Stormwater Quality BMPs Workshops 2024

Gene grew up in Honolulu, graduated from Moanalua High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University Long Beach. He started his built environment engineering career with a local electrical engineering consulting firm, Nakamura Oyama and Associates, for 15 years.  He then moved on to a global engineering firm, WSP, becoming Senior Vice President and the Honolulu Property and Buildings Business Line Leader for the last 17 years. Through his 30 plus years career, he has attained extensive and diverse design engineering and project management experience working with various Federal, State and County agencies; and private sector clients.  His projects have spanned throughout the Asia Pacific and USA regions including Hawai’i, the Continental USA, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, China, Singapore, and various Pacific islands. His professional credentials include being a licensed professional engineer in Hawai’i, California, the territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands; a LEED AP and an International Code Council certified electrical plans reviewer!

Daniel Dinell is President of Trees for Honolulu's Future, a nonprofit umbrella group that envisions a tree-filled city of Honolulu that preserves and enhances our quality of life, especially in the face of climate change. He serves on the Mayor’s Arborist Advisory Committee, several nonprofit boards, and is principal of a consulting firm. Prior to joining Trees for Honolulu's Future, Dan held leadership roles in both private and government sectors. Born and raised in Honolulu, a product of the Hawaii public schools, Dan holds a BA in political science from Colorado College and attended graduate school as a Monbusho Scholar at the University of Tokyo.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldinell/

Miguel Castrence is a project coordinator at Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Council (ORCD). He has a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Sciences from Clark University and has worked on a wide variety of natural resource management issues in the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America over the last 2 decades. His work at ORCD combines his experience in conservation, expertise in geospatial technologies, and passion for local food security to promote climate smart agriculture.

Derek Ford holds a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management (NREM) and a Master's degree in Geography from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He has contributed his GIS and remote sensing expertise to fields of work inclu ding forest conservation, agriculture, climate research and education. As the owner of Island UAV, he specializes in utilizing drone technology for environmental data collection and analysis, focusing on critical areas such as biodiversity and landscape hydrology.

Jeff Herr joined Brown and Caldwell as their National Stormwater Leader in 2008. He has 40 years of consulting experience throughout the US in stormwater retrofit treatment, watershed improvement and MS4 and TMDL compliance, and stream and lake restoration, from planning through design and implementation. Jeff has also performed substantial research on stormwater BMP performance efficiencies used to refine local and state stormwater regulations. Jeff is a registered Professional Engineer in multiple states.

Charley Beesley serves as the Director of Client Success for ComplianceGo Stormwater Inspection Software.  He utilizes his years of experience and diverse background in the stormwater compliance industry for both the private and public sectors (MS4s) to further support and educate others on cloud based technology solutions that saves everyone time and money. ComplianceGo is the leading software platform for stormwater inspections management nationwide.

Ross Dunning is Kennedy Jenks' stormwater practice leader and senior technical resource for Clean Water Act permit support and drainage and treatment design based in Federal Way, WA. Ross is an accomplished project manager with a broad range of civil engineering experience specifically focused on the fields of stormwater conveyance and treatment and he is abreast of the stormwater regulatory climate across the country. His primary focus is helping transportation sector agencies and municipalities to navigate the maze of federal, state, and local regulations to find sound engineering solutions benefitting business and the environment.

Jon Lowry has over 23 years of experience developing and implementing innovative solutions for water resource projects and programs. He specializes in stormwater management, hydrologic assessment, and design of low impact development (LID) and non-LID stormwater treatment Best Management Practices (BMPs). He also has extensive experience with the development and implementation of stormwater management programs for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit compliance. Mr. Lowry’s other areas of engineering practice includes potable water and sewer system planning and design, construction management, asset management systems, MS4 maintenance programs, watershed studies, and environmental permitting and compliance.

Jesse is a civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience that includes leading design teams for green stormwater infrastructure, CSO retrofits, underground utilities, roads, parks, transit corridors, and urban building sites. In addition to planning, design, and project management, Jesse has created standard plans and details, prepared O&M plans, and created educational materials for workforce development.

