Our Story

Whether through volunteering, donating, advocating, or the small everyday choices you make, you help grow a safer, healthier, and more resilient world.
Want to get involved? We’re always looking for people who care about community, culture, and connection. Reach out, we’d love to hear from you.

President
Rhian brings over two decades of hands-on experience growing plants on Kauaʻi. Her leadership spans native plant conservation, sustainable agriculture, community education, and disaster response. She holds an MBA in Environmental Management and believes that the health of people is tied to the health of the planet. Her approach is practical, generous, and deeply community-centered.

Vice President
Annie is an educator based in Kīlauea with nearly 20 years of experience working with students and families. She brings her love of native plants into the classroom and everyday life. A mother of two, Annie can often be found cheering her kids on at sports events. She shows up for her community with steady care, humor, and heart.

Treasurer
Uma is an ecologist and the Conservation Operations Manager at Limahuli Garden and Preserve, where she leads biocultural conservation work across 1,000 acres of storied land. As a land steward, she cares for the preserve’s plants, soil, and cultural landscapes, balancing ecological science with traditional Hawaiian practices. She holds a Ph.D. in disturbance ecology and is passionate about connecting modern research with ancestral knowledge. Uma brings both technical depth and cultural respect to her work in community and conservation.

Co-Secretary
Morgan is an environmental consultant with a focus on the relationship between built environments, climate, and human wellbeing. She has worked on a range of sustainability-focused projects and enjoys helping communities engage with environmental issues in thoughtful, hopeful ways. Morgan currently lives in Nevada at Naval Air Station Fallon with her husband, two dogs, and a cat, and stays connected to Hawaiʻi through ongoing service and conservation work.

Co‑Secretary
Kristin is a photographer based in Waimea, Kauaʻi, specializing in family portraits, landscapes, and community events. As a master gardener, she brings a strong connection to ʻāina into her creative work, with images that reflect a sense of place and season. She’s also an active community volunteer and longtime island resident, with a steady, hands-on approach to both her photography and the spaces she stewards.

Board Member Chelsey is a full-time educator at Kamehameha Schools and a board member for Kukulu Kumuhana O Anahola. Born and raised in Anahola, she is committed to growing youth programs that reflect local values and support the next generation. While raising three children of her own, Chelsey is also continuing her education. She brings a calm, grounded presence to her work, helping young people feel rooted and supported.

Board Member Johanna has spent over 20 years working with nonprofit and community-based projects on Kauaʻi. Her experience spans everything from volunteer coordination to leadership and consulting. She currently works with the Hanalei Initiative and Waipā Foundation and serves on the board of the Namahana Education Foundation. Her focus on self-direction, long-term thinking, and community resilience guides all that she does.

Board Member Ipo is the founder and Executive Director of Kanuikapono Learning Center. Her work weaves together student development and native plant stewardship, helping both learners and landscapes thrive. With deep roots in education and aloha ʻāina practice, Ipo supports communities through leadership grounded in culture, connection, and care.

Board Member Gordon is a retired family physician and longtime environmental advocate living on the West Side of Kauaʻi. He helped found the National Surfrider Foundation and has served in leadership roles with the Sierra Club at local, state, and national levels. A lifelong environmentalist since the first Earth Day parade in New York City, Gordon brings perspective, dedication, and a deep love for the planet he serves.

Board Member Hali is a freelance writer and communications specialist based in Kīlauea, Kauaʻi. She earned her degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and brings her storytelling skills to everything from local businesses to nonprofits, helping connect community with culture and place. Whether she's crafting narratives or supporting community projects, she’s driven by curiosity and an appreciation for the everyday moments that shape our shared home.

Board Member Niki comes from a long line of Kauaʻi farmers and educators, with family roots stretching back to the 1890s. She brings a deep sense of aloha ʻāina and community care to everything she does. In her role with the County of Kauaʻi’s Office of Economic Development, Niki helps support local farmers and strengthen food systems on the island. She’s committed to growing opportunities that honor both people and place.

Board Member Ana was born in the Philippines, where growing up with frequent flooding shaped her lifelong commitment to climate resilience. She now serves Kauaʻi through her work in economic development, supporting sustainable agriculture, clean energy, transportation, and inter-sector partnerships. With a background in urban planning, public service, and legislative policy, Ana brings steady leadership, humility, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning. Her work is driven by respect for community and a desire to build a more resilient future.

Executive Director & Founder
With more than 20 years in education, Sari has served as a classroom teacher, nonprofit school director, and aloha ʻāina education coordinator. She works with communities both locally and globally to create programs grounded in conservation and cultural practice. Rooted in the belief that people and place care for one another, Sari is dedicated to building meaningful, lasting relationships that support thriving ecosystems and communities.