Ku Aloha Ola Mau means “to stand in love and health forever,” and is the name of a nonprofit committed to welcoming those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction as haumana, or students, lovingly, for the rest of their lives.…
NAME: Celeste Indvik AGE: 25 PART-TIME JOB: Professional cuddler and co-owner of Aloha Cuddle Co. START: Indvik was born and raised in Orange County, California, received her B.S. in nursing from Hawaii Pacific University, and is now a full-time labor…
Ross’ Appliances & Furniture was founded in 1975 by Ross Wigney, an Australian who served as an electrician’s mate aboard Jacques Cousteau’s ship Calypso. “He met a girl on the Mainland, and when the Calypso pulled out of port, Ross…
Hawaii’s Court Appointed Special Advocates program (CASA) began in 1984, to help the overburdened legal and social welfare system by creating volunteer guardians ad litem for abused and neglected children. The program is funded and supervised by the state Judiciary.…
Many people think of flowers during February because of Valentine’s Day, but Francis Wong, owner of Jenny’s Leis & Flowers, says his busy season actually occurs a few months later. “April through August are very busy for us,” explains the…
NAME: Dan Radford AGE: 37 JOB: Computer network operations manager, National Security Agency Hawaii START: While still a Marine, Dan Radford began his intelligence career as an electronics intelligence operator in 1996. “I broke into the computer network operations field…
No, it’s not that “CSI.” “Folks are always mixing us up with the TV show,” chuckles Shin (“Sheen”) Domen, 49, executive director of CSI Inc., a financial management nonprofit that seeks to provide Comfort, Security and Independence to elderly or…
When Max Tsai and Matt Cooley were college roommates at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in the ‘90s, both were “unimpressed” with the customer call center service they received from companies. “Whether you have to call your utility company or cell…
NAME: Lealyn Poponi AGE: 39 JOB: Stilt walker START: Poponi, originally from Monroe, Michigan, dreamed of moving to the Islands since she visited Maui with her family when she was 18. “In 2013, I sold almost everything, quit my job…
What does it mean to be Native Hawaiian? That was the question that Moses Haia III, 61, executive director of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. (NHLC), had to confront when he was growing up among a lot of military families…
NAME: Christopher Ferrara JOB: Jet pilot and director of operations COMPANY: Resort Air LLC, which operates charter flights within Hawaii. START: Ferrara was born in Hollywood. He used to come to Hawaii during summer high school and college breaks to work for his…
When chef Cary Peterson opened his Kohala Burger & Taco eatery on Hawaii Island in 2010, all the money he had – $80 – was in the register to make change for customers. “I had exhausted every resource available to me,…
Valerie Chang was only 42 when she was diagnosed with idiopathic emphysema – a form of COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. “It’s rather severe, with no known cause,” explains Chang, now 59. “They’ve explored all the possible causes, including genetic,…
NAME: Barbara Ankersmit JOB: Market researcher, president and partner COMPANY: Anthology Marketing Group Research Team START: Ankersmit had been a project manager in California for Arbitron, a radio listener survey company. When she and her family moved to Hawaii, she got a job…
Richmond “Rich” Chang always wanted to own a business. “I was a finance major at UH and, when I graduated in 2000, I didn’t know what sort of business I wanted, but I knew I wanted to buy one,” remembers…
Dyslexia is a neurobiological and genetic learning disability related to language. Students with dyslexia often struggle with oral and written language, according to the Hawaii Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. “It’s a hidden disability,” explains Margaret Higa, 53, who…
The drapery shop is on Beretania Street, across the street from where the original store opened in 1947. Mel Wong has been working for his family’s drapery business since he was in high school in 1969. “I was working at…
For 7 years, Yancy Medeiros has been a pro MMA fighter. NAME: Yancy Medeiros AGE: 28 JOB: Professional mixed martial arts fighter, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) START: Medeiros was born and raised in Makaha, and graduated from Waianae High School.…
Ninety percent of a child’s brain is developed by age 5, so it’s critical that every child have access to high-quality child care and early learning programs, according to the nonprofit Hawaii Children’s Action Network. Of course, that’s not everything…
It’s like a sickness. It’s very addictive,” says Sandra Kamiyama, giggling as she describes her frequent shopping visits to Mahiku Activewear in Haleiwa. “Their clothes are so comfortable, it’s like they’re made just for my body shape! I can wear…
Sheri Mann, Forester and Kauai Island district manager works with the State to conserve nature's wonders. NAME: Sheri Mann AGE: 48 JOB: Forester and Kauai Island district manager, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, state Department of Land and Natural Resources…
“Metamorphose means to change or transform, and I wanted to use the verb- rather than the noun- for the name of our yoga studio, because it’s much more action-oriented,” explains Carol Dumeyer. “We’re all capable of changing or transforming.” The…
She’s an expert in how colors affect people, psychologically and physiologically. NAME: Jill Morton JOB: Color consutant and president of Colocom START: After earning her master’s in art education from UC Santa Barbara and her master’s of fine arts in…
Are you in a Dispute with a relative, neighbor, landlord or co-worker? The Mediation Center of the Pacific can help you peacefully resolve those disputes and many others - usually faster and at less cost than arbitration or the courts.…
NAME: Chun Yee AGE: 55 JOB: Civilian forensic/ graphic artist, Honolulu Police Department START: Yee was born in Hong Kong, but grew up in Kahaluu and got his associates degree in commercial arts from Honolulu Community College. He has been with HPD for nearly…