Jesse is passionate about sustainable and community-centered design. He believes that a multidisciplinary, cooperative, integrated approach is imperative for sustainable design, and he enjoys collaborating with other team members to create solutions that cross the boundaries of various design disciplines and offer the most community value.

Has been Civil Engineer for 24 years first working in the private industry and presently government (C&C of Honolulu since 2006). 

Career started in the construction industry as a carpenter and mason in the military while attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in Civil Engineering.  Before graduating worked as a Hydrologic Technician for 2 years at USGS.  

Presently working in the Storm Water Quality Division (DFM) as the Construction BMP Inspection Section Leader.  Duties include working and communicating with other departments, agencies, and companies regarding BMP inspections, reporting and resolving discrepancies, and addressing issues on active construction sites.  And works on and manages CIPs (capital improvement projects) for the NPDES Small Erosion Prone Areas program.

Branden Ibara is an environmental scientist at Jacobs here in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is currently an inspector with the Third-Party Construction Inspection Program directed by the Department of Facility Maintenance Storm Water Quality Division of the City and County of Honolulu. His area of inspection covers Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Royal Kunia, and Mililani.

He has over 15 years of environmental science experience in Hawaii. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Environmental Science from the University of Hawaii: Manoa. He also has a Master of Divinity from Wayland Baptist University: Hawaii.  

Branden was born and raised here on Oahu and is a life-long resident of Kaneohe, Hawaii. He is married and is the father of two. Branden enjoys watching sci-fi and anime, gardening, working out, and coin collecting.

Melanie Lander is a Community Planning & Design Extension Agent with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program. She focuses on mitigating climate change-induced impacts on coastal urban areas, stormwater runoff and wastewater system failures. Melanie has recently contributed to Hawaii-based planning resources, including the Hawaii Cesspool Prioritization Tool and Maui Environmentally Sensitive Areas Atlas. She is currently co-leading the project Ola Waikīkī, which will bring green stormwater infrastructure demonstration sites to the Ala Wai Watershed. 

Dolan Eversole currently serves as the Waikīkī Beach management coordinator through the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, in partnership with the Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District Association. Eversole served as the NOAA Coastal Storms Program, Pacific Islands Regional Coordinator from 2010 to 2015, covering all the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island (USAPI) territories including American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The Coastal Storms Program (CSP) provides outreach and coordination support to the region by supporting vulnerability assessments, and by identifying technological and socio-economic solutions to reduce their vulnerability through measures that improve adaptation and community resilience.

Eversole is a Coastal Geologist by training having earned his degrees in geology and geophysics at UH Manoa. He has completed coursework for the University of Hawaiʻi’s certificate in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance offered through the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at UH Manoa. Eversole served from 2003 to 2010 as a technical and policy advisor to the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL), of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) on coastal issues including coastal hazard mitigation, coastal management policy, coastal resource conservation, emergency management and climate change adaptation. In addition to his technical and regional experience, Eversole draws from years of experience as an ocean recreation enthusiast and ocean lifeguard that has complimented his position as a coastal geomorphologist working within the state of Hawaiʻi.

Reagan Rouble is an enthusiastic Water Resource Engineer at ABT Inc., a leading manufacturer in stormwater management solutions. With a BS in Chemical Engineering, they have quickly established themselves as an expert in the field of stormwater management, particularly in the innovative Permavoid technology. After graduating in May 2022, Reagan moved to Denver, CO, in search of a career that valued sustainability and was involved in creating a more resilient America. Shortly after passing their Engineering in Training (EIT) exam, they were offered a fitting role at ABT Inc., where they are able to expand and build upon their interests. They cover the western United States and Texas, providing cutting-edge stormwater storage designs and expert consultation to engineering groups. This work supports the development of sustainable infrastructure across the region, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative engineering solutions. 

