PEM Health and Wellness Issue 2020 by Pacific Edge Magazine

Hawai‘i's Business and Lifestyle Magazine

Shane Davies, Wellness Coach, F45 q

HEALTH &

WELLNESS

2020 From Kaua‘i Roots to Combat Boots, Meet the Man Reshaping Fitness in Hawai‘i

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Contents VOLUME 15 ISSUE 02

LEADERSHIP Shane Davies, Owner of F45 Training Kahala, Kapolei West, Hawaii Kai, Ala Moana, Mililani, Kaneohe, and Kailua

AESTHETICS Dr. David Yew, M.D., Owner of Aesthetics Hawaii

LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS Mana Up, Business Accelerator Program

20 LEADERS IN HEALTHCARE Q&A The Business of Keeping Hawaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;i Healthy 40 FITNESS Wainani Arnold, Owner of Wainani Wellness Center

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Publisher's Note

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Naomi Hazelton COPY EDITOR Aaron Deal

Aloha, When we published our Women in Business issue earlier this year, we could not have predicted the challenges that were to come in the following months. The world has certainly changed, and we are all adapting along with it. Pacific Edge Magazine continues to stick to its core value of championing motivation, inspiration, and innovation, and recently we’ve pivoted to help support small businesses in the best ways we can—whether that’s through the magazine, hosting live tutorials on our Instagram, or even producing virtual events, like our upcoming Business Achievement Awards Gala, honoring all the amazing businesses and entrepreneurs that make Hawai‘i’s business community so incredible! Health and wellness, both of yourself and the community, has never been more critical, and it is something that has always been important to me as well as Pacific Edge Magazine. In this issue, we have featured doctors, artists, healthcare leaders, coaches, and many more to incorporate all aspects of the health and wellness industry, because there is no universal method to maintaining your health and wellbeing. For some, a healthy lifestyle includes meditation, prayer, and time for creative flow, while for others it may be training and racing in triathlons. We must all do what makes our bodies well—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Reading through the magazine you’ll notice a recurring theme within all these individuals stories and responses—compassion. All of these individuals care deeply for their community and being able to help others, something Pacific Edge Magazine is extremely passionate about. In our chaotic world, the spirit of giving that prevails within the work of these featured individuals is an inspiration to us all, and we thoroughly hope you enjoy this issue. In reading it, may you find new insights that allow you to improve your own health and overall wellbeing!

Naomi Hazelton Publisher

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER Naomi Cooper Christensen CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chase Nuuhiwa MARKETING COORDINATOR Ria Sappal PACIFIC EDGE MAGAZINE 1088 Bishop St. #1130 Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 737-8711 info@elementmediahi.com ADVERTISING Naomi@elementmediahi.com (808) 737-8711

Pacific Edge magazine is a quarterly publication available through subscription, direct mail and at bookstores throughout Hawai‘i. The views expressed within Pacific Edge magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of management and ownership. Pacific Edge magazine may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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LEADERSHIP FITNESS

Forging a Fitness Family by NAOMI COOPER photo DAVE MIYAMOTO

Shane began his mission for change by utilizing his skills to personally train clients, impacting his community one life at a time.

SHANE DAVIES OWNER OF F45 TRAINING KAHALA, KAPOLEI WEST, HAWAII KAI, ALA MOANA, MILILANI, KANEOHE, & KAILUA

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n 1994, after four years in the Marines and participating in Operation Desert Storm, Shane Davies was eager to return home to Hawai‘i, where he grew up surfing, skateboarding, and training in Jiu-Jitsu. Shane’s time in the military had taken him around the world to places like Africa, Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, and the Middle East. His experiences had provided him with a fresh perspective on his island home, and upon returning to the islands, Shane felt determined to make a difference in his community. He began his mission for change by utilizing his skills to personally train clients, impacting his community one life at a time. However, it wasn’t long until Shane realized that he could connect with his clients on a deeper level, establish a tight-knit community, and make a greater impact if he started his own business. Shane realized how impactful a caring trainer or support group could be to one’s healing process and self-esteem after dealing with his own spinal degeneration. His family experiences also taught him that healthier habits, positive stress outlets, and supportive communities were extremely helpful in repairing family dynamics and making people happier. “Most locals have to work all day and that destroys marriages, deprives parenthood, and causes anger,” says Shane. For years, Shane owned and operated the Kahala CrossFit gym, where he followed the industry trends of functional muscle and circulatory training. Such training teaches that everyday use of muscles and cardio is essential to staying alive, as the heart and

To work here, you gotta love the person across from you. This is not a gym, this is a committed ‘ohana,”

blood vessels carry oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and more throughout the body. Shane’s success with his CrossFit gym proved that health and wellness was indeed his calling. Yet, as trends in the industry shifted, Shane looked to satisfy his clientele with a more well-rounded training style than CrossFit could offer. Developed in Australia, and with well known names like Mark Wahlberg investing into the chain, the fun and modern style of F45 caught Shane’s attention. After some research and testing, he found that F45 gyms matched what he and his team were looking for, and they soon transitioned Crossfit Kahala into the first F45 gym in the islands. Now the owner of numerous F45 Training gyms, Shane is making a big impact on his community by providing facilities that serve as safe, trusted, and positive environments to help individuals achieve their goals in exciting and satisfying ways. Shane consistently stresses the importance of smiling, listening, positivity and to “love the members so that they will have the heart to change their lives.” As Shane notes, many people want to incorporate more exercise into their life, but they need a support system to keep them committed. The F45 Training program offers that much needed support system through high-intensity, functional fitness in a small group environment. The concise workouts are also highly appealing to many of Hawai‘i’s residents who live a high-stress, high-traffic, multi-job lifestyle, and as Shane points out, “the F45

Training system helps to relieve that stress within a short 45-minute time period.” Although gyms are often just seen as a place to go workout, Shane ensures that his facilities are more than that. He sets up group activities for his members outside of the gym, like lo‘i (taro patch) restoration, to encourage them to continue to better themselves beyond the workouts. Such group activities also help to support the physical and mental well-being of the members, as working the land is a grounding activity and “when we take care, it will return the favor,” says Shane. In the near future, Shane will also be starting lā‘au lapa‘au, or Hawaiian medicinal classes, at his F45 locations to help teach members how to maintain a healthy life balance. Shane’s ability to combine Hawaiian cultural values and practices with F45’s unique training style into a tight-knit, supportive family is what makes his gyms attract so many professional surfers, news anchor celebrities, University of Hawai‘i football players, local TV stars, and many more from all ages. “To work here, you gotta love the person across from you. This is not a gym, this is a committed ‘ohana,” he states. With COVID-19 shutting down gyms across the island for some time, F45 has recently reopened with the required 6-10 foot spacing between members. Shane and his wife have ensured that the gym has carried out full precautionary procedures as required by law and requested by members. As they adapt to the global pandemic and its effects

on their business, Shane continues to focus on his long-term goal: to provide a safe, fun, nurturing environment for at-risk youth with a moral, loving, adult community, fostering Hawai‘i’s future. His wife’s work as a clinical psychologist exposed him to the horrors of child sextrafficking and domestic abuse, and—by expanding gym locations, health centers, and leadership around the islands—Shane hopes to stop child sex-trafficking and domestic abuse in Hawai‘i, providing atrisk youth with an accessible community of trust and health. While the goal may be a work in progress, his expanding locations are currently underway with the next gym opening in Hawai‘i Kai in August, and Ward, Mililani, and Kaneohe gyms planned to open in 2021.

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LEADERSHIP SERVICE

Connections Over Cash by NAOMI COOPER photo DAVE MIYAMOTO

ost people don’t visit an aesthetic specialist for therapeutic procedures; however, Dr. David Yew, M.D. is not your average aesthetic specialist. Before every botox treatment, Dr. Yew conducts a meditation with his clients to get to know them and connect with them on a deeper level. His artistic, spiritual sensitivity to others is what’s helped him maintain his longevity with his clients, both in their looks and in their loyal return. “A few years ago, I had a realization,” said Dr. Yew and owner of Aesthetics Hawaii. “Everything I ever wanted came true and yet I was miserable, living a selfish life. God brought me humility, and having children changed my life. That’s when my focus shifted from being a business to being a faith-based practice that serves others.” In 2010, Dr. Yew had maximized his business’s profits, seeing several clients per hour, all of whom were prepped by his assistants. He performed quick and efficient 15-20 minute procedures, spending very little time to get to know his clients. Now, after what he says was a divine call to the Golden Rule, Dr. Yew spends a minimum of an hour with each client, truly taking the time to get to know each person.

