Officiant

WAM, MMB and DAP (UC Davis 2011). WAM often has something in his ear.

WAM. His name is really Bill, but when it comes to marine mammal strandings in North Carolina, everyone is called by his or her initials. WAM must have been born to do stranding response because he has the coolest and most pronounceable initials of anyone. He is an Environmental Hero and champion for marine mammal conservation. He has a talented eye for antique pottery, a profound story-telling ability and is hands-down the worlds best road trip companion. His ability to think outside the box is unparalleled and he never hesitates to challenge the system when necessary.     

WAM and his life mate DAP (Ann) are family to Michelle. They took in an incredibly naive college freshman and patiently supported her as she found her way in work, life and the always blurred line between the two. WAM and DAP have had such a positive influence on Michelle - she has been fortunate enough to follow her dreams due to the solid foundation they gave her in her formative years. Not only that, but they are role models that demonstrate the leadership, mentor-ship, companionship and stewardship that Michelle strives to embody every day.  And outside of the lab, they are two of the sweetest and most compassionate people, and their love continues to inspire everyone around them.  

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Wedding Party

Hoopar 'Hoops' (dog): The Best Dog. 
Really, need we say more? 
Hoopar was rescued from a reservation (in Hoopa, CA), endured several NFL football seasons and 4 years of vet school with Shell, and has been her adventure loving sidekick for 8 years. Kevin and Hoopar are best buds and have lots of fun guy-time when Shell is out of town. Our favorite place to be is out running on a shaded mountain trail together. Hoopar loves three main things: eating, running and cuddling. Moving to Hawaii was an adjustment but he loves the sunshine and learned how to avoid breaking waves. He tries to herd all the surfers in that giant blue field called the North Pacific. He has yet to succeed but is hopeful that he will get to ride on a stand-up paddle board someday. He has many loving aunties and uncles that have cared for him over the years and he is looking forward to all the visitors for the wedding!

Anne 'Annie' Harrell: Maid of Honor. 
Annie and Shell have been friends since undergrad. As students of Ann and Bill (WAM), they bonded over many a late-night dolphin necropsy and a particularly memorable road trip to Florida (let's just say there was a lot of moo-ing). Since then, Annie and Shell have built a friendship on a shared love of animals (in particular, cows). They have supported each other through the ups and downs of veterinary school, were house mates in San Francisco, and adventuristas to Belize and Alaska. As self-proclaimed "heterosexual life mates" they can be found completing each others sentences and generally devolve into a complete laughter-fest every time they are together. Annie is a veterinarian and lives in San Francisco with two awesome pooches and the coolest orange cat on the planet. 

Chad 'C-had' Lino (brother of the groom): The Best Man. 
Chad and I spent a lot of our formative years together learning how to become the best men we could be. I owe so much of who I am to him and for giving me a chance to become a better person. I couldn't be where I am now without my little brother and my family. Chad lives in Pittsburgh with his lovely wife Helene, his son Michael and their two pups. Both work in the banking industry where they first met and enjoy being close to Helene's family and the Steel City but make it to Hawaii for visits when they can... enduring much longer hikes than expected. 


Charles 'Awkward' Littnan (friend of the groom and bride): Charles has known me for most of my time in Hawaii. He is the Brian Fantana to my Ron Burgundy?! Whether on the court, out late or just making brownies you couldn't ask for a better buddy. Most importantly though, he introduced me to Shell and has been a constant friend to both of us. He is also one of her bosses. I think he might even technically be mine now too. Anyway, he is dedicated to saving monk seals because, like with most things in his life, he truly cares. 





Corry 'Couvre' Lino (brother of the groom): A Best Man. 
Corry is the brother you've always wanted- until he becomes Captain Repeat. I cannot remember ever getting into one fight or argument with him. He is the most supportive and talented one of us and is a shining example of who I want to emulate as a father. Especially since he gets to coach all three of his kids soccer teams... lucky. He and his beautiful family all live in Erie where he is an art director and graphic designer. Luckily his amazing wife Alissa and their three children McKenzie, Ben and Riley enjoy free time with their dad who enjoys to go fishing and hunting.  -K


Heather 'H-dogg' Rowell (friend of the bride): 
Heather is hands-down the solid rock of a friend that you know will always be there for you, no matter how long it's been since you last talked or saw each other. Heather & Shell met in 1998 at UNC-Wilmington. Heather's home in Charlotte quickly became their hurricane-evacuation spot of choice. Her family welcomed Shell like another daughter. Heather was the late-night movie watcher and Shell had an early rising water sports habit, but despite their diurnal differences, they were roommates all four years of college. Since then, Heather served in the Peace Corps & lived in Kenya for several years before moving to Washington DC to prove herself invaluable at Peace Corps HQ. Heather is now completing her Master's degree at SIT and hopes to do advising for international study abroad students, which she will do with the grace and extraordinary compassion that she pours into her life & friends in every way.





