Raena Kamakahi

Raena grew up between the beaches of Hawai‘i and the deserts of Arizona, where she developed a lasting appreciation for nature. Her connection to these landscapes, and her concern for the impacts of development on wildlife habitat, waterways, and culturally significant places, led her to a career in land conservation.

With nearly a decade of experience in conservation, restoration, and natural resource management, Raena brings a collaborative, community-centered approach to protecting important landscapes. Prior to joining Desert Foothills Land Trust, she worked with New Mexico Land Conservancy to protect land across New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. Her background also includes habitat restoration, watershed stewardship, conservation and strategic planning, and community engagement.

Raena holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University and an M.S. in Natural Resource Stewardship from Colorado State University. She is also a licensed drone pilot, trail runner, and dog lover. She is honored to lead Desert Foothills Land Trust’s work to conserve the Sonoran Desert and the special places that make this region unique for future generations.