Who We Are
Team
Ilima Ho-Lastimosa
Ilima is a proud third-generation, Native Hawaiian resident of Waimanalo, Hawaii. A strong proponent of food sovereignty and sustainability, she is passionate about giving Pacific Island communities the tools, knowledge and skills they need to grow food in their backyards. Towards that goal, Ilima became a certified Master Gardener and an aquaponics expert and has spent the last four years teaching aquaponics throughout the Pacific. Ilima has raised nearly $400,000 for programs benefiting Pacific Islanders. Ilima holds a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaii and is pursuing an M.S.W. at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. She co-founded Ho'oulu Pacific in the hopes that the organization will bring food sovereignty and holistic health to Waimanalo and other native communities throughout the Pacific and the world.
Ilima is a proud third-generation, Native Hawaiian resident of Waimanalo, Hawaii. A strong proponent of food sovereignty and sustainability, she is passionate about giving Pacific Island communities the tools, knowledge and skills they need to grow food in their backyards. Towards that goal, Ilima became a certified Master Gardener and an aquaponics expert and has spent the last four years teaching aquaponics throughout the Pacific. Ilima has raised nearly $400,000 for programs benefiting Pacific Islanders. Ilima holds a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaii and is pursuing an M.S.W. at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. She co-founded Ho'oulu Pacific in the hopes that the organization will bring food sovereignty and holistic health to Waimanalo and other native communities throughout the Pacific and the world.
David Walfish
Born and raised in Hawaii, David has over 16 years of experience leading teams in non-profit and for-profit work. He has been working in aquaculture and aquaponics for over nine years and has designed, constructed, and operated aquaculture, hydroponic, and aquaponic systems throughout the Pacific. He is Vice President of the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, and is the youngest member ever elected to the Executive Board of Directors. He is passionate about finding solutions to health, food production, and food sovereignty problems in the Pacific and throughout the world. David designs Ho'oulu Pacific's hydroponic and aquaponic systems to fit the communities in which they are deployed. David has a B.A. in Biology from Williams College. He co-founded Ho'oulu Pacific to promote hydroponics, aquponics, and healthy living in the Pacific and beyond.
Born and raised in Hawaii, David has over 16 years of experience leading teams in non-profit and for-profit work. He has been working in aquaculture and aquaponics for over nine years and has designed, constructed, and operated aquaculture, hydroponic, and aquaponic systems throughout the Pacific. He is Vice President of the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, and is the youngest member ever elected to the Executive Board of Directors. He is passionate about finding solutions to health, food production, and food sovereignty problems in the Pacific and throughout the world. David designs Ho'oulu Pacific's hydroponic and aquaponic systems to fit the communities in which they are deployed. David has a B.A. in Biology from Williams College. He co-founded Ho'oulu Pacific to promote hydroponics, aquponics, and healthy living in the Pacific and beyond.
Eric Martinson
Eric has 13 years of experience in aquaponics and aquaculture and their application in developing communities. He has designed, operated, and deployed technologies in countries throughout South America and the Pacific. He worked as a researcher at the Oceanic Institute in Waimanalo, Hawaii, one of the premiere aquaculture facilities in the world, for eight years. Eric is experienced in plumbing, carpentry, and masonry. He holds an M.A. in Marine and Coastal Management from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science of the University of Miami and a B.A. in Marine Biology from the University of Miami. Eric co-founded Ho'oulu Pacific to help friends who have adopted him into their 'ohana (families) in Waimanalo.
Eric has 13 years of experience in aquaponics and aquaculture and their application in developing communities. He has designed, operated, and deployed technologies in countries throughout South America and the Pacific. He worked as a researcher at the Oceanic Institute in Waimanalo, Hawaii, one of the premiere aquaculture facilities in the world, for eight years. Eric is experienced in plumbing, carpentry, and masonry. He holds an M.A. in Marine and Coastal Management from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science of the University of Miami and a B.A. in Marine Biology from the University of Miami. Eric co-founded Ho'oulu Pacific to help friends who have adopted him into their 'ohana (families) in Waimanalo.
Keith Sakuda
Keith specializes in developing sustainable models for small businesses. He has consulted for projects in Hawaii, Tahiti, China, the U.S., and Japan. His primary research areas are cross-cultural management and entrepreneurship in Hawaii’s unique cultural environment. He currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in international business, management, and entrepreneurship. Keith has a B.A. in Business from Claremont McKenna College and a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Hawaii. He co-founded Ho'oulu Pacific in the hopes of bringing new business ideas and options to island communities.
