KONA'S TINY QUEEN: THE REMARKABLE STORY OF AN ISLAND BEE
Specialty Care, Same Day, Wherever You Are. Tired of Waiting Months for Specialty Eye Care?
At Eye Center of Hawai’i, we believe your vision should never be on hold. With our new Same-Day Specialty Appointments. No more calling, waiting, or traveling far from home. We’re bringing top-level eye care and cutting-edge technology straight into your local community — from Hilo to Waipahu, Kona to Kauaʻi.
SAME-DAY ACCESS | MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED SERVING OAHU, MAUI, KAUAI AND THE BIG ISLAND
Because you shouldn’t have to fight for the care you deserve.Specialty Care. Same Day. Wherever You Are.
Dr. Farhad Safi, MD
Book your appointment today! Call us at: 808-329-2010
Learn more at: www.eyecenterofhawaii.com
Exceptional Eye Care, Close to Home.
The Gift of Caring
Welcome to our August Kids & Pets issue.
At first glance, children and animals may not seem to have much in common. One group leaves toys scattered across the house; the other leaves fur. Both require patience. Both can be expensive. And both have an uncanny ability to turn our carefully ordered lives upside down.
But perhaps that is exactly why they matter.
The measure of a community is often found in how it treats those who depend on others for care. Children arrive in the world needing everything. Pets depend on us for food, shelter, protection and affection. Neither can repay us for what we give them. Neither can advance our careers nor improve our social standing. Caring for them requires sacrifice.
And yet, those relationships often become some of the most meaningful parts of our lives.
There is something profoundly human about caring for those who cannot fully care for themselves. It slows us down. It teaches patience. It reminds us that love is not merely a feeling but a series of daily choices. In a culture that often celebrates achievement, productivity and self-advancement, our children and pets invite us into a different way of living. They teach us to pay attention, to nurture and to serve.
Each story in this issue is a reminder that the future is shaped not only by what we build but also by whom we care for.
As you turn these pages, I hope you feel encouraged to reflect on those entrusted to your care. They may not always make life easier. But they often make it richer, more meaningful, and more beautiful.
With aloha,
JOHNNY GILLESPIE, PUBLISHER @KONACOASTMAGAZINE
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Johnny Gillespie | johnny.gillespie@citylifestyle.com
Nicolas Kimmich | nicolas.kimmich@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bethany Reid, Matias Arredondo, Julia Silva Kurppa, Leandra Rouse
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Julia Silva Kurppa, Alexandra Rowe Photo, Joel Froese, Anna Velichko
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.
Charlie Bourne, practicing at the Hualalai Golf Course at Four Seasons Resort.
Photography: Alexandra Rowe Photo
Fletch captures
1: KMA Performing Arts Spring Hō‘ike 2: Humanity Hale benefit dinner at Kona Salt Farm 3: Kona Inn Restaurant reopening celebration
VICTORIA MIKAELE
MAKAMAE PHOTOGRAPHY
Coaching Them Up with Donald “Donnie” Awa, youth basketball coach, community builder, and proud member of HCFCU.
“I HOPE THE KIDS LEARN THAT NO MATTER WHAT THEY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH, SETTING A GOAL AND WORKING EXTRA HARD TO ACHIEVE IT IS WHAT’S IMPORTANT.”
—Coach Donnie Awa
At Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, we're proud to support those that uplift the community, like Coach Donnie Awa. His selfless giving and positive impact inspire our continued commitment to the people of Hawaii Island.
Photos: Coach Donnie with grandson Kamana, wearing his Jordan shoes. He is now 7 yrs old and playing basketball. Coach Donnie and his 9-10 yr old basketball team, glad to be back playing basketball after COVID.
