MEET THE CREW

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.

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. 

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.

Marcus Richter, GIS Analyst 

Marcus grew up in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen, Germany, and developed a passion for nature despite - or because of - the urban environment. At the Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena he studied Biology with special focus on Ecology and Zoology. After graduating with his master's degree he worked in environmental conservation and outreach in the Zillertaler Alps and the Thüringer Schiefergebirge. In 2017 he joined the MKWP team for almost five years as a field assistant. What followed was a 2.5 years stint in Syracuse, NY, where he shoveled snow, spotted trains, enjoyed the outdoors with his dog Farin, coached tennis, and laid the foundation to return to Maui to become MKWP's GIS Analyst. To counterbalance the days in the office (and his sweet tooth) Marcus spends a lot of time with physical activities such as playing tennis and inline hockey, swimming with Farin, and family trips to the (climbing) gym.

Julian Dendy, Restoration Management Technician

Julian sprouted on a mesa top in the sky island of the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico, where his passion for the outdoors took root. In route to pursuing degrees in Biology and Spanish at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, he lived in Costa Rica for a few years studying tropical conservation biology and working as a naturalist guide. This lit a passion for tropical habitats which motivates him to study, protect and restore them wherever he can. For most of the 25 years that followed, he was lucky to work in tropical forests in Panama, Palau, Hawaii, and Guam. He completed his MSc at UH Hilo, with a focus on forest restoration. For a decade afterwards he conducted collaborative long-term research with the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry on land cover change, anthropogenic wildfire and forest dynamics. He is grateful to have the opportunity to help restore the unique native habitats of West Maui!

Kayla Takakura, Outreach & Education Associate 

Kayla grew up in Wailuku, Maui and developed an appreciation for Hawaiʻiʻs unique ecosystem at a young age. After graduating with her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Redlands, she spent her time studying endangered birds and the relationships they have with their communities across the Pacific. After a brief hiatus leading an internship program for high school students focused on conservation in Pennsylvania, she is excited to return home to Mauna Kāhālawai, where she will be supporting MKWP’s mission through educational programming and strengthening community connections. In her free time she enjoys hiking, swimming, and eating ono food!

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.

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 II

Born and raised on the Island of Maui, Tahiti developed a love for Hawaiian culture and aloha ʻāina 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 Kāhālawai Watershed Partnership crew.

Paige Moffit, Field Assistant 1

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! 

Wyatt Savella, Field Assistant 1

Wyatt was born and raised in Kealakekua on Hawaiʻi Island and now lives in Lahaina. Before working at MKWP, he studied at UH Mānoa and graduated with a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Management. During his studies, Wyatt was a PIPES intern with Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, volunteered with the UH Mānoa Campus Arboretum, and participated in community work days with various organizations. These experiences further strengthened his passion for taking care of the environment and shaped his goal of working in the field to gain conservation experience in Hawaiʻi. Outside of work, Wyatt enjoys hiking, fishing, bodyboarding, reading, learning, and spending time with family and friends.

Ethan Villanueva, Field Assistant 1

Ethan was born and raised in Kihei on the island of Maui, Hawaii. His passion for conservation was sparked through his love for being outdoors and surrounded by nature. After completing a KUPU internship that took him to the native forests of the Waikamoi Reserve, he studied at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he received a Bachelors in Natural Resource and Environmental Science. While studying on Oahu, he interned with the Manoa Cliffs Restoration Project, doing invasive plant species control and native species outplanting. He is excited to join the MKWP crew as a Field Assistant I to further develop his skills in watershed protection, preservation of our rare native plant species, and caring for the island that he grew up on. On his days off, Ethan still pushes to be outdoors as much as possible. He enjoys surfing, hiking, cruising the beach, or catching a sunset.

Therize Millare, Field Assistant 1

Born and raised in Saipan, CNMI, Reece developed a deep appreciation for ʻāina after being surrounded by its natural beauty from a young age. Her passion for conservation stems from a strong desire to protect the land for future generations. Reece began her conservation journey building ungulate fences with Pono Pacific before joining Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership. Outside of her work in the mauka, Reece also works as a surf instructor on the makai side. In her free time, she enjoys surfing, hiking and spending time in nature with friends and family.  Feeling spiritually and culturally connected to place, she finds purpose not only in caring for natural spaces, but also in sharing that connection with others