Expecting Miracles:
Dr. Sira Delivers over 10,000 Babies in Hawai'i
LIFE + CULTURE
CARRYING THE LINE: FROM THE OCEAN TO MAUNA KEA'S SUMMIT
Tired of Waiting Months for Specialty Eye Care?
How Could I Express All My Gratitude?
I watched a movie recently where the protagonist could travel back in time at will. He could return to any inconvenient or painful moment and change it, then watch how his future shifted, often with hilarious or unexpected consequences. Throughout the story, he’s constantly trying to control the outcome of his life. And while he eventually creates a life filled with blessings, he also learns a profound lesson. In the end, he stops trying to change his circumstances and begins to change his response to one of joy and thankfulness.
That lesson has stuck with me.
I love November. It’s the beginning of the holiday season, and Thanksgiving is a moment uniquely set aside to pause and reflect. How has my life been blessed this year? What challenges have I overcome? What joyful moments have I experienced? Who has walked with me along the way?
This annual rhythm grounds me. It helps cut through the noise and the urgency of daily life, and brings my attention back to the bigger picture. It reminds me of the good gifts God has given, and with that, my whole perspective resets.
How about you? What are you thankful for this year? Who do you need to thank?
In this month’s issue, we highlight stories of people who embody gratitude and service in our community. The Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society reminds us of the joy our four-legged friends bring and the love they deserve. Three Big Island artists are grateful to create and rediscover their childhood passions. Jennifer Shimada helps local families plan with purpose and leave a legacy. We share the inspiring journey of a young man pursuing his dream of becoming a firefighter. And on our cover, we honor Dr. Sira, a beloved local physician who has delivered over 10,000 babies on the island.
As you read these stories, I hope you’re inspired to look around and discover the people who bless your life. Make sure to tell them.
With aloha,
JOHNNY GILLESPIE, PUBLISHER
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Johnny Gillespie | johnny.gillespie@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Taylor Stutts | taylor.stutts@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
John-Mark Dyer | johnmark.dyer@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Matias Arredondo | matias.arredondo@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Amanda Troyer | amanda.troyer@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sara Stover, Joel Froese, Margaret Kearns, Matias Arredondo
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Fletch Photography, Anna Velichko, Whiteshell Photography, Hawai'i Humane Society, Mel Arredondo
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union
Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union offers trusted financial services for every stage of life, from youth programs to small business lending. With six branches across Hawai‘i Island and a deep commitment to community, HCFCU is proud to help members thrive. Learn more or become a member at HiCommFCU.com.
HOLIDAY STUDIO SALE
Photography by Hawai’i Community Federal Credit Union
Hawai‘i Artist Collaboration
We are a non-profit organization working to create opportunities for artists and arts organizations to integrate collective knowledge, experience and resources for the benefit of our communities and society as a whole. For more than a decade master artists from throughout Hawai‘i, and around the world have come together annually to create unique and breathtaking artworks during a five day Hawai‘i Artist Collaboration. HawaiiArtistCollaboration.org.
Photography by Fletch Photography
EXPECTING MIRACLES
A 50-Year Legacy of Unwavering Compassion and Commitment to Kona Women and Families
ARTICLE BY SARA STOVER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FLETCH PHOTOGRAPHY
At 14 years old, Santad Sirachainanta climbed to the rooftop of his family’s house in Kanchanaburi, nestled in the jungles of Thailand. Nursing an arm he broke playing soccer, Santad wrote 'I want to be a doctor someday' on the roof.
Dr. Sira and his wife
“He performed a miracle without using any tools—just his gifted hands and decades of experience.”
"To be a doctor in Thailand is not easy," says Santad, who now goes by Dr. Sira. "Even though my Dad was a businessman from a big city, my mother was a farmer. I grew up in a small, rural town, very poor. To have a better life, I have to go to a prep academy in Bangkok for high school."
After graduating top of his class, Dr. Sira applied to medical school. At the time, there were only three in the country, making competition stiff. Against the odds, he was accepted and began his journey to a 50-year career as an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/ GYN) in Kona.
