"Education is everywhere, especially if you make learning fun".

This has been a guiding premise for the educational and artistic pursuits of Jay Franey. His journey as an educator began after his graduation from Maryland Institute College of Art in 1992 with a Bachelors in Fine Arts degree. He has worked with several education based non-profits on the mainland and here in Hawaii. His experiences as a teacher began with art, but has grown to address special needs education, and nature based outdoor education. His passion for the Hawaiian environment has led him to work with schools such as Seabury Hall as an outdoor educator, providing adventures on the beautiful island of Maui. He also worked with a renowned eco-tour provider on island to expand his knowledge of Hawaiian culture, plants, and ecology.

After nearly a year of running his own tour company "Adventure's in Paradise", he became inspired to seek out an opportunity to work again with children. Jay crossed paths with Maui Operations Manager JD Wyatt and accepted the Maui programs manager position. A natural progression back to the service of the islands keiki.

An avid adventurer, Jay has done most of the best hikes on Kauai, Big Island, and Maui. He also kayaks, free dives, sails, and climbs. Another pursuit of interest for Jay is his involvement with comedy improv acting. He is part of one of Maui's premier comedy troupes, performing monthly in variety shows.

Jay has been a lifelong artist, in the media of painting, drawing, with a recent emphasis on nature photography. He is also a plant lover, and has trained in tropical permaculture for the last 12 years. Planting numerous orchards, and gardens on Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island.