Kate Righter grew up in both Kailua and Virginia, exploring forests and tide pools, taking art classes, and writing stories and poetry.
After graduating from Virginia Tech in 2005, Kate returned to Hawaiʻi, where she worked as both a graphic designer and an elementary school art teacher. In 2022, she founded the Hawaiʻi Nature Journal Club, connecting community to nature journaling through education, environmental stewardship, and creativity. Kate is a certified Nature Journal Educator through the Wild Wonder Foundation and leads workshops for schools, nonprofits, and community groups throughout Hawaiʻi.
Kate is also an artist and poet. She is creating a series of acrylic paintings inspired by Hawaiʻi’s coastal species and is the author of What Remains, a collection of poetry and essays inspired by nature and family life. She is currently working on an illustrated edition for children.
Curriculum Vitae
Current Work
2023 – present∙ Manoa Heritage Center
Ongoing nature journaling workshops for the community.
2026 ∙ Stanford University: Continuing Studies Program
Course Support Specialist for John Muir Laws’ online course, “Drawing Birds: A Naturalist’s Approach to Art and Observation.”
2023 – present∙ Wild Wonder Foundation: Nature Journaling Educator Program
Volunteer, program moderator, and member of the advisory committee.
Community Nature Journaling Presentations
- 2026 ∙ Hawaii DOE Summer Reading Challenge
- 2026 ∙ YMCA Windward
- 2026 ∙ Christ Church Uniting
- 2026 ∙ Malama Learning Center
- 2025 ∙ Pacific Rim Conservation at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
- 2025 ∙ Waikiki Aquarium ∙ “Drawn to the Sea” a four week series of classes
- 2025 ∙ Hawaii Sea Grant ∙ Kailua Beach Dune Restoration Project
- 2024 – 2025 ∙ Healthy Climate Communities ∙ Bird walks and nature journaling
- 2024 ∙ Icky Love Art Loft
- 2023, 2024, & 2025 ∙ STEMS^2 Symposium
- 2024 ∙ AAUW
- 2023 ∙ Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference
- 2023 ∙ Bishop Museum
- 2022 ∙ Keiki & Plow
School Nature Journaling Presentations
- 2026 ∙ Kamehameha Elementary
- 2025 ∙ Radford High
- 2025 ∙ Noelani Elementary
- 2024 ∙ Kailua Intermediate
- 2024 ∙ Kalaheo High School
Related Professional Experience
2022 – 2024∙ Hongwanji Mission School ∙ Teacher
Led an after school maker space program during the school year. Taught nature-themed after school and summer school classes that integrated nature journaling with STEM projects, and connected students with local environmental non-profits.
2023 – 2024 ∙ Hawaiʻi Audubon Society ∙ Outreach and Education Director
Designed and delivered educational presentations on Hawaiʻi’s native birds and nature journaling for local schools and community organizations. Led nature journaling bird walks and participated in outreach events at community festivals. Created a new logo for the organization as a modern update to the previous design. Redesigned the long-running ʻElepaio journal and served as managing editor for two issues.
2019-2020 ∙ Mokapu Elementary∙ K-3 Art teacher
2017-2018∙ KidzArt Windward∙ Certified after-school instructor
2017∙ Maunawili Elementary∙ K-6 Art teacher
Art Exhibitions and Publications
Loulu Love Fest Art Contest ∙ National Tropical Botanical Gardens ∙ May 2026
Third place in the adult division for acrylic painting of a loulu palm.
Windward Artist’s Guild Member Show ∙ Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens ∙ March 2026
Two acrylic paintings of native Hawaiian birds accepted for display.
What Remains ∙ Published Fall 2024
Self-published a book of poetry and essays about family life, nature connection, mental health, and finding your place in the world. Learn more and order a copy.
June and Moon Publishing
Illustrated and designed three different children’s books, and self-published them for sale online.
Treehouse Co-working ∙ Kailua, HI ∙ June 2021
Display of original watercolor artwork of native species.
Morning Brew Kaka’ako ∙ Kailua, HI ∙ January-March 2020
Solo exhibit featuring original watercolor paintings and prints featuring imaginative watercolor scenes and a variety of local and colorful flowers and animals.
Memberships and Service
2022 – 2026∙ Kailua Neighborhood Board ∙ Elected member
2008 – present ∙ Hālau Mōhala ʻIlima ∙ Hula dancer
2015 – present∙ Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club