Aloha, my name is Benjamin and I serve as the Managing Director of the PYCC. Before moving to Maui, I studied Psychology, Sociology, and Child Development at Rowan University. I have had the pleasure of working with the community here on Maui’s north shore for 20 years and am looking forward to many more! When I’m not here helping with the Center, I can usually be found out planting trees on the mountain.

As the director of the StoneWave Skate Park, I bring a variety of exciting experiences with board sports to the PYCC. Born and raised in Southern California, I grew up surfing, skating, and snowboarding. I’ve been teaching surfing and snowboarding since 2014, to all ages and experience levels. My love of adventure brought me to Hawai’i, and I’m eager to teach and work with the youth of the PYCC and share my passion for board sports with the community of Maui.

Aloha, my name is Travis Baker. As a PYCC alumni from the island of Maui, I’m a skateboarder and artist who also loves fishing, surfing, and creative media. What I love the most about the PYCC is how unique and diverse the environment is, and I strongly believe that this place produces some of the most well-rounded people on Maui.

Aloha, ‘o Guri ko’u inoa (my name is Guri). I have a background in outdoor and self-directed education and love working with the youth because of their natural learning through play and inspiration. I believe a future of self-motivated, creative, critical thinkers, who know how to work together is what we need to restore balance on our planet. The PYCC offers so many resources to foster these traits and I’m grateful for it as a mother and long-time Pā’ia resident. I have traveled extensively, coming from a multicultural upbringing – born in Norway, and raised between New Mexico, France, and Maui. I studied Hawaiian language at UHMC and my passions include mālama ʻāina, surfing, the arts, sustainability, zero-waste, and local food sourcing.

Aloha! I’m Trish, a multimedia journalist living her dreams on Maui since 2008. After graduating from The Ohio State University, I reported news and reviewed entertainment for print and radio in Columbus and Chicago. I fell in love with Hawai‘i’s vibrant communities as a Maui Weekly staff writer and Maui Times columnist. I’ve contributed to an array of outlets over the years, including Generations Magazine, Akaku TV and KAOI Radio Group, reporting on community culture, music and lifestyle events.  

I’m known as energetic emcee and radio personality, Trish da Dish, and presented “The Weekly Dish” talk show on KAOI and the “MANA‘O@HOME” online interview series. I’m proud to have served on Kihei Youth Center’s board, currently sit on Common Ground Collective’s food security BOD and support the Hāna Arts organization as well. I am also a comedy and music event producer, worked as a community outreach director for small businesses and dedicated to women’s advocacy. It’s such a joy to share my heart and experience here at PYCC, and celebrate music and journalism with these incredible youth. Stay tuned! 

Aloha, My Name is Venton Cunningham. Being born and raise in Hawaii, I feel it is only right to inspire and teach my love of skateboarding and outdoor activity. With the intention of safety first. Fortunate to have had the PYCC as a second home growing up, I’m proud to provide the same atmosphere and environment for the new generations to come.