james morioka

Executive Director

Hometown: Irvine, California

Current Residence: Kailua, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

James Morioka serves as the Executive Director for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP). A graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and former Operations Manager for the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, he is dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of marine conservationists, specializing in operational planning and executing large-scale marine debris survey and removal efforts in Papahānaumokuākea using advanced freediving techniques. As he approaches his 13th field season, James has accumulated over 500 days of field research, conservation, and management activities in Papahānaumokuākea since 2011, and is most proud of PMDP’s most recent milestone of 1 million pounds of marine debris removed. His expertise lies in team and program development, and he is passionate about fostering the growth of emerging marine stewards. On his days off, you’ll find him at the beach with his wife, Emily, and two daughters, Kelia and Sachi.