MELANIE BACA
Archives Committee - Chair

Melanie Baca has been a summer visitor to Ocean View since the late 1990s. She came for the beauty of the Big Island and fell in love with the communities of Ka'u and the unique history of Hawai'i Island. In 2008, Melanie made Ocean View her permanent residence and built a home there. She is committed to being a productive member of the Ka'u community by participating on the board of directors at the Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. She looks forward to doing her part in the stewardship of this magnificent Park. Melanie holds a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting, along with several computer certifications that she feels will enhance the existing board of directors.

CAROL BEBB
Archives Committee

Carol Bebb's passion for plant science and the environment began in childhood. She was raised on Windward O'ahu and has also explored most of the U.S. continent and over 21 countries. She studied Landscape Horticulture at California State Polytechnic University and graduated from Prescott College (Arizona) in Environmental Science. She participated in a graduate fellowship in Botanical Garden Leadership and Conservation Biology at Cornell University (New York). In 2006, she was awarded a grant by Botanical Garden Conservation International to participate in the Applied Plant Conservation Program in Denver, Colorado.

Carol owns Botanica, a horticultural and arboricultural consulting business. The consulting services include landscape design, management, and restoration of both exotic and native habitats; arboricultural advising (ISA Certified and ASCA member); and horticultural advising and practices. She values her experiences in administrating and managing the Biological Science greenhouses at University of California-Irvine. Other work has involved management, plant brokering, and nature interpreting for botanical gardens and nurseries throughout the U.S.

Carol has received certifications and recognition for her contributions in conservation and plant science. She has served in several professional organizations. Currently she is also on the board of directors for the Hawai'i Audubon Society and the Hawai'i Society of Urban Forestry Professionals (founding Vice President). Living near Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park provides Carol the opportunity to pursue her interests in the Hawaiian wildlife and habitat she treasures.

NANCY CHANEY
Forest Restoration Committee

Nancy Chaney moved to Volcano six years ago from Corvallis, Oregon. Prior to living in Oregon, she lived in southern California and in Utah, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology in 1983. She came to Hawai'i and worked for the USDA Agricultural Research Service for five years as an entomology technician. In 2007, she returned to school to further her scientific education and is working toward a Master's degree in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo.

Nancy loves hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. Since moving to Hawai'i she has expanded her outdoor activities by enjoying scuba diving, snorkeling, and body surfing.

MARK JOHNSON
Forest Restoration Committee - Chair

Mark Johnson enjoys gardening, including raising native plants and growing kalo (taro), sweet potatoes, bananas, and a variety of citrus since his retirement. He is active in his Hilo neighborhood, helping with small construction and repair projects, coqui control, clearing overgrown yards, and trying to keep the wild pigs in check.

One of Mark's primary pleasures is volunteering with the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park's Natural Resources Management division. He has developed a deep appreciation for the native Hawaiian forest and the native birds that depend upon it. He works with all aspects of forest restoration, including native plant propagation, invasive plant control, and monitoring the status of the forest.

Mark helps lead the Friends' forest restoration projects to provide the opportunity for other volunteers to share his enjoyment of the Park's wonderful environment and to accomplish more than he could do alone.

DIANA KELLEY
Treasurer

Diana Kelley is a resident of 'Ola'a (Kurtistown), where she lives with her extended family. Diana has a Master's degree in Applied Anthropology/Museum Studies and Conservation from Northern Arizona University. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she comes to Hawai'i via Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, arriving in Hawai'i in 2007. Diana is currently the Bookkeeper for Truck Parts Hawai'i, and a Client Educator for HypnoBirthing®. She is a haumana hula (hula student) with Halau Kalehuaki'eki'eika'iu ma Kilauea and volunteers with Engine 5-B in the Hawaiian Acres Fire Department.

PATTY KUPCHAK
Forest Restoration Committee

Patty Kupchak grew up on O'ahu on three acres in the ahupua'a of Maunalua, together with four younger siblings, a sway back horse, chickens, corn, bees, and a lamb. Through high school she surfed where and when ever the surf was up, including the Makaha International meet. Heading East to Cornell University (New York), she garnered a psychology degree and her husband, Ken. After waiting out Ken's return from Vietnam by taking courses at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, they headed back to Cornell for three more years.

