PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION MEMBER
Sue Darden
Where are you from/ Where do you live now: I was born, raised and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area. I retired to a small town on the Sacramento River called Rio Vista.
Background or bio information you would like to share: I was a teacher for 8 years, a high school counselor for 20 years and a school principal for 11 years. I taught many subjects, but my favorite was Environmental Science.
Favorite Ocean Animal: Humpback whale. My most thrilling moment was seeing humpback whales bubble-net feeding in Alaska.
How long have you been a member of PWF: 20+ years
How did you first hear about PWF: Over 30 years ago, while walking on Sugar Beach, I saw a sign at a little shopping center “Pacific Whale Foundation, 2nd floor”. I walked up the stairs and into a small office. There sat a woman who told me all about this new organization founded on the premise that you can learn more about whales by observing them alive than by killing them and studying their dead bodies. (Scientists today believe there were less than 1,500 North Pacific humpback whales at that time. Humpback whales were endangered and destined for extinction.) Greg Kaufman and some like-minded friends founded this organization believing if you educate people about the whales and take them on boats to see whales in the ocean, more and more people will care about the continued existence of the species. Ecotourism did not exist in those days. Greg Kaufman was a pioneer in the industry. He had one small boat in which he would take people to see and learn about the whales. I bought a ticket and became a convert.
What inspired you to become involved with PWF: I was inspired by PWF’s mission and the people who work & volunteer for PWF to make its goals reality. I am impressed that PWF/PacWhale works hard to make sure everything on the boat is reusable, recyclable or biodegradable. PWF led the movement to ban single use plastics on Maui before it started on the mainland. PWF led the movement “Butts off the Beach” which resulted in Maui banning smoking on the beaches. PWF led the movement to ban the sale of sunscreen containing chemicals believed to kill the coral. The state has since banned the sale of sunscreen containing those chemicals. All these initiatives were research based. All these banned substances were proven to kill marine life and cause long term damage to the ocean environment.
What is your favorite way to stay involved with PWF: I support PWF financially but volunteering my time is my favorite way to stay involved with PWF. I spent many years as an Ocean Ambassador speaking with passengers on PWF/PacWhale whale watch and snorkel trips about Pacific Whale Foundation and how they can support the cause. I have participated in the Whale Count for the past 5 years and served as site leader last year for the January and March whale counts.
Do you have a favorite PWF moment or memory to share? My favorite PWF memory was both sad and wonderful. Greg Kaufman, PWF founder, environmental leader and ecotourism creator died a few years ago. His funeral was held at sea. I was honored to be invited to ride on the boat carrying the family, close friends, and the two kahuna pule (Hawaiian priests). It was a beautiful service with blessings in Hawaiian. It was moving when Selket (Greg’s wife) stood on the swim step and placed the basket made of woven ti leaves holding Greg’s ashes into the ocean while the kahuna pule chanted a blessing. I was on the lower deck near Selket when it started raining flowers. The people on the upper deck were throwing flowers into the ocean. It was beautiful and very moving. As the boat started back to dock, amazingly a whale shark surfaced next to the boat. I had never seen a whale shark; it was so exciting. The whale shark stayed right by the boat, so close it could touch it. It swam alongside, swimming bow to stern and back again. It was beautiful!
PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION
Lizzy Beato
Research Assistant
Name: Lizzy Beato
Where are you from: Alameda, California
Give us a synopsis of the schooling/training/experience you have: I have my bachelor's degree in biology and Italian studies from Connecticut College. During my time in college, I was able to study abroad in the Turks and Caicos, BWI with the School for Field Studies and complete their tropical marine biology field courses, as well as participate in various research projects at my college including studying mangrove forest habitats in Belize and gelatinous zooplankton (jellyfish and ctenophores!) in Connecticut. While still in school, I worked as an animal care intern at the Marine Mammal Care Center in Los Angeles, CA, where we rehabilitated sick and injured seals and sea lions and released them back into the wild. After graduation, I moved to Bar Harbor, ME and worked for the nonprofit Allied Whale as a research assistant, collecting data on humpback and fin whales while onboard whale watching tours, working at a remote field station called Mt. Desert Rock and responding to marine mammal strandings along the entire coastline of Maine. This experience guided me into the fields of research and ecotourism, and I returned to Bar Harbor the following summer to work as a whale watching naturalist onboard local tours to spread a message of conservation and educate the public about the research being conducted on the local whales.
