Meet Our Crew
We have a position open! Scroll down to learn more.
Kaiena Bishaw II, Weed Control Supervisor
Kai’ena Bishaw II, born and raised in Hawaii, comes to Mauna Kahalawai (MKWP) as the NRM Weed Program Supervisor. Before this new endeavor and the BEEG Move to Maui, Kai'ena has worked for USGS and USDA Forest Service in various capacities. However, he really enjoyed, most of all, the title of botanical geological hydrological research specialist with USGS along side morpho-geologist out of Menlo Park and botanist from HVNP, study the pre and post vegetation, mapping, and erosion studies in part due to mechanical impacts to the Hawaiian landscape of Ke'amuku. He has studied and researched native forest infrastructure across various watersheds on Hawaii Island and Kauai under the label of Climate Science and Climate Change. Through his many experiences and vast knowledge, his wishes are to: support, provide, and advise MKWP down a PONO PATH for the Mauna, it's environment and its relationship to its people. E Onipa'a Kakou!
Chris Brosius, Program Manager
Chris came to MKWP as the Program Manager in July 2004. He is originally from Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Natural Resource Management. Previous experiences have included work the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project's habitat management program, Haleakala National Park's endangered species management, USGS's avian disease project on the Big Island as well as an assignment with National Geographic in Belize. Always working hard at grants, Chris is the man who drives and supports MKWP’s efforts to preserve and protect the watershed.
John Comcowich, Fencing Supervisor
John grew up in Leadville, Colorado. After graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Natural Resource Management, he came to Maui in 2002. He worked in the tourist industry in West Maui for a few years before deciding to pursue a career more suited to his interests and education. John’s first conservation job on the island was with the East Maui Watershed Partnership, but longed to return to the sun and surf of the West side. John has enjoyed working for the Partnership where the people are as diverse as the environments. Whenever he is out of the mountains John likes to leave the land and dive into a variety of ocean activities.
Kim Thayer, Program Associate
Kim’s childhood hike with Hawai`i Nature Center while on a field trip while attending Wailuku Elementary School in 1993, was an ordinary field trip that would make an extraordinary impression that would fire an inspiration that she’d carry forward in her life, her work and her family. She fell in love with nature. In 2012, Kim joined the Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership to contribute directly to protecting Maui’s native ecosystems, cultural treasures, and forested watersheds that generate most of Maui’s freshwater supply. She found her passion for educating everyone about natural resources, protection, and stewardship. Splitting her time between the office, the backcountry, and the community, Kim managed fiscal operations and led MKWP’s Volunteer Stewardship and Public Outreach and Education Programs. She works intermittently at MKWP now and remains an integral part of the program.
Taylor Fernandez, Senior Field Assistant
Taylor was born and raised on the Island of Maui. He grew up in the city of Wailuku where he developed a passion and love for the outdoors. His hobbies include surfing, fishing, diving, and hiking.
Jackson Lausterer, Senior Field Assistant
Jackson was born and raised in Hawaii. Growing up around the land and sea, connectivity and having fun were always a part of life. Now having the opportunity to work with Mauna Kahālāwai, all his passions can be focused on influencing others to be connected and protect the land.
Justin Sandler, Field Assistant II
Justin was born and raised on Maui and graduated at University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2020. He is always eager to learn, with a primary interest in animals; whether it be native birds, snails, or bugs. He began his conservation experience working with endangered birds at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge as a volunteer, before joining Kupu to further his efforts. After his Kupu term at Mauna Kahalawai, he solidified his position as a permanent hire. Wanting to keep a balanced lifestyle he enjoys indoor activities just as much as outdoor, which comes in handy when it comes to data and GIS management.
Tahiti Ahsam, Field Assistant I
Born and raised on the Island of Maui, Tahiti developed a love for Hawaiian culture and aloha aina at a young age. She enjoys volunteering with different community organizations as a way to learn, connect, and give back. Tahiti studied Hawaiian language and culture, anthropology, and agriculture for two years at the University of Hawaii at Hilo before moving back to Maui and joining her first conservation job with the Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership crew.
Kadian V Shaw, Outreach and Education Associate
Kadian was born and raised on the island of Maui and graduated from Lahainaluna High School. She has a wide verity of experience from interning with Kupu at different conservation organizations across Maui, earning a BA in Anthropology with a focus in Hawaiian Archeology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo to earning a MA in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management from SIT Graduate Institute based in Brattleboro Vermont. She has a passion and enthusiasm for connecting people to native environments and sharing the importance of mālama ʻāina. Her hope as the outreach and education associate is to help inspire, raise and support the next generation of mālama ʻāina stewards and to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for native Hawaiian species.
