A Message from our new President, Ken Kupchak

O'ahu’s Wildlife Refuges (James Campbell, Pearl Harbor and O'ahu Forest) shelter many of O'ahu’s remaining critical native flora and fauna. Many of O'ahu’s residents maybe unaware of these jewels, let alone the National Wildlife System that is charged with their protection. Starting January 1st, Reggie David, Layne Yoshida, Ray Born, Laura Crago, Eric VanderWerf, and I were elected to serve as the Directors of the Friends of O'ahu National Wildlife Refuges. As we surveyed the needs of the Friends, we invited Gary Gill, Amber O’Reilly, Terrell Erickson, Robert Harris, Pauline Kawamata and Lauren Pederson to join us on the Board. The Board has elected me as president, Eric as 1st VP, Terrell as 2nd VP, Ray as Secretary and Layne as Treasurer. Ray and Eric are co-chairing the Volunteer Committee, Laura, Lauren and Dustin Hattenburg are co-chairing the Communication, Publicity and Membership Committees, Eric and Terrell are the co-chairs of the Fundraising committee, I chair the Governance and Nomination Committee and my wife Patty and I are coordinating the task force exploring holding of a Walk For The Wild (Find Your Wild), perhaps in the first week of November, 2026. As we formulate our plans to bring the story of O'ahu’s Refuges to you, we’d appreciate your sharing your thoughts and suggestions as to how to best bring the O'ahu Refuge story into your homes and to involve you in the preservation and restoration of these unique resources. Contact any of us and check out our website: https://www.friendsofoahunwr.org With Refuges in several locations on our island, each featuring different unique animals and plants, we hope to involve O'ahuans from all across the island in sharing the stories growing in their back yards with friends and neighbors. Over time, we hope to develop programs and volunteer projects for our Friends. You can be instrumental in this effort and help us reach all ages. As all Refuges across the Country have so many more needs than can possibly be timely funded, we view the public as force multipliers. Once more Uncle Sam needs you! Komo Mai.

Aloha, Ken Kupchak,

President, Friends of Oahu NWR