Suzanne Jones has headed Oahu’s recycling efforts since its inception in 1989. Recovery rates as well the public’s awareness of recycling and waste-related issues have increased dramatically under her guidance. She has developed numerous innovative educational programs, including the new Green Channel on Oceanic Cable, and the annual Tour de Trash and Discover Recycling Fairs. She is among key proponents of Hawaii’s beverage deposit program, HI-5, and is currently engaged in the rollout of the new curbside recycling program.
All of Honolulu’s recycling programs and initiatives, including legislative policy, regulatory policy, collection system and program design, and public education have been advanced by Jones’ department. With more than 25 years experience in recycling, she can talk trash with the best of them.
Irobela H Wreagh has worked with the City and County of Honolulu Recycling Branch since 1992. She has been involved in many programs and projects throughout her recycling career, with particular focus on recycling in hotels and restaurants, and providing assistance to multi-family residential buildings in setting up recycling programs. 768-3425 – iwreagh@honolulu.gov
Adam Bien is a senior staff member in the City and County of Honolulu’s Recycling Branch. His experience and technical expertise are applied as webmaster for the opala.org website and the lead contributor and publisher for WasteLine. Adam also manages Oahu’s islandwide recycling drop-off centers (Community Recycling Bins) and is a key member of the implementation team for the new curbside recycling program. 768-3422 – abien@honolulu.gov
Eileen Helmstetter joined the City & County of Honolulu’s Recycling branch in 2004. Having a background in horticulture and arboriculture, she is a good fit as manager of the City’s green waste recycling program. Eileen also manages the office paper recycling program for City office facilities and public office buildings on Oahu. 768-3426 – mhelmstetter@honolulu.gov
Kevin Nesnow is one of the newer members of the City’s recycling staff. He joins the team with an M.B.A. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with concentration in Sustainable Development and Resource Management, and is focusing his expertise to help businesses go green. 768-3424 – knesnow@honolulu.gov
Michael O’Keefe joined the City’s Recycling Branch in July 2008. He is a University of Hawaii alumnus with a Masters Degree in Public Administration and concentration in Government Budgeting. As a Recycling Specialist those skills are being fully employed in budget development, data tracking and contracts administration for the overall recycling programs. 768-3427 – mokeefe@honolulu.gov
Tamara Farnsworth joined the City and County of Honolulu’s Recycling Branch in 2008. Her work as a Recycling Specialist focuses on providing resources to schools and non-profit organizations. She manages the Recycling Teaching Partners program, which grants funding for recycling education to schools engaged in recycling projects. She also coordinates Opala education at community events and other public venues. 768-3448 – tfarnsworth@honolulu.gov
Amy Long joined the City’s recycling staff in 2008 with a B.S. in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation from U.C. Davis and a strong sense of environmental responsibility. Her resume included swimming with sharks, so we knew she would have no fear of jumping into challenging situations. She is the lead specialist in managing the City’s new curbside recycling program and developing the public education materials. Her work is hands-on, in-the-field, gathering needed data on recovery, participation and material quality, and strategizing and implementing program improvements. 768-5421 – along@honolulu.gov
