Our Team
Our organization is powered by a unique bunch of caring individuals with a common goal of supporting our military veterans and their ʻohanas, local farmers, and our community. If that sounds like you, sign up to volunteer with us today!
Board of Directors
Dr. Jamie Muskopf
President | Dr. Jamie Muskopf is a proud Kanaka ‘Ōiwi educator, strategist, active duty Navy spouse, and mother of 3 from Kāneʻohe, Hawai’i.
With over 20 years of executive experience in technology and knowledge strategy, Jamie has worked for the Department of the Navy, Defense Acquisition University, MIcrosoft, and Nike. As an entrepreneur, consultant, and speaker, she has supported small businesses, non-profits, universities, and federal agencies. She is on the faculty of the Information and Knowledge Strategy master’s program at Columbia University. She is also a long standing volunteer subject matter expert for The Rosie Network’s Service to CEO program.
Jamie is passionate about caring for caregivers, serving those who serve, creating, writing, baking, laughing, and sharing time and energy with friends and ʻohana.
Josh Honsberger
Vice President | Josh has more than 6 years of experience acting as a liaison on behalf of various 501c veteran organizations.
Josh is a 13-year decorated Special Operations Forces (SOF) veteran who served with Marine Corps. Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) as an Operator. He received a medical retirement in 2014 for a multitude of injuries sustained during his service. He is extremely passionate and dedicated in his continued service to veterans and their families in all aspects of life.
John Emmons
Secretary | John is a former school teacher who enlisted and served in the Army immediately following the 9/11 attacks.
After his Defense Department service, he returned to the land to find a new mission in service of those who serve our nation—our veterans and their families. He believes that providing natural agriculture education and training can positively benefit humanity and improve a person’s physical and mental well-being.
Jeanna Rimmer
Treasurer | Wife of a veteran and Realtor at Hawaii Life, Jeanna specializes in veteran-owned land purchases.
Jeanna has spent the last 20 years developing a well -rounded management perspective at several successful multi-million dollar global companies.
Jeanna’s passion to get back to the simpler things in life, brought her and her family to Hawaiʻi Island in 2014. She is reconnecting with the land and the community as her family focuses on becoming self-sufficient and sustainable.
Operations Team
Emily Emmons
Emily’s prior experience includes a career in marketing and sales, nonprofit management, and veteran advocacy on the national, state, and local levels. She has also participated in two Farmer Veteran Coalition National Conferences. As one of the founders of Hoʻōla Veteran Services, Emily was motivated by her husband who is a military veteran living with traumatic brain injury and PTSD. After taking up gardening, Mr. Emmons experienced significant positive changes in his health and psychological conditions, and the couple was inspired to provide this therapeutic opportunity to other veterans coping with PTSD and other conditions and hardships.
Since 2014, Emily has held influential positions, including service as a field representative for U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and an Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow. Through this work, Emily has been an advocate for veterans and their families living in rural areas and has developed a strong network of local, state, and national stakeholders who support Hoʻōla. Emily has been a speaker at the Farmer Veteran Coalition, Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes event, two Department of Defense conferences, and, most recently, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where—as a panelist—she dicussed transitioning military personnel and the role of the caregiver, along with the importance of supporting agriculture programs for veterans on a local level.
Tara Waller
Program Manager | Tara channels passion for sustainability and experience in design and event management into making our programs a success.
After relocating to Hawaiʻi Island in 2015, Tara discovered her newfound desire to address the challenges of local food security and agricutlural sustainability on the island. Becoming part of the solution became her true focus. Hoʻōla Farms encouraged Tara to get involved and learn from the community what our food security challenges are and how we can do our part to bridge the gap.
Tara spent the next two years working and volunteering with local stakeholders like The Vet Center in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island Food Alliance, Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket, Blue Zones Project, Rotary Club of South Hilo, and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s Campaign, as well as completing the Beginner Farmer Rancher Development Program with the Kohala Center in 2017.
