May 23, 2012 | Community
Wailuku attorney Bill Kinaka donated his first pint of blood more than 20 years ago. He did so by brushing aside his fear of blood and sharp needles. He said he focused on the appeal that he was supporting: a blood drive for a young child with leukemia. “I was so afraid the first time but I couldn’t say no,” Kinaka recalled recently. He said his experience with the Blood Bank of Hawaii was painless and now he looks forward to every time he gets to donate. “It’s become so automatic for me.”
The Blood Bank of Hawaii distinguishes Kinaka as a century donor because he has given more than 100 pints of blood. Kinaka’s also helped collect 481 pints of blood and recruited 30 first-time donors, enough to save 1,443 lives, according to the Blood Bank’s estimates. “Bill is not only a century donor, he’s also a volunteer recruiter,” said Aaron Knapp, director of Donor Services for the Blood Bank of Hawaii. “Bill goes the extra mile, he goes above and beyond.” Depending on his work schedule, Kinaka will wear a shirt with the Blood Bank of Hawaii logo and carry with him written information about how to make a donation. “As soon as people ask, they’re trapped. … I’m a walking billboard for the Blood Bank.”
Separate from his Blood Bank support, Kinaka has volunteered for more than 30 years as a board member for Maui Adult Day Care Center, and Hale Mahaolu, a nonprofit that owns and manages low and moderate-income unit housing for the elderly and families. Kinaka, an Eagle Scout, said he vowed as a youngster growing up in Lahaina that he would do something to fight discrimination and honor the county’s senior citizens. “People didn’t used to give them much care or thought yet they are the people that made the community what it is today.” He said he’s very proud of the Maui Adult Day Care Center’s programs and the national recognition Hale Mahaolu has received for its housing projects.
May 16, 2012 | Education
Quintin Galiza has endured homelessness, the death of both parents and undue influence from troublesome friends to get to where he is today. He graduates with a high school equivalency diploma at this year’s Maui Community School for Adults commencement exercises. The 20-year-old from Kihei was homeless with his dad, going between stints in the family truck and friends’ homes last March when Galiza’s dad suffered a stroke and died. He lost his mother two years earlier following complications from abdominal surgery. “It’s been hard,” Galiza said. “I’ve had to figure things out on my own and I didn’t have a parent figure I could depend on.”
Galiza sought government assistance to support him and his younger sister, Alyssa, a 17-year-old at the time. Alyssa has since been placed in foster care but Galiza maintains contact with her. She’s been his motivation to fend off an unhealthy lifestyle with troublesome friends. “I’m trying to be a good role model for my sister,” he said. In one year’s time, Galiza has taken classes that helped him pass tests required for a General Education Development diploma or GED. He’s also completed a semester of studies at the University of Hawaii Maui College and landed a job as a part-time cashier’s associate for a local pharmacy. Alyssa is following her brother’s footsteps with plans to enroll at the Maui Community School for Adults this summer so she can get the help she needs to earn her own GED. Galiza said he intends on pursuing a college degree.
Galiza’s scheduled to speak at the Maui Community School for Adults 45th commencement exercises set for 6 p.m., May 23, at the Baldwin High School Auditorium. More than 220 students have completed requirements for a GED and the Competency Based High School Diploma Program. Galiza said he expects to be filled with emotion on graduation day. “When I think back, there were days I would break down and cry. I just wanted to stay home… I never gave up. No matter what adversity, I never gave up.”
May 9, 2012 | Education
Students Brittany Nakagawa, Chaz Cabrero, Howard Andrade with mentor, Bob Brem.
Boeing Company‘s Senior Software Engineer Bob Brem has given as many as 200 hours of expertise this year as a mentor for the award-winning Baldwin High School robotics team. “I get a lot of satisfaction from it,” he said. “I think that we function as role models for students who see that there are rewarding careers available.” As a mentor in robotics, Brem helps with the configuration and setup of a robotics computer and software the Baldwin high schoolers put together for competition. He explains programming concepts and provides engineering guidance. In his three-year stint as a volunteer, Brem has obtained up to $15,000 in grants from Boeing to help the team with its expenses.
Baldwin High School industrial arts teacher and robotics lead advisor Gary Suter said Brem’s assistance is invaluable. “He keeps the kids engaged and gives them a good insight on what kind of future they could have.” This year the Baldwin High School robotics team was part of a three-team alliance that captured the first-place title at the FIRST Hawaii Regional Robotics Competition. Brem traveled with the students to the Mainland to represent Hawaii at a national competition. “Without his expertise, we’d really be hurting,” Suter said. The Baldwin team, nicknamed “Bearbotics,” was sponsored this year by the Maui Economic Development Board, Maui Electric Co., Boeing, BAE Systems, Textron, Warren S. Unemori Engineering, ROC Hawaii and the Monsanto Fund.
