Rona Ikehara-Quebral - KHP Volunteer Docent

Rona Ikehara-Quebral’s passion for archaeology started in elementary school, when she was fascinated by the ancient wonders of the world, the puzzle of our human past, and Africa. This led her to major in anthropology at the University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa, and after graduation she became a Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland, Africa, where she taught math and science for three years. She returned to Hawai’i in 1988 and pursued a teaching degree in math and then graduate studies in anthropology. Since 1990 she has worked for International Archaeological Research Institute, Inc. (IARII), as a bioarchaeologist, an archaeologist who specializes in the study of human skeletal remains, and has also taught anthropology courses at the University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa.Rona was born and raised in Kailua. She met her husband Rey Quebral (then an archaeologist) on Guam when they were both sent there by IARII and they got married in 1993. They lived in Nanakuli where Rey was raised (and he was a social studies and history teacher at Waianae High). When their love of animals (fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and tortoises) forced them to choose between their animals and their home (the townhouse association wanted to evict the animals), they all moved to Kailua in 1999, close to where Rona’s parents Raymond and Betty Ikehara lived. This move was a blessing as Rona and Rey soon started a family, Rey became disabled in 2004 (and passed away in 2014), and Rona’s parents have always been there to offer their love and support. Rona and Rey raised two sons, Ripley and Ricky, who attend Kailua High and love to play soccer and other sports.During her spare time, Rona enjoys volunteering as a soccer referee and board member for American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), as a team parent for her sons’ soccer teams (Warriors, AYSO, and Kailua High), as a committee member for Kailua High Project Grad 2017, and wherever help is needed.In 2015, when Shad Kane asked the community for help, Rona was one of many to provide written testimony in support of Kalaeloa Heritage and Legacy Foundation’s (KHLF) bid to secure the 40-year lease of Kalaleoa Heritage Park (KHP). At KHLF’s 2^nd annual luau in July 2016, she attended a site tour of KHP, which sparked her interest in taking a more active role in its preservation. She admires Uncle Shad’s passion, dedication, and tireless efforts to preserve Kalaeloa’s cultural landscape for future generations and started volunteering at KHP’s monthly community service days, where she is now a docent.