OUR STAFF

Aloha House staff are trained and experienced professionals whose focus is on supporting people and their families through the recovery process.

Aloha House has residential programs and outpatient clinics for adults, and school based counseling programs for young people. Our staff consists of a Medical Director, Clinical Director, Clinical Supervisors, Program Directors, Certified Substance Abuse Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychologists, Nurses and other professionals trained and educated in the substance abuse and mental health fields.

The Staff know that a decision to enter treatment is a serious commitment for the client and their family, and each of our professional staff is dedicated to making this commitment a fulfilling and successful experience.

Jud R. Cunningham, LSW, Chief Executive Officer of Aloha House, Inc., has served in this capacity since 1995. Jud attended college and graduate school in West Virginia, earning a Master’s degree in Social Work from West Virginia University in 1973. He also did post graduate work at the University of San Francisco, earning a certificate in Rehabilitation Administration. Jud has over 35 years of experience in behavioral health and human services, including nearly twenty-five years as an administrator of behavioral health organizations. His work included positions in the Navajo Nation, Arizona, Washington State and Hawaii (1992). He also taught in the Department of Psychology for several years at Maui Community College. Jud has provided leadership for and served on the Boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, including most recently the Maui Mental Health Association, the Maui Memorial Medical Center Ethics Committee , Maui Child Welfare Service Advisory Council, the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Job Corps Community Advisory Council, and the Kahului Rotary Club. Jud enjoys basketball, golf, playing guitar and singing with his musically inclined friends, as well as enjoying the natural beauty and fun of Maui.

Nita Gage, MA Clinical Psychology, CSAC Clinical Psychology is the Clinical Director for all of the Substance Abuse treatment programs at Aloha House, Inc; Intensive Outpatient Program-Maui; Intensive Outpatient Program-Lanai; School-based Treatment Services-Maui' School-based Treatment services-Lanai; Therapeutic Living Program; Drug Court Services; Title IVB; Residential Treatment; Nita has worked in public health systems, hospitals, national health care corporations, and practiced privately in the field of chemical dependency, mental health, and holistic health for over 20 years. She has presented at medical conferences and leads workshops on the mainland and in Hawaii for physicians and other health care professionals.

Heather Wittenberg, Psy.D. Clinical Director of Aloha House’s Mental Health & Social Services program. Dr. Wittenberg has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 1996, and grew up in Hawaii. She has specialty clinical interests in maternal-infant health, early childhood development, intensive, in-home, family-focused services, and rural issues in psychology. Dr. Wittenberg manages and supervises clinicians in Aloha House's counseling programs. She supervises post-master’s and post-doctoral interns and fellows as part of Aloha House’s initiative to train needed, high-quality clinicians for the families of Maui County. She also consults with local agencies and clinicians working with the “0-3” Early Intervention population.

David Wittenberg, Psy.D. Clinical Director of Aloha House’s Mental Health & Social Services program, he supervises and trains counselors in the Co-Occurring Disorders program, and manages and consults with Aloha House's mental health programs. He is actively involved in the direction of Aloha House's first County-wide Crisis response team, and other related services for those with serious mental illness. Dr. Wittenberg maintains a small private practice and specializes in men's and couples' issues. Dr. Wittenberg has been a manager and supervisor with Aloha House since 1997.

Bob Lanser, LCSW Director, Co-Occurring Disorders Programs (COD) – Substance Abuse Treatment Division & Manager - Mental Health & Social Services Division - Bob received his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from San Diego State University, specializing in clinical mental health practices. His credentials include: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW - Hawaii), Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW) and the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) awarded by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Bob began his career in mental health in 1974 and has worked in both private and public sector capacities. His experience includes clinical services for children, youth and families. He has expertise in working with adults who have co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. In addition, Bob has extensive experience in program development, supervision and managing clinical services. Bob has been affiliated with Aloha House since 1997, helping to establish the Mental Health and Social Services (MHSS) Division, and serving as a senior clinician and co-director of clinical and management services. In 2002, Bob helped to establish the dual diagnosis program (now COD). He continues to actively work in these programs.

Anita Laviola, QCSW, LCSW, CSAC has been the Clinical Director of Malama Family Recovery Center since 2001 and has had the privilege of watching the program grow, and to be a part of the many success stories of women recovering from addiction and unification with their families. Anita has been in the field professionally since 1991 and is currently licensed in the state of Hawaii where she has resided since 2000.

Corinne Kim, CSAC born and raised on Maui has over seven years of experience in gender specific substance abuse treatment. Corinne started working with Malama Family Recovery Center over ten years ago and is currently a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) in the Intensive Outpatient Treatment program. She brings warmth, compassion and energy to her work that provides a welcome relief to all women who receive services.

