Eyes of the ReefThe members of our Eyes of the Reef team are dedicated and experienced marine conservationists and scientists. They donate their time and expertise to outreach, education, and report validation with Eyes of the Reef. They make EOR happen! Feel free to contact your local Island Coordinator for more information about our programs or if you have any questions.
Dr. Greta Smith Aeby- EOR Founder
Greta is a marine biologist focusing on understanding coral disease throughout the world. She was instrumental in developing Hawaii’s rapid response contingency plan (RRCP) and initiating the Eyes of the Reef program. The EOR is a critical component of the RRCP and she is happy to do her part to help Hawaii’s coral reef resources.
TBD – DAR RRCP Coordinator
The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will be hiring a RRCP coordinator to help implement the State’s Rapid Response Contingency Plan (RRCP) for events of coral bleaching, disease, and crown of thorns events. Aspects of the plan related to the Eyes of the Reef (EOR) program will also be under development. Reef response activities are also supported by the DLNR/DAR Aquatic Invasive Species team. More information on this program is available at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ais/
Scott Bacon – Kauai Island Coordinator
Scott’s passion is marine ecology and he enjoys learning about the amazing interactions and 
fragile balance of marine life in the underwater world. He loves to share fun information about some of the amazing things you will see underwater. Scott is currently the Director of Malama Na Apapa (A Marine Ecosystem Sustainability non-profit organization on Kauai), and an avid and experienced SCUBA diver spending many hours investigating and monitoring Kauai’s coral reefs. His current goal is to complete a Masters degree in Marine Science.
Megan Ross – Oʻahu Co-Coordinator
Megan received her PhD from the University of Hawaiʻi and is an assistant professor at UH West Oʻahu where she continues to educate others in coral biology and ecology. She has been involved with EOR since its inception and now helps coordinate the program on Oʻahu.
Donna Brown – Maui Island Co-Coordinator
Donna Brown is the Marine Option Program coordinator at University of Hawaiʻi-Maui College and teaches Marine Biology and Oceanography. She has been a UH research diver since the 1900s when the reefs looked a lot better than they do now. She knows it is important to have many eyes watching for changes on the reefs and appreciates all the dedicated volunteers at Eyes of the Reef.
Hailey Ramey- Maui Island Co-Coordinator
Hailey grew up on Maui where her love of the ocean inspired her to pursue a degree in marine science from UH Hilo. She’s participated in several NOAA research cruises around the Pacific studying fish, coral, and algae. She’s also worked alongside teams from UH and DLNR on research projects along Maui’s coastline. Her hope is to help raise awareness of the threats facing our oceans and ensure Hawaii’s reefs are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Ashley Pugh – Hawaiʻi Island Co-Coordinator
Ashley graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with a Masters degree in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science in 2019. She also completed her bachelors degree in Marine Science at UH Hilo. Since 2013 she has assisted various marine research and monitoring projects around Hawaii Island with UH Hilo, and the National Parks Service, and in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and Mariana Islands with NOAA. She is currently a part of the Division of Aquatic Resources team in Kona as a habitat and fish monitoring technician. She is excited to collaborate with community and partners to support the Eyes of the Reef Network efforts in monitoring and management of the ocean resources around Hawaiʻi Island.
Nikki Smith – Hawaiʻi Island Co-Coordinator
Nikki graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with a degree in Marine Science in 2013. Since then, she has been working on the ocean in West Hawaiʻi, including coral reef research projects with the Division of Aquatic Resources in Kona, UH Hilo and the National Park Service, outreach for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, as well as speaking about coral reef issues with community members. As the EOR Co-Coordinator for Hawaiʻi Island, she helps respond to reports of changes on Hawaiʻi Islands reefs, conducts monitoring training courses for community members, and coordinates public outreach. She is excited to work with the community to better monitor and manage our ocean resources.
Christi Feeter- Molokaʻi Coordinator
Christi Feeter is a resident of Molokaʻi and is involved in several volunteer conservation projects on the island, including several years of coordinating volunteer turtle monitoring of both Green sea turtles (honu) and more rare Hawaiian Hawksbill turtles. Christi has also worked closely with scientists from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collect key data on turtle habitat on Molokaʻi, including Hālawa Valley and Moʻomomi. She’s also supported marine and coastal conservation field work and training on Oʻahu and the Big Island. Besides volunteering for various programs on Molokaʻi, she is an avid hiker and outrigger paddler.
Nick Brilliande- Lānaʻi Coordinator
Nick Brilliande is a high school science teacher at Lānaʻi High and Elementary School and has a Marine Science degree from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo and a MEDT in Education from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. He was born and raised on Oʻahu and has enjoyed being in and around the ocean for all of his life. He’s an avid SCUBA diver and free-diver and has lived on Lānaʻi for more than 7 years. In addition to his role with the Eyes of the Reef Network, Nick also supports REEF in conducting coral reef surveys, the Hawaiʻi Uncharted Research Collective as an Ambassador for Lānaʻi, and the Pacific Whale Foundation in monitoring spinner dolphin populations and interactions. He also regularly contributes observational photos to the Hawaiʻi Hawksbill Conservation project. Nick is the first Coordinator for Lānaʻi and enthusiastically aims to help our oceans and their inhabitants thrive.
Affiliate & Past Team Members
Linda Preskitt
Linda is an algal biologist (M.S., University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa) and a marine conservation public educator. She spends much of her time teaching and speaking on coral reef issues with community members, groups, commercial operators and schools. She has been a research diver for 20+ years and is currently a research diver with Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and has worked on a wide range of projects around the Pacific with University of Hawaiʻi, NOAA, USGS, and USF&WS. Linda developed the EOR website, training modules and informational materials. She continues to provide administrative support and guidance to the Eyes of the Reef Network.
Lindsey Kramer
Lindsey has worked on coral reef conservation and management projects on Hawaiʻi Island and Molokaʻi since 2007 with numerous agencies including the National Park Service, the Department of Land & Natural Resources- Division of Aquatic Resources, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Lindsey supported the development of the EOR online training and the recent update of our free educational materials. She continues to provide administrative support and guidance to the Hawaiʻi Island Eyes of the Reef Network.
Darla White
Darla’s personal goal is to further our understanding of the marine environment through research and education in order to promote conservation and longevity of these ecosystems. Darla has been a professional research diver for 12 years in Hawaiʻi. Her experience and interests are wide ranging, including fishes (ecology, biology, and fisheries), coral reef ecology, climate change, marine disease, water quality (especially nutrient loading), harmful algal blooms, ciguatera (toxicity in fishes and toxin characterization), marine ecosystem monitoring, anthropogenic impact assessment, reef resilience and network marine reserves.
Jason Mehlinger
Jason has a passion for educating others in marine conservation and worked as an Outreach Specialist for Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources. He graduated from Hawaiʻi Pacific University and worked for a time as a fish observer in the cold waters of Alaska. He returned to Hawaiʻi and was part of DAR’s rapid response team where he saw, firsthand, the problems facing Hawaii’s reefs. He has been instrumental in continuing natural resource education efforts program on Oʻahu.
Eyes of the Reef 