Senior Accountant/Controller under the direct supervision of the previous CFO/Director of Finance for the past 6 years. His primary duties included being responsible for the preparation of the monthly and annual financial Statements for the MBHR partner agencies and assisting the CFO with the preparation and completion of the annual financial statement audits and tax returns prepared by external CPAs. Pete has served and held leadership positions on various nonprofit Boards including the Doris Todd Christian Academy School Board, Condo Council of Maui, and Basketball Maui. He joined MBHR in October 2015.
Donna “Kupono” Rivera Lucero, LCSW, CSAC
Cultural Liaison and Program Director
Kupono is a native to Maui. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences with a minor in Addiction Studies from the University of Hawai`i at West O`ahu and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. During her graduate studies, she participated in the Hawaiian Learning Program where she had her `inoa ceremony and reconnected to her native roots, igniting her passion to pursue her sense of self and sense of place as a Native Hawaiian wāhine. Kupono has worked and volunteered in the human services field for more than 25 years. She started with Aloha House Drug Court Services as a Counselor in 2007, providing In-Custody treatment, then transferred to Malama Family Recovery Center in 2009. In her role as Cultural Liaison, she assists partner agencies with integrating ʻāina based therapy, Hawaiian values and practices, and working with cultural practitioners. She continues to support Malama as the SAMSHA Grant Counselor to enrich program services.
David Wittenberg, Psy.D. Aloha House Mental Health & Social Services
David runs Behavioral Health Services of Maui, LLC, which provides management and consultation for Aloha House’s Mental Health & Social Services/Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division. He supervises and trains counselors in the Co-Occurring Disorders program and manages and consults with Aloha House’s mental health programs. Dr. Wittenberg is actively involved in the direction of Aloha House’s first County-wide Crisis Response Team and other related services for those with serious mental illness. He maintains a small private practice and specializes in men’s and couples’ issues and has been a manager and supervisor with Aloha House since 1997.
Heather Wittenberg, Psy.D., Aloha House Mental Health & Social Services
Heather runs Behavioral Health Services of Maui, LLC, which provides management and consultation for Aloha House’s Mental Health & Social Services/Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division. She grew up in Hawaii and has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 1996. Her clinical specialties include maternal-infant health, early childhood development, intensive and in-home family-focused services, as well as rural issues in psychology. Dr. Wittenberg manages and supervises clinicians in Aloha House’s counseling programs. She supervises post-master’s and post-doctoral interns and fellows as part of Aloha House’s initiative to train needed, high-quality clinicians for the families of Maui County. She also consults with local agencies and clinicians working with the “0-3” Early Intervention population.
Bob Lanser, LCSW, Aloha House Mental Health & Social Services
Bob received his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from San Diego State University, specializing in clinical mental health practices. His credentials include: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW – Hawaii), Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW) and inclusion in the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), awarded by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Bob began his career in mental health in 1974 and has worked in both the private and public sector. His experience includes clinical services for children, youth and families. He also specializes in working with adults with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. In addition, Bob has extensive experience in program development, supervision and clinical service management. Bob has worked with Aloha House since 1997 as a senior clinician and as a co-director of clinical and management services. He helped establish the Mental Health & Social Services Division.