Alex has 24 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of water resources projects across the US. He is a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California, a Certified Floodplain Manager, and an Envision Sustainability Professional. Alex has supported several large programs throughout his career including leading the City of San Diego’s Think Blue Infrastructure WIFIA Program, Ca Department of Water Resources’ Statewide Flood Risk Program, and Harris County’s MAAPnext Flood Mapping Program following Hurricane Harvey. Alex works for HDR as a Program Manager under the Water Resource Management team and is based out of San Diego. 

Danny Reynaga is the Western Regional Business Manager for Profile Products LLC, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, USA. His territory includes the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. He has 24 years of experience in erosion and sediment control, geosynthetics, and stormwater. Danny is a Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control (CPESC) and is a Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Developer/Practitioner (QSD/P).  Danny has extensive knowledge in sales, distribution, and technical specifications of various erosion control, sediment control, geosynthetic, and stormwater products. Danny works closely with engineers, landscape architects, contractors, municipal and state agencies, and federal regulators to educate them on solutions for vegetation establishment, erosion control, soil modification, and water quality.

Danny serves on the Board of Directors for the Western Chapter International Erosion Control Association (WCIECA) and has been a board member since 2017. 

Danny received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, San Marcos. He is a native of San Diego, CA, and lives in Cardiff- by-the-Sea, CA.

Doug Williams is a registered professional engineer specializing in the areas of civil and environmental engineering. Doug currently is a senior project manager with EnviroServices & Training Center and is heavily focused on storm water management and erosion control design. Doug’s storm water experience includes research and development, hydrology, hydraulics, design, permitting, and regulatory compliance.  With Doug’s efforts towards erosion control and storm water pollution prevention, he’s excited to play a role in mitigating the impacts of polluted runoff to receiving waters in Hawaii. 

Lee Rousey is currently the VP of Operations at ERTEC Environmental Systems and has been in the stormwater industry for 3 years. Prior to working at ERTEC, Lee completed his master’s in business administration from Texas State University. In the last year, Lee has been working with Texas A&M University and Auburn University stormwater testing facilities to better understand and bring to light the different testing methods that are available across the country to better help DOT’s and stormwater planners in their design & implementation of BMPs on a variety of projects. Outside of stormwater, Lee enjoys scuba diving, traveling, trying new cuisines, and spending time with family. 

Mr. Stone is Bowers + Kubota Consulting’s Principal-in-Charge of Civil Engineering. With over 31 years of experience, Mr. Stone’s design expertise includes stormwater treatment and inspections, ecosystem restoration, wastewater collection and treatment, water treatment and supply systems, and drainage improvements. He also has extensive experience in environmental permit processes at federal, state and county levels as related to waterfront projects, including Department of the Army permits, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, and resource agency (NOAA, USFWS, SHPD, DLNR-DAR and DOFAW) consultations. He holds bachelor’s degrees in English and Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and is a licensed civil engineer in Hawai‘i. He is also a board-certified environmental engineer in water supply and wastewater with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Certified Floodplain Manager, Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, and LEED Accredited Professional. He is a former instructor with the University of Hawai‘i Outreach Program Water Technology Education Program. A practitioner of aikido since 1988, Mr. Stone teaches children, teenagers, and adults at the Kaonohi Zanshin Aikido dojo, which meets Saturdays at the Kalihi YMCA. He is also a former podcaster on ComicsViews (http://comicsviews.com/), discussing comics, film, and television pop culture.

Has been Civil Engineer for 24 years first working in the private industry and presently government (C&C of Honolulu since 2006). 

Career started in the construction industry as a carpenter and mason in the military while attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in Civil Engineering.  Before graduating worked as a Hydrologic Technician for 2 years at USGS.  

Presently working in the Storm Water Quality Division (DFM) as the Construction BMP Inspection Section Leader.  Duties include working and communicating with other departments, agencies, and companies regarding BMP inspections, reporting and resolving discrepancies, and addressing issues on active construction sites.  And works on and manages CIPs (capital improvement projects) for the NPDES Small Erosion Prone Areas program.