Missing the Pacific Ocean and seeking year-round work as a naturalist, I grabbed my snorkel gear and moved out to Maui to work as a naturalist onboard PacWhale Eco-tours cruises, combining my passion for coral reef ecology, marine mammal research, science communication, and education. During whale seasons, I worked as a research assistant for the Pacific Whale Foundation research department collecting photo-identification data onboard whale watching cruises. In March of 2021, I transitioned to working full-time in the Pacific Whale Foundation research department as a research assistant, where I still currently work.
What is your favorite ocean animal? My favorite ocean animal is a humpback whale, of course!
Do you have a cool ocean experience or animal encounter you would like to share? I can count on one hand the times I have cried into my snorkel mask because I am so amazed by the wildlife, and I am so grateful to be able to have had some incredible experiences with wildlife in Maui like whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and eagle rays, but the most life-changing moment I have had to date was in January of 2020. I was working a private charter on PacWhale's Ocean Explorer, and we were snorkeling with guests inside of Molokini on a beautiful winter morning, when a humpback whale mom, calf, and escort continuously circled and approached the area where we were snorkeling. It was just magical, and the crew and captain can vouch that I was left speechless and crying into my snorkel mask for the next 15 minutes!
Position at PWF: Research Assistant
How long have you worked with PWF: I have worked here for about five and a half years.
What inspired you to work for Pacific Whale Foundation: I am inspired by PWF and PacWhale's commitment to their mission, to protect the oceans through science and advocacy, and inspire environmental stewardship. I just happen to live my life with a very similar mission, so it's been the perfect fit!
If you could switch jobs with anyone at the organization, what would you do? That is a tough question! I would love advocate and educate the public on our research findings by working in the Conservation department, or maybe be involved in our social media accounts to use my skills as a science communicator!
PACWHALE ECO-ADVENTURES
Ashley Getz
Marine Naturalist
Name: Ashley Getz
Where are you from: Mustang, Oklahoma
Give us a synopsis of your schooling/training/experience: I have been a SCUBA diver since I was ten years old. I am now a PADI divemaster. I received my undergrad in 2019 in music performance/production. Realizing that I wanted to be a part of ocean conservation and science more, in 2020, I took classes through North Charlotte University, where I was a part of Global Visions International’s (GVI) Impact Academy program. This is where I specialized in marine conservation and ecology. After my classes, I followed up with 3 ½ months of fieldwork in the Seychelles Islands, specializing in coral identification/rehabilitation, fish identification, and juvenile lemon shark tagging (this was the turning point in my life, realizing I wanted to work with sharks and never look back.) During this time, I accepted the job as a marine naturalist with Pacific Whale Foundation. As I work in this position, I am going to school full-time to get my master's degree in marine science specializing in shark science/conservation.
What is your favorite ocean animal? Tiger shark/Manta/Orca (I can't choose one, that’s my top 3!)
Do you have a cool ocean experience or marine animal encounter you would like to share? Once I was snorkeling around Curious Island in the Seychelles Islands, and I looked down at my leg and had a remora swimming with me right underneath me. It was an exciting experience, and I felt like a shark!
Position at PacWhale Eco Adventures: Marine Naturalist
How long have you worked with PacWhale Eco Adventures: 5 months
What inspired you to work for PacWhale Eco Adventures: I wanted to further my knowledge of working on boats and gain experience in the marine science world. I also have a passion for speaking to people about ocean science/conservation.
If you could switch jobs with anyone at the organization, what would you do? I would love to be on the research team. I am a drone pilot and love videography. Being able to collect data and share that with the public in an eye-catching way is another passion of mine. I love the research and hands-on experience. I love taking science and translating it in a fun way for people to understand. I favor being in the field!
PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION MEMBER
Sulara James
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Sulara James (pronounced Sue-LAIR-ah).
Her given name was Robin Ann James. One day while visiting with a friend for an intuitive reading, she was asked if she had ever thought of changing her name. She was quick to say “No!” The friend advised her that the name Robin no longer fit her vibration. While there Sulara heard the name “Alara” which she was told means strong of heart. She was advised to go home, find the name of an owl that resonated with her to honor her owl medicine and to combine it with "Alara." She was soon drawn to the name for the Northern Hawk Owl, Surnia Ulula. This name followed by Alara gave her the resonance she was looking for, and Sulara became her new spiritual name.
Sulara lives with the love of her life Dr. Genesis Young in Maui. They met in 1992 and had an instant connection. Within three months, they were married. Sulara has three children from a previous marriage.
Together she and Genesis had Teran James Young, who landed briefly in the Earth on June 12, 1994. He opened his eyes, looked at his father with infinite love, then departed without taking a breath. He remains with them in spirit as they work together as a team guided by Spirit to serve the Love and Light of the Creator.
Sulara and Genesis now have created the Teran James Young Foundation whose mission is to create greater peace in our schools, our community, and our world at large, transforming our planet into an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and understood. The programs of the Teran James Young Foundation strive to bring about this world, helping Maui’s youth to thrive and develop into effective and compassionate leaders and include the use of Nonviolent Communication. Other programs offered by the TJY Foundation are Maluhia Mediation and a program offered in the schools known as Sources of Strength to assist in preventing youth suicide. The Foundation is in the process of creating Hale Pono, a youth shelter that will create a safe place for teens to receive support and services when completed. You can find more information at www.teranjy.org
When asked why she supports Pacific Whale Foundation she said, "I have a deep connection with dolphins and whales." Sulara visited the Hawaiian Islands and Maui for many years before she and Genesis moved full time to Maui in 2012. Guided to look for whale watching that included education and good work in the community, she found it with Pacific Whale Foundation.
Sulara grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and was always around the ocean. She loved being in the water and swimming. There she saw dolphins for the first time and spent much time with her family watching them at sunset from their patio. She has felt great love and affection for them ever since. A number of years ago, she was asked by the spirit of the dolphin to use her intuitive gifts to serve as their voice by receiving their messages of love directly from them and sharing them. In these channeled messages the dolphins share that they and the whales are guardians of the earth. There have been many speculations about why whales breach, and in Sacred Song of the Dolphin #2 the dolphins state that whales breach in order to cleanse and clear energies to assist in maintaining the electromagnetic grid of the Earth and a state of balance and ease upon the planet. You can read her Sacred Song of the Dolphin messages at www.shininghand.com. Here you will also find the many books Sulara has written and information about her personal intuitive guidance and energy healing sessions. Sulara can be contacted at sulara@mind.net.
Sulara lives her life by asking for and following guidance from Source. She says, “Living in paradise is such an honor for us and we want to help create peace!”
PACWHALE ECO-ADVENTURES
Mizue Camp
Sales Supervisor, Ma'alaea Ocean Store
About Mizue: I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan.
I moved to Maui in 1998. My name "Mizu" means water in Japanese. Since I was a little girl, I have always loved the water, either salty or fresh.
On my days off, I go on PWF Eco Tours a lot,🥰 or play tennis, practice Hula, or creating something on my sewing machine.
Why do you work at PWF/PacWhale? I work for PWF because when we had lockdown, I saw our ocean was so much happier. My heart was telling me I need to do something to help the ocean stay happy and the first place came in my mind was Pacific Whale Foundation.
Favorite color? My favorite color is Pink.
What is your favorite food? My favorite food is Sushi 🍣
What is your favorite marine animal? My favorite marine animal... well.... that is a difficult one, I love Whales, Dolphins, Turtles 🐢 and octopus.
