Kona Coast, HI May 2024

STYLE + BEAUTY

BOUTIQUEMATES:

QUILL & FEATHER AND PUEO BOUTIQUE

LOCAL SERVICES

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED:

KEY TO SUCCESS

At Bennett Eye Institute, we consider it a privilege to be entrusted with your care. Our mission is to help you enjoy life to the fullest by protecting, preserving and restoring the most precious gift-the gift of sight. We offer an extensive offering of medical and surgical treatments so that we can better serve our patients. We evaluate your individual needs and determine the appropriate treatment method that most ensures your ability to see. We know how important having great vision is, and we want that for every patient that walks through our doors. www.bennetteyeinstitute.com | 808.329.2010 77-6403 Nalani Street 2nd Level Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740

EMAIL fletch@fletchphotography.com

PHONE

INSTAGRAM

Great Women, Great Impact

We look forward to producing the women’s issue because of the wonderful hard-working strong women in our lives who deserve to be celebrated. With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s right that we take time to think and give them the honor they deserve.

My mother is an amazing woman. She trained as a teacher but chose to be a homemaker and raised me and my six siblings.

We grew up in England as expats. Not loving the school system there, she decided to homeschool us all. What an undertaking! I can’t imagine doing that, but she did a good job, and somehow we all got a solid education. I rolled straight into university, ready for an engineering degree.

Memories of my childhood are overwhelmingly fun. She baked bread, taught us how to cook, took us on fun and educational excursions, and taught us beekeeping. There were the story times before bed when she read classics to us as we sat around her in rapt attention imagining the scenes.

Now that I’m a parent, I finally understand the cost. Mothering is a full-time occupation, with no pay, few benefits, late nights, long hours, and no guarantees. My mom is just one of so many who are giving their best daily.

This month, we want to celebrate the women in our midst doing great things. In this issue, we highlight Jackie De Luz and her family’s tremendous philanthropy. You will read of Hannah and Amy, two amazing women producing incredible artisan jewelry right in Kona town. We also highlight Auntie Leināʻala KekūhaupiʻoFruean and her contribution to this island, and of course, it wouldn’t be a women’s issue without the beauty and color that Mandi Post brings.

Enjoy this issue, and take a moment to consider who is worthy of honor in your life. Give them some flowers, a hug, or a high five. Tell them “Well done.”

Sincerely,

JOHNNY GILLESPIE, PUBLISHER @KONACOASTMAGAZINE

CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/KONACOAST

May 2024

PUBLISHERS

Johnny Gillespie | Johnny.gillespie@citylifestyle.com

Taylor Stutts | taylor.stutts@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

John-Mark Dyer | johnmark.dyer@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Matias Arredondo | matias.arredondo@citylifestyle.com

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Crystal Chang | crystal.chang@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Margaret Kearns, Tianna Morimoto, Samantha Arredondo

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Whiteshell Photography Co., Ewalina Photography, Fletch Photography, Anna Velichko

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

AD DESIGNER Whitney Lockhart

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

Boutiquemates

munity-Focused: Key To Success

Hawai’i Storyteller Sara Ackerman

Culture and Community

Ally B Inspired

Are you throwing a surprise birthday party? Celebrating an anniversary? Maybe hosting a dinner party for your friends? If you’re looking for an experienced event planner in Hawai’i, the Ally B Inspired Events team is here for you! Our Special Events option covers full-scale party planning for any milestone or special occasion in your life. Whatever it is, if it’s important to you, it’s important to us! AllyBInspired.com

Photography by Ally B Inspired

Quill and Feather

At Quill and Feather, each custom piece of jewelry is made on-site in the working, studio boutique. Hannah Price, the owner, creator, and designer is often sitting at her bench creating one-of-a-kind pieces as you shop from various jewelry, clothing, home goods, leather goods, and many other fabulous offerings. Quill and Feather is committed to carrying and promoting socially and environmentally respon sible vendors and products. Come and visit us. QuillAndFeatherJewelry.com

Scan to read more

Hawaiian Isle Real Estate

Since 2003, Gretchen Osgood, the principal broker and owner of Hawaiian Isle Real Estate, has closed over 603 transaction sides and developed a network of satisfied clients. She focuses on providing the best and most knowledgeable service to all her clients. If a fun-loving, high-energy, let’s-get-thisdone attitude suits you, then she is your agent. Visit Gretchen’s website to read testimonials from past buyers and sellers. HawaiiRealEstateDreams.com.

