top of page
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
Kristie LaRose
Human Resources Manager
Kristie LaRose is our Human Resources Manager and loves connecting volunteers with the best fit for them and our residents. She has over 15 years of experience managing human resources, leadership, and training and has volunteered at various non-profits before joining Aloha Animal Sanctuary. She resides in Kaneohe and is grateful to be so close to the Sanctuary for impromptu visits to see the residents. While she has always been an animal lover, she didn’t have any experience with farm animals until she joined us. She now proudly has the skill of washing 600-pound pigs as well as chickens and roosters. She is a proud mama of her 10-year-old rescue dog named Brady.
Kristie LaRose is our Human Resources Manager and loves connecting volunteers with the best fit for them and our residents. She has over 15 years of experience managing human resources, leadership, and training and has volunteered at various non-profits before joining Aloha Animal Sanctuary. She resides in Kaneohe and is grateful to be so close to the Sanctuary for impromptu visits to see the residents. While she has always been an animal lover, she didn’t have any experience with farm animals until she joined us. She now proudly has the skill of washing 600-pound pigs as well as chickens and roosters. She is a proud mama of her 10-year-old rescue dog named Brady.
Teryn Fascia
HR Generalist
While Teryn resides in Washington State, she makes a point to visit the sanctuary annually, ensuring she remains closely connected to the team and its mission. With a lifelong passion for animals, Teryn plays a pivotal role in the volunteer experience, often being the first point of contact for potential volunteers and facilitating interview scheduling.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Teryn is a proud single mother to two young children—her son and daughter—who are the center of her world. She treasures every moment spent with them and embraces the challenges of motherhood with an open heart. Her days are often busy, but Teryn wouldn’t want it any other way. She is also highly knowledgeable in the medical field, specializing in neuroscience, and is deeply passionate about understanding the brain and nervous system. Teryn actively uses this knowledge to educate and empower others in her field, always striving to make a positive impact.
Coming from a large Italian family, Teryn has grown up surrounded by the warmth of home-cooked meals. While she tries to avoid the meat her grandmother prepares with love, there’s always room for pasta in her heart! On her days off, Teryn enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her children, going on adventures, and traveling. As an early riser, she begins her day at 4:30 a.m., dedicating time to her workout routine before her kids wake up, ensuring she stays healthy and energized.
Teryn is incredibly grateful for the volunteers who support the mission of Aloha Animal Sanctuary. She understands that the sanctuary’s success is made possible by their unwavering dedication and commitment to the cause.
While Teryn resides in Washington State, she makes a point to visit the sanctuary annually, ensuring she remains closely connected to the team and its mission. With a lifelong passion for animals, Teryn plays a pivotal role in the volunteer experience, often being the first point of contact for potential volunteers and facilitating interview scheduling.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Teryn is a proud single mother to two young children—her son and daughter—who are the center of her world. She treasures every moment spent with them and embraces the challenges of motherhood with an open heart. Her days are often busy, but Teryn wouldn’t want it any other way. She is also highly knowledgeable in the medical field, specializing in neuroscience, and is deeply passionate about understanding the brain and nervous system. Teryn actively uses this knowledge to educate and empower others in her field, always striving to make a positive impact.
Coming from a large Italian family, Teryn has grown up surrounded by the warmth of home-cooked meals. While she tries to avoid the meat her grandmother prepares with love, there’s always room for pasta in her heart! On her days off, Teryn enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her children, going on adventures, and traveling. As an early riser, she begins her day at 4:30 a.m., dedicating time to her workout routine before her kids wake up, ensuring she stays healthy and energized.
Teryn is incredibly grateful for the volunteers who support the mission of Aloha Animal Sanctuary. She understands that the sanctuary’s success is made possible by their unwavering dedication and commitment to the cause.
Jessica Palomino
Co-Founder
Jessica has always had a passion for working to improve the lives of the underserved, both human and non-human. By trade she is a pediatric nurse and spent 8 years working in the pediatric ICU at Kapi'olani Medical Center. She is currently employed with Doctors Without Borders.
Jessica has also volunteered as a post-anesthesia care nurse with the non-profit Operation Smile, on multiple international surgical missions. Community-centered work has always brought her life meaning and purpose and she has had the privilege to work alongside some very innovative non-profit founders and volunteers.
Then the (possibly) obvious-- Jessica has always loved animals, from a very young age. She started her animal rescue work through kitten and bird fostering... before it escalated into pigs and goats! Her favorite part of being a director is being able to spend time with the animals at the sanctuary.
Jessica has always had a passion for working to improve the lives of the underserved, both human and non-human. By trade she is a pediatric nurse and spent 8 years working in the pediatric ICU at Kapi'olani Medical Center. She is currently employed with Doctors Without Borders.
Jessica has also volunteered as a post-anesthesia care nurse with the non-profit Operation Smile, on multiple international surgical missions. Community-centered work has always brought her life meaning and purpose and she has had the privilege to work alongside some very innovative non-profit founders and volunteers.
Then the (possibly) obvious-- Jessica has always loved animals, from a very young age. She started her animal rescue work through kitten and bird fostering... before it escalated into pigs and goats! Her favorite part of being a director is being able to spend time with the animals at the sanctuary.
Nick Pecoraro
Co-Founder
Nick Pecoraro is one of the original four co-founders of the sanctuary. His organization of animal rights movements in Hawai'i led to the four co-founders meeting each other!
Nick Pecoraro is one of the original four co-founders of the sanctuary. His organization of animal rights movements in Hawai'i led to the four co-founders meeting each other!
Sara Saffery
Creative Lead | Website Manager
Sara has been volunteering with us since the beginning. She in is in charge of the art and design projects occurring at the sanctuary. She is the mastermind behind the sanctuary's logo,
web design, and merchandise. She also has been a weekly caregiver for the past few years as well.
A Hawai'i native, Sara recently returned to the islands after living on the US continent for 17 years. An avid traveller, she devoted 6 months in 2018 volunteering with various environmental and animal conservation organizations in Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Australia.
Sara has been volunteering with us since the beginning. She in is in charge of the art and design projects occurring at the sanctuary. She is the mastermind behind the sanctuary's logo,
web design, and merchandise. She also has been a weekly caregiver for the past few years as well.
A Hawai'i native, Sara recently returned to the islands after living on the US continent for 17 years. An avid traveller, she devoted 6 months in 2018 volunteering with various environmental and animal conservation organizations in Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Australia.
We Kindly Ask For Your Support Today!
bottom of page