A tale of two men

By Karen Welsh
This is the story of two men.
One selfish.
One selfless.
One temporal.
One eternal.
One devastating.
One life-giving.
Both are successful, in their 40’s, been married more than 20 years and each has a parcel of lovely children.
One decides to be the typical stereotype of a man in a mid-life crisis and leave his wife, his family — all he has ever held dear.
After all, his wife’s body is starting to show wear and tear. Birthing babies and helping him operate a thriving business hasn’t left much time to go to the gym.
To him, she ain’t what she used to be.
It doesn’t matter that she stuck with him through the lean times, when they were poorer than dirt. He’s got a thousand “valid” reasons to rationalize his decision.
Sadly, he refuses to turn around and see the brokeness and devastation he’s left by his “well-thought out” decision.
The other man chooses to be faithfully committed to his wife. Oh, she definitely ain’t what she used to be, but that doesn’t seem to phase him. Her body is racked with the pain of fibromyalgia. Sometimes it’s better, sometimes worse.
There have been moments of excruciating pain when she’s cried out, “Please leave me, I don’t deserve you. You shouldn’t have to live with this.”
He doesn’t seem to hear her despair, however. He only looks at her and smiles — remembering the myriad of ways she cooked tofu when they could afford nothing else.
In this simple gesture, he paints a picture of grace and tenderness upon her weary soul.He understood the vows he made and the sacred words, “Till death do we part,” are fresh on his lips.
When he looks into her eyes he doesn’t see a worn-out wife. He sees her —all she has been and all she can be.
“We share too much history together,” he gently speaks to her. “I will never leave you.”
She crumples and cries. He is a solid rock and she realizes he is a perfect picture of Jesus.
She — so undeserving.
He — so graceful.
She — so burdened.
He — so freeing.
She — so tired.
He — so redeeming.
Yes, this is the tale of two men.
My dear friend is married to the first and recently had rug was ripped out from underneath her world by his self-centered act.
It’s sickening because I have watched her husband look in her eyes, but he doesn’t see her. She’s invisible. Otherwise, he would see how priceless, wonderful and incredible she is to him, his children, yes, even the world.
He would see the love, joy and history of the family he’s throwing away. He would see the devastation he is causing.
Although she remains committed, there is no security, no future, no hope. She lives in sadness and confusion.
Her marriage, once seemingly rock solid, is now deadly quicksand. She is quickly sinking and her children are drowning with her.
I almost hate to say this, because I’m the woman married to the second man— a man without lists — a man of everlasting love and values — and I am blessed, so very blessed.
I’m banking on a happy ending. After all, the best part of the story is always found in the final chapter. Unfortunately, most people put the book down before they get to the end.

Interesting Islanders

Introducing Patricia Vincent

By Karen Welsh

Crossing guard Patricia Vincent is a hero.
Every school day, this Hilo native stands on road leading to Ernest B. Silva School, risking life and limb to make sure the keiki crossing her path make it to school safely.
For one hour every morning and one hour every afternoon, Patricia faithfully dons her bright yellow hard hat, whistle, reflective vest and white gloves, literally pitting her diminutive life and limbs against tons of speeding metal and delinquent drivers to do her job.
And, every day, this 36-year-old mother of two teenagers keeps coming back for more.
"Oh my goodness, it's like a racetrack going through here," Patricia said. "It's a dangerous road, the way people speed through here."
She said it's also very noisy and the weather isn't always cooperative.
"It's miserable when it's raining," Patricia said. "But, the way I look at it, this is life."
The truth be told, the act of stopping trucks, busses and inattentive drivers dead in their tracks is a cinch compared to motherhood.
"It's hard raising teens," Patricia said. "When they want to go out, they try and push you and pull all the wrong buttons."
With that said, Patricia dearly loves her children. The two girls, Ashley and Jessica, have been her sustaining factor in her life.
It's been a long road, full of twists and turns, for Patricia. She has only been off the Big Island one time in her life and that was a short trip to Oahu to visit an aunt. Patricia was only 16-years-old at the time.
She was young when she got married, started her family shortly thereafter and was a content homemaker for many years.
Unfortunately, the marriage didn't work out, so Patricia decided to find a job working with those whom she felt most comfortable being around -- children.
At first, she cleaned classrooms, helped out children out on the field and was a crossing guard at Keonepoko School in Hawaiian Beaches.
Eventually she made her way to the hillside in Ainako Terrace and she's been working there ever since.
Not only does Patricia assist the children, she also gives her maternal aloha, cheering up those who are grumpy about going to school in the morning, and asking others how school was or if they have homework on their way home in the afternoon.
"I love kids," she said. "This is the joy of my life. The kids here are polite and respectful. They know how to say thanks. That makes my job worth it everyday."
This patient crossing guard will also serve as a stalwart reminder to fulfill my personal resolution to be a more considerate and conscientious driver in the new year.




