Laura Acasio (she/her) is excited and honored to join the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Sustainability, Climate Equity, and Resilience as Administrator, bringing a lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship, equity, and community resilience. A former State Senator for District 1 (2021–2022), Laura has championed policies that protect Hawaiʻi’s natural resources, promote social justice, and empower local communities.

With a background in education, public service, and grassroots advocacy, Laura has served on the Hawaiʻi County Environmental Management Commission, led environmental restoration initiatives, and worked extensively on sustainability, climate resilience, and civic engagement programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and integrates place-based knowledge with innovative solutions to address sustainability challenges.

Passionate about community-driven change, Laura is committed to fostering collaboration, securing resources, and advancing policies that create a more sustainable and just future for Hawaiʻi Island. When not working, she enjoys volunteering, surfing, reading, cooking and spending time with her ʻohana.

Molly Dolphin (she/her) was born and raised in Volcano, where the rainforest inspired her lifelong love for the ʻāina. She attended school in Hilo from elementary through high school, growing up surrounded by the strong connections that define life on Hawaiʻi Island.

After earning a sociology degree on Oʻahu, Molly built a career focused on human connection—as a healthcare liaison and operations manager—working closely with patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams to bridge services and ensure access to care. This deepened her belief in communication, compassion, and trust—values that still shape her work today.

Molly returned to Hawaiʻi Island over four years ago, driven to give back to her community. She believes in moving at the speed of trust—centering relationships, respect, and community voice in all she does. Whether developing educational materials, organizing outreach, or collaborating on initiatives, her work is grounded in the belief that lasting change grows through authentic relationships.

Prior to this role, Molly served as the County’s Climate Action Outreach Coordinator. Outside of work, Molly finds balance in nature and spending time with her daughter and husband

Christine Nguyen (she/her) has been with the county since 2011 and has served as an Accountant for the County Office of Aging, Office of Housing & Community Development and for the County Department of Environmental Management.

Christine loves to travel, loves to go to comedy shows everywhere she travels, and considers herself a wanderlust always in search of adventure. She is currently a full-time student majoring in Communications and a strong advocate against Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking.

Christine believes in giving back to the community and spends her free time volunteering and caring for her disabled mother. Christine currently serves as President of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honor Society at Hawai’i Community College, Regional President of the Pacific Region for Phi Theta Kappa, and Treasurer of UH Hilo Student government. She finds personal inspiration in the butterfly, a symbol of transformation, rebirth, and hope, reflecting her own journey and commitment to growth and community impact.

Shelly’s journey reflects her deep-rooted commitment to health, science, and community. Born and raised in Hilo (Yonsei), she graduated from Waiākea High before earning her nursing degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, followed by a Master’s in Public Health with a focus on Maternal and Child Health. Her career as a licensed RN spans over three decades, complemented by her dedication to fostering connections within her hometown.

Shelly (she/her) is passionate about public health policy and its intersection with planning, which has driven her to serve in diverse roles across private, nonprofit, and government sectors. Her involvement includes two statewide commissions—the State Council on Mental Health and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs—as well as her appointment to the Hawaiʻi County Planning Commission. She has also built strong networks through participation with various organizations including Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, Hālau Hula o Nāpunaheleonāpua, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hawaiʻi.

With her public health expertise and lifelong community ties, Shelly aims to continue collaborating with others to build capacity and fulfill shared missions to honor her parents and her ancestors because お蔭様で [okagesamade], "I am who I am because of you."

Jimmy Rosas (he/him) was born in Kealakekua and raised in Wainaku, Jaime is a proud son of Hawai‘i with deep cultural roots—second-generation Mexican on his father’s side, and sixth-generation Puerto Rican and Portuguese on his mother’s. This rich heritage has fueled his lifelong passion for learning about Hawaiian history, culture, and the powerful blending of traditions that make our islands so unique.

A graduate of Hilo High School and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo with a BA in Sociology, Jimmy has spent the last seven years working in education. Most recently, he served as Program Coordinator for UH Mānoa’s GEAR UP program at his alma mater, focusing on college and career readiness for the Class of 2024. In this role, he partnered with diverse communities, organizations, and families—always with a heart for service and connection.

Whether volunteering with community groups, “talking story” with neighbors, or spending time with family, he believes in the power of relationships to build harmony and resilience. His Christian faith guides his values, and his free time is often spent with loved ones, hunting, and lifelong learning. At the core of Jimmy’s work is a deep dedication to a more self-reliant, self-sustainable Hawai‘i—honoring the past to uplift the future: “I ka wā ma mua, ka wā ma hope.” The future is found in the past.

Dylan Young (he/him) is a Data Analyst for the OSCER office and has a decade of experience in information technology and 5 years dedicated to developing a strong academic and practical background in analytical modeling and programming. Dylan studied at Western Governors University and the University of North Georgia in Math and Data Analytics, published research in developing computational models for Color-Word LSA, and then went on to be the Director of Information Technology Operations at his county of residence in Georgia before moving to Hawaii to be closer to his family. He hopes to use his experience in statistical algorithms, and forecasting, to help build a more sustainable tomorrow.