Hawaii Business and Conservation Leader Tim Johns To Be Honored for Hawaii Conservation Contributions
Hawaiian Islands Land Trust will honor Tim Johns at E Malama ʻAna Kakou, an annual fundraising gala to be held at Lanikuhonua on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Each year, HILT selects a person, group, or organization that has made a substantial impact in conservation and sustainability in Hawaii.
Johns has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to Hawaʻi’s environment and sustainability. Kelvin Taketa, former CEO of the Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) once described Johns as “the one steady presence in Hawaii conservation.” Johns’ conservation career has spanned more than three decades, beginning at The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii (TNCH) in 1986, where he was instrumental in establishing the Pelekunu and Moomomi Preserves on Molokai, Palehua Preserve on Oahu, Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on Hawaii Island, and in expanding Haleakala National Park on Maui. Later, as Director of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Johns assisted in the creation of the Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge and in the expansion of the State of Hawaiʻi Watershed Partnership network. Then, in 2003 as the Chief Operating Officer of the Estate of Samuel Mills Damon, he worked with The National Park Service and TNCH on a conservation sale to expand Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by 116,000 acres (the largest single land conservation transaction in Hawaii’s history) and in 2008, worked with the DLNR and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) on a conservation sale to protect 3,716 acres of Moanalua Valley. Johns also served as the Chair of the Hawaii Advisory Board of TPL for over 10 years, and as chair of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council for over 17 years. He also chaired the U.S. Host Committee for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s World Conservation Congress, held in Honolulu in 2016.
“We are proud to honor Tim Johns for his visionary leadership in our community and his commitment to Hawaii’s environment and community” said Laura Kaakua, HILT’s CEO. “Hawaii is indebted to Tim, and people like him, who understand the value of conservation in Hawaii and dedicate their lives to ensuring its protection.”
Throughout his career, Tim has held various executive leadership positions within the private, public and non-profit sectors, including President & CEO of Bishop Museum; Chief Operating Officer of the Estate of Samuel Mills Damon; Chairperson of DLNR; Vice-President and General Counsel at AMFAC; director of land protection at TNCH; and an attorney at a major Honolulu law firm. He is currently the President & CEO of Zephyr Insurance Company, Hawaii’s leading residential hurricane insurance carrier.
In addition to his extensive professional experience, Johns currently sits on numerous boards, including Bishop Museum, Polynesian Voyaging Society, and Malama Maunalua. He is also a U.S. Commissioner (Presidential appointment) on the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and is one of three trustees for the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust on Hawaii Island, which has recently expanded beyond ranching and real estate activities to include renewable energy and sustainable forestry initiatives. He is Chair of Wai Maoli—the Hawaii Fresh Water Initiative, which, under the auspices of the HCF and a multidisciplinary Fresh Water Council, has developed a long-term blueprint to protect the sustainability of Hawaii’s aquifers state-wide. In 2018 he was named to the Oahu Resilience Strategy Steering Committee for the City & County of Honolulu.
“Hawaii’s identity is indelibly tied to the land,” says Johns. “Organizations such as HILT play an absolutely vital role in protecting Hawaii’s valuable natural and cultural resources. What’s more, they are essential to maintaining people’s connection to land – it’s that connection that ensures future generations’ understanding of, and pride in, our heritage. It is what helps make Hawaii so very special.” notes Johns.
Tim Johns, along with HILT’s many supporters, have enabled the organization to deliver an incredible amount of conservation success, protecting more than 20,000 acres across Hawaii. The Land Trust owns and stewards 7 preserves, holds 40 conservation easements restricting private land, and is actively working to protect additional special places. The 2019 E Malama Aina Kakou gala will enable HILT to protect and care for more irreplaceable lands to ensure communities across Hawaii will forever have coastlines to enjoy, healthy local food from farms, ranches, and fishponds, fresh drinking water from protected watersheds, and ancestral lands that maintain our connection with the past.
HILT invites everyone to join them in celebrating Tim Johns for his community leadership, philanthropy and vision at this year’s HILT benefit, E Malama Aina Kakou.
The evening is an island-style pāʻina under the stars at the historic and gorgeous grounds of Lanikuhonua. Guests will be treated to delicious local fare provided by the renowned culinary team from Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman, along with craft cocktails, an exciting live auction, and live entertainment.
Event Details:
Saturday, September 14, 2019
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute
92-1101 Aliʻinui Dr
Kapolei, HI 96707
Tables of 10 are available for $2,500, $5,000 and, $7,500
Individual Tickets are $250 per person
Or by phone at (808) 791-0731
For more information about the event, visit hilt.org or email.