Ara Sifainuʻulelei Mahealani Yandall

(She/Her)

Cultural Program Director

Best known as “Ara” or “Lei” to Family and Friends – A Fa’afafine and proud product of the islands of Samoa. Ara serves as the Cultural Program Manager at UTOPIA Washington. Her in-depth knowledge of Pacific cultures and Samoan ceremonial speech is attributed to her lived experience as well as her studies at the University of Hawaii and the American Samoa Community College. She brings years of experience working in the behavioral health field as a youth counselor for juvenile individuals and a paraprofessional for students with autism and special needs. A former beauty queen and advocate for fa’afafine visibility. Ara’s passions revolve around her love for the arts; In 2012 she played the role of Nafanua Goddess of War in the Tama’ita’i Sa Production at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is known for her graceful movements as a siva Samoa instructor and talented musician. She enjoys spending time with her family and jam sessions with her close friends. A perfume addict and a lover of skincare products, Ara’s idea of fun is online shopping and watching tiktok videos.

Fun fact: Ara taught herself how to drive, play the piano, drums, and ukulele.

Tautua nei, mo se manuia mo a taeao.”

Serve today, for a better tomorrow.