Alex Wong
A Bit About Me
I am an anthropologist, a cartographer, and an educator focused on creating healthier, more sustainable and independent communities for the future. The purpose of my career is to make positive contributions to the local community and to society as a whole; to cultivate a conscious sense of responsibility across all generations; and to translate progressive ideas between people.
Education
Johns Hopkins University December 2018 Geographic Information Systems (GIS), M.S.
University of Hawaii, West Oahu December 2013 Applied Forensic Anthropology, Certificate.
University of California, Berkeley, Double Major December 2010 Political Economy of Industrial Societies, B.A.
Anthropology, B.A.
GoFarm Hawaii, Beginning Farmer Training Program July 2020 Bonafide Farmer, Professional Development Certificate
Work Experience
Educational & Farming Consultant
July 2020 – Present Kauaʻi Farm Planning, Sole Proprietorship Kauaʻi, HI ● Services include: GIS/spatial analysis and mapping for crop planning, farm infrastructure, soil and water conservation, landscaping, and scheduling. Social media & marketing.
Land use planning and permitting.
General troubleshooting.
● Resource for professional networking and coordinating for farmers, land owners, and conservationists.
● Motivational speaking, student outreach and education, and event coordination.
Land Use Planner – Historic/Long Range
July 2017 – Present County of Kauaʻi, Planning Department Līhuʻe, HI
● Contributed to ongoing long-range planning projects including the 2017 General Plan update,
Community Plans, and outreach events related to local planning and multimodal transportation.
● Negotiated and managed a contract for the Department’s third-party transportation consultant.
● Utilized GIS for spatial analysis, updating the Planning Department map database, and creating
cartographic design and visualizations for government and public applications and use.
● Served as the historic planner to the Kauaʻi County Historic Preservation Review Commission.
Land Use Planner – Coastal Zone
Management/Regulatory Sept. 2016 – October 2017 County of Kauaʻi, Planning Department Līhuʻe, HI
● Worked on regulatory zoning, planning, permitting, and enforcement of applicable County of Kauaʻi land use ordinances and State of Hawaiʻi laws.
● Specialized in Coastal Zone Management (CZM) planning and shoreline processes and policies.
● Continuing education in climate change, sea level rise, and coastal/environmental science.
● Drafted the zoning amendment and bill/ordinance for the creation of a University Zoning District for County of Kauaʻi. The ordinance was adopted into the County Code in July 2017.
Soil & Water Conservation Specialist
Oct. 2015 – Sept. 2016 Hawaiʻi Association of Conservation Districts Līhuʻe, HI
● Outlined goals to decrease soil erosion, improve water quality/efficiency, and minimize the negative environmental impact of farming and grazing.
● Assisted agricultural producers with implementing conservation practices to meet resource needs and goals based on documented site visits, scientific research, geographic data, and standardized analyses.
● Generated conservation plan maps and geographic resource maps using Toolkit8 and ArcGIS software.
● Created, modified, and managed active NRCS (USDA) contracts: federal grant-funded programs utilized by agricultural producers for their certified agricultural practices.
● Worked with a small team that secured nearly $1 M dollars of federal grant funding for local Kauaʻi farmers and ranchers.
● Wrote quarterly and annual reports on the active conservation work performed by our Kauai field office.
High School Mathematics Teacher
Jan. 2014 – Sept. 2015 Leeward School District Waiʻanae, HI
● Taught three “full-term” classes of Algebra 2 each semester.
● Developed course curriculum map, lesson plans, and incorporated national standards based requirements.
● Worked with students and administration; created a positive, culturally conscious learning environment.
● Coordinated with special education teachers to accommodate SPED students in an inclusion setting.
● Served as a role model for professional conversation and intellectual dialogue, helping students understand the value of education in everyday life.
Laboratory Intern
July 2013 – Dec. 2013 Joint Pacific Accounting Command Hickam Air Force Base, HI
● Assisted in cleaning and laying out macerated human remains for JPAC cases pertaining to locating and identifying US soldiers killed in action in past conflicts and various consult cases of forensic nature.
● Processed and prepared digital (pdf) military files and photographic evidence for JPAC historians and anthropologists to use in POW/MIA cases from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
● Provided general office duties in the laboratory media center including scanning, pdf conversion, copying, document and spreadsheet processing.
● Learned about the responsibilities of working and conducting research in a government lab, as well as adhering to strict laboratory safety and security procedures while maintaining ethical standards.
Project Assistant
Oct. 2012 – Dec. 2013 Hamilton Library, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Honolulu, HI
● Organized and cataloged declassified aerial photographs taken by US military forces during reconnaissance missions over Pacific Islands throughout the Pacific theater of WWII.
● Created a digital database for the collection of scanned photographs from preservation and associated metadata using Excel and Access software to be implemented on the university library website via an interactive GIS interface.
● Trained new employees on the meticulous process of organizing, generating, and inputting both physical photographs and digital metadata. Worked independently and cooperatively with fellow project assistants on various sections of the entire database project.
Archaeological Technician
May 2011 – Nov. 2011
United States Forest Service: Ely District Ranger Station Ely, NV
● Surveyed and mapped historic and prehistoric archaeological site boundaries and archaeological finds in Nevada Great Basin area using Trimble GPS/GIS and ArcGIS/ArcMap computer systems.
● Worked independently on a day-to-day basis, performed 30 meter and 60 meter transects, hiking a distance between 4 to 10 miles per day depending on terrain. Identified, recorded and photographed artifacts archaeological significance.
● Contributed to the writing and publishing of two separate CRM reports in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest region.
Volunteer Experience
GIS/Archaeology Intern
Jan. 2014 – Mar. 2014
Hawaiʻi State Historic Preservation Division Kapolei, HI
● Georeferenced old archaeological survey reports and added the previously recorded maps and information to the digital ArcGIS database.
● Populated attribute tables with appropriate site information following the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division Standards and Guidance for the Creation of Cultural Resources Geospatial Data. ● Mapped several archaeological site inventory projects on Oahu, Lehua, and Hawaii islands.
● Followed FGDC standards practices when performing metadata and data entry for archaeological sites.
Field Technician
July 2004 – May 2006
City of Lodi Storm-Drain Detectives, Water Quality Testing Lodi, CA
● Performed chemical tests and recordings of city’s storm drains and catch basins with other students and local volunteers and presented the gathered data to the public via website and annual town hall meeting.
● Worked with the City of Lodi Public Works Department in tracking, documenting, and reporting the city’s water quality on a bi-monthly basis.
● Implemented various water quality tests using appropriate equipment and techniques. Specific tests analyzed nitrate levels, dissolved oxygen content, temperature, TDS/conductivity, turbidity and pH.
Additional Skills
● Computing: Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, & PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Bridge, Adobe Acrobat, Mac & PC/Windows OS
● Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Trained in using Total Station, Garmin GPS, TerraSync GIS on Trimble, Mapbox, Customer Service Toolkit, and ESRI software (ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ModelBuilder, ArcGIS Online, Web AppBuilder)
● Self-taught graphic designer, web designer, and social media administrator.
● Trained in Citizens Band (CB) radio protocol.
● Experienced backpacker and backcountry hiker.
● Experienced dog handler and obedience trainer.
● CPR/AED and First Aid Certified (Previously)
● Experienced 4x4, automatic and manual transmission driver.
● Martial Arts enthusiast, Yongmudo, Kuk Sool Won & Judo.
● Amateur Photographer and Film buff.
● Japanese language, limited working proficiency.
● Spanish language, limited working proficiency.
● Hawaiian language, limited working proficiency.
