Guides, Naturalists, Scientists

Ellen Coulombe received a Masters Degree in plant science and genetics from Virginia Tech University in 1987. Her graduate research work involved the use of plant tissue culture for the isolation of stress-tolerant species. She then worked for several years in the commercial seed industry improving, through breeding and selection, the yield and agronomic characteristics of major mainland crops. Since moving to Kauai in 1995 she has been involved in the preservation of native tropical plants, donating her time to the Natural Resource Conservation Program, a state funded program focused on the elimination of invasive weedy species from Hawaii’s forests. Between expeditions for TEOK Tours, Ellen works as an interpreter and plant specialist for Olu Pua Gardens, a privately owned botanical garden. But her special interest is in evolution, one of the hottest areas of scientific research today. Fortunately, the islands of Hawaii are a natural laboratory for the study of plant and animal speciation.


Chuck Blay is a geoscientist with a Ph.D. in geology from Indiana University. Prior to establishing residence on Kauai in 1995 he accumulated over 25 years of teaching, research and consulting as a sedimentary geologist/oceanographer, including 7 years as a university professor, 5 years in industry research and 14 years as an international consultant. During that time he taught professional short courses and conducted research on all of the major continents of the world. His first encounter with Kauai was in the late 70’s and in 1986 he walked and investigated the 111 miles of the island’s perimeter. Since the creation of TEOK (The Edge Of Kauai) Investigations in early 1996 his emphasis has been on the investigation of the integrated aspects of the natural environment of Kauai and the rest of the Hawaiian Islands as well as on the preparation of a book dealing mainly with the natural and cultural histories of Kauai’s coastal zone. The book Kauai’s Geologic History: A Simplified Guide, coauthored with Robert Siemers, provides a comprehensive summary of the geologic origins of the Hawaiian Island and the island of Kauai. Other recently completed studies include Character and Origin of the Beach Sediments of Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii, The History of Drownings on Kauai, 1970-Present” and Probable Source of Hilo’s Famous Naha Stone”. Among other studies he is at present investigating the Lithified Sand Dunes of Kauai’s Mahaulepu Coastal Area and the Character of Coral/Algal Fringing Reefs of Kauai.	CHUCK BLAY

Ellen Coulombe received a Masters Degree in plant science and genetics from Virginia Tech University in 1987. Her graduate research work involved the use of plant tissue culture for the isolation of stress-tolerant species. She then worked for several years in the commercial seed industry improving, through breeding and selection, the yield and agronomic characteristics of major mainland crops. Since moving to Kauai in 1995 she has been involved in the preservation of native tropical plants, donating her time to the Natural Resource Conservation Program, a state funded program focused on the elimination of invasive weedy species from Hawaii’s forests. Between expeditions for TEOK Tours, Ellen works as an interpreter and plant specialist for Olu Pua Gardens, a privately owned botanical garden. But her special interest is in evolution, one of the hottest areas of scientific research today. Fortunately, the islands of Hawaii are a natural laboratory for the study of plant and animal speciation.	ELLEN COULOMBE

Robert Siemers is a geographer, naturalist and artist with Bachelor of Art degrees in geography and in environmental conservation from the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Wollongong in Australia. Keenly interested in conservation and the natural sciences, Robert strives to expand his knowledge of the surrounding environment. As an explorer, hiker, kayaker and photographer, he has become intimately familiar with the many trails and adventures on Kauai. He has a great passion for the scenic and environmental diversity found in the Hawaiian Archipelago. As an artist and cartographer, he has contributed maps, books and signage programs to further enhance the appreciation and respect for our fragile island ecosystems.	ROBERT SIEMERS

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