DR. DAVID YEW, M.D. OWNER OF AESTHETICS HAWAII

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God brought me humility and having children changed my life.” Cello, classical piano music, and metronome tempos play during Dr. Yew’s sessions to ease his clients’ minds and bodies and relax their muscles into receiving treatment. By pacing his pokes to the cadence of the music, Dr. Yew ensures that the body anticipates injection and has less resistance, resulting in less bruising and pain. He also gives his clients control of the timing for needle pokes by giving them a squeeze ball to hold and release—the release signals to him that it’s okay to go ahead and poke a needle into their facial tissues. This patience with his clients allows him to gain their trust, talk with them, and have them open up to him, building a relationship that a quick session would never allow. “I get the most joy from hearing their story at some point. The vast majority of people come to me at a time of death or renewal—they are seperated, started dating again, have a new job, or have experienced a loss.” Compassionate to the vulnerability of his clients, Dr. Yew donates to charities throughout the islands to help foster a counterculture mindset that will hopefully help clients feel good about themselves on the inside, so they feel less need to change so much on the outside. Putting on a costume genie hat and glasses, Dr. Yew humors me while continuing our online Zoom interview. “Aging is not a bad thing. Aging is the only option and it’s a privilege,” he notes. “No one is perfect, no one has both eyebrows shaped exactly the same. In fact, when we try to

make both sides of our face look exactly the same, we don’t look human—we look robotic.” Dr. Yew hopes to heal his clients’ self-esteem by helping them accept aging and imperfection. He chooses clients who understand his longterm blueprints of minimal layering, instead of wanting that short-term fix. Dr. Yew tries out all of his products with a watch period before he suggests them to his clients. Ninety percent of the modalities he’s tested have failed his standards, and he only suggests a very small percentage of the treatments he tries. “I need to be the patient’s advocate so I can be honest with them,” says the self-proclaimed medical guinea pig. His outstanding moral quality attracts high-end clients from around the world who fly him monthly to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, New York, and Sydney. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Yew and his staff have implemented the use of proper face masks, hospital-grade sanitizers, UV disinfectant lights, flexiglass barriers, and temperature checks upon entry. While he has not been flying during the past few months, he has been booked further out than normal. The close friendships he’s developed with people from around the world is what he’s missed most due to the restrictions put in place from the COVID-19 pandemic; but, during this time, he’s been able to give back to youth foundations in the community with HUGS Hawaii, Drill Team Hawaii, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, and Compassion International.

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Castle Primary Care of Kāne‘ohe 1 Castle Professional Center 46-001 Kamehameha Hwy, Ste. 102 Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744 808-263-5019

Castle Primary Care of Kāne‘ohe is accepting new patients Castle has made it a priority to increase the number of primary care providers serving Windward O‘ahu and continue to recruit new physicians to better serve our growing community. Castle’s primary care providers are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical issues. They also can provide preventive services, such as immunizations and exercise counseling, as well as health screenings to detect illnesses when they are often easier to treat. Our Kāne‘ohe clinic welcomes new patients who may not already have a primary care provider, and they usually can accommodate same-day appointments for those requiring urgent care that is not life-threatening.

Services provided • Primary care, ages 18 and older. • Pregnancy tests, flu shots, pneumonia, flu tests, strep tests, blood sugar checks and A1C checks. • Convenient access to physical therapy, lab and imaging services, and a pharmacy in the same building. When a medical issue requires a specialist or further diagnostic tests or interventions, patients have access to Adventist Health Castle’s network of 300-plus medical experts and the newest and most innovative treatments and technology. For more information, visit our website: AdventistHealthCastle.org

Providers • Dr. Joseph Tsai, Internal Medicine • Dr. Benjamin Roney, Family Practice, accepts patients of all ages

Castle Primary Care of Kāne‘ohe 2 Castle Professional Center 46-001 Kamehameha Hwy, Ste 402 Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744 808-263-5020 Providers • Dr. Robin Matsukawa, Internal Medicine • Dr. Changhua Wang, Internal Medicine, only Female physician in Kāne‘ohe accepting new patients Helping Cover both areas are to help assure same day access include: • Alice Mendykowski, APRN • Johanna McCroskey, APRN

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ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVE

An Intuitive Connection by NAOMI COOPER

“M

y drawing process is eyes closed so that I feel the image rather than see it.” Nadia agrees that to be an artist is to be vulnerably accessible to form, meaning that one is in tune with their feelings and able to express them without inhibitions. Nadia’s calmness is soothing, and while she credits her worldly travels, meditation practices, and the ocean for much of her inspiration, she admits that she was “born this way.” Her unspoken connection to nature provides her with a sensitivity that she can only explain through her sculptures. Explaining how different she is from her parents, Nadia laughs tenderly. “My dad is old-fashioned military. He believes in numbers and columns so much that he cringes at my fluid artistic views, poor guy.” It was her father’s Air Force orders to Germany and Belgium that exposed her to the European way of living, which was a better fit for her artistic soul than mainland America. After his retirement, their family moved to Sydney, before finally settling in Texas where Nadia graduated with a BFA in Sculptural Ceramics. Her Australian mother was her biggest supporter and the true fuel to her artistic flame. She solidified Nadia’s commitment to her gifts of sculpture and design. “Mama never stopped my questioning of the world,” the tears added a soft tremble to her voice. A silence came over her as she reminisced and remembered the memory of lying next to her mother on her deathbed eleven years ago, “I felt her energy leaving her body just like a butterfly leaves a chrysalis.” Nadia’s final moments with her mother were what helped her realize that she had to become the artist she was meant to be. “You can’t keep shoving emotions away. Just like the earth must shift, build up and release, so must we or we die.” Seeking a deeper understanding of her

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NADIA FAIRLAMB ARTIST

My drawing process is eyes closed so that I feel the image rather than see it.” purpose, she began to study meditation, eventually forging a deep connection with a spiritual teacher who moved to Hawai‘i. Following her meditation teacher, she settled in the islands in Waimanalo, O‘ahu, and immediately felt at home. Nadia fell in love with the kindness of the people and the Aloha way of living that goes past skin color and race. “Hawai‘i is so special—it still lives and breathes like the old way.” Some of her favorite pieces that she’s worked on serve to prove her appreciation of the islands; although many would have seen them as a pile of trash, they called out to Nadia. Her intuition and strong visual imagery lead her to carve a partially rotten Koa branch into Pele’s Teardrop—one of her most complimented carvings by locals and tourists alike. While it has been an uphill battle adjusting to the cost of living here in Hawai‘i, Nadia appreciates what a simple life entails. She uses focused intention with her time and repurposes everything she can instead of buying new tools or materials. She finds peace in the surf and tides, letting all of her artistic works pay tribute to this “rugged, delicate, and raw” place that we call paradise. You can find Nadia’s work on her website: https://www.nadiafairlambart.com and take private classes from her amidst the COVID-19 pandemic at her Waimanalo studio.

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LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE Q&A with Hawai'i's healthcare leaders, discussing the challenges and upsides to the COVID-19 pandemic, self-care, changes across the industry, and more How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/business? It’s definitely been a journey that has required a lot of flexibility and openness to change. The pandemic has upended our community and created a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. However, there has been a silver lining in the midst of all of this. I’ve been able to meet new people and we’ve formed new partnerships to meet the urgent needs of the community. That is one of the bright spots of the pandemic—it brought caring people together like never before and we were united by a common goal. These experiences will leave a lasting impression on me and I believe the relationships that we’ve established will continue beyond the response to the pandemic.

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Melissa Ah Ho-Mauga

Vice President-Client Services at St. Francis Healthcare System

How is your company/business pivoting to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic? The Sisters of St. Francis did not always choose the easy path, and during this pandemic, we didn’t want to choose the easy path either. We put the needs of the community first—continuing our essential services such as preschool, adult day care, hospice care, and more—to meet the needs of first responders, healthcare professionals, and others who rely on us to provide care for their family members in a safe, nurturing environment while complying with social distancing guidelines. We also engaged in new activities during the pandemic. We partnered with the Show Aloha Challenge to provide meals that were delivered to homebound seniors who did not qualify for governmentsponsored meal delivery programs. With the generous support of the Hawaii Dental Service Foundation; Matson; Nan, Inc.; Pacific Point; UHA Health Insurance; and others, we were able to quickly mobilize a team to coordinate delivery logistics with restaurants and deliver thousands of meals and hundreds of grocery boxes of fresh produce or protein to seniors.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? Taking care of others—whether it’s seniors, family members, or fellow staff members—is one of the ways that I’ve been able to maintain a healthy outlook during this challenging time. Some may assume I am neglecting my own health and well-being because of the long hours seven days a week; but, although it may be tiring, I am energized by helping

others. St. Francis Healthcare System has four core values: peacemaking, charity, simplicity, and joy. It has been rewarding to provide our community with peace and love during this time of anxiety, while also turning complexity into simple solutions for others. There is just a genuine joy in helping others.

