HomeMy WebLinkAboutRD.3 Malama O PunaMALAMA O PUNA
P.O Box 1467
Pahoa, Hawai‘i 96778
(808) 965-2000
www.malamaopuna.org * malamaopuna@yahoo.com
Protecting Hawai‘i’s precious natural heritage
May 13, 2024
County of Hawai‘i, Research & Development
ATTN: Douglass Adams, Director
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1301
Hilo, HI 96720
Re: Statement of Qualifications for Professional Services
Aloha, Director Adams:
I am writing to submit the Statement of Qualifications on behalf of Malama O Puna for consideration
in providing professional services for RD3: Community Planning and RD11: Food Technologies.
With our long-standing dedication to sustainability, innovation, environmental preservation, and
community-centric solutions, Malama O Puna is poised to contribute significantly to the objectives
of your department.
The board and leadership of Malama O Puna possesses a diverse range of expertise, including
planning, community engagement, and natural resource preservation. We understand the critical
importance of thoughtful community planning in fostering resilience and sustainability.
Our approach emphasizes community engagement, environmental stewardship, and long-term
viability. We are committed to advancing innovative solutions for food security, waste reduction, and
sustainable agriculture. Our track record of implementing successful projects speaks to our
capability to deliver tangible results.
We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the Department of Research &
Development and contribute to initiatives that positively impact communities and the environment.
Please find enclosed our Statement of Qualifications for your review.
Thank you for considering Malama O Puna for professional services.
Mahalo,
Eileen O’Hara, Ph.D.
Executive Director
1. The name of the firm or person, contact information including email address, the principal place
of business, and location of all of its offices;
Malama O Puna
Eileen O’Hara, Ph.D., Executive Director
POB 1467, Pahoa, HI 96778
malamaopuna@yahoo.com
Organization operates virtually with office space planned in Pahoa in conjunction with a new location
for the Pahoa Lava Zone Museum on Pahoa Village Road.
2. The age of the firm and its average number of employees over the past five years;
The organization was founded as a 501c3 nonprofit in April 2000. Since 2020, the organization has
maintained one employee (Executive Director), and currently has a 9-member Board of Directors
who along with project coordinators assist in projects.
3. The education, training, and qualifications of the individual, or if a firm, its key employees in
accordance with HRS 103D-304 and/or the professional and scientific occupation series
contained in the United States Office of Personnel Management's Qualifications Standards
Handbook (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classificationqualifications/general-
schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF);
The resume of the Executive Director is attached along with a description of the 9-member board as
elected in May 2024. Board members serve 2-year terms with approximately one-half of the board
elected each year.
4. A list of recent projects and the names of up to five clients who may be contacted, including at
least two for whom services were rendered during the preceding year;
• Feral Pig Control Project – funded by County Research & Development – Glenn Sako,
Glenn.Sako@hawaiicounty.gov
• Kealoha Estate Road Restoration – funded under the Kilauea Recovery Grant #2 cycle – Ku’ulei
Kealoha Cooper, whipmkealoha@aol.com
• Keaau Intermediate PTSA – funded under CRFs from Councilmembers D4 & D5 – Tiffany Edward
Hunt tiffany.edwards_hunt@k12.hi.us
• Wai’ele Stewardship Project – funded under the Hawaii County PONC program – PONC
Commission, PONC@hawaiicounty.gov
• Black Sands Community Food Garden – funded under a CRF from Councilmember D4 – Gregory ,
Dibenedetto, Board President gregdib@yahoo.com
• Nanawale Community Garden and Mobile Kitchen project – funded under a DOA grant – Alison
Barrett, NCA Executive Director, allison@nanawalecommunity.com
5. Any promotional or descriptive literature which the individual or firm desires to submit.
Please visit our website at www.malamaopuna.org
The Malama O Puna Board of Directors for 2024-25
Returning to the board of Malama O Puna for the second of their two-year terms are:
1) Tim Rowan (current President) – Tim is a former restaurant chef and butcher who moved to
Hawaii from Florida 8 years ago. He resides in Lower Puna where he volunteers in his HOA, NW
group, and with Malama O Puna. Tim ensures the Pahoa Roundabout re-landscaping project of
May 2023 is properly maintained!
2) Amedeo Markoff (current Treasurer) – Amedeo has resided on the Big Island for decades with
his wife raising two children. He is credentialed in forestry resource management, a woodworker
and craftsman, and serves as the President of Pahoa Mainstreet Assn and Executive Director of
the Pahoa Lava Zone Museum
3) William ‘Bill’ Steiner (current Board member) Bill is a past Dean of the UHH College of
Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management. He is working with a group on a
project to promote the growth of oil seed palms to provide feedstock for production of
biodiesel.
