Our Staff
Our Team
Nā Kia'i
The stewardship of Kealakekua Bay happens because of the people who show up for it every day. Our team is made up of lineal descendants, cultural practitioners, conservation professionals, and community members united by a shared kuleana to this wahi pana.
Our Papa Kuhikuhi (Board of Directors) provides the governance and strategic vision that guides our organization, while our Hoa’āina (Operations) are the daily heartbeat of Kealakekua Bay, working on conservation efforts, collecting vital data, and building relationships with every person who interacts with this wahi pana.
Hoaʻāina
Operations
Shane Akoni Palacat-Nelsen
Executive Director/C.E.O
Bringing over 30 years of experience in advocating, networking, and capacity building to advance Native Hawaiian perspectives and worldviews.
Kanani Enos
Director of Cultural and Community Affairs
Facilitating cultural protocols and community engagement in alignment with the ongoing restoration and conservation efforts in Kealakekua.
Kahaka’io-ikamālie Ravenscraft
Director of Field Operations and Interpretation
Kahaka’io, from South Kona, preserves ancestral traditions through sculpture, genealogy, storytelling, and cultural preservation, inspiring future generations.
Heather Badgley
Director of General Administration
Bringing over 25 years of expertise in business, environmental education and marine conservation, making her an invaluable team member
Kainalu Keliʻikuli-Grace
Hoaʻāina - Marine Coordinator/Certified Scientific Diver
Lineal descendant with a degree in Environmental Science, Kainalu leads ocean monitoring, surveys, and conservation efforts. He serves as Kealakekua Bay Makai Watch Coordinator and Hawaiʻi Wai Ola South Kona Water Quality Regional Coordinator.
Talon Pōhaku Hundley
Hoaʻāina - Zodie Captain/Certified Scientific Diver
A lineal descendant, Pōhaku began diving at 14 and is HKNʻs first Coral Restoration diver. He holds Hawaiʻi Wai Ola water quality certification and serves as HKNʻs Zodie Captain, supporting ocean surveys and marine conservation.
Kanoe Hauanio
Hoaʻāina - Community Relations Coordinator
A lineal descendant and a passion to serve her ancestral lands, Kanoe is young working mother and wife, and a lauhala weaver. She joins the HKN ʻohana with online retail and social media crowding experience.
Keanuhea Binney-Medeiros
Hoaʻāina - Digital Content Specialist/ Scientific Diver
Keanu is a lineal descendant of Kealakekua Bay who leads the Pūlama Hōnua Program, guiding youth in responsible diving and connection to place. She serves as Assistant Makai Watch Coordinator and shares the story of the bay through photography and videography.
Keawe Navas-Loa
Hoaʻāina - Scientific Diver
As a Lineal descendant, Keawe performed scientific marine duties while working at Milolii CBSFA, and an assistant scientific diver for Kanu Koʻa Coral restoration at Kealakekua Bay. Keaweʻs passion for diving started at a young age and continues to serve his ʻāina with aloha.
Aspen Omapang
Director of Information and Data Strategies
Aspen interned at Kealakekua Bay for two years as a student from Cornell University. Her blend of traditional ecological knowledge, Native Hawaiian Rights as defined by Federal and State law, and Academic application provides well-rounded knowledge to lead our community.
Elijah Ching
Webmaster - Communications and Media Specialist
Elijah has long-standing ties and currently resides in Nāpoʻopoʻo Village. His passion for community, conservation, culture, and wildlife makes him the perfect leader to support HKN in connecting people to place.
Papa Kuhikuhi
The Board
Alayna DeBina
President & Treasurer
Grew up at Kealakekua Bay, understanding its significance to be preserved.
Luana Crowe
Vice President
As a Cultural Anthropologist with over a decade of experience, I connect academia and community, supporting Hoʻala Kealakekua Nui’s vision through research and engagement.
Mary Crispi
Secretary
Despite being a ‘worker bee’ initially, the unexpected journey has been both challenging and rewarding.
Frank Carpenter
Director
Leveraging business development experience and passion for the ocean to help HKN successfully implement strategy for Kealakekua Bay.
Mendy Dant
Director
Honored to help protect Kealakekua Bay by educating visitors about the fragile underwater environment and sharing the rich Hawaiian culture and history.
Scott Neish
Director
We defined our mission, established a vision for the future, and started working on strategies to achieve that vision.