Scan to read more

Photography by Hawaiian Isle Real Estate

Photography by Quill and Feather

Photo Credit: Tracey Lyn Photography

June 7th - 9th, 2024

Boutiquemates

For nearly a decade two women have shared a studio storefront and proved that with friendship, success can be achieved at any stage of life

ARTICLE BY

SAMANTHA ARREDONDO PHOTOGRAPHY BY FLETCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Hannah (Quill & Feather) on the left and Amy (Pueo Boutique) on the right.

Off Lunapule Road, there is a shared shop corner holding two boutiques run by longtime friends. Just entering the storefront you might not even realize it isn’t one cohesive store, but Amy Sheffield, of Pueo Boutique, and Hannah (Price) Carpenter, of Quill & Feather, have been sharing crafting space, tools, and their retail location since 2015.

These women met working at Big Island Jewelers with Flint Carpenter (Hannah’s uncle-in-law) in 2009 while both were developing their skills and starting families. It was Amy who branched out first to start Pueo in 2010, so named because of the owl’s role as the ʻaumākua – or family protector – in her partner’s Hawaiian tradition.

At the time of its opening, both women were pregnant with their first children and when Hannah was ready to move out of her backyard shop in 2015, they had little ones running around. This was one of the main reasons for them deciding to share the space in Kona Beach Plaza. Originally, it was meant to be a dedicated studio space for their individual jewelry brands, but once they saw the location, they knew it would be the perfect storefront as well.

That was when Quill & Feather was born. Early in her jewelry-making journey, Hannah had loved experimenting and crafting with

African porcupine quills. For the name, she knew she wanted to contrast them with a feather to represent the duality of the fierce and the feminine. Her brand Hannah Price Jewelry is meant to show how things can be both, sharp and soft, edgy and beautiful.

While starting up new businesses as young moms might seem overwhelming to some, Hannah explained that looking back, “it’s kind of wild to think about, but it all felt organic at the time.” For them, motherhood was simply another part of their journey and friendship. A duality, like two stores in one shop, or like a quill and a feather, their creative and business success went hand in hand with having families.

The two didn’t stop there, either. Taking a cue from Pueo’s other locations, they also feature creations of all kinds from female

CONTINUED

IT’S KIN D OF WILD TOTHINK ABOUT BUT IT A LL FELT   ORGANIC AT THE TIM

artisans around the Islands, highlighting and supporting these women’s talent and businesses. In addition, Pueo Boutique donates to the Hawai’i Wildlife Center.

Of course, being creative peers and business “roommates” doesn’t mean their relationship is always perfect. Amy and Hannah must communicate constantly and be open to compromise in their shared space. They openly admit to how different they are in personality: Amy the meticulous planner and Hannah the decisive action taker; a definite yin and yang situation.

The things that help them to keep cohesiveness in this arrangement are one, separate income streams –many a friendship has been ruined over money – and two, trusting that the other always has the best interest of their shared space in mind. Amy has other Pueo locations to manage as well, so gives over a lot of the

creative freedom of the space to Hannah, allowing them to both work there in harmony.

Another reason these “two shops in one” seem to work for them is their very distinct artistic styles. Much of Amy’s inspiration for her jewelry comes from her love of gemstones and pearls, cultivated during her time working with Flint Carpenter, who had an extensive collection and a deep love for them. You can clearly see in her pieces an affinity for working with natural pearls.