4) Sylvia ‘Maya’ Dolena (current Board member) – Sylvia is currently a resident of Puna Mauka
having lost her farm to lava in Kapoho in 2018. She is very active with the animal welfare groups
on the island and is a past corporate planning strategist.
The following individuals elected in May 2024 will serve 2-year terms
5) Sherry Kelso Palmer (current Secretary) – Sherry is a founding member of Malama O Puna in
2000, and has been an active member since. She maintains a record of minutes and preserves
some of the graphics done for MOP including our logo. Sherry is running for re-election.
6) Diane Franciosa – (Current Board Member) Diane has served as a board member for Malama O
Puna for the last three years coming to the organization with a plethora of experience operating
and being a board member with nonprofits; specifically United Way. She, along with our recent
Vice President, Page Else, are part of a Hula Halau which MOP refers to as our “sister” halau.
7) Issac Pedro – Issac is a resident of Nanawale Estates, graduated from Hawaii Community College
with an AS in automotive repair and working on a teaching credential through Leeward College
to teach automotive maintenance and repair at Pahoa Highschool where he is also engaged in
the ALPSS program supporting students experiencing difficulty in a traditional learning
environment. He has worked with his students at Pahoa Highschool to plant and maintain a
dryland taro patch at the Kahuwai working with Keone Kalawe.
8) Jessica Wilkes – Jessica is a resident of Black Sands Subdivision where she has been a stalwart
volunteer in all community activities from the keiki community garden and school, to cleaning up
their community spaces. She has volunteered at events to help Malama O Puna showcase the
work being done in Black Sands subdivision.
9) Amanda Ternus – Amanda is currently living in Puna Mauka due to working remotely. She is the
State’s Digital Equity Coordinator under DBEDT working from home and traveling to Oahu as
needed. She holds an MA in Community Economic Development and has authored a few
publications related to sheltering, economic recovery planning; and holds numerous certificates
in leadership. She has worked as a Trauma and Addictions Counselor with the indigenous
population in B.C., Canada, and as a teacher in Hawaii where she has also worked as a State
Hazard Mitigation Strategist, as a Development Director for the Kaua’i Humane Society, and as
the Fundraiser Manager at Kulani Oceanside Retreat.
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CURRICULUM VITAE
M. Eileen O’Hara, Ph.D.
Physical Address: 15-2782 Papio Street, Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
Telephone: (808) 965-1981-h; (808) 896-1902-c
E-mail: eohara58@gmail.com
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. Agricultural & Resource Economics –1998: Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI. (3.7 GPA)
Concentration in Urban/Environmental Planning and Resource Economics
M.A. Economics – 1995: Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI. (3.7 GPA) – Concentration in
Environmental and Energy Economics
B.S. AgBusiness, minor Economics – 1992: University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI. (4.0 GPA)
A.S. Horticulture and Landscape Design – 1980: San Francisco City College, San Francisco, CA.
AWARDS: Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year Award, University of Hawaii at Manoa (1993)
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
1997-present University of Hawaii at Hilo, College of Business & Economics (CoBE) & College of
Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM). F/T & P/T. Adjunct
Faculty and Assistant Professor. Assigned to teach Microeconomics, Macroeconomics,
Economic Development, Natural Resource & Environmental Economics, Managerial
Economics, Business Statistics, AgEconomics, AgBusiness Management & Marketing,
and Technical & Scientific Writing for Environmental Sciences.
2011-2024 Purdue University Global. P/T Adjunct Faculty. Teach and design online undergraduate
and graduate courses in Environmental Management, Economics, and Public Policy for the
School of Legal Studies’ Environmental Management & Policy track. Subject area expert.
2007-2022 DeVry University. P/T Visiting Professor. Taught and designed undergraduate and
graduate courses in economics, renewable energy and sustainability marketing for the
School of Arts & Sciences and the Sustainability Program. Subject area expert.
2008-2011 Grand Canyon University. P/T Adjunct Faculty. Taught and designed graduate course
curriculum in Public Sector and Managerial Economics in the Ken Blanchard College of
Business and the College of Doctoral Studies.
1994 - 1996 Evaluation Section, Department of Education, State of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI. P/T
Researcher and Trainer. Developed internal management performance audit for
School/Community-Based Management. Conducted training workshops with school
personnel and stakeholders.
