Administration
Faye Mitchell is honored to serve North Hawaii Hospice as its Executive Director. Having grown up on the Big Island, she is deeply committed to serving the community she calls home. With more than 20 years of experience in end-of-life care across Hawaii and California, Faye has devoted her career to improving the lives and well-being of older adults and those facing serious illness, end of life, and loss. She holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is a certified End-of-Life Doula. She is an experienced dementia educator, small business owner, and Branch Manager of a national healthcare company’s private-duty caregiving agency. After returning to Hawaii in 2021, Faye joined North Hawaii Hospice as Community Relations Manager, then became Executive Director in 2024, and has since led the organization’s efforts to expand access to hospice and palliative care across North Hawaii. When she’s not serving the community, Faye enjoys the outdoors with her dog, Mahina—also her office sidekick—and spending time with family and friends.
Robyn Hafner first came to North Hawaii Hospice as a volunteer, inspired by the organization’s life-affirming mission and commitment to compassionate care. Today, she serves as the Finance Director, where she is honored to provide vital behind-the-scenes support to the clinical team as they care for patients and families throughout the community.
An avid explorer, Robyn called both the Virgin Islands and Alaska home before settling in Waimea 25 years ago to raise her family. Outside of work, she can be found embracing the outdoors—riding her bike, swimming, hiking, paddling, sailing, or exploring new corners of the world.
Brittany Isaac is the Bereavement Counselor for North Hawaii Hospice. For Brittany, this work holds immeasurable value, deeply strengthening her relationships with loved ones, faith, and self. Through walking alongside others on the journey of grief and loss, Brittany honors both our shared human experiences and the unique, creative path of each individual. Guiding others has allowed her to navigate personal losses with purpose and meaning, and she remains forever grateful for the immense courage clients show in facing their grief and embracing personal transformation.
A Waimea Bronco who moved to Waikoloa in 1989, Brittany feels deeply bonded to the community and the island itself, cherishing a relationship with the land that feels truly reciprocal. Outside of work, she loves spending time with wonderful friends and family, surfing as much as possible, and staying active with all kinds of exercise.
Patient and Family Care Services
Dr. Melanie Payanal brings a unique and deeply compassionate perspective to medicine. A Native Hawaiian and proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools, she grew up in Mākaha and spent five years as an archaeologist before pursuing a career in medicine. She attended the University of Hawaiʻi and completed her residency training through the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Today, Dr. Payanal serves patients in Aiea at Ke Ola Pono ʻOhana Family Medicine Clinic and is the Medical Director for both Hospice of Kona and North Hawaii Hospice. A proud mother of three boys — Keola, Kekoa, and Kuana — she balanced raising her family throughout medical school and residency. Outside of medicine, her family shares a passion for baseball, including two appearances at the Little League World Series. Dr. Payanal believes success is measured not only by achievement, but by using one’s platform to uplift others. As she tells her sons, “Winning is really about what you can do with that platform to help elevate others. That’s called winning at the game called LIFE!”
Patient Care Delivery Team
Kaiki Gunderson-Cook, is the Clinical Lead RN and a veteran Case Nurse at North Hawai’i Hospice, where she has proudly served since 2013. For Kaiki, this work is deeply rewarding because it allows her to connect directly with the local community, providing comfort and guidance to make a challenging time in her patients’ lives just a little easier.
An avid animal lover, Kaiki cares for a lively home filled with dogs, horses, sheep, and chickens. She feels incredibly fortunate to have the steadfast support of wonderful family and friends, and she approaches each day with a vibrant love for life.
Brianna Rose Marr is the Patient Case Manager RN at North Hawaii Hospice, supporting patients and families during some of life’s most meaningful transitions. Her nursing background spans primary care, hospital medicine, and hospice, allowing her to provide compassionate, patient-centered care across a variety of settings.
Brianna finds great joy in building authentic relationships with patients and their loved ones. She believes that the end-of-life journey can be a time of profound connection, reflection, and beauty. For Brianna, it is a privilege to walk alongside families during this important time—ensuring comfort, dignity, and acceptance while honoring each person’s unique values, wishes, and story.
Born on Oahu and raised in Kohala, Brianna is the proud mom of five busy children. She balances her rewarding career with the steadfast support of her husband and her favorite pastimes: enjoying her dogs, reading, creating art, and watching movies.
Monica Newcomb is a Registered Nurse who primarily manages admissions, drawing on her versatile background as a former case manager and triage nurse for North Hawaii Hospice. She brings nearly 30 years of nursing experience to the team, including more than 25 years dedicated exclusively to hospice care across California, Florida, and New York. Monica is deeply grateful to have found a calling that remains fulfilling, rewarding, and consistently inspiring. Outside of work, her interests include tennis, golf, and hiking, and she is an active member of St. James Episcopal Church in Waimea.
Christine Richardson, has served our hospice for many years as an On Call Nurse, serving patients in North Kohala. She has lived and worked as a registered nurse on Hawaii Island for more than 20 years and was one of two nurses sponsored by NHH to go to Zimbabwe to work with our “sister hospice.”
