Biography

Fern Ānuenue Holland was born in Kapahi and raised on Kaua'i. She graduated from Kapa'a High School.

After graduating Fern moved to Australia to live with her father and attend university. She attended Griffith University’s School of Environment where she studied marine biology and environmental sciences. Fern obtained her Bachelors in Science with triple majors in Marine Biology, Wildlife Management & Environmental Science.

While earning her undergraduate degree, Fern participated in a range of research projects including ecological surveys of both flora and fauna, water quality assessments, plankton identification studies, fauna trapping projects, and environmental monitoring work. Fern assisted with research in the Southern Alps and sea turtle monitoring and tagging research on an island in the Great Barrier Reef.

Fern graduated in the top 5% of her university and was awarded the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence in 2009. She was immediately offered a graduate position with an international consulting firm, GHD. During her years with GHD, she worked as an environmental scientist where she conducted ecological assessments for a wide range of projects. She was responsible for a wide range of ecological assessments, working on waste management plans and water quality monitoring at landfills and other projects. While at GHD, Fern spent nearly a year on contract to the Queensland Department of Transport to work as a state environmental officer for rural road projects.

Since returning home to Kauaʻi in 2012 Fern has been very active in the community and proactive on local issues. She was directly involved in drafting and helping to pass Bill 2491, which would have given Kaua'i the right to know what pesticides are being heavily used by biotech research centers on Kaua'i, provide buffers to our sensitive locations and request environmental and health monitoring studies. She was behind the negotiations and permits for both historical marches in 2013 to bring awareness to the community concerns related to the presence of large agribusiness testing on Kaua'i.

Fern continues to be active in this area and was involved in the passing of Act 45 (Bill 3095) in 2018 at the state capitol, which was a step towards obtaining these rights statewide. Fern has been active on this issue relating to heavy pesticide use, land management and large agribusiness impacts for 15 years and works to support various efforts to expand local food and agriculture solutions.

Fern is a founding member of I Ola Wailuanui helping to develop the non profit to oversee the long term restoration and protection of Wailuanuiahoʻāno.

Fern graduated from the Kuleana Academy in 2016 and ran for State House district (then 14 now) 15, north and east Kauaʻi. Through her years of public involvement and political networks and participation in the Kuleana Academy leadership program, Fern is part of a large network of leaders throughout the islands working to create and inspire change for the betterment of Hawai'i.

Fern now works on a range of community issues as a community advocate and the Food Systems Director for the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA).  Fern also does environmental and professional consulting work. Fern is passionate about native ecosystem restoration and agriculture and food production and works to support efforts statewide to enhance our food security and our environment.