Hui o Ko'olaupoko Board of Directors

President: Jeff Harris
​Manager of Maintenance and Security, Oceanic Institute 

Mr. Harris is one of the founding members of HOK's parent organization the Kailua Bay Advisory Council (KBAC). Jeff grew up on a  rural farm in Michigan, which developed his passion for sustainable agriculture and development. Nearly 40 years ago, Jeff came to Hawaii to build the first Urgent Care clinics for his uncle Dr. Simich, and has been living in Kailua ever since.  Mr. Harris holds a BS in Agriculture Engineering & Technology from Michigan State University, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Certification from Cornell University, and is a State of Hawaii licensed Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator. As a Board member of HOK, Mr. Harris  says "I support our programs and projects that develop community partnerships to address remediation of environmental pollution, that educate ourselves to be good stewards through sustainable development in our community, and seek to pass on our experience and knowledge to the keiki through hands on experiences."

Vice President: Jordan Kilbey
Fire Protection Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Jordan Kilbey grew up in the ahupuaa of Kailua and attended Kailua Elementary, Kailua Intermediate, and graduated from Kalaheo High School and now lives on his family’s land in Waimanalo. Mr. Kilbey was among the first Windward Community College class to receive an Associates of Science in Natural Science (ASNS) degree also known as a “Pre-Engineering Degree.” He then transferred to the University of Hawaii, Manoa and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering. Mr. Kilbey now works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Fire Protection Engineer at the Pacific Ocean Honolulu District, Regional Engineering Center. Mr. Kilbey says “My time being outdoors as a child fostered an unexplainable passion for the environment. I always felt at peace being in the water and used that time for a rejuvenation of my spirit. I want to be a part of HOK so that I can see the same land/water that I grew up in preserved, kept clean, and full of life for many generations to come. I want to be on the forefront of the environmental decision making process to help give a voice to my community and help make a difference.”

Treasurer: Jenna Masters
Natural Area Reserves Specialist IV, Division of Forestry and Wildlife 

Mrs. Jenna Masters was born and raised in the ahupuaa of Kailua. She received an undergraduate degree in environmental studies with an emphasis on invasive species from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. After several years as a natural resource management technician she has gained a desire to play a more significant a role in shaping the organizational structures that dictate the management of resources in Hawaii. Mrs. Masters completed her graduate degree in Public Administration with a focus on non-profit management at UH Manoa in 2016. Currently, she is a Natural Area Reserves Specialist IV with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife under the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Mrs. Masters says “The time I have spent engaging the community and preserving Oahu’s unique ecosystems has been very rewarding and I would like to concentrate more of my effort in the ahupuaa that I was raised in. I would like to serve as a member of the HOK Board of Directors to contribute ideas that will help our community grow in a way that positively impacts our terrestrial and aquatic environments.” 

Secretary: Danny Kong,
Civil Engineer, Belt Collins Hawaii LLC

Danny Kong was born and raised in the ahupuaa of Kaneohe. He attended the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy and later obtained a BS in Civil Engineering with a focus on structural engineering from University of Hawaii, Manoa. Mr. Kong currently works with local civil design firm Wilson Okamoto Corporation as a Civil engineer. Mr. Kong says he is “interested in serving as a Board Member for HOK because I have always been active in the Hawaiian community by volunteering in various fishpond and lo`i. Also, growing and developing in my profession with the skills I am learning I hope to contribute back to my community and I feel this is an opportunity to do just that.”

Director: Jillian Yasutake 
Sector Partnerships Coordinator, University of Hawaii

​Ms. Yasutake was born and raised in East Oahu, graduating from Henry J. Kaiser High School and receiving her M.A. in Communication from Hawaii Pacific University in 2008. Since 2010, she has provided feedback and support to the HOK staff in her areas of expertise in grant seeking, writing and management. Ms. Yasutake is continually inspired by HOK staff who work tirelessly to improve our fragile ecosystems and preserve what we can for future generations.

Director: Elizabeth Cody 
Kailua Resident and active community volunteer

Mrs. Elizabeth Cody grew up on Lake Michigan, but has had the good fortune of living in the Kailua ahupuaa since moving to Hawaii 15 years ago. Mrs. Cody received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management with a minor in Biology from Indiana University, Bloomington and completed her Masters of Science in Botany with a specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Her most recent employment was as a Pacific American Foundation (PAF) educator providing instruction/mentoring to students and teachers on watershed expeditions along Oahu’s windward coast. “My passion is exposing students to nature and nurturing their interest through research relating to watershed management and restoration activities. I would like to serve as a HOK board member to help serve the mission of improving water quality in the Ko’olaupoko region” says Mrs. Cody.​

Director: P. Kalawai'a Moore
Associate Professor and Director of the Hawaiian Studies Program,
​Windward Community College

 P. Kalawai'a Moore is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Hawaiian Studies Program at Windward Community College in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu where he teaches Hawaiian mythology, history, traditional Hawaiian house building, runs a Hawaiian cultural garden, and co-ordinates an annual class on the traditional ahupuaʻa system. His cultural background and training includes graduating as a student in traditional Hawaiian herbal healing from noted healer Henry Papa Auwae, and a current position as an alakaʻi (leader) in traditional Hawaiian house building and dry stack rock wall building under Kuhikuhi Puʻuone (master architect/engineer) Francis Palani Sinenci. Under Kumu Sinenci Kalawaiʻa has been a part of building over 30 traditional Hawaiian structures. He also holds a Ph.D.and an MA in Political Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where he focused on Hawaiian, and American politics and government, Political Theory, and International Relations, and he holds a BA in Hawaiian Studies.

Director: Ku'upuamae'ola Kiyuna 
Rising 3L Student, William S. Richardson School of Law

Kuʻupua Kiyuna s a rising 3L at the William S. Richardson School of Law. In addition to earning a JD, She is also pursuing certificates in Environmental Law and Native Hawaiian Law. Prior to entering law school, She earned dual Bachelor's degrees in Environmental Studies and Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Currently, she is a pre-law advisor for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and has recently finished her summer externship with Justice Pollack of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. Ku'upua was born and raised in Kalauao, Oʻahu and spent most of her summers playing softball in Kāneʻohe and Waimānalo. After moving to Hilo, she was fortunate to participate in the Pacific Internships Program for Exploring Science (PIPES). Her first internship sent her home to develop conservation plans for farmers in Waimānalo to reduce erosion and nutrient run off into the Waimānalo Watershed. This was her first interaction with the community concerning watershed management and she dove in head first. "I have not worked on watershed management in such a hands on capacity since, but am eager to jump at this amazing opportunity!" Says Ku'upua 
Click here to read about past HOK staff and interns.

Internships with HOK

HOK is always looking for interested individuals to help us with our programs and projects, offering a wide range of opportunities for internships. 

If you are interested and feel as if you can contribute to our mission, contact us or check our Internships page for more information! 
Hui o Ko'olaupoko