What are your daily habits? Every day is different. It’s been a relentless flow of non-stop activity, especially during this pandemic. So, establishing routines has been challenging; but, my way to decompress from the day’s frenetic pace is to simply spend time with my family, ideally at the beach. My family has a way of putting life into perspective. They remind me of why the work I do at St. Francis is so important. Even when work becomes mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting, they inspire me to keep on pressing forward.

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/ industry? It’s exciting to be a part of St. Francis Healthcare System because our vision is expansive. We offer much more than medical care. We offer a broad range of non-medical services that ultimately affect the health and well-being of individuals and families. We are still evolving and adding new services as we identify new needs in the community. While we have a proud legacy of caring that was established by the Sisters of St. Francis, we do not rest on the laurels of our past accomplishments. The legacy of caring is something we carry forward. There is never any room for complacency, and that is exciting to me.

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time? I’ve always wanted to help individuals and families. I grew up in a multi-generational household, so I learned at an early age that it’s important to look after the needs of the entire family. When one is ill, everyone in the family is affected. I majored in sociology and psychology and then earned an MBA. I’ve been able to use my education and experiences to help others. I enjoy being in healthcare because I’m able to touch the lives of so many people every day.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? I’ve been fortunate to have many excellent mentors over the course of my career, and it would be impossible to name a single individual. One of my most memorable moments occurred when one of my mentors and I walked to the dock of Aloha Tower. We looked out on the horizon and he asked me what I saw. At first, I thought it was an odd question, but I said I saw the sky and the bustling working harbor. Then, I noticed some of the activities of the individual passengers on one of the docked cruise ships. My mentor told me that my response was very telling and it revealed my capability to see the big picture as well as pay attention to the details. It was a moment of self-awareness. I appreciate those who can see things that you may not see in yourself—both things that are good and areas for improvement. I try to do the same for others today, providing candid feedback to help others grow and become the best they can be.

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Josh Green Lieutenant Governor of Hawai‘i

What are your daily habits?

How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected Hawai‘i? COVID-19 has been devastating in so many ways. One of the most important and positive aspects I’ve seen, however, is the remarkable displays of sacrifice and resilience from our people. Together we care for and respect one another while prioritizing what matters most to us. This will be a valuable lesson for us all moving forward.

How have you been pivoting to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic? Historically, the lieutenant governor position has had limited responsibility. When taking on this role, I envisioned using the office to do more; little did I expect we’d be facing a pandemic in 2020. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and use my medical background to provide people with comfort and guidance during this difficult time.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? I walk ten miles a day, eat pizza, and spend time with family.

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My goal is to maximize every day. I wake up around 4:00 am to exercise, read the news, begin work, and call my mom who lives on the East Coast. Early morning is usually my most productive time. Once I’m in the office with the team I knock out as many meetings, interviews, tasks, etc. as possible; I never procrastinate. By late afternoon I’m back home with Jaime, Maia, and Sam.

What have been the most exciting things about your job/business/ industry? As an emergency room doctor, I take great satisfaction in my ability to care for people and decrease pain, oftentimes within minutes. The medical advances we’ve seen in my lifetime alone have been exciting to witness. As lieutenant governor, I’m humbled to work for the people of Hawai‘i. While change in government takes longer than immediately helping someone in the emergency room, the work is always gratifying when you see meaningful policy change that positively affects people.

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time? I decided to become a doctor when I was 19 years old while traveling in India by train, witnessing great suffering.

Can you tell us a bit more about the India trip? I was 19 years old, in between my first and second year of college (undergrad), when I landed in Madras in Southern India. In order to really experience the vast country, I bought a third-class ticket and took a three-day train ride across the country to Delhi in Northern India. On that train ride, I met numerous Indian families and saw the extraordinary scope of suffering on the subcontinent. That was the moment at which I decided I wanted to become a physician and try to give back in some way. The train broke down three separate times in the middle of nowhere in India, and it was definitely the most intense three days of my life away from the United States. It was just an extraordinary experience.

How did you end up in Hawai‘i? I came to Hawai‘i with the National Health Corps. I’d never been to Hawai‘i before my interview and hadn’t spent more than a day on the Big Island. After arriving, instead of having me work in Hilo and Pāhoa, they asked me to work in Ka‘ū, which is very remote. People took me in as a family member, which was amazing, and I fell in love with many of the people there. It was an incredible way to experience Hawai‘i as a part of the community, and, as a physician, I got to completely integrate. That’s how I came to love Hawai‘i. Out of my concern, I ran for office while I was still in the National Health Corps. I was worried we didn’t have access to healthcare, drug treatment, and trauma services, which was the premise for running. Really it was a reflection of my experience working in Ka‘ū. When my commitment ended with the National Health Corps, I went almost immediately into the legislature and emergency room.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? My historical role model has always been Gandhi. My professional mentors have been Governor Howard Dean, Dr. Dennis Gingrich, and Dr. David Reed.

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Edine Swain, CPCP Owner of Face It PMC & Nouveau Contour Hawaii Academy of Micro-pigmentation

series of lessons, and everything that happens to us has a reason and lesson for us to learn from, whether it be painful or happy. I try to embrace that thought always, especially when life gets challenging.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/ business? The COVID-19 pandemic was a career shock for many people across the globe. For myself and others in my industry, it was an eyeopener on the career we had chosen. We were impacted within the first month when all the businesses were forced to close down; however, as we reopened, our schedules were filled. Women wanted to come in to feel and look good again. I realized that being an employee of a company there are no guarantees. Young men and women are looking for new careers now that can be more stable. Self-employment in the beauty industry has proven to be strong, and I have many inquiries from new students looking for job security in our industry. Most importantly, this pandemic has helped me to realize that education in micropigmentation can greatly offer financial freedom, allowing women to become the best version of themselves. That was my goal when I chose to become a teacher and educator in this field. I wanted to empower women to create their own time and money, and to create a sense of centered empowerment; but, more than that, I wanted to make a difference in the world by creating positive change and impacts on the lives of others.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? I believe in living a kind life and choosing to be an inspiration in as many lives that I come across. I remind myself how grateful I am and that everyone is the same. Life is a 24 PACIFIC EDGE

I also know being physical is very important—moving your body daily is showing self-love to your soul. I love nature, hiking, the beach, daily walks, and yoga. I believe a limber body is a youthful body. Even if it's a busy day for me and I only can listen to the birds singing in the morning, I'm happy.

What are your daily habits? I'm a morning person. I get up at 5:00 am and I make a special lilikoi green tea. I sit outside on my balcony inhaling the morning air and my warm fragrant tea. It smells so good, and that's my time to center myself and connect with God. I say my morning prayers, living in pure gratitude just being in the moment. I then take a 30-minute walk around my neighborhood and spend 20 minutes doing some yoga stretches. Then off to work, where I do what I love most—connecting my career with the passion I have attached to it. Work is not working when you love it. I love listening to audio books. It has changed my life, learning this way and listening to biographies. Plus, I can multitask at the same time.

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/ industry?

we have helped make a positive impact on their lives is priceless. Our worldwide continuing education classes and workshops also give us the opportunity to travel throughout the year and even revisit places we love like Europe, Las Vegas, and Orlando to name a few.

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time? Out of high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew that I liked people and I had a great sense of communication skills naturally. I became a certified dental assistant, worked in oral surgery and orthodontics, and that's when I realized I really loved the healthcare industry. I then went on to become a licensed optician, medical assistant, and I also went to night school to become a cosmetologist. Back in the early ‘90s, cosmetic tattooing was something that was hit or miss. There was really no true education on it, so a lot of women became damaged and injured from improper cosmetic tattooing. Nonetheless, it became my life passion and direction, and I strived to learn the proper way to do permanent cosmetics. This has led me on a 25-year lifetime journey of education and dedication to understanding the background, knowledge, and biochemistry science behind the proper way to implement professional micro-pigmentation and ensure that no damage is done to the client—providing a safe and clean environment for men and women. This instills self-confidence and moral wellbeing to create beauty and self-dignity.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? Oprah Winfrey is my inspiration and mentor. She has made the biggest impact on my life. These are two of my favorite quotes from her: "Everybody has a calling. And your real job in life is to figure out as soon as possible what that is, who you were meant to be, and to begin to honor that in the best way possible for yourself."

The impact of micro-pigmentation truly changes lives and helps to restore men's and women's confidence allowing everyone to feel and look their best. That is why it is so exciting to see patients and clients faces when we have fulfilled the reason for their visit to our clinic for “I believe luck is preparation meeting micro-pigmentation services or classes from opportunity. If you hadn’t been prepared when our academy. Listening to the stories of how the opportunity came along, you wouldn’t have been lucky.”