JuliBeth (JB) Hinds is principal of Birchline Planning LLC, and a staff research associate and lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of California San Diego.  As a consultant, she supports municipal governments and US EPA on issues related to stormwater and wastewater finance, land use planning, and program development, including work with the City and County of Honolulu’s ongoing development of a storm water fee.  Her teaching and research at UCSD include work on the water quality impacts of homeless encampments in the San Diego River as well as teaching land use planning and planning for sustainable communities.  She also has an important role as First Mate on her husband Nick’s fishing boat and as Dog Mom to Annie and Ahi, who appear onscreen or bark during most virtual meetings.

Dr. Ming Ding earned a Ph.D. in geotechnical engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2000. Dr. Ding currently serves as Design Department Manager for AECOM, Pacific District. Dr. Ding manages a variety of civil engineering projects and supervises 40+ civil engineers.

Understanding people’s perspectives and interactions with the natural world has been an overarching theme during my 20 years as an environmental planner. For past decade work has focused on outreach and behavior change related to storm water and related topics. My work has also included watershed management and master plans with community outreach and collaborative plan making. My background includes an undergraduate degree in environmental science, a master’s degree in environmental studies, and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand.

Chloë Obara is a Graduate Research Assistant in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. As a member of the Climate Resilience Collaborative, she is interested in the intersections of climate change and coastal communities. For her master's research, she developed a comprehensive flood model of Waikīkī that accounts for sea level rise, precipitation, and storm drain backflow. 

Erika is the CEO of Reign Source, a firm specializing in California Construction General Permit (CGP) compliance.  She leads a team of professionals who have been active in the industry for over 20 years.  She is a Certified Erosion Sediment and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI), a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), a California Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD), a California Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) and California Trainer of Record (ToR).  Her professional goal is to help her firm’s clients achieve compliance both in the field and with their SWPPP documentation while also assisting them in navigating the local, state and federal agency requirements for erosion and sediment control.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her little girls, hiking, baking and reading.

Kristen Yoshida, P.E., CPESC, CPSWQ, is a Project Manager at Bowers + Kubota Consulting, specializing in water, wastewater, and stormwater. Kristen has a BS and MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Current projects include BWS’ Kalaeloa Seawater Desalination Facility, Kalaheo Water System Improvements with the County of Kauai Department of Water, and NPDES Structural BMP Retrofits with DFM-SWQ. Kristen is also active in the community with the Hawaii Council of Engineering Societies, Society of Women Engineers Hawaiian Islands Section, and Good Bears of the World Aloha Den.

Mr. Hekekia coordinates OPSD’s response to reviews of federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 343 environmental disclosure documents; is involved with Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) federal consistency reviews; and serves the lead planner for the update of the Low Impact Development (LID) Users Guide.  

He has served as  a staff planner for Hawai‘i Coastal Zone Management Program for well over a decade.  In his spare time, he is an avid ocean goer and former member of the Kailua Canoe Club.  His affinity for the ocean gives him a unique perspective on the preservation of marine environment and ocean related recreational activities.  

John Oldenburger III, P.E. received his B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. degree in Civil Engineering (emphasis in Water Resources) from California State University, Sacramento.  John worked as a hydraulic engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers for seven years, serving in both the Sacramento and Los Angeles Districts.  Following his experience at the Corps of Engineers, John diversified his engineering and business skills as a water resources consultant, engineering project manager for a homebuilder, and purchasing and contracts manager for a construction company.

In 2008, John joined Propex (now Solmax) as a market development manager responsible for providing engineering, technical, and installation support for erosion control, slope stability, and geosynthetic applications throughout the West.  In 2017, John joined Earthsavers Erosion Control where he has contributed towards different operations, sales, and leadership roles.  Earthsavers was acquired by Core & Main in June 2022.  In 2024, John started Geos EC West where he provides sales and market development services as an independent representative for industry leading geosynthetics and erosion control manufacturers.

John is married with four children.  John enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his family.  For the past 15 years, John has served as a board member for the Raise Your Hand Foundation, a non-profit organization providing scholarships and medical resources to Liberians in West Africa.  John serves as a board member for the Western Chapter IECA.

