Lana Deann Canuteson

Community Health Leaders
2008

Area(s) of Expertise:
Development Disabilities

Leader's Biography 2009:
DEANN CANUTESON, President of the Full Life Corporation, Kealakekua, Hawaii
While in intermediate school, Deann Canuteson visited a residential care facility for people with developmental disabilities and was shocked at the way people lived. That visit so profoundly impacted Canuteson that she has dedicated her adult life to building a world where people with intellectual and physical disabilities have greater opportunities and can make their own decisions about every aspect of their lives. Through her work at Full Life Corporation on Hawaii’s “Big Island,” Canuteson’s unrelenting advocacy has brought access to much-needed services previously not available for residents of the state. Through Deann’s leadership in securing the Medicaid Waiver Program, today approximately 2,500 people with developmental disabilities on the island of Hawaii now have access to services.

Where this Leader can be reached today:
Family Support Services - Kau Opportunities and Abilities (KOA)
PO Box 197
Naalehu, HI 96772
936-4975 (cell)
929-8066 (fax)
929-9611 (office)
E-mail: deann74@alohabroadband.net