Oʻahu RC&D Staff
Dave Elliott
Executive Director
dave.elliott@oahurcd.org
Dave Elliott has more than fifteen years of experience working in agricultural development and natural resource management in Hawaii and Latin America as an entrepreneur, researcher, and non-profit program director. He is passionate about sustainable agriculture and working alongside farmers to identify stewardship practices that benefit farm productivity and Hawaiʻi’s water and soil resources.
India Clark
Farm and Community Engagement Coordinator
808-622-9026
india.clark@oahurcd.org
Since graduating in 2007 from UH with her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, India has enjoyed learning and actively serving agriculture stewards throughout the islands. Working closely with communities and service providers, she has contributed to resource management and resilience planning, policy, training, and outreach efforts with the University, the NOAA Pacific Services Center, and the Olohana Foundation. She is excited about her role with Oahu RC&D in supporting the growth of the Women Farmers Network and helping to build capacities for farms, ranches, and watershed partnerships to collaborate. She is also passionate about creatively engaging young farmers, stewards, and entrepreneurs within the greater community of those actively ensuring Hawaii’s watersheds, communities, and agriculture are flourishing.
Louise Martin
Conservation Planner
louise.martin@oahurcd.org
Louise graduated from Humboldt State University with her BS in Rangeland Resource Science and minors in Botany and Geospatial Analysis. During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Louise provides conservation planning assistance to Oahu producers through a partnership between Oʻahu RC&D and NRCS. She is motivated to support producers who are seeking to address natural resource concerns on their lands.
Sophie Moser
Conservation Technician
sophie.moser@oahurcd.org
While receiving her undergraduate degree at Cal Poly, SLO, Sophie was introduced to agroecology and became passionate about reforming food systems to provide stewardship to the environment. Once in graduate school, Sophie researched sustainable cultivation of cash crops with emphasis on intercropping, hoping that the findings influence the California legislature to transform agricultural policies to be more environmentally minded. Sophie desires to see agriculture that gives back to the earth and mimics the natural environment. She is passionate about advocacy for diversity in agriculture, engaging the community in sustainable, long-term change, and conducting research to inform new agriculture protocols and mitigate environmental damage.
Harmony Shelton
Office Administrator
808-622-9026
harmony.shelton@oahurcd.org
Harmony is born and raised on the island Oʻahu. She has an extensive background in banking and customer service. As the Office Administrator, she provides administrative and clerical support to Oʻahu RC&D’s diverse programs. She looks forward to providing assistance to fellow staff members along with learning more about agriculture and conservation here in the islands.
Augusto Decastro
Digital Communications Consultant
augusto.decastro@oahurcd.org
Augusto provides website, photography, and videography support for O’ahu RC&D.
He is also the Sustainability Coordinator for Manoa Elementary School. His primary task is to divert food waste from the landfill by composting them within school property. The composting program provides a learning tool for the classrooms teaching students the effects and value of recycling.
Logan Motas
Outreach Assistant
logan.motas@oahurcd.org
Born and raised on Oʻahu, Logan has a deeply rooted connection to the land and its communities. Logan is a Natural Resource and Environmental Management major specializing in Plant Ecology, and plans to use her knowledge to serve her community and conserve the state’s natural resources. Logan has done a variety of work relating to the environment and community service. During her undergraduate studies, she was an intern field/lab technician studying root competition, a Student Ambassador for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and was one of the Lead Archivists for her scholarship’s cohort. Logan is excited to support and uplift her community through the work Oʻahu RC&D does, and looks forward to forging a more abundant Hawaiʻi.
Megan Gonsalves
Project Assistant
megan.gonsalves@oahurcd.org
Megan graduated from UH Manoa with her B.S. in Natural Resource and Environmental Management, where she took an interest in soil science and agriculture. She has since worked in a variety of roles in both agriculture and natural resource management, including participating in research focused on creating a soil health index for Hawaiʻi, working as a farm manager and agricultural consultant for a local farm, and completing an AmeriCorps term with DOFAW Native Ecosystems Protection and Management. She is passionate about supporting communities that are contributing to building a resilient Hawaiʻi through agricultural production and resource conservation and carrying this out through providing project support to her colleagues.
Frankie Koethe
Advisor, Women Farmers Network and Ag-tourism
frankie.koethe@oahurcd.org
Born and raised on Oʻahu, Frankie has a strong commitment to community development. Her Masters of Science in Natural Resource & Environmental Management at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa focused on working to create cohesion between residents and visitors in Wanini, Kauai. As a Project Coordinator at Oʻahu RC&D, Frankie led efforts to create the Hawai’i Women Farmers Network by providing scholarships, mini-grants, and agribusiness network trainings to cultivate networks and partnerships with women producers and ranchers. Currently working with Koʻolau Mountains Watershed Partnership as their Community Outreach Liaison, Frankie continues to be a strong voice and advocate for local women in Hawaiʻi agriculture.
Jean Brokish
Special Projects Advisor
Jean.Brokish@oahurcd.org
Jean served as Oʻahu RC&D’s executive director for eight years and continues to lend her expertise in several strategic areas, including fundraising and the Women Farmers Network. After growing up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Jean pursued bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture and has since worked with farmers in five states and one foreign country. She enjoys connecting with farmers and identifying ways to improve stewardship of our soil and water resources.
Board of Directors
The Oʻahu RC&D Council is governed by a diverse and dynamic Board of Directors who provide broad geographic representation from both the public and private sectors. Directors volunteer their time, working to oversee the policy, direction, and activities of Oʻahu RC&D.
President: Taylor Kellerman
Vice-President: Ethan West
Treasurer: Mark Phillipson
Secretary: Melissa Z. Rhoden
Director: Yarrow Flower