 

Interesting Islanders

Introducing Wayne Naeole

By Karen Welsh

Wayne Naeole is a faithful, reliable, committed and responsible human being. He's simply a fine man.
That was my perception while sitting with him recently, drinking a cup of coffee with him at a local Starbucks, and talking story about his wonderful life.
Gratefully, I was welcomed into Wayne's world. It was a challenge for this shy, unassuming man, to talk about himself, but I hit pay dirt -- a life built with integrity and determination, made to last throughout the generations.
It's nice to know people like Wayne exist. A true role model in this day and age.
Ironically, this quiet 63-year-old Molokai native probably has no idea about the tremendous impact he's made in East Hawaii.
To his wife, Benedicta, or Bene as she prefers to be called, Wayne has lived a life of faithfulness. Since they met and got married in 1966, he has lovingly provided a loving and secure home.
Wayne met Bene in Honolulu, where he was working odd jobs at the time. He had just completed a four-year tour of duty with the Navy in 1963, where he was a storekeeper on both land and sea in various ports around the United States, including the Naval Training Center in San Diego and the naval base in Newport News, Virginia.
During that time, he was assigned as an original crew member of the USS Enterprise, the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Wayne helped commission the ship before it was sent out onto the endless ocean for long stretches of time.
Wayne worked the nightshift while on the massive ship. His rotation at the stern end of the vessel required him to eat the same meal at each sitting.
"I worked at night," he said. "So, I only got to eat breakfast, breakfast and then more breakfast when we were out at sea."
For months on end Wayne worked hard aboard the aircraft. He was looking forward to some rest and relaxation after the ship docked back in the states, but before he was able to go on furlough the Cuban Missile Crisis began and the ship was, once again, called out to sea.
While at port, the crew was told the ship needed to leave because of an incoming hurricane. Once safely out to sea, they learned the truth and soon the Enterprise was sending jets out to provide intelligence surveillance over Cuba.
It also meant Wayne never got off the ship.
"We stayed out to sea a long time," he said. "Like a year-and-a-half. It was constantly."
It came as no surprise when Wayne decided not to re-enlist. He was ready to come back to land and home, but couldn't find a job on Molokai, where his mother was a cook for the local hospital and his father drove trucks on the pineapple plantation.
Wayne felt his chances of gainful employment would be better on Oahu, so he ventured out, finding the love of his life and a steady job as a repairman for coin-operated vending machines.
The fast pace of big city life proved too much for the small island man, leading Wayne to take a step of faith in 1971 and move to the Big Island without the prospects of a job.
"I told my wife that this Honolulu life wasn't for me," he said. "It was too fast, so we packed up, left there and moved to Hilo."
As fate would have it, Wayne was offered the job of District Manager with the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. He started his service on December 24, 1971. It was the best Christmas present the family could receive.
"I appreciated just being able to work," Wayne said. "Knowing I had family on Molokai where there are no jobs to have."
Wayne's 33 year tenure at the Tribune-Herald worked out well for the paper too, as Wayne consistently modeled reliability and commitment to his job. Wayne worked tirelessly, servicing delivery routes and subscribers from HaiHai Street to Puainako Road, then Komohana to the airport.
If there was a trouble with delivery, Wayne made sure each customer was satisfied.
"Any kind of a problem or complaint, I took care of it right away," he said. "I never put it off."
During this time, Wayne and Bene settled in Kaumana. They had three children, Marsha, Ben and Chris.
For many years Wayne worked mostly with children who delivered the papers after school. His job was to train them, then oversee them on their routes. He tried to instill a strong work ethic into their lives.
He was also a role model for responsibility.
"I told the (keiki) the novelty, the fun part of the job would run out in a week or two, but they had to get the paper out," Wayne said. "It was a tremendous responsibility, but someone had to do it."
Along the way, Wayne also taught his young delivery boys and girls much needed accountability and business skills. Sometimes the lessons in work ethic made him unpopular.
"The children would tell me right out that they despised me because they knew I was going to say something about their collections," Wayne said. "But, they had to face the public, and they had to get the money out of the field."
Because the kids only lasted between six months to one year on the job, Wayne had to find a way to recruit more youth for the paper routes in his district, so he started coaching basketball and baseball for Andrews Athletic Association.
"It was a constant turnover with the keiki," he said. "I had to figure out a way to meet parents with children. It worked out and I was always had a good supply of children who wanted to work and thought $50 a month was good money."
Looking back, Wayne said he enjoyed working with the kids and his efforts paid off in big dividends.
"My greatest joy was working with the young people," he said. "Every one of them. My biggest joy was watching a child from a poor family making something of themselves. I would also have parents tell me that what I did with their children helped them later on as adults.
Eventually the paper moved to morning delivery and Wayne had to change his game plan to fit the times. Instead of children delivering papers on bicycles, he needed to switch to adults with cars. The routes also encompassed larger areas.
Time quickly marched by and Wayne's long career finally ended on New Year's Eve. It's been less than two weeks and the novelty of retirement has probably worn off by now, but Wayne knows it's his responsibility and, as he often told his workers, "someone has to do it."
Learning to manage his free time will be challenging. The only thing Wayne knows for sure is that he and his wife are looking forward to spending more time with the grandchildren, Hinano, age 13 and Samuel, almost 2 years old. Perhaps, he said, they will do some traveling. Or maybe they'll stay close to home. Only time will tell.
"My retirement didn't sink in yet so I don't have any plans," Wayne said. "We'll just have to wait and see how everything falls and then go from there."
Add patience to his long list of virtues set be delivered in today's paper. Mahalo Uncle for many years of service to your job and the community, and for providing a steadfast role model for all to look up to. Aloha!