In 1970, Dr. Sira received his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, and began his internship in Northeast Thailand. There, he met Ruamporn, a young OB/GYN nurse who lived next to the hospital.
"We had different shifts, but when she would walk home, I would follow along on my bicycle," says Dr. Sira, who married Ruamporn in 1971. The newlyweds spent the first four years of matrimonial bliss in Akron, Ohio, where Dr. Sira had a rotating internship, followed by residency training, at Summa Health System (formerly St. Thomas Hospital) from 1971 to 1975.
"Then I got a job offer letter from Alaska, and from Dr. James Mitchell and Dr. Chisato Hayashi in Hawaiʻi," says Dr. Sira, explaining that after some negotiating, he decided to move to Hawaiʻi with his wife, two children, and mother-in-law in July 1975. Later that year, at Kona Community Hospital, Dr. Sira delivered what would be the first of over 10,000 babies, a number that includes babies delivered beyond the hospital walls.
Top: Dr. Sira and a baby he delivered in 1994
Bottom: Nurses in OB with Dr.Sira
"Sometimes, mother doesn’t even make it into the hospital. Boom! The baby comes out in front of the hospital!" Dr. Sira says with a chuckle. "I once took an ambulance to a patient’s house to deliver a baby. And I delivered a baby on a coffee farm."
"For a while, Dr. Sira was the only doctor delivering babies from the North end to the South end of this Big Island," says Melanie Moses. "Dr. Sira delivered my children and many of my grandchildren. He also saved my daughter’s life and took care of me. He once closed up his office, drove me to the hospital, and told me he is an emergency driver, orderly, nurse, and doctor. He makes the calls!"
"In order to save lives, you have to have good intuition. I have about five or six near-death deliveries, but nobody ever died in my service," says Dr. Sira, adding that one of those was the tiniest baby he delivered. Despite weighing in at a mere three pounds, the baby lived.
"Dr. Sira delivered my four older siblings," says Sharla Houlding. "I was due in December 1986, and my mother wanted to schedule the C-section for Christmas Day, but he told her, 'Not a good day. We have holiday. You have baby on the 26th.'"
"In 1986, I was a one-man show and so busy," says Dr. Sira. Sharla was one of 500 deliveries in that year alone. Nearly one year later, Janice Kaaloa realized she was pregnant for a fifth time.
"I was a Kaiser member, and when I went to my appointment in December 1987, the doctor told me he wasn’t allowed to help because I was already in my third trimester. So I had no doctor, and now I didn’t have an insurance carrier. There was only one person who would help me. Dr. Sira," Janice shared at a celebration for Dr. Sira this past June. At her first appointment with him on the fortuitous date of December 26, Janice discovered she was pregnant with twins. After an emergency appointment with
“I’m so grateful Dr. and Mrs. Sira accepted me despite my uncertain situation. All these years later, my grandson is baby number 10,280 to be delivered by Dr. Sira.”
Dr. Sira on March 10, 1988, her due date, he sent Janice to the hos pital even though she had no pain. Her daughters Jana and Jevon were born that day, a minute apart, via C-section.
"Dr. Sira truly saved Jevon’s life by insisting I go to the hospital, as she was breech,” Janice recalls. Jevon (Matsuyama) became the mother of daughter Jena on March 12 of this year. Jana (Naone), who had become Jevon’s surrogate before she realized she was pregnant, gave birth to James on April 28. “I’m so grateful Dr. and Mrs. Sira accepted me despite my uncertain situation. All these years later, my grandson, James, is baby number 10,280 to be delivered by Dr. Sira."
Dr. Sira was the first doctor in Kona to perform a vaginal birth after a C-section, and has made natural births possible when other doctors would have insisted on a C-section. When Sharla found out she was expecting her third child in 2021, her preg nancy was textbook until the night after her 38-week checkup.
