Maddalyn “Maddie Ashton” Sesepasara is the Project Coordinator at the Kua’ana Project, a program led by and serving the trans and sex worker community of Honolulu. Maddalynn began her professional career in 1998 with UTOPIA (United Territories of Pacific Islander Alliance) Hawaii. In 2001, Maddie started working at Kulia Na Mamo as a program coordinator overseeing its transgender program called the HAPI DIVAS Hepatitis Prevention Program. She then transitioned to working at the Life Foundation (now, Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center) in 2005 as an HIV counselor and HIV prevention educator. Maddie also provides case management services and a former smoking cession specialist for clients under the Kua’ana Project, HHHRC’s transgender service program. Maddie has now stepped into a management position as Kua'ana Project Manager, overseeing HHHRC transgender program, where she continues to build her leadership role and continue to work and serve a community about which she is very passionate. More on the Kuaʻana Project and HHHRC here.

This story by Maddalynn Sesepasara first appeared in the Cave of Memories, an immersive element of the 2022 Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum exhibition titled The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu.

The Cave of Memories was created by exhibition designer Michael Wilson, with assistance from videographer Cheyenne Caudill.