Kumu’s Cupboard is Kauai’s nonprofit store where teachers can shop for free. Kumu’s Cupboard is filled with school supplies, office supplies, materials for art and science projects, and student incentives.

Many educators spend their own money to enhance the education of their students whether to buy basic school supplies or materials for a special project. Kumu’s Cupboard, located near Target, opened January 28, 2017, to support public, private and charter school K-12 teachers, counselors, and educational assistants.

Board of Directors

Elyse Litvack, Founder and President

I have lived on Kauai since September of 2012, but have had a strong affinity for Kauai since our first visit in 1986. We spent our summers on Kauai beginning in 2002. I was an elementary school teacher in Seattle, Washington for 30 years, teaching primarily 2nd grade, 5th grade, and the last four years, a science pullout program. I also taught a pre-service science class at University of Washington, Bothell in the winter of 2011. On Kauai I am glad to work with students through the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge’s program, “Albatross Lifecycles”. I am currently on the board of The Mokihana Club, Grow Our Own Teachers on Kauai, and the Jewish Community of Kauai. When not a Kumu’s Cupboard, I enjoy traveling, playing mahjong, baking, going to the beach, volunteering and being with friends. I am delighted to be involved with the founding and on-going operations of Kumu’s Cupboard.

Alicia Perlas Miyashiro, Vice President

I’ve been teaching on Kauai for 27 years. I’m currently a district resource teacher at Kauai Complex Area. I support Elementary Schools in the area of Inclusive Practices. I’m born and raised here on Kauai in Puhi. I attended Pacific University in Oregon where I taught one year in Beaverton, Oregon. I have my Masters Degree in Curriculum from Gonzaga University. I have a son who is a freshman at Kauai High School. I enjoy doing crafts and spending time with my 7 year old dog Miso. I’m active in my church and enjoy helping others. I also teach Driver’s Education at Kauai High School.

Merna (Kam) Jim, Secretary

Merna (Kam) Jim is a retired fifth grade special education teacher. She has been teaching at Kapaa Elementary School since 1989. Prior to entering the education profession, Merna was a Registered Occupational Therapist working with infants, toddlers and pre-school aged children in an early child development program in the Salt Lake City, Utah. Also, as an Occupational therapist, Merna has had experience working with special needs students on Oahu, both in the alternate school setting (Olomana School) and in the public school setting (Windward School District).

Merna appreciates the support she has had through the years from her family, friends, and colleagues.

Belinda Bartels, Treasurer

I have been coming to Kauai annually since 1985 and moved here full time in November 2018 after retiring. I have a Certified Records Management background, with work experience at Boeing, Microsoft, 2 large law firms and 2 credit unions. I taught Records Management for 7 years at the University of Washington Extension program and served on two college level business advisory boards. I have been active at the local and international board level for two Records and Information Management associations. I enjoy reading, gardening, ‘game nights’, and time at the beach. I am also active in my church and the Mokihana Club.

Shana Brown, Director

I have been teaching on Kauaʻi since 2014 in a variety of roles from Special Education and Intervention to General Education. Currently, I am a Special Education teacher at King Kaumualiʻi Elementary School. I also facilitate professional development for Code.org and write teacher guides for Aloha Movement Kauaʻi. Additionally, I teach piano lessons, tutor, and direct Girls Who Code and Code Club at my school. Prior to teaching on Kauaʻi, I was a teacher in the inner city of Chicago. I really enjoy helping teachers at Kumu’s Cupboard because I believe teachers deserve an organization like this to help them support our keiki. In my free time I love going to the beach, hiking, dancing, listening and playing music, and cooking.

Pat Gegen, Director

Pat Gegen ( Mr.G) is returning to teaching after exploring other careers and vocations. His professional life began as a school counselor at Kapaa Elementary before moving into the classrooms of Island School. Transitioning from public schools to the training coordinator at an oil refinery began a 12-year career on the mainland. Returning to Kauai, Pat was able to become the stay-at-home parent to raise his daughter, help his other 6 awesome kids as much as he could and enjoy time with his 3 grandkids. Pat has actively been involved in the community especially around environmental sustainability issues and is now excited about helping a great organization that helps teachers!

Morgan Moises Lopez, Director

Morgan Moises Lopez was born and raised here on Kauai. She is a graduate of Kapaa High School and resides in Kapahi with her two daughters. Morgan is a Business Development Officer for HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union and develops partnerships with small businesses across Kauai, while sharing financial wellness with her community members.

Morgan previously worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years; after working at numerous resorts, she became the Executive Director for the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Kauai Chapter.

She continues to be involved in our community through various non-profit organizations. She acts as a board member for the Kauai Lions Club and Filipino Chamber of Commerce, secretary for the Zonta Club of Kauai, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Kauai Chair, and audio visual/publicity committee chair for the Garden Island Orchid Society.

In her free time, Morgan enjoys quality time with her family, cooking, hunting and fishing.

Sharon Lasker, Founder

Even though I’m back living in the Carolinas (where I was born and raised AND where I taught elementary school), I’ll continue to support Kumu’s Cupboard behind the scenes. This is my bio:
Sharon Lasker obtained a BA in Elementary Education from Clemson University. She started her career as a public school teacher, then gravitated towards preschool and childcare management. Additionally, she worked for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis as a Program Director over kindergarten and school age programs. Across 9 years of calling Kauai home, Sharon served the island in a number of ways. For 5 years, she was a Member of the Kauai Committee on the Status of Women, and served as Chair for 3 of those 5 year. Sharon was an Active Member of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce for 7 years, and was on the Board for 2 years. Sharon’s greatest passion, after she moved to Kauai in 2010, was as a Guilda, the volunteer arm for Kauai Child and Family Service. She headed up their Backpack Brigade project, which provides backpacks and required school supplies each year to Kauai’s children most in need, for several years. Sharon’s passions have always centered around children and families. She and her husband Chuck will forever treasure their 9-year chapter on Kauai.

Our Sponsors

Businesses and Organizations that support Kumu’s Cupboard

Rob’s Good Time Grill
Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay
Rotary Club of Kapa‘a
Safeway Foundation
Safeway Lihue
Servco Kaua‘i
Sheila Bradley—USBorne Books and More
SignArt
Table 53 – Sheraton Poipu
The Stanny Foundation
Verstappen Family Foundation
Vicky’s Fabric
Waikoloa Plaza LLC
Walmart

Mahalo to Kukui Grove Center for generously providing Kumu’s Cupboard with our store space.