Declan J. Devereux, D.D.S. Co-owner of Ala Moana Dentistry How is your company/business pivoting to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic? Ala Moana Dental Care has continued to maintain the highest standards for protecting our patients and staff from all potentially infectious diseases. On top of what we had already been doing, we have added additional safety protocols such as: taking all patient and staff temperatures, excluding those with a fever; not allowing patients or staff with any signs of sickness in the office; following social distancing guidelines in the waiting room; using hypochlorous acid disinfection to kill viruses and bacteria; requiring all patients and staff to wear masks; and pre-rinsing to kill bacteria and viruses before dental treatment. With all of these measures in place, Ala Moana Dental Care is an extremely safe environment for our patients and staff.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? I surf almost every day I am off with my son, who has caught the surfing bug. I eat a healthy diet and make sure that my body receives adequate vitamins, minerals, and time in nature. I meditate and pray daily and seek guidance from many people whose wisdom and life experience I respect. I go to bed early and wake up early so that I always get plenty of sleep. I also attempt to minimize stressful situations as best I can.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/ business? Our business is doing well during the pandemic, as I think it has caused a lot of people to focus on their health. Our patients, both new and old, realize that having a healthy mouth is one of the central keys to optimum overall health.

What are your daily habits? I wake up before 4:30 am, without an alarm, almost every day. When people are surprised by this, I tell them I almost always go to bed before 9:00 pm, so I get plenty of sleep. I meditate and pray for about thirty minutes most days and then I have coffee; although, I plan to drop the coffee soon just to test out how I feel. A common breakfast for me is oatmeal, strawberries, and almond butter mixed together. Then I either work, surf, or partake in some other activity that allows me to enjoy Hawaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;i. My daily life is pretty active, and I like it this way as it helps me feel good mentally and physically.

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/ industry? The most exciting thing has been creating a dental office that allows extreme flexibility for our patients to visit us, as we are open seven days a week from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. We have also done everything possible to allow our dental care to be affordable. By focusing on the previous two aspects, we have created a workweek for our staff that is only three days long while being available for our patients every day of the week from dawn to dusk.

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time? I did not want to be a dentist, as I grew up fearing the dentist. My older sister tricked me into becoming a dentist by telling me I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to get high enough grades in the science classes required to get into dental school. She told me later that she did this to motivate me to push myself to study hard. The surprising outcome is that I have actually really enjoyed being a dentist, even though I am still a bit nervous to have my own teeth worked on!

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? My grandfather was my mentor. He took over a company that went bankrupt during the Great Depression, and he worked long hours seven days a week year after year to make the company strong. I worked at his packing plant in the summer and spent many hours with him as he taught me the values of perseverance and hard work. He was a nice guy who cared a lot about other people and he taught me that this was the most important thing of all.

PACIFICEDGEMAGAZINE.COM 25

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David Matto, D.D.S. Co-owner of Ala Moana Dentistry

What are your daily habits? Daily habits include games with my kids (eg., Uno, swimming, and cooking), listening to podcasts on health or technology, practicing a new skill like piano, or learning something new like Hiragana. Music is ever-present in my life and much of my recreational time is complemented by music. Finally and most importantly, my favorite pastime is any time with my wife. Currently, we daydream about different staycations we could arrange.

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/ industry? At the height of the shutdown, we were limiting our office services to emergencies only. Helping these patients really highlighted why we do what we do. It not only gives great satisfaction to help those in pain, but it also emphasizes the importance of preventive care to maintain our oral health.

How is your company/business pivoting to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic? A positive attitude of embracing change. We have been listening, learning, and implementing rapidly. The rule of thumb has been adaptability since oftentimes new protocols quickly need to be fine-tuned as information evolves. A few of the safety measures we have put in place are a thorough screening questionnaire, thermal scans of all staff and patients, the requirement of masks upon entry, social distancing for seating, hypochlorous acid disinfectant and foggers, air filtration systems in every operatory and reception room, enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) with UV disinfection of masks, disinfectant mouthwash, and additional high-speed suction options to minimize aerosols. Ultimately, we rely on an entire suite of safety precautions that, when all used in conjunction, afford us the highest level of safety for our patients and our staff.

28 PACIFIC EDGE

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? I enjoy exercising on a pilates reformer, hiking, and swimming with my kids. I focus on a lowcarb and nutrient-dense diet; however, I still make room for the occasional dessert. Quiet time to appreciate my family and friends, or simply the outdoors gives me the most reliable sense of peace. In regards to the pandemic, I do my part by adhering to all safety recommendations at work and at home.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/ business? Our team has seen this as an opportunity to practice gratitude and appreciation for our patients, our health, our profession, and each other as a support system for each other. It has strengthened our teamwork mentality and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve really aligned to a unified vision to stay safe during the pandemic.

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time? My mother is a retired pediatric RN, so I grew up viewing the medical community and science with the utmost respect. Good relationships with my dentist and my orthodontist inspired me to consider a specific path in dentistry. Enjoying working with people and my appreciation for artwork in school convinced me that I would find professional satisfaction.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? Both of my grandfathers. One for his charisma, storytelling, laughter, and ability to lead a successful business school and family. The other for his craftsmanship as a carpenter, building his own home and teaching his craft to my father. Finally, my parents who taught me to always be fair and use common sense.

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Barbara Craft Chief Operating Officer, Pali Momi Medical Center

How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/ business? I was named chief operating officer of Pali Momi Medical Center near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, so it provided me with a great opportunity to see Pali Momi’s staff and physicians working together to prepare for the worst while giving their best! What was immediately clear to me was that our staff was well prepared for this situation, having previously gone through extensive training in the proper infectious disease protocols to ensure their safety so they could focus on caring for our patients.

How is your company/ business pivoting to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic? One positive development as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increased use of telehealth, which provides a safe and convenient way for our patients to connect with a healthcare provider and get the medical care they need without having to leave home. Patients can easily connect with their care team through their mobile device, tablet, or computer. Services include video and phone visits, messaging doctors through our secure online patient portal, MyChart® by Hawai‘i Pacific Health, virtual urgent care, and more. Telehealth will become more routine in healthcare moving forward, and we’ve received very positive feedback from patients who are already using it.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? A steady diet of prayer and devotions start my day. I also focus on eating right and staying active with my favorite outdoor activities— paddling in my one-man canoe and stand-up paddle boarding. When I can’t take advantage of our great outdoors here on O‘ahu, I get my workouts in at home with online workouts. 30 PACIFIC EDGE

What are your daily habits? On the weekdays, I’m up at 4:30 am I shower, dress, and get in my prayer and devotions along with my breakfast of papaya and berries with coffee. I’m out the door by 6:00 am and at work by 6:30 am This gives me the opportunity to make my rounds of the facility to say thank you and check in with the night staff and physicians before they end their shift, which I do at least twice a week. After that, I’m checking emails, rounding with staff, planning, and touching base with our teams while also working in cadence with my partners throughout Hawai‘i Pacific Health.

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/ industry? Watching our healthcare teams adapt, stretch, and work together with a patient-first focus during this COVID-19 pandemic has been something that I have never witnessed before, and it’s been amazing. Healthcare brings together every facet of business and focuses them on caring for others. The best part of this whole experience for me is being part of an organization like Hawai‘i Pacific Health. While

we focus on the business aspects, such as looking at how we deliver care and how we can be more efficient and cost-effective, we also base our decisions on what’s best for our patients and the community. It comes down to our mission of creating a healthier Hawai‘i, and that inspires me in what I do every day.

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time? I actually wanted to be a Navy diver first and became a diving medic instead. After serving my country in the U.S. Navy, I decided to go into nursing where I found my way to make a positive difference by giving back to the people of Hawai‘i.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? Dawn Ching, who is vice president of operations at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, has been a mentor, pastor, and friend to me. She has been someone who has guided me professionally, personally, and spiritually, for which I am immensely grateful.

