Pursuing ʻĀkoʻakoʻa's mission
Meet the ʻĀkoʻakoʻa team
Introducing the backbone of ʻĀkoʻakoʻa: a diverse team of skilled scientists, technologists, vessel operators, educators, and more. This group represents the best in their fields, from marine science to data science and operational excellence. Together, they form a cohesive unit, dedicated to advancing our understanding of the reef and how we can fuse every capability in our toolbox to restore them.
![GAO map of the Kona Coast](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/656e9911f8abf09b454eee46_gao-reef-image-hirez-03.webp)
Cultural Advisors
The unique cultural values of Hawaiʻi are foundational to the ʻĀkoʻakoʻa program in meeting its scientific and community stewardship goals. Our cultural advisory group molds our strategy and ensures that the program is firmly grounded in traditional Hawaiian values.
![Chadd Paishon](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/6577fb3eedb503e2b09ab764_chad-paishon-portrait.webp)
Chadd Paishon
Māhukona
![Pualani Lincoln Maielua](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/6577fb585127b3f33c93bf7c_pualani-lincoln-portrait.webp)
Pualani Lincoln Maielua
Kawaihae & Māhukona
![Cindi Punihaole](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/6577fb49eb77864be5361cdf_cindi-punihaole-portrait.webp)
Cindi Punihaole
Kahaluʻu
![Henry Cho & Jeana Kelekolio](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/6577fb6434264d514f1ada7d_jeana-kelekolio-henry-cho-portrait.webp)
Henry Cho & Jeana Kelekolio
Hōnaunau
![Damien Kenison](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/6577fb34d6e6c9b2a5bce9a6_damien-kenison-portrait.webp)
Damien Kenison
Hoʻokena
![Kaʻimi Kaupiko](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/6577fb2ac5647ee09a507edf_kaimi-kaupiko-portrait.webp)
Kaʻimi Kaupiko
Miloliʻi
Team Members
Meet our ʻĀkoʻakoʻa Reef Restoration team, a blend of marine, aviation, and land-based diagnostic and restoration specialists, scientists, educators, and program supporters. Each member brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to our mission of coral reef restoration and community empowerment.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Greg Asner](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657803405e5ad48c6ba3fe38_greg-b_w.jpeg)
Greg Asner
Founder (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Jason Cabilin](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657803508ca2743d848bb3d6_Jason-Cabilin-BW-photo-square.jpg)
Jason Cabilin
Reef Restoration Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Rachel Carlson](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657802e0ff909a617e7e30ca_20_rachel_carlson-bw.jpg)
Rachel Carlson
Reef Diagnostics (UC Davis)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Zack Craig](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aeaed94228fd982f887413_ZachCraig_BandW.jpeg)
Zack Craig
Reef Restoration (DAR)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Sheldon Decosse](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aeb086e2cac1718faada3a_SheldonDecosse_bw.jpeg)
Sheldon Decosse
Air Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Blair Edlund](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aeb0616b716d76f39509da_BlairEdlund_bw.jpeg)
Blair Edlund
Air Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Jamison Gove](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aeae9af6f701808cf62707_Gove_BandW.jpeg)
Jamison Gove
Reef Diagnostics (NOAA)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Dominica Harrison](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657803343fc16b73ee8b409c_dominica-photo-square-bw.jpg)
Dominica Harrison
Reef Diagnostics (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Joseph Heckler](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657805d0cc17fdeb6b5d8730_24_joseph_heckler-bw.jpg)
Joseph Heckler
Air Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Kater Hiney](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/658e0f8a7bd9a5c0890dd943_kater-bw-square-scaled.webp)
Kater Hiney
Education (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Kelly Hondula](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657804485e5ad48c6ba4e5c5_kelly-hondula.webp)
Kelly Hondula
Water Diagnostics (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Neal Hoogenboom](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657803a8b96b79ab8636e567_neal.webp)
Neal Hoogenboom
Marine Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Amanda Keanuenueokamoana Llanes](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65ab16e6ede954bd81902038_Llanes%20black%20and%20white.jpeg)
Amanda Keanuenueokamoana Llanes
Marine Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Jeana Kelekolio](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/66292ac0cef23c8176313030_Kelekolio%20b%20and%20w.webp)
Jeana Kelekolio
Hōnaunau Bay Community Outreach (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Grace Klinges](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65a97674d8f292c10277db37_Klinges_blackandwhite.jpeg)
Grace Klinges
Reef Restoration (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Amanda Koeller](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aeb3319b01b302aaaa8082_Koeller_BandW.jpeg)
Amanda Koeller
Program Administration (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Caleb Labo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657802a556c9c5bd85325377_Caleb-square-bw.jpg)
Caleb Labo
Reef Diagnostics (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Paulina Martin](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aeb3729b01b302aaaacdbc_PaulinaMartin_bandW.jpg)
Paulina Martin
Program Development (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Robin Martin](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aead3f8a23bf3c644db512_RobinMartin_BandW.jpeg)
Robin Martin
Education (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Phillip Noel](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657805866039849fb41d476f_philip-noel.webp)
Phillip Noel
Reef Diagnostics (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Jasper Oshun](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/658e0ef81815cdd2c2bbd110_Jasper.webp)
Jasper Oshun
Water Diagnostics (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Kailey Pascoe](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/6578055992024e0a25aa92cb_kailey-pascoe.webp)
Kailey Pascoe
Reef Diagnostics (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Andrea Scott](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/658ded814bccb10722e05c9d_andrea-scott-r.jpeg)
Andrea Scott
Program Administration (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Robin Smith](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aeadddb2775b280145d77b_RobinSmith_BandW.jpeg)
Robin Smith
Reef Restoration (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Kevin Tadlock](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657804f5b274163d6b6f9742_kevin-tadiock.webp)
Kevin Tadlock
Marine Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Chris Teague](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65af42b85d82f113cdb5dba7_Teague%20BandW.jpeg)
Chris Teague
Program Development (DAR)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Nick Vaughn](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/657896709650366d3b11f802_nvaughn4.png)
Nick Vaughn
Reef Diagnostics (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Maiana Villegas](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65d4044f6f89bb50a33bc469_IMG_9266.jpg)
Maiana Villegas
Communications (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Jonathan Whitney](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65b290d3ce53dde33e509c4b_IMG_9219-2.jpg)
Jonathan Whitney
Reef Diagnostics (NOAA)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Kelly Woods](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65e8da244ea269bb2767b813_IMG_9335.jpg)
Kelly Woods
Marine Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Devon Woodward](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/65aeb073b4fd9bc3598f1bcc_DevonWoodward_BandW.jpeg)
Devon Woodward
Air Operations (ASU)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6541a22a22227c5f85934423/65659c166f71d0476b43f904_reef-branches.png)
![Lena Wray](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6568004abb0c2dd09bc4533e/6696aaea12443df9de611a0a_Lena%20Wray%20square%20bw.jpeg)
Lena Wray
Marine Operations (ASU)