Tony Chance
Founder & CEO |
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 Navy veteran, I believe my mission continues - to heal traumatized land and traumatized people." |
Sandy Ward
Co-Founder & Executive Director Mālama Pu'uloa Program |
Retired public teacher with 38 years of experience connecting students to place-based, project-based, inquiry-based learning.
Masterʻs of Science Education, Lewis and Clark College "As someone was a teacher in Mililani 25 years, and now loving the opportunity to work with youth all over `Ewa, I want to create pathways to a better future for them! I believe with all my heart in a future of restored abundance for Pu`uloa and the surrounding `Ewa Moku and itʻs an honor to help grow the next generation of empowered change-makers!" |
Keli Ching
Assistant Executive Director Mālama Pu`uloa Program |
World Traveler and outdoor enthusiast with extensive experience in both special needs education and small business development.
Hawai`i Pacific University/Marine Biology and proud graduate of Mililani High School Born and raised on O`ahu with ʻohana roots on Moloka`i, Keli has always been passionate about connecting to `āina. I believe that strengthening everyoneʻs relation to the land is vital now more than ever. In the face of so many threats: climate change, the possible extinction of our native plants and animals and the heartbreaking degradation of `āina and wai that Iʻve witnessed on O`ahu, the progress of this community non-profit gives me hope. When I look at my stepdaughter, nieces and nephews, I feel the kuleana to dedicate myself to this work. |
Evan Uiagalelei
Lead Restoration Field Tech |
Graduate Waipahu High School, Academy of Natural Resources
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. |
Stephen Sheeter
Restoration Field Tech |
Wildlife photographer and wilderness man.
Currently enrolled at UH West Oʻahu for Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Army Infantry Veteran Stephen grew up on a ranch in central California. He has a passion for restoring the natural balance and spent a lot of time doing invasive species removal in San Joaquin River. I think it is important to help reverse the traumas of the past. I believe that you have to change things for the better with the little time you have. I got involved with Mālama Puʻuloa by fate. Sandy and Ati did a presentation at my biology class that caught my interest. I came the following Saturday to volunteer and got hooked. I just kept coming back… they couldn’t get rid of me so they just had to give me a job. And weʻre grateful to have him on board! |
Nick Rothstein
Restoration Field Tech |
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. |
Garrett Dejesus
Restoration Field Tech |
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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Jeffrey Pantaleo
Advisory Board |
Archaeologist, U.S. Navy
Masterʻs of Archeology, San Diego State University "I committed to HOH808 and Mālama Pu`uloa because I wish to share my experience in restoring and protecting cultural resources in Pearl Harbor including the restoration of Loko Pa`aiau" (Hawaiian Fishpond)." |
Crystal Dombrow
Advisory Board |
Masterʻs of Advanced Studies, Marine Biodiversity & Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego
"Growing up, I felt deeply connected to the land I live on and to the ocean. I believe we can live in balance with our natural world and thrive. I love that I get to share my values with my community here in Hawai`i and help restore Pu`uloa to her abundant beauty." |
Bert Weeks
Advisory Board |
Masterʻs of Advanced Studies, Marine Biodiversity & Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego
"I grew up in Waiau, Pu`uloa but only recently realized its history - how important it was as a resource to the whole island of O`ahu. As a member of the 'Ewa community, I feel a kuleana to take care of a highly damaged ecosytem and return it back to `āina momona." |
Jonathan Durrett
Advisory Board |
Jonathan S. Durrett is a senior partner of Durrett, Ma & Lang, LLLP, and a lifetime Island resident. His practice concentrates in real estate transactions, environmental counseling, land use entitlements and exempt organizations. He represents a variety of developers and landowners, as well as financial institutions with interests in Hawaii. He also acts as general counsel to Brigham Young University’s Hawaii campus situated on Oahu’s North Shore. Durrett sits on national committees of the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and has served as a court appointed arbitrator since 1987. He is also the Hawaii chapter chair of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.
Jonathan lives in `Ewa on the shore of Pu`uloa and is providing invaluable advice on the development of a regional education center. |