Katrina “Red Leader”

Katrina “Red Leader”

Turning 28 on island in December

Hometown: Maynard, Massachusetts near Boston

Education: AAS in Illustration, BS in Environmental Science and a minor in
Literature, MS Environmental Science from Rochester Institute of Technology. Thesis: Comparison of Geochemical and Biological Characteristics of Natural and Constructed
Freshwater Wetlands in Western New York

Jobs on the island: Team Leader. This includes data management, coordinating
with Honolulu, GIS mapping, and creating schedules

What do you do on the island for fun?

Most of the time Katrina can be found reading while drinking either her water, coffee, or Gatorade. Lately she has delved into knitting and helped host an island yarn party. She is really into her camera. It’s a nice one. She even has an underwater housing for it. She likes to take artsy fartsy photos – like close up ones of fish, and
ants, and flowers, and birds. She likes to go “nature creepin’” as she puts it. You can
check out her photo blog here: katrinascheiner.tumblr.com She is also a phenomenal
artist. She does watercolor and sketching. She is often found in the snorkeling group
and the late night movie watching crew. Katrina enjoys puttering about and lurking.
Katrina is also a bit accident prone and has many scrapes including one on her side from
falling off the Sea Wall. And you know when she is in dislike of something when she
starts to hiss at it, like when I try and take a picture of her.

Why did you apply for the job?

Katrina thought, “This looks fun” when she first saw the job posting online. While
reading the job description, she noticed the birds first and then the ants (she has a
background working with birds). And living in Hawaii for a month wasn’t exactly a
turnoff. It was just an added bonus when she found out it was a paid position.

What do you hope to get out of island?

She wants to learn about and see new birds on the island and get experience working with new species in a different environment. She wants to have fun. It is nice for her that
the internet isn’t controlling her life here. It is hard to access and she doesn’t mind
skipping it altogether. It is more chill here on the island and Katrina is a fan of a
more chill lifestyle.

What’s next for Katrina?

She has been moving to a new place every 6-9 months and often finds seasonal and temporary
positions in this line of work. She is not sure if she wants a job after this right away
or maybe do some traveling, as she often gets restless after staying in one place for too
long. Ideally, she wants to get paid to play outside. You know, so she won’t starve to
death. She still doesn’t know what she wants to do when she grows up, but Katrina wants to
“help save the world, do good things, live a good life, be mindful of environment, and
spread that message as much as possible.”

What do you miss most from home?

Her Noodle (dog, real name Watson!). Having the opportunity to see and interact with
friends. Nice cold beer. Fresh fruit and veggies.
Variable weather, like snow and temperature differences between night and day.

Would you rather stub your toes every time you walk or get a paper cut every time you touched anything?

Stub my toes, hands down. I hate paper cuts.

Would you rather be a naked mole rat or sasquatch?

Naked mole rat. Don’t like having hair in my face.

What snack food best describes you?

Sweet and Salty Chex Mix