January 17, 2026 @Inspiration Museum Hawai‘i
Our CoFounders
Gloria and Imiloa Borland
Mother and daughter cofounded the Inspiration Hawaii Museum where biographies are on the wall. They are cofounders of the Hawai'i Environmental Film Festival modeled after the DC Environmental Film Festival, the longest and largest green-film festival in the U.S.
Gloria Borland was raised on Oahu and spent decades in media in Washington DC. She provided critical strategies that resulted in two powerful environmental impacts on drinking water. In Hawai'i, Gloria led a behind the scenes approach for Red Hill that was different than what had been done before. Her method of bypassing Navy Region Hawaii and communicating directly with the White House and the Pentagon resulted in Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's stunning decision to permanently close the Red Hill fuel tanks in March 2022.
In Washington DC, Gloria Borland gave U.S. Senate testimony in 2004 that motivated the creation of a new Environmental Protection Agency program that replaced decades-old lead pipes that had contaminated the nation's drinking water. Her compelling senate presentation was the catalyst that resulted in a new $35 billion EPA program that benefited water utilities in all 50 States.
Imiloa Borland was the co-founder of the Honolulu Chapter "March for Our Lives" to stop school gun violence when she was 15. During her senior year at Punahou, Imiloa was a leader in the youth-led statewide movement to lower the voting age to 16 in Hawaii's local elections. Their "Vote 16" bill passed the State Senate and had crossed over to the House when the legislature abruptly closed in March 2020 due to the covid pandemic.
Imiloa Borland earned a BA in Global Studies and Creative Writing from The New School in New York City in 2024. Imiloa worked for State Senator Karl Rhoads as the Clerk for the Senate Judiciary committee during the 2025 Legislative session and is currently a policy advocate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Imiloa continues to study hula as a member of Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine under the direction of Kumu Ka'ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval.
Our Staff
Beatriz Talerico - Operations and Logistics Manager
Beatriz Talerico - Operations and Logistics Manager
Beatriz Talerico - Operations and Logistics Manager
Beatriz Talerico joins the team to assist with the festival’s planning and operations, helping ensure a smooth and impactful experience for filmmakers and attendees. Beatriz is a screenwriter and currently attends the Los Angeles Film School, where she is pursuing a degree in Writing for Film and Television. She earned a Master’s in Educ
Beatriz Talerico joins the team to assist with the festival’s planning and operations, helping ensure a smooth and impactful experience for filmmakers and attendees. Beatriz is a screenwriter and currently attends the Los Angeles Film School, where she is pursuing a degree in Writing for Film and Television. She earned a Master’s in Education for Teaching Biology from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of South Florida. An avid outdoorswoman, she spends her free time hiking, paddleboarding, and running with her Australian Shepherd under the Hawai‘i sun. She is a retired U.S. Naval officer.
Kiara Bacasen - Team Coordinator
Beatriz Talerico - Operations and Logistics Manager
Beatriz Talerico - Operations and Logistics Manager
Kiara has a Bachelor of Engineering, Architectural Design and a Masters in Sustainability Science and Practice from Stanford University.
With communications and technological expertise, she improved the film festival's website and expanded the reach and impact of this event.
Kiara is just a young person who likes film. Her professional wo
Kiara has a Bachelor of Engineering, Architectural Design and a Masters in Sustainability Science and Practice from Stanford University.
With communications and technological expertise, she improved the film festival's website and expanded the reach and impact of this event.
Kiara is just a young person who likes film. Her professional work revolves around securing basic needs at scale, starting off in healthy aging and now tackling sustainable agriculture through traditional staple starches. She believes empowered people lead to robust societies, and better outcomes for all. Hence why she's excited to make this film festival a reality.