Our Mission
To grow trees for future generations across the Hawaiian Islands.
Board of Directors
Duane Sparkman
Founder and President
At the age of 19, Duane moved from Texas to Maui. After coming to the island, he never looked back and worked his way up to becoming part owner of a large landscape company that maintained 65 acres of resorts along the beautiful coastlines of Maui. In addition to his work in landscaping, Duane spent his time working for multiple organizations including volunteer work with Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership, East Maui Watershed Partnership, Coral Reef Alliance, West Maui Watershed Partnership, Hawai’i Island Land Trust, Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve, and Sierra Club Maui Chapter.
While working for Haleakala National Park as a Scientific Biological Technician, Duane’s perspective on landscape management changed and he proceeded to change an entire 12 acre oceanfront resort to organic landscape practices. Currently, Duane is facilitating the production of a reef-safe organic fertilizer specifically designed for Hawaii soils. In addition, Duane sits on the Board of Directors of the Maui Cultural Lands where he is helping to teach about native Hawaiian plants along with sustainable organic landscaping and organic farming practices.
When not working, Duane can be found spending time with his wife, a Maui native, and his two children.
Anuhea Yagi
Board Member
Anuhea Yagi is a mother, cultural practitioner, and internationally award-winning writer. Born and raised on Maui, she grew up (and continues to grow) in Kula, Wailuku and Hamakualoa. But most of her adult life was spent living in Lāhainā, with her longtime partner Kalapana. The pair share a deep commitment to Lele's history and future. They loved snorkeling for trash, giving educational tours of the Historic Distric (through the Friends of Mokuʻula) and performing in the acclaimed ʻUlalena show. Today, Kalapana continues his work with Lahaina Restoration Foundation, meanwhile Anu focuses on motherhood. Now a trio, they are grateful to live in beautiful Mokuhau.
Ekolu Lindsey
Board Member
Raised on Maui (where he loved visiting his grandparents’ home in Lahaina to surf, swim, and fish in the waters of Polanui), Ekolu graduated from Kamehameha Schools on O’ahu, and earned a B.B.A. at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Ekolu’s parents -- Ed Lindsey, a Native Hawaiian, and lifelong school teacher, and Puanani Lindsey -- co-founded Maui Cultural Lands in 2002. After his father passed away in 2009, Ekolu carried forward his family’s legacy of service and their vision of protecting and restoring Hawaiian cultural resources and the marine environment. Ekolu is the president of Maui Cultural Lands and in July of 2015, completed a ten-day, 500-mile journey aboard the voyaging canoe Hikianalia to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to conduct reef surveys and fish monitoring to help better manage Hawai’i’s marine resources. Ekolu also cofounded Polanui Hiu, the first Community Managed Makai Area (CMMA) on Maui. Ekolu sits on many non-profit boards and donates his time freely to create a better world by serving the present for those not yet born.
When not giving back to the community, Ekolu can be found at his favorite surf break, Uha Ilio aka Shark Pit, or on a canoe.
matt murasko
Board Member / Secretary
Matt Murasko is an entrepreneur, product designer and brand builder who affords a 25 year career marked by founding and co-founding various companies and non-profits. Murasko spends his time designing products for his lifestyle brand of Maui Life®. @enjoythemauilife. Murasko assisted the founders of OluKai Footwear (est. 2004) and for ten years was the Hawaii Ambassador for OluKai working closely with the mainland marketing team on numerous initiatives to support the Hawaiian culture within the brand platform. Murasko also worked closely with Mick Fleetwood, on interior and product design and rebranding his retail store “Mick’s House of Fleetwood” that was located at the bottom entrance to his restaurant on Fleetwood’s Front Street Lahaina. In 200 Murasko founded functional polymer company Lumimove LLC and authored numerous patents for the company and is a current shareholder today. Lumimove acquired Wayne Pigment America in 2012 a leader in corrosion-inhibiting pigments & stain inhibitors. Murasko attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL on a soccer scholarship and earned a BA in Graphic Design. Residing in Haiku for the last twenty years with his wife Alane Podoll and son Zane, who is now attending college in Colorado. Murasko is an avid waterman, and his life blends entrepreneurship, outdoor pursuits, and a love for Maui’s culture and environment. Murasko is also on the Board of Directors of the Marine Institute at Maui Ocean Center, the non-profit located in the back of the aquarium.
Rodger May
Board Member
Rodger May is an entrepreneur and president of Three Winches, Inc., an investments and venture capital company. He also has ownership positions in MK Pacific, Copper Leaf LLC, and Copper River Seafood’s. Mr. May currently oversees the direct management of a large investment portfolio and has 25 years of experience in building multiple corporations while managing individual companies with several hundred employees. Mr. May provides expertise for the industrial applications of Microbion's technologies and brings an expertise in building, managing, and orchestrating the successful sale of companies he has owned or been directly involved in running. Mr. May spent 25 years advancing his impact on fisheries and commercialization of new fisheries technologies, which culminated in the sale of one of his primary fishery companies in 2008. He currently maintains ownership in Copper River Seafood’s, where he has had the direct impact of advancing sales by an increase of over fourteen thousand percent from 1997 to 2014. He is both a pioneer and recognized as one of the most successful individual in the fisheries industries.
Rodger resides in West Maui with his wife Lisa and has two daughters that reside on the mainland. Rodger attended University of Hawaii Manoa and studied International Marketing and Marine Biology. Mr. May has recently acquired a 6 acre parcel next to the Fairway Shops in Kaʻanapali that he is converting into mix used commercial space and have offered Sacred Hearts School of Lahaina a temporary for their school over the new few years.
Adam wright
Board Member
Adam is an ISA Certified Arborist and has been designing and installing landscapes on Maui for over 25 years. As a consulting arborist, Adam advises on tree health, tree decisions, and landscape design. He specializes in edible landscaping and fruit tree pruning. Adam has personally planted thousands of trees already.
Some clients call Adam “The Tree Whisperer" and also “The Lorax” as he speaks for the trees. Adam has been a keynote speaker (talking for the trees) at several public events and college campuses. He was also a member of the team that was instrumental in evaluating the trees in Lahaina after the fire.
archie kalepa
Culural Advisor
Archie Kalepa's story is deeply intertwined with the rich cultural heritage of Hawai’i, specifically his hometown of Lahaina on Maui. Archie comes from a long line of Hawaiians deeply connected to the ocean, his lineage hailing back to the Konohiki, known as the traditional caretakers of their community.
Archie's journey fittingly began as a waterman, working as a Maui County lifeguard. He dedicated all of his experience and skill to safeguarding the lives of those who ventured into the waters of Maui, becoming one of the most respected lifeguards in Hawaii because of his keen understanding of the ocean.
Frequently, Archie would test that knowledge and skill riding the colossal waves of Peahi, also known as "Jaws." His respect for nature and understanding of the area enabled him to ride Peahi's monster winter swells with a fearlessness that inspired a new generation of surfers to push past their boundaries as well. His advice to them has always been simple, that true preparation knows no short-cuts.
"Train. Then train again. And train some more."