WHO WE ARE
Our Team
Maya Parish
Executive Director
Maya has been directing Kohala Food Hub since November 2021. Prior to that, Parish supported local agricultural initiatives on the island for many years through producing and directing workshop series, videos and events, including 'Āina Lessons and 'Āina Fest with HIP Agriculture. She has gratefully called North Kohala home since 2013. Maya has worked extensively as a community organizer and has served on North Kohala’s CDP Advisory Group, and as co-chair of 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.
Sandra Romer
Operations Director
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.
Travis Travers
Manager
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 Hawaiʻi, 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.
Kat Cuzma
Sales & Marketing Representative
Raised in the Arizona desert and now rooted in Hawaiʻi, Kat is passionate about transforming food systems and strengthening community through local food. With 6+ years in sales, marketing, and community engagement, she’s helped mission-driven food businesses thrive—from handcrafted ferments to farm-fresh subscriptions. Culinary-trained in health-supportive cooking, she values food as both nourishment and culture. At Kohala Food Hub, Kat blends strategy and heart to grow partnerships, expand food access, and uplift Hawaiʻi’s producers—always with care, hustle, and a deep love for good food.
Jessica Kāne
Administrative Assistant
Jessica moved from the sandy shores of Oahu to the lush greens of Kohala and is the Admin Assistant at Kohala Food Hub. She is a proud mom of three keiki who enjoys watching her kids play sports, crafting, foraging and fishing. Life here is a beautiful blend of nature and ohana.
Genevieve Souren
Associate
Genevieve Souren is an advocate for earth medicine and food sovereignty. Raised in Los Angeles, she witnessed the disconnect between people, their health, and the Earth—fueling her commitment to live in deeper communion with nature. She has since dedicated herself to holistic healing, herbal medicine, and sustainable farming. Her travels and homesteading across the U.S. led her to study Ayurveda, Appalachian Folk Remedies, Southwest Indigenous medicine, and Laʻau Lapaʻau after arriving on Hawaiʻi Island in 2018. Genevieve is a practicing massage therapist and herbalist, continuing to craft remedies rooted in the cultures she’s learned from. She believes a resilient community shares resources and wisdom with reciprocity, and is honored to support Kohala Food Hub’s mission.
Nia Vargas
Associate
For the past four years, Nia has dedicated herself to farming, driven by a deep passion for addressing the challenges of dysfunctional food systems and overreliance on imports. Recognizing farming as a path to meaningful change, she earned a certificate in Sustainable Urban Agriculture from Virginia State University. Her journey has taken her from studying practices in Miami, Mt. Shasta, Humboldt, and Los Angeles to her current focus in Hawaiʻi, where she continues to deepen her expertise in organic and regenerative agriculture. Nia sees farming as a vital way to reconnect with community, the environment, and the planet. Through her work, she aims to strengthen local food systems and inspire community participation—transforming how people engage with food and care for the ʻāina.
Nick Quinn
Associate
Nick is a proud Kohala High School graduate who calls Kohala home. From a young age, he has worked in many service-oriented roles—from educating youth on ocean safety and science, to collaborating with state and federal agencies to protect the island from wildfire, to tutoring classmates in high school to support their success. He's always been committed to helping his community thrive. With experience in agriculture, retail, construction, hospitality, and education, Nick is a multifaceted worker who emphasizes giving back to Kohala and recognizes the vital role farmers play in community health and sustainability.
Zapora Monti
Da Bux Ambassador
Zapora is passionate about health and the systems that work to support a thriving community. Her favorite part about working with KFH is not only about connecting people with local, fresh whole food products but also connecting with community through the volunteer program. After spending time working in school and hospital settings as an educator and speech-language therapist, she embarked on a journey to study alternative modes of healing while living abroad. She is now rooted in North Kohala where she enjoys drinking cacao, cooking, gardening and tending a beautiful food forest farm which was established by her mother 30 years ago.
Jesse Rubendall
Programs & Marketing
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 passion of regenerative agriculture. Through his work in local agriculture, Jesse connected with us and has consulted with Kohala Food Hub since 2023.
Katie Wortman
Development & Design
Katie has supported Kohala Food Hub since 2022, contributing to grant writing, website development, impact reporting, and marketing design. A former manager of the organization, she continues to play a key role in securing funding to support the hub’s operations and food access programs. Katie is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Sustainable Food Systems through Arizona State University. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to strengthening Hawai‘i’s local food system and uplifting the farmers and communities at its heart.
Claire Muskopf
Accounting
Claire Muskopf, CNAP, leads Aonyx Consulting, a nonprofit-focused consulting firm that supports Kohala Food Hub with financial management and grant compliance. With a deep understanding of nonprofit accounting, Claire’s support keeps our financial operations running smoothly so we can focus on feeding our community.