Our Story

The Albizia Project was founded in 2017 to develop innovative uses of the prolific invasive albizia tree and to support native ecosystem restoration across the Hawaiian Islands. Building with albizia wood helps us to replace problematic species with native trees to forge pathways to a circular economy for Hawaiʻi. Our approach seeds responsible material sourcing that can reduce our reliance on imports, create jobs, sequester carbon, and restore habitats.

Team

**Joey Valenti**
*Founder & Design Director*

Christine JohnsonCo-founder & Operations — **Christine Johnson**
*Founder & Head of Operations*

**McKenna Conforti**
*Creative Director*

Joey Valenti is the Co-founder and CEO of Albizia Project and Bizia Surf.

In 2016, Joey earned a Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa. His research investigated underutilized forest resources to develop innovative building systems using the invasive albizia tree. This work ultimately led to the creation of The Albizia Project, an impact-driven organization dedicated to advancing wood innovations and manufacturing with locally sourced materials.

Beyond his architectural and woodworking expertise, Joey is deeply committed to environmental stewardship. Whether in the forest or the ocean, he leads efforts to restore the balance of nature through sustainable practices. His latest venture, Bizia Surf & Coffee Bar, blends his passion for craftsmanship and surf culture for a unique coffee experience within a gallery of specialty items and performance wood surfboards.

Christine Johnson is Co-founder and Head of Operations for Albizia Project and Bizia Surf.

An experienced senior audit associate turned self-employed entrepreneur, Christine is focused on creating social enterprises that improve and elevate Hawaii's island community. Her education includes a Bachelors in Accounting and International Business from University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

Christine harnesses her inspiration to make a positive impact by watching her two young boys grow in a world with an uncertain future.

You can find her behind the counter at Bizia Surf & Coffee Bar serving up the best espresso drinks on the island.

McKenna Conforti is the creative director of media and marketing for both Albizia Project and Bizia Surf.

With a degree in conservation biology and a love for the arts, McKenna focuses on utilizing creativity to share her passion for sustainability. Since graduating, she has worked in a variety of niches within the field of sustainability, from biological field research to marketing and advising eco-focused small businesses.

McKenna hopes to combine her experience in research, creative arts, and marketing to effectively translate visions of sustainability to a diverse and global audience.

Advisory Board

**Matthew K Lynch**
***Regenerative Enterprise Director***
*Co-founder of Albizia Project*

**Uncle Bruce Keaulani**
***Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner***
*CEO and Kahu of Living Life Source Foundation*

**Aunty Kehaulani Lum**
***Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner***
*Board Secretary of Living Life Source Foundation*

**Eric Bello**
***Manufacturing Specialist***
*Owner of Bello’s Millwork*

University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa – School of Architecture

LIKA was a prototype built entirely out of albizia wood, a material that was once considered useless. It was an expression of creative awareness around the importance of the materials we use. The wood system is a prefab kit-of-parts, intersecting new manufacturing technology with Indigenous Pacific Island-inspired design to craft a beautiful 400 square foot pavilion for the tropics.

Utilization

We collected unwanted albizia wood from several removal projects on Oʻahu, including Lyon Arboretum, U.S. Army Schofield Barracks, and H-2 Mililani.

Island economy

Multi-sector collaboration has opened up the possibility to offer a system of all local resources from building materials to prefabrication.

Testing

Structural testing of specimens was performed at UH Mānoa Structures Lab and has proven that albizia can be a viable construction material for Hawaiʻi.