Our Story · Origin & vision

Ancient Wisdom for a Modern Crisis

“He aliʻi ka ʼaina, he kauwā ke kanaka.”
The land is chief; the people are its servants.

Story image

Who We Are

A Maui-based 501(c)(3) marine conservation nonprofit, established 2023. The first community-led, whole-system marine conservation organization in Hawaiʻi.

Name Meaning

Hui Nehu means “The Community of the Anchovy.” We believe true restoration starts at the very foundation of the food chain.

Our Model

The ahupuaʻa made operational — organizing conservation work from land-based pollution sources to offshore nurseries, addressing issues at source not just symptoms in the ocean.

Team & Leadership · The People

Led by Hawaiʻi’s Most Credible Ocean Stewards

A team combining Indigenous Hawaiian cultural authority, peer-reviewed marine science, and operational expertise.

James J.K. Carpio

Founder / CEO & Director

Dr. Nakoa Goo

Co-Founder / Vice-Director

Alii Napoleon

Co-Founder / Director of Technology Strategy & Field Systems
Open Role

Director of Operations

OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP + ORGANIZATIONAL COORDINATION

OperationsOpen
Open Role

Program Coordinator

EDUCATION PROGRAMS + COMMUNITY WORKDAYS

Program trackOpen
Open Role

Program 1 Coordinator

PROGRAM DELIVERY + SCHEDULING

Program trackOpen
Open Role

Program 2 Coordinator

FIELD LOGISTICS + REPORTING

Program trackOpen
Open Role

Program 3 Coordinator

PAARTNERSHIP SUPPORT + COORDINATION

Program trackOpen

Coming Soon

DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources
University of Hawaiʻi
Maui County
Traditional Hawaiian fishing communities
Partners & Coalition · Coalition & partnerships

A Collaborative Catalyst, Not a Competitor

Coalition anchor — supporting, empowering, and partnering with existing grassroots organizations to accelerate marine conservation across Hawaiʻi. We do not operate in silos.

Three Partnership Modes

01

Resource & Technology Sharing

Technical expertise, marine science data, Bio Cleaner septic access

02

Joint Advocacy

Unified coalition for state environmental policy + federal grants

03

Capacity Building

Admin support + fiscal sponsorship to emerging grassroots organizations + scientific validation for volunteer-led ahupuaʻa projects

Target Regional Partners

Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
NOAA Pacific Islands Region
DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources
University of Hawaiʻi Marine Programs
1% for the Planet