For Immediate Release
February 19, 2026
New Leadership at the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs
The transition in leadership comes at a critical time for the Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian American community.
OLYMPIA, WA — Following the departure of Chair Lydia Faitalia (King County), Commissioner Kendall Kosai (Pierce County) will serve as Chair of the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA). Commissioner Kiana McKenna (Spokane County) will serve as First Vice Chair of the Commission.
Commissioner Faitalia served as CAPAA Chair for the last two years. Along with her role at CAPAA, Faitalia is a Civic Engagement Manager for the City of Seattle and a small business owner, operating Modern Blueprint Construction with her husband. Her departure from the Commission was effective January 25, 2026.
“Lydia has been an active and engaged leader in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, and I am grateful to have served alongside her on CAPAA and for her friendship,” said CAPAA Acting Director Nam Nguyen, “I look forward to Kendall’s leadership of the Commission. He has the experience and passion for the AA & NH/PI community to pick up from where Lydia left off and elevate issues important to our community.”
“This is a critical moment for our community,” said Chair Kosai. “We face immense challenges and existential threats, but just as our ancestors before, we will lead this work with the resiliency and togetherness that has defined our histories. With the commitment to ensure that your voices are heard and valued in our state government, we will meet the moment. We continue to welcome the community’s concerns, ideas, and vision as we embark on a period of empowerment and growth.”
Appointed by Governor Inslee in 2021, Commissioner Kosai previously served as 2nd Vice Chair and Vice Chair of CAPAA. He has over a decade of experience in both Federal and State policy and advocacy including serving as the former Deputy Director for OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates in Washington, DC and the Director of Policy for the Anti-Defamation League, pushing legislative policy solutions regarding hate crimes, extremism, and community safety. Commissioner Kosai is a 2025-2026 Obama Foundation USA Leader, former President of White River Buddhist Temple, and a member of the US-Japan Council. He is a proud fourth generation Japanese American with deep roots in Puget Sound.
Commissioner McKenna was previously the Second Vice Chair of CAPAA and has served on the Commission since 2023. She is currently the Deputy Director of Strategy and Policy at the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington (PICA-WA) and began her work there in the Spring of 2020 as the lead for the Eastern WA NH/PI COVID-19 Response Taskforce. She brings over a decade of experience working on systems change at community-based nonprofits, and in 2023, accepted the Spokane Human Rights Champion Award. Kiana currently serves on Providence Health Care’s Community Mission Board for Spokane and Stevens Counties, Better Health Together’s Board of Directors, the City of Spokane’s Equity Subcommittee, and RANGE Media’s Advisory Board.
“I am so grateful and humbled by the many leaders and sacred hands which have helped to guide and hold this critical work for our communities. The Commission is very energized and excited about the work to come in this next year as we work to amplify the voices of the communities we represent and improve the wellbeing of all Pasifika and Asian residents in Washington state,” said Vice Chair McKenna.
Commissioner Kosai will serve as Chair and Commissioner McKenna as First Vice Chair until CAPAA’s September meeting, scheduled for September 19, 2026.
Contact
CAPAA Staff | capaa@capaa.wa.gov