Hawaiian Environmental Leaders Champion Conservation and Community Stewardship
Three prominent women in Hawaii are leading significant environmental and conservation efforts across the islands. Christy Martin, Program Manager and Information Officer at UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit / Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS), is focused on mitigating invasive species, which are the leading cause of biodiversity loss in Hawaii. Her work involves policy advocacy, such as restricting the movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material, and public awareness campaigns. Amy Goto, a Scientific Diver and Boat Captain at Kuleana Coral Restoration, is dedicated to reef restoration, addressing threats like climate change and ocean acidification. Her team performs emergency coral reattachment and deploys coral larvae to restore damaged reefs. Lea Hong, Associate Vice President and Hawaii State Director of Trust for Public Land, has led efforts to preserve 49 sites totaling nearly 78,000 acres statewide, focusing on creating parks and conserving land for people, often returning c...
