Dr. Namulau`ulu Tavana directs and develops educational programs at NTBG headquarters and its gardens in Hawai`i and Florida. Courses target national and international audiences -- introductory biology college professors, K-12 science teachers, graduate tropical ethnobotany students, college and university horticulture majors, environmental journalists, physicians and other healthcare professionals. Dr. Tavana also oversees NTBG's local Kaua`i programs, public lecture series, K-12 school programs, and university work-study programs.

In 1995, the American Education Research Association (AERA) honored Dr. Tavana with the most outstanding doctoral studies award. His research, entitled "Cultural Values and Education," analyzed the conflict in the attitude and perspective of indigenous people generated by early European colonialism and technological proliferation. His award-winning article based on that study was published in the International Journal of Education Reform.