Claudia
Aloha!
My name is Claudia and I am honored to be here on Hawai’i and to be able to share this special place with you. I am a native of Baja California and grew up surfing and loving the Pacific Ocean. Surfing, a gift of Hawai’i, taught me to pay attention to and value the natural world. During one of my surf travels I ventured off into a rainforest in Chiapas, Mexico and fell in love with plants. This led to a Ph.D. in plant evolution and botanical collecting trips in Ecuador, Mexico, and Germany. Learning about nature is what converts species into friends that we want to protect and cherish. It is my goal that you meet many new friends on our adventure together.
Mahalo, Claudia
Alia
Alia spent her childhood on O‘ahu, and after many years in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, she returned to Mānoa Valley for graduate school. While her formal education is in the humanities, Alia is enamored by the world around us, and looks for every opportunity to learn more about it. She’s worked in education for over a decade, with experiences ranging from designing science activities for preschoolers to leading theater workshops for middle schoolers to tutoring and advising high schoolers. Alia has been performing since she could walk, and loves how guiding tours combines education, performance, and her love of O‘ahu. In the winters, she works as a naturalist on a whale watching boat. When she’s not reading, writing, or guiding tours, you can find Alia trying to identify plants on a hike or taking in art.
Branndon
Aloha,
My name is Branndon Evans. I was born and raised on the island of Oahu. I studied biotechnological engineering at Hawaii Pacific University. I am a firm believer in nature-based education and teach biological and physical sciences. I have been involved in several research experiences, from Loko I’a to microplastics. O’ahu is my home and I am happy to share it with all of you. If you enjoy nature we will get along swimmingly!
Mahalo,
Sincerely Branndon Evans
JOEL (Jo-JO)
Joel’s social media reviews speak for themselves. He has the personality and the knowledge combined into such a mixture that our guests are raving about his tours all over social media.
Former Ag Volunteer at Peace Corps
Studied Forensic Entomology at the University of Huddersfield
Studied Entomology at Purdue University
Kainoa
Kainoa is another star guide in our team who taught us and thousands of our visitors over the last two decades about Hawaiian culture, geography and history.
Kainoa is also considered an “Ambassador of Aloha” by the Hawaiian Government and on occasion, he is even sent to other states on the mainland to educate the public about our traditions and local heritage.