Paul is a life-long cyclist and organizes our education programs. Over the past 50 years, he has enjoyed mountain biking, road biking, bike commuting, bike touring and triathlons. Paul started working with PATH as a volunteer for our Bike Safety Education program for Hawaii Island elementary schools and immediately felt rewarded for his efforts. "I was at Costco and two children from the class we taught thanked me for teaching them to ride safely. The appreciation shown by students and parents alike is overwhelming", says Paul.

Melissa Braswell has been the owner of Big Island Running Company since 2009. In that time, she has participated in and sponsored many of the local races and events on the Big Island, including helping organize registration on race morning for both the Run for Hops and PATH Run for many years. She is an active runner and occasional swimmer and enjoys helping people in the community become and stay active. Prior to her time on the Big Island, Melissa was an attorney in Chicago, and currently practices law in Kona as well.

Tami MacAller is newly retired Public Health Professional and Community College instructor.  She has been active with PATH as a member, volunteer and working collaboratively with PATH projects during her employment with the Hawaii Public Health Institute (HIPHI). 

Tami has spent much of her career promoting health and wellness to prevent chronic disease, while personally focusing on her own health, by staying active as an ocean swimmer, triathlete, cyclist, and hiker.  “I believe in active living throughout our lifespan, just keep moving!”

As an avid believer in giving back to our community, she volunteers at local athletic events, Ironman, promoting healthy eating and active living, coastal clean ups, and assisting community members to connect with the resources they need to support healthful living.

Cindy is a retired school principal and a dedicated local volunteer.  She always loved the people who volunteered in her schools and is now happy to have the time to volunteer herself.

·       Member of the PATH Board since 2014

·       Mother, grandmother, and wife

·       Retired school principal and adjunct university instructor

·       Registration Director for Lavaman, Honu, and Ironman, and Ultraman Finish Line Co-Director

·       Chairperson for GEMS (Girls Exploring Math and Science) for West Hawaii’s fifth grade girls

·       Standard Bearer Chairperson for Rotary Club’s Volunteers at the Hualalai Golf Tournament.

Claudia Hartz is a Behavioral Health Patient Navigator at Hawaii Island Community Health Center. She has been a part of Hawaii Island Community Health Center for over  nine years; previously known as West Hawaii Community Health Center.

Claudia received her B.A in Transborder Chicano/Latino studies from Arizona State University. Her focus in college was Community Health and Development. She was a research assistant for the Department of Transformative Studies during college. She completed her Master’s in Social Work through the University of Hawai’i Manoa campus. She dedicated her capstone to migrant seasonal agriculture workers in Hawai’i, creating a Migrant Seasonal Agricultural worker toolkit.

Claudia’s responsibilities as a Behavioral Health Patient Navigator is linking the underserved community to resources, helping to identify barriers in their medical and behavioral health care. Claudia is working towards her goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Claudia is a NACHW (National Community Health Worker Association and  an advisor for the A.L.O.H.A. Latinos Association on Big Island. On her off time, Claudia enjoys spending time with her family, the local 5K walk/runs, walking on the Ane Keohokalole walking path, dancing with a local Ballet Folkloric group, and Zumba.

I am an astronomer who came to the islands in 1996 to join the UH faculty. Having represented UH Manoa on the UHPA Board of Directors for three years, I moved to Hilo in 2022. Although I occasionally commute and run errands by bike whenever possible, I mainly fancy myself a long-distance runner. Either way, I am a proponent of the Complete Streets concept and am looking forward to supporting and advancing PATH's mission in East Hawai'i!

Franz Weber was a champion of PATH and an advocate for bike and pedestrian safety across Hawaii Island. He will truly be missed in the community and as our PATH Board President.