Kevin O’Brien

Founder & President, Mission Lead

Hometown: Polson, Montana

Current Residence: Kailua, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

After a childhood in the mountains of Montana, Kevin came to Hawaiʻi in 2002 to attend UH Mānoa. While at UH, he studied Zoology and spent thousands of hours learning to sail and fixing up an old boat which he later took all around the Pacific. Prior to forming the Papahānaumokuakea Marine Debris Project (PMDP), Kevin spent 12 years with the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) in Honolulu, conducting and coordinating ship-based marine research missions across the Pacific. This work also included executing large-scale marine debris removal missions to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Kevin prioritizes building community and hopes to create more grassroots interest in helping to care for Papahānaumokuakea among the people of Hawaiʻi and the nation. He lives with his wife Christina, daughter Scout, and a couple of nephews on the windward side.  In his free time he loves to work on the family farm in Waimanalo, surf, eat unhealthy breakfast food, and build things with his hands.