(BIVN) – An ecologist at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will receive a prestigious National Park Service award this week.
Stacey Kehaulani Torigoe will formally receive the National Park Service 2026 Director’s Award for Natural Resource Management during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on September 22. According to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the Director’s Award “recognizes the outstanding contributions of National Park Service staff in understanding, protecting, and managing natural and cultural resources in and around national parks.”
From a HVNP news release:
Torigoe directs invasive species and biosecurity programs for the 354,461-acre park, leading efforts to manage nearly 100 non-native, invasive plant species that threaten native ecosystems. Torigoe and her team are the first line of defense for native plants and animals across extraordinary terrain that stretches from sea level to the 13,681-foot summit of Mauna Loa.
This year, Torigoe and her team removed 308,066 invasive plants and prevented dozens more from establishing in the park. They targeted faya trees, fountain grass, bleeding heart, African tulip and other invasive plants that can alter soil chemistry and overtake native forests. The team also helped stop the spread of destructive insects including little fire ants.
“Stacey tackles the complicated stewardship challenges we face in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with effective, practical action,” said Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh. “She and her team continue to protect Hawaiian ecosystems and keep critical biosecurity operations going when they could easily be disrupted. They are making a real difference for the resources we are trusted to protect.”
Torigoe provides resource protection leadership to parks across the Pacific Islands and serves as vice chair of the Natural Resource Advisory Committee for the Pacific West Region. Born and raised in Hilo, she graduated from Waiākea High School and earned degrees from Westmont College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
