Lisa Grove, Chair

Lisa Grove has been the lead strategist and pollster for political candidates, nonprofit organizations, corporations and labor unions for over 20 years.  Lisa has had the privilege of working with an array of government officials such as Senators, Members of Congress and Governors in Hawaii and on the mainland, and was on Barack Obama’s presidential re-election team.   

Sustainability and conservation is a passion, not just a profession for Lisa.  Lisa has helped move and shape public opinion on a wide range of conservation issues from coal mining, establishing marine protected areas and wilderness to invasive species.  She is also a national thought leader on climate change and serves as an Advisory Board Member for iMatter, a national youth-led climate change group.

Lisa lives on Lāna’i and is an active member of the Lāna’i community, helping to secure grants for needed projects, acting as a hiking and history guide, and serving as Executive Director of the school foundation she helped to establish.  She and her husband also have a thriving seven-acre tropical orchard and farm, Ola Kamoku, with hundreds of papaya, ulu and citrus trees.

Jennifer Luck, Vice Chair

Committed to driving lasting community impact, Jennifer brings more than 17 years of experience in program management, multi-stakeholder negotiations, fundraising, and land management to the HILT board. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Common Ground, an asset-backed start-up based on the north shore of Kauai. In addition to the Hawai’i Land Trust Jennifer sits on the boards of Namahana Charter School, Kīpuka Kuleana, and CG Foundation and holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

Keith K. Ogata, Treasurer

President of 3-K Financial Corp. Former Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of National Education Corporation (Irvine, CA), a global leader in proprietary education, corporate training and publishing (part of the S&P 500 index).  Acquired in 1998.

SCORE Association volunteer (a national volunteer organization that mentors and advises small businesses and resource partner of the SBA), member of Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Leadership Committee, Finance Committee and Secretary.

Board member of several not-for-profit entities and for-profit, post-secondary education entities in the U.S. and Asia.

Uʻilani Tanigawa Lum, Secretary

Uʻilani Tanigawa Lum is an attorney and cultural practitioner who serves as a Legal Fellow at Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law at the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law. She is also the President of the West Maui Preservation Association, and a founder and the Director of Operations at Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, a nonprofit dedicated to catalyzing aloha ʻāina through mele and other cultural practices. Uʻi is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Maui and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, where she earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Hawaiian Studies. Uʻi graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 2019 with certificates in Native Hawaiian Law and Environmental Law. Most recently, Uʻi published a book “Malu ʻUlu o Lele – Maui Komohana in Ka Nupepa Kuokoa” and earned a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for the liner notes for the album, “Huliāmahi, Vol.1.”  As a hula practitioner, Uʻi recently underwent formal ʻūniki ceremonies, and ensures space for the practice of hula, ʻohana, and the kuleana that surrounds those kahua. She is originally from Makawao, Maui.

Mary Charles, Past Board Chair

Mary Charles is a 45-year resident of Hawai‘i with involvement in both the business community and the philanthropic community. Mary Charles pioneered the corporate incentive and group market in Hawai‘i's tourism arena and built one of the leading and most well respected destination management companies in the islands. After selling MC&A, she pursued business interests on Lānai, including the ownership of Hotel Lānai and Lānai City Grille, which she recently sold. Mary Charles continues to do projects using her event planning and logistics background and recently provided the logistics and production for the Pillars of Peace programs on behalf of Hawaii Community Foundation and The Omidyar Group. Yoga practitioner, avid golfer and loves to hike.

Rob Alston

Rob Mike’ele Alston was born and raised in Kailua, Oʻahu, Hawai’i. He attended and graduated from Punahou School where he played water polo, swam competitively, and paddled outrigger canoes. He remains a water sport enthusiast today. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.

Rob is a partner at Oros Management Company, a boutique friends and family investment fund that invests primarily in records and information management businesses run by the Oros Management Company partners. Oros Management Company led the founding and growth of The OASIS Group across Europe and ZircoDATA in Australia. Oros Management Company’s 3 investments span 4 continents and have completed over 250 add-on acquisitions and 5 successful recapitalizations.

Rob is currently a director for Thompson Safety, a private equity backed first aid and fire safety provider, a director for ZircoDATA, a private equity backed Australian records and information management provider, on the advisory board and mentors the CEO at ReThinc, a venture capital backed diversity, equity and inclusion consulting and software company; and advises Palolo, a venture capital backed employer-led community banking platform.

In addition to serving as a board director for HILT, Rob also currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Seabury Hall, a private independent school on Maui, and Lake Tahoe School, a private independent school in Nevada.

Rob relocated to Maui in 2021 with his wife of 19 years, Amy, and their two boys, Turner (15) and Kieran (12). They live on a small upcountry farm.

Joey Aquino

Joey Aquino has more than 12 years of experience working with and supporting technology entrepreneurs in Hawai‘i and globally. He currently leads strategic startup partnerships at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he has supported more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide over the past 8 years. Joey previously led business development at Teachstreet.com, a startup that connected students and teachers, and he oversaw program initiatives in more than 30 countries for the entrepreneurship nonprofit UP Global. Joey earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i Shidler College of Business. He serves on the board of Hawai‘i Kids Can and is an active venture investor.