"I started experiencing labor pains, and they were progressing fast… we barely made it to Kona Hospital. A nurse rushed me up to the room and instructed me to keep from pushing until the on-call doctor arrived. No one could get a hold of the on-call doctor, and my doctor was not on call either. I tried to NOT PUSH, but it was nearly impossible," says Sharla. "After an eternity, I heard someone say: 'Dr. Sira! You’re still here? Quick, WE NEED YOU RIGHT NOW.'"
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Dr. Sira and the OB nurses. Some have worked with him since he’s been practicing at Kona Community Hospital dating back to 1975.
“Dr. Sira was here when no one else was. He’s always thinking ahead. As a physician, he is who we all strive to be.”
By that time, Sharla’s pain had become nearly intolerable, and she begged him, "PLEASE, can I push?” He yelled back: “DON’T PUSH." And after a series of similar pleas from Sharla and commands from Dr. Sira, he instructed her to breathe.
"Sharla recalls that when the intensity of the pain decreased, Dr. Sira yelled, "'Okay, PUSH LIKE YOU HAVING A BABY!' and after the third push, Ivy arrived." "After Dr. Sira left, the nurse who checked on me said, 'You’re really lucky Dr. Sira was here. If he didn’t go in and turn her himself, she never would have come out naturally.'" Dr. Sira was actually about to leave the hospital for the day, but because he loves what he does so much, he performed a
miracle without using any tools—just his gifted hands and decades of experience. I thank my lucky stars that he allowed me to have that delivery.”
A true testament to the importance of serving the community with expertise and heart, Dr. Sira models the power of longevity to others in the medical field.
"I met Dr. Sira when I was a medical student, shadowing and learning from him for over a month at his busy practice. It was immediately evident that he knew all his patients so well, and he was very knowledgeable," says Dr. Cedric Kuo, OB/GYN. "Dr. Sira was here when no one else was. He’s always thinking ahead. As a physician, he is who we all strive to be."
Dr.Sira with OB Nurse Tonya awaiting a surgical procedure
Dr. Sira’s legacy of compassion and unwavering commitment to countless women and families inspired the Kona Community Hospital OB/GYN nurses to coordinate Dr. Sira Day, a celebration of his outstanding service spanning over 50 years, which Janice attended on June 15. A father of three, Dr. Sira also celebrated his 80th birthday this year.
When asked the secret to being happy and healthy at his age, he answers without hesitation: "Whatever your job is, if you love it, keep doing it," which is why Dr. Sira still has his own OB/GYN practice in Kona, where he continues to provide exceptional care to generations of women.
ARTICLE BY MATIAS ARREDONDO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA VELICHKO
Couple With Six Children Finds Peace of Mind Through Estate Planning on
the Big Island
Generations
Made Secure
For Blake and Shannon Casteel, raising six keiki on the Big Island has been filled with adventure, laughter and togetherness. But when the couple sat down with estate planning attorney Jennifer Shimada, their focus shifted from beach days and waterfall hikes to the legacy they hoped to leave behind. Blake, originally from Oklahoma, and Shannon, from North Carolina, moved to Kona in 2011. Since then, their family has grown into what they describe as “a lot of wildness and fun,” with days spent exploring the island and nights filled with card games. With such a lively household, the couple wanted to ensure their children would be provided for, no matter what the future holds.
“We wanted to make sure our children knew we were thinking about their future,” Blake says. “We don’t want to be parents and grandparents who only think about themselves.”
The Casteels admit they were nervous before meeting Jennifer Shimada. Legal documents felt intimidating, and they worried about missing important details or facing costs beyond their means.
“Legal terms can be confusing,” Shannon shares. “We were worried we wouldn’t understand the process. But Jennifer really helped us—she made it clear and straightforward. It was actually a joy to work with her.”
Jennifer Shimada, who operates her practice on the Big Island, says that kind of hesitation is common. Most of her clients are kupuna who have survived an illness. She wishes more young families would take action sooner.
“None of us has a crystal ball where we can see how or when we will die,” she says.
