Meet the Team Building Hawaii's After-School Animal Clubs

Aloha Critter Club started at Keaukaha Elementary when students asked their school counselor for a club about animals. Years later, we're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving kids across five Hawaii Island schools.

Our mission

To run after-school clubs where Hawaii kids become animal experts who take meaningful action in their community — building empathy, responsibility, and social-emotional skills alongside animal welfare knowledge.

Board of Directors

• Kristin Spear Founder & Board President

  Elementary school counselor; founded the club at Keaukaha Elementary.

• Aakash Shah Secretary
• Nicholle Hug Treasurer
• Sarah Ortega Board Member
• Leah Gowron Board Member

Our board includes a secondary school principal, an elementary school counselor, a social-emotional learning resource teacher, and a speech pathologist — all self-described animal enthusiasts.

Partner schools

• Pahoa Elementary
• Kea'au Elementary
• Kea'au High School
• Mountain View Elementary
• Kua O Ka La Charter School