Matt Beall

Matthew Beall started his real estate sales career in Hawai‘i in 1998. He has several years of non-profit experience, largely through Realtor organizations. He has served as the President of the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors and as a Director-at-Large and Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Association of Realtors. Matt manages all aspects of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, a large residential real estate brokerage with 14 commercial locations, 200+ sales people, 30+ full-time employees and part-time staff.

David Carswell

David Carswell is an outdoor recreation entrepreneur who has founded and overseen several businesses spanning horseback riding, cattle ranching, and an athletic club. He co-founded Princeville Ranch Adventures with his wife, Denise, and expanded the recreational activities at the ranch to include hiking, kayaking and ziplining. He also co-founded Kauai Backcountry Adventures. David’s passion for horsemanship and ranching dovetail with his interest in land stewardship.

Mason Chock

Mason Chock, President of Kupu Aʻe Leadership Development has worked in education, public service and community advocacy for 23 years. He is a Certified Master Facilitator of The Leadership Challenge, The Student Leadership Challenge, authorized partner of Everything DISC and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team Facilitator, personal coach, consultant and cultural practitioner. Mason is actively focused on positive systems change within business, education and government and has recently served as a Kauaʻi County Council Member for the last 9 years. He is a founding member of Malama Huleʻia, serves on The Hanalei Initiative board, I Ola Wailuanui, and is the co-chair of the Kauaʻi Resiliency Project. His current work is focused on creating ʻāina aloha models of regenerative and distributive economies through his consultation for Kalukalu at 1624, Kauaʻi Economic Resiliency Center.

Jocelyn Garovoy Herbert

Jocelyn is a Program Officer and Attorney with Resources Legacy Fund, where she has worked for 12 years with a focus on oceans, coasts, and fisheries programs. Jocelyn previously practiced as a land use and litigation attorney with the Kailua-Kona office of Cades Schutte, LLP, served as President of the Board of Directors of the Hawai‘i Island Land Trust, and as a member of the Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Early in her career, Jocelyn worked as a research assistant in the Environmental Law Program at the University of Hawai‘i W.S. Richardson School of Law, and as a legal intern with the Maui Coastal Land Trust, where her work culminated in publication of a law review article regarding native Hawaiian land rights and conservation land trusts. Jocelyn is a graduate of Berkeley Law, University of California, and earned her MA in Conservation Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Tyler Gomes

Tyler Iokepa Gomes is a resident of Maunawili, Oʻahu and the Chief Administrator of Kilohana at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, where he oversees the organization’s transformative approach to destination stewardship in the visitor industry. Kilohana was recently awarded a $27M contract by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, in which Gomes will be responsible for supporting the HTA in their destination management work. He most recently served as Deputy Director to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, an appointment made by Governor David Ige in 2019.  During his time at DHHL, Gomes initiated controversial proposals, like the legalization of gaming on Hawaiian Home Lands, in order to shift the discussion on the Department’s dire need for additional funding. As a result, under the Ige administration, DHHL was the recipient of the largest infusion of legislative funds, $600 million, in its 100 year history. Prior to serving at DHHL, Gomes worked for Elemental Excelerator – a non-profit funding climate technology deployment in Hawaiʻi and abroad. Gomes began his career serving as a Public Defender for over four years after graduating from the William S. Richardson School of Law with a JD and Certificate in Native Hawaiian Law in 2012 and from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

Leahi Hall

Leahi Hall was born and raised in Hamakualoa, Maui.   Growing up, malama ‘āina was more than just a concept. From a young age she attended countless meetings to protect water rights, open beach access, and preserve cultural sites.

Leahi is a member of the first graduating class of Pūnana Leo o Maui, and one of two students who continued Hawaiian language immersion education through high school in the lead class of Kula Kaiapuni O Maui.

Being raised in a rich cultural environment contributed to her earning a degree in Cultural and Social Anthropology from Stanford University.  Leahi was also a member of the Stanford women’s volleyball team, during which time Stanford won two NCAA championships.

Leahi has worked in admissions as an outreach coordinator, is on the Board of Hui Alanui ‘O Makena, is a First Nations’ Futures Fellow, and has coached youth volleyball teams to numerous top 10 National finishes, including a State Championship and a #1 National Ranking.

Neil J. Hannahs

In 2016, Neil Hannahs concluded over 41 years of service to the Kamehameha Schools and launched Hoʻokele Strategies LLC, a consulting enterprise serving as an intermediary in developing and connecting inspiring social entrepreneurs with exceptional mentors and aligned impact investment capital.

From 2000 to 2015, he directed the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools and was responsible for a portfolio of 358,000 acres of agriculture and conservation lands in Hawai‘i and also founded the First Nations Futures Program and Hawaiʻi Investment Ready Program. The work of this division earned the Innovation Award of the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance, as well as the Kamaʻāina of the Year Award from the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation.  Mr. Hannahs is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received BA and MA degrees from Stanford University.  He is active in community affairs and effective July 1, 2016, he will begin a four-year term on the State of Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resources Management.

