kaimana kau

marine Debris Technician I

Hometown: Kaneohe, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

Current Residence: Stanford, California

Kaimana was born and raised in Kaneohe, Oʻahu, and attended Kamehameha Kapālama. Raised in a ocean-loving family, he started surfing, fishing, and spearfishing at young age. Despite this, he continues to bog rail, dodge barrels, and shoot small fish. Currently, he attends Stanford University studying mechanical engineering, hoping to focus on ocean engineering after college. In an attempt to escape the frigid brown water of California, Kaimana spends his time on the mainland backpacking, playing soccer, and occasionally studying. Last summer, Kaimana worked for Sea Engineering as an intern, where he helped on wave energy projects, bathymetry surveys, and commercial diving operations. Growing up in and around the ocean, Kaimana has experienced first-hand the impact that pollution and marine debris has had on the ‘āina. Heʻs is honored to join the PMDP crew for this summer and looks forward to helping to preserve the marine ecosystem of Papahānaumokuākea.