 

Interesting Islanders

Introducing Edna Baldado

Edna Baldado isn't retired, she's inspired. Many years ago this 68-year-old native Big Islander left her career job as an Intensive Care Nurse at Hilo Medical Center in 1993 to work as a case manager with the Native Hawaiian Health Care System known as Hui Malama Ola Na'Oiwi.
This seasoned healthcare professional had spent almost three decades helping people in crisis. She also witnessed the ravages of sicknesses that could have been managed successfully through good diet and exercise programs.
"I saw the end result when I worked in the hospital," Edna said. "I wanted to spare other people from that."
When the opportunity arose through a 100 percent funded grant program through the Native Hawaiian Health Fund, Edna took a gigantic leap of faith and decided to make a difference in the lives of many people.
"My philosophy of life is simple," she said. "I want to be what God wants me to be. Most everything I do focuses on helping other people in whatever way I can. Now I am helping them move on, get better. I always hope that in the process that what I am doing will serve as a role model. That it encourages them and helps them along the way."
It can be said Edna does her job with a whole heart and a set of wheels. In fact, this dedicated wahine can be found traveling many miles around the island each week to various schools and communities, providing both individual and group counseling education that focuses mainly on diabetes, cancer and other Hawaiian health issues.
"We focus more on preventive health," Edna said. "It's a health education system set up that enables Hawaiian people to get the health care they need."
Both her passion and drive to help the Hawaiian people comes directly from her own heritage. Edna was born and raised in Kona. Her mother, a pure Hawaiian who was a lauhala weaver, and her father, an immigrant from Germany who stowed away on a merchant marine ship to find a better place to live and sailed around the world four times before deciding to settle in West Hawaii, raised and picked Kona coffee.
Edna was the oldest daughter in the family of five children in the Nicol family. Her parents were both avid readers and strong proponents of education. During her first two years in high school they sent her to Kohala, where she lived in a dormitory. Edna's finished her last two years at Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu.
After graduation she went to work for awhile, however Edna soon fell in love with Sam Baldado, married and had her eldest son, Bobby. She stayed home and took care of him for the next 10 years.
During that time the young family moved to Papaiko to be near her husband's family. Edna's heart began to tug her to a degree in higher education. It was then she went back to work to pay for her tuition at the University of Hawaii, Hilo Campus.
"I always wanted to be a nurse," Edna remembered. "I was thrilled when I was one of 22 selected for the first licensed practical nursing program at UH Hilo."
Edna immediately went to work in her chosen field, but decided to earn an associate degree for nursing, then a bachelor degree in nursing when they were finally offered through the same school.
During that time, Edna and her husband decided to hanai a baby into their family. Soon, another son, Dale, was added into their loving home.
She also worked her way up the career ladder in various nursing roles until she decided she didn't want to climb anymore. Now, it was time to soar.
Besides her extensive travels around the Big Island, Edna is working on a joint project with the Bay Clinic to increase diabetes awareness, which is running rampant in the area.
"Until four years ago we had the highest incidence of diabetes in people from Hawaii," Edna said. "And, it was highest in East Hawaii."
Looking back on her life, it's not surprising that Edna has no regrets in the decisions she's made.
"I've really enjoyed everything I've done," she said. "I've really enjoyed my life."
You, dear Auntie, are truly an inspiration to everyone in Hawaii. Mahalo!
 

