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Patrick Kamakanianu Shea

President
 

Patrick is an attorney who is active in the Native Hawaiian Bar Association as a member of its board of directors, a member of Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and a past president of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. He coaches high school paddling.

 
 
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Lena Mochimaru

Secretary
 

Lena graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She spent many years in sales but decided to enter the nonprofit sector to serve her community. She spends her time volunteering with the houseless, local farmers, and campaigns that align with her values. A lot of the causes she supports hit close to home. Especially affordable housing, living wage and making voting more accessible. 

 
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Nelson Ho

BoarD MEMBER

Nelson Ho has participated in Hawaiʻi County governance since 2004, when he worked on the administrative side as a Deputy Director. Later on he worked on the Council side writing legislation and helping constituents. Beginning in 1984, he advocated against the industrialization of the Hawaiian Rainforest by geothermal energy developers. Since 1995, Nelson has spoken out against the mismanagement of the summit of Mauna Kea. A UH Manoa graduate, he was raised in Nuuanu until 1979 when he happily relocated to the Big Island.

 
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Summer Starr

BoarD MEMBER

Summer Starr was born and raised on Maui, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Protecting Hawaiʻi's Environment from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, a Masters Degree in Indigenous Politics from UH Mānoa, and a Masters in Environmental Law and Policy from the Vermont Law School. She has worked in government and the private sector, focusing on environmental protection, renewable energy, and agricultural policy as well as outreach and education. She is a dedicated mother, wife, sister, daughter, and community member. 

 
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Gary Hooser

executive director
 

Gary Hooser formerly represented Kauaʻi and Niʻihau in the Hawaiʻi State Senate where he served as Majority Leader. He also served for 8 years on the Kauai County Council and was Director of Environmental Quality Control for the State of Hawaiʻi during the Abercrombie administration. He serves presently in a volunteer capacity as Board President of the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (H.A.P.A.), a 501c3 nonprofit focusing on education and advocacy. He is a graduate of Radford High School, the University of Hawaiʻi (B.A. Public Administration) and Kauaʻi Community College (A.A.).