Roland Shackelford

Roland Shackelford is the President and Owner of Renewable Energy Services located in Honoka'a. Born and raised on the Hāmākua coast, Roland grew up surfing in the Valley and graduated from Honoka'a High School. As a husband, father, and business owner, Waipi‘o remains a place of connection and nourishment for the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of his family and his community.

Uʻilani Macabio

Uʻilani Macabio was born and raised in Kalaoa Hilo, and has genealogical ties to the Island of Hawaiʻi. She is a public school teacher, a surfer, a hula dancer, and mother of two sons. Uʻilani values Hawaiian knowledge, language, and culture, and her personal research focuses on community outreach, with the integration of ancestral knowledge.

Patrick OʻLeary

Patrick O'Leary is an educator, musician, photographer, and lifelong practitioner of bodysurfing. Patrick has a Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Island History and a Masters in Education from the University of Hawai'i, Mānoa. Patrick has genealogical ties to the Hāmākua and Kohala districts and enjoys bodysurfing in the healing waters of Waipi‘o.

Jerry Bess

Jerry Bess of Kamuela was born in the South Pacific and raised on Hawai’i Island. Jerry attended Honoka’a High School and has been a Mauna Kea resort employee since 1992. Jerry is blessed to be a surfer, enjoying the beauty of Waipi’o and its waves since 1977. He has been driving the Waipio access road since 1984. “It’s really important for us to continue our ocean access with this sacred Aloha ‘Āina.”

Nahaku Kalei

Nahaku grew up with the Kanilehua rains of Hilo soaking into her, a deep aloha for her island home. Nahaku feels fortunate to be of Hawaiʻi and to work to grow the EA of our ʻāina. Nahaku and her husband raise their keiki in Waimea, and Waipiʻo was the first place name her son ever spoke. She hopes that MaKa supports people's relationship with Waipiʻo in healthy ways to the totality of life.

Travis Clark

Travis Clarkʻs love of the ocean inspired him to pursue his Marine Science degree from the University of Hawai‘i, Hilo. His love for his son inspires his passion for this organization. “My son's generation should have similar opportunities as mine.” Travis has been surfing Waipi’o for 30 years.

Ariel Tergeoglou

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Ariel learned to surf on the Hāmākua Coast as a child. Sharing this love of the ocean and the balance it brings with her young son is “what makes Hawai‘i special.” Ariel holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hawai‘i, Hilo, and has been a licensed massage therapist for over 20 years. From a healthcare standpoint, Ariel feels strongly that ocean access is vital to our communityʻs health and wellbeing.

Keith Tallett

​​Keith Tallett is an artist, educator, and second-generation surfboard shaper born and raised in Hilo on Hawai‘i Island. Now a Hāmākua resident, Keith has surfed Waipiʻo for 20 years. “It helps my family and I recharge physically and mentally. As a Hawaiian, it also connects me to my community, environment, and cultural practices.”

Sally Lundburg

Sally Lundburg grew up in Honoka'a and Paʻauilo. She is a visual artist, an arts educator and a documentary filmmaker. Outside of her work and passion for storytelling, Sallyʻs life revolves between caring for her familyʻs homestead and surfing or bodysurfing as much as possible. “Our family time in the ocean is exercise, stress relief, and a way to strengthen our relationships in the community.”  She has surfed in Waipi‘o for over 25 years.