Jill LaBram, Operations Manager
Jill grew up in Florida and graduated from Stetson University. She has worked a variety of wildlife and environmental education jobs throughout the mainland and then got her master's at Clemson University monitoring reptiles and amphibians. Jill came to MKWP in March 2005 and has been the NRM/Operations Manager since 2017. When she is not busy with writing reports, planning missions, organizing data, or working out in the field, she likes to swim, snorkel, camp, play soccer, dance hula and hang out with her family. She feels lucky and grateful to be part of the MKWP 'ohana.
Paige Moffit, Field Assistant
Paige was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors in Community Health, she ventured on to explore the interplay between environmental and human health. She moved to Maui in 2022 where she initially worked at UHMC to implement campus wide sustainability initiatives. Paige feels grateful to help protect such special places and foster principles of sustaining knowledge with Mauna Kahālāwai. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, swimming, gardening, and art!
Erik MacIntyer-Lewicke, Field Assistant
Erik was born in Edmonton, Alberta and moved to Hawaii in 2002. He is a recent graduate of the University of Hawaii at West Oahu. And has since taken up the opportunity to work at Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership. He finds the program to not only be a way to give back to the community, but a great way to learn new skills and become familiar with the diverse flora found only in Hawaii.
Mia Charleston, Program Coordinator
Mia, originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania, spent her childhood captivated by Jacques Cousteau's ocean expeditions. This early fascination laid the foundation for her career in oceanography. Her journey eventually led her to Maui, where her involvement with the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council and the Maui Ocean Center deepened her understanding of the Hawaiian coral reef ecosystem. Through free diving and scuba, Mia witnessed firsthand the impact of terrestrial activities on coastal waters. She is grateful to work at Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership as she can contribute to the conservation of water and the protection of native Hawaiian forests and nearby reefs. She is an avid stand up paddler, hiker, swimmer and an enthusiastic member of the Native Hawaiian Plant Society.
Career Opportunities
MKWP Natural Resource Management Technician (Job ID 224063)
Under the guidance of the Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership (MKWP) Program Manager and in collaboration with the MKWP Natural Resource Management (NRM)/Operations Develops and implements plans for ungulate control to protect the nearly 50,000-acre MKWP management area. Plans and leads field activities related to animal control, scouts/surveys, and transect monitoring, including testing and identifying successful methods for ungulate control. Acts as primary liaison between program and land managers/land owners, and hunters. Records detailed field data and summarizes and coordinates data analysis using various computer programs
MKWP Senior Field Assistant (Job ID 223789)
Builds, inspects, and maintains fences in the Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership (MKWP) Management Area. Conducts alien plant monitoring and control in the MKWP Management Area. Conducts invasive weed control through approved methods (e.g., mechanical, chemical, etc.) and monitoring activities. Controls alien plants using mechanical and chemical (e.g., herbicides) techniques. Tracks animals using aerial surveys, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and other potential surveillance technologies. Drives project vehicles to work sites and works in and around helicopters. Establishes and monitors transects to evaluate forest recovery and plant distribution. Keeps detailed records of activities, inputs data, and provides summaries and analysis of field data. Read on below for instructions on how to apply, and contact us with any questions!
How to Apply
Applications for the Senior Field Assistant and Technician positions are accepted through RCUH. From the RCUH homepage, click on "Job Postings" and search for the Job ID number noted above. The following documents will be required for your application: (1) cover letter, (2) resume, (3) supervisory references, (4) copy of degree(s), transcript(s), certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by 11:59pm on the closing date.
RCUH is an EEO/AA Employer.
Kupu AmeriCorps Internship
Do you enjoy camping, hiking and working in the outdoors? Are you interested in a career in conservation? Every year, we sponsor a PAID YEAR-ROUND INTERNSHIP through the Kupu Hawaii Conservation Leadership Development Program. This is a chance to join our conservation team, protect the forests of the West Maui Mountains, and learn about watershed protection, native and invasive species, and natural resource management techniques in Hawaii.
To apply for an internship with us, get your resume and references together and submit your application with Kupu Hawaii or email them directly to us at aloha@maunakahalawai.org.
Careers in Conservation
Curious about what it takes to do the work we do? Check out this brief presentation from our Program Associate, Kimberly Thayer, about pursuing a career in conservation with us. To hear more from other conservation organizations on Maui about the work we all do, visit Maui Huliau Foundation’s complete Careers in Conservation playlist on YouTube.