The Team
Who we are and what we do
The Team
Hoaʻāina (Operations)
Shane Akoni
Palacat-Nelsen
President/Executive Director
"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
"It is an honor to serve my ‘āina and kūpuna of the area as well as our future generations."
Conall Kahaka’ioikamālie Ravenscraft
Board Member
Kahaka’io, from South Kona, preserves ancestral traditions through sculpture, genealogy, storytelling, and cultural preservation, inspiring future generations.
Heather Howard
Executive Admin Assistant
"Bringing over 25 years of expertise in business, environmental education and marine conservation, making her an invaluable team member"
Kainalu Keliʻikuli-Grace
Hoaʻāina
A lineal descendant with a degree in Environmental Science with a focus on environmental policy from Linfield University in Oregon, Kainalu leads HKNʻs Hoaʻāina Marine Team. He completed two years of internship at the Miloliʻi CBSFA focusing on ROI, Taape, and other marine invasive species removals. He is also the Makai Watch Coordinator for Kealakekua Bay.
Talon Pōhaku Hundley
Hoaʻāina
A lineal descsendant, community-based researcher, certified SCUBA/PADI, and Kilo Diver, Pōhaku began his diving journey since he was 14 years old. Pōhaku came to HKN with over three years of experience at Miloliʻiʻs CBSFA. He continues to care for marine ecosystems and inter-tidal regions to include coral planting, marine inventory, and water quality maintenance. He is also HKNʻs Zodie Captain.
Kanoe Keliʻikuli-Grace Hauanio
Outreach/Social Media Specialist
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
Outreach/Digital Media Specialist
A lineal descendant who grew up in Kealakekua Bay, Keanu is passionate to serve her ancestral lands. Her focus is to capture our natural and cultural resources and tell that story from a moʻokūʻauhau perspective. She is also certified SCUBA/PADI diver.
Melody Khodabandeh
Admin./Development Specialist
Bringing over 20 years of professional experience in the organic food industry and legal advocacy—rooted in a lifelong dedication to cultural arts, land stewardship, and uplifting community sovereignty through creative and justice-centered work.
Papa Kuhikuhi (The Board)
Alayna DeBina
President & Treasurer
"Grew up at Kealakekua Bay, understanding its significance to be preserved."
Mary Crispi
VP & 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"
Luana Crowe
Director
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.