Our Mission
'Ai Pono Foundation works collaboratively with 'Ai Pono Hawaii to enhance patient care for those seeking eating disorder treatment. We are dedicated to supporting Hawaii residents struggling with eating disorders through our patients' assistance fund, community outreach, and educational programs.
Guiding Principles
‘AO
To learn, teach, counsel
We are committed to educating and providing resources to the community to further their understanding of eating disorders and available care.
Kuleana
Responsibility to self and others
As supporters of eating disorder treatment, we feel that it is our responsibility to raise awareness, educate our community, and improve the quality of and access to care.
Lokahi
To exist in unity and harmony
We proudly unite with an expanding community of eating disorder professionals in order to support the highest quality care and access to care - serving the Hawaiian islands.
Board of Directors
Marla Mervis-Hartmann
President
Marla is a professional coach speaker and creator of Love Your Body, Love Yourself. She facilitates Body-Love Healing Circles at ‘Ai Pono Eating Disorder Recovery Center and previously served as the leading body image expert and Reiki Master at Journey Malibu, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Marla has been featured at TEDx Salinas and is the author of BE-Friend Yourself. She is dedicated to helping individuals cultivate self-compassion, body confidence, and healing in their relationship with food and self.
michelle garza, lsw
Vice President
Michelle is a passionate practitioner that received her Masters in Clinical Social Work with a focus on Mental Health, Addiction, and Family Focus from the Tulane University School of Social Work. Building the foundation for her work as a therapist, Michelle spent nine years serving Hawaii’s teachers and middle school-aged students across the Hawaiian Islands as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Children’s Foundation.
She has dedicated more than twenty-five years of her professional life to serving the people and communities of Hawaii, from working in the Department of Economic Development for the City and County of Honolulu to being a columnist in MidWeek Magazine to serving as the Associate Publisher of Summit Magazine a globally published Hawaii Lifestyle Magazine. When not working as a therapist, Michelle is an avid sailboat racer, yoga practitioner, and SAG-AFTRA Stuntwoman.
Helena Erece, PHR
Treasurer
Helena has over twenty-five years of experience in financial management, administration, and human resources.
cathy meyer-uyehara, FACHE, NHA
Ex-Officio
As Chief Executive Officer of ‘Ai Pono Hawaii and Central Coast Treatment Centers, Cathy brings over forty years of experience within the acute and post-acute healthcare continuum. Cathy is both personally and professionally driven to provide a safe and supportive care setting for individuals struggling with eating disorders as well as their family members and caregivers. Cathy is equally as passionate about leadership and as a qualifed life coach supports the ‘Ai Pono Hawaii team members to realize their fullest potentials and professional aspirations.
Carmela Camero Rice, BSN, MPH
Member
Born and raised on the island of Lāna‘i, Carmela brings over two decades of nursing experience to her work, beginning her career as a Certified Nurse Aide and advancing through roles as an LPN and RN. She holds a Master’s in Public Health Education and has served in a wide range of healthcare settings, including acute care, home health, critical access hospitals and long-term care. She has since served in various leadership, administrative, and consulting roles.
Carmela’s passion for public health and compassionate care reflects her belief in treating the whole person and strengthening community wellness. Outside of work, she enjoys volleyball, swimming, fishing, traveling, and spending time with her grandbabies.
She is honored to serve as part of the Ai Pono Foundation and looks forward to working with the team to promote healing, recovery, and well-being within the community.
Erin Enriques
Member
Erin has over fifteen years of experience with nonprofit management, including fundraising, grant writing, outreach and public relations. She is a former ‘Ai Pono patient who was able to recover and heal. Erin is passionate about raising awareness and supporting others in their recovery. She is honored to be a part of the ‘Ai Pono Foundation.
SHELLEY RIEBLING, RN, CNP
Member
Shelley has lived in Hawaii since 1986. She has over forty years of experience in health care and retired from Kaiser as a Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner where she worked on the islands of Oahu and Maui. Shelley also brings a wealth of philanthropic experience to the foundation including her service on the board of directors for the Hawaii Nurses' Association board of directors. She served on the vestry of the Good Shepard Church on Maui for six years. In addition, Shelley was a volunteer certified tutor for Hawaii Literacy on Oahu and a Big Sister for BBBS Maui for six years. Shelley is pleased serve on the board of directors for the Ai Pono Foundation.
Brian Teliho, MD
Member
Brian Teliho, MD is a Board Certified psychiatrist with more than twenty years of experience in treating depression, anxiety, mania, and thought disorders. He has worked at the forefront of TMS therapy, treating patients, doing research, and teaching other psychiatrists and mental health professionals on its use since 2008.
He is a graduate of the State University of New York’s Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and completed his psychiatric training at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Emory, maintains a successful private practice, and led the Atlanta Center for TMS prior to bringing his expertise to Maui Mind Care.