Blue Planet Welcomes New Board Members

Bettina Mehnert, FAIA, LEED AP, is president and chief executive officer at AHL and a respected visionary and leader in the evolution and innovation in Hawaii’s architectural sector. Her philosophy blends a focus on sustainability, technology, firm culture, client cultivation, and community service as inseparable filaments of professional leadership, keeping her almost 75-year-old firm faced towards the future. In 2018, Mehnert was appointed to the Honolulu Climate Change Commission and uses her background in architecture and engineering and her expertise in the built environment to advocate for strong resilience policies. In 2019, she was named CEO of the Year by Hawaii Business Magazine.

“We are tasked with the responsibility to ensure a livable planet for future generations,” said Bettina Mehnert. “Central to that effort is the conversation about renewable energy, our energy consumption, carbon footprint and natural resource protection. Given my role in the design and construction sector, I hope to contribute to a joint direction that saves our planet.”

Dana Barbata is an accomplished civil litigator and trial attorney. Prior to her current role with the Department of Justice, she practiced general civil litigation at Cades Schutte, LLP, served as a Deputy Attorney General in the State of Hawaii’s Civil Rights Litigation Division, and worked as an associate attorney at Bronster Hoshibata LP. Barbata was recognized in Pacific Business News’ 40 under 40 2019 cohort, and was listed in Best Lawyers’ “Ones to Watch in 2020” for her environmental law and professional liability practices. She also chairs Blue Planet’s ambassador board, which is a selected group of ambitious, energetic, and passionate young professionals in Hawaii who donate their time and expertise to grow Blue Planet’s fundraising capacity and serve as community and business liaisons for the nonprofit’s charitable mission.

“I am excited to join the Blue Planet Foundation’s Board of Directors and to continue supporting its mission to clear the path to 100 percent clean energy,” said Dana Barbata. “As our community deals with the impacts of the global pandemic, we are also seeing the heightened effects of climate change—increasing wildfires, rising tides, warmer temperatures, hurricane threats, and other natural disasters. Hawaii can continue to set an example for the rest of the world on how we can combat climate change, expand our economy, and protect our planet for future generations.”

The new board members are welcomed with enthusiasm by Jeff Mikulina, Blue Planet’s executive director, and Melissa Miyashiro, Blue Planet’s managing director, who work as a leadership team for the nonprofit. “We welcome Bettina and Dana with great appreciation of their willingness to help shape the most effective strategies for accelerating our critical mission at this critical time,” said Mikulina. “These two leaders are deeply committed to taking real action on climate and will bring a wealth of experience and new perspectives that will guide Blue Planet at this important moment for the future of our economy and our planet,” said Miyashiro.

Mehnert and Barbata join Blue Planet’s seven other distinguished board members, which include Lorraine Akiba, Governor George Ariyoshi, Maxine Burkett, Ernest Nishizaki, Henk Rogers, Andrew Rosen, and Colin Yost.

Photos available upon request.

 

# # #