To read Coach Donnie's full story, scan the QR code and click on “Summer 2026” Newsletter
business monthly
Stadia Financial
With the cost of living in Hawaii continuing to rise, are you concerned about retirement, investing and taking care of the people you love? At Stadia Financial, we believe financial planning should feel less stressful and more empowering. Our approach is personal, educational and built around the unique goals of each client and their ohana. Guided by CFP ® planning standards and grounded in the values of aloha and malama, we’re here to help you make thoughtful financial decisions with greater clarity and confidence. StadiaFinancial.com
DRUG-FREE CARE FOR DEPRESSION & ANXIETY
NeuroStar is a gentle, FDA-cleared therapy that eases depression and anxiety without medication, without downtime. No pills. No side effects. Just the quiet return of feeling like yourself. Clarity has a way of
ARTICLE BY MATIAS ARREDONDO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEXANDRA ROWE PHOTO
TEEN GOLF
TWO
BIG ISLAND GOLFERS SHAKE THE DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT CHAMPIONSHIP
The Drive, Chip & Putt Championship (DCPC) is a development competition for girls and boys ages 7-15. Participants who advance in the qualifying matches in each age/gender category earn a spot in the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, which is broadcast live by the Golf Channel before the Masters Tournament. This year, not one but two players represented our beloved Big Island: Mie Funakoshi and Charlie Bourne.
For both, Hawai'i has been their home, classroom and training ground their entire lives. Although Mie’s parents encouraged her to try different sports, none of them caught her attention, except surfing. When she was 8 years old, her uncle, Justin Lee, asked if she wanted to hit some balls with a small club.
“I told him no at first. Then, when I tried it, I was surprised that I liked it. Two weeks later, I asked my mom for lessons. She didn’t know what to do, haha,” Mie says.
Charlie, on the other hand, signed up for a golf clinic at Mauna Lani when all the parks were closed during COVID. The coach there recognized his natural swing and advised him to enter a junior league. Being more accessible from his home in Waikoloa than other sports, Charlie pursued golf.
Then, at Coach Kevin Hayashi’s junior clinic in Waikoloa Village, Charlie and Mie became friends, not knowing years later they would qualify for the DCPC.
“I was really happy that I wasn’t the only one from the Big Island because everyone kept telling me that I had to represent it well, so it was nice to share that pressure with someone else,” Mie says.
Both teens value having someone from home to share the tournament’s pressure and victories, and it was the perfect scenario to put their personal convictions and philosophies to the test. “Mie is learning to have faith and accept the outcome, whether
“YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH BIG THINGS EVEN WHEN YOU COME FROM A SMALL ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN, AND IT’S EVEN BETTER GETTING TO DO IT ALONGSIDE A FRIEND.”
good or bad. We’ve talked a lot about being a good winner but also being a good loser. We encourage her to be humble in her wins but also to be happy for her friend’s accomplishments,” says Jamie Funakoshi, Mie’s mom. “The most important thing we have to do as her parents is remind her she should stop and celebrate the fact that she got herself to where she is and not forget to look around and enjoy the moment. It’s always important for us to make sure
she is having fun and not putting too much pressure on herself. At the end of the day, golf isn’t who she is but what she does.”
Madeleine Mesa, Charlie’s mom, echoes this for healthy sportsmanship. “We have always taught Charlie that if you try your hardest and be a good person, good things will come in life, no matter if you win or lose, and I hope that is something he passes along and makes his legacy. In the beginning, it was all about spending time with family and having fun. As long as he has a passion for it and is willing to put the work in, we will do everything we can to support his dreams,” she shares.
Besides their families, multiple people have contributed to Charlie and Mie’s development at different times and in different ways. Mie thanks her current trainer, Coach John Ray Leary, who conducted mental drills during practices, helping her stay calm and positive while playing; Tia Kuali'i at Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf spent time with her on and off the course; and Kacey Coyle at Hualālai Golf who trained her physically.
Yet, other contributions have been on a more philosophical level.
“My biggest inspiration is the women’s golf team at the University of Washington,” Mie says. “They have taken me on their practice rounds at Nanea for the Stanford Invitational every year since I was eight. They taught me what a scholarship was, how to make the most of a practice round, how to read a
yardage book, how to map out pin position, etc. They inspire me to love golf, do well, and understand what it means to be part of a team and support other girls in golf.”
Meanwhile, Charlie had his own group of supporters along the way. “Someone who has really mentored me is Coach Justin Lee [Mie’s uncle] from Kealakehe High School, who taught me to always practice with intent—or not practice at all. My dad is a mentor too; he taught me that the mental side of golf is what separates good players from great players, and to take every hole one shot at a time,” he says.