Jennifer loves helping people finally take care of something that’s been bothering them for years. “Seeing the peace of mind on their faces is rewarding, and it feels like I am contributing to the community with my law degree and paperwork organization skills.”
She explains that at the heart of the process, there’s a trust, which functions like a contract between an individual and themselves as trustee, creating a legal entity to hold assets.
The benefit, she says, is avoiding probate—a lengthy, public and often contested court process required when someone dies owning property in Hawaiʻi.
“WITHOUT MY MOM, I DON’T KNOW THAT I WOULD HAVE CHOSEN THIS CAREER PATH. I AM ALSO GRATEFUL TO MY MENTORS, WHO HELPED ME SHAPE WHO I AM TODAY BY INSTILLING GOOD ETHICS AND PASSING ON THEIR WISDOM.” —JENNIFER SHIMADA.
“Owning property here will trigger probate upon your death,” she says. “A trust ensures a smooth, private and efficient transfer of assets to your loved ones.”
Other advantages include protecting finances in the event of incapacity, maintaining privacy and providing for pets.
“For families with young children, guardians are nominated in the will,” Jennifer assures. “That avoids custody disputes if the parents are unable to care for their children.”
With the Casteels, Jennifer began by walking them through her standard trust package and asking detailed questions about their children and assets. She then held what she calls a ‘design meeting,’ where the couple chose who would take on responsibilities if something happened to them.
“Most couples their age don’t usually come to me,” Jennifer shares. “So I was pleased to see them. It’s encouraging to see a busy family take the time to think through these things.”
The process, the Casteels say, turned out to be easier than they expected.
“Jennifer told us what we needed to bring, and she did the rest,” Blake shares. “She gave us her honest opinion, helped us make the right choices and waited patiently while we decided. That was a gift to us.” The result, according to the couple, was peace of mind.
Jennifer believes this process is about more than documents. Clear communication prevents family disputes and promotes harmony across generations.
“When things are written down, people are less likely to argue,” she says. “When families talk about these things, there’s less chance of misunderstanding.”
Looking back, Jennifer credits the people who have been around her along the way. “Without my mom, I don't know that I would have chosen this career path. I am also grateful to my mentors, who helped me shape who I am today by instilling good ethics and passing on their wisdom. Without them, I don't know that I would've been able to cultivate the foundations of running my own legal practice.”
Outside of work, Jennifer pursues health, wellness and creativity, from yoga and cold plunges to art classes at the Donkey Mill Art Center. But when it comes to her professional life, helping families like the Casteels remains at the heart of her practice. Estate planning may not be glamorous, but it’s life-changing. It gives families confidence in their future. For the Casteels, that confidence is exactly what they hoped to find.
“Our goal was to make sure our assets were in order if anything ever happened to us,” Blake admits. “Now we know our children will be taken care of, and the process will be handled the right way.”
Learn more at ShimadaEP.com.
Carrying the Line
Living the Storyline of Those Who Came Before Us
At 18 years old, ‘A‘a Stender did something that few can even imagine. In just under 25 hours, he walked from the shores of ‘Anaehoʻomalu Bay in Waikōloa to the summit of Mauna Kea, covering 53 miles and climbing 13,800 feet in elevation. The challenge, known as Sea-to-Summit, is one of the toughest physical and mental trials on the Big Island.
For ‘A‘a, it became more than a test of endurance. It was a rite of passage.
As the summit drew near, by his side were his father, Joe Stender; his uncle, Kaipo Stender; and coach Tiger Hill. They watched as ‘A‘a battled fatigue, doubt and the breaking point. Around mile 30, his body began to rebel, and quitting lingered like a shadow. But with encouragement from men who knew him best—and with a deep resolve that surfaced when the climb grew steepest—‘A‘a chose to keep moving. Somewhere in those last miles, he shifted gears. The boy who began the journey gave way to the man who would finish it.
Their rally through the pain was simple: “Top shape.” No matter how blistered their feet, no matter how stiff their backs, they met every question about their condition with those two words. “Top shape.” It wasn’t bravado—it was mindset. It was grit disguised as humor, discipline wrapped in defiance.