Joseph is an experienced project manager in leading infrastructure projects throughout the entire project lifestyle, from planning to construction. He also has experience leading and conducting sewer and stormdrain infrastructure assessments with various technologies in Guam and Maui, most recently the Lahaina post-wildfire Drainline Stormdrain Assessment. He also served as owner-representative for numerous infrastructure improvement projects in Guam, including the largest CIPP rehabilitation project on the island.

Marvin Heskett was raised with sustainability at the heart of family life. He is currently a practicing environmental consultant and an environmental chemist. Marvin received a B.S. in biochemistry from California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo and has worked as a mass spec. chemist, quality assurance officer, and laboratory director prior to taking on the role of a consultant. As a consultant he has worked with the State of Hawaii Department of Health in innovating novel approaches to solving environmental problems throughout the Pacific Region. Marvin has worked with the state of Hawaii Clean Water Branch to secure funding for their BEACH monitoring program and has been a stormwater practitioner for over 10 years.

Ms. Chong is an Environmental Scientist and Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control (CISEC) and a Green Infrastructure Professional (GIP) at Jacobs with 15 years of experience in Hawaii. She specializes in storm water and environmental regulatory compliance. 

She currently leads the third-party oversight inspections team and performs inspections at construction projects on behalf of the City and County of Honolulu to ensure compliance with the City’s Water Quality Rules. 

Her involvement has also included the development of technical training material in support of the City’s NPDES MS4 training program.

She is an advocate for Honolulu becoming one of the nation’s leaders in green storm water infrastructure to counteract the effects of increasing urbanization and associated adverse impacts on people and the environment.

Jesse is a civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience that includes leading design teams for green stormwater infrastructure, CSO retrofits, underground utilities, roads, parks, transit corridors, and urban building sites. In addition to planning, design, and project management, Jesse has created standard plans and details, prepared O&M plans, and created educational materials for workforce development.

Jesse is passionate about sustainable and community-centered design. He believes that a multidisciplinary, cooperative, integrated approach is imperative for sustainable design, and he enjoys collaborating with other team members to create solutions that cross the boundaries of various design disciplines and offer the most community value.

Beth is HDR’s West Region Water Resources Lead.  She is a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of Washington, has 27 years of experience as a water resource engineer, and has spent her career focusing on improving our surface waters both for water quality and habitat.  She started her career with developing Stormwater Master Plans for communities, and has also assisted communities by leading stormwater design services for stand alone stormwater retrofit projects and transportation projects.  She has spent the last 20 plus years in the Puget Sound region in Seattle with its rigorous stormwater and environmental requirements, navigating the challenging regulatory environment.   

Julia Schmitt is an environmental engineer with more than 15 years of experience managing complex water projects in California. She leads Carollo’s California stormwater practice, and performs technical and management roles on projects and programs involving needs assessments and alternatives analyses, conceptual engineering, policy development, risk and resilience, and planning studies for a range of water infrastructure projects, including green stormwater infrastructure, OneWater, drinking water, water reuse, and climate adaptation.

Rhea Quezon is an Environmental Engineer with CDM Smith. She has two and half years of experience spanning Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, utility ratemaking, Lead and Copper Rule Revision compliance, source water planning, and stormwater design and permitting. She received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of San Francisco and holds a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.

Danny Reynaga is the Western Regional Business Manager for Profile Products LLC, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, USA. His territory includes the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. He has 24 years of experience in erosion and sediment control, geosynthetics, and stormwater. Danny is a Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control (CPESC) and is a Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Developer/Practitioner (QSD/P).  Danny has extensive knowledge in sales, distribution, and technical specifications of various erosion control, sediment control, geosynthetic, and stormwater products. Danny works closely with engineers, landscape architects, contractors, municipal and state agencies, and federal regulators to educate them on solutions for vegetation establishment, erosion control, soil modification, and water quality.

Danny serves on the Board of Directors for the Western Chapter International Erosion Control Association (WCIECA) and has been a board member since 2017. 