But if I had to choose one, I would pick Whales. They are simply amazing!
If you could switch jobs with anyone in the organization, what would you do? If I could switch jobs, I would choose to be a researcher. I think it is the coolest job!
Thank you very much for taking your time to get to know me.
PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION
Ashley Hechavarria
Conservation Coordinator
About Ashley: Aloha! My name is Ashley and I recently joined the Conservation Department as the Conservation Coordinator. I moved to Maui about a year ago from my home state of Florida where I spent most of my career working as a wildlife biologist specializing in marine mammal rehabilitation and release. Growing up, my mom would rent Jacques Cousteau tapes from the library for me and I instantly fell in love with the whales the famed researcher would follow. The obsession never waivered and it is an absolute dream to be advocating for our humpbacks here on Maui!
Why do you work at PWF/PacWhale? Hawai’i has always held a very special place in my heart, so accepting my initial position with PacWhale Eco-Adventures as a naturalist was one of the easiest things I ever did. The relationship between PacWhale Eco-Adventures and Pacific Whale Foundation is extremely unique for the environmental field: how often do you get to interpret information for the public straight from the researchers themselves? As a whale nerd, I will always be grateful for the opportunities provided by this organization to be directly involved in whale conservation and research.
Favorite color? Totally cliché, but blue! I love being surrounded by things that remind me of the ocean.
What is your favorite food? Anything spicy! I come from a big Cuban family so spicing things up is always a part of meal making. A close second would have to pickles!
What is your favorite marine animal? This is such a hard question for me to answer. Over the years, I have gotten some amazing opportunities to interact with and observe a plethora of marine creatures. Whales will always have a special place in my heart since they were the first to capture it, but I have a new-found appreciation for every animal I experience as I learn more and more about our oceans. From hovering on the surface of manta feeding grounds to free-diving with whitetip reef sharks to watching acorn barnacles stretch out their feathery arms to feed, there is so much majesty and wonder just beneath the surface of our seas.
If you could switch jobs with anyone in the organization, what would you do? Another toughie! I love my role with the foundation: it’s a perfect mesh of being able communicate our research to the community, advocate on the behalf of whales and dolphins, and provide avenues for our supporters to get directly involved in our work. But, my science background always yearns for field work and processing so I would have to say any one of our hardworking researchers. It would be pretty incredible to be directly involved in the discovery of new whale findings and be a part of science in action! Thanks for all of your incredible work research team!
PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION MEMBER
Jennifer Myers
About Jennifer: I love whale muggings and breaches. Whale muggings are when the whales come so close to the boat that the captain must cut the engines and not start them again until the whale is at a safe distance away. I came to Maui years ago and went out on a PacWhale Eco-Adventure with my husband, Arnold. We had the best time and became members on that tour. I told him that when we retire and move here, I am going to volunteer with Pacific Whale Foundation.
Why are you a member of Pacific Whale Foundation? I believe in the mission. They are unique from other tour companies because they have the non-profit foundation that focuses on research, education, and conservation. Living in Hawaii presents great opportunities for those looking to give back to this beautiful island. I like knowing that I am helping with beach clean ups, and ocean camp for the children to learn about the ocean and see Molokini.
Do you have a memory with Pacific Whale Foundation that stands out? I went out on a Whale Watch with my daughter and son-in-law and our boat spotted an entangled whale. Our captain called for help. (PacWhale Eco-Adventures fleet is a community partner with NOAA’s Large Whale Entanglement Response Team in Hawaii and reports the sightings to NOAA Fisheries marine mammal emergency hotline). We had to wait onboard and keep the animal in view until the responders came to assess the whale. It made the trip longer, but we were able be a part of the process that helps the whales.
PACWHALE ECO-ADVENTURES
Joshua J. Wittmer
Senior Naturalist
About Josh: I geek out on marine conservation. I’m a fish guy. I like everything under the water from eagle rays to whales, dolphins, invertebrates, coral and fish. As a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, I spent a lot of time fishing. I liked to imagine what all the fish were doing under the water. I also like to spend time underwater doing scuba photography. I am a family man and enjoy spending time with my wife and kids.
