Suzanne D. Case
Author: YWCA
April 22, 2009
Suzanne D. Case
Executive Director
Nature Conservancy of Hawaii
Suzanne D. Case has been the Executive Director of The Hawaii Nature Conservancy of Hawaii since 2001. Under her leadership, the Conservancy has doubled contributions, acquired Palmyra Atoll, and forged the largest conservation transaction in Hawaii history - a $22 million, 116,000-acre addition to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
No task is too small for Suzanne: she pulls weeds, stuffs envelopes, dons a scuba tank to clean alien algae from Waikiki Beach and houses and feeds forest fire-fighters. She was also the inspiration behind Maoli No, a free educational DVD celebrating the connections of Hawaiian music, culture, and its native environment. From mauka to makai, Suzanne has made preserving the bounty of Hawaii’s natural resources her lifelong ambition.
Born in Hilo, Suzanne completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford University, and attained her law degree from University of California, San Francisco.
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Suzanne, my best memory of you is your getting down to business with the online campaign for Ed! You didn’t waste one second…way ahead of things:-))
Comment by Piia Aarma — May 4, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
There are few, if any, people in Hawai’i more committed to protecting the state’s natural areas than Suzanne. Her passion extends from her work with the Nature Conservancy to her private life.
Comment by Sven — May 5, 2009 @ 5:22 pm
Suzanne - truly a desrving one! More power to you! Mabuhay!
Comment by Rico Gomez — May 5, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
The people, plants and animals of Hawai’i are fortunate to have a person as dedicated as Suzanne at the helm of the state’s most effective conservation organization. Her passion and dedication to protecting the best that Hawai’i has to offer extend from her work into her personal life. She is a true community leader.
Comment by Sven Haarhoff — May 5, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
You have been a dear friend, mentor, model, and inspiration for me personally and professionally for the past 20 years. This recognition is long overdue . . .
Comment by Kim — May 6, 2009 @ 6:48 am
aunty oil - thanks for teaching me that i can do anything - even if i mess up the first time, i can always fix it and do it right the next time. and thanks for teaching me to spear fish — invasive fish only!
Comment by Keao — May 6, 2009 @ 6:51 am
It’s a pleasure to work with you, Suzanne. Your commitment and uncompromised integrity are inspiring. Congratulations, this is a well-deserved honor!
Comment by Sara — May 6, 2009 @ 11:51 am
Congratulations, Suzanne! Your love of nature, and your 24 hour a day, 365 day a year commitment to it inspires so many of us to do the same.
Comment by Shannon — May 6, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
Over the past 15 years you have been a colleague, mentor, confidant, boss and friend. It takes a very special person to be able to be all those roles at the same time. You are truly a Leader who has raised our TNC community.
Comment by Jan — May 7, 2009 @ 10:30 am
Can anyone tell us how Suzanne became “Aunty Oil”?
Comment by YWCA — May 8, 2009 @ 10:53 am
When I was three years old, Aunty Suzanne came to our house to chain saw some non-native trees in our back yard. My mom got a new lawn mower. Aunty Suzanne helped her put it together. Then she put the oil in the gas tank! We had to pick up the lawn mower and turn it over and dump out the oil and put in the gas. Then we found the place to put in the oil. That’s why I still call her “Aunty oil in the gas tank!”
Keao, 12 years old
Comment by Keao — May 12, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
One of my favorite Suzanne stories is when a few of us were out on the water and encountered several shark pups caught and killed in illegal fishing gear. All of us marine biologist-types wanted photos but were too chicken to get in the water to take them. While we were busy trying to come up with excuses for not getting in the water, Suzanne was donning her snorkel gear, getting in the water, and snapping away. Words and phrases such as “fearless”, “committed”, and “leading by example” come to mind quite readily…
Comment by Eric — May 12, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Hey Eric, tell us more!
Comment by YWCA — May 13, 2009 @ 6:55 am
We love this story. Any others?
Comment by YWCA — May 13, 2009 @ 6:55 am
Thirty five years ago (next week) marks Suzanne’s graduation speech as Punahou’s first female senior class president.
She’s come a long way, baby.
Comment by j — May 28, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
Congratulations, sistah! You are not only amazing in the way you lead your wonderful team at The Nature Conservancy, but I admire your dedication to conserving nature throughout all that you do outside of work. You are the best sister anyone could ever imagine, always there to provide support and listening for any family member in need. You are also a wonderful, caring aunty to my daughters and we appreciate your teaching them how to have fun while caring for this beautiful land and world we live in. Go Aunty Susu!
Comment by Elisabeth Case — June 4, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
Dear Suzanne, as a fellow honoree, I wanted to send you my congratulations. I am honored to be in your company as a fellow honoree. While we may not know each other, it is still an honor to be with you at this time. Signe Godfrey
Comment by Signe A Godfrey — June 14, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
Thank you for being a fearless protector of our native environment. Congratulations on being a YWCA honoree. I’m proud to be in your company. Aloha, and God bless!
Comment by Dr. Erlinda Cachola — June 15, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
Aloha e Susan, I see that the YWCA theme is that it takes a community to build a leader, and while that is true, your leadership builds community. Maunalua communities, from Mauka to Makai, including the little fishies, congratulate you on this recognition. Imua, Kalola
Comment by Carol — June 18, 2009 @ 9:05 am
I truly believe that your work and passion for Hawaii’s environment has made a positive and huge impact on our island home. You lead by example, and actively walk the conservation walk– Congratulations!!
Comment by Carrie Ginnane — June 18, 2009 @ 10:54 am
You are raising many leaders here at TNC, and I am proud to be among your staff. Congratulations on a well-deserved award.
Comment by Jody — June 18, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
[...] you’d like to congratulate Suzanne, the YWCA has included a comment thread to which you can contribute. I hope many of you do so. As for me, I’ll say it here … [...]
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