At the summit, Tiger placed a lei around ‘A‘a’s shoulders, speaking the words that marked the moment.
"We see your life. We acknowledge it. And we champion it. We are with you,” Coach Tiger Hill said.
Joe Stender affirmed his son’s calling: he was born for greatness. And when ‘A‘a raised the Hawaiian flag into the thin summit air, he stood not just as an 18-year-old who had conquered a mountain, but as a son of Hawai‘i—representing a generation rising with quiet strength, servant hearts and living in his family’s legacy.
That climb is now behind him. Today, ‘A‘a Stender is in the Fire Academy on the CONTINUED >
BY JOEL FROESE
Moʻokūʻauhau is the thread binding past, present, and future into one living story. “
Big Island, giving these years of his life to serve his community. His decision to walk this path wasn’t about comfort or convenience; it was about conviction. He is choosing to spend his youth in service to the Hawaiian Islands, changing the trajectory of his life in the name of something bigger than himself.
But ‘A‘a’s story is not just his own. It lives within a moʻokūʻauhau—a lineage. Every step he took up Mauna Kea was built on the foundation laid by those who came before, those who sacrificed, prayed and fought so that this generation could rise stronger. And in the same way, every step he takes forward now will lay a path for those who will follow. None of us climbs alone.
And that is the call this story carries to every young person across the islands: rise up—step into lives marked not by self-preservation, but by radical, selfless conviction. The climb to Mauna Kea showed that greatness is not found in wealth, status, or ease—it is
“We see your life. We acknowledge it. And we champion it. We are with you.” —Coach Tiger Hill.
found in discipline, in community, in early mornings and hard choices, in courage to ask for help when you feel weak, and in the resolve to keep climbing when the weight feels unbearable.
If there is one thing the Sea-to-Summit revealed, it is this: the path is there for those willing to walk it. If you feel stuck in what you know, but conviction burns inside you for what’s right, you can choose a new way forward. You can live differently. You can live for others.
This is the moment to set the culture, rather than follow it.
Connections
Brewed Daily with Sisi Ramirez-Cisneros, Owner of Caffe Florian and proud member of HCFCU.
—Yatzixi “Sisi” Ramirez-Cisneros, Caffe Florian
Committed At Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, we're proud to support community builders like Sisi Ramirez-Cisneros. Sisi's entrepreneurial spirit and drive to bring people together inspire us, and our continued commitment to the people of Hawaii Island.
To read Sisi's full story, scan the QR code and click on “Summer 2025” Newsletter
ARTICLE BY MARGARET KEARNS | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HIHS
HAWAIʻI HUMANE SOCIETY’S FIELD DAYS FOR SHELTER DOGS PROGRAM PROVIDES HOURS OF STIMULATING TIME-OUT FUN FOR PARTICIPANTS—BOTH HUMAN AND CANINE!
Credit to Hawaii Island Humane Society
TRIPPIN’ WITH DOGS
“FIELD DAYS ARE OFFERED ON FRIDAYS,
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS BY
ADVANCE APPOINTMENT...”
Dedicated to caring for and finding loving forever homes for companion animals in need for some 60 years, the non-profit Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society (HIHS) has locations in Kona (the 12-acre HIHS Animal Community Center in Holualoa) and Keaau, serving the island’s east side.
The Holualoa center opened in August 2021, and since then it has been lauded as one of the nation’s most progressive, colorful and happy animal care facilities where the well-being and comfort of each individual animal is the number one priority, according to Lauren Nickerson, HIHS CEO.
“Everything we do is geared toward getting to know each animal as best we can,” Lauren says.
Among the stand-out programs that align with that goal, she says, is Field Trips for Shelter Dogs, which was introduced in 2015. Island visitors and residents are offered the opportunity to take a dog out for a day of fun and adventure, exploring dog-friendly beaches, restaurants and parks.
