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About Wildfire Safety Advocates

Our Foundational Commitment.

Our story began in the fire-prone landscapes of Hawaiʻi Island, where community concern met the urgent need for adequate infrastructure. Founded as a local initiative, we believe that our model of advocacy—grounded in community empowerment, expert collaboration, and legislative action—can serve as a blueprint for change everywhere.

Today, Wildfire Safety Advocates aims to foster a growing movement dedicated to building resilient futures for communities facing the threat of wildfire.

From local action to national advocacy.

Our story began in Waikōloa Village on the Big Island of Hawai'i—a community acutely aware of its wildfire risk. Frustrated by the gap between the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires and the pace of preparedness, as well as the lack of adequate infrastructure, a group of concerned citizens banded together in early 2024 to demand change.

What started as local advocacy quickly revealed a universal truth: fire-prone communities everywhere face similar challenges.

The name "Wildfire Safety Advocates" reflects our evolution. While our roots remain on Hawai'i Island, our vision has expanded. We are committed to creating a playbook for effective advocacy that can be adapted from Waikōloa to O‘ahu, from California to Texas, and beyond. Our dedication is a testament to the power of a determined community, and we are just getting started.

“We’re all in this thing together, and share responsibility to nurture a productive outcome for our home planet.”

Dr. Grover Geraldine

Four people are gathered under a canopy in a parking lot at a wildfire safety event. One person is wearing an orange safety vest and talking to the others. Two women are standing, and one person is seated. A banner reads 'Wildfire Safety Advocates of Waikoloa.' The table has various papers, brochures, and a black rock. Orange cones and parked cars are visible in the background.

Core Values

At the heart of what we do.

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Advocacy

We believe in empowering communities to effectively communicate with policymakers to secure the resources and changes necessary for community-wide safety.

Compassion

We lead with empathy and respect, recognizing that the fear of wildfire is deeply personal. We listen to and uplift every community member's experience and concerns.

Community

Our work is driven by a profound commitment to the safety and well-being of our neighbors. We are not outsiders; we are residents building a collective, resilient future for everyone.

The fearless leader behind WSA, Matt is relentless in his commitment to community safety. When he’s not his advocacy work, Matt is a FAA certified drone operator, loving father and talented wood-worker.

A young man smiling outdoors, wearing a beige and orange baseball cap, a white t-shirt, and a teal zip-up hoodie, standing among green leafy plants.

Matt Chalker
Co-Founder, Executive Director

Aislinn Chalker
Co-Founder, Communications

A woman with dark curly hair, smiling and making a shaka sign with her right hand, sitting on a chair inside a room with tables and a bulletin board in the background, wearing a red shirt and a name tag.

The face behind online communications and Action campaigns, Aislinn is a laser-focused on getting the message out and driving action from the community. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Aislinn is now proud to call this place home and raise her family here.

Serena H.
Finance Director

Woman with curly brown hair smiling, wearing a red shirt with a logo and a blue name tag that says 'Serena,' sitting at a table in a room with beige brick walls and postal boxes in the background.

Since Day 1, Serena has helped keep our team organized and running efficiently. She is a skilled project manager and enthusiastic advocate. When she’s not managing operational finances, she loves to garden and make lei.

Bob Y.
Legislative Director

A man with a beard smiling outdoors, wearing a white hat with red and blue stripes and a red shirt.

The heartbeat behind our legislative work, Bob has decades of experience shaping U.S. clean air and climate policy, including key contributions to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

David F.

A smiling man wearing a tan wide-brimmed hat, glasses, a red t-shirt with a wildfire safety logo, and a blue name tag that says David, standing outdoors near a table and a wildfire safety banner.

David brings a strong background in business and finance leadership to our team. A dedicated supporter of WSA since its inception in 2024, David applies his talent for big-picture thinking and strategic problem-solving to help the organization thrive.

David B.

A man with curly hair and sunglasses, wearing a red T-shirt with a logo, smiling and standing outdoors in a parking lot.

David is a seasoned corporate attorney and serves on the Hawaii County Board of Ethics. A fourth-generation Japanese American with deep family roots in Hawaii, he is dedicated to upholding high ethical standards in public service and promoting transparency in local governance.

The heart of our organization: volunteers.

This work is only possible because of the dedication of people who call Waikōloa home. We are 100% volunteer-powered. Every strategy session, every workday, every letter written is done by people who donate their time and passion to this cause. There are no salaries. There is only sweat, determination, and a profound love for this community.