Interesting Islanders

Introducing Singlow Lou Thom

By Karen Welsh

Eighty-year-old Singlow Lou Thom is a colorful character. This retired restaurant owner loves to paint flowers, people and a variety of marine life on canvas, hats, banners and whatever else suits his fancy.
He also enjoys motoring around town in his bright red scooter with an even brighter yellow canopy to cover his head from the sun and the infamous Hilo rain.
Yes, he definately stands out in a crowd.
And, that's where he can be found --among people, casting a line and telling colorful fish stories with friends at the Hilo Bay Pier right outside Liliokulani Park.
"I fish a lot," Singlow said. "I have a lot of friends down here that are fishermen. It's nice down here. I love the water."
And, that's what he's done almost everyday for two years since he moved from Oakland, California to the Big Island two years ago.
Singlow worked his entire life in the restaurant business before he ventured to the islands. He started at the bottom and worked his way up to cook and then owner of a popular Chinese restaurant "Sin Ming" in Fremont, California.
"I worked in the restaurant business my whole life," he said. "I worked in those that served Italian, Chinese and American food. I learned a lot."
He retired 14 years ago, but his career meant he was on his feet all the time and that took a toll. After a serious battle with gout, Singlow was left in extreme pain and unable to walk.
As a result, he left the mainland to live near his daughter and to enjoy better weather. It turned out to be the right move, because his time in East Hawaii has proven to be the cure he needed.
"It's very good for my sickness," he said. "Now it's better here. Now it's completely okay. The warm heat give me more to heal."
Singlow decided to pursue his passion for painting when he moved to East Hawaii. He enjoys many art mediums, including black and white, watercolor and oils.
"I paint all kinds of things that I feel like," he said. "I am an artist. I love having the choice of any color. Blue and yellow are my favorite colors, but I also like black because you can mix it with all kinds of color and make it better."
Even when he's in the middle of a painting project, Singlow doesn't stay house bound all day. He always takes time to run errands or to take his fishing pole out for a spin.
"I travel all around Hilo," he said. "It is a nice city and the people here are more friendly. I don't have to travel very far to get where I want to go. I still want to enjoy myself while I can do something about it. I'm independent. I don't rely on anybody. This is my life. It's simple."
Don't expect to see him in a local restaurant, however. Singlow takes care of all his culinary needs on his own.
"I never go out to eat," he said. "I cook my own food. I'm a good cook. A very good cook. Excellent. In my line of business I was the top."
That makes his food colorful too.
Many thanks for brightening up East Hawaii Uncle Singlow. Your presence is a multi-colored present to everyone who comes in contact with you. Aloha!