Marissa Harman

Marissa Harman is the Director of Asset Management for Kamehameha Schools’ 293,000 acres of agricultural and conservation lands on Hawaiʻi Island. Ms. Harman and a team of asset managers and land operations staff oversee the planning, management and leasing of Kamehameha Schools’ agricultural and conservation lands on the island. Originally from Kīlauea, Kauaʻi, she is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus. Ms. Harman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, with a focus on Hawaiian Preservation and a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, both from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. She is a proud member of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii`s Class XII and currently serves on the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Economic Development Board and the Hawaiʻi Leeward Planning Conference. She previously served on the Hawaiʻi County Mayor’s Agricultural Advisory Commission, the Hāmākua Soil and Water Conservation District and the County of Hawaiʻi Real Property Tax Review Committee.

Duff Janus

Duff is the Vice President of Acquisitions and Development at MacNaughton, a Hawaii-based real estate development and investment company. Duff leads the company’s acquisition and co-lead’s development execution. Duff joined MacNaughton in the fall of 2022 after 20 years of commercial real estate development and acquisitions in Hawaii and Arizona.

Previously, Duff has served as the Senior Director of Development and a Director of Investments at Alexander & Baldwin (ALEX), a Director of Planning & Development at Kamehameha Schools, and was a founder of Form Partners LLC. Duff is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) where he was the District Chair of the Hawaii District Council (2021-2023) and is a member of the Small-Scale Development Council (black flight) national product council. Duff is a CCIM Designee and serves as a Trustee for Le Jardin Academy in Kailua, HI.

Raised in Honolulu, Duff is a graduate of Punahou School. Duff received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Boston College with a degree in Finance, was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma, and attended the London School of Economics for his junior year. Duff received his MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management where he was awarded its two highest awards in a graduating class, the Barton Kyle Yount Award and the Alfred K. Knight Award (highest GPA) along with being elected to Beta Gamma Sigma.

Duff lives in Kailua, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi with his wife Cindy, and their two boys, Devon, and Matthew.

Olin Lagon

Olin Lagon is a serial social entrepreneur and innovator who has authored multiple patents and designed solutions that have impacted millions across diverse industries. One notable example is his invention and launch of the first commercial crowdfunding service, which facilitated the flow of $100 million towards global causes. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Olin has a strong commitment to community service, having served in the U.S. Navy, the Peace Corps, and numerous nonprofits, including Purple Maiʻa, an educational nonprofit he co-founded. During the pandemic, he led an all-volunteer team that designed and hand-built emergency use ventilators.

Currently, Olin serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Economic Revitalization Commission, which he chairs, CEEDS of Peace, and ʻŌlelo Community Media. His expertise spans a range of fields, including AI, engineering, data science, finance, education innovation, and accounting. With significant experience in launching social ventures, Olin was recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a multi-industry community-based innovator.

Beth Thoma Robinson

Beth Robinson is a broker with Hawai'i Life, the leading residential real estate brokerage in Hawai'i, representing buyers and sellers of first class properties from resorts to upcountry ranches. In 2018 Ms. Robinson was named the firm's Director of Conservation and Legacy Lands. In this role she serves as a resource for owners and buyers of properties with conservation values, protecting and supporting distinctively Hawaiian Places. Ms. Robinson has a BA from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a Ph.D. in mineral economics from Colorado School of Mines. She worked for Mobil Oil and Morgan Guaranty Trust in New York City, and ran consulting and leadership development businesses prior to her real estate career. Ms Robinson is passionate about the rural community on Hawai'i Island where she has lived since 2005 and volunteers her time to "Keep Kohala, Kohala." 

Roy A. “Randy” Vitousek

Randy was born in Honolulu and spent his early years living in the forest reserve on Round Top Drive and on a family farm in Kona. He attended Hanahau‘oli School, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, and Williams College, and was in the first graduating class from the University of Hawai‘i School of Law. Randy is the Resident Partner in the Hawai‘i Island Office of Cades Schutte, LLP. His practice concentrates on representation of landowners in land use, permitting, environmental, and long-range planning issues. A life-long fisherman, surfer, and hunter, Randy is outside, on the land or in the ocean essentially every day. He feels incredibly luck to live, work, and raise his family in Hawai‘i, and specifically on Hawai‘i Island. From Kamuela, it’s easy to get into those remote, relatively untouched areas where you can see, hear, and learn so much.

Teresa Young

Teresa earned her undergraduate degree at UCSD (BA in Chemistry) and her master’s degree at San Diego State University (MS in Accounting).  She is a C.P.A., and a member of the AICPA and the California Society of C.P.A.s. Teresa led the tax-exempt organization practice for Deloitte in the Pacific Southwest while she was a partner at the firm, and is a financial expert and seasoned board member. She currently resides in Upcountry Maui, is a member of Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, and loves spending time outdoors, and in the ocean surfing. Teresa is passionate about preserving ʻāina that sustains us in our local Hawaiian communities.