Our Staff
Andrea has lived on Maui since 2009 and became involved with East Maui Animal Refuge in 2021. Her love of animal care began at Surf Cat Ranch, where she discovered the joy of working closely with animals. Introduced to EMAR by Tom, she was immediately drawn to the refuge’s mission to help all animals, regardless of species or condition.
In addition to serving as a caretaker, Andrea is also a combat medic in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, a role she has held for over seven years. She believes both positions complement each other, allowing her to bring compassion, calm under pressure, and strong leadership to the refuge every day.
Veni began volunteering at East Maui Animal Refuge in 2009, primarily in the cattery, though her empathy extends to every animal on the property. She has a special gift for caring for cats, especially those who are sick or fragile.
Her work goes far beyond feeding and cleaning. Veni provides the social interaction, calm presence, and deep compassion that cats need to thrive. Despite working a full‑time job, Veni still dedicates seven days a week to EMAR. Her unwavering commitment is cherished by both the staff and the animals who rely on her gentle care.
Tom has been part of East Maui Animal Refuge since 2016. He began by helping in the cattery once a week, but after forming deep bonds with the animals, he quickly became the go‑to person for nearly everything.
He volunteered full‑time for years—often running the refuge on his own during busy days. His dedication, reliability, and compassion are unmatched. Tom embodies selfless service, and EMAR has been profoundly blessed by his presence and commitment over the years.
Dana joined East Maui Animal Refuge in 2023. After retiring as a mechanic, he returned to Maui from Massachusetts with a mission: to help shoulder the physically demanding work of unloading thousands of pounds of food each week. He invested in heavy equipment to ease the burden on volunteers and continues to take on some of the refuge’s toughest tasks.
Every morning—seven days a week—Dana cleans the courtyard to ensure the animals have a safe, clean habitat. His background in engineering and carpentry makes him an essential part of the refuge, providing the skill and problem‑solving needed for the constant repairs and maintenance that keep EMAR running smoothly.
Mark has called Maui home for more than 40 years and spent much of his life working as a chef. Everything changed the day one special chicken crossed his path, sparking a passion for animal rescue that eventually led him to East Maui Animal Refuge.
Today, Mark is the primary caretaker for EMAR’s crippled, sick, and injured birds. With more than 30 in his care at any given time, he provides a clean, enriching environment for animals who often cannot move well on their own. His work requires constant monitoring, daily medications, and multiple check‑ins throughout the day. Mark single‑handedly manages these special‑needs cases, and EMAR truly could not be the “Boo Boo Zoo” without him.
After years of working as a caretaker for humans and limo driver, Brad grew tired of the rat race and looked for a way to spend his time doing something meaningful. He pulled out his phone and searched “volunteer at a no-kill animal shelter.” The search brought up Maui Humane Society and East Maui Animal Refuge—and we’re very glad he chose us.
Since joining EMAR, Brad has become an invaluable part of the refuge. His strong work ethic, dedication to the animals, and willingness to tackle the never-ending list of projects and daily tasks have been a tremendous blessing. We’re grateful that one simple search led Brad to EMAR and made him part of our family.
