Who We Are

Working Together For a More
Environmentally Sustainable Future
Now an All Volunteer Team.
Mahalo to our former employees!

Board of Directors

Executive Director

Born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Kristine Kubat is a 40-year resident of Hawaii who lives in Hilo in close proximity to her two children and five grandchildren. Kristine comes to Recycle Hawaii with a lifetime of involvement in environmental and social justice activism that began in middle school (when she created a fund for Biafran refugees), and continues to this day as she seeks to increase diversity within Hawaii’s environmental community. Kristine’s tenure at RH began in 2010 when she managed the county’s used motor oil program, assisted in the development of new programs, and wrote grants. Kristine joined the board in 2019, serving briefly as our president until taking the executive directorship. Kristine’s wide ranging background in politics, advocacy, journalism, project management and community outreach serve the organization well.

President

Topher Dean Moved to Hawaii in 1986 and has fallen in love with the people and the aina. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Plymouth State University, NH.  He’s Precinct President of District 7, Precinct 3 and State Delegate for the Democratic Party of Hawaii.  He owns and operates TD Industries, remodeling and mechanical solutions.  He is the founder of Clean the Pacific, an organization that removes commercial fishing tackle and plastics from the Kohala Coast.  

Vice President

Shannon Matson is born & raised on the Big Island. Her dedication to the people and to the land has led her into leadership roles where Shannon works hard and advocates for a vision of a vibrant world for everyone.

 

Treasurer

Nick Riznyk is a business owner, consultant and investor in local start-ups. He grew up splitting time between Alaska and Hawaii. After college, he spent a decade in the high tech industry, helping develop mobility solutions, and early internet technologies including video conferencing, BlueTooth, WiFi and 1-3G. Upon completing his MBA, he chose to downshift corporate life, return to Hawaii, and pursue his passions of sustainability and entrepreneurship. He co-founded Hawaii Angels, Big Island – a network for high net-worth private equity investors, and worked with several local start-ups in the “green tech” space. Nick founded Hana Hou Recycling in 2008, to bring zero-waste consulting, and recycling services to the Kona-Kohala coast. He continues to work with start-ups, and projects focused on delivering local, sustainable solutions for Hawaii Island communities. Nick and his wife live in Holualoa with their two sons, and enjoy gardening, surf-camping, and outrigger paddling.
 

Secretary

Terri Markovich has served the board of Recycle Hawai’i for 27 years. She is a passionate recycler and composter and represents Honoka’a perspective on the Board.

Board Director

Alexia Akbay

Alexia is a chemist by training and currently the CEO/Founder of Symbrosia, a cleantech startup conducting novel research to commercialize a new seaweed species, that when sprinkled into the diet of cattle can reduce their methane emissions by over 90%. Since moving her company to Kailua-Kona, HI in 2019, she is an active member of Young Progressives Demanding Action (YPDA) Big Island, a co-owner of KoLab women’s co-working space, and enjoys outrigger canoe. 

How to Help
Support a Special Recycle Hawaii Cause Today!

Subscribe to Our 'Keeping It Green' Newsletter

Stay up to date with local waste reduction and sustainability initiatives and news.