First, please tell our readers a little about your background as a born-and-raised Kauaian. I was born and raised in Kekaha on the Westside of Kaua‘i where I attended both Kekaha Elementary and Waimea High School. As a youth growing
First, please tell our readers a little about your background as a born-and-raised Kauaian.
I was born and raised in Kekaha on the Westside of Kaua‘i where I attended both Kekaha Elementary and Waimea High School. As a youth growing up in a tight knit community, I always felt a strong sense of belonging and acceptance. In those days, everyone believed that “it took a village to raise a child,” and believe me, if you were doing something wrong, your parents would learn about it in no time. Teachers, friends and neighbors always united to look out for one another and their families. There was a strong sense of pride and I learned quickly that our kupuna were to be respected and provided a unique blend of wisdom and knowledge.
I went on to graduate from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and during my college years, had the opportunity to travel abroad with the Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau. Being immersed in the various cultures of each country was the ideal classroom for learning about the world. After meeting my best friend David — who eventually became my husband — I moved to Northern California where I became a teacher and then director for a private school. After eight years, I knew it was time to return home because I felt a strong sense of purpose to serve the people of Kaua‘i.
Anyone who knows you knows that you are highly involved in the Kaua‘i community. When did you first discover your passion for community service?
The value of serving one’s community was instilled in me at an early age. Both my parents and grandparents spoke of the importance of serving others. My late grandfather, Anderson Kaholoiki Kilauano, was a wise and respected member of our community who, through his actions, taught me to be ha‘aha‘a (humble). He would tell me things like “never step on anyone to reach your goals in life.” Even as a young child I could feel the value in his words and hung on every word he said. On that particular day he sat under a mango tree and I watched him intricately weave each loop into his Hawaiian fishing “throw” net. He was the kind of person that would give you the clothes off his back and go out of his way to help anyone. He tirelessly manned our families pa‘akai (salt) beds, and it was there that I learned the value of hard work, dedication and reverence for ones culture. I admired my grandfather and vowed to serve the community in the same way someday.
Congratulations on your new job as the Kaua‘i representative for Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. How is it going so far? What does the job entail?
As the constituent services representative, I feel privileged and honored to help the residents of Kaua‘i navigate the services provided by the federal government when they need assistance. As the grants/projects coordinator, I will assist in obtaining federal and private funding for constituents; addressed needs of local governments, private and civic organizations and other constituents. I will also have the opportunity to participate in community projects and events and to keep Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard informed of the needs of the Kaua‘i constituents.
You also work as the Community Director for Kaua‘i Big Brothers, Big Sisters. How/why did you get involved with the organization?
Upon returning to Kaua‘i in 2007, I first worked as an events coordinator. I enjoyed planning, organizing and coordinating events because it gave me an opportunity to connect with many of the service vendors on island and bring celebratory events to its fruition. During that time, I also felt the urge to further extend my reach of serving our community. In 2010, Big Brothers Big Sisters was looking for a community director to oversee its program on Kaua‘i. As a director for a private school in California prior to returning home, I knew that this was a perfect fit. I have now been a proud member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters team for about three yearsWhat is something most people don’t know about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kaua‘i that you would like them to?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kaua‘i is proud to part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i family, which includes Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. As for Kaua‘i, all monies raised on Kaua‘i stay on island and are used directly to serve our community- and school-based programs here. Recent surveys have indicated that 67 percent of youth have maintained or improved their grades, 75 percent are confident that they will finish high school and go to college and 86 percent feel socially accepted by peers.
How do you balance the new job, the old job, and making time for yourself and family?
I think it’s imperative to never lose sight of what is most important. If you have a strong family foundation you will be able to accomplish anything you set your mind to. I feel very fortunate to have found my best friend, husband and partner in life David. No matter what direction my career has taken me, he has always been my greatest champion and biggest supporter. You must have that kind of support in order to be successful in your career and in life. I also believe that if you are doing meaningful work that you can’t help but feel balanced.
In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges facing Kaua‘i’s youth today?
The world we live in today is much different from the one that I grew up in as a youth. Youth today are faced with unique challenges that many of us have not had to face as young children. If we reflect upon our school years we can all remember a time when we were bullied. However, bullying today has taken on a whole new level of severity, especially through cyber bullying and the many social media outlets we have for communicating. I also volunteer with the county’s Life’s Choices Prevention Coalition because I believe in their mission to address the important issue of underage drinking. As adults in our community it is our obligation to set a good example for Kaua‘i’s youth and to be cognizant of our actions.
If you could change one thing about your island home what would it be?
Kaua‘i is and will always be a special place. After leaving Kaua‘i to attend college, I had the opportunity to travel and live on the Mainland. I knew that someday I wanted to return to Kaua‘i and give back to the community that help shaped the person I am today. I would like to remind everyone to not only live aloha, but to be aloha. Don’t look the other way … take the initiative to reach out to someone who could use the help.
