Ashley-Ann Kaleionehu “Nehu” Shaw

Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, Nehu’s experience and passion for Native Hawaiian forest restoration and watershed health is the driving force of her career in conservation. In 2005, Nehu started her conservation career working with Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) with a focus on invasive species management. Throughout college she continued exploring the field of conservation by participating in several internships with various conservation organizations (PIPES, Kupu, USDA Forest Service, Forest Team at Hawai‘i Community College). Nehu received her Associate in Science degree in Liberal Arts from Hawai‘i Community College in 2015, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo in 2017, with a background in Botany and Environmental Science. From 2018-2021 she served as the Field Crew Leader for Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance. Nehu is honored to now be a part of the Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Community Based Subsistence Forest Area (PCBSFA) and working alongside people who share her passion of ‘ike Hawai‘i and mālama ʻāina. As the Community Forest Restoration Technician, Nehu is able to apply her experience, knowledge, and skills in watershed management to support the restoration and reforestation efforts of the 75 acre PCBSFA enclosure on the Kohala side of Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a.