Hannah on the other hand loves working with stones and natural elements other than the typical gemstones. Nature is her biggest inspiration, and she loves highlighting the beauty in the seeming “imperfections” found there. Often it’s the stones themselves that inspire her designs.

So, though you wouldn’t immediately think it was two separate shops, one look around makes their different jewelry brands stand apart, in the specific aesthetics of each woman’s art.

As for the future, while still sustaining Quill & Feather, at the moment Hannah feels she’s at the threshold of expanding Hannah Price Jewelry to begin selling it in third-party locations. Amy simply wants Pueo to stick around. After surviving COVID with the amazing support of their customers, she hopes for it to remain a long-standing part of the community and maybe to hand the business down to her daughter eventually.

Maybe she will and maybe someday we’ll get to see both these women recognized beyond their wildest dreams, but in the meantime, we get to support them and be a part of the journey they are living right now.

Learn more at QuillAndFeatherJewelry.com and PueoBoutique.com.

JOIN THE ‘OHANA

OC M M UNITYFOCUS ED: KEYTO SUC C SSE

“It’s about what a car represents.”

Jackie De Luz is not only the President & Secretary of Big Island Toyota, but she also embodies the commitment to excellence established by her family. Her ancestors came from Portugal and arrived in Hawai’i in the mid-1800s. Since then, the De Luz family has served the community with a variety of businesses until they found their true passion: cars.

David De Luz, Jackie’s father, began his journey in the automotive world when he started selling new and used cars for a Ford dealer in Hilo in the early 1950s. His passion and unwavering commitment soon led him to establish his own ventures, including Dave's Wholesale Auto Exchange and Big Island Rambler, Inc. Over the years, the business expanded to include franchises like Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru, solidifying David’s reputation as a pioneering figure in the Hawaiian automotive scene.

Though Big Island Toyota’s business is in cars, it’s not really about the cars, according to Jackie. It’s about what a car represents and the aspirations everyone has. “My dad used to say that some people will never buy a house, but most of them hope to buy a car. That purchase is usually their biggest one. For us, it’s most gratifying to be part of somebody’s dream come true and see how happy they are to get a car,” she says.

As there is no public transportation on the Big Island, having a vehicle is essential to get around. Especially if you live on one side of the island and work on another. The company understood this early on and put its efforts into helping out the residents. “Providing a car, whether it is a new or a used one, figuring out a deal or a discount, or repairing a vehicle for a person, are ways we can take care of each other and give back to the community,” Jackie says.

“My dad always said that we didn’t employ 130 individuals, but 130 families.”

The dealership has always prioritized a customer-centric approach. The ethos of “Our people take care of the customers, and the rest will come” has been ingrained in the company culture, ensuring continued success and customer satisfaction. “It’s nice to see generations returning. Someone’s first car might have been a used one or a smaller one, and then they come back with their families and buy a bigger one,” Jackie shares.

Another key pillar of Big Island Toyota's success has been its community-focused mindset. Some dedicated employees have worked for the company for decades and built strong bonds. “My dad always said that we didn’t employ 130 individuals, but 130 families,” says Jackie. This led to the formation of a cohesive team and encouraged mutual celebration of individual achievements. “It is so good to see when an employee can buy a house after they’ve worked with you for five years,” she says.

Nevertheless, taking care of their ‘ohana is not the only philosophy at this company. As David De Luz's children joined him in the family business, they brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to further propel Hawai’i into the future. “We currently have six scholarships available to try to promote the automotive industry, as well as general scholarships for Big Island students to attend college,” shares Jackie.

This program, launched in 1991, has the dual approach of offering financial support and providing invaluable hands-on experience through part-time employment with Big Island Toyota as a Technician Apprentice. This holistic strategy ensures that the students not only excel academically but also gain practical skills that are highly sought after in the automotive industry.

