‘Ia ora na and Aloha!

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My name is Jenny Johnston.  I began my journey with NRCS as an intern in Washington state in 2009; worked as an engineer in the west area until 2019 when I took my current position as engineer for the Maui field office.  Here I am blessed to work with the rich and unique landscape and diverse agriculture of the islands.  In Washington I carried a collateral duty on the WA State Civil Rights Advisory Committee as the Asian American/Pacific Islander Emphasis Program Manager from 2014-2018 and served as chairwoman of the committee in 2017.  I was recruited as an adjunct instructor for the Working Effectively with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders in 2017 where I work with a charismatic team of teachers from a variety of backgrounds, and have a unique opportunity to share knowledge with other NRCS employees nation-wide.

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Alongside engineering, conservation, and civil rights, I am also passionate about food as an artform and dance, particularly ‘ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance) which I study and compete in as well as perform along with other Pacific Island dances as a side career working for Tihati Productions.

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I have been involved with the APIO since 2012 when took on the task of treasurer until 2017.  I remained active with the organization in the role of regional rep for the West region until I moved to Maui in 2019.  From here I have been honored to serve as regional rep for the Pacific Islands Area.