Linda Hufano, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Dr. Linda Hufano’s professional history includes having been the Executive Director of Alaka’i Na Keiki and its predecessor, the Hoahana Institute, for over twenty years. From 1990 – 1997, she was the Branch Chief of the Diamond Family Guidance Center (FGC); and from 1985 – 1990, she was the District Psychologist for the Honolulu District, DOE. Dr. Hufano is a Hawaii-licensed psychologist, who has maintained private practices in Leeward Oahu and Honolulu in addition to providing contract services for the Kalihi-Palama Family Guidance Center. She has held research and/or teaching positions at UCLA, Pepperdine University, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Colorado; and served as Adjunct Faculty for the Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii, and the American School of Professional Psychology – Hawaii Campus.
Currently, Dr. Hufano has executive responsibilities associated with program development, program evaluation, and quality assurance for Alaka’i Na Keiki. She also provides training, consultation, and supervision for professional and paraprofessional providers as well as postdoctoral residents, interns and practicum students. Dr. Hufano was a senior leader and supervisor participant in the Hawaii TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) Learning Collaborative.
Richard Kravetz, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Dr. Richard Kravetz’s administrative background includes having been President and CEO of Alaka’i Na Keiki and its predecessor organization, the Hoahana Institute, for over 20 years. He was responsible for directing Hoahana’s Tween Project, a DHS-funded project for at risk youth in Windward Oahu. He conceptualized and directed Hoahana’s consultant-skills trainer model for delivering intensive in-school support services under its CAMHD and Zero-to-Three contracts for young children with Autism. As Associate Director for Alaka’i Na Keiki, Dr. Kravetz continued to provide direction for these services, and additionally initiated its intensive in-school, in-home and community based services for children and youth with disruptive behavior disorders.
Prior to working in the private sector, from 1985 through 1997, Dr. Kravetz was employed by the Hawaii DOE and the CAMHD. He held various administrative positions within the CAMHD, including Head of the Central Oahu Children’s Team, Head of the Diamond Head Adolescent Day Treatment Program, and Chief of CAMHD’s Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at Hawaii State Hospital. He also served as a Psychological Examiner for the DOE’s Windward district, Special Services Team, a Staff Psychologist for the Central Oahu Children’s Team, and a Staff Psychologist for the Leeward Oahu Children’s Team.
Dr. Kravetz is a Hawaii-licensed psychologist who for several years maintained a private practice in Leeward Oahu. Dr. Kravetz is a former university professor and special education teacher of children with severe emotional/behavior disorders, including those having developmental disorders, and has been on the faculty of the Pepperdine University, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the Los Angeles Unified School District. He has trained clinical psychologists, school psychologists and special education teachers. Dr. Kravetz was a trainer/supervisor participant in the University of Hawaii – CAMHD sponsored training “Local Champions” which trained clinical supervisors to use, train and supervise therapists in using “Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma or Conduct Disorders (MATCH-ADTC)”. He was also a senior leader and supervisor participant in the “Hawaii TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) Learning Collaborative”.
Kristina Riester
Director of Research and Development
While studying psychology at the University of Hawaii @ Manoa, I volunteered as a psychiatric assistant working with children at Diamond Head Day Treatment Center. This led to working for Hoahana Institute (Alaka’i Na Keiki’s predecessor). Once Alaka’i Na Keiki was founded, I began as a case manager which involved coordinating services for our clients, attending their IEP’s, as well as advocating and supporting both client and parent. With Alaka’i, I later became their intake coordinator, as well as assisting with quality assurance. In addition to my prior work with Alaka’i, I’ve been program director with Easter Seals and United Cerebral Palsy.
I’m excited to announce I’ve recently returned to Alaka’i Na Keiki as their Director of Research and Development.