Shine the spotlight on those most deserving for their achievements during this special broadcast ceremony! Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 pm on KHON 2 Friday, November 13 at 8:00 pm on KIHI Saturday, November 14 at 6:30 pm on KHII Sunday, November 15 at 7:30 pm on KHON 2

Nomination Categories Business Pivot of the Year

Best New Business

Healthcare Leader of the Year

Best Family-Run Business

Non-Profit Impact of the Year

Social Media :: Influencer of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award

Social Media :: Business Impact of the Year

Young Professional of the Year

Hospitality Executive of the Year

Business Executive of the Year

Business Woman of the Year

Commitment to Green

www.pacificedgeawards.com

Inéz Arnold Master Stylist/Color Artist @ HAiR HONOLULU

How is your company/business pivoting to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic? The pandemic changed the business environment and conditions for everyone. It’s a challenging time to conduct any business, much less launching a new one, such as HAiR HONOLULU. The pandemic provided me with the right opportunity, timing, and location to launch my own business. I saw a unique opportunity to be more customer-centric by creating an individual (one-on-one only), highquality focused, and safe customer experience. HAiR HONOLULU is by appointment only and conveniently located at Velocity Honolulu, inside Kristin Wood Lashes and next to Miki Ao Nail Bar. This personal setting provides a perfect combination and one-stop-shop for my customers’ beauty needs. Velocity’s layout inside the Symphony Honolulu building is also very spacious, modern, and clean. This allows my business and customers to comply with social distancing guidelines.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? I try to keep physically active with highintensity cardio exercise, yoga, and jogging. I also enjoy traveling, performing arts, good food, the outdoors, and reading.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/ business? In my case, it provided me with the right opportunity, timing, and location to launch my own business. We all can adapt, and we have to accept the fact that we are not always in control of what happens in our lives. We can only control how we respond to it. Since June when I started my business, I have learned so many other things about running a business besides hair and coloring. This has really reshaped my respect for every business owner during these unprecedented times.

32 PACIFIC EDGE

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time?

What are your daily habits? Work-life balance is important to me. Before the pandemic and the start of my business in June, I enjoyed family life, going out, traveling, salsa dancing, and so on; then the pandemic changed all of this. At this time, most of my daily habits are dictated by business needs. I still try to maintain a work-life balance and spend as much time as possible with my family and friends. I am so fortunate and grateful to have strong family support to help me through challenges; but, I look forward to returning back to my normal routine from before the pandemic.

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/ industry? Exceeding my customers’ expectations and receiving a referral of their family and friends is what motivates me. My loyal customer base is very supportive. They, as well as my family and friends, have encouraged me to take a leap of faith and open a new business during this time, despite the pandemic.

As a fourth generation hairstylist, I had already started shampooing hair in the family salon when I came home from school. The expectation was for me to continue the family tradition, so I did. In Germany, I managed the family salon with six employees successfully, and I grew very comfortable with it and how it works. When I relocated to the United States I had to start all over again. Being born and raised in Europe and not having a strong family support system in Hawai‘i was another challenge. Like in any business, you get out what you put in. Over time with continuous education and hard work, I managed to build a loyal customer base in Honolulu that is very supportive of me and my business. Thanks to them I can enjoy what I do and follow my passion.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? I have met many people from all over the world from whom I learned and who ultimately shaped me into the person I am today. I don’t really have what you would call a mentor, but I live by the philosophy: Don’t be afraid to try and make mistakes. Believe in yourself. The only limitations you have are the limitations you set for yourself.

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BEFORE

12 WEEKS AFTER Second CoolSculpting® Session Photos courtesy of A. Jay Burns, MD

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15 Weeks After

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Photos courtesy of Bodify & Steven Sorr, N.M.D.

Photos courtesy of A. Jay Burns, MD

Photos courtesy of Drs. Jean Carruthers & Shannon Humphrey

Ala Moana Medical Building (Above Bank of Hawaii)

1441 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite #2020, Honolulu, HI 96814 808.633.8585 • www.hawaiibotox.com The CoolSculpting® procedure is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental area, thigh, abdomen and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll), and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments. During the procedure you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, and cramping at the treatment site. These sensations subside as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity, and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after a submental area treatment. Rare side effects may also occur. The CoolSculpting® procedure is not for everyone. You should not have the CoolSculpting® procedure if you suffer from cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria. The CoolSculpting® procedure is not a treatment for obesity. Ask your doctor if CoolSculpting® is right for you. To learn more about what to expect, visit www.coolsculpting.com. *CoolSculpting® is the treatment doctors use most for non-invasive fat removal.© 2018 Allergan. All rights reserved. COOLSCULPTING® and its design are registered trademarks of ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc., an Allergan affiliate. IC03669-A

Elizaveta Neginskaya Owner of Signature Brows & Beauty

How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/ business? While the negative effects are real, there are ways you can balance the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by taking advantage of some of the positives! I think it’s imperative that we do not squander this unique experience. Instead, we have to ask, “What is the opportunity here and what lessons does this time have to teach us?” I choose to see the isolation as a gift. I’m healthy, safe, and working with the transformative power of gratitude. More Importantly, this pandemic has helped show me how much my clients trust me. My clients not only still come back, but I continue to gain new clients because they appreciate all the precautionary measures and protocols that we are taking at my salon.

How is your company/business pivoting to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic? Honestly, for us at EN Signature Brows & Beautys, we did not have too many changes inside our salon, as we have always had the highest standards of cleaning and it has always been my number one priority. However, we have pivoted a little towards the "online" world. We have started to do more online consultations and tutorials, as well as sell more products via our online store.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? The pandemic has really helped a lot of people, including myself, to pause and reevaluate our own lives. I feel really happy about this opportunity. It is not a secret at all that most of us were neglecting our own health by trying to manage work, school, kids, and the list can go on and on. We have too much going on and oftentimes forget about ourselves. I really want to share a few tips that can help you maintain your mental health and well-being. It is important to sleep well! We finally have this opportunity now. Rethink your diet! Now that you can stay home more, dedicate some time to plan your meals. Remember, you are what you eat. Reduce your alcohol consumption. Keep it active and go outside as much as possible. Develop new skills and challenge your capabilities. Spend time with friends, loved ones, and people you trust and talk about or express your feelings regularly.

What are your daily habits? Slowing my mind, meditating, and being at peace, trusting the process that everything is working out the way it should. I try to keep a positive attitude every day and it has completely transformed every aspect of my life for the better! If I can do it, so can you! I try to remember that we are all one, and the attitude

of how you see your life starts with you. Spending more time in nature and watching less TV has helped me to stay more grounded and humbled.

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/ industry? The most exciting thing about my job is that everyday I get to be creative and bond with my clients by making them look and feel amazing inside and out!

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time? Since my early teen years, I’ve always been drawn to beauty, artistry, and nurturing people. I started making my very own organic face masks and toners and gave them away to neighbors and friends to get their feedback on how their specific skin concerns improved. My family has always supported me in my passion and I’ve always known that taking care of people, helping them with their skin and beauty needs, and overall well being is my calling.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? My role model has always been my mother. She is in the beauty industry and interior decorating. I adore how she can turn anything she touches into a beautiful masterpiece— both for people and their homes! She has the kindest heart and an innate love for helping people. PACIFICEDGEMAGAZINE.COM 35

Gidget Ruscetta Chief Operating Officer, Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children

How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/ business? I see the COVID-19 pandemic as one of those pivotal and defining moments in one’s career that has lasting impressions—impressions that define you as a leader. I was very fortunate to be at Pali Momi Medical Center in my role as chief operating officer, a position I had been in since 2015, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. I transitioned to my new role as chief operating officer at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children after a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic. This transition taught me to cherish time and trust in your leaders. It also allowed me to see our organization at its best due to my experience at both medical centers, which serve very different patient populations. Our staff at both facilities are amazing, and I am so very proud to say I was able to learn, grow, and flourish during this time. This journey, while challenging, has made our entire organization stronger. When I reflect back on the months that have passed, and then watch the news today and see the impact COVID-19 has made on the world, I feel very blessed to be in Hawai‘i at Hawai‘i Pacific Health knowing we are making a difference and we are living our mission of creating a healthier Hawai‘i.

How is your company/business pivoting to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic? I am amazed every day at the structure, vigilance, and attention to detail we have applied at Hawai‘i Pacific Health during this pandemic. Thanks to our amazing leaders throughout our system, we remain flexible and are able to pivot in response to the needs of our staff, physicians, patients, and community when needed. We are regularly monitoring our status and resources, always knowing the number of ventilators in use, personnel available to be deployed if needed, number of boxes of gloves on hand, and so much more. 36 PACIFIC EDGE

With our emergency management structure, which includes command centers at the corporate level and at each medical center, we have a clear communication pathway that allows us to keep our 7,000+ employees and physicians across our system informed with important information regarding newly diagnosed cases, supply needs, and any other factors impacting our operations. We have also embraced and leveraged our electronic health records system to build upon our telehealth services and provide our patients with convenient options to access the care they need without leaving the comfort of home.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being? I spend a lot of time on the water with my husband, who is my best friend, reflecting and treasuring every minute here on our beautiful island, the time we get to spend together, and looking toward the future. I am up early every day and in the gym before going to work. It’s important to me to maintain my health so I can keep doing my best to support our leaders, physicians, and staff at Kapi‘olani and throughout Hawai‘i Pacific Health, so they can in turn do their best to support their staff and the many patients and families who need our services.

