Katia Koteva

Katia Koteva, affectionately known as Cho-Cho-San (Bulgarian for butterfly), was born and raised in Bulgaria. Her journey has taken her to Germany and various locations across the United States including Chicago, Honolulu, Kihei, Lanai, and Kailua.

Katia is a woman of many interests. She is passionate about writing poetry, painting on canvas, collecting books, publishing, and translating. She is proficient in several European languages, including Bulgarian, Russian, German, Croatian, and Macedonian.

Education has always been a cornerstone of Katia’s life. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Economics in Varna, Bulgaria, and the Dominican University of River Forest, Illinois. Her academic pursuits also led her to study at various institutions in Bulgaria, Germany, and the University of Hawaii, focusing on cross-cultural issues and education for children with special needs—a cause very dear to her.

In the 1970s, Katia was drawn to the pioneering majors in computers and business at the College, National Library Institute, and University of Economics in Bulgaria. She was an early advocate for integrating computers into Bulgaria’s library system and the shipbuilding industry’s electronic technical center.

One of the most profound lessons Katia has embraced is the importance of treasuring her own culture while accepting and respecting others. This philosophy has enriched her professional journey, bringing her into contact with diverse cultures and individuals.

Though Katia retired in 2021, her last role was as a teacher’s assistant for students with special needs at LHES on Lanai. Her career has spanned various fields including tourism, university libraries, and academia, where she served as a professor and school principal. Notably, she initiated and developed educational programs for Bulgarian immigrants in Chicago and Honolulu.

The joy of hearing children speak, sing, and write in Bulgarian encapsulates the value Katia places on her heritage. It fuels her ongoing passion to share her culture with the world. As a member of the Board of Directors, she is committed to leveraging her education, experience, and love for diverse cultures to enhance the community of Lanai and beyond.