Danny received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, San Marcos. He is a native of San Diego, CA, and lives in Cardiff- by-the-Sea, CA.

Reagan Rouble is an enthusiastic Water Resource Engineer at ABT Inc., a leading manufacturer in stormwater management solutions. With a BS in Chemical Engineering, they have quickly established themselves as an expert in the field of stormwater management, particularly in the innovative Permavoid technology. After graduating in May 2022, Reagan moved to Denver, CO, in search of a career that valued sustainability and was involved in creating a more resilient America. Shortly after passing their Engineering in Training (EIT) exam, they were offered a fitting role at ABT Inc., where they are able to expand and build upon their interests. They cover the western United States and Texas, providing cutting-edge stormwater storage designs and expert consultation to engineering groups. This work supports the development of sustainable infrastructure across the region, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative engineering solutions. 

Jeff Herr joined Brown and Caldwell as their National Stormwater Leader in 2008. He has 40 years of consulting experience throughout the US in stormwater retrofit treatment, watershed improvement and MS4 and TMDL compliance, and stream and lake restoration, from planning through design and implementation. Jeff has also performed substantial research on stormwater BMP performance efficiencies used to refine local and state stormwater regulations. Jeff is a registered Professional Engineer in multiple states.

Shelley Gustafson is the Chief Operating Officer at Hawai'i Green Growth (HGG), a United Nations-designated sustainability hub devoted to making progress on the 2030 Aloha+ Challenge, Hawai'i's local framework to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shelley facilitates the Ala Wai Watershed Collaboration, engaging diverse stakeholders to develop plans for a special watershed management district to support community resilience through an innovative and equitable governance structure. Shelley received her master’s in water resources from the University of Vermont where she studied the effects of runoff water quality on the vegetation and soil chemistry of a priority wetland conservation area. Shelley previously served as a scientific analyst for the USAID Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change project and was lead author for a publication on decision-making options for managing risk, cited in the most recent, Sixth Assessment Report by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Prior to joining HGG, Shelley built new funding streams for terrestrial systems management for the Hawai'i Association of Watershed Partnerships. Shelley is passionate about developing partnerships to build capacity for conservation and sustainability across Hawai'i and globally.

Lauren Roth Venu is an ecopreneur, a TEDx speaker and published author, who is deeply committed to deploying innovative solutions for climate resiliency.  In 2006, she formed Roth Ecological Design International to address the disparity between development practices and the preservation of ecological and water systems through the design of regenerative solutions to manage water.  Her continued passion for greening urban centers drove her to form 3Rwater that developed the Follow the Drop mobile app and data platform that helps cities and citizens collect stormwater data while also activating communities to become climate-prepared by increasing access to green infrastructure solutions.  Some of Lauren’s accolades include being named Top Emerging Designers by Pacific Edge Magazine, Top 40 under 40 by Pacific Business News, and finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year for Clean Tech.  She is also serving as a founding advisor to the World Bank Water Accelerator program as well as continues to serve in public service advisory roles to support sustainability in Hawaii’s ecosystems and communities. 

Dana Okano, PhD, AICP, is Director of the Natural Environment sector at Hawai‘i Community Foundation where she is responsible for programs such as the Hawai‘i Fresh Water Initiative, Holomua Marine Initiative, and co-chairs the Hawai‘i Environmental Funders Group.  Dr. Okano is also Director of the EPA-funded Hawaiian Islands Environmental Finance Center, providing Technical Assistance to communities applying for federal funding across Hawai‘i to address their water infrastructure needs.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Okano worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program and Coastal Zone Management Program in Saipan, CNMI.  Dr. Okano also previously worked as a Planner at County of Hawai‘i Planning Department, and she began her career as a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Benin, West Africa.  

Dr. Okano has experience providing funding and technical assistance to natural resource agencies on a range of natural resource management issues including; fresh water and marine conservation and planning, watershed management, climate change adaptation, fresh water and marine policy, community engagement, program evaluation, and grants management.  Dr. Okano has a PhD from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, and is AICP certified by the American Planning Association.