 

Introducing Elie Hulfich

By Karen Welsh

All that glitters is not gold, but in the case of East Hawaii resident Elie Hulfich, it's true. It only takes a few seconds to realize Elie is the real deal. A very special person. An incredible human being.
She's often seen walking up or down Haili Street in the heart of Hilo Town, usually on her way to the YWCA's swimming pool for water aerobics or swimming practice or to the bowling alley to throw a few strikes, always hoping and praying to win a few medals when she competes in the Special Olympics.
Sometimes Elie impresses those who pass by when she wears the five medals she's already won for swimming and greeting people during the sporting events.
Hidden behind her big glasses and smile is an independent and determined woman. It's taken this 48-year-old lady many years of hard work to get where she is today, and she doesn't want that to change.
"People don't want me to be independent," Elie emphatically stated. "They think I'm slow because I have difficulty reading. I think it's a shame because I can think for myself. I can make up my own mind because I am independent."
Elie was born in Peoria Illinois, but moved with her parents, Bill and Patricia, to Rangoon, India when she was a little child. Once there, her father ran a lumber mill and the parents had a farm, growing potatoes, corn and soybeans.
Elie struggled in school, but her strong will and fierce spirit kept her going. As she reached adulthood, Elie felt the tug to venture out into life on her own. Her parents, however, were very protective and wanted to shelter Elie from the hardships she would face.
"I told them I'm a big girl now," she remembered. "I wanted to learn things on my own. I wanted to be independent, but they didn't want me to be independent for a long time and that aggravated me."
Elie moved, once again, with her family to Hilo after her parents retired from their life in India. Elie continued to live at home, but found a job working at Good Will, folding clothes and stocking the racks.
Her sister, Mary, came to Elie's rescue after both her parents passed away. She was able to find Elie a place where she could live on her own. And, although Elie missed her parents terribly, she enjoys her freedom.
To get through each and every day, Elie said she relies on her relationship with God. This special woman said she talks to the Lord and draws upon her faith and she does what the Bible says--she doesn't gossip or steal from people.
Elie also takes her sports competition for the Special Olympics very seriously. Working in the program has given her confidence, physical strength and boosted her self-esteem.
"I had to overcome to win the medals," Elie said as she lifted the shiny gold circle hanging from her neck. "Exercise is good for me. I've been losing weight and it makes me feel a lot better. Winning the medals makes me feel good. I'm real happy."
There are some frustrations in her life. The most difficult thing for Elie to endure is dealing with other grownups who want to treat her like a child.
"I want to be treated like an adult, not yelled at," she said. "I just want to be talked to like an adult."
Mostly, Elie tries to stay positive and encourage other people to persevere when they have to wait for something they really want.
"People should keep trying when they want to do things," Elie said. "They should have hope that things can change, because, they changed for me. I hope these medals send a message to be kind and be brave and for people like me to pursue their dreams and keep with it even though it's hard work."
Auntie Elie, your biggest medal is your heart of gold, tried and true. Mahalo for showing everyone in East Hawaii how to run the human race. We're all winners now.

