About Us

Christian Zuckerman - Lei Farm Support

Christian grew up in Waiʻanae, on the island of Oʻahu and has a deep connection and commitment to the land, community and farming. Having grown up at Kahumana Farms, Christian returned to Hawaiʻi in 2012 after graduating from the University of Puget Sound with a major in Foreign Languages & International Affairs. Christian went on to manage and run Kahumana Food Hub & Organic Farms for the next 10 years overseeing a 31 acre certified organic diversified vegetable farming operation alongside a vibrant and multifaceted Food Hub working with over 200 growers across the state. 

Christian has been an active member of the Hawaii Farmers Union (HFU) since 2016 when the Waianae chapter was formed, currently acting as the president of the chapter. Christian also serves on the State board of directors, on the Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation board and is a member of the executive committee for HFU. HFU is a leader in supporting family farmers in Hawai’i through legislation, cooperation, and education. 

In 2022, Christian launched Kuwale Ridge Farms and began the journey of starting up a new 7 acre regenerative farm in Waiʻanae. He also does agricultural and food system consulting with the aim of helping to support a sustainable future for Hawaiʻi. 

Christian is excited to be involved in such an important project to help revitalize and support the industry. “A lot of emphasis is put on how Hawai’i imports 90% of its food but very few know that 90% of lei flowers are also imported. I find it a shame that something that is so culturally important to Hawaiʻi is quickly becoming something that is not a part of it anymore.”

Nalani Jenkins - Treasurer, Vice Chair, & Co-Founder

Nalani has over 30 years of business experience in management, finance, and marketing. Nalani has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Denver and a master’s in organizational leadership: strategic innovation and change. Nalani is a 2019 recipient of the esteemed O’o Award by the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, 2001 Pacific Business News 40 Under Forty business professionals in the State of Hawaii, a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, and has been featured on the cover of Hawaii Business Magazine and MidWeek.

Since 2020, Nalani has focused on her passion project, Make Music Hawaii, to give back to the next generation of musicians and composers.

“Hawaii's people are the reason we exist. My Mama, Aunty Betty Jenkins, created her 4 B's and shared them everywhere. As her caregiver, we had many conversations about who would carry on the work that she started. This is why we first began BEHawaii. BEHawaii is committed to the mission of elevating Hawaii's people in many ways - starting today with Hawaii's musicians and Hawaii's lei flower growers, and who knows what more in the future? It is my honor to serve on this board and perpetuate the legacy of those who came before me, looking ahead to 7 generations.”

Tracy Lawson - Board Chair & Co-Founder

Tracy has over 30 years of experience in the occupational safety & health field. She has a bachelor of science degree in occupational safety and health and maintains several certifications, including being a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Safety Management Specialist (SMS), Safety & Health Trainer (CIT), Safety and Management Systems Auditor (CPEA), and Certified Safety Executive (WSO-CSE).

In 2003, Tracy was named Safety Professional of the Year by the American Society of Safety Engineers Hawaii Chapter and Pacific Business News Top 40 Under Forty business professionals in Hawaii. In 2015, Tracy was PBN Small Business Leadership Hawaii Award. Tracy is a 2018 Honolulu Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders Program graduate and 2019 Small Business Administration Person of the Year for the County of Honolulu.

“BEHawaii's programs are focused on elevating the people of Hawaii. Our music and lei flower programs are foundational to the culture and people of Hawaii. Aunty Betty Jenkins taught me about aloha and being a continuous learner. I am passionate about supporting meaningful, long-lasting programs that will positively impact our community!”

Brook Mahealani Lee - Secretary

A worldwide audience of over 600 million viewers in 60 countries watched as Brook Mahealani Lee was crowned Miss Universe on the CBS telecast. Of mixed Hawaiian, Korean, Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, and Chinese ancestry, Brook is the only Native Hawaiian to win both Miss USA and Miss Universe.

Brook attended Punahou School for six years before graduating from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. After winning a lucrative scholarship to Chaminade University of Honolulu, Brook graduated with an English Bachelor of Arts degree. She went on to pursue her Masterʻs in Communications at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa when she captured the title of Miss USA. She then captured the Miss Universe crown in Miami in May.

After her reign as Miss Universe, Brook made several appearances on television before becoming a television host. Brook has also been a judge at Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants and served as a color commentator for past Universe Pageants.

She is currently the creator, host, and Executive Producer of the hit show Modern Wahine Hawaiʻi, in their fourth season, Sundays at 7 PM on KHII. She is also a co-host on the popular Podcast presented by Star-Advertiser called It’s a Hawaii Thing, catching up with local personalities and international stars alongside Food Network Greatest Food Truck Winner and TV personality Lanai Tabura.

Brook serves as the Artistic Director of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, where she produces the annual Lei of Starts installation of Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame inductees. She is a board member of Kumu Kahua Theater, a theater focused on supporting Local Hawaii talent in Hawaii Theater.

“My work with BEHawaii has been deeply meaningful as we started around a simple dining room table in Kapālama committed to elevating musicians in Hawaii and branching out in ways I would have never imagined. BEHawaii is committed to finding solutions for our Lāhui in diverse ways, and holding fast to our Kūpuna and their wisdom.”