Hui o Ko'olaupoko Staff

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Founder
​Jeff Harris

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."

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Executive Director
Kristen Nalani Kane

Mrs. Kane is a life-long Koʻolaupoko resident and is a graduate of University of Hawaii with a BA in Environmental Studies.  Mrs. Kane has been with Hui o Ko'olaupoko since October 2008 and has played various roles for the organization including Volunteer Coordinator (2008-2016) and Executive Director (2016-present). Mrs. Kane works to engage the volunteers and community stakeholders in monthly volunteer activities and educational events, manages restoration activities, directs PR and social media activity, and solicits grants and programmatic funding.   Previously, Mrs. Kane worked with Oahu Army Natural Resource Program for three years as a field technician and horticultural assistant as well as interning with environmental organizations on Kaua'i and Maui.  

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Community Liaison
Malia McDonald

Malia was born and raised in Haiku, Maui and has been on Oahu since 2016 to study Natural Resource and Environmental Management at UH Manoa. She has worked with various conservation and community outreach organizations such as Pacific Rim Conservation, Pacific Whale Foundation, and the Hawaii State Energy Office. Malia will initially be focusing on connecting residents to Little Fire Ant resources and management solutions. "I’m hopeful that these continuous conservation efforts will strengthen the health of our ʻāina and communities so that our families far into the future can partake in what we are so privileged to experience every day. I look forward to being part of this important journey with all of you!"

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Project Assistant
Alandra DeAndrea

Originally from Colorado, Alandra has called Oʻahu home since 2015. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2020 and has since dedicated her work to conservation and community-based restoration efforts. Her experience spans land stewardship, native habitat preservation, sustainable environmental practices, and watershed management.
Alandra has worked with several conservation organizations, including Lyon Arboretum, and is passionate about protecting and learning from Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems. As a Koʻolaupoko resident for the past five years, she is especially committed to supporting Windward Oʻahu communities. Her roles with HOK focus on controlling the spread of Little Fire Ants, promoting native landscaping, and protecting the health of Koʻolaupoko’s watersheds.

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Board of Directors

• Founder: Jeff Harris, Manager of Maintenance and Security, Oceanic Institute
• President: Jenna Masters, Natural Area Reserves Specialist IV, Division of Forestry and Wildlife
• Vice President: Traven Apiki
• Treasurer:  Safia Lehua Slater, holds dual BA in Accounting and Botany
• Secretary: Ku’upuamae’ole Kiyuna, Legal Specialist and Kaliʻuokapaʻakai Collective Coordinator at Huliauapaʻa
• Director: Sanna Bergstroem Matheny
• Director: vacant  Join our team!

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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! 

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Click here to read about past staff & interns.