Interesting Islanders
Introducing Pat Makaea

By Karen Welsh

Two, four, six, eight, who do I appreciate? Pat Makaea, Pat Makaea, yeah, Pat Makaea. Well, at least that's how I felt last Thursday evening at the exhibition men's volleyball match held at the UH-Hilo Gym.
Prior to the competition between University of Hawaii Manoa Campus and University of Pacific, I witnessed the spry and high-spirited 72-year-old lifetime Hilo resident rallying the troops of all those who sat around her, handing out a stack of beautiful handmade signs intended to help cheer on the Warriors.
It wasn't long before I noticed several of the signs bore the name of 22-year-old Kailua-Kona resident Daniel Rasay, currently a senior at UH Manoa, and the captain of UH Manoa Men's Volleyball Team. Turns out he's Pat's grandson, and she's proud of it.
"He is an excellent volleyball player," she said of Daniel. "He plays very well, and he is a very thoroughly nice person too."
Pat loves watching her grandson's dream come true. She knows how hard he worked and how much he persevered to become a key player on the team.
"He was red-shirted the first year," she said. "He didn't play at all. But, he had a good attitude about it. He said if he couldn't play he would be the best cheerleader he could be."
Now that he's a starter, Pat watches the games on television because she doesn't like to travel.
That made the exhibition game a rare opportunity to see him play in person and it gave Pat the needed impetuous to get out her colored markers and spend countless hours making the large signs for the game.
"I am excited that Daniel and the team came to play in Hilo," she said. "Hilo is a volleyball town. It is a volleyball crazed place, and this exhibition game is perfect to be played here."
Not only did Pat make signs for Daniel, but for other team members too. Among the many was an "OK Jose" for Jose Delgado, "Brian Bechwith -- like a shot" and "Aloha Lauri Hakala, the "Fin"isher for the young recruit from Pieksamaki, Finland.
Needless to say, Pat loved the game. She yelled encouragement to the boys and faithfully waved her signs. In fact, she became so completely caught up in the game that she forgot to eat her favorite concession food.
"I went specifically to eat a hot dog, because a hot dog isn't a hot dog unless it's eaten during a game," she said. "They always taste good then. However, I enjoyed myself so much that I forgot to eat one.
Still, Pat left the gym with a smile on her face, thrilled when the Warriors ended up beating the Tigers 3-0.
"It was a good game," she said. "It was quality volleyball. The team had to work really, really hard to get where they are today because they don't have the height. It was also wonderful to look around and see everyone in the audience having so much fun."
It's not over yet, because this fiercely competitive lady with be watching and hoping the Warriors will keep beating their opponents during the regular season, which is scheduled to begin shortly.
"Winning is everything," she admitted. "When they are winning it is so much fun to watch."
You're actually the fun one to watch Pat. Your are a lovely, upbeat woman that brings cheer to all you meet. Good luck to your team, and have a ball this season!
 

Interesting Islanders
Introducing Heli Silva

The first time I set eyes on Pahoa resident Heli Silva was on a narrow strip
of tarmac at the Kahului Airport on Maui.
It was an unforgettable moment.
Talk about a humdrum afternoon. The entire plane was full, except for one
vacant seat. It was hot and the sweat was beginning to pour when the flight
attendant announced the last passenger needing to board was slightly delayed
on a connection from Kona.
All eyes gazed forward to the door, waiting for this mystery person to
appear. Many had a list of appointments and responsibilities waiting for
them in Hilo.
The pressures and demands of life quickly melted away, however, when
32-year-old Heli bounded up the stairs and into the plane. There she stood,
smiling, blowing kisses and wishing many of the captives in their seats warm
aloha greetings.
Her presence electrified the cabin, spreading smiles and greetings to the
travel weary crowd.
I heard a collective sigh of relief.
This was, after all, Hawaii. The culture, so endearing to the island, came
alive through Heli. It took bodily form as it stood, breathed, then spoke
without words, ? No worries, no hurries, no hassles.?
Heli?s aloha spirit soared with the plane, reaching new heights as the craft
made its way higher and higher into the clouds.
As the twin engine prop plane leveled off, Heli made her way forward to sit
closer to a cousin on the flight, and the two began conversing in fluent
Hawaiian. The melody of the language soothed and relaxed those who listened.
When they were pau, Heli began to meander, once again, to her seat in the
back of the plane. It seemed only natural to stop her and talk story.
Come to find out she often commutes to work via the air from Hilo to Kona to
work as a full-time customer service representative for Island Air.
This happened to be Heli?s eighth consecutive day in a row to make the trip
from Hilo to Maui to Kona and back again in order to do her job.. That was
32 takeoffs and 32 landings plus a ton of sky miles to cheerfully serve
hundreds of malihini and kaamaina each day.
?I love to represent Island Air,? Heli said with a big smile. ?I love my
work. I love to work with tourists and teach them about Hawaiian culture. I
love everything about it. I enjoy what I do. I?m proud to be a part of it.?
And, it?s a sure bet no one was dissatisfied with the service they received
from Heli. After all, Hawaii is more than a word or place to this Molokai
native. It is Heli?s frame of mind. Her identity. Her very being.
My slogan is ?Just simply Hawaiian,?? she said. ?It?s that simple.?
Heli said she learned the important life lessons to live life to the fullest
and to never take it for granted from her mom, Hattie, and other close-knit
family members.
?I was taught very well,? she said. ?To always cherish each day, and our
ohana.?
The flight was over too quickly. There was so much more to ask. However,
when the plane landed, Heli hit the ground running. On this particular
evening, she had an engagement to sing at a benefit dinner. It turns out
Heli is multi-talented. She is an award-winning Hawaiian falsetto with a
voice equally matching her beautiful spirit. She spends many hours a week
entertaining people all over the Hawaiian Islands with music from her
acclaimed CD ?Ka?ohana Ali?i,? meaning ?The Working of the Royal Family.?
When each working day is over, Heli counts it a privilege to return home to
Pahoa, where this very busy wahine lives in a hale of rest and refuge.
?I live in a beautiful place,? she said. ?I love the lushness that surrounds
me, and the people here are very beautiful. They are very kind.?
In that case, Heli fits right in with a life truly exemplifying all that is
simply aloha in East Hawaii. Mahalo Nui Loa.

