Observe and comprehensively understand their behavior.

Identify individuals by their distinct morphological and vocal features.

Advance the understanding of  their acoustic repertoire.

Enhance species recovery and inform local habitat management decisions.

 Promote ocean conservation through education and outreach.

The Team

Maria Cristina Ramasco

Principal Investigator

Her passion for the sea has accompanied her throughout her life; she graduated with a Biology degree from the University of Milan. She obtained an M.A. in Biodiversity and Biological Evolution at the University of Milan and a second M.A. in Wildlife Documentary Production at the University of Salford in Manchester, U.K. She has traveled the world, from the Mediterranean Sea to the remote Islands of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, to study marine mammals in and out of the water, committing herself to Cetaceans. Biologist, filmmaker, scientific popularizer, freediver, surfer and passionate about the Ocean and all its nuances.
She specializes in bioacoustics and Cetacean Photo-ID studies, monitoring and Photo-ID of sea turtles, and scientific dissemination through producing wildlife documentaries.
Today she works on several projects of conservation and production of documentaries for the scientific community, universities, and Italian television, winning awards such as Wild Life Film Fest 2016 and participating in several film festivals worldwide.

Aaron Tracy

Research Assistant

Aaron is a Naturalist, anthropologist, and Photographer who has spent over 20 years finding ways to protect our planet. He studied Biology and Anthropology at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH, and graduated in 2017.
His childhood was marked by travels to National Parks across the country, fostering a profound appreciation for conservation. His move to Maui in April of 2021 ignited a new passion, one that was deeply connected to the ocean. In this environment, he thrived, working on snorkeling tours such as the Pacific Whale Foundation and as First Mate aboard Hawaiʻi Ocean Rafting. He provided education on Biology, Conservation, and Anthropology, operated boats, and further strengthened his free diving skills. He also worked with wildlife nonprofits at the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Discovery Center. He used videography to raise awareness of local animals and their cultural significance, sharing his work on social media and at Akakū Community Media. Some of his content was submitted to national databases to help identify protected species in Hawaiʻi.

Advisory Board

Dr. Marc Lammers is the Co-Founder and President of Oceanwide Science Institute and is an affiliate faculty member at the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology. He is also the Research Ecologist at NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS). He holds a B.A. and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Hawaii. At HIHWNMS he leads research activities focused on understanding the population, ecology and behavior of Hawaii’s humpback whales. Dr. Lammers is an expert in marine acoustics and has studied Hawaii’s dolphins for more than 25 years. He is an active collaborator with many researchers both in Hawaii and around the world, and is a mentor to numerous graduate students. His work has yielded over 100 scientific publications and has been featured extensively in popular media.

Dr. Daniela Maldini is a dedicated advocate for marine life who obtained her Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa in 2003. She further enhanced her expertise by earning a Master of Science in Marine Sciences from San Jose State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Pavia, Italy. Dr. Maldini’s academic journey also included a transformative Postdoctoral fellowship in Conservation Biology in Bonaire, Netherland Antilles.
Currently, she serves as an Environmental Biology instructor at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she inspires students with her extensive knowledge. Since 1990, Dr. Maldini has dedicated her career to the study of whales, dolphins, sea otters, and pinnipeds across various regions, including the Mediterranean, Alaska, and the Russian Far East. She skillfully manages substantial grant-funded projects within both academic and non-profit settings, demonstrating her ability to balance comprehensive vision with meticulous attention to detail.
As a confident leader, Dr. Maldini connects with diverse audiences, leveraging her exceptional interpersonal skills. Her proficiency in public speaking, along with effective collaboration with governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations, significantly enhances her impact in the field of marine conservation.

Lenin Oviedo Correa serves as a Research Associate and the Associate Head of the Tropical Marine Mammals Ecology Lab at the Centro de Investigación de Cetáceos Costa Rica (CEIC). An esteemed Venezuelan researcher, he is profoundly fascinated with the diverse marine fauna in Latin America. Despite the region’s copious natural resources, it grapples with intricate social and economic challenges, thus presenting an intricate landscape for conservation science. Lenin completed his undergraduate studies on the visually striking Margarita Island, located in the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Venezuela. Subsequently, he pursued his graduate studies in Costa Rica, where he developed a deep-seated admiration for the magnificent tropical fjord, Golfo Dulce. He earned his Ph.D. in the enchanting environs of the Gulf of California amidst the welcoming city of La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Lenin considers himself exceptionally fortunate to have honed his research and scientific expertise in such awe-inspiring locales teeming with marine life.

