Each of these talks will provide different thought provoking discussions, each led by experts who are passionate individuals dedicated to their environmental causes. Gain insights into the latest environmental challenges and solutions and get inspired by stories of resilience and conservation stewardship.
September 21st, 5pm: Zach Pezzillo, Technician for Maui Nui Plant Extinction Prevention Program
Zach Pezzillo considers himself incredibly fortunate to have grown up on the island of Maui. His interest and enthusiasm for native plants and invertebrates began at a young age and he could often be found exploring the remote corners of the island in search of new subjects to identify. Zach left Maui in 2011 to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology in upstate NY. During college breaks he returned home and began volunteering with various conservation groups on Maui, continuing to learn and appreciate the issues facing many of our native species. After graduating Zach began pursuing a career in endangered species conservation here on Maui and became a KUPU intern with the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project. In 2017 Zach left to spend two winter seasons working and living on extremely remote Kure Atoll, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, conducting habitat and wildlife recovery work. It was a truly extraordinary experience, cementing his commitment towards conservation work. After returning from Kure in 2019, he was hired on full time with the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project and worked on recovery efforts for the Maui Parrotbill until joining the PEPP crew in 2021. Zach is also a well regarded, award winning photographer and often uses his skills to promote awareness and appreciation of some of Maui’s most endangered native species.
October 12th, 5pm: Micheal Walker – DLNR/DOFAW State Fire Protection Forester
Michael Walker is the Fire Protection Forester for the Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s administrative branch in Honolulu. Michael was born and educated in Florida with a B.S. from the University of Florida School of Forestry. He started his conservation career in Hawaiʻi at Haleakalā National Park and the Maui Invasive Species Committee. Michael has 23 years of conservation experience in Hawaiʻi and has been with Forestry and Wildlife since 2017. In his free time, he enjoys botanizing, recreating in the forests and the ocean, and trying to make people laugh.
October 19th, 5pm: Keahi Bustamente – Maui Nui Program Coordinator for Hawaiʻi Invertebrate Program under DLNR/DOFAW
Keahi Bustamente is a native of Maui Nui. Originally from the ahupuaʻa of Nāiwa, Molokaʻi, near its North shore cliffs, he moved to the ahupuaʻa of Waikapū, on Maui, when he was eight years old. As a child he spent much of his time exploring and venturing into mountainous places where no others went. Little did he know that he was preparing for a career in searching for rare native species and protecting them from extinction. In 2005, after service in the US Air Force, he returned to Maui and shifted into a career in native forest restoration. Currently, Keahi is the Field Coordinator for DLNR’s, Hawaiʻi Invertebrate Program and the Snail Extinction Prevention Program for the islands of Maui Nui. He has been instrumental in the rediscovery and protection of numerous species of rare Hawaiian land snails, insects, as well as plants with the goal of preventing extinction.
November 2nd, 5pm: Dr. Arthur Medeiros – Program Manager for Auwahi Forest Restoration Project
Dr. Arthur Medeiros, among Maui’s most accomplished biologists, has spent his career fascinated with the ‘beautiful details’ of Hawaiʻi’s native plants and animals, both their science and the cultural connections with the ‘people of old’. Formerly working with Haleakalā National Park and the U.S. Geological Survey, Art founded the Auwahi project, the Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Partnership, and the Pu’u-o-kali Wiliwili Reserve. The Auwahi project, started 25 years ago, was the first attempt on Maui to see if damaged native watershed forests could be restored, something of growing importance in a changing world. Art says that this is the best part of his career, in that he works with young people, colleagues, volunteers, and a landowner in ‘Ulupalakua Ranch that authentically care about Hawaiʻi’s resources and are really willing to make a stand and do something about it.