FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KAMUELA, Hawai‘i — Kahilu announces the appointment of Misha Johnson as Managing Director and Michelle Romo as Development Director, ushering in a new chapter for the organization as it deepens its commitment to the arts on Hawai‘i Island.
Misha Johnson Joins Kahilu as Managing Director
Misha Johnson brings more than 20 years of experience in professional theatre, directing, and arts management. She previously served as Managing Director of Rochester Civic Theatre in Minnesota, where she focused on community engagement and artistic excellence.
A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Johnson founded Immersion Youth Repertory in Minnesota, fostering arts education for young performers. Now calling Hawai‘i home, she looks forward to integrating local culture into Kahilu’s programming and expanding its reach.
"Kahilu holds a special place in this community, and I’m honored to be part of its next chapter," Johnson said. "I’m deeply committed to education and community, and I look forward to working together to create inclusive, inspiring spaces for growth, creativity, and connection."
Michelle Romo Named Development Director
Michelle Romo joins Kahilu with extensive experience in fundraising, grant writing, and strategic development. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of the Kona Historical Society.
A Konawaena High School graduate, Romo holds a B.A. in Music and an M.A. in Religion from Vanguard University. With a lifelong passion for the performing arts, she has spent over 25 years teaching voice and piano to keiki. Her expertise spans roles at Vanguard University,
La‘i‘ōpua 2020, and Kona Historical Society, where she helped secure resources for educational, cultural, and historical initiatives.
“I’m thrilled to join the Kahilu ‘ohana and contribute to its mission,” Romo said. “This theatre is a cornerstone of our community, and I look forward to building relationships that support its future.”
With Johnson and Romo at the helm, Kahilu strengthens its role as a leading arts hub on Hawai‘i Island.
About Kahilu
Kahilu Theatre Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by Parker Ranch heir and Broadway actor Richard Smart. Named in honor of his mother, Kahilu raised its curtain in 1981 and has been a cornerstone of Waimea and North Hawai‘i’s cultural landscape for over four decades. The 20,000-square-foot facility features a 484-seat auditorium, two visual arts galleries, and the Mike Luce Studio, an experimental black box venue.
Kahilu’s mission is to create a space where community, creativity, and inspiration thrive. As a multidisciplinary arts center, Kahilu presents world-class performances, in-house productions, and a diverse range of visual arts exhibits, including painting, photography, ceramics, digital arts, weaving, and sculpture in the Simperman and Suli T. Go galleries.
Committed to arts education, Kahilu engages keiki, adults, and kūpuna through programs that integrate the arts into school and community life. The theatre supports both professional and emerging artists while fostering a deeper appreciation of the performing, musical, and visual arts among residents and visitors alike.
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