1992 - 1994 University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics,
Honolulu, HI. P/T Teaching Assistant. Statistics, Econometrics, and Applied Calculus.
1990 - 1991 Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI. P/T Research Assistant.
Assisted in developing surveys for floriculture industry: retail, wholesale, and cost of
production. Conducted anthurium cost of production survey. Compiled the data. P/T
NON-ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
2020-present Malama O Puna, Pahoa, HI. Executive Director. Manage an environmental nonprofit. (PT)
2016 - 2018 County of Hawaii, Hilo, HI. County Council Representative, District 4. Elected to
represent the Lower Puna District. Chair of the Environmental Management Committee,
Vice Chair of Agriculture, Land and Energy Sustainability & Planning Committees. (PT)
2007 – 2011 Pacific Biodiesel, Kahului, HI. Business Development Specialist. Coordinator for
financial investment/environmental planning of special projects e.g. Big Island Biodiesel,
LLC. Developed federal, state & private grant/loan proposals and managed grants. (FT)
2006 – 2007 State of Hawaii, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hilo HI. Contracts Manager.
Procured goods & services for East Hawaii Hospital facilities in compliance with state
procurement code, federal healthcare regulations, and all applicable laws. (FT)
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2001 – 2006 County of Hawaii, Hilo, HI. Recycling Program Coordinator. Planned, contracted, and
administered county recycling/reuse programs for the Recycling Section of the
Environmental Management Dept. Prepared budgets, conducted public education and
administered grants. Planner IV. Planning Department staff for the Planning Commission.
Researched re-zoning requests, special management area and special use permits, state land
use boundary amendments, and conducted environmental reviews. (FT)
2002 - 2003 Recycle Hawaii, Hilo, HI. Executive Director. Planned and supervised recycling and
environmental programs, administered grants & fee-for service contracts to provide public
education, operated recyclable collection sites. Collected data & evaluated projects. (PT)
1997-2001 Hawaii Organic Farmers Assn, Hilo, HI. Executive Director/ Quality Control Officer.
Maintained organizational databases, administrative/operating procedure manuals, and
oversaw compliance with federal accreditation standards for organic certifications. (PT)
1996 - 2000 Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. (HELCO), Hilo, HI. Project Coordinator - Solar
Electric Programs. Conducted market research for utility sponsored photovoltaic (solar
electric) residential systems and street lighting. Conducted focus groups, interviews,
surveys, pilot programs, data collection, evaluation, and public presentations. (FT)
1994 Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR), Honolulu, HI.
Consultant. Designed, administered, and reported on a survey of residential photovoltaic
systems on the island of Hawaii. Study funded by DBEDT, State of Hawaii. (PT)
GRANTS PROCURED:
UHH-USDA Anthurium Blight Study (1991); HELCO-Dept. of Energy-Public Utilities Photovoltaic
Group (1996-1999) & Million Solar Roofs, (1999); Recycle Hawaii – USDA Rural Utility Services.
(2003-05); Hawaii County – Dell (2004); EPA Brownfields (2005); Pacific Biodiesel SBA Innovation
grant (2009), USDA Business grant/loan (2010); Malama O Puna USDA/DOA (2022); Hawaii County
–Lava Recovery grant (2020), WaiWai grant (2022-24), R&D Ag grant (2023), PONC Stewardship grant
(2023-24) and several County Council CRFs (2019-2022); HCF-Puna Strong grants (2021-23)
APPOINTMENTS:
• Cost of Gov’t. Commission, County of Hawaii, Hilo, HI. Commissioner July 2010 – June 2011.
• Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 Vision Keepers, County of Hawaii Planning Department, Hilo, HI.
Member 2006-08; Chair 2009-10.
• Governor’s Environmental Council, State of Hawaii, Office of Environmental Quality Control,
Honolulu, HI. State Senate confirmed. Commissioner 2004-08; Chair, Admin. Rules Committee.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
• Hawaiian Shores Community Assn., Pahoa, HI. President, BOD 2011-16 & 2020-23.
• Hawaii Vacationland Community Assn., Pahoa HI. Vice President, Board of Directors, 2019-21.
• Hawaii Electric Light Co. Inc., Integrated Resource Plan Advisory Group, Hilo, HI. 1996-97.
• Hawaii Organic Farmers Association, State of Hawaii. Vice President, 1993-94 & 1996-97.
• Graduate Student Association, AREC, Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa. President 1993.
