Ulupono Initiative Expands Team, Filling Key Government Affairs and Social Media Roles

Jan 14, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOLULU – Ulupono Initiative recently welcomed two new members to its Honolulu-based team to advance the mission-driven firm’s vision of a more sustainable Hawaii. Micah Munekata is Ulupono Initiative’s director of government affairs, effective Jan. 13, 2020. Erin Roh started as its communications and community specialist in October 2019.

“Our dedicated team at Ulupono Initiative is grateful to welcome Micah and Erin, who each contribute unique and finely honed skillsets, expertise and knowledge toward a more self-sufficient and resilient home for our local communities,” said Murray Clay, president of Ulupono Initiative.

Munekata most recently served as the legislative coordinator for the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), where he helped develop the state’s first Interagency Biosecurity Plan. He brings legislative and communications experience particularly on critical issues affecting local farmers and ranchers across the state, such as agricultural development, land and water management, energy issues, and community engagement.

Prior to HDOA, he was the director of government affairs for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, researching agricultural issues; writing and receiving county, state and federal grants; communicating with local farmers and ranchers statewide to identify legislative priorities; and conducting legislative outreach in support of local agriculture. In addition, he organized and managed statewide ag events such as Ag Day at the Capitol, Farmers’ Markets, Hawaii Farm Bureau Annual Convention, and the Hawaii State Farm Fair.

Bringing experience within both county and state government, he worked as an Agriculture Committee clerk and Finance Committee analyst at the state House of Representatives, and as a constituent/community coordinator and legislative aide for the Honolulu City Council.

Raised in Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu, Munekata earned a Bachelor of Science in political science with a minor in Spanish at Texas Christian University, as well as a Master of Arts in political science at Villanova University.

Roh most recently worked as a digital communications and social media specialist for Hawaiian Electric Company, building and growing social media engagement for Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light through customer service, content and increased engagement. She optimized content on each social media platform; generated, published and shared daily content; created strategies to improved overall performance of social media efforts; provided training to employees on social media policies and guidelines; and executed social media campaigns to connect with the customer base.

As a social media specialist and translator at Honolulu-based AT Marketing, she provided editorial copy translations for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser seasonal issues in Korean and leveraged data to reveal current insights and trends in the growing market for social media. She also developed production experience as an associate producer at Anthology Marketing Group, production assistant at Hawaii Public Television Foundation, production assistant/producer at CJ E&M: MNET America, producer for the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea in Seoul, and camera operator at Kitay Productions in Boston. Her diverse experience also includes serving as a fiscal analyst for the state House of Representatives and as a web content writer for MySecretBoston.com.

Roh earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism, with a concentration in broadcast and a minor in international relations, at Boston University School of Communication. Currently she is in the Executive Master of Business program at Shidler School of Business.  She has volunteered her time as a moderator and speaker for the Center for Korean Studies Outreach Committee, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, and continues to donate her time to the River of Life Mission Honolulu.

About Ulupono Initiative

Founded in 2009, Ulupono Initiative is committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Hawaii by working toward sustainable solutions that support and promote locally produced food, renewable energy, clean transportation, and better management of water and waste. For more information about Ulupono Initiative, visit www.ulupono.com or connect with Ulupono on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.