Woodside Named Nature Conservancy Director

The Nature Conservancy of Hawai’i has named a new executive director in Ulalia Woodside.

Woodside is a 14-year veteran with the Land Assets Division at Kamehameha Schools. She has also served in various roles, including director of natural and cultural resources.

The role assigned to Woodside previously belonged to Suzanne Case, current Department of Land and Natural Resources chair. Mark Fox, the conservancy’s external affairs director, held the spot as acting Hawai’i executive director while a permanent replacement was sought.

“We would like to thank Mark Fox for his exemplary service and welcome Ulalia Woodside as the new leader of the Conservancy’s Hawai‘i Program,” said Board Chairman Chris Benjamin. “Ulalia brings a wealth of planning, land management and conservation experience to the job.  Her diverse background, her ties to the local Hawai‘i community, her reputation and work ethic, and her expertise in Hawaiian culture all combined to make her the unanimous choice of the search committee.”

A total of 200,000 acres of agricultural and conservation lands were in Woodside’s realm of responsibility during her time with Kamehameha Schools.

“I am honored and excited to lead the Conservancy’s Hawai‘i Program,” Woodside said.  “I can think of no higher calling than protecting Hawai‘i’s natural environment. I look forward to working with the Conservancy’s board, its staff, and its many partners and supporters to continue the organization’s strong legacy of achievement in Hawai‘i.”

Woodside holds two degrees from the Univerisity of Hawai’i in Political Science and Hawaiian Studies. She also completed graduate course work at UH’s School of Urban and Regional Planning.

In addition, Woodside has a certificate in Hawaiian language and is a trained Kumu Hula, completing her ‘uniki rites of passage under Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt Padilla in 2008.

Woodside currently serves as a board member of the State Board of Land and Natural Resources and as a member of the steering committee for Hawai‘i Green Growth. She will begin her new role at the conservancy in mid-January.