“We learn so much more about the dog through the information day trippers share with us about their experience. For example, how was the dog while riding in the car, walking on a leash, were they curious about new surroundings, or a bit shy, were they friendly with adults and children who asked to approach them, or timid,” she says.
And while the program certainly helps dogs meet potential adopters (feel-good stories include a three-legged dog adopted by visitors from the Netherlands) when they are out and about, adoption is not the primary goal, according to Lauren.
“Most of all, Field Days gives dogs much-needed shelter breaks. Research from the nationally recognized 'Maddie’s Fund' shows that even just a few hours out of the shelter promotes relaxation, reduces stress and improves dogs’ behaviors,” she says. “And what better way is there to get your doggy ‘fix’ than spending a day in paradise with them?”
Established by the Duffield family, 'Maddie’s Fund' is administered out of California and honors their beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie. They made a promise to her: If they ever had enough money, they would use it to help companion animals and the people who love them. They made good on that promise in 1994 by creating their family foundation. Since then, the fund has awarded more than $287 million in grants to animal welfare organizations across the country, including many generous donations to HIHS over the years.
“These grants, along with donations from caring individuals in our local community, help fund supplies for Field Days for Shelter Dogs and additional services and programs we provide,” Lauren says.
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Field Days are offered on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays by advance appointment only at both locations. A donation is requested from those interested in participating, with fees set at $35 for non-resident families or groups, and $15 for kama’aina (local resident) families or groups. A Loyal Field Trippers is also available to kama’aina who have completed at least one field trip and want to come back for more, Lauren says. There is no fee to participate again, and these loyal day trippers also have exclusive access to special pick-up times. All dogs must be returned no later than 4:30 PM.
“It's always heartwarming to hear from day trippers about being surprised to see how happy the dogs are returning to the shelter. They know they are coming back to a safe, secure place and it lets us know we are doing our very best with the dogs in our care,” Lauren says.
Dogs selected for the program have been evaluated and approved by HIHS Canine Enrichment Coordinators, who also conduct guidelines and safety
Credit to Alyssa O'Flinn
Credit to Alyssa O'Flinn
“FIELD DAYS GIVES DOGS MUCH-NEEDED SHELTER BREAKS.”
briefings with participants prior to providing them with supplies and gear for the day. Backpacks are branded with the words: “We are on a field trip. You can adopt this dog. It’s ok to be excited!” The backpack contains a water bottle for the dog, a towel, toys, treats, poop bags, a dog seatbelt, safety handouts and information about adopting. The dog is outfitted with an “Adopt Me” bandana, harness, collar and leash.
In 2016, just one year after the Field Days program’s introduction, HIHS was awarded the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Kuala Award for Business Innovation. Since then, it has become a model and educational resource for animal welfare and sheltering professionals nationwide who are interested in developing their own field day programs.
Aloha and mahalo to the team at HIHS for all they do daily to enhance our island community’s animals—and our lives as well. HIHS.org
Credit to Hawaii Island Humane Society
Credit to Alyssa O'Flinn
Credit to Keri Nakahasi
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Kari Clark Investment Advisor Representative
Your comfort with financial risk plays a bigger role than you might think. From your time horizon and financial goals to your emotional response to volatility, knowing your personal risk tolerance is key to staying confident and focused—especially in uncertain times.
We invite you to read an article on our Stadia Financial website designed to help you discover how to find the right balance between risk and reward to support your long-term success.
Scan to read the article.
Grateful to Create: Rediscovering Childhood Passions
ARTICLE BY MATIAS ARREDONDO PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEL ARREDONDO
Big Island Artists Share How Art Works as an Outlet to Find Peace and Themselves
Angie Daul alongside her yarn-weaving art work
Most of us don’t grow up to become a ballerina, an astronaut, or a president. At some point, we had to realize that those dreams can’t always be achieved. We studied something we were good at or picked a job to make ends meet. And that is okay because part of growing up is learning that not everything in life is super exciting, yet the small things we choose to enjoy make it worth it.
