Eileen O’Hara, Ph.D.

📍 Pāhoa, Hawaiʻi
📧 eileen@ohara4puna.com
📞 (808) 896-1902

Resident of Puna Makai for 46 years with four years of experience in economics, environmental policy, renewable energy, and community leadership. Experienced educator, public servant, and nonprofit leader working at the intersection of sustainability, community development, and economic policy.

Education

Ph.D. – Agricultural & Natural Resource Economics
Minor: Urban & Regional Planning
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

M.A. – Environmental Economics
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu

B.S. – AgBusiness (Economics Minor)
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

A.S. – Landscape Design & Nursery Practices
San Francisco Community College, California

High School Diploma – Wilmington Friends School, Delaware

Academic Experience

Over 30 years of teaching in higher education in both undergraduate and graduate programs.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Adjunct Faculty (1997–Present)
College of Business & Economics (COBE) and College of Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM)

Purdue Global University
Adjunct Faculty & Course Lead (2011–2024)
Environmental Policy & Management / Environmental Economics

DeVry University
Visiting Professor (2007–2021)
Economics, Sustainable Marketing, Renewable Energy Technology & Management

Grand Canyon University
Adjunct Faculty (2008–2011)
Economics – Graduate DBA Programs

Public Service

Hawaiʻi County Councilmember
2016–2018

Federal Census – Assistant Supervisor
2020

Hawaiʻi State Senate
Office Manager / Community Liaison
2012–2013

Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation
State Contract Manager
2006–2007

County of Hawaiʻi
Recycling Coordinator – Department of Environmental Management (2003–2006)
Planner IV – Planning Department (2001–2002)

Professional & Private Sector Experience

Malama O Puna – Executive Director
Pāhoa, Hawaiʻi (2020–Present)

Dakini Enterprises – Consultant & Small Business Owner
Pāhoa, Hawaiʻi (1986–Present)

Pacific Biodiesel – Business Specialist / Project Manager
Managed development of biodiesel facility at Shipman Industrial Park, Keaʻau (2007–2011)

Recycle Hawaiʻi – Executive Director (2002–2003)

HELCO (Hawaiian Electric Light Company)
Photovoltaics Program Coordinator (1995–2000)

Community Leadership

Kahakai Neighborhood Watch

Founding Member (2022-present)

Hawaiian Shores Community Association
President (2011–2016, 2019–2025)

Hawaiʻi Vacationland Community Association
Vice President (2019–2020)

Mainstreet Pāhoa Association
Member (2016–Present)

Kukini Dog Agility Club
Board Member & Treasurer (2012–Present)

Malama O Puna
Board Member (2019–2020)

Government Appointments

Hawaiʻi County Cost of Government Commission
County Council Appointment (2010–2011)

State Environmental Council – OEQC
State Senate Appointment (2004–2008)