When asked what they would tell other Big Island athletes, Charlie and Mie agree that discipline is as important as
having fun with friends and family. After all, it takes an entire community to raise a kid.
“You can accomplish big things even when you come from a small island in the middle of the ocean, and it’s even better getting to do it alongside a friend. I was really grateful to have Mie there with me,” Charlie adds.
What will the future hold for these gifted teens? Only time will tell. But we know one thing for sure: they are already making the Big Island proud.
Follow Charlie Bourne’s and Mie Funakoshi’s careers through their Instagram accounts, @charliebourne808 and @strawberrysandwedge, respectively.
AUTUMN
FLAVORS
A Comforting Green Chile Pork Recipe Designed for Easy Weeknight Dinners and Meaningful Family Connection
Bethany Reid is a foodie and cook living and working on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Inspired by the seasonal bounty of our island, her years spent living in Europe and South Africa deeply inform recipe creation and the feeling around her tables. Bethany is driven by creating connected moments around beautifully designed food experiences! Her company makes your food dreams come true, whether at a wedding or dinner on the beach with your besties. CommunityEats.com.
ARTICLE BY BETHANY REID | PHOTOGRAPHY BY COMMUNITY EATS & HAILEY CARTWRIGHT
For my family, as September rolls in, there’s a coming together, an almost imperceptible drawing in. A return to routine, a return to hard work, a return to family. Long summer nights at the beach give way to after-school sports and homework.
Historically, fall has me craving meals around my table. Candlelit and slow, I crave that centered moment when we sit down to dinner, eager to look our favorite people in the face and ask, “So, anything weird happen today?” This is a much better starting question for teenagers than the run-of-the-mill, “So how was your day?”
If I am to be present in that moment, a little planning is needed on my part. CrockPot or Instant Pot recipes are really helpful on those weeknights. They bring wholesome, homemade meals to my family, the ones that regulate our nerves and make us sleep well!
This slow-cooked green-chile pork made its way into my rotation last year. And it’s very good! I like to source my pork locally—we have an abundance on this island! I take 5 minutes in the morning to set this up in my Crock-Pot; my home always smells fantastic when I walk into it.
Slow-Cooked Green Chile Pork
INGREDIENTS:
• 4-5 pounds of pork butt or shoulder, trimmed, rinsed and dried
• 1 jar green enchilada sauce (I like the Siete brand)
• 1 7-ounce jar fire-roasted diced green chiles
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 brown onion, thinly sliced
• 8 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon Maldon Sea Salt Flakes
• Add fresh cilantro for serving
METHOD:
Crock-Pot method: Add all the ingredients to the pot and cook on the medium heat setting for 6-8 hours, or until the meat shreds easily with the touch of a fork.
Instant Pot method: Add all the ingredients to the pot and cook on the pressure-cook setting for 2 hours, or until the meat shreds easily with the touch of a fork. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes after cooking before releasing the seal.
This is such a wonderfully versatile way to cook meat; you can use this pork in quite a few recipes, as you will probably have some leftovers! I love to feature it in enchiladas, tacos, Mexican rice soup, and of course, the humble quesadilla. My favorite way to use this is in simple burrito bowls. Pair the pork with coconut rice, cilantro-lime coleslaw, fresh mango and avocado.
Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
INGREDIENTS:
• ½ head red cabbage
• ½ head green (or white) cabbage
• ½ red onion
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon honey
• A handful of chopped fresh Thai basil, cilantro and mint
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
METHOD:
Using your food processor or a very sharp knife, finely shred cabbage and onion. In a bowl, mix the remaining ingredients until well combined. Pour the dressing over the cabbage and onion, then give it a good toss.
That's it! Your salad is ready!
I love this most with Mexican-themed meals, especially with mango added!
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
JANIE
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JONES HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
Big Island’s Premier Commercial Cleaners
A GRUELING TREK PROVED THAT RAISING YOUNG MEN REQUIRES AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY
NO ONE WALKS ALONE
ARTICLE BY JULIA SILVA KURPPA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL FROESE
“Stop. Breathe. Walk.”
The directive from Abe Medeiros was simple, but executing it took everything his grandson, RJ, had left. Clutching the end of his grandfather’s walking pole, RJ was being pulled up the final, brutal incline of Mauna Kea. Behind him walked his father, Randy Tabayunda, watching every step, ready to catch his son if he fell.
