Born and raised on Oahu, Frankie Koethe (KOH-THEE) has a strong commitment to sustainable community development. Her Master’s Degree in Natural Resource & Environmental Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa focused on the relationship between residents and visitors in the rural coastal zone of Wanini, Kauai. Since then, Frankie went on to develop projects to empower and stimulate rural communities across the State of Hawaii through sustainable agriculture and agri-tourism. As the Community Outreach Liaison of the Koolau Mountains Watershed Partnership, Frankie led public education and outreach efforts to raise public awareness of natural resource management issues on Oahu. This included outreach talks, education material development, and leading volunteer workdays at various restoration sites. Currently, she serves as the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In this role, Frankie facilitates diverse teams of government and non-government partners to promote the recovery of our iconic and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal.You will still find her helping in sustainable agriculture efforts periodically with GoFarm Hawaii.