Another way Big Island Toyota is making waves is by giving part of its earnings to sponsor local organizations. More than 150 entities have been the beneficiaries of this initiative – from churches to medical centers, as well as animal advocates to sports clubs. “We give priority to any organization that might be tied to our customers and employees. The criteria are that it has to stay on the Big Island, serve our keiki and kūpuna, and foster the local business. We try to keep what we give on the Big Island,” says Jackie.

But the commitment doesn’t end there. “We'd like to expand and improve our facilities and be even more part of the Hawaiian ‘ohana,” Jackie shares. “There have been talks about having places for community events because other than hotels, where do you gather big groups of people? It would be great if we could have that available for meetings and public service.”

MANDI POST’S THOUGHTS ON MAKING MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL

Floral Finesse

ARTICLE BY JOHNNY GILLESPIE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA VELICHKO

Mandi Post was born and raised in Kona. She was part of the first graduating class from Kealakehe High School and received a double major in Business Administration and Spanish from the University of San Diego. She worked for SDG&E for almost 5 years before deciding corporate life wasn't for her. Soon after, she got married and moved back to Hawai’i. Her vision for a store was to create an ideal place to shop. That’s how Petals and Provisions started. She offers things she loves and wants to share. We sat down to hear about her floral expertise.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LOCAL FLOWERS WE HAVE ACCESS TO ON THIS ISLAND?

We're so lucky here on Hawai'i Island – we have a gorgeous assortment of tropical flowers that grow abundantly. Some of our staples in the shop from local growers are protea, heliconia, ginger, anthurium, calathea, and orchids. We also have a growing selection of non-tropical "temperate" or "delicate" flowers. I come to depend on those flowers and growers to achieve our signature floral aesthetic. Incorporating temperate flowers like snapdragons, lisianthus, ranunculus, sweet pea, strawflower, statice, stock, etc., into our designs, gives movement and textures we couldn't achieve with tropical flowers alone. Blending these tropical and temperate flowers is a style called “Tropical Nouveau.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO YOU.

It's hard to pick one, but I always end up on the peony. Maybe it's because we can't grow them here – why do we always want what we can't have? – I love peonies because of their fragrance, their colors, and the way they change so quickly from a tight ball to a fluffy pillow, to a massive and ruffly bloom. They're magical. My close second is the ranunculus which has a similar look and, lucky for me, does grow well in certain parts of the island.

YOU HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS. WHAT DOES MOTHERHOOD MEAN TO YOU?

Being a mother is much harder than anyone could have prepared me for. When my oldest was a newborn, someone told me, "It doesn't get easier, it just gets different." I think about that all the time because it's so true! Being a mother means selflessness. I'm so grateful for my mother. She is truly the most selfless person I know and the absolute best example of what a mom should be. Being a mother also brings a hyper-awareness of how quickly time passes. I see my children grow and change so much daily. It's a constant struggle lately – having these time-consuming businesses and having young children. I don't want to miss out on any of the special moments.

WHAT WOULD YOU INCLUDE IF YOU COULD CRAFT THE PERFECT BOUQUET FOR YOUR MOTHER?

I feel so lucky to get to share flowers with my mom. She took a floral arranging class years ago as one of her first hobbies post-retirement. I remember hearing all about how much she learned and how much she loved it. She has a beautiful garden and creates stunning arrangements from her fresh picks. I'm even fortunate enough to get some of her flowers and foliage to use at the shop. When I gift my mom flowers, I try to make it something that she doesn't grow herself. She especially loves proteas because they last and dry beautifully, so they always make the cut.

WHAT DO FLOWERS MEAN TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

Flowers have the most incredible ability to make people happy. Is there anyone that doesn't love flowers? My youngest daughter is my flower child. Ever since she started walking, she's loved to go out and collect flowers. She's 5 now and has recently started putting her flowers together in arrangements. I love seeing what she comes up with. As for me, I love the perishability of flowers. They're here for such a fleeting moment, which makes us appreciate them so much more. We all get gifts we don't like, can't use, already have, or grow out of. With flowers, we can enjoy them fully and when their time is up, they no longer take up that valuable mental or physical space – just a good memory.

