Beryl was born, raised and educated in Honolulu (Punahou) and graduated from Vassar College. Following her marriage to her high school classmate, they moved to Kīlauea, Kaua`i in 1980.  Beryl has been a board member of the Kīlauea Neighborhood Association, The Kaua`i Planning and Action Alliance, and The Mānoa Heritage Center.  She helped to refound Mālama Māhāʻulepū, and continues on their board and steering committee. Beryl serves on the State Legacy Lands Conservation Commission where she sees community groups throughout Hawai’i working to acquire and steward land that are worthy of permanent protection and active management. Beryl notes that “Every place Iʻve visited and groups I have met remind me that Waipā is an admired statewide model for community engagement in ahupuaʻa management, as well as immersion education and local economic development. Most of all, Waipā is a native Hawaiian place of affirmation, education and
refuge.”

Lea is a Native Hawaiian community planner from Kaua`i with over 25 years of experience in land use, GIS, and community-based stewardship. She currently works with Hawai`i Sea Grant as the Pili Nā Moku Kona Moku Resilience Stewardship Coordinator and leads Kālai Huliau LLC, a consulting practice rooted in culturally grounded planning and `āina stewardship. Lea’s work is guided by aloha `āina and a commitment to ahupua`a-based management that supports resilient communities and healthy ecosystems. She is honored to serve on the Waipā board and support its mission to mālama `āina and strengthen connections between people and place.

Todd was born and raised in Kahalu`u, O`ahu and is the son of farmers who instilled in him the importance of mālama `āina and kuleana to protect our natural resources for future generations. He attended the John A. Burns School of Medicine and completed a Medicine- Pediatrics Residency at the University of Hawai`i. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve his patients for over two decades, first at the Kaiser Permanente Nānāikeola Clinic in Nānākuli, and subsequently at the Ko`olau Medical Office. In addition to seeing patients, he is responsible for Primary Care, Urgent Care, Virtual Medicine and Obesity Medicine as the Assistant Area Medical Director of Primary Care and Virtual Care. Todd believes the fate of the land and the health of our people are intertwined. Without fresh drinking water and arable land, or without mitigation of invasives in our oceans, the health of our people and sustainability will be threatened. He is honored to serve on Waipā’s Board. Its mission of restoring natural resources and inspiring healthy communities embodies both his personal and professional values.

Originally from Wahiawa, Kaua`i, Keith Nitta now resides in Kalāheo. He was a planner for thirty-two years with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the County of Kaua`i Planning Department. While with the DLNR on O`ahu, he did State Park planning and Conservation District planning and permitting. He returned to Kaua`i in 1978 to work for the County of Kaua`i Planning Department until 2006. During his last twelve years he formed and headed the Long-Range Planning Division. Currently, he serves as the Vice President for the Kaua`i Housing Development Corporation; is on the Board of Directors for both the Waipā Foundation and Hale Halawai `Ohana O Hanalei; and is a member of the State’s Marine and Coastal Zone Advocacy Council (MACZAC). Keith strongly supports Waipā Foundation’s mission of managing the ahupua`a of Waipā through its many education and land-based programs.

Born and raised on O`ahu, George recently retired after 45 wonderful years as a Kaua`i Emergency Medical Services EMT based on Kaua`iʻs north shore.  With a strong passion for community development and social justice, George also feels a sense of urgency to further perpetuate Hawai`i’s precious resources, having previously served as a Hawai`i DLNR Conservation Enforcement officer in the 1980’s.  Elected to Waipā Foundationʻs board in October of 2025, George is excited about helping to further Waipāʻs mission of promoting sustainability and empowering local communities.  The late renowned quilting master, Deborah Umiamaka Kakalia taught George the virtue of patience and poi as a quilting student.  His love for poi has evolved into a love for Lilikoi Poi Cheesecake.

Peter was born on O`ahu and raised in Waimanalo and Kailua. He is a graduate of Kailua High School, the University of Hawai`i (BA) and the University of Oregon (JD). He practiced law briefly on O`ahu before moving to Kaua`i in 1984. In addition to his private practice, he has served as a deputy prosecutor, deputy county attorney, and legal analyst for the Kaua`i County Clerk. He is married to Tracy Murakami and they have two children. He is currently on the board of directors for the Hosea Lovell Foundation and the Waipā Foundation. According to Peter “Waipā ’s preservation of the culture and land are important to Kaua`i and especially to Hanalei. It is an honor and privilege to support the work being done by Waipā ’s dedicated and talented staff.”

Lillian was born and raised on the north shore of Kaua`i. She lives in Hanalei with her husband who is a taro farmer. Her son lives in Kīlauea with his wife and 3 children. One of her daughters lives in `Ele`ele with her fiancé and her youngest daughter is in college at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lillian attended Hanalei and Kīlauea Schools and graduated from Kapa`a High School. She has an Associate degree in Hospitality Service, has been working at the Hanalei Bay Resort for 40 years and is currently the Ambassador of Aloha.  Lillian spends time helping with the taro farm and also organizes fundraisers that support the Hawai`i Lodging and Tourism Association Annual Charity Walk. She is recognized as having raised the most funds for the Charity Walk annually for the last 12 years. Lillian says “It is an honor to be a Waipā board member and support the work that is being done by the organization and all their different educational programs for our keiki.”