Her son Lincoln's arrival, while Ken clerked on Wall Street, ended her run for a Ph.D. All academic pursuits, however, were not lost as the family developed into natural history buffs. They returned to O'ahu in 1971. Over the next 12 years, they were co-hiking leaders for the high school hiking program, teaching Hawaiian culture, botany, and geology on the trails as well as leading multi-day adult hikes along the Ko'olau summit and on the neighbor islands. In 1980, Patty and her husband built a second home in Volcano near the golf course, where they spend as much time as possible.

For many years Patty edited the Sierra Club Hawai'i Chapter's newsletter, winning national recognition. Elementary age environmental education became her passion as a docent for the Hawai'i Nature Center, Sea Life Park, and the Waikiki Aquarium. She has been a Trustee of the Moanalua Garden's Foundation and continues to pursue natural history hikes worldwide, from Bhutan and Tasmania to Patagonia and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and many points in between.

MARTA LEPES
'Ainahou Liaison

Marta Lepes has lived in Hawai'i since 1970 and on the Big Island since 1977. She practiced veterinary medicine in Hilo for 25 years. Soon after moving to Hawai'i she fell in love with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and made countless visits. Finally in 2003 Marta moved to Volcano Village. Her interests are gardening, hiking, running, fencing, and studying European history and Armenian churches.

PAUL MORGAN
Development Committee

Paul Morgan was born in Honolulu and raised on sugar plantations on O'ahu and Kaua'i. He graduated from Hawai'i Preparatory Academy and Amherst College (Massachusetts). After a tour in Vietnam with the 25th Division-US Army, he attended graduate school in Architecture at the University of Washington. He is currently Principal of Suzuki/Morgan Architects in Honolulu. His primary interests in architecture are green building and historic preservation.

Paul lives in Manoa and is married to Barbara Young Morgan, who grew up in Kaneohe and works in development at Punahou School. They have three children and two grandchildren, and a house in Volcano Village next to the Volcano School of Arts and Science on Old Volcano Road.

Paul has taught the history of architecture at Honolulu Community College and lectured at Elderhostel on the History of Architecture in Hawai'i, post-contact. Other interests include bicycling, the history of architecture, Hawaiian history, and Hawaiian language.

MARILYN NICHOLSON
Secretary

Prior to her move to Volcano, Marilyn served as Executive Director of the Sedona Arts Center in Sedona, Arizona. She was the first Community Arts Coordinator for the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and was Education Director of the Bishop Museum Arts Crafts School in Honolulu.

Marilyn represented District 6 (Upper Puna, Ka'u, and part of South Kona) on the Cost of Government Commission, and currently serves on the Hawai'i County Board of Ethics. She has been active in community affairs and a member of FHVNP since its inception. She leads forest tours for the Volcano Art Center as well as tours of the historic 'Ainahou Ranch in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

ANN C. PETERSON
Development Committee - Chair

Ann C. Peterson is an expert in furthering the missions of non-profit organizations, with over 20 years of experience in marketing, grant writing, fundraising, facilitation, and project coordination for over 30 organizations and agencies. She augmented her traditional education, an M.S. from Michigan State University, with training in various software applications, meeting facilitation, and fundraising techniques from W. K. Kellogg Foundation, State of Hawai'i Department of Health, Hawai'i County Prosecutor's Office, Hawai'i Community Foundation, and the Grantsmanship Center Foundation.

Graphic design is one of Ann's natural talents. She excels in creating newsletters, invitations, advertisements, booklets, CD covers, and virtually any design. Some of her graphic designs have appeared in Honolulu Magazine, Tee Time Hawai'i, Golf Digest, Hawai'i Tribune-Herald, and many other publications. One of her pet projects, The Historic Kailua Village Walking Map, won the Historic Hawai'i Foundation's Preservation Honor Award, and another won the Kona Coffee Label Competition. Her special feature articles have appeared in Ke Ola Magazine, West Hawai'i Today, and on various Web sites.