BESTSELLING AUTHOR FINDS INSPIRATION FROM NATURE AND HER FAMILY MEMORIES

Hawai’i Storyteller

Sara

Ackerman

ARTICLE BY MARGARET KEARNS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WHITESHELL PHOTOGRAPHY CO.

I have been writing poetry since I was 11.

Sara Ackerman’s first historic novel, set here on Hawai’i Island, was published in 2018 (“Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers”), and today, just six years later, her sixth novel, “The Unchartered Flight of Olivia West,” debuted in February.

“I have been writing poetry since I was 11 when our sixth-grade teacher had us create a book of poems – I still have it somewhere,” she says. It was more than a few decades later that Sara, now 57, began writing her first novel in 2012.

“When I finally sat down to write that book, I had no idea what I was doing! But somehow six months later I managed to finish it,” Sara says. “Since then, I’ve learned a few things thanks to constructive criticism from friends, a few key books on writing and writers’ conferences I’ve attended.”

Sara also had a great foundation in writing as she studied journalism at the University of San Diego and later received a graduate degree in psychology at the University of Hawai’i Manoa which undoubtedly helped fuel her skill in developing engaging and believable characters. Still, it took five years before she finished the book to secure a publisher contract.

Now a best-selling author, accolades for her books include Amazon selecting “Radar Girls,” the fourth of six novels, as its book of the month, and New York Times bestselling writers Katie Quinn and Madeline Martin praising her novels as “fresh, delightful and brilliantly written.”

From the start, Sara says, her mantra has been “patience and perseverance” and to this day a post-it note with the phrase is attached to a door frame in her home where she says she typically writes 700 to 1,000 words each day, while taking a day off when she feels the need.

“I require time to brainstorm about work on my books in progress. That’s when I take time out to

take a walk with my dog, swim, paddle, hike, take a drive, or watch the sunset. I love these islands and I love nature. Hopefully, my books help inspire others to feel the same and, perhaps, feel moved to help protect their corner of the world. We each have stories of our place and people that can resonate around the globe,” she says.

An Oahu native, Sara moved to Hawai’i Island’s upcountry Waimea in 2015. She’s quick to point out, however, that she has been a frequent visitor here her entire life. “My grandfather, who was born in Napo‘opo‘o, was a principal at Honoka‘a High and Elementary School, and my grandmother was a teacher there. Growing up, I spent all my holidays and school vacations visiting with them here – I absolutely loved it,” she says.

During those visits, she says, she was captivated by her family’s stories about living in Hawai’i during World War II. “They talked about U.S. Marines camping out in their living room on the weekends, of nearly being shot for walking down the street at night, of the African lion that lived with the troops, and of hiding out in a lava tube when they first heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor.”

In fact, Sara’s first five historic novels pull from these shared memories, shining a light on ordinary people doing extraordinary things, taking readers back to a time when fear and paranoia prevailed in the islands, but so did hope, she says.

Animals also play a pivotal role in all of Sara’s books – dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, and even a featherless chicken among other lovable creatures. A self-professed lover of all animals, she says she can’t imagine her life – or her books – without them.

Her sixth book, published in February, stays with the historic genre and island location, however, it is set in even earlier times here. In “The Uncharted Flight of Olivia

I believe the world needs uplifting and heartwarming stories now.

West,” Sara tells the real-life story of a female aviator who embarks on an adventurous air race (sponsored by Dole) from the mainland West Coast to Hawai’i in 1927. While the heroine was not considered for a spot as a pilot – she was a woman, after all! – she did succeed in clinching a seat as a navigator on one of the competing planes. The 2,500-mile race across the Pacific was one of her most daring dreams. In reality, it turned into a harrowing journey that some didn’t survive. Thrills and mystery unwind over sixty years as details of what happened unwind.