Paul Yun is a seasoned Mechanical Engineer, Product Designer, and Software Engineer with over 15 years of experience in hardware and software development. As the Founding Principal Engineer at KaiberAI, he helped develop the company’s AI video generation platform, focusing on intuitive user interfaces that handle complex functionalities while mentoring and leading the engineering team. Previously, he was part of Wayfair’s R&D team, where he researched and prototyped AR-based shopping experiences through projection mapping. At UCLA’s School of Architecture and Urban Design, he led the Robotics Lab and 3D Printing operations, engaging students in hands-on learning of advanced fabrication technologies.
With a robust background across various tech startups, Paul employs an iterative problem-solving approach, starting with prototypes and refining ideas through testing. He values collaboration and diverse perspectives, which drive innovation in his projects.
Outside of work, Paul enjoys skateboarding, yoga, and meditation, all part of his commitment to a healthy lifestyle. He is dedicated to building solutions that positively impact humanity and deepen our understanding of the world.

Kiku is a seasoned business and sustainability strategist with two decades of experience guiding global organizations to implement responsible practices that benefit business, planet, and communities. She has held senior leadership roles across nonprofit and corporate sectors, transforming traceability, supply chains, and human rights across global brands. Former Director at Rainforest Alliance and PVH leader, ESG advisor at Futerra, co-founder of World Monitors and Fair Factories Clearinghouse.

Kiku has a Master of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Master of Business Administration from INSEAD. For her master’s research she worked with NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center to study the population and behavior of endangered sperm whales in the northeastern Pacific.

Celene is a distinguished International Executive Producer and Creative Director based in Los Angeles, with roots in Napoli, Italy. Her passion for cinema began at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, contributing to productions like The Talented Mr. Ripley. Later, at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., she crafted campaigns for Italian and Latin American channels.
As co-founder of two video production companies and a SaaS tech platform, Celene spearheaded global campaigns for clients such as HBO, Netflix, and The World Bank, earning industry awards. Now leading Xanto Media Agency, she specializes in creative video campaigns and strategic communication, blending AI and cutting-edge technology. The agency operates globally, delivering exceptional results for both commercial and government clients.
Trilingual in English, Italian, and Spanish, Celene is an international speaker and author with a degree in Foreign Languages and Film & Media. She balances her career with passions for sailing, scuba diving, and Italian cuisine, embodying a spirit of creativity and adventure.

Lori LaFontaine is a Maui-based conservation practitioner with over a decade of experience supporting marine conservation and community-focused initiatives. Her work has included honu protection, coastal stewardship, and public education, with a strong focus on fostering respectful and responsible relationships between people, wildlife, and coastal environments.
Through her long-standing experience, steady presence, and commitment to environmental responsibility, Lori contributes essential community insight, continuity, and support to the mission of Ka Leo O Ke Kai.

Francisco Porcella is an island soul raised between Cagliari, Sardinia, and Haʻikū, Maui. He grew up immersed in sport, first as a competitive soccer player, before the ocean captured his heart and reshaped his path. From a young age, Francisco became deeply connected to the sea through a wide range of water sports, developing a profound respect for its power, rhythm, and intelligence.
An environmentalist at heart, Francisco is best known today as one of the world’s leading big wave surfers. He has been part of the big wave surfing movement at Peʻahi (Jaws), Maui since its early days, and continues to chase some of the most powerful swells across the globe. His career includes nominations for the XXL Big Wave Awards and participation in the Big Wave World Tour.
As an Ocean Voice for Ka Leo O Ke Kai, Francisco represents a deep, lived relationship with the ocean — one rooted in respect, listening, and humility before its immense force.

Alessandro Cianfoni is an Italian paralympic freediver and internationally recognized adaptive apnea athlete. The sea has accompanied him since childhood, shaping a relationship based on familiarity, respect, and long-term presence in the marine environment. Alessandro holds several paralympic freediving world records, achieved through years of disciplined training and international competition. His approach to freediving is defined not by conquest or speed, but by calmness, control, and attentive adaptation to the ocean—qualities developed through sustained, mindful interaction with the underwater world. As an Ocean Voice for Ka Leo o ke Kai, Alessandro embodies a way of entering the ocean grounded in awareness and respect. As an ambassador, he represents the project’s core values, giving voice to a human relationship with the sea shaped by breath, stillness, and deep listening.