Keith specializes in developing sustainable models for small businesses. He has consulted for projects in Hawaii, Tahiti, China, the U.S., and Japan. His primary research areas are cross-cultural management and entrepreneurship in Hawaii’s unique cultural environment. He currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in international business, management, and entrepreneurship. Keith has a B.A. in Business from Claremont McKenna College and a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Hawaii. He co-founded Ho'oulu Pacific in the hopes of bringing new business ideas and options to island communities.
Board of Directors
Ms. Gemma Bulos, Director, Global Women's Water Initiative
Dr. Bernard Kratky, Professor Emeritus, U. of Hawaii/Inventor and Patent Holder of the "Kratky Method" of Hydroponics
Mr. Fred Lau, Owner and Operator, Mari's Gardens (Largest aquaponic farm in Hawaii)
Mr. Keith Sakuda, Assistant Professor of Business Management, University of Hawaii West Oahu
Dr. Bernard Kratky, Professor Emeritus, U. of Hawaii/Inventor and Patent Holder of the "Kratky Method" of Hydroponics
Mr. Fred Lau, Owner and Operator, Mari's Gardens (Largest aquaponic farm in Hawaii)
Mr. Keith Sakuda, Assistant Professor of Business Management, University of Hawaii West Oahu
Board of Advisors and Community Partners
Dr. Harry Ako, Professor of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii/Aquaponics Researcher
Dr. Bruce Anderson, Former CEO/President of Hawaii Health Systems/Former Director of Hawaii State Department of Health
Mr. Brendan Burchfiel, Owner, The Shack Hawaii Kai/Co-owner, The Shack Mililani
Dr. Jane Chung-Do, Assistant Professor, Social & Behavioral Health Sciences, University of Hawaii
Dr. Bradley "Kai" Fox, Former Assistant Extension Specialist, University of Hawaii
Mr. Jim Hollyer, Professor at the University of Hawaii, Food Safety Coach
Dr. Palama Lee, Director, Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
Dr. Jodi Leslie, Nutrition Studies Hawaii
Dr. PingSun Leung, Professor of Aquaculture and Fisheries Economics, University of Hawaii
Mr. Glenn Martinez, Owner and Director, Olomana Gardens
Dr. Jill Oliveira-Gray, Behavioral Health Specialist, I Ola Lahui/Waimanalo Health Center
Dr. Mary Oneha, Director, Waimanalo Health Center
Ms. Kehau Padilla, Director, Waimanalo Market
Dr. Tetsuzan Benny Ron, Professor of Aquaculture, University of Hawaii
Mr. Scott Shibata, President, Diagenetix, Inc.
Ms. Claire Sullivan, Director of Purchasing and Public Affairs, Whole Foods Hawaii
Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Aquaculture Specialist/Researcher, Aquaponic Research Lab, Windward Community College
Mr. Todd Watanabe, Principal, Blanche Pope Elementary School (Waimanalo, Hawaii)
Dr. Bruce Anderson, Former CEO/President of Hawaii Health Systems/Former Director of Hawaii State Department of Health
Mr. Brendan Burchfiel, Owner, The Shack Hawaii Kai/Co-owner, The Shack Mililani
Dr. Jane Chung-Do, Assistant Professor, Social & Behavioral Health Sciences, University of Hawaii
Dr. Bradley "Kai" Fox, Former Assistant Extension Specialist, University of Hawaii
Mr. Jim Hollyer, Professor at the University of Hawaii, Food Safety Coach
Dr. Palama Lee, Director, Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
Dr. Jodi Leslie, Nutrition Studies Hawaii
Dr. PingSun Leung, Professor of Aquaculture and Fisheries Economics, University of Hawaii
Mr. Glenn Martinez, Owner and Director, Olomana Gardens
Dr. Jill Oliveira-Gray, Behavioral Health Specialist, I Ola Lahui/Waimanalo Health Center
Dr. Mary Oneha, Director, Waimanalo Health Center
Ms. Kehau Padilla, Director, Waimanalo Market
Dr. Tetsuzan Benny Ron, Professor of Aquaculture, University of Hawaii
Mr. Scott Shibata, President, Diagenetix, Inc.
Ms. Claire Sullivan, Director of Purchasing and Public Affairs, Whole Foods Hawaii
Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Aquaculture Specialist/Researcher, Aquaponic Research Lab, Windward Community College
Mr. Todd Watanabe, Principal, Blanche Pope Elementary School (Waimanalo, Hawaii)