• National Agri-Marketing Association, University of Hawaii Chapter, Treasurer 1991-92.
INTELLECTUAL CONTRIBUTIONS – PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS:
O’Hora-Weir, M. E., and S. Ganapole (April, 1996). “The Impact of School Level and Socio-Economic
Variables on the Adoption of School Community Based Management in Hawaii’s Public Schools.”
Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, NY.
S. Ganapole and M. E. O’Hora-Weir (April, 1996). “Evaluating Site-Based Managed Schools: A Site-
Based Approach.” Paper presented at the American Educational Research Assn, NY 1996.
O’Hora-Weir, M. E., and J. F. Yanagida (February, 1997). “The Cost of Public Schooling in Hawaii: an
Examination of Size Economies in Elementary Schools.” Paper presented at the annual meeting
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of the Western Regional Science Association, Hawaii.
O’Hora-Weir, M. E. (1998). Technical Efficiency of Hawaii’s Public High Schools. Doctorate
dissertation. University of Hawaii at Manoa. UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, MI
O’Hora-Weir, E., and J. F. Yanagida (2000). “Factors Affecting the Adoption of School Community
Based Management (SCBM) in Hawaii’s Public Schools,” The Social Science Journal, Volume
37, Number 3, pages 473-480.
Deng, D.F., Ju, Z. Y., Dominy, W., Moriwake, A., O’Hara, M. E., Mosher, P., and Levin, P. (November
2011). “Application of a biodiesel co-product to control apple snail: acute toxicity and active
compound identification.” Paper presented at the 32nd annual meeting of the Society of
Environmental Technology and Chemistry, North America.
CONSULTING WORKS:
O’Hora-Weir, M. E. (October, 1994). Results of a Survey of Residential Photovoltaic Systems in Hawaii
County. Conducted for the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR)/
funded by the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
O’Hora-Weir, M. E. (December, 1994). On the Impact of Tax Credits, Energy Prices, and Perceptions of
Environmental Risks Due to Fossil Fuel Electrical Generation on the Adoption of Photovoltaic
Technology in Hawaii. Study conducted for the Pacific International Center for High Technology
Research (PICHTR), Honolulu, Hawaii.
O’Hora-Weir, M. E. (August, 1996). A Market Potential Study for Off-Grid Residential Photovoltaic
System on the Island of Hawaii. Study conducted for Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc.
(HELCO). Funded by the Utilities for Photovoltaic Group/U.S. DOE, Hilo, Hawaii.
O’Hora-Weir, M. E. (August, 1999). Million Solar Roofs Implementation Plan. Study conducted for
Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. (HELCO) and funded by U.S. DOE, Hilo, Hawaii.
O’Hora-Weir, E. (March, 2001). Organic Certification Handbook. Compiled for the Hawaii Organic
Farmers Association in preparation for accreditation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
National Organic Program, Hilo, HI.
O’Hora-Weir, E. (December, 2005). Transfer Station Enhancement Plan. Report compiled for the Solid
Waste Division, Department of Environmental Management, County of Hawaii, Hilo, Hawaii.
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO PROJECTS:
Backyard Composting (March, 2005). Produced for the County of Hawaii by Out of the Sea Media Arts.
Recycling Commercial – 30-second spot (Nov. 2005). Produced for the County of Hawaii
Malama I Ka `Aina; One Island’s Struggle with Illegal Dumping. (Dec., 2005). 30-minute network
broadcast quality documentary produced by Recycle Hawai`i under funding from the County of
Hawaii and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utility Services.
REFERENCES:
Aaron Chung, Attorney, former County Councilmember. PO Box 11458 , Hilo , HI , 96721. (808) 935-
0033 (work) and (808) 937-4772 (cell). Served with Mr. Chung on County Council 2016-2018.
Angelic Ebbers, Lead Controls Software Engineer, TMT (808) 960-5105. Aebbers@tmt.org. Personal
reference and collaborator at Kukini Dog Agility Club.
Bruce Mathews, former Dean of CAFNRM. University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720.
(808) 217-7393 (cell). bmathews@hawaii.edu. Faculty under Dr. Mathews at CAFNRM.
Ku’ulei Kealoha Cooper, Trustee, James & Miulan Kealoha Trust, (808) 934-7799
whipmkealoha@aol.com. Community steward and collaborator on Kilauea Recovery projects.
Russell Ruderman, former State Senator. (808) 443-1703. russell@russellruderman.com. Served briefly
as his Office Administrator in his first year. Acquaintance for over 40 years.