J.D. Wyatt / Director of Operations

J.D. Wyatt was selected as Director of Maui Operations in August of 2002 to oversee the diverse Maui site in Iao Valley. "Blending retail and service activities with Hawaii Nature Center's exceptional educational programs has been an interesting challenge." remarks the former Vice President and General Manager of Patioworld, a top 10 national retailer.

Born and raised in California, J.D. earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from California State University, Sacramento in 1989. After 10 years of consulting in the retail industry, J.D. moved to Maui to "re-evaluate my priorities and follow my dreams." An active member of the community, J.D. is also a board member of the Maui Executives Association. J.D. is an avid scuba diver and hiker, but he also enjoys playing music and spending time at the beach. 
 

Jay Franey / Programs Manager

 

"Education is everywhere, especially if you make learning fun".

 

This has been a guiding premise for the educational and artistic pursuits of Jay Franey. His journey as an educator began after his graduation from Maryland Institute College of Art in 1992 with a Bachelors in Fine Arts degree. He has worked with several education based non-profits on the mainland and here in Hawaii. His experiences as a teacher began with art, but has grown to address special needs education, and nature based outdoor education. His passion for the Hawaiian environment has led him to work with schools such as Seabury Hall as an outdoor educator, providing adventures on the beautiful island of Maui. He also worked with a renowned eco-tour provider on island to expand his knowledge of Hawaiian culture, plants, and ecology.

 

After nearly a year of running his own tour company "Adventure's in Paradise", he became inspired to seek out an opportunity to work again with children. Jay crossed paths with Maui Operations Manager JD Wyatt and accepted the Maui programs manager position. A natural progression back to the service of the islands keiki.

 

Jay has been a lifelong artist, in the media of painting, drawing, with a recent emphasis on nature photography. He is also a plant lover, and has trained in tropical permaculture for the last 12 years. Planting numerous orchards, and gardens on Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island.  

 

DeeDee Santos / Gift Shop Manager 

John Soliven / Maintenance Manager 

Malia Cahill / Senior Environmental Educator


Malia grew up playing in the forests and pastures of “upcountry” Kula and Ulupalakua that overlook all of Maui.  She attended Kula Elementary and Seabury Hall and volunteered with Big Brother’s/Big Sister’s and Camp Imua.  When she graduated from high school, Malia decided it was time to get off the rock and moved to the “big city” of Portland, Oregon to study Environmental Studies at Lewis & Clark College. 

 

During college, Malia did a semester abroad in Tanzania and also returned for a semester to UH Hilo to focus on the environmental issues unique to Hawai’i.  Malia did her thesis work with the Natural Resources program at a vocational public charter high school in Portland.  Working with these students who had struggled in other public schools, Malia experienced first hand the magic of place-based environmental education. 

 

After graduating, and traveling through Central and South America, Malia came to the Hawai’i Nature Center as a volunteer in 2006, and after another trip abroad, continued her work as an Environmental Educator in June 2007.  ‘Iao Valley seemed the perfect place to combine her love of Hawai’i’s people, environment and history with her passion for education.

 

Malia loves sharing her wonder and knowledge of Hawai’i’s unique environment and culture with all who visit HNC, and appreciates the opportunity to help create an ethic of stewardship in Hawai’i’s future generations.  Malia also feels honored to work in ‘Iao Valley with all its powerful beauty and history.  Watching the sunlight move along the valley walls in ‘Iao each morning never ceases to amaze her. 

 

When she is not working, Malia enjoys hiking, surfing, and planning her next overseas adventure.

 

Ben Blumenburg / Environmental Educator

Ben joined the Hawai‘i Nature Center in May 2004 and brings considerable experience to the Maui site programs. In past years, Ben has developed environmental study curricula at a New England teacher's college and led whale watches off the New England coast. Ben has particular interests in Informal Science Education and computer assisted learning. However, his  top priority is to provide an exciting, informative and fun-filled experience to Maui's school children via the school programs delivered on Maui.

 

Juliane Darty / Environmental Educator 

Yvonne Line / Environmental Educator

Yvonne was born and raised on Maui, attending Lihikai Elementary, Maui Waena Intermediate, and Baldwin High Schools. Since she loves nature and being outdoors, working at the Hawaii Nature Center is like a dream come true for Yvonne. In addition to working with keiki, Yvonne enjoys hiking, fishing, camping, diving, and shell collecting.


Meagan Degaia / Environmental Educator

Marcus Morton / Maintenance

Maricel Paet / Gift Shop 

Cassie Palmatier / Gift Shop 

 
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