Who We Are
KISC Staff & Crew
Tiffani Keanini
Project Manager
Tiffani began working for KISC in 2009, helping raise awareness to the Kauai community on the importance of invasive species prevention and control. In 2017, Tiffani became the new manager of KISC. Tiffani will continue to strengthen KISC as a project and a partner in the Kauai conservation community. Email: tkeanini@hawaii.edu
Ray Kahaunaele
Field Operations Supervisor
Ray grew up in Anahola on the east side of Kauai and has seen the slow but steady displacement of native species by invasive plants and animals. Working at KISC has given him the opportunity to learn more about invasive species, their impacts on our island, and new technology to aid us in control of invasive species. Ray oversees all planning and logistics for field work and organizes partnership projects. Email: rk30@hawaii.edu
Cleve Javier
Data Technician
Cleve started working at KISC in 2009 as a field natural resource technician. In 2013, he became the data technician in charge of KISC’s GIS and database. It’s a fancy way to say he makes reportable maps and does data entry. Before joining KISC, Cleve worked as an Agricultural Technician for USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) branch for 6 years.
Haylin Chock
Outreach Specialist
Born and raised on Kauaʻi, Haylin graduated with her B.A.S, focusing on sustainable community food systems from the University of Hawaii at West Oʻahu. Since moving home she has worked with various non-profits on Kauai, such as Mālama Kauai ,Limahuli garden preserve, and Mālama Hulēʻia. “Iʻm grateful to be home on Kauaʻi and be able to serve my community through conservation education here at KISC”.
Email: kisc@hawaii.edu
Kim Rogers
ROD Outreach Specialist
Since moving to Kaua’i in 1999, Kim Steutermann Rogers has worked as a freelance journalist and photographer covering conservation science efforts across the state, as well as, in various outreach roles on behalf of Hawaiiʻs native wildlife. In her capacity at KISC, she directs her energies toward helping save the stateʻs endemic tree–‘Ōhi’a–from the threat known as Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death.
Email: saveohia@hawaii.edu
Lizzy Baxter
Forest Response Technician
Lizzy is from Virginia and moved to Kaua’i in July 2019. For two years, she worked as a predator control biologist in the Hono O Na Pali Natural Area Reserve, protecting seabird populations from invasive predators. Her favorite native plants are the rainbow ‘Ama’u fern and the Lobeliod family. ” Iʻm stoked to be a part of the KISC team and looks forward to continuing work to protect this island from invasive species and share knowledge of conservation.”
Jackson Jablonski
Early Detection Botanist
Jackson develops and implements a plant early detection program for Kauai by surveying for and identifying plant specimens brought to KISC by weed management groups and the Kauai community. Before moving to Kauai, Jackson earned two degrees from the University of Florida in Plant Science and Agronomy studying aquatic plant invasion ecology, reproduction, and management. Jackson also served in the Peace Corps as an agricultural volunteer in Madagascar. He looks forward to serving Kauai in its control of current invaders and improving capacities for detecting new ones.
Email: kisced@hawaii.edu
Invasive Species Response Technician
EDRR
KISC Leads response efforts to safeguard Kauai against high-priority invasive threats such as little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles, coqui frogs, mongoose, & other pest species.
Email: saveohia@hawaii.edu
Future Team member
Invasive Species Field Crew Leader
KISC is currently accepting applications for our Invasive Species Field Crew Leader. We are looking for someone to help set goals and priorities for KISC field operations and lead field crews in survey and control work. Work ranges from remote off-trail areas to urban locations across the island and covers a range of high-priority invasive plant and pest species.
Visit our Job Opportunities page to learn more.
KISC Committee
The Committee is made up of resource managers from the state, county, federal, and private organizations as well as individuals. Committee meeting are open to the public and public input is always encouraged and welcome.
KISC Executive Committee
The executive committee provides guidance in determining KISC target species and helps assure that the KISC Strategic Plan will be carried out by KISC staff and Crew.
Past Committee Chair – Roshan Manandhar, CTAHR
Committee Chair – Lucas Behnke, TNC
Committee Chair Elect – Open
Technical advisors- Adam Williams (DOFAW), Kelsey Brock, Tim Flynn (NTBG), John-Carl Watson (KMWP), Chelsea Arnott (HISC), Randy Bartlett, Seana Walsh (NTBG).
