Executive Committee
Our Executive Committee consists of seven elected Chapter leaders and four Group representatives. As needed, there may be up to two appointed volunteers to serve as secretary and treasurer. Additionally, each Group has its own Executive Committee. Elected leaders serve two-year terms.
Letani Peltier, Chair
Letani is from Heʻeia, Oʻahu. He is a proud graduate of Castle High School and holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Puget Sound, a master's degree in economics from Portland State University as well as a Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Native Hawaiian Law from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Letani is currently a public policy advocate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Growing up, Letani spent a lot of time hiking in the mountains, playing on the beaches, and fishing in the ocean. Through these experiences, he developed a deep appreciation for how blessed he is to call Hawaiʻi my home.
Kauʻi Pratt-Aquino, Vice-Chair
Kau‘i Pratt-Aquino is a Native rights and environmental advocate who has dedicated her life to improving the status of kanaka and the greater community through education, cultural stewardship and pono leadership. She believes the Sierra Club can play a critical role in strengthening the alliance between native and environmental advocates to effect positive change. As a mom and lawyer, she is committed to creating a better future for our keiki.
Heidi Schemp, Secretary
Heidi is a Kauaʻi resident. She is a realtor and an activist. She serves on the government affairs committee for the Kauaʻi Board of Realtors. She’s also on the SCC and Rules Committee for the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi. She believes that social justice, environmental justice and affordable housing are all intertwined and they must be dealt with collectively.
Nara Takakawa, Treasurer, non-voting
Niruban Balachandran, At-large
Niruban Balachandran is a passionate conservationist who has become an active voice in the fight for clean water throughout East Asia, Flint, Michigan, and Red Hill, Hawaiʻi. Serving in the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for approximately two years, Niruban witnessed firsthand the Flint water crisis' devastating, life-altering impact on humanity-- one of the world's worst man-made disasters of the last 100 years. He also spent seven years serving in the World Bank, most recently in its Environment & Natural Resources Global Practice; he was based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Since he was young, Niruban has been inspired by environmental champions such as Jane Goodall, E.O. Wilson, Wangari Maathai, David Suzuki, and Tetsu Nakamura. He earned his B.A. in psychology (honors) degree at Rutgers University and a Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Niruban is also an impassioned writer and speaker. By serving in the Sierra Club of Hawai'ʻi, Niruban hopes to inspire others to mobilize philanthropic finance and take action to protect the ecosystems of the State of Hawaiʻi and our world.
Randy Ching,
At-large
Randy has volunteered with the Hawaiʻi Chapter and Oʻahu Group for over 25 years and has been instrumental in building and maintaining countless trails around the state, planting thousands of trees, advocating for climate change mitigation and adaptation, mentoring new outings leaders, and so much more.
Nanea Lo
Nanea Lo is from Papakōlea, Oʻahu. She is a Kanaka Maoli. Lo currently works for HAPA — Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action as an Administrative and Programs Coordinator. Lo’s educational background is Community planning and urban planning infrastructures. Lo is a public servant and serves as the Kona representative for the Oʻahu Burial Council, a commissioner on the Oʻahu Historic Preservation Commission, sits on the board of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center, and serves on the grant making committee for Hawaiʻi People’s Fund. Through civic engagement, podcast hosting, and community organizing, Lo advocates for Hawaiian sovereignty, Aloha 'Āina, and feminism on the national and international scale. Lo has been a part of innovative local and international programs such as Hawaiʻi-Asia Pacific Leadership Program, Native American Political Leadership Program, Kuleana Academy, Young Pacific Leaders, and Peace Scholars. She believes that relationships are the fabric of life and that Aloha ʻĀina is forever.
Kaikea Nakachi
Born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island, Kaikea Nakachi completed his master’s at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Florida Institute of Technology with a degree in Biological Oceanography. His thesis focused on his family’s practice of kahu manō and non-invasive photo-ID of tiger sharks. His passion for ocean stewardship is evident in his work with the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Council, Hui Aloha Kīholo, and in the founding of Mālama Manō and Hui Kahuwai. He seeks to continue to aid Hawaiʻi and its biocultural resources however he can to continue his moʻokūʻauhau rooted in aloha.
Chuck Flaherty,
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Chuck Flaherty is a retired Certified Public Accountant. He moved to Kona in 1996 and studied Hawaiian healing with Margaret Machado, Mona Kahele, and others. He was a plaintiff in the Hokuliʻa litigation, which led to a Hawaiʻi Supreme Court finding that Hawaiʻi County has an "affirmative duty" to protect nearshore marine waters, and has been part of many other community actions to protect Hawaiʻi’s environmental and cultural resources.
Lucienne de Naie, Maui Group
Lucienne de Naie is a long time Club member who has served as Chair and Vice-chair of the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i Chapter Executive Committee. She is a researcher and writer whose passion is protection of native plants, streams, watersheds, and cultural sites.
Angela Huntemer, Oʻahu Group
Angela is a community and environmental activist. She works with the North Shore Community Land Trust and the Ko’olau-Waialua Alliance to protect sensitive and fragile ecosystems. Angela is involved in the “Save Sharks Cove'' alliance, which sued the Department of Planning and Permitting for controversial permitting decisions made in the Pupukea Marine Conservation District. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education. She has been a schoolteacher for the past 15 years at Schofield and Ka'a'awa Elementary Schools.
Kip Goodwin, Kauaʻi Group
Kip is a retired building contractor and sixteen year resident of Wailua Homesteads. Being on the Executive Committee has allowed Kip to act on urban sprawl, water justice, particularly the misappropriating diversion of Wai ʻale ʻale waters, militarization and the effects of climate disruption. He was an organizer for the sailboat Golden Rule's two week visit to Kauaʻi as it sails on a transpacific voyage to Hiroshima, Japan promoting a nuclear free future. Kip is the director of the youth outreach program 808truth2youth.org. Kauaʻi is a very special place that holds special promise. Kip wants to be part of fulfilling that promise.
In 2021, we lost a deeply beloved member of our ʻohana. Nate Yuen lives in our hearts as a remarkably genuine and committed environmental justice advocate. He was recognized by many as a talented photographer that used his gift to share his manaʻo and passion for aloha ʻāina with the world.
Nate was a long-time member of the Sierra Club, serving various roles on the Executive Committee since 2016. We miss him dearly and carry his spirit with us in all that we do, day in and day out.
Nate’s photography and in-depth knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s flora and fauna live on through his website hawaiianforest.com and you can read his regular article in the Mālama i ka Honua digitally here and through our archives here.
Rest in power Nate, we love and miss you.