With that novel published early this year, Sara already has completed her seventh, “The Maui Effect.” Set to be released in November, the book is her first

to be set on Maui. It tells the story of a conservationist who falls in love with a big wave surfer from the mainland. “Touching on environmental issues that the island faces, I finished writing it just before the Maui fires in 2023; it now feels like my ode to Maui,” she says. “It also delivers an important lesson, never fall in love with a surfer.”

And she has the “creds” to make that statement, having lived for several years on Oahu’s legendary North Shore, home of big wave surfing with its accompanying carefree, laid-back lifestyle. At the time, she was teaching and working as a school counselor there, taking time out to slay some waves as well.

CONTINUED >

Sara is now working on her next project, a novel based on a mystery about poisoning at the Moana Surfrider Hotel on Oahu in 1905. It will be released in the summer of 2025. As with all of her previous books, it will be published by Mira, a division of HarperCollins.

“I believe the world needs uplifting and heartwarming stories now,” she says. “I see no end to Hawai’i’s untapped stories. There are so many curious and beautiful and heartbreaking experiences in this life that are worth sharing.”

While she loves telling her stories, Sara says she is also a firm believer that stories write themselves. From the time she develops a plot and starts her first draft, there are always twists and turns, unexpected, unplanned things, and characters that pop up along the way. “And that’s fun! As writers, we just help the stories along and of course revise and edit again, again and again.”

When she’s not writing or out enjoying nature, she’s reading. Among her favorite Hawai’i authors, she says,

are Kiana Davenport (“Shark Dialogues”) Amine von Tempski (“Born in Paradise”) and John Devoran (“The Last Volcano: A Man, a Romance, and the Quest to Understand Nature’s Most Magnificent Fury”).

For those dreaming of publishing a novel themselves, Sara recommends these books on writing: Stephen King’s “On Writing”; Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird”; Sol Stein’s “Sol on Writing”; Constance Hale’s “Sin and Syntax”; and Lisa Cron’s “Wired for Story.”

Sara’s books may be found on Amazon, locally at Kona Bay Books in Kopiko Plaza, and Kona Stories in the Keauhou Shopping Center. Currently, her novels include: “Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers”; “The Lieutenant’s Nurse”; “Radar Girls”; “The Codebreaker’s Secret”; “Red Sky Over Hawai'i”; and “The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West.”

If you want to learn more about Sara Ackerman's books, schedule a video call for your book club, or connect with her, visit AckermanBooks.com.

Since then, I’ve learned a few things thanks to constructive criticism from friends, a few key books on writing and writers’ conferences I’ve attended.

ARTICLE BY TIANNA MORIMOTO

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EWALINA PHOTOGRAPHY

KONA WOMAN WORKS TO PRESERVE AND SPREAD HAWAIIAN CULTURE IN WEST HAWAIʻI

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

Leināʻala Kekūhaupiʻo-Fruean is a woman who knows her purpose in life. The mother of three wears many hats as a cultural leader in the Kona community. Yet, what keeps her going through the busy weeks, multiple jobs, and

material to Hawaiian kūpuna and child caregivers to enhance the spiritual, physical, and mental health of Hawaiian keiki.

Hāleo also works to spread Hawaiian culture through hosting educational,

“NO MATTER WHAT, I WILL NEVER STOP LEARNING.”

hours of service is knowing that she is fulfilling her destiny: to make West Hawaiʻi a better place.

“I’m a mother, I'm a daughter, I'm a cultural advisor, I'm a wife and I love serving, and I love learning,” says Fruean.

Her work in the hospitality industry continuously brings cultural awareness to locals and visitors, while teaching others how to understand and recognize the history and culture that is very dear to the people of Hawaiʻi.