Tara is excited to begin the mobile program working to educate veterans and their families to sustainably grow their own food and raise awareness that this simple process can be a healing one.
Amanda Cox
Hilo Food Hub Manager | Amanda was born and raised in Northern California where she showed cattle and was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA. She then went on to serve in the US Army as a Chemical Operation Specialist for 15 years.
Amanda recently graduated from the Go Farm Hawai’i Cohort six and started a family farm in Panaewa Hawaiian homestead called Ikau Farms. When she is not working or getting her hands dirty, Amanda loves to spend time with her ohana, friends, and “ do as my sister Lisa said, “Be Happy Everyday!””.
Anthony Florig
Groundwork to Grow Program Manager | Anthony facilitates all of our agriculture and business workshops and courses.
Katie Neil
Communications Director | With a passion for storytelling and impact-driven businesses, Katie leads the communications efforts at Hoʻōla Farms.
Katie graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Interpersonal Communications and where she also played Division I soccer ⚽️ (Go Lobos!)
After college Katie pursued a career in digital marketing where she developed a love for working with impact-driven businesses and entrepreneurs to successfully, creatively, and strategically achieve their marketing and communication goals.
When Katie isn’t online you will find her playing pick-up soccer, surfing, planting, or chasing geckos.
Haili Debus
Hawaiʻi Farm-to-Car Manager | Haili is a Hilo girl with a deep aloha for nature. She loves getting her hands dirty growing healthy food for her local community.
Marisa Salmoiraghi
Executive Liaison | She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California, bringing over 18 years of expertise in rehabilitative care and wellness.
Marisa, originally from southern California, relocated to Hilo in 2012. The journey into community health and wellness began during her role as the director of the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine Program which focused on lifestyle changes to reverse cardiac disease. Inspired by the profound impact of lifestyle interventions on health outcomes, Marisa developed a deep commitment to advancing access to fresh, organic produce and promoting holistic wellness within her community.
As an advocate for sustainable agriculture, Marisa is a proud graduate of the GoFarm Hawai’i program, where she gained valuable insights into sustainable farming practices and local food systems. She has further expanded her knowledge through specialized courses through Ho’ola Farms, including Master Food Preservers and Value-Added Products.
Marisa is dedicated to fostering healthier communities through education, empowerment, and access to fresh, nutritious, local foods. Her mission is to continue exploring innovative approaches to community health and wellness, leveraging her background in physical therapy and her passion for sustainable living.
Aimee Kaaekuahiwi
Financial Administrator | Born in Hilo and raised on the Hāmākua Coast, Aimee is a proud veteran of the Air Force with 11 years served on active duty and in the Guard.
After living in England and Texas, Aimee returned home where she earned a BA in Geography from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Shortly before leaving the military, she discovered her passion for dog training and is currently working on completing her Professional Dog Trainer certification.
Aimee has had previous volunteer and internship experiences in geographic information systems, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and community outreach. She is a strong believer in finding healing and clarity through the great outdoors. As part of the Hoʻōla team, she is looking forward to providing support to fellow veterans on their journeys as they learn to heal and grow alongside nature. In her free time, Aimee enjoys reading, hiking, gardening and spending time with her pets.
Mitch Glover
Operations and Maintenance Supervisor
| As a former Navy and Federal diver, with 16 years of combined experience, I have had to figure out the correct ways to make square pegs fit into round holes many times – which is how I found my way into maintenance.
Being able to create and build allows me to utilize my artistic nature while supporting the folks who put nutritious food on others’ tables.
My passions include being the best father and husband I can be, art in all shapes and forms, absorbing knowledge of just about anything, music of all genres, cooking, skateboarding, and being underwater. I have a long love of health and wellness. I also have a passion for youth development through nature mentoring and guiding.
For me, maintaining farms, ranches, and the organizations that feed and teach the community has been a fulfilling pursuit of mine for many years.
