Partners
Conservation International
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, the organization spotlights and secures the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Conservation.org
Hawaʻi Division of Aquatic Resources
The Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) works with the people of Hawaiʻi to manage, conserve, and restore the state’s unique aquatic resources and ecosystems for present and future generations. DLNR.Hawaii.gov/dar
Natrx, Inc.
Natrx, Inc. provides nature-based coastal and marine infrastructure solutions to promote balance between the natural and built worlds. The company applies leading technology to resilience and restoration initiatives, enabling landscape scale enhancement. Natrx incorporates geospatial data analytics, patented Dry Forming advanced manufacturing, and material science innovations to deliver habitat-specific resilience systems that harness and support the adaptive power of nature. Natrx.io
NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation
NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation works to recover and sustain our nation’s fisheries by ensuring fish have access to high quality habitat. By providing funding and technical assistance, we help our partners implement habitat restoration projects in coastal communities across the country. fisheries.NOAA.gov
Oceanit
Founded in Hawai‘i in 1985, Oceanit is a “Mind to Market” company that creates disruptive technology from fundamental science. Oceanit practices the unique discipline of Intellectual Anarchy, reimagining innovation to break the bonds of normal and solve the impossible — delivering technologies to the market that impact humans and society. Oceanit.com
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
The University of Hawaiʻi School of Life Sciences conducts research and training to promote the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of biological diversity through excellence in research, education, service, and outreach. Hawaii.edu/lifesciences
Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society
HMPS is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and perpetuation of mele Hawaiʻi. We serve our community through education efforts aimed at improving their health and well-being. HMPSHawaii.com
ClimbHI
Founded in 2009, ClimbHI seeks to inspire students to finish high school and proceed to post-secondary or employment by exposing them to future career paths and the steps necessary to achieve those goals. ClimbHI.org
Pacific Consulting Services Inc.
Since 2003, Pacific Consulting Services, Inc. (PCSI) has been providing Cultural Resource Management and Archaeological Studies for public and private-sector clients in Hawaii and remote Pacific locations. For the REEFrame project, PCSI has identified cultural resources and practices in the project area and evaluated potential impacts. PCSIHawaii.com
REEFrame Project Leads
Matt Ramsey, Senior Director, Conservation International Hawaiʻi
Matt provides general oversight for REEFrame. As the senior director of Conservation International Hawaiʻi, he has over 30 years of experience with natural resource projects in Hawaiʻi, including conservation finance, resource protection, terrestrial restoration, and fisheries initiatives. Matt previously worked with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization (NOAA) Fisheries Pacific Island Regional Office.
Mark Hixon, Ph.D., Hsiao Endowed Chair of Marine Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Mark is REEFrame’s science lead. Since 1979, he has studied coral reefs in Hawaiʻi and many other regions globally. After observing the severe decline of reefs around Oʻahu and elsewhere, Mark refocused his research on identifying natural mechanisms of reef resilience and restoration, such as replenishing populations of herbivorous fishes that prevent seaweeds from smothering corals. He designed and leads the ongoing Coral Resilience Module Experiment (CReME), begun in 2016 at the present REEFrame Waikiki site, which became the feasibility study for REEFrame. A scientific advisor for multiple nongovernmental and governmental agencies at all levels, Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology, a master’s degree in ichthyology and ecology, and a Ph.D. in population and aquatic biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Mason Harris, M.S., MBA, Business Development Associate, Natrx
Mason coordinates the development and fabrication of the REEFrame modules with the Natrx team. He has over 10 years of experience working on coastal restoration and water resource projects, with expertise in environmental planning, project development, habitat restoration. His background combines environmental consulting, scientific research, and business development to advance innovative solutions for restoring natural infrastructure.
Jake Reichard, Aquatic Biologist, State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)
Supporting REEFrame’s permitting and natural resource strategy, Jake brings extensive experience in scientific diving and marine conservation. As the Project Manager for the DAR Artificial Reef and O‘ahu District Marine Monitoring projects, he ensures REEFrame meets high ecological and operational standards. He holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Ken Cheung, P.E., Ph.D., Science & Engineering Director, Oceanit
Ken is Oceanit’s Science & Engineering Director. He has a Ph.D. in aerospace and mechanical engineering and is a licensed civil engineer in the State of Hawaii. He has over 30 years of experience in projects throughout the State involving infrastructure, water systems, and ocean engineering.
Julie Morikawa, President and Founder of ClimbHI
Julie oversees REEFrame’s community and industry connections and partnerships. She has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and technology sectors worldwide. As the president and founder of the Hawai‘i nonprofit ClimbHI, she actively partners with leading businesses and organizations statewide. She is also a board member of the O‘ahu Visitors Bureau. Julie has launched numerous workforce development initiatives and campaigns over the past 15 years, reaching more than 140,000 keiki across Hawai‘i. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
Shannon Ruseborn, M.S. in Marine Science, NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation
Shannon has over 20 years of marine science, conservation, and natural resource management experience. She has successfully developed and implemented marine, coastal, and wetland habitat restoration projects with NOAA Fisheries in the Pacific Islands since 2017. She provides scientific, technical, and permitting expertise to the REEFrame project.
Nicole Vernon, M.A., Anthropology, PCSI
Nicole has been providing Cultural Resource Management support for projects in the Pacific Region for 20 years. She specializes in photogrammetric, geospatial, and spectral analysis applications for evaluating and documenting potential historic properties. Nicole was the Principal Investigator and lead author of the Archaeological Literature Review and Cultural Impact Assessment prepared for the REEFrame project.