Climate Change Portal

Kara Neal works with the County of Hawai‘i Planning Department to support the island to become climate ready by spreading awareness of the Climate Action Plan. In addition, the position focuses on engaging, empowering, and connecting community members to increase climate action participation.

Neal graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. After graduating in the spring of 2021, Neal was an intern with the Pacific Internship for Exploring Science (PIPES). This internship gave Neal the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the field while gaining a stronger relationship with the ʻāina and the Big Island community. Upon completing the PIPES program, Neal joined the AmeriCorps NCCC Southwest program as a team leader and finished in August 2022. Now Neal is back in Hawai‘i and working towards her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Neal’s focus is environmental and indigenous planning toward a resilient future.