What are your daily habits? I get up early to capture the quiet moments of the morning before I start my day. I then check my emails and give various family members on the East Coast a shout out to make sure their day is going well. I’m then off to the gym, and then to the office, where I make a cup of tea with honey, review my calendar for the day, and get rolling. I love being present with people. When I drive home, I reflect on the day and ask myself, “Did I do everything today that I could to improve the lives of others?” I hope I always answer “YES!”

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/ industry? The most exciting thing about my job is connecting with people and the work I love. I love healthcare and the work we do every day makes my heart sing, especially when I can interact with leaders, young learners, staff, and physicians, as they are the heartbeat of Kapi‘olani. I can’t see myself ever doing anything outside of healthcare.

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time? After I graduated from college, I remember asking myself, “How did I get here?” As a child, I knew I wanted to help people, but I didn’t really know what that meant. I never imagined I would become a nurse or what impact I could make on people’s lives. During school, I was a nurse tech in a pediatric intensive care unit. Once I passed my nursing boards, I remained in that unit as a registered nurse and my career journey in healthcare began. I was very fortunate to have mentors who saw my potential and asked me to move from caring for patients at the bedside to impacting patient care in a new way—developing programs and leading people. That’s where I found my true love of healthcare. I love what I do and that I am able to make an impact every day in the lives of our staff, physicians, and patients.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor? My dad is my mentor and his guidance is always in my ear. He always said, “Never think ‘NO.’ You can do anything. Find the path to ‘YES.’ Treasure people and always prioritize your family.” As we work through this pandemic, I think often about him as we work every day to find the path to YES here at Hawai‘i Pacific Health, and I am very proud of that.

Photo courtesy of Visionari

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Creating Heaven by NAOMI COOPER photo DAVE MIYAMOTO

Rose geranium, lavender, grapefruit, and clary sage fill the air at the lobby of Heaven on Earth Day Spa, as the sounds of slack-key guitar, flutes that mimic wind, strings, soft shaker rhythms, and trickling water sedate one into an oasis of nature.

he full-length glass windows and tall atrium ceilings allow softened sunlight to peek through onto the bamboo floors, and an awaiting smile on a clean, bright face behind the welcome counter offers warm, licorice-mint tea and a safe escape from the stress of the outside world. Since opening the spa in 1997, Lora Nakai has managed to create a safe haven for people to come decompress and be nurtured. She says that self-care is essential not just to individual health, but the health of the whole community. Her spa is a place where one can take care of themselves and rejuvenate emotionally, spiritually, and physically. “Stress is what kills us,” Lora’s affectionate tone is sincere. “If we don’t take care of ourselves, we are like a car running on flat tires.” When one person is unable to manage their stress, their emotions will overload onto the people around them, and that baggage causes a domino effect. Acknowledging that we need regular stress release is now an accepted part of our culture; yet, taking the time and initiative

38 PACIFIC EDGE

LORA NAKAI

PRESIDENT AT HEAVEN ON EARTH SALON AND SPA

If we don’t take care of ourselves, we are like a car running on flat tires.” to actually heal our bodies is what many people struggle with. As a result of this, Lora decided to make self-care an inviting and accessible option by positioning her business where the people with the biggest self-care needs were—in the center of downtown Honolulu. Originally from Oregon, Lora became fascinated with Hawai‘i’s laid-back, family-friendly culture through friends in her freshman dorm at college. An exchange program with the University of Hawai‘i had introduced her to the state. The high costs of school and life in Hawai‘i required her to work in addition to her schooling. Having massage experience from Oregon, it was only natural to seek out the massage industry in Honolulu. Lora found luck at the Halekulani and she began attending classes in the mornings, working in the afternoons, and going to required massage school training during the nights. Within the year, she was burnt out and realized she would have to let some of her ambitions go. Lora heard about an eight-week business management course from the Chamber of Commerce, and she used it to launch her own massage business in 1990 at Honolulu Park Place. After six years, she had set up six successful locations under the Executive Massage name. However, Lora was stretched thin, and she was pregnant, looking to maximize her efforts in less locations. With the birth of her daughter, Lora moved her business into Alakea street in downtown, closing all

her other locations except Hale Koa. She renamed her business Heaven on Earth, and she brought in nail, hair, facials, and top retail lines, making it the one-stopshop for executives in town. The organic treatments and all natural products set her store apart, but the biggest success factor was in her heart and chosen team nurturing the clients. “It’s such a close relationship to be hands on with someone who trusts you,” Lora explains. To give great service in this industry, “You have to have a servant's heart and listen.” Lora says having like-minded people around you is crucial to your business and mental health. She calls her manager her “ride or die,” and she has had her back for thirteen years. She also thanks her mom for all the years of bookkeeping she’s given. She credits her husband, Neil, for keeping integrity, giving her contacts, guidance, and support. She is equally as grateful that her daughter, a business major, now works alongside her in the spa and is updating their website and e-commerce options. With the COVID-19 pandemic presenting so many changes, Lora took some time to renovate the spa, adding in plexiglass at the check-in counter. While she still takes walk-ins, there is a required health & travel questionnaire, temperature check on arrival, and no waiting area lounge. However, Lora knows how important self-care is in improving one's lifestyle and optimum performance, and she plans to stay open to continue to serve the community.

PACIFICEDGEMAGAZINE.COM 39

LEADERSHIP DISCIPLINE

It’s All About Balance by NAOMI COOPER

“There’s such intention in a name, in thoughts, in all things we do,” Wainani Arnold notes soothingly.

n Hawaiian, Wainani’s name means beautiful, fresh flowing water, and like the name she was born with, Wainani notes, “Gentle flowing, nutritious movement is indeed what I teach to others. I am healing them from the outside in, with physical ways that ground them and bring balance back into their life.” Wainani specializes in the Gyrokinesis Method, a movement method that blends the forms and philosophies of yoga, Tai Chi, gymnastics, and dance. Her classes, taught from her center in Kaimuki, help to awaken the senses, stimulate the nervous system, increase range of motion, and enhance agility. The Gyrotonic equipment is adjustable to each user, and it focuses on building balance throughout the body by strengthening it with circular, rhythmic repetitions aiming at harmonizing all parts of the body and mind. Wainani felt called to teach this method, as it stems from Ayurvedic principles of yoga that align with her Hawaiian values of honoring natural balance and relationships between all things. Raised in O‘ahu’s world of hula and drawn to the sciences, Wainani understood from an early age that what shows up in the physical body is connected to the emotional, mental, and relational components influencing you. A Kamehameha Schools graduate interested in kinesiology, her dance background landed her a scholarship at Chapman University in

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WAINANI ARNOLD OWNER OF WAINANI WELLNESS CENTER

I am healing them from the outside in, with physical ways that ground them and bring balance back into their life.” California where she earned a BFA in Dance Teaching and Performing with a minor in Sociology. While teaching dance fulfilled her passion, Wainani soon realized she needed to make more income than what her dance classes were able to provide. Yoga and pilates were a natural alternative as they used similar movements to dance while also teaching a holistic life view that brought grounding and deeper feelings of satisfaction. However, what really pulled Wainani into yoga was the philosophy behind the movements and, particularly, the daily habits and rituals. “I knew this language. Even though it was Sanskrit, it was the same as my upbringing,” Wainani elaborates on the similarities of the Hawaiian culture’s beliefs and Ayurvedic teaching—that all things need balance between earth, fire, ether, air, and water. In Hawaiian practices, she notes that “We have protocol or rituals at morning, noon, night and throughout the day—honoring the sun, moon, water, wind, fire, plants, and ancestors to ground us to the energies of the elements, which, when working together in harmony, keeps us balanced. In Ayurvedic practices, we do the same.” In 2010, she began to heal from her own environmental allergies. She had put her Ayurvedic studies and yoga movements to practice, and this led to a cleansing of stress, balancing of gut health, strengthening of her immunity, and deeper self-awareness. Wainani recognized the healing of her yogapilates lifestyle as similar to “what my papa used to say of Lā‘au Lapa‘au.” She realized her purpose was to pass on this understanding of self-healing by empowering people to listen to their na‘au, or gut. “Just like things go in, things must go out. There is a natural ebb and flow to everything,” Wainani explains. “When we ignore the universal facts of