Years earlier, when RJ was just a baby, his grandfather would carry him on his back up these same rugged hills. Now, RJ was facing the mountain on his own two feet, taking his last steps as a boy. But he was far from alone.
The grueling trek had begun the day prior at the waters of Anaehoʻomalu Bay in Waikōloa. Four athletes from the Kealakehe wrestling team—Carl Trinidad, Jonatan Rodriguez, Teyon Bailey and RJ Tabayunda—had taken on the "Sea to Summit" challenge: a non-stop, 55-mile trek organized by the Hawaii Fitness Foundation. The challenge serves as a modern rite of passage, signifying a young man's transition into adulthood.
The final eight miles from the visitor center to the summit are notoriously the hardest, forcing the boys to battle steep elevations and thinning air.
But as the trail rounded the last bend, the summit came into view. And there, waiting at the top, was the young men’s community.
Their coach, Ivan Lewis, stood alongside a crowd of family members, friends and supporters. Seeing them, RJ felt a sudden surge of adrenaline. He dropped the trekking pole and broke into a run toward the finish line. The other boys and fellow trekkers sprinted to catch up, touching the summit sign together before being enveloped in a massive group hug.
At nearly 14,000 feet, four boys left their childhood behind and were welcomed into adulthood by their mentors and family.
“We look at you differently now. We need you in our community,” Coach Tiger Hill told them. “We’re gonna call on you, but know that you can always call on us, too.”
CONTINUED >
“WE LOOK AT YOU DIFFERENTLY NOW. WE NEED YOU IN OUR COMMUNITY,” COACH TIGER HILL TOLD THEM. “WE’RE GONNA CALL ON YOU, BUT KNOW THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL ON US, TOO.”
This communal safety net is exactly what Hill, the founder and co-director of the non-profit Hawaii Fitness Foundation, aims to build. The foundation's unique, two-fold mission focuses on creating support systems for healthy first responders while simultaneously providing high schoolers with opportunities to pursue positive career paths. Through joint training sessions and challenges, youth are paired with active first responders, giving them access to real-world role models and mentors.
This dynamic was on full display during the trek. Officer Drew Padilla journeyed the entire 55 miles from the seashore to the summit alongside the young men, leading them not with lofty words but through shared sacrifice and quiet presence.
The inspiration for this year's trek came from A’a Stender, who completed it the previous year and is now a firefighter recruit. Stender's success brought the foundation's purpose full circle, proving to younger boys what is possible.
“In Hawaiian, it's called the ‘upena—a fishing net,” Hill explains. “We're building this net, and everybody has a part to play. I link arms with you. We build the net out a little more. Someone else builds on it, and before you know it, we have a community where no one slips through the cracks. We're catching everybody.”
The ‘upena guided the entire excursion. Florence Marine outfitted the boys; Big Island Running sponsored their shoes; Tad Nottage from Aloha Insurance covered the cost of nutrition and hydration; the Nicholson family provided a sprinter van as the support vehicle; and Chris Lieto donated resources and walked alongside the boys, coaching them through mental blocks. From wrapping blistered feet to shouting words of encouragement, their community showed up for every single mile.
As the four new men stood at the top of Mauna Kea, looking out over the island, they found their place in the net.
Get involved with the nonprofit at HawaiiFitnessFoundation.com
Kona’s Tiny Queen
THE REMARKABLE STORY OF AN ISLAND BEE RULING HER HIVE AND FEEDING THE WORLD
ARTICLE BY LEANDRA ROUSE ILLUSTRATIONS BY JULIA SILVA KURPPA
On an isolated island in the Pacific, in a hot lava rock field surrounded by coffee trees, in a colorful box buzzing with life—a queen is born. She emerges from her golden cell, a royal nursery built just for raising queens. For the past 16 days, nurse bees have been caring for her closely, feeding her a special elixir called royal jelly.
She grows from larva to queen and chews her way out of her wax cell and into a hive buzzing with thousands of honeybee sisters. Her long, fuzzy body emerges, and she peers around, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of her new home.
In a honeybee colony, only one queen can lead.
