Highlighting Inspirational Voices

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has consistently been conducting interviews. Engaging in meaningful conversations about people’s passions feels more like joy than work. My journey into reporting was driven by this desire for connection, and decades later, that passion remains undiminished.

This issue spotlights remarkable individuals, particularly the 37 women receiving Celebrating Wāhine Awards. While their professional achievements are noteworthy, their stories reveal deeper values and experiences. For instance, Patricia Tam, the CEO of Halekūlani Corp. and recipient of the Doris Duke Visionary Voice Award, shared her transformative journey influenced by her upbringing and the lessons from her mother.

Similarly, North Shore lifeguard Joey Cadiz, introduced to me by a colleague after the devastating Kona low storms, recounted his heroic rescues during a significant flood, which ignited a newfound purpose in teaching local youth about the environment. Additionally, Ma Ry Kim’s innovative brain classes aim to prevent dementia among kūpuna and business professionals, showcasing her commitment to accessible health solutions.

Beyond my interviews, our editorial team has captured fascinating stories—Katrina Valcourt’s chat with Raia Olsen about her impressive herd of sheep and goats, Mari Taketa’s connection with Dylan Butterbaugh of Mānoa Chocolate, Don Wallace’s focus on HONOLULU Book Awards winners, and Kayla Luke Colon’s insights with Willy Pao, who has been part of the Aloha Stadium swap meet since the 1980s. The wealth of intriguing stories in this edition is a reflection of our vibrant community. Thank you for engaging with us.