finding the balance in the opposites—to cool when something is overheated, to slow down when things get too fast, to stimulate when something is stuck, to find sweetness if you are being sour, to bring vibrancy when things get dull—that’s when we see imbalance. Imbalance is what causes pain, disease, or emotions like depression.” While Wainani understands that not everyone wants to hear about elements, nutrition, or intentional prayer, she knows that what people do want is a safe place to move and create their own healing, discovering for themselves a way of life. In 2007, Wainani got a call from her former dance teacher, offering her to take over her position at Mid Pacific Institute School of the Arts during her maternity leave. Following this, Wainani stayed on O‘ahu, teaching at various studios, including one that specialized in the Gyrotonic Method. With the changes in the industry and an increase in yoga-based movement interest, Wainani felt the call to open her own studio. In 2017 Wainani Wellness Center was born in the heart of Kaimuki. Now, managing eight instructors, ongoing classes, high city rent and taxes, and the challenging mindset it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur, Waianai admits, “It takes everything out of you. So, it must be so meaningful to be worth it.” Growing up, Wainani watched her father

wrestle his own struggles as a business owner. It was through that observation that she saw how ethics and treating others well in Hawai‘i really goes a long way. This is why she sees focusing on relationships with her clients, her staff, and her community as the way to face this hurdle of the pandemic. While the COVID-19 pandemic has indeed changed the capacity count allowed at her center, sterilization procedures required, and her schedule, Wainani is grateful for the time it gives her to bond with and train instructors, as well as improve her virtual class offerings. Some suggestions she has to keep sane and healthy during the pandemic is to support the body’s natural cycle of hormones, digestion, and release. Waking up at sunrise and going to bed around 10 pm helps the body to function better without that sluggish energy or back up on digestion. Subtle exercise daily will also help to release stress and detox the system, allowing better immunity and brain focus. Even drinking lukewarm water instead of cold can help to keep the body’s natural strength or fire alive. Wainani has a uploaded free instructional videos of movement techniques that one can do at home or anywhere. Helping others discover their own healing is truly satisfying for her, whether taught on a large or small scale, in person or online, with a pandemic or without. PACIFICEDGEMAGAZINE.COM 41

LEADERSHIP SERVICE

the

American Dream by NAOMI COOPER

Hawaiian Aroma Caffe is an international sensation with four shops in Waikiki’s major hotels, over 28,000 followers on Instagram, listings in major Japanese tourist guidebooks, appearances on Netflix shows and Japanese reality TV shows, and mentions in Forbes and USA Today.

JONATHAN ROTMENSCH OWNER OF HAWAIIAN AROMA CAFFE

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he family-owned business started in 2012, and by 2016, Hawaiian Aroma Caffe had become a hit franchise supporting Hawai‘i’s organic farmers and nonprofits, such as Access Surf. For owners Jonathan Rotmensch and his wife Mor, it was the American dream come true. Prior to moving to Hawai‘i in 2007, Jonathan was a fashion designer in Israel. He had been successful with his avantgarde street niche clothing brand in his hometown of Tel Aviv, and it had sparked his desire to grow internationally. He hoped to expand to the Japanese market, the inspiration behind his clothing, and this dream seemed possible with a business offer from his childhood friend Gabriel. Owning a successful t-shirt printing company in Honolulu, Gabriel suggested that Hawai‘i would be a great launching point for Jonathan, since the Japanese market was captivated by anything branded “Hawai‘i.” When Jonathan and Mor, his then girlfriend, moved to Waikiki in the summer of ‘07, they were shocked at how different business was from Israel. While Jonathan was happily surprised by the kindness and humble way of living in the islands, his dream of growing internationally was crushed when he

noticed how out of place his designs were among Hawai‘i’s high-end corporate labels and beachy lifestyle. Seeking a new path and refusing to give up the dream of an international business, Jonathan and Mor found work from other Israelis at the Ala Moana Center’s retail kiosks, and they put their military-taught discipline of focused hard work, long hours, and conservative spending to use. Anyone who knew them could recount their daily routine of waking up at 5:00 am; a breakfast spread of eggs, fruit, and root vegetable salads; the sandwiches they would pack for their lunch; and the strong, black Italian style coffee they brewed before walking to work. Their years working in the malls gave them the insight into Hawai‘i’s retail market—the souvenirs, fashion, food, beverages, and particularly coffee. By 2011, Jonathan owned seven major kiosks in Ala Moana Center. He had gone from selling for others at the kiosk, to earning partial partnership of the kiosks, to owning eleven of his own kiosks across the United States with products such as artisan soaps, nail art, wind chimes, and even light up t-shirts; but, Jonathan noticed something. “The coffee here didn’t taste good alone,” he states, as he recalls his first few months on Oahu. “If you have good coffee, you don’t need so much sugar and flavors added in. It tastes smooth and doesn’t make you go to the restroom right after.” Then, in 2011, a major tsunami hit Japan. The Ala Moana Center set up a kiosk to raise funds for and help support those affected, but few paid attention to it. Jonathan recalled his experiences with coffee on O‘ahu, the past studies he had read on its health benefits, and the power of real estate location for businesses in Hawai‘i, and he saw the struggling kiosk as an opportunity. He suggested a highquality coffee bar to the Ala Moana Center

management. After months of negotiating and three weeks of traveling through Italy’s coffee farms, Jonathan and Mor came back with a bean, met with local organic farmers, tested their cultivation, and experimented with roasting techniques. “We taste tested 8-15 espresso shots a day and were drinking soda water in between just to handle it all until we got it right,” Jonathan says, explaining the difference he was searching for. “Most people are not educated in coffee. If they started their coffee experience with conventional coffee, they are used to beans that are heavily treated with chemicals like synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. We did not want to compromise the coffee quality we knew was possible. We insisted on finding the right partners to grow our non-GMO, pesticide-free, and shade-grown beans high in the mountains with low-acidity levels, which means it’s easy on the stomach compared to conventional coffee.” Indeed, that quality made a difference and soon, Jonathan and Mor’s outdoor coffee bar was a hit. Jonathan’s artistic flair brought soul to the coffee shop, logo, and branding, and it caught the attention of the Ilikai Hotel. The hotel had a failing coffee bar and needed a trendy replacement that evoked aloha. Adhering to the wants of a more local branding, Aroma Caffe became the Hawaiian Aroma Caffe, and they changed up the fancier, European-style menu to meet the demands of healthier appetites by including local, organic ingredients and new menu items. Their açaí bowls, specialty waffles, and amazing coffee received raving reviews from locals and Japanese tourists alike. Soon enough, their coffee, unique menu, locally sourced ingredients, inviting atmosphere, good service, and personality brought them the opportunity for further expansion to the Waikiki Beachcomber, Ohana East, and T-Galleria.

The secret, Jonathan spills, is that “People really want to be cared about. So, listen to what people are wanting, treat your employees like they are on your team, and value their opinions.” Putting that into practice, he gives credit to his district manager, a Hawai‘i-raised local boy, for his connections in the community and direction on the cocktail menu. He praises his lead barista and sister-in-law, Barby, who is famous for her latte art and fun personality, and he says that his greatest ideas come from his dishwasher. He credits his wife Mor, now mother to their two daughters, as his biggest teammate and support. “She always believed in me, even when I didn’t even believe in myself.” He also acknowledges that his time in the Israeli Defense Force taught him that nothing comes easy in life and that one must always think of the actions they can take now. However, his biggest credit to his company’s success is Hawai‘i’s Aloha Spirit. “There’s nowhere on earth like Hawai‘i where people can just really be themselves and have fun. Here there is respect and equality. There is no color or race—not like other places. Here we are just human,” the softness in his voice breaks. “This concept of giving back, nurturing, and nature—it changed my wife and I forever.” With the quarantine extended, hotels remain closed and therefore, Hawaiian Aroma Caffe locations remain closed as well. In preparing for an eventual reopen, Jonathan has invested in thermal cameras that screen temperatures and vocalize to incoming customers the rules of wearing a mask. He has also started renovations at his Beachcomber location to adhere to the sixfoot social distancing requirements between table seatings, and he has set up sanitizing stations at each location. While Jonathan, Mor, and the Hawaiian Aroma Caffe staff eagerly await to reopen, you can help support them by purchasing their incredible locally-grown coffee, as well as brand merchandise, on their website, Amazon, or Etsy.

PACIFICEDGEMAGAZINE.COM 43

LEADERSHIP PERSISTENCE

Conquering the Unthinkable by NAOMI COOPER photo DAVE MIYAMOTO by NAOMI COOPER

Boca means “mouth” in Portugese, and, indeed, Raul Torres de Sa, owner of BOCA Hawaii, is a big talker; however, his nickname refers more to his massive appetite for what most consider an impossible challenge than his Mick Jagger-like lips and jaw.

