I am from the island of Molokai, Hawaii. I graduated with Bachelor degrees in Philosophy and Biology from Whitworth University in 1993. I was 1 of 8 students nationally selected for the Multicultural Initiative in the Marine Sciences Undergraduate Program (MIMSUP) in 1993, a program funded annually by the National Science Foundation and a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math, and Engineering Mentoring. I specialized in understanding the algal symbiont relationship to sea anemones and corals and conducted an independent study of anthropogenic disturbances on reef health. I am a certified SCUBA and scientific diver and have conducted behavioral ecology studies off the coast of Kaho`olawe and Molokini islands to monitor reef health. I worked as an aquaculture extension agent, assisting families participating in a Seaweed Growers Network. I received certification from the Oceanic Institute in Finfish Hatchery & Larval Feed Systems and assisted in the set-up of a polyculture system utilizing fish and seaweed aquaculture.

I assisted in a study of traditional fishing practices associated with Kaho`olawe which was incorporated in a management plan for that island. I served as an on-island coordinator for the 1993 Molokai Subsistence Task Force appointed by the Governor. Through that work, we successfully lobbied the State legislature to approve a traditional subsistence fishery management project run by Hawaiian Homesteaders.

In 1997, I received a Juris Doctorate and Environmental Law Certificate from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. I served as an attorney to the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation where I dealt with major cases on the improper use of agricultural lands for resort purposes; Hawaiian burials protection and remediation; water rights of native taro farmers; and ahupua`a land and resource management.

Currently, I am the Director of the Molokai Rural Development Project which supports work training initiatives through the University of Hawaii Maui College, Molokai and partners with a number of community organizations to strengthen the capacity of our workforce and economy. Some of the projects I launched included a one-of-its-kind intensive archaeological technician training program for which the services of former trainees are solicited by several researchers and archaeological firms Statewide; the formation of sustainable agricultural enterprises with Hawaiian Homestead farmers; a made-on-Molokai product line sold locally and across the State by successful food entrepreneurs; and the expanded Kuha`o Business Center that has assisted in the creation of 121 new small businesses on Molokai.

I am the President and Founder of Sust `aina ble Molokai, a local, grassroots nonprofit organization that weaves our island’s rich cultural pathways with responsible, modern sustainability strategies. We partnered with PRI-USA and the Alu Like Ho`ala Hou Program in the implementation of the Molokai Permaculture Initiative. The ongoing training is designed to create a network of local permaculture teachers that serve the community, mentor youth, manage large earth repair projects on Molokai, and help to generate greater food security for our island and all of Hawaii nei.