Our Team
Passionate about food & growing the local regenerative agriculture movement
We are a team of passionate foodies dedicated to supporting local farmers, growers, and producers to uplift the local agricultural economy and communities of Hawai'i. We love providing our customers with the freshest local and organic foods. Mahalo nui loa for your support!

Meet the Team

Executive Director
Maya Parish
Maya has been directing Kohala Food Hub since November 2021, overseeing considerable growth in the number of community members served, local producers supported, and collaborative partnerships created. Prior to that, Parish supported local agricultural initiatives on the island for many years through producing educational workshop series, videos and events. She has gratefully called Kohala home since 2013.
Maya has worked extensively as a community organizer and she currently sits on North Kohala’s CDP Advisory Group, and co-chairs the CDP Agricultural sub-group.
Previous employment includes Operations Manager of Escape Hatch, LLC, Programs Manager at Kohala Institute at ‘Iole, Teacher with Keiki Yoga Kohala, Teaching Artist at The Unusual Suspects, and CareActor with Kaiser Permanente.

Operations Director
Sandra Romer
Hailing from Ireland originally, Sandra leads operations for the Kohala Food Hub and has an extensive operations background in both the non-profit & for-profit sectors. She previously served as the Director of Operations for the Legacy Reef Foundation, growing coral at NELHA on the Big Island.
Prior to that, she held a range of roles in procurement & commodity management, had her own mobile food business, worked in the home automation field and has even been a bike messenger in Australia. She counts herself very lucky to have resided in multiple states in the US and a few global countries too. Sandra loves to stay active with her Big Island community, hiking & biking and trying to get in the ocean every day.

Manager
Travis Travers
Travis is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in hospitality, retail management, and sales. Originally from Alaska, he has recently made North Kohala his home, residing on a family horse ranch for the past 1.5 years. His time in Kohala has been dedicated to working with animals, tending to gardens, and stewarding the land.
Prior to his move to Hawaii, Travis spent a decade honing his skills in the hospitality industry, progressing to the role of general manager at a restaurant and bar establishment. During the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Travis pivoted to managing a retail store and later transitioned to a role as a sales and distribution manager in the wholesale business sector.

Associate
Nick Quinn
Nick is a Kohala High School Graduate and proud to call Kohala his home. When not working, you can usually find him researching topics like food security or fire preparedness, or appreciating the beautiful nature of which Kohala is so abundant. With experience in agriculture, retail, construction, hospitality, and education, Nick is a multifaceted worker who places emphasis on giving back to Kohala through his efforts, and on the importance of farmers for community health and sustainability.

Associate
Isa Alejo
Isa is passionate about food, farming, and building community. Working closely with the land has taught her the value of sustainability and the importance of connecting people with locally grown, fresh produce. She loves cooking with seasonal ingredients and exploring how food brings us closer to our culture and to each other. When she's not working, you can usually find her experimenting in the kitchen, spending time in nature, or finding ways to support her community through meaningful projects.

Marketing & Communications
Jesse Rubendall
Jesse brings years of experience in digital marketing, brand development, communications, and project management. Before moving to Kohala in 2021, Jesse supported the launch of several startup companies through his creativity and proficiency in brand strategy. Following his heart, Jesse and his wife transitioned to life on the Big Island to pursue their dreams of regenerative agriculture. Through his work in local agriculture, Jesse connected with us and has consulted with Kohala Food Hub since 2023. He currently runs our email marketing, social media, web design and communications.