Lauren Kish is a On Call Nurse at North Hawaii Hospice with more than 22 years of dedicated nursing experience. She joined the organization in 2019 after spending 15 years in intensive care, where her practice focused on supporting patients through critical illnesses.
Lauren’s passion for hospice care grew from her personal experience caring for both of her grandparents during their end-of-life journeys. She believes deeply in helping individuals pass with dignity, comfort, and autonomy—surrounded by loved ones, pets, and the familiarity of home. Lauren is committed to empowering patients and families with the knowledge, support, and confidence needed to navigate one of life’s most challenging transitions.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, teaching yoga and Pilates, exploring the outdoors, and actively engaging with the North Hawaiʻi community.
Linda Benanua serves as the Clinical Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator at North Hawaii Hospice. She began her hospice career in February 2021 as a Certified Nurse Aide, providing dedicated direct care to patients and their families before transitioning into her current office-based role. Today, Linda supports the hospice mission through volunteer coordination, intake assistance, and vital administrative services.
What she enjoys most about her work is ensuring patients, families, and volunteers feel deeply supported during life’s most meaningful milestones.
Outside of work, Linda enjoys walking her dog, gardening, and caring for her extensive plant collection. She shares her home with a three-year-old Schnauzer named Harley and a tuxedo cat named Zoe, who keep life fun and interesting. Linda is proud to be part of the North Hawaii Hospice ʻohana and is grateful for the opportunity to serve her community.
Sandy Sproat, is the Social Worker & Bereavement Support at North Hawaii Hospice. Raised on Oahu’s North Shore and a proud Kahuku High School graduate, Sandy is an accomplished seamstress who has woven a beautiful life centered on family, faith, and community service. A dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attending the Waimea Ward, she places family at the core of everything she does as a mother of seven children—including four Eagle Scouts—and a grandmother of 17. Driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Brigham Young University-Hawaii and a Master’s degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Today, Sandy fulfills her career dream as a social worker at North Hawaii Hospice, working alongside a compassionate team to provide vital support to families by blending her rich life experiences with a profound commitment to care.
Dina Strittmatter is a Registered Nurse with North Hawaii Hospice, bringing a diverse background and a deep commitment to patient care. A resident of Waimea since 2009, she has had the joy of raising her four children in the community and is now helping to raise her nephews. Dina transitioned to nursing later in life following a rewarding career as a mathematics teacher. In her practice, she is dedicated to helping patients and families navigate end-of-life experiences with peace and without fear. Outside of work, Dina would always rather be playing outdoors than cooking, and she is immensely grateful for her husband, who keeps the family well-fed.
Samantha Queen Yu is a Registered Nurse at North Hawaii Hospice, well-known for bringing her vibrant, bright-pink spirit to both the office and her patients’ homes. She continuously strives to share love and aloha through dedicated service to her community. Born and raised in the Philippines, Sammie has been a home care nurse for 16 years and remains deeply passionate about helping her patients feel seen, loved, and valued. She finds immense joy in bringing smiles to their faces and making a positive difference in their lives. Outside of work, she enjoys practicing hula, cooking, exercising, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Lacey Malani is a Registered Nurse at North Hawai’i Hospice, having graduated from Hawai’i Community College in 2025. Although new to hospice care, a deep commitment to caring for others has always been at the heart of her career in healthcare. The foundational concept of mālama—to care for, protect, and honor others—deeply rooted in her upbringing, continues to guide her nursing practice today. Born and raised in Hilo on the Big Island, Lacey enjoys spending her time outside of work with family and friends or searching for the best matcha spots across the island. An enthusiast of West Side sunsets and seafood boils, she brings an authentic joy and dedication to everything she does in hospice care.
Christine Blair is a RN Case Manager with 20 years of dedicated nursing experience. Born and raised on the Big Island and a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, she feels deeply honored to walk alongside patients and families through one of life’s most meaningful transitions. She believes hospice care is about honoring the whole person—their wishes, dignity, relationships, and the legacy of the life they have lived. Christine is passionate about providing compassionate guidance and education, empowering families to navigate decisions with confidence and understand what to expect. She dedicates this sacred work to the memory of her younger brother, Beau, whose passing profoundly deepened her commitment to end-of-life care. Outside of work, Christine enjoys revitalizing her family homestead, planting fruit trees for future generations, practicing yoga, and spending time in nature.
Ashton Millet is a Per Diem Registered Nurse at North Hawaii Hospice, bringing 12 years of dedicated healthcare experience to our community. Born at Hilo Hospital and raised in Kamuela, her local roots run deep. She began her career as a CNA before graduating as an RN in 2021. For Ashton, the most rewarding part of hospice care is connecting with patients and honoring their unique cultures and life experiences.
Outside of work, Ashton has been with her husband for 25 years (married for 17). Together, they share two beautiful “golden” keiki, ages 4 and 2, and a beloved dog named Cuddles. She loves gathering with ʻohana to enjoy ono food, spending days at the beach, and camping.
