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The People
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors works collaboratively with the Managing Directors to carry out the sanctuary's mission.
Hannah Mizuno
Co-founder | Board of Directors, Chairperson | Animal Care Manager
Hannah was born and raised on the island of O’ahu. She always had a deep love for animals, and envisioned creating a sanctuary before she even knew about the concept of a farmed animal sanctuary. The idea of a place where animals could spend their days in refuge, free from violence and exploitation, had always been her dream.
After visiting a sanctuary in her teen years, her vision of starting a farmed animal sanctuary was solidified. At just 20 years old, when the opportunity arose to join the team of co-founders at Aloha Animal Sanctuary, she was ecstatic. Hannah is now a co-founder, Director of Development, and overnight caretaker at Aloha Animal Sanctuary, caring for the animals every day and night. This is her life’s work, and she is grateful for the opportunity to create a safe place for animals and people.
She is grateful to use the Sanctuary as an educational platform to raise awareness about animal and environmental issues. Hannah has planned multiple fundraising events for the sanctuary that were entirely zero-waste and emphasized sustainable habits. Her interests and experience in off-grid living have also benefited the sanctuary in the creation of the overnight caretaker office on-site.
Hannah is currently a full-time college student and hopes to find a career that allows her to continue volunteering with Aloha Animal Sanctuary for years to come.
Hannah was born and raised on the island of O’ahu. She always had a deep love for animals, and envisioned creating a sanctuary before she even knew about the concept of a farmed animal sanctuary. The idea of a place where animals could spend their days in refuge, free from violence and exploitation, had always been her dream.
After visiting a sanctuary in her teen years, her vision of starting a farmed animal sanctuary was solidified. At just 20 years old, when the opportunity arose to join the team of co-founders at Aloha Animal Sanctuary, she was ecstatic. Hannah is now a co-founder, Director of Development, and overnight caretaker at Aloha Animal Sanctuary, caring for the animals every day and night. This is her life’s work, and she is grateful for the opportunity to create a safe place for animals and people.
She is grateful to use the Sanctuary as an educational platform to raise awareness about animal and environmental issues. Hannah has planned multiple fundraising events for the sanctuary that were entirely zero-waste and emphasized sustainable habits. Her interests and experience in off-grid living have also benefited the sanctuary in the creation of the overnight caretaker office on-site.
Hannah is currently a full-time college student and hopes to find a career that allows her to continue volunteering with Aloha Animal Sanctuary for years to come.
Anchi Howitz
Co-Founder | Board of Directors
Anchi's happy place is where and when she is surrounded by content animals living out their lives in the wild or places they can thrive. Anchi believes that fostering connection and reciprocity with nature and our non-human brethren on the planet, is essential for our individual and collective planetary health.
Co-founding Aloha Animal Sanctuary was a dream come true. Anchi is still in awe of the power of community, and what we can do when we come together with a shared vision. After three years acting as a Managing Director at the Sanctuary, Anchi has now transitioned solely into her role as the current Chair of the Board of Directors.
A graduate of Cornell University, Anchi has a background in luxury spa operation management and is a Licensed Massage therapist. Anchi has an entrepreneurial spirit and has started several boutique Massage businesses, including Sanctuary Spa; a boutique glamping spa experience located on the Sanctuary property (15% of proceeds go back to the animals). Leading up to co-founding the Sanctuary, Anchi was very involved volunteering with other animal rescue organizations as well as leadership in grassroots community organizations doing animal rights activism.
Anchi is currently a graduate student in the Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy program at Lewis and Clark College. Anchi loves going on adventures with her son, taking dance classes, and dreaming of future travels.
Anchi's happy place is where and when she is surrounded by content animals living out their lives in the wild or places they can thrive. Anchi believes that fostering connection and reciprocity with nature and our non-human brethren on the planet, is essential for our individual and collective planetary health.
Co-founding Aloha Animal Sanctuary was a dream come true. Anchi is still in awe of the power of community, and what we can do when we come together with a shared vision. After three years acting as a Managing Director at the Sanctuary, Anchi has now transitioned solely into her role as the current Chair of the Board of Directors.
A graduate of Cornell University, Anchi has a background in luxury spa operation management and is a Licensed Massage therapist. Anchi has an entrepreneurial spirit and has started several boutique Massage businesses, including Sanctuary Spa; a boutique glamping spa experience located on the Sanctuary property (15% of proceeds go back to the animals). Leading up to co-founding the Sanctuary, Anchi was very involved volunteering with other animal rescue organizations as well as leadership in grassroots community organizations doing animal rights activism.
Anchi is currently a graduate student in the Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy program at Lewis and Clark College. Anchi loves going on adventures with her son, taking dance classes, and dreaming of future travels.
Melissa Burns
Board of Directors, Treasurer | TLC Saturday
Melissa has rescued and rehabilitated animals for more than 20 years. She has opened her home to ducks, chickens, pigeons, doves, owls, opossums, pine squirrels, cats, dogs and a turkey. A chance meeting with Anchi Howitz allowed Melissa to team her Hoof, Talon & Paw Foundation with the extraordinary volunteers of the Aloha Animal Sanctuary. HerFoundation also operates Serenity Farm on O’ahu’s north shore where senior horses and abandoned tortoises, mini pigs, miniature horses, and meat goats find refuge. Melissa is also a member of the TLC team. Although a graduate of the UCLA Law School and Smith College, Melissa is now fulfilling her true life’s dream of providing care and comfort for animals in need.
Melissa has rescued and rehabilitated animals for more than 20 years. She has opened her home to ducks, chickens, pigeons, doves, owls, opossums, pine squirrels, cats, dogs and a turkey. A chance meeting with Anchi Howitz allowed Melissa to team her Hoof, Talon & Paw Foundation with the extraordinary volunteers of the Aloha Animal Sanctuary. HerFoundation also operates Serenity Farm on O’ahu’s north shore where senior horses and abandoned tortoises, mini pigs, miniature horses, and meat goats find refuge. Melissa is also a member of the TLC team. Although a graduate of the UCLA Law School and Smith College, Melissa is now fulfilling her true life’s dream of providing care and comfort for animals in need.
Additional Leadership
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