Brem said students (and their parents) show a lot of interest in learning more about science, technology, engineering and math. “These robotic programs generate enthusiasm and provide a start along the path toward a engineering/technical career, but in my opinion, they are not enough.” Brem said more support is needed to integrate engineering into the school curriculum. In addition, more mentors are needed for students engaged in science and engineering programs. Asked to give advice, Brem said: “When you find something you think you like, dive deeper and work hard at it. Nothing comes without effort. Work is not ‘work’ if you are doing something that you enjoy.”
May 2, 2012 | Small Business
Ameritone Maui President, Ruth Nakasone, and daughter, Joni McGinnis, Sales Representative
Before the late Bob Nakasone got his start in politics, winning seats on the Maui County Council and State House of Representatives, he took a risk. Nakasone and his wife, Ruth, used their new family home in 1973 as collateral for a loan to purchase the hardware division of MDG Supply Inc., where Bob worked as store manager. Take that risk, add a lot of hard work and Ameritone Maui has thrived as a small business with mom and pop roots and with pride as the neighborhood paint store.
“At Ameritone Maui, we don’t just sell you a gallon of paint, we become a part of your home, your family and your community,” said owner Ruth Nakasone. She has seen the ebb and flow of the Maui economy in her nearly 40 years of business. “Though change is inevitable for any business to remain viable, it does not mean we have to change our philosophy,” she said. At the core, Ameritone Maui believes it’s important to take care of its employees and treat them like family. Ruth’s two sons, Byon and Vance; her daughter, Joni McGinnis; and granddaughter, Joy Moleta, are all employed in the family store. Long-time employees include Eric Kuniyoshi, Farley Duldulao, Ernest Pascua and Ed Acidera, also help to staff the two stores — one in Kahului, the other in Lahaina.
McGinnis, who serves as a sales representative, said Ameritone Maui has built its success on treating every customer as an individual. “It doesn’t matter how large or small the paint project is, every job has its challenge and reward,” she said. “We take the time to find out what you’re doing before handing you that gallon of paint.” The business’s individual customer service is exemplified by its practice of keeping records of its customers’ paint purchases and colors. Ameritone Maui also has earned a reputation as being the best color matcher on the island. “Our guys have matched nearly everything from red dirt to that certain green in a leaf,” she said. “So, if you have a difficult color to match we’ll give it a try.”
Apr 25, 2012 | Community
High school graduating seniors Allyssa Ferrer and Roselyn Domingo had never paddled a canoe until a recent outing with the Kihei Canoe Club. “I thought it was a good workout,” Ferrer said. “It was really fun and it was a good experience to go out in the water and get exercise,” Domingo added. The two were among members of the Focus Maui Nui Youth Alliance who learned about the art of paddling outrigger canoes during a visit led by Deb Pearsall of the Kihei Canoe Club. With the support of Maui Economic Development Board, the Youth Alliance gathers monthly to explore and gain a greater understanding of key components in the Maui community.
Kihei Canoe Club’s community outreach projects have included providing canoe paddling experiences to Maui visitors and to residents with physical limitations. Pearsall said the club pays special attention to its youth crews, giving lessons on Hawaiian chants, star navigation and how outrigger canoe paddling was an integral part of the islands’ history. “The perpetuation of Hawaiian culture, that’s definitely a part of it,” Pearsall said. “For our young people it’s really about connecting with their ancestry, their heritage.” The Kihei Canoe Club has approximately 300 members, half of whom paddle competitively and the other half recreationally. “We encourage kids to get involved in paddling because ultimately, college scholarships are available,” Pearsall said.
Ferrer said she doesn’t think she’ll join a paddling club because her schedule is full of senior year activities. But both she and Domingo — lifelong residents of Maui — have acquired a better appreciation for canoe paddlers. “I give them credit and props, using the strength of their upper body and getting out there in the water is a lot of work, but a lot of fun too,” Domingo said. “I think everyone should try it out at least once,” Ferrer added. The youth also helped with replacing cushions in six of the club’s 14 or so canoes. Pearsall said she was glad to have hosted the Youth Alliance. “It was a great opportunity to meet them and get to how they feel about responsibility in their community.”
Wailuku attorney Bill Kinaka donated his first pint of blood more than 20 years ago. He did so by brushing aside his fear of blood and sharp needles. He said he focused on the appeal that he was supporting: a blood drive for a young child with leukemia. “I was so afraid the first time but I couldn’t say no,” Kinaka recalled recently. He said his experience with the Blood Bank of Hawaii was painless and now he looks forward to every time he gets to donate. “It’s become so automatic for me.”
