Staff and Board

Chad Taniguchi, Executive Director

Taniguchi most recently served as Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. His extensive background in state government serves as an excellent platform for HBL's continued advocacy efforts in the areas of transportation planning, and cycling and pedestrian rights and responsibilities. Chad's blog.

Ivy Chuang, Membership and Volunteer Director

Ivy Chuang joined HBL in December 2012 to manage HBL’s membership and volunteer programs. Ivy is a proper nomad - cities in her migration path include Taipei, Tokyo, Boston, Atlanta, Milan, Los Angeles, and most recently, San Francisco. Prior to joining HBL, Ivy was Founder and Design Director of Knoend, a design studio that produced eco-friendly household products. She writes for and maintains hnlbike, a bicycle blog about cycling in Honolulu. Ivy's blog.

Mitchell Nakagawa, Education & Events Director

Mitchell is responsible for education, events, and web & social media management. He previously worked for HBL from 2007 - 2010 and spent the past 2 years living in Southeast Asia."I'm excited to rejoin HBL" Nakagawa said, "and have the opportunity to make a positive impact in our communities through bicycling." Mitchell's blog.

Ambika Subramony, Project Manager

Ambika is a recent law school graduate and licensed attorney in the state of California. She moved from San Francisco back to Hawai'i (where she completed her undergraduate education at UH Manoa) this year in an attempt to run away from the legal field and pursue sunnier prospects. A passionate cyclist and endurance athlete, she now manages the adult bike education program at HBL. In her spare time, Ambika likes to run, bike, swim, surf, and practice yoga. Ambika's blog.

Mick Wong, BikeED Administrator

Mick has worked with BikeEd since 2011, after moving from California to Hawaii in 1979. All three of his kids have participated in Bike Ed at Waialae Elementary PCS. "Bike Ed (is) a wonderful way to  educate our keiki on wearing a helmet and how to ride safely on the road. Best of all, I love to share in the joy of assisting "1st" time riders riding solo for the first time."

Chet Blanton, BikeED Team Leader

Chet "the Jet" Blanton has taught bicycle education to 4th graders in BikeEd Hawaii since 1999. The founder of the triathlon team Team Jet Hawaii, Chet's also an accomplished triathlete: former reigning world record holder for completing the most Ironman's in one year (27, 1998-2003), and has completed 45 Marathons, 80 Ultra Maratons, 100 Sprint Triathlons, and the Double Deca Ironman.

Rogerio Araujo, BikeED Team Leader

Uncle Roger Araujo is a Licensed Cycling Instructor (LCI), having received his training and certification from the League of American Bicyclists. Roger is an avid advocate for bicycle safety and education in Hawaii and, in addition, to his work in Hawaii's schools, he also participates in and leads community-based Bike Rodeos. Rogerio is the creative force behind the Bike Shorts Hawaii Film Festival which has promoted bike-themed films and "green" transportation to standing-room-only crowds for the past three years.

Mike Flartey, BikeED Instructor

Mike loves sharing his passion for road cycling, trail and road running, mountain biking, swimming and endurance training in any way he can. He has worked in bike shops and running stores over the years and has a great knowledge that he is willing to share. Mike has been encouraging athletes and coaching multiple sports in Hawaii since 2007 and in 2011 started his own endurance training business as well as offering bicycle repair and maintenance clinics.

Vera Jarocki, BikeED Instructor

Vera is a student at UH working on her Bachelor of Education with a concentration in Elementary Education. She is originally from San Clemente, CA. Vera has worked as a preschool teacher, elementary school teacher's aide, coach, and nanny. She has coached high school volleyball and other sports for young children.

Daxx Vedrin, BikeED Instructor

I have been enjoying riding bikes, and surfing, since the age of three. Growing up in Florida, I raced bmx until my early teens, and slowly grew into road bikes,and racing track bikes. I moved to Hawaii in 2008, to continue my education in clinical acupuncture. I hold a B.S in Alternative Medicine, and a minor in Nutrition.

