New Leader to Steer Hawaiʻi Plantation Village's Next Chapter

Hawaiʻi's Plantation Village has a new executive director. Dr. Loretta Chen took the role July 1, the nonprofit said. She brings two decades of experience in education, entrepreneurship, and community work.

The appointment comes as the Waipahu institution faces a challenge familiar to many cultural sites: how to keep history relevant for a generation that never worked a plantation field. The village tells the story of immigrants from China, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines who came to work sugar fields. That story is both local and universal, Chen said.

Board president Dr. Kats Gustafson said the selection reflects a need for someone who could honor the past while building new pathways. Chen's background fits. She founded Smobler, a tech company at the intersection of AI and social impact, and has taught at Leeward Community College. She also worked with local food entrepreneurs through the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center.

“What excites me about this role is that this isn't a turnaround story but a culturally significant stewardship story,” Chen said. The Village has a strong foundation, she said. Her job is to help more people discover it.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi welcomed the pick, citing Chen's work across Oʻahu schools, nonprofits, and cultural groups. The Village's financial position was not disclosed in the announcement.

For a nonprofit whose mission depends on visitation, donations, and volunteer engagement, the near-term test is whether Chen can lift attendance and expand partnerships beyond the current base. The Village's legacy is strong. The question is how many new residents and visitors will connect with it under her leadership.