Ann has raised over $6 million for nonprofit organizations through her grant proposal writing and special event coordination, and she has created systemic change in the delivery of services in the fields of public housing and transportation. Further, she created two first-in-the-state, in-school pedestrian safety programs that are now being duplicated throughout Hawai'i.

NATALIE PFEIFER
Membership Committee - Chair

Natalie Pfeifer is an island girl who was born and raised in Honolulu. She attended Punahou School, Mauna Olu College, and Washington State University majoring in liberal arts. In 1990, she moved to Volcano from the island of Maui. Natalie went to work for the Volcano Art Center in 1992 and was their Gallery Director until 1999 when she and her husband, Dave, relocated to the U.S. continent because of his work.

They lived for four years in Fairfield, Iowa, where Natalie had an Ayurvedic food and baking business called Pies and Dahls, and later in Phoenix, Arizona. During their eight years away, they explored most of the middle states in which they'd never spent any time before. When they could not stand to be away from the ocean and the mountains any longer, Natalie and her husband came home to Hawai'i. The couple splits their time between islands, but spends more time in Volcano than on Maui.

"It is wonderful to be back in the islands, especially on the Big Island," says Natalie. "Living in a community so close to a national park is a gift, but this park--Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park--is particularly inspiring because of its location, live volcano, and its community of scientists and researchers. The Friends of HVNP is a vital part of the Volcano community, and I look forward to working with all of you."

ROSEMARY SCHATZLEIN
Volunteer Committee - Chair

Rosemary Schatzlein lives in Kailua-Kona and has been a custom picture-framer for 30 years. She is the Friends' volunteer coordinator and has often been a volunteer herself. For 13 years, Rosemary was a leader of her daughter's Girl Scout Troop, as well as a camp coordinator for resident camps at the Camp Kilohana Girl Scout Camp. She brought Project Grad, a safe and alcohol-free model of celebrating, to Kona's Kealakehe High School in 2001. The project has continued since that time and been adopted by other Hawai'i Island high schools. Working with others, she has raised funds and volunteered for many projects and events over the years.

Rosemary's other interests include art and art preservation; camping, hiking, birding, and snorkeling; networking for caregivers; and researching grants. She continues to learn more about the Hawaiian culture and strives to create opportunities for all to experience the wonderful and challenging outdoor environment of our island home. Volunteering is a very rewarding experience for oneself and she has found many ways for others to lend a hand and share the same rewards.

NICK SHEMA
Vice-President, Institute/Programs Committee - Chair, Webmaster

Nick Shema has lived in Hawai'i and worked in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) for 18 years. He has worked on research projects involving native birds, plants, and insects and is passionate about preserving Hawai'i's native flora and fauna. Nick currently works as Facilities and Safety Manager for the United States Geological Survey. In addition to his other duties, Nick serves as liaison between USGS and HVNP and other state and federal agencies. Nick has long term experience and has built positive relationships with positive outcomes in his collaborations with HVNP and other agencies.

Nick has been involved as a volunteer in the Volcano community on numerous projects such as leading forest tours for the Volcano Art Center at their Niaulani campus. In addition, he has participated in many bird counts and has led birding tours in various Hawai'i Island locations.

Nick is interested in Hawaiian culture and studies hula in Volcano. He enjoys bicycling and hiking and other fitness activities, as well as working on his house and land in Volcano. Nick is married and lives with his wife, Ricia, in Mauna Loa Estates.

IRENIO 'AB' VALENCIA
President

Ab Valencia, born and raised in Honolulu, attended the University of Hawai'i-Manoa and the University of Kansas-Lawrence to study Architecture. He and his wife, Pua O'Mahoney, now reside in the home they built in Mauna Loa Estates. Trained as a kumu hula (hula teacher/master), Ab established Halau Hula Kalehuaki'eki'eika'iu in Honolulu in 1991. He currently maintains his halau (school) in Honolulu as well as Volcano. His 'ohana (family) was originally from Hilo and he says that moving back to Hawai'i Island is returning home.