Kevin O’Brien

Founder & President, Mission Lead

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 countless hours fixing up an old sailboat which he later voyaged all around the Pacific. Prior to forming the Papahānaumokuakea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) in 2019, Kevin spent 12 years with the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) in Honolulu, conducting and coordinating ship-based marine research missions throughout the US Pacific territories. This work also included executing large-scale marine debris removal missions to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, which soon became his passion project. 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.