James 'JP' Powell (friend of the bride):  
James and Shell became friends while doing dolphin research and immediately discovered that they had something more in common than an interest in charismatic megafauna: distance running. So they’ve gotten to be pretty good friends over the miles. They've been known to clear a boat deck with their obsessive conversations about all things running. JP lives in Oregon with his beautiful wife Reagan and daughter Macy, who are amazing athletes themselves. Luckily both fully encourage James and Shell’s race planning and running antics. They are a wonderful race support crew and know just how to help their exhausted runners make it across the finish line. The five of us get together more regularly these days always making it an adventure.


Jamie Kunkel Bartell (friend of the bride): 
Jamie and Shell go way back - to birth - because their parents have been friends since before either of the girls were born. But it wasn't until Jamie and Shell were in their 20's that they realized just how much they had in common. In addition to a shared fondness for outdoor adventures and healthy lifestyles, they simply have shared values to the core and have been each unconditional supporters through good times and tough ones. Jamie lives in the San Francisco bay area with her amazing husband Brian and their two children, Helena and Bodie. Even though Shell left the Bay Area for Hawaii mere months before they moved to the area, Annie has become a part of the family too! 


Jessie Lopez Bohlander (friend of the groom & bride)
Kevin & Jessie have been close friends since meeting in Hawaii in 2005. Jessie left New Mexico and became another valued member of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Program and still dedicates her life to making sure it keeps functioning properly. Jessie has been my roommate, confidant, voice of reason and occasionally Bad Idea Bear throughout the years. We've been there through some tough times for each other and have always found a way to find the good in life, on and off the volleyball court. I was proud to be there for her wedding to the dapper Mr. Andy Bohlander in 2015. and I am thankful to have such a great friend in my life. -KL



Krista Jones (friend of the bride):
Krista and Shell went to vet school together at UC Davis, where they were two of the few wildlife-focused students in their class - the ones that didn't quite fit in! They too are adventure buddies, and one of the best trips was a camping trip to Big Sur when they completely miscommunicated about packing food and utensils, so Shell carved a spoon out of a carrot (it was the first time but not the last!). But they've been oceans apart since graduation, with Krista pursing a fellowship in Norway and is now pursuing her PhD at Murdoch Univ. in Australia. That's not really unusual for Krista, who has also lived in China and Africa. But somehow Krista and Shell manage to meet up in fun places like Quebec and Australia, and even squeeze in 24 hour visits on the east coast when their family visitation schedules collide. 

Kyle 'Richard' Lino (brother of the groom): A Best Man. 
The Lino brothers grew up like any other pack- playing and fighting their way into an inseparable bond. Unless asking to borrow the car for Homecoming, then that required extra gas money and a thorough washing. Yet Kyle has always been out front and led that pack for us, especially when we all needed family and each other the most. Through hardships, we eventually evolved ourselves into the family that I love and adore. Kyle lives and works as a police officer with Erie International airport and is a small business owner living with his fantastic girlfriend Amanda and her son Jamison. Whenever Kyle can find time, he too is out hunting or fishing with his family and friends. 



Madison 'Maddie' Klingensmith (niece of the groom):
Madison is my amazing sister Christine's youngest kid and also my god daughter. However, ever since I first got to hold her as a smiley little baby, she has been a huge inspiration for me; to someday be a dad. She loves and lives life with a full heart and compassion for others. I think a visit to Hawaii has been or her bucket list since I moved and it is finally time to happen. Not only is she a stellar scholar but she is also a skilled volleyball player (one of the few in our clan) and if an uncle with season tickets had his way, she'd be playing for UH. But playing on the beach next year will be just as fun.  






Nadia Rifat (friend of the bride):
Nadia and Shell also met in vet school and grew particularly close after a summer internship with the SeaDoc Society on Orcas Island in WA state. SeaDoc and many in the Orcas community have become family for Nadia and Shell, and they both recall that summer as the best one...ever...ever! It was full of garden gnomes, beautiful trail runs (which inadvertently introduced Nadia to long-distance running!), one giant crabbing disaster and oh yeah we ran out of gas in the boat once too - along with doing some science and harbor seal rescuing! Nadia lives in the CA Bay Area and when she's not saving pets lives or running a marathon, she's learning to rock climb from her climbing guru boyfriend, Steve. 


Nick Barbieri (brother of the bride): 
Nick is the reason behind Michelle's nickname, which originally was a lot more like “Sow” than "Shell" when he was really little. Lucky for Shell, it morphed over the years into something a bit more relevant (though some family members are reluctant to let it go...Dad!). Nick is 4 years younger than Shell, but is already the more experienced sibling in the marriage department...and family-man, home-buying and generally all things responsible and domestic. And dare I say that Nick and Emily have perfected the art of grilled pizza! Nick married his lovely wife Emily in July of 2013 in Maryland and they just welcomed the first grandkid to the family. We’re all excited to show little Charlie around Oahu next year!