Koki Atcheson - Class of 2015
February 9th, 2022
Koki Atcheson Works to Spread Awareness on the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
As an outreach specialist at the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Response, Koki Atcheson ’15 helps to protect Hawaii’s natural environment from the threats and impacts of the CRB. Through education and awareness, Koki works to contain the spread of CRB, which can cause direct damage to native plants, agricultural industries, and other valuable cultural resources.
“My job is rarely ever boring,” said Koki. “The absolute best part of my job is getting to meet people of all different backgrounds who have a connection to coconut trees and other host species of CRB. Who knew that a single beetle could impact so many different fields of work?”
One challenge that Koki faces is integrating invasive species management suggestions with other organizational priorities and limitations. “It can be challenging to ask farmers to implement significant changes to their operations to limit the infestation and spread of CRB before CRB have impacted their farms,” explained Koki. “My job is to help spread awareness in hopes of preventing further damage to Hawaii.”
Though Koki stays busy with a variety of tasks – from writing an article for a landscape magazine to giving a presentation to students at the zoo – her long-term goals include finding ways to connect her community through art and sustainability. She is passionate about crafting and her journey with fabric design can be followed on Instagram by searching @kumaseam.
Koki is inspired by her mom Penny and dad David, who recently stepped in as the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin’s Interim Executive Director, for allowing her to take on parts of her life that are most resonant. She also commented on how PBA and Buddhism has played a role in her life and career.
“An understanding of interconnectedness that PBA and Hongwanji nurtured empowers me to closely examine the relationships between a single beetle and our entire ecological and political ecosystems. Similarly, communication with empathy has been an essential skill in my job that I was lucky to practice at PBA.
“I am inspired by deep knowledge - especially those who know plants and people and feel a connection between the two. I am inspired by harmony and balance, including sustainability and re-visioning waste products as opportunities for life and regeneration. The problem is the solution!”
More information about CRB can be found online here: https://www.crbhawaii.org
