ʻĀINA TECHNICIAN

Michiko Smith is an environmentalist from Lahaina, Maui. She grew up as a surfer, and her family has been farmers for generations. She realized at a young age that where she came from was special, and she had a natural urge to stand up for it. Michiko holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a minor in Fine Art from Notre Dame College. She is currently enrolled in the Marine Option Program at the University of Hawai’i Maui College.

As an artist, Michiko creates installations and framed pieces using ghost nets and ocean debris. Her work has been featured in several art shows, including at Wailuku Art Space for "The Month of Lei" and "Above and Below," as well as at Patagonia X Surfrider Chicago's "Message in a Bottle."

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Michiko participated in the research project called “Super Reefs” with The Nature Conservancy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University. Previously, she worked as a Foraging Field Assistant with Sunny Savage at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens and as a Field Crew member with Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership.