Wailau Storytellers and Hosts: Fall 2023

Michelle Ashley Mazzetti Michelle Ashley Mazzetti is a dynamic professional who strives to make an impact in the world of Film and Television here on Hawaiʻi Island. With a passion for nature, education and the creative arts she has worked diligently to bring all three of those aspects together into her professional and personal life. Michelle's journey began with a strong foundation from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, earning a Bachelor's degree in Geology. Her commitment to the study of Earth Science has led her to found the Robert S. Gray Scholarship endowment fund at Santa Barbara City College, as well as initiating the Geology General Fund here at UH Hilo for which she is currently fundraising. Her insatiable curiosity has brought her to the forefront of some of the most impactful lava flows in recent years, the most significant of which was contributing to the efforts of Drone Team 1 through UH Hilo’s Spatial Data Analysis & Visualization Lab in their work for Civil Defense during the 2018 Leilani Estates Eruption. Originally studying under two wonderful mentors, Dr. Ken Hon and Dr. Cheryl Gansecki, Michelle brings this unique experience and understanding of Hawaiʻi Island to every project she works on. Beyond her professional achievements, Michelle is an advocate of preserving and promoting the diverse Paniolo history of Hawaiʻi. As one of the founders and current Manager of the Waikiʻi Polo Club, she works to give opportunities to children and teens of all backgrounds to get outside and experience the wonders of horsemanship. In her spare time, she enjoys tending to her organic vegetable garden, caring for her 14 pets, doing photography, and coaching AYSO Soccer.

Richard Ha Richard Ha is a retired farmer and small business owner on Hawaiʻi Island. A 1973 graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Richard started Ha Bros Inc., a banana farm at Waiākea Uka. Then in 1978 he started Koaʻe bananas at Kapoho on 60 acres of land, then moved to Keaʻau Banana Plantation on 300 acres of WH Shipman land. When diseases threatened the banana harvest in the 1990s, Ha moved the farm out to Pepeʻekeo, at a new 600 acre operation: Hamakua Springs Country Farms. The farm expanded and diversified into hydroponic vegetables, like tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce, exporting their produce to almost every major supermarket across the state. When rising operational costs led to the closing of the farm in 2016, Richard shifted his focus to a different kind of crop: medical cannabis. As CEO of Big Island Grown (formerly known as Lau Ola LLC), Richard and his team received one of only two state licenses allocated for Hawaiʻi County to start operations for a medical marijuana dispensary.

Throughout his career, Richard has served as a member, director, founder, or president of countless public and private boards including Hawaiʻi Farmers and Ranchers United, the Hawaiʻi Island Energy Cooperative, PUEO (Perpetrating Unique Education Opportunities), Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi, and Hui ‘Oihana, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. He has also received many awards and accolades, including the 2006 “Farmer of the Year” for the State of Hawaiʻi, 2008 Hall of Honor Inductee at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business, and the 2015 Ka Lei Hano Heritage Award for advocacy on behalf of local agriculture and business development from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Recently, Richard authored a book titled, What Would Our Kupuna Do? and what we can do for future generations, which discusses how growing up in a Hawaiian family shaped his thinking, the impact of rising energy costs on everything and everyone, and specific areas we could focus on right now to protect the future of our ‘ohana and our island home. He says, “We, too, are somebody’s ancestors. We need to make wise decisions now to take care of future generations and meet our people’s long-term goals.”

Meshell Barron Meshell Barron has a background in Early Childhood education, and enjoyed teaching the young community of San Diego for 10 years. She shifted her career after relocating to Pahoa Hawaiʻi, and in 2016 started her own business with her husband opening doors to M&M Custom Designs. Meshell likes to take her designs on the road, allowing her to participate in many community events, markets and fundraisers, keeping a close connection to the local community, as well as abroad. Since moving to the Big Island, Meshell has participated in many freelance writing assignments and is currently working on a novel. Writing and journaling has become a huge part of her life since joining the island life. Check out her designs and art @mandmcustomdesigns on social media.

Laura Caswell-Morgan

Laura ʻEleu Caswell-Morgan is a former UH Hilo student who works on Hawaiʻi Island for Catholic Charities Hawaii – Hilo, and Nā ‘Ohana Pūlama. In Aotearoa, she works for Oranga Tamariki, The Ministry for Children. She says: “Ko Porcupine ko Mauna Loa ko Hakirimata nga maunga, Ko Michigan Ko Superior Ko Huron ko Puna nga awa, Ko Manistee ko Wainaku ko Waikato ko Waipa nga roto, Ko Kahotea ko Turangawaewae nga marae, Nō Upper Puna ahau, Ko Laula ʻEleu Caswell-Morgan tōku ingoa. Tēnā koutou katoa (Salutations to you all)! This is my Pepeha, a natural way I practice introducing myself. In the māori language of my whānau it is the best way to get to know me. I come from the Porcupine Mountains (Michigan), Mauna Loa (Hawaiʻi), and the Hakirimata ranges (Aotearoa). My lakes are Michigan, Superior and Huron. My rivers are the Manistee (Michigan), the Wainaku (Hawaiʻi), and where the Waikato and Waipa connect in Aotearoa. I always have a home on my maraes, Kahotea and Turangawaewae, though I dwell here in Upper Puna. Finally, I am a grandmother, a mother, daughter, sister, family, friend, and worker for the people; I am a partner. When I come out to play, it is in the outdoors, the theatre, and through traveling where I feel most sublime.”

Kaimana Barcarse

Kaimana Barcarse works in the ʻĀina Pauahi Group at Kamehameha Schools. There, his focus is to improve the capability and well-being of kanaka Hawaiʻi through a healthy community ecosystem with a focus on ʻāina, education and culture. He is the Vice-Chair of the Hawaiʻi State Board of Education and a DJ/producer on the Hawaiian language radio program, "Alana I Kai Hikina" on KWXX-FM, currently celebrating over 25 years of broadcast. He is a deep-sea voyager and captain, and an educator who has instructed from preschool through university in disciplines ranging from voyaging & navigation to ethnozoology, indigenous media, and beyond. He previously served as the director of the Exploration Sciences and Voyaging division of the 'Aha Pūnana Leo which utilized the waʻa kaulua (voyaging canoes) as a platform to strengthen the Hawaiian language skills and cultural traditions of its participants, and continues to educate through his roles as a board member of the ʻOhana Waʻa, a board member of Nā Kālai Waʻa Moku o Hawaiʻi, on the leadership team of Honuakai, and as a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Kaimana also serves as board chair for Cultural Survival (an international Non-Governmental Organization), President of the Hawaiʻi Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, board member of the Indigenous Education Institute, and on the Advisory Council of The Cultural Conservancy. He earned a Masters of Art in Hawaiian Language & Literature and holds a Master Mariners Credential.