Rene Sylva

Rene Sylva (January 1929 – December 28, 2008) was an American botanist. He was born in Paia, Hawaii. He was among the only native Hawaiian fishermen to speak in favor of a ban on fishing green sea turtles. 
After giving up a career in turtle fishing, he became involved in the conservation of native Hawaiian ecosystems. He was important for the surveying remote regions of the Hawaiian Islands for native plants.