Fruean has worked for decades as the executive director of sales and cultural consultant for Island Breeze Productions and the director of culture for the Ironman World Triathlon. She serves on the Cultural Advisory Team at the Courtyard by Mariott’s King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, where she helps provide Hawaiian cultural programs weekly. She also helps to coordinate volunteers for the yearly restoration of the Ahuʻena Heiau.

Fruean is the president of Hui O Hanohano, a nonprofit that focuses on Native Hawaiian growth through a community program called Hāleo Hawaiʻi. This program provides training and

cultural, and language programs at events and schools like the University of the Nations, where Fruean serves as the Hawaiian cultural monitor.

Fruean is also the president of Hawaiʻi Kuauli, a Pacific and Asia cultural celebration festival in the heart of Kona. The festival celebrates the beauty of the ethnicities found on Hawaiʻi Island by showcasing these cultures through performances, activities, food, and fashion. The 2024 festival is June 7–9th at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort.

Her inspiration for impacting the community stems from her passion for learning and spreading that knowledge to others. She says this contributes to her purpose in life and her identity as a Native Hawaiian woman. Her hānai father once told her, “Oni kalalea ke kū a ka lāʻau loa” meaning “the tall tree stands and projects prominently (of an important person)” believing that she will be a learner for life, guiding others with her knowledge to support the community. “No matter what, I will never stop learning and embracing the great things that we have on earth, and we got to be

grateful because the times and era we live in now is not an easy world,” says Fruean.

“What I love to do is all the things that help bring cultural awareness,” says Fruean. She works with different teams who have become her family to spread knowledge of the Hawaiian culture to children, kūpuna, locals, and visitors.

She says visitors can learn to respect Hawaiian culture by getting educated by the staff in the places they travel to. For example, if a visitor goes to a hotel, the staff at that hotel must be equipped and prepared with the knowledge and history of their land.

“That’s how it’s passed on,” shares Fruean. “That’s how our visitors are not going to be ignorant visitors, but they're going to be well-informed visitors because we as people – whether you're

“YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PULSE ON YOUR COMMUNITY.”

Native Hawaiian or non-Native Hawaiian – that’s your responsibility.”

“It's not just a landing strip, it’s a place that we call home, and that we steward, and we know the stories of this place,” she adds.

That’s why whenever Fruean sees a need in the community, whether it’s assisting the kūpuna, educating in the schools, or hosting a cultural program, she always lends a helping hand. “You must have your pulse on your community,” she says. This is how others can strive to educate themselves about Hawaiian culture and make a positive difference in West Hawaiʻi.

RIDE BIG ISLAND.

EVERY SATURDAY

Keahou Farmer’s Market

Keauhou Shopping Center | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

At our market, you will find locally raised produce, honey, flowers, Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, meat and eggs, handmade bread, jams, and so much more. All are 100% grown and produced in Hawai’i. Enjoy meeting the farmers and makers dedicated to bringing you fresh food right from their farms, while walking through our beautiful outdoor market. KeauhouFarmersMarket.com.

MAY 3RD

Henry Kaponos Artist2Artist Concert & Kalae Parish, Kalenaku, Pat Simmons

Kona Salt Farm by Sea Salts of Hawaii | 5:30 PM

Multiple award-winning and GRAMMY® nominee, Henry Kapono is back on his 7th season of his hit Artist2Artist Concerts. Season 7 is presented by the Henry Kapono Foundation in support of the We Are Friends Maui program. Join Henry and his guests as they discuss their connection and recovery efforts for the Maui community. KonaSeaSalt.com.

MAY 11TH

Architecture

Lego Studio

Kona Public Library | 11:30 AM

Design and build a LEGO Community! In this program series aimed at Grades 3-12, your child can work with local architect Maziyar Rajaei of Oculus, LLC. to learn what it takes to build a community from the ground up. This project will last 6-9 months and repeat event attendance is highly encouraged. Reserve your spot by calling at 808-327-4327.