Mehana Blaich Vaughan grew up where the districts of Halele'a and Ko'olau meet on the island of Kaua'i. There, she and her husband are raising their three children. Mehana is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, and Sea Grant College Program at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Mehana's research and teaching focus on community relationships with natural resources, particularly in indigenous settings, as well as place based education. Mehana works with community groups throughout Hawai'i to enhance local level ability to govern and care for land. This is her first book.