"Riding bikes is fun, and going to Eki’s makes me feel like a kid again!” raves Gene Christmas (yes, that’s his real last name). The 59-year-old quality assurance inspector at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard has bought more than 20 bicycles…
Name: Travis Grammer Age: 38 Job: Submarine Pilot (Official Title: Fire Control Technician Leading Chief Petty Officer), U.S. Navy, USS Hawaii (SSN 776) Start: Grammer was deeply moved by a Navy recruiting poster he saw during his senior year…
Hard-working Angel Le Tran goes back and forth between Kaimuki and Chinatown nearly everyday to provide her loyal customers with the food of her homeland “Sometimes I’ve gone there multiple times a day. I love their food that much,” Brian…
Life and business partners Scott Buske and Megan Collins have adventurous souls that led them to an overgrown orchard on the Big Island and a whole series of tasty foods they are selling to locals and the world. “I always…
Name: Tom Moffatt Age: “Older than Elvis” Job: Concert promoter and president, A Tom Moffatt Production Start: Born in South Lyon, Michigan, Moffatt came to UH in the early ‘50s “because I wanted to go as far away from where…
Jeff and Karon Chang have come full circle. When they opened their first gallery in a former house along Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe in 1996, the couple had three goals, recalls Karon, co-owner of Jeff Chang Pottery & Fine Crafts.…
You and I are part of Abilities Unlimited’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities. “We could have a really, really ready client, but, if the rest of the community – specifically employers – don’t buy into what we’re doing, then…
Name: Makani McDonald Age: 47 Job: Shaper/designer, Town and Country Surfboards Responsibilities: “I mainly design and shape surfboards and, with that, comes a lot of R&D with riders and equipment. The personal R&D is riding new variations of boards that you’ve…
Charlie Lorenz knows what it’s like to be homeless and hungry. As a teenager, he lived on the streets of Honolulu due to a family dispute. “With that experience, Charlie does know the hunger and lack of hope you experience…
"Cosmic Kelly" Ferreira is an expert on kids. “Growing up on Maui, I was the oldest in a family of five, so I was more like a second mom to them,” she recalls. “And I was always an extrovert, not…
“It’s really like walking into someone’s home that you’ve been going to for a long time. Not like some other places where they just stare at you,” says Lester Peetz, a customer of The Pillbox Pharmacy for 24 years. “It’s…
Jennifer Kem has a soft spot for folks on the Leeward side. The 41-year-old global marketing strategist and owner of KemComm Media Group grew up in Waialua on the North Shore, graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute and then went to college…
Don’t tell his wife, but Wayne Hu is in love with trees. “For me, to be able to trim trees is like Michael Jordan being able to play basketball. I just looove tree trimming. “Trees are supposed to be three…
Personal relationships seem more complicated today because of social media, 24/7 work lifestyles and high divorce rates, but what happens if an additional complication is added, such as starting a business with your spouse? “Being married and working together takes…
Aaron Okubo says organizations like Legacy of Life Hawaii saved his life. “Indirectly, I feel I’ve benefited from their efforts to encourage others to donate their organs and tissues for transplant,” reflects the 61-year-old senior program development manager at MC&A…
With consumers seeking healthier options, small producers like Molokai Livestock Cooperative are enjoying a spike in popularity. “We have seen an increase in consumer demand over the years,” says GM Jack Spruance, 62. “But marketing is not our biggest challenge, …
As a physical therapist and the co-owner of Ohana Pacific Rehabilitation Services in Kailua, Kevin Lockette has always been interested in people’s movement issues. He started one of the first fitness…
Like his father and grandfather, Inoke "Male" Pomale is a master carver. He works with local cow bones, bison bones from Montana, and fossilized mammoth and whale bones from Alaska and Siberia. Inoke “Male” Pomale says he comes from at…
Mao-Chi Tzeng approaches tofu-making as an art. “It’s like chefs preparing dishes,” explains the 66-year-old co-owner of Mrs. Cheng’s Soybean Products in Kalihi. “Same materials, same ingredients, but different chefs come out with different dishes. “I like fine art and…
CHRISTINE HANAKAWA ENJOYS working with families and young people as a program coordinator for Parents and Children Together, but she also brings her caring spirit as a volunteer co-leader for two 4-H clubs: “Green Whales” and “Friendship Magic.” The youth…
“It's sensory overload. Eye candy for the geek,” enthuses Rusty Baily, 42, as he describes Gecko Books & Comics for newcomers to the local world of fantasy and fandom. “It’s very well-organized, but it’s got things everywhere. And it’s just disorganized…
JANET GRACE CAME to Hawaii in 1984 aboard a Navy fast-attack nuclear submarine and was so taken with the Islands that she stayed. “It sounds corny, but I couldn’t believe I was living here among all this beauty and unique aloha…
“I WANT TO make people feel at home here,” says Supreecha Sangthong, nicknamed “Dang,” co-owner of Pae Thai Restaurant in Makiki. “I’m happy to cook for them, and I want to personally make sure they’re satisfied. I’m not so concerned about…
KELLI CRUZ IS a “doer.” She learned early on how to build things from her father, who was a carpenter, and create Hawaiian music from her mother, who was a hula dancer. “When I was 18, I picked up a guitar…
Ulrich Krauer has dedicated the past 40 years of his life to the hospitality industry – in Hawaii and around the world – but what he and his staff at the…
Find out who led the way in 14 categories, and how two organizations attract and keep employees despite serious challenges.
While the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and ali‘i trusts collect land rents from 18 hotels, some Hawaiian groups are aiming for ownership.
