Hale Kipa is deeply saddened by the passing of former CEO, Punky Pletan-Cross.
After moving to Hawaiʻi with his wife, Cris, Punky quickly embraced the community and devoted his leadership at Hale Kipa to uplifting youth in need of hope, guidance, and opportunity. With vision and dedication, he strengthened its mission to provide continued refuge, healing, and growth for young people facing homelessness, foster care transitions, and family crises.
Punky’s leadership was defined not only by strategy but also by heart. Colleagues, staff, and youth remember him for his unwavering belief in every person’s potential. Before his retirement, he was able to usher in the establishment of Hale Kipa’s new campus in ʻEwa Beach, leaving a lasting impact on both staff and youth while expanding services across the islands.
Although he retired in 2022, Punky’s legacy endures in the programs he built, the staff he mentored, and the countless young lives he touched. To the Hale Kipa ʻohana, he was more than a CEO—he was a mentor, a guide, and a source of inspiration whose spirit will forever remain at the heart of Hale Kipa.
