Jermy Uowolo
My Story
I was born and raised on the small, remote island of Fais in the outer islands of Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia. According to legend, Fais was raised from the ocean floor by “Motigig,” and it is notably the nearest landmass to the Challenger Deep, the ocean's deepest point. This raised limestone island spans about 1 square mile and is home to roughly 300 residents who lead a traditional subsistence lifestyle. The people of Fais rely on their natural surroundings for food, medicine, housing, arts, trade, and transportation. Like many Pacific cultures, Fais lacks a language, making oral traditions vital for passing down family history and knowledge. I grew up hearing stories and legends shared by my grandparents and family elders, and I have passed on this practice to my children. My upbringing on Fais has profoundly shaped my identity, instilling in me the values of community and respect for both cultural heritage and the natural world.
I now live in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island and am very much involved in the community of people, plants, animals, and Mother Earth. I am passionate about working with native plants on Mauna Kea, growing canoe plants, and building urban gardens at home. I love paddling, fishing, and swimming in the ocean. I enjoy spending time with my animals-- sheep, chickens, a cat, and my beautiful naughty huskies. Above all, I am a family, and I love my ohana. And I am so lucky to be able to enjoy all of it, sometimes in one day. Lucky live Hawaiʻi. Aloha!
I enjoy working with people to effect positive change in our communities. I take pride in my work and the long-lasting relationships I've cultivated over the years. I believe in hard work, collaboration, and enjoying the process! Feel free to explore my portfolio and reach out with any questions.
Professional History
Past Positions
Sept. 2016 - Current
Hawai'i Native Forest Specialist with Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project_DLNR, PCSU.
I work in collaboration with the project coordinator in planning and coordinating field projects while conducting activities related to the protection, preservation, and restoration of Mauna Kea's high-elevation native forest ecosystem. This includes native seed collection and processing and collaborating with nursery staff to ensure adequate seedlings for planting. During the planting season, I organize volunteer events and lead groups in the field to plant native seedlings, overseeing quality control of the planting plots. One of my key achievements is developing a streamlined data collection and visualization system that enhances our data processing efficiency, along with planting 30,000 native trees across over 150 acres by myself during the peak of COVID-19 in 2020.
May 2015 - Current
The Melai Mai project was founded by my wife, Amanda Uowolo, and myself with the support of our local Remathau community leaders and members on the Big Island. While it began as a Hawaii-based community project to promote breadfruit agroforestry, food security, and sustainability in the islands of Fais and Ulithi Atoll of Yap, it has since expanded to include other islands across Micronesia through partnerships with the USDA Forest Service, Yap Division of Agriculture and Forestry, Council of Tamol (traditional Council of Chiefs of the Outer islands of Yap), Breadfruit Institute, Geoliteracy Education in Micronesia, Palau Community College - Cooperative Research Extension, and the Palau Bureau of Agriculture. The project promotes breadfruit agroforestry by supplying trees of new productive varieties to communities at no cost and through engagement with communities to encourage tree planting and the preservation of existing local breadfruit varieties unique to each island. The mission of the Melai Mai project is to support long term food security, mitigation for climate change impacts, and promote the perpetuation of sustainable breadfruit culture and traditions in island communities across Micronesia.
June 2012 - May 2014
President, Vice President, and on Board of Directors
I initially volunteered as a board member and later served as the organization's president for over ten years. As President, I facilitated board meetings, organized and coordinated community events, and collaborated with community leaders, government agencies, and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on behalf of the local Micronesian community on the Big Island. This experience allowed me to expand my leadership skills and build strong relationships with my Micronesian community, the larger Hawai’i community, local government agencies, and the other NGOs I have worked with over the years.
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I currently serve on the Board of Directors as the Vice President (since 2019) and have previously served as the President (2011 -2019) for the 501c3 non-profit organization.
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I work with the Board of Directors to accomplish the annual goals and objectives of the organization, ensure our team is accountable for accomplishing the organization’s mission, make decisions that cover a long range of issues concerning the local Micronesian community on the Big Island of Hawai’i, represent the organization and the community in public hearings, and conduct public outreach and presentations to help advance the concerns, needs, and aspirations of the Micronesian community in Hawai’i.
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My experiences in outreach efforts have included working directly with the Office of Community Services of the County of Hawai’i, the County of Hawai’i Prosecutor’s Office, the County of Hawai’i Mayor’s Office, the County of Hawai’i Research and Development Office, State of Hawai’i Office of Immigration, State of Hawaii Child Protective Services, University of Hawai’i at Hilo, social service providers, school principals and teachers, health care providers, immigration officials, and natural resource managers.
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I manage the nonprofit’s social media presence and website.
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