Meet O'ahu RC&D
Diana King - Executive Director
Phone: 808-483-8600 Ext. 122, E-mail: Diana.King@oahurcd.org
Diana joined the O'ahu RC&D in July 2009. A life-long Hawaii resident, Diana has been involved with conservation and the environment for over 20 years. Diana holds a B.A. in Geography and International Studies from Macalester College, and an M.A. in Geography from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Past projects include developing statewide Hawaiian natural history curriculum while at the Bishop Museum, serving as Education Director for the Hawaii Nature Center, and establishing the Waimea Valley Audubon Center. She currently serves on the board of the Hawaii Ecotourism Association.
Jean Brokish, Project Manager - Watershed Planning
Phone: 808-483-8600 Ext. 123, E-mail: Jean.Brokish@oahurcd.org
Jean joined the O'ahu RC&D in January 2009 and works with landowners and partner organizations to improve water quality and restore watershed health throughout Oahu. Originally from Wisconsin, Jean grew up on a dairy farm and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture from UW-River Falls. She also holds a Masters Degree in Soil Science from Purdue University. Before coming to Hawaii, Jean developed the land protection program for a land trust in Michigan. She has also worked for a conservation district in Ohio, NRCS in both Wisconsin and Michigan, and spent two years as an Agriculture / Economic Development Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Lesotho (Africa).
Sandra Mitani, Finance Assistant
Phone:808-483-8600 Ext. 112, E-mail: Sandra.Mitani@oahurcd.org
Sandy has been with O'ahu RC&D since October 2008 focusing on the finances. She has a B.A. in mathematics and statistical psychology and experience with environmental education and conservation non-profits.
Pauline Sato, Mālama Hawai‘i Project Consultant
Phone:808-497-5323, E-mail: pauline.sato@gmail.com
Pauline has always had a passion for protecting Hawaii's environment. Her childhood interests led her to receive a B.S. degree in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree in Educational Technology at the University of Hawaii. Pauline has dedicated her career to environmental preservation through education and community outreach. She has worked with various non-profit organizations as an environmental educator, volunteer coordinator, teacher trainer, and community outreach specialist. She believes in working with partners to accomplish shared goals and with over 20+ years in conservation in Hawaii, she has built a broad network among those involved with natural and cultural resources conservation throughout the state. She is active with the Mālama Learning Center and the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i. She is proud to be one of the founders of Mālama Hawai‘i.
Debbie Gowensmith, Hawai'i Community Stewardship Network (HCSN) Director
Phone:808-626-5490, E-mail: debbie@hcsnetwork.org
HCSN empowers communities to improve their quality of life through caring for their environmental heritage. Debbie considers her job as director of HCSN to be the best job in the world! Growing up in a landscape that transformed in a few short years from woodsy to suburban led to her conviction that people live healthier lives when they live in a healthy environment. Debbie earned an M.S. in community development from Eastern University and has combined community development, conservation, and educational work in Indonesia, Belize, South Africa, and Hawaii. She fervently believes that communities are best suited to take care of the environmental resources where they live, a belief supported every day by the incredible community partners she works with throughout Hawaii.
Malia L. Kipapa, Hawai'i Community Stewardship Network (HCSN) Hawaii Island Coordinator
Phone:808-896-2361, E-mail: malia@hcsnetwork.org
Malia has been part of the HCSN 'Ohana since August 2009. Growing up in Keaukaha on Hawaii Island and coming from a small close knit community, I've been instilled with the value of family and community. By those two factors, I made the decision to continue my education after high school and went on to Chaminade University of Honolulu where I received my BS degree in Environmental Studies. I then continued my education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where I received my MS degree in Botany, with an emphasis on conservation biology. After going to school on Oahu for 8 years I decided to move back home to Hawaii Island to work, I then spent a year working at Hakalau Wildlife Refuge doing terrestrial work for a year as an intern. Shortly after that internship I was hired as the Hawaii Island Coordinator for HCSN, where I have been given the privilege to work with small fishing communities throughout the state supporting them doing community based natural resource management. I enjoy being outdoors and making a difference, driven with passion and commitment to helping local communities and doing conservation work.
Janice-Renee Yoshioka, Hawai'i Community Stewardship Network (HCSN) Program Manager
Phone:808-626-5490, E-mail: jan@hcsnetwork.org
Jan is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies. A native of Hilo, Jan spent many childhood summers with her grandparents in the rural communities of Āhualoa, Onomea and Pāpa`ikou on the Hawaii Island's Hamakua Coast where her family has lived, fished and farmed for generations. Through these childhood experiences, Jan gained a deep appreciation for the outdoors and learned the importance of effective stewardship of our natural resources. Prior to joining HCSN, Jan worked for both for-profit and non-profit organizations where she focused on contract and grant compliance, project development and business planning. Jan is excited to be a part of HCSN, partnering with local communities to preserve the rich cultural, traditional and natural heritage of places throughout Hawaii.
Ha'aheo Kaho'ohalahala, Hawai'i Community Stewardship Network (HCSN)
E-mail: khaaheo@gmail.com
Ha‘aheo Kaho‘ohalahala is a member of the William S. Richardson School of Law, class of 2011. She has been selected as the Mālama Ahupua‘a Law Fellow, working with The Hawaii Community Stewardship Network (HCSN) for Summer 2010. Ms. Kaho‘ohalahala will complete legal research to directly assist communities in their resource management efforts. After law school, she hopes to focus her career on assisting communities in Hawai‘i that face natural and cultural resource legal issues.