There’s something priceless about looking back at our passions as kids. What we did without trying to impress anyone or because it was mandatory, but for pure enjoyment. We could do it for hours until someone reminded us that the food was ready. If we can remember that single thing and enjoy it with a thankful heart, we can uncover peace.
Long-term Kona resident Angie Daul is the creator of Yawning Sparrow Artworks. She does yarn-weaving art inspired by Hawaiʻi. “I love to do oceanscapes. I do a lot of sunsets and just anything that makes me think of our beautiful island here. I’m so grateful for it all,” she says.
During grade school, Angie’s art teacher introduced her to basic weaving, a skill that has never left her. She has had it in the back of her mind ever since. She rediscovered her love for weaving right before Covid happened, and it was the perfect way to cope with it.
Her technique is similar to regular tapestry weaving, with hand-dyed handspun fabrics to bring it to life. Some of her pieces take up to 30 hours to make, but she does so with patience. “I want people to look at my pieces and see themselves there. To look at our island and ocean and feel peace and awe,” Angie shares.
Find out more on her IG @yawning_sparrow_artwork
CONTINUED >
Painting by Chrissy Newman
From left to right: Angie Daul, Stephanie Daguio and Chrissy Newman
“I want people to look at my pieces and see themselves there. To look at our island and ocean and feel peace and awe.”
However, inspiration is not the only benefit of art. It can also help us process emotions when we can’t explain them with words. That is what Chrissy Newman does with Aloha Abstracts through fluid art. She describes her style as ‘painting joy,’ with colorful palettes made with acrylics and vivid textures.
Chrissy, a transplant from Oregon, painted as a child, but she stumbled upon her current style six years ago when she lost five dear people within nine months. “You know, when you have a kettle of water on, the whistle blows furiously, and then you take it off the stove, and it’s calm, quiet. Painting was something like that to my overwhelming feelings,” she shares. “It was a moment where I wasn’t thinking, I wasn’t
grieving, I was just in a flow state, almost meditative. I found peace in painting intuitively and releasing myself into the creative process.”
Chrissy’s art became her therapy, and she hopes others can experience that same relief by looking at her creations. “One of my collectors told me she felt a sense of peace and tranquility when she saw my painting,” she says. “Creating gave me space so that later I could go back to the long process of enduring and processing grief with less emotional pressure. I am a deeply spiritual person, so I can't grant painting all the credit. But it certainly has added to my joy factor.”
Learn more on her IG @alohaabstracts.
Creations by Yawning Sparrow
Chalk portrait by Stephanie Daguio
Chrissy Newman and her fluid art work
Stephanie Daguio and her barroque-style portraits
H O P E
Begins with YOU A SEASON TO SEE THE UNSEEN
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
events
NOVEMBER 7TH
'Ōlena Gallery's Featured Artist
'Ōlena Gallery, Hawi | 3:00 PM
Featured Artist Reception. Mike Watson's carvings will be up all month. Join us for a reception in his honor on the first Friday of the month with wine and pupus. Learn more at OlenaGallery.com.
NOVEMBER 8TH
4th Annual Honoka'a Renaissance Faire
Honoka'a | 11:00 AM
Calling all maidens, noble knights, brave bards, and merry minstrels! Explore the villages and marketplaces, discover unique treasures, and feast on exotic flavors from vendors far and wide. Dazzling demonstrations, all-day stage performances and activities for all ages will be scattered throughout the park and town. Costumes are encouraged in this free event! HonokaaRenFaire.com.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Hawai'i
Artist
Collaboration 12th Annual Charity Art Auction
Hawai'i Island Community Health Center, 75-5214 Keaanalehu Dr., Kailua Kona | 4:00 PM
Forty artists from around the world will gather in Kona for four days to create. Painters, sculptors, jewelers, woodworkers, blacksmiths, glass, fabric and more. The results are truly unique pieces that reflect lifetimes of experience. The event encourages artists to reach out and expand their knowledge and possibilities, as well as share their experiences as teachers and community leaders. HawaiiArtistCollaboration.org
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