Who we are
Hui o Ho`ohonua is operated by a small staff with guidance from an active Board of Directors and Kūpuna Council.
Our "Lady"
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Kyleena Simeona
Director of Community Relations and Engagement `Āhuimanu, Ko`olaupoko, O`ahu | Mānana, `Ewa, O`ahu Kyleena believes that the most powerful form of resistance is the ability for individuals to freely cultivate the land to feed themselves and their community.
"I believe in people. I am empowered by my pillars to lead with kindness, patience, integrity and humility to do both the hard work and the heart work that comes with stewarding our natural resources. I look forward to continuing to mālama `āina as an ancestor.. it is very fulfilling to know that the actions I execute today will be for the good of a people that I may never meet. Sincerely, til the very last Aloha `Āina." |
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Evan Uiagalelei
Lead Field Restoration Technician Ho`ae`ae, `Ewa, O`ahu I was drawn to working on restoring `āina right down the street from where I grew up in Waipahu and I love learning new things about this place (Honouliuli, Pu`uloa and `Ewa) every day. I didnʻt grow up with stories of Pu`uloa - especially before it was a place known for the military and am grateful to Kumu Sanborn (of Waipahu HS) for sharing mo`olelo - like that of Ka`ahupahau our guardian shark. Iʻm especially motivated by the history of Pu`uloa, its former abundance and exploring how we can bring that back...how we can merge knowledge from the past and present to make things better for the future.
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Our "Po`o"
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Brailey Hirose-Hulbert
PT Lead Field Restoration Technician Honouliuli, `Ewa, O`ahu | Manoa, Kona, O`ahu "I was born and raised in Ewa Beach, went to Punahou School and attended the University of California Los Angeles studying both History and Art History. I came to this restoration work through time with my family's tree trimming company. It is through that lens of relationship and constancy that I've come to deeply respect the importance of where one works. I hope to learn the trails of Ka`ahupāhau and see where the tide goes."
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"Wader Queen"
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Nicholas Rothstein
PT Field Restoration Technician Honouliuli, `Ewa, O`ahu Currently enrolled as a Biology major at HPU and proud graduate of James Campbell High School
Born and raised in `Ewa, Nick grew up just down the street from Kapapapuhi Point Park. As a child, he was not allowed to go to that park because it was too dangerous and water was filthy. I have always volunteered with similar projects around the island since I was little...I think itʻs a shame that many of our youth are more busy posting on social media talking about taking care of the `āina but not doing anything about it. Everyone is fast to point out the problems, but offer no solutions. I believe in taking initiative, taking action and working on solutions. I want to be a doer, not a talker. I enjoy being out in the field doing work, collecting data and educating volunteers. |
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Our "Bird Guy"
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Garrett DeJesus
PT Field Restoration Technician Virginia | Honolulu, Kona, O`ahu I am a Koa Aloha ‘Āina, artist, and dog lover originally from Virginia. As I grew, I fell in love with volunteer work, learning about nature, and deepening my connection to the Earth and these passions have followed me into adulthood. I moved to O’ahu to study environmental science and found joy in tending to ‘Āina through Kupu Hawaiian Youth Conservation Corp. There, I learned about Mālama Pu’uloa and was incredibly inspired by the community involvement, hard work, and vast amount of hope at Kapapapuhi. I look forward to serving the ‘Āina while engaging our community to join me in deepening our connection to O’ahu/ Earth. With time and effort, I envision Pu’uloa’s return to abundance through art, mālama, and food.
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"Father Ae`ae"
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Anthony Chance
Founder and CEO
Honouliuli, `Ewa, O`ahu
Honouliuli, `Ewa, O`ahu
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Retired United States Navy Seabee Senior Chief
Currently serving as a social worker serving homeless veterans Masterʻs of Social Work, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa "As a resident of `Ewa, I walk my dogs along the shoreline of Pu`uloa every morning. When I see rubbish, weeds and brown water I knew I had been called to do something about it. As a retired Navy combat veteran, I believe my mission continues - to heal traumatized land and traumatized people." Tony has worked to build a council of advisors, consultants and partners who guide his vision to restore waiwai, wealth, to Pu`uloa for the community to thrive. As an active community member, Tony believes in community philanthropy and the power of intuition. "Good people find good people. Once theyʻre together you get great things!" |
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"Papa Honu"
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Lisa JohnsonExecutive Administrative Assistant
Wahiawa, Waialua, O`ahu BIO COMING SOON
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Blast from the Past
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With deep gratitude we fondly look back on the achievements of others who have gotten us to where we are today. We look forward to witnessing the amazing things you achieve.
Mahalo for being good ancestors today for the betterment of tomorrow. There are many more hands who are not pictured in the above slide, we hope one day to showcase each `Ama`ama that has swam with HOH. If you have photos and were a previous staff member please reach out through the contact below to be featured on the website. |