Pattie Dunn, President

University of Hawaii Manoa Student Services Advisor
Red Hot Ladies Ride Leader, HBL Board Member since 2010.
Favorite ride: Any ride with the Red Hot Ladies or my husband, Gary. I love the Haleiwa Metric Century. Love riding along the coast, stopping to see the turtles, fresh corn bread at Ted's Bakery and a cold drink with friends at Haleiwa Joe's at the end of the ride.

Geoffrey Hamilton, Vice-President

Attorney; listed in Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
Hawaii Family Lawyer of the Year, 2011. Slowest member of Tradewinds Cycling Team.
Favorite ride: The Cycle to the Sun

Robert "Bub" Wo, Treasurer

CSWo & Sons, Ltd.: Owner and Executive Team
HBL Board Member since 2011. Treasurer (2012)
Favorites Rides: New York City, Omaha, North Carolina, Vermont, La Jolla, San Francisco.
Favorite Hawaii ride: Haleiwa Metric Century

Robert Bengtson

Referentia Systems Program Manager
Tradewind Cycling Team, HBL Signage & Course Marshall Volunteer, HBL Board Member since 2003.
Favorite ride: Maunawili Trail

Tom Fee

Helber Hastert & Fee Principal (Planner)
American Institute of Certified Planners, LEED AP, Association of Pedestrian & Bicycling Professionals
HBL Board Member since 2006
Favorite ride: Pali Loop

Amity Gregg

League Cycling Instructor
Freshman at the University of Hawaii. Through becoming involved with Cycle Manoa, I have found myself a member of a community unlike any other. I wish to share with my peers, fellow students, friends, and contemporaries all the joys and benefits cycling has to offer.

Kawika Samson

Activities Aide, Mililani Town Association
Tradewind Cycling Team, Zachary Manago’s Ride in Paradise Ride Leader/Volunteer, League Cycling Instructor.
I want to bring all cyclists together. Whether we ride fixies, road bikes, mountain bikes, or low riders, we’re all cyclists and have common interests.

Jay Fidell

ThinkTech Hawaii - Hawaii's Global Future (tv, radio, news) http://thinktechhawaii.com/
I was a cyclist for a long time. I firmly believe bicycling is one of the key solutions to Hawaii's sustainable future and want to spread the message.
Favorite ride: Pali/Waimanalo/KalanianaoleHwy

Betty Lou Larson

Community Housing Advocate and Legislative Liaison at Catholic Charities Hawaii for housing/homelessness issuesRide with the Red Hot LadiesFavorite Ride: West Coast of Ireland making up our own bike tour; Locally: HBL's Start the Week Right ride through the neighborhoods, chatting at Starbucks and riding back along the ocean and Waikiki; also riding to Chinatown for my weekly veggies.

Frank Smith

Owner, Island Triathlon & Bike
HBL member since 1976, League Cycling Instructor since 1979.
HBL Board Member since 2011
Favorite Ride: Pali Loop

Arnold Morgado

Chief Operating Officer, Family Health
Kansas City Chiefs Running Back from 1976-1980
Hawaii State House of Representatives 1982-1985
City Council Rep from the 8th Dist. 1985-1996
City Council Chairman , 1986-1991
Favorite ride: Pearl City to Honolulu Commute

Don van Deventer

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kamakura Corporation.
Chairman, Graduate School of Arts And Sciences Alumni Council, Harvard University.
Author of four books on risk management.
Bicycle commuter for more than 20 years in both Tokyo and Honolulu, 2 time 100 mile finisher of the Honolulu Century Ride,
Favorite ride: Haleiwa Metric Century

Christian Yee

Sales, Pacific Ceiling Fans
Former BMX, lowrider, current fixed gear and road bikes; two-year state team fixed gear time trial champion. Desire to create more cycling friendly venues to bring all cyclists together.
Favorite ride: Downieville, Ca.; Tantalus

John Yeh

League Cycling Instructor
I live in Kaimuki, have worked mainly in the sciences (chemistry and oceanography) throughout my professional career, and want to share the gospel of cycling with the world.