The Team
Who we are and what we do
The Team
Hoaʻāina (Operations)
Shane Akoni
Palacat-Nelsen
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."
Kahaka’ioikamālie 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 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 - Marine Coordinator/Certified Scientific Diver
A lineal descendant with a degree in Environmental Science focusing on environmental policy, oversees intertidal and ocean surveys, monitoring, and data collection. He completed a two-year internship at the Miloliʻi CBSFA focusing on ROI, Taape, and the removal of other marine invasive species. He is also the Makai Watch Coordinator for Kealakekua Bay. Kainalu is also certified by Hawaiʻi Wai Ola and serves as the Water Quality Regional Coordinator for South Kona.
Talon Pōhaku Hundley
Hoaʻāina - Zodie Captain/Certified Scientific Diver
A lineal descendant, Pōhaku began his formal diving journey at 14. He also holds certifications for Water Quality Maintenance by Hawaiʻi Wai Ola, Boat Safety and Lifeguard, and is HKNʻs first Coral Restoration diver. Pohakuʻs well-rounded background encompasses the entire ahupuaʻa, covering mauka, intertidal, and ocean surveys, and marine inventory. He is also HKNʻs Zodie Captain.
Kanoe Hauanio
Hoaʻāina - 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
Hoaʻāina - Digital Content Specialist/Scientific Diver
Keanu is a lineal descendant who grew up living off the shoreline and ocean of Kealakekua Bay. She oversees the Pūlama Hōnua Program, organizing Konaʻs youth to be responsible and respectful divers. A peer-mentor, Keanu bridges the community to place through traditional and customary knoweldge. Her passion for videography and photography allows her to tell the story of the resources and place. Keanu is the assistant Makai Watch Coordinator for Kealakekua Bay.
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"