Catholic Charities Hawai'i has appointed Thelma Akita-Kealoha as community director for Maui.

Akita-Kealoha will work with the nonprofit organization's Maui advisory board to identify community needs, and with parishes and community groups. She is replacing Felix Pascual, who retired after helping to establish the advisory board and Catholic Charities' Financial Advocacy Services for Seniors program.

A former president of Malama Family Recovery Center, Akita-Kealoha serves as chairwoman of the Maui Tobacco-Free Partnership and on the boards of Aloha House and the recovery center.