OUR MISSION & VISION
Our primary mission is to build a Portuguese Culture & Historical Center to promote and preserve Portuguese culture and Portuguese values in Hawaii.
Our plan is to ensure that Portuguese culture, education and artifacts can be enjoyed by the Portuguese community, and the community at large, in Hawaii for years to come.
Portuguese Culture & Historical Center strives to create and maintain an environment that is fun and rewarding for PCHC volunteers, members and the community. We do this through our educational, charitable and religious activities.
We also promote and maintain the Portuguese House at the Plantation Village in Waipahu, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
BOARD MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES
Larry Cravalho was born on Oahu and raised on the islands of Maui and Oahu. As a young man he worked for the family business in Kailua, and after graduation he joined the Air Force. Upon his discharge, Larry became involved with the Jaycees and coached youth baseball for 15 years.
After working various jobs in sales and home construction, he decided to make a change in his life. In 1976 he went to work at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as a civil service employee. Larry retired after 40 years of service working as a Planning and Engineering Manager for our Nuclear Submarine fleet.
He now owns a sports officiating business coordinating roughly 89 game officials, working the major sports - Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Football, and Soccer.
Larry became very involved with the Portuguese community as a volunteer working at the Portuguese Genealogical Society. This inspired him and peeked his interest in the idea of starting an organization whose goal would be to build a Portuguese Community Center on Oahu.
Another important change Larry made is his life was marrying Thongyod Y Yeipuy "Dang".
They've been happily married for 29 years.
Lawrence Cravalho
PCHC President
Richard "Rick" Saunders III
PCHC Vice President
Rick Saunders was born and raised on the windward side of Oahu in Kailua. He currently resides in Aiea.
A Graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama - class of 1983. After graduation from High School, he attended the University of Hawaii, Manoa on a football scholarship and graduated with a Secondary Education degree in History.
After college and a tryout with the San Diego Chargers, now Los Angeles Chargers, Rick returned home. He taught in various public and private schools on Oahu and coached football at various high schools for almost 30 years.
Rick also served in the US Navy Reserves for 21 years and retired in 2017 as a Lieutenant Commander. He's currently the owner of a fundraising/wholesale local snack shop business in Aiea. It has been in operation on Oahu for over 24 years. In addition to running his own business, Rick also works as a full-time Safety Manager for Hawaii Stevedores.
Evelyn Ahlo is a resident of the Waipahu Community for 60+ years where PCHC is a part of the community.
Evelyn went to Waipahu Elementary, Waipahu Intermediate and Waipahu High School. She worked for George Dean Studio, then transitioned to Lifetouch Studio/Photo as an office manager for 20+ years.
Worked at Aloha Stadium in HR and Concessions for about 2 years, then stopped to care for her parents.
In 2018, Evelyn became the Executive Director for Hawaii's Plantation Village for a few years.
During these many years, she has volunteered at Waipahu Elementary (now employed), as well as other various organizations like Weed & Seed Hawaii and schools in the community.
Evelyn Ahlo
PCHC Secretary
Brenda Mariano
PCHC Treasurer
With more than 37 years of experience in real estate, financial management, and business leadership, Brenda Mariano brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment to responsible financial stewardship to the Portuguese Culture and Historical Center (PCHC). As a real estate broker and owner of Home Town Hawaii Realty LLC, Brenda has built her career on sound financial practices, strategic planning, and helping individuals navigate important property and financial decisions.
Throughout her career, Brenda has held numerous management and leadership positions, developing extensive expertise in budgeting, accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and organizational oversight. Her experience serving on various boards, combined with her knowledge of real estate development, zoning, and permitting, provides valuable insight as the Center works toward establishing a permanent cultural home for the Portuguese community on Oʻahu.
As Treasurer, Brenda is dedicated to promoting financial transparency, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. She believes that strong financial stewardship, thoughtful planning, and collaboration are essential to building an organization that will thrive for generations. Her commitment to preserving cultural heritage and strengthening community connections reflects her vision for a vibrant and enduring Portuguese Culture and Historical Center.
Danny Abreu was born and raised in Waimanalo and currently resides in Kailua. Former McDonald's of Hawaii Executive of 33 years in various positions as an Operations Supervisor, Training Supervisor, Human Resources Supervisor and Field Service Supervisor for franchisees. He has now operated his own Real Estate business for the last 15 years.
Danny has strong roots to Madeira Island and recently released the Portuguese in Hawaii Documentary and book as a Co-Producer. He is also the Portuguese Cultural & Historical Center Scholarship Chairperson and member of the membership committee.
Danny has been married for 42 years and is an avid golfer, fisherman and musician in his spare time.
Danny Abreu
PCHC Director
In 1963, Rudy Ahlo joined the renowned Del Monte Corporation, a milestone in his career that would span nearly four decades. He started as a Purchasing Control Clerk, working diligently to manage procurement processes and support the company's operations. Rudy's exceptional dedication and performance led him to be selected for the prestigious Management Trainee Program, a testament to his potential and leadership qualities.
Throughout his tenure at Del Monte, Rudy took on various roles of increasing responsibility. His career at Del Monte was a testament to his unwavering commitment, dedication, and leadership.
Today, Rudy enjoys his well-deserved retirement, reflecting on a lifetime of achievement and the indelible mark he has left on the world of agriculture and procurement. His story serves as an inspiration to all who value hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence.