Shawnee Tu’ivai, born and raised on Maui has a strong background in youth services and brings cultural expertise to her work. She is currently a counselor with the Intensive Outpatient Treatment program at Malama Family Recovery Center where she shares her wisdom and compassion for the women we serve. Shawnee is currently working towards her CSAC.

Ursula Platte, M.A., MFT. In March 2007 Ursula became the Clinical Supervisor for the Residential program and LCRS (Licensed Crisis Shelter). Ursula is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist In Hawaii; Masters in Educational Psychology from Germany. She has lived on Maui for 21 years. Working for Aloha House since 1997; first as a therapist for CAMHD doing Play Therapy and Family Therapy. Working for the Residential Substance Abuse Program since 2001, as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Case Manager.

Keith Kohley, Admissions Coordinator started with Aloha House in 2002 and has held various positions on the Residential campus. Through these positions he has gained valuable knowledge and experience that have helped in preparing him for his present position of Admissions Coordinator. Keith believes in and has seen the great results of teamwork. In his spare time Keith is a certified Personal Trainer and Certified Sports Nutritionist.

Larry Ruiz, MA, CSAC, NAADAC is the Director of Adolescent Services (School Based Substance Abuse Treatment Program) located in high schools and intermediate schools on Maui and Lana’i. Larry has been with Aloha House since 2004 as a CSAC and in 2006 took on the responsibility of heading our School Based program. When asked what he enjoys most about working with Aloha House, he comments “I enjoy supportive supervisors and their open mindedness for new ideas.” Larry believes Aloha House offers services to help individuals and families live happier and more productive lives.

Lynn A. Garcia, CSAC, School-based Substance Abuse Counselor.
Lynn received her BA in Applied Social Sciences from the University of Hawaii and Certification for Substance Abuse Counseling from the State of Hawaii. She has worked for Aloha House in the school-based program for four years. She enjoys working with adults and adolescents, but her passion is working with adolescents even though they are a more challenging population.

Mitch Kepa, MSW is a counselor at the Residential Treatment program where he is also working towards his CSAC and LSW. Mitch was previously with our Maui Family Court Drug Court, where he case managed families dealing with not only substance abuse issues, but also domestic violence, divorce cases and challenges with juveniles. These experiences have convinced Mitch that Aloha House and the services offered is what he wants to be a part of.

Beverly Zigmond, D.N., is an Outpatient Counselor for Aloha House’s Lana`i office, working with both adolescents and adults since 2004. She is working towards her certification as a substance abuse counselor. Beverly is also a domestic violence advocate for Women Helping Women. In her spare time, she serves on the Lana`i Planning Commission and the Board of Directors for the Lana`i Women’s Center.

Patricia Alexa Foley, MA, CSAC Aloha House Drug Court Counselor, has been working at Aloha House for over 4 years. She earned her M.A. in 2001, and her C.S.A.C. in May 2007. She enjoys using the 12 Core Functions in her job. She also has been co-facilitating Smoking Cessation groups for the MDC clients for several years.

Nicodemus Baca, CSAC with over ten years at Aloha House is currently the Therapeutic Living Program Supervisor and the Utilization Manager for the Residential Treatment program. Nic has held a variety of duties during his employment at Aloha House that include: supervising the detoxification unit, spear heading an evening intensive outpatient group, and overseeing the Admissions process in the early years. His talents and organizational skills are an asset that is well appreciated at Aloha House.

Quentin “Alika” Cuttie, BA, CSAC Born on Maui he has been employed with Aloha House since 1999. Since, working at Aloha House he has worked in various programs and held different position such as working as a Program Assistant (A.H. Res. TX.), Counselor I (I.O.P. for both adult and adolescent), School Base Counselor at Baldwin High School, and Supervised the Extended Work Furlough Program and Miner House Therapeutic Living Program before working in his current position as a Residential Counselor. He obtained his CSAC in May 2006 and has a BA degree in Social Services with emphasis on Substance Abuse and Addiction Studies.

Carol Freitas, ACSW, QCSW, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and has been providing outpatient psychotherapy and EAP counseling on Maui since 1989. Her areas of specialty include child and family therapy, relationship therapy, parenting, domestic violence, stress, anxiety, depression and chemical dependency. Carol has been employed with Aloha House Title IV-B (family preservation and reunification) program as a therapist and program manager since 2001.

Loren Lapow, MSW is the founding director of the Maui Hero Project, an adventure rites of passage program based on the epic tales of the Hawaiian hero Maui. The program was founded in 2000 after Loren returned from earning his Masters degree in Social Work from New Mexico State University. The "peer cultural" model has been formatted to provide behavioral group counseling, substance abuse prevention services, clinical treatment services and is currently applying the format to a school-wide character education program. In addition to program development and direct service, Loren is experienced in grant writing, community organizing, motivational speaking and occasionally lectures at the university level.