RAUL & HINA TORRES DE SA OWNERS OF BOCA HAWAII

ompleting his first Ironman—a 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride, and 26.2 mile marathon—in 1988, Raul Torres De Sa became addicted to the Ironman drug. He went on to complete 21 more races, 10 of which were IronMan World Championship Races held in Kona on the Big Island. His wife Hina, also a three time Ironman finisher, has been the grounding force in maintaining their brick-and-mortar store, BOCA Hawaii, as well as their 2,500 square-foot loft training center in Kaka‘ako since 2004. Remembering the first time she met Raul, Hina recalls a smiley stud with a dangling dolphin earring who pulled up on a bicycle and handed her a flyer for his triathlon training program in Kapi‘olani park. Ever since then, these two have been hosting running,

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biking, and swimming clinics together. They later paired up with bike mechanics in the late 90s to make BOCA Hawaii the place for all of Hawai‘i’s triathlon needs. Raised in water polo, competitive swimming, and the no-nonsense Brazilian way, Raul got into competitive racing with his late brother Duda, who also worked as a mechanic in the BOCA shop. Early training days in São Paulo were simple for these two brothers. They didn’t have today’s energy gels and salt powder packets, so they beefed up on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before their races, stuffed fig bars into their running speedos, and poured salt and sugar into water bottles to make homemade gatorades. Attire was minimal with no concern for sun protection like today; Raul even went barefoot

for his first 10k race. However, it was when Duda asked Raul to take his place in a race in Hawai‘i that Raul’s life changed forever. Raul immediately felt comfortable with Hawai‘i’s laid-back style, natural beauty, and familyfriendly atmosphere that was so similar to Brazil’s. He quit his job in an advertising firm to pursue his passion. “I am 100% Brazilian,” Raul puffs his chest proudly, “but the islands are my home away from home, and I feel part Hawaiian in spirit.” Hina, a Tahitian-hapa raised in WaialaeKahala, says the draw of triathlons is a powerful feeling; but, the draw of an Ironman is a feeling all its own. Becoming an Ironman finisher is a life-changing journey that transforms the athlete with an inner strength one never knew they had. “It's a mastery of

yourself that forces you to dig deep in the lows and get yourself out,” she explains. “You eventually find the confidence to face those hard times, knowing the pain is going to pass.” The determined commitment required is exactly why so many turn to Raul for help with their first-time experience. “Raul really loves beginners,” Hina fondly relays of her husband, “his charisma and enthusiasm is so contagious. The creativity of his workouts and that exercise-endorphin high is why everyone has a good time.” Raul’s training takes advantage of Hawai‘i’s mild, year-round weather by incorporating squats in the park, biking up Haleakalā, swimming off Waikiki with dolphins, or running 20 miles at sunrise. Raul and Hina have traveled with their teams across the globe to places like North and South America, Asia, Europe, and even the United Arab Emirates. Teams are taught proper nutrition, how to change a bike tire, how to use chafing creams, wrap a bad ankle, avoid a biking crash, and even fit the right padded shorts; but, the true teachings BOCA Hawaii passes on is the power of your mindset and finding the right people to support you. Raul’s minimalist lifestyle and willingness to take the time to listen and talk openly with each trainee shows the depth of his character. It’s why hundreds of athletes have learned to trust him, listen to his positivity, take on self-accountability, and push their body beyond its limits. While the annual races they host and train for are canceled during this pandemic, BOCA Hawaii has people of all walks of life showing up at their Cooke Street location, hoping to connect to other athletes or like-minded individuals. Because mechanic shops are considered essential businesses, the BOCA Hawaii shop has remained open and busy. All of the bike inventory has nearly sold out with requests still coming in on a daily basis, and the retail shop has been in higher demand than ever before with other retail shops temporarily closed. They are still running spinning classes on the stationary bikes at the shop, but they have spread them out to meet social distancing guidelines while sanitizing them throughout the day. Raul goes swimming at Waikiki every sunrise, if you want to join him, and, while regular weekly activities are on hold for a while, the community of endurance athletes are still working towards their goals and the growth of their souls—one bike, run, swim, and cando attitude at a time. PACIFICEDGEMAGAZINE.COM 45

DEENA TEARNEY

FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT PACIFIC POINT

Natura Bissé by MALIE MORAN

s a CEO in the tech industry, I have long heard chatter about the aches and pains of “tech neck.” Spending our days staring down at smartphones and computers not only creates tension and pain in our neck and shoulders, but it also does something we might not think about—it plays havoc with our skin. Tech neck can prematurely age us by contributing to horizontal lines on our neck or reducing definition to our jaw line. I started my addiction to skincare as soon as I had disposable income entering my first job post-college as a software engineer. Oddly, I placed little focus on my neck and just applied

46 PACIFIC EDGE

some of the same potions for my face to my neck. Our neck and décolleté, or “neckollette,” are like the pedestal for our face, and experts tell us that the skin of our neckollete is thinner, finer, and it produces less collagen compared to the rest of the face or body. In other words, the neck is not the same! We spend so much time and effort to make our face into a work of art without giving much thought to our neckollette. Imagine putting the Mona Lisa on a cracking easel. She deserves better and so do we. So, I tried Natura Bissé’s unique neck and décolleté treatments. In all my years of trying the best skincare brands, I can’t say that I’ve

tried any of the Natura Bissé products, so I was curious about the brand and their products overall. To flaunt a fabulous neck, Natura Bissé, a Barcelona luxury skincare company, has created Inhibit V-Neck, a skincare masterplan for the neck and décolleté that includes a menu of spa treatments designed by Natura Bissé’s aestheticians to fulfill each individual’s distinctive needs. This innovative menu of personalized treatments is complemented with two new products for your at-home skincare routine: the Inhibit Tensolift Neck Serum and the Inhibit Tensolift Neck Mask. The Inhibit Tensolift Neck Serum offers a lifting, tightening formula designed to sculpt and define the jawline, while the Inhibit Tensolift Neck Mask is a mask that lifts, plumps, illuminates, and protects against free radicals. I tried the Tensolift Neck Cream, Inhibit Tensolift Neck Serum, and Inhibit Tensolift Mask as recommended all the way to the last drop. I love, love, love the smell. The texture of the neck cream was next-level creamy, and when I used all three products together, my neck felt so soft and those tech neck lines are smoothing away. Now my neckollette is as cared for and as vibrant as my face, creating one uniform work of art that I am thrilled to unveil to the world every day.

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LEADERSHIP INNOVATION

Pivoting with the Pandemic by NAOMI COOPER

SHELLEY WILSON FOUNDER AND OWNER OF ALOHAMASK.COM

“I

t’s not just about keeping yourself safe. Wearing a mask means protecting those we care about the most,” says Shelley Wilson, President and Founder of Wilson Homecare and Wilson Care Group. With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening the lives of so many, the recent requirement for the general public to wear personal protective equipment, or PPE, has placed immense strain on the global PPE supply chain. Before mandates for PPE emerged, many in the healthcare industry were already seeking out 3-ply masks, sanitizers, gloves, face shields, and no-touch thermometers. Yet, as drastic demand for these items spiked in January, supply shortages emerged around the world. Watching this unfold, Shelley began purchasing bulk PPE for her clients, their families, visitors, and her 500 nurses and caregivers. In connecting to supply chains early on in the pandemic and predicting a possible supply shortage in Hawai‘i, Shelley was able to secure large amounts of both

48 PACIFIC EDGE

medical and non-medical grade PPE. At first, Shelley offered extra supplies to local healthcare professionals in need; but, with ever-increasing demand of such products, she opened two e-commerce companies: Be Well Hawaii, to address the needs of frontline healthcare workers, and alohamask.com, to address the needs of local families and reopening businesses. While many other companies have addressed the same shortages, Shelley’s companies differentiate themselves with their wide range of PPE products, quality, affordability, and quick 2-3 day turnaround with free shipping statewide. Shelley’s companies, Be Well Hawaii and Wilson Care Group, have also teamed up to donate directly to front-line caregivers in need. Due to limited resources and preparation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals, care groups, and clinics were unable to afford or obtain enough PPE in a timely manner. The generosity from Shelley’s businesses garnered interest from groups like

#AlohaTogetherHawaii, an online community of entertainers who came together for a broadcast concert series in support of Hawai‘i’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The group introduced Shelley’s PPE companies to the world through their collaborated broadcasts with iHeartMedia and KITV. These broadcasts helped Shelley’s companies earn over $30,000 in donations for the cause Mission First Responders. These funds have supplied PPE to some of Hawai‘i’s top healthcare providers, such as Castle Medical Center, Hawai‘i Pacific Health networks, Kuakini Medical Center, Leahi Hospital, St. Francis Healthcare Systems of Hawaii, Queen’s Medical Center, and Wahiawa General Hospital. As Flash Hansen, a collaborator of #AlohaTogetherHawaii states, “The margins are paper thin.” He refers to Shelley’s PPE companies, “This is not a money or profit thing. This is a helping Hawai‘i thing.”

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PEM Health and Wellness Issue 2020

Articles inside

The American Dream