While he was a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School), Jared Matsuki, executive director of Hele Mua (an organization connecting people to care for the ʻāina), had a defining moment that would shape his future—he attended his first beach cleanup at Makapuʻu Beach Park in 2018. He was a frequent beachgoer, but this time was different because it opened his eyes to a problem hidden under the sand.
"I realized just how much plastic was buried beneath the surface—not just large bottles or bags, but tiny, broken-down fragments of microplastics," he said. "I remember feeling overwhelmed because I could barely make a dent in one small area. That moment stayed with me; it opened my eyes to a deeper problem—one that's invisible unless you're really looking."
Following that cleanup, Matsuki felt inspired to take action. He began volunteering regularly with local nonprofits hosting beach cleanups and learned everything he could about how they were run. He also started making sand sifters with his dad using scrap wood they had at home, and used them during small cleanups he organized with friends a few times a year.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, it gave Matsuki time to reflect on what a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of microplastics and creating a regenerative experience for participants could look like. Starting with a meaningful name, Hele Mua was born. He said the name means "to go forward," perfectly aligning with the organization's mission—connecting tourism and the local community to work together to protect and preserve the ʻāina (land) through Native Hawaiian practices that inspire sustainable living.
By 2023, the organization obtained its nonprofit status and has been growing steadily. Matsuki is joined by fellow alumni Romel Gaspar, account recruiting manager at Actalent (a company connecting talent with engineering and technical opportunities), who serves as the board's community engagement and outreach manager, and Savanna Diorec, catering and conference coordinator for Prince Waikiki, who serves as social media manager. The trio, along with three more board members, host events, partner with community organizations and create hands-on stewardship opportunities.
A strong TIM School foundation
During his time as a student, Matsuki said he took full advantage of opportunities available to him, including leadership roles in TIMSA (Travel Industry Management Student Association) and Eta Sigma Delta. He also participated in the Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association's Generational Mentorship Program, studied abroad in Tokyo and completed internships. He reflects that these experiences—alongside impactful courses from professors such as Jerry Agrusa—helped him gain perspective.
"I got to see tourism from so many angles—as a student, an employee, an intern and a volunteer," he said. "That helped shape how I see the industry's role in Hawaiʻi and why I believe Hele Mua's mission—to bridge tourism with culture and community—is so important. A lot of what we do today is rooted in the experiences and lessons I picked up during those four years."
For the entire story and more stories like this, see the spring/summer 2025 edition of Shidler Business (PDF) .
The post Giving back with aloha: TIM alums connect locals, visitors through stewardship first appeared on University of Hawaiʻi System News .