Rudy Ahlo
PCHC Director
Rudy Ahlo's life journey is a testament to dedication and commitment, marked by a distinguished career that spanned several decades. Raised in Hawaiʻi, Rudy's early years were characterized by a thirst for knowledge and a strong work ethic. His educational foundation was laid at St. Louis High School. This would be the first steppingstone in a lifelong pursuit of excellence.
After completing his high school education, Rudy's insatiable desire to learn led him to the University of Hawai'i, where he pursued a series of managerial courses that would prove to be invaluable in his future career. These courses included Cost Control, Leasing vs Buying, and Contract Negotiating, equipping him with essential skills that would serve as a solid foundation for his professional journey.
In 1957, Rudy embarked on his professional career with a role in the Accounting Department of the Pacific Chemical & Fertilizer Company. In 1961, Rudy's career path took a new turn as he joined the Fred L. Waldron Company, where he worked as a Steamship Agent for Pacific Far East & Swedish Lines.
With more than 54 years of experience in education, leadership, and community advocacy, Laverne Moore brings a lifetime of service and a deep commitment to strengthening communities to the Portuguese Culture and Historical Center Board of Directors.
A retired educator, Laverne has held numerous leadership positions, including serving as an educational lobbyist and spokesperson for the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Hawaiʻi Head Start State Collaboration Director, and Special Education Teacher at McKinley High School. Her dedication to service extends beyond the classroom, having served as President of the Oʻahu HSTA-Retired Association, representing more than 4,200 members, as well as President of the Hawaiʻi Community Education Association and ADK Epsilon Chapter.
With extensive experience in organizational governance, legislative advocacy, grant writing, and community engagement, Laverne brings valuable insight and a collaborative spirit to the Board. Her dedication to education, cultural understanding, and community connection will help advance the Center's efforts to preserve heritage, celebrate history, and strengthen connections across generations.
Laverne Moore
PCHC Director
Clyde Namuo
PCHC Director
Most of Clyde Namuo's work experience has focused on program administration. This included strategic planning, budgeting, fiscal management and human resource management. As the CEO of the Polynesian Voyaging Society my focus was on raising funds for Hokulea's Worldwide Voyage. Further, Clyde has been a volunteer Mediator with the Mediation Center of the Pacific for at least the past 10 years. In recent years his focus has been on domestic mediations (divorce, paternity and child custody) but he has also mediated disputes between neighbors and between businesses. Though Clyde is currently retired from all "paid" work, he continues to occupy his time serving as the President of the Kukui Centers Board of Directors, a non-profit organization which owns and manages the Kukui Center located near Chinatown, and as a volunteer Mediator and member of the Public Housing Eviction Board.
The skills Clyde has gained administering programs in both government and the non-profit sector will be skills which will come in handy as a director of the Portuguese Cultural and Historical Center {PCHC). Clyde's experience in fund development will also be useful should PCHC chose to plan and construct a Portuguese Cultural Center.
Clyde says that he is at a point in his life where legacy matters. He has spent time tracing his Hawaiian and Portuguese genealogy and has found the experience revealing. His grand-father arrived in Hawaii from Madeira at the age of 7 with his parents and one sister. The family settled on Hawaii Island where Clyde's grandfather met and married Clyde's grandmother and where his grandfather is buried. Clyde says he has been fortunate over
the years to have assignments which have helped him to hone his problem-solving skills and he looks forward to bringing these experiences to the members of the PCHC.
Clyde has been married to Pauline Racimo Namuo for the past 51 years and they have two sons. Their oldest son lives in Joliet, Illinois and their youngest son lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Duane K. Samson is a 37-year veteran of law enforcement and community policing, dedicated to building safe, resilient, and empowered neighborhoods. As Founder and President of the Neighborhood Security Watch Council, he has led community-based partnerships that strengthen wellness, problem-solving, and resident ownership.
His leadership includes serving as Director of the Windward Boys & Girls Club (2006-2008) and being recognized as the Honolulu Police Department's 2013 Sergeant of the Vear. Today, Duane continues his mission of service as the Community & Safety Director for the Waikele Community Association, supporting community pride, safety, and resilience.
Duane Samson
PCHC Director
Harvey Teves
PCHC Director
Harvey Teves was raised on Kauaʻi and graduated from Kapaʻa High School. He moved to Honolulu to attend Chaminade University where he received a BS in Economics.
In 1962 he became a U. S. Army Security Agency and in 1966 joined the National Security Agency (NSA) in Washington, DC. By 1972 Harvey changed fields and became a contractor for Malia Land & Construction Co. New Zealand
He has also worked for HATCO Construction Company and Punahou Schools. Harvey is semi-retired, living in Hawaiʻi.
Paul M. Chandler recently retired from UHM where he taught Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American & Iberian Studies for 32 years. While his focus was on the large Spanish program, he loves Portuguese and has always supported the two-year language program, occasionally teaching Portuguese language and culture classes.
Working with the family of Manuel Jesus Coito, Paul developed the Knowlton-Coito Portuguese Scholarship Fund to support students from the 10 UH campuses who wish to study Portuguese. He promotes Portuguese study abroad options and scholarships and participates in PALCUS workshops. The University of Lisbon helped him publish the works of MJ Coito (mostly translated by Edgar C. Knowlton, Jr.) in 2021. In addition, he developed a Portuguese vocabulary frequency test to help learners.
Currently, he is teaching beginning Portuguese to several community members as a fundraiser to support the PCHC building fund. Paul has also spent time in Brazil, Madeira, several Azorean islands, and mainland Portugal.