Why do you work at PacWhale Eco-Adventures? My mission in life is the same as PacWhale. In 2004, I wrote a cover letter of my mission. By 2005, I was working with Pacwhale because of that alignment.
If you could switch jobs with anyone within the organization, what would you do? I have a few that come to mind: I would like to switch with Selket Kaufman in Marketing and do more underwater work. Shooting film and making videos are a passion of mine. I would like to make and share marine conservation through visual formats. As someone who has a science major, I would like to switch with Jens Currie and Stephanie Stack from Research. It would be great to be on a boat being a part of field research and discovering new things. Switching with our Marketing Director Klara Crocco would be on my list. I would like learning about the people that support us and how to get them active.
PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION
Rebecca Lewis
Youth Education Specialist
About Rebecca: I grew up in the Midwest in Illinois. My dad was a pilot, and my mom was a flight attendant. We traveled a lot. When I was 9 years old, we came to Maui. I loved the warm welcoming vibes and the greater connection with nature. I love animals and studied zoology in college. My road to teaching came later, I started out working with AmeriCorps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Why do you work at Pacific Whale Foundation? I have always had the idea to work for PWF. When I was young, I remember talking to a naturalist on a PacWhale Eco-Adventure and being so inspired on the boat. We were members and I still have my member stuff from back then. I read about Greg Kaufman and Paul Forestell and the work they were doing to protect the oceans and whales. My mission and goals aligned with the foundation. I had even prepared mock resumes that included Pacific Whale Foundation.
If you could switch jobs with anyone in the organization, what would you do? I really like what I do with Pacific Whale Foundation. I grew up watching Steve Irwin (better known as the Crocodile Hunter) and Jeff Corwin (host of many ocean and nature shows). I love their connection with nature and animals. They influenced my path and if I were not doing this, I would want to do something like this.
PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION
Debbie Russell
About Debbie: I just had my two year anniversary with Pacific Whale Foundation and I have always wanted to work somewhere that I feel like I belong. I work with a great group of people that feel like family. I love it! We can talk about things openly and resolve issues within my working group.
Before I came here, I volunteered for four years at the Humpback Whale Sanctuary. Whales and turtles are my thing! I did whale counts and coordinated all the volunteer schedules there. That is what got me interested in whales. I started taking whale watching trips every weekend during whale season even before I started working here.
Why do you work at Pacific Whale Foundation? I like their mission. I love everything that they stand for here. Whales, turtles and everything in the ocean is so important to them. They care about sustainability, conservation, cleaning up the beaches, and believe that needs to be a priority.
If you could switch jobs with anyone within the organization, what would you do? I would switch with Research. They get to go out on the boats and learn more about our marine animals. I would totally love to switch with them for sure!
What is your wish for 2021? My wish is to get everyone back on the vessels full time. To get back to full capacity for all our visitors and staff.
PACWHALE ECO-ADVENTURES
Jennifer Gurevitz
About Jennifer: I enjoy beach walks, nature, whale watching, sunrises, sunsets, volunteering, bargain shopping, family and friends. Movies, especially documentaries, Schitt's Creek and spicy food! At work I enjoy sharing the beauty of Maui with our guests as well as educating them about the importance of protecting our planet.
Why do you work at PacWhaIe Eco-Adventures? I have always had a passion for the ocean, whales, and our environment. This organization is a perfect fit for me! I was a member of Pacific Whale Foundation for several years before I was given the incredible opportunity to work here. The people here generously share their passion and compassion for our ocean and marine wildlife. I feel so fortunate to work alongside them every day!
If you could switch jobs with anyone within the organization, what would you do? While I absolutely LOVE what I do, if I was asked to choose another position, it would be a naturalist... if I was younger, braver, and more knowledgeable. I have so much respect and admiration for this team and everyone here.
What is your wish for 2021? Peace. Inclusivity. Kindness. A greater awareness of our need to step up and protect our planet.
