John Pipan

Interpretive Guide

John was born and grew up in Oklahoma.  He earned his Bachelors of Science from Cornell University in Earth System Science and Engineering while hiking, climbing, and kayaking the Gunks and Dacks (Shawangunk and Adirondack Mountains) in upstate New York. John’s studies explored the dynamic processes at work in the living, changing Earth.

John fought his way through graduation requirements so that he could come to the Big Island in 2006 for a field geology program. He immediately fell in love with Hawaii, returning soon after graduating. John then met the love of his life, a local girl named Jennah, and married in 2009. When John isn’t showing visitors the time of their lives for Hawaii Forest and Trail he runs an environmental consulting company and an organic farm. He lives with his wife and their furry four-legged children on their farm outside Honokaa.