The young queen steps outside the hive and into the hot Kona sun. She is ready for the flight of a lifetime. She will become a queen mother at the center of a growing colony. She spreads her wings and flies high above Kona's coffee farms, pungent mango trees and sparkling coastline.
This is the beginning of her life's work.
When she returns home, she is forever changed. Turned from sister to mother, she will lead this colony to success, raising new bees to run the hive. In her lifetime, one queen can bring more than a million bees into the world. Enough to fill countless flowers, orchards and fields with life.
The queen is the center of the family. Each day she lays eggs, building and expanding the colony. Her royal court of daughters surrounds her, tending to her every need.
Worker bees are the queen’s daughters, and each one has an important job based on age. The youngest are the "house bees" who spend the first days of their lives cleaning and preparing the cells for new larvae. The “nurse bees” feed and tend the growing pupae. Next, “builder bees” make beautiful and remarkably symmetrical new comb, always following the natural rule of “bee space.” Guard bees stand watch at the door to keep out intruders and track what the hive needs, passing along the shopping list to their foraging sisters.
The eldest sisters are the foragers and scouts. They fly across the Kona landscape in search of nectar and pollen. They can fly several miles from home, digging into macadamia blossoms and searching the ‘ōhi‘a forests for the lehua bloom. When they find nectar and pollen, they return with a message: "I found food; let’s bring it home!”
They share this message with their own special hula dance, shaking and swaying their hips in small circles—ʻuwehe, ʻami and slide! This dance communicates exact directions to the flower, sending their sisters in a straight "bee line" to the nectar source.
And we cannot forget about the drones. While male bees make up less than 10 percent of the hive, they have an important job too—helping carry their family's story forward by sharing their genetics with other colonies.
In this busy family, everyone does their job. They work together in perfect harmony to create a healthy and thriving home. Honeybees are one of nature's most remarkable communities.
One day, this tiny queen will travel across the vast sea to a distant continent. Queen bees from Kona are known for being strong, healthy and calm, making them valued by beekeepers around the world.
The queen bee in our story has a greater duty, extending beyond the hive and outside her island home. She will help farmers grow crops that feed millions. This queen was selected to support the almond growers in California—one of many crops that depend on honeybees to produce their harvest each year.
When she is ready, the queen is placed carefully into a small travel cage and joined with other queen cages in a buzzing box. She travels by airplane, sometimes even in the cargo hold of a commercial flight, alongside the luggage of mainland passengers.
She flies across the ocean and is introduced into a new hive in California, where thousands of bees are ready and waiting to get to work. Everyone knows their role—laying eggs, raising baby bees and foraging for nectar among the blossoming almond trees.
Her worker bees will fly through the almond orchards in bloom, carrying pollen from tree to tree. Without honeybee pollination, these orchards cannot produce their harvest. Our tiny queen is an important part of a larger story. Honeybees are the reason we get to eat our favorite foods—the sweet fruits, crunchy nuts and crisp vegetables. Our tiny queen from Kona is putting dinner on the table for families all across North America.
So the next time you spot a honeybee in your garden or see a rumbling bee truck on a winding island road, remember that some of the world's most important queens begin life right here in Kona.
Small enough to sleep in a flower. Important enough to help feed the world.
LEANDRA ROUSE
Over the past year, Leandra Rouse, the daughter of Gus Rouse, a retired Queen Bee producer from Kona, documented Kona’s agricultural history by gathering oral histories, producing a 10-minute documentary, and developing an interactive museum exhibit hosted in partnership with the Kona Historical Society. HistoryOfKonaBeekeeping.com
Money Wise with Ken.
Ken Steria Investment Advisor Representative
about
Inflation continues to impact everyday life across Hawaii, bringing price hikes on everything from groceries and housing to utilities and transportation. While many people feel powerless in the face of inflation, there are practical strategies you can use.
Discover ways to protect your purchasing power, manage rising expenses, build financial resilience, and make smarter money decisions—without sacrificing the island lifestyle you love. Scan to read
HOBBY TURNED INTO IMPACT
ARTICLE BY MATIAS ARREDONDO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA VELICHKO
A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR FLIPS THE NARRATIVE OF A TECH-ADDICTED GENERATION ON ITS HEAD
It isn’t hard to agree that technology can be a time-killer, a babysitter or a source of isolation. However, what if it wasn’t?
Born and raised on the Big Island, 14-year-old Thomas Rooney felt captivated by technology since he was a keiki, even pulling apart computers and small motors. At age nine, he didn’t just absorb information but used it to build new things.
When his parents, Kevin and Tania Rooney, noticed his interest, they weren’t concerned about it becoming an addiction; they understood it would be a disadvantage in today’s world not to expose him to technology. However, his passion required guidance.
“[Technology] can be a great connector when used appropriately—whether it’s facilitating kids to communicate with each other in different parts of the world or helping them share their interests with like-minded kids in their community. We make sure our kids get plenty of time outside and do activities away from screens. It’s all about balance and moderation and parental involvement,” says Tania Rooney.
For his 10th birthday, Thomas got a 3D printer, which opened up an array of possibilities that eventually allowed him to start an Etsy store with Hawaiian designs. “A huge part of what I know now came from my mentor, Mr. Makoto, the IT director at Holualoa Elementary School,” Thomas says.
Mr. Makoto, seeing his potential, connected Thomas with Brett Carey, DPT, who was 3D-printing face shields during COVID in Kona and also working with the local high school AP Health class on a stethoscope project.
When the Ukraine war erupted, the need for medical aid and equipment rose. Brett connected investors with healthcare providers overseas to get them what they needed. Using 3D printing and basic hardware store parts, Brett’s team—including Thomas—supplied wartorn communities with crucial equipment at a fraction of the normal cost, making healthcare accessible to those most vulnerable.
“It's been great to be part of something genuinely meaningful and to see firsthand the areas where tech can make a difference,” Thomas says. This approach also led him to explore the limits of AI. “Once I realized it could do way more than just answer questions, I went deeper and taught myself how to build apps and automations.”
However, it’s understandable that many parents feel skeptical of an ever-growing, ever-changing world at their kids’ fingertips. The solution is to avoid the extremes of banning it or allowing full access and, instead, to seek balance.
That sense of fear and avoidance most times comes from a lack of knowledge. Thus, it’s key for parents to research what their kids are getting into and guide them accordingly. If parents provide resources to encourage that growth and exploration, children can thrive.
“We never limited Thomas in exploring his interests. We provided the tools—literally and metaphorically—to help him learn and develop his passions on his own. He has far exceeded our levels of knowledge in these areas, and we’re proud of the ways he’s using his skills,” says Kevin Rooney.
Thomas’ message for other Big Island teens is loud and clear: “Find something that genuinely interests you, research how to make it work, and just go for it.”
When not 3D modeling, Thomas is playing volleyball, riding his bike, trading stocks and foreign currency, or hanging out at the beach with family and friends, proving that this is not the tech-addicted but the innovative generation.
Check his store at Etsy.com/shop/T3DAccessories.
“IT’S BEEN GREAT TO BE PART OF SOMETHING GENUINELY MEANINGFUL.” —THOMAS ROONEY.
AUGUST 7TH
First Friday Huaka’i
Waikōloa Dry Forest | 5:00 PM
Visit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve for a guided hike with our knowledgeable staff. Tours are offered on the First Friday of each month. Come prepared with sturdy shoes, sun protection and a refillable water bottle. Our tours last about 90 minutes and will end with refreshments at our Hana Hou Hale. WaikoloaDryForest.org
AUGUST 7TH
First
Friday:
Art After Dark
Holualoa Historical Village | 5:30 PM
We come together for a block party after dark on the first Friday of every month. Enjoy art galleries and boutiques, live music, gourmet “grab and go” food and a chance to mingle with fellow art and culture lovers in the heart of Kona coffee country. Holualoa gets together and celebrates after dark every month, rain or shine. HolualoaVillage.com
AUGUST 8TH
Keauhou Farmer's Market
Keauhou Shopping Center | 8:00 AM
Find locally raised produce, honey, flowers, Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, meat and eggs, handmade bread, jams, and so much more at our market. All are 100% grown and produced in Hawai'i. Enjoy meeting the farmers and makers dedicated to bringing fresh food from their farms while walking through our beautiful outdoor market. Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. KeauhouFarmersMarket.com