 

Interesting Islanders

Introducing Chuck Sanders

By Karen Welsh

Chuck "Just Like Kentucky Fried" Saunders is a man of contradictions.
At first glance, his tie-dyed t-shirt, necklace, earrings, a thick leather watch band, blue jeans, black cowboy hat with feather trim, cigarette hanging from his lips and plethora of tattoos makes him looks like the lead member of a radical motorcycle group. Come to find out he's an ordained minister.
Needless to say, Chuck's also a big man who looks mean. Very mean. However, it turns out he's gentle in the teddy bear sense of the word.
His booth at the Farmer's Market in Hilo is also a series of contradictions.
Under his portion of the tarp, this Kea'au resident sells knives and calls them decorative letter openers. The brass knuckles on his table are labeled paper weights.
All of these tenuous first impressions could have kept me from getting to know the real Chuck -- the one that's warm, nice, articulate and funny.
"Sometimes things aren't as they seem to be," Chuck chuckled. "I'm not a biker--anymore."
Sitting there, among the busy throng of shoppers, I began to carefully peel back Chuck's layers, and see why this 53 year old -- freely admitting he is "going on 27" -- developed the persona that remains with him to this day.
Chuck said he grew up in a dysfunctional home, and joined a rough biker gang during his early teen years. It came as no surprise when he ended up in Juvenile Detention when he was 16-years-old.
After he was released at age 17, Chuck immediately joined the Marine Corps and ended up serving 18 years. During that time, he fought through three tours in Vietnam, where he was shot twice in the hip and stomach, leaving metal plates in both areas of his body.
Upon retirement as a career marine, Chuck said he became radical again and it cost him three more years of his life.
Then, by divine intervention, Chuck said he got his life straight, once again, and was called into the ministry. He went back to school and got a doctorate in psychology. Eventually, Chuck became ordained as a Pentecostal Baptist Minister.
Over the years, Chuck has also served as East Hawaii's Service Officer for Disabled American Veterans.
"That keeps me busy," he said. "Very busy."
He is also a hospital chaplain who spends time holding the hands of overdose victims, comforting them and giving them words of hope.
More than anything, Chuck is an armchair philosopher, thinking a lot about life, death and faith. He's a deep thinker. Very deep. Right up there with the Gnostics of old.
Everything in life, Chuck has come to find, is a matter of perspective.
"I used to worry about the future," he said. "Then, I woke up one morning and I realized that today is merely yesterday's tomorrow. So, we are really living in the future."
Chuck admits his deep thoughts began while going through a typical male midlife crisis.
"One day you wake up and you are 50 years old," he said. "You wake up and begin wondering where all the years have gone."
Chuck's passage through life cost him his first wife and ministry. He began to regroup and opened his unique booth at the farmer's market. It is wildly popular with the guy population, however, Chuck is careful not to let any under age children in his booth without a responsible adult present.
"It started out as a hobby of mine and before I knew it, it had overflowed and became a business," he said. "Now it's my livelihood and I enjoy what I do. I enjoy people."
Chuck has also ventured out into selling his favorite ware--little black coffee beans.
"I live on coffee," he said. "And this stuff grown in the rainforest above Mountain View is so exceptional."
To help him make it through a busy day, Chuck has a quiet time and meditates at least one-and-a-half hours each morning.
"It keeps me well-grounded," Chuck admitted. "It helps me deal with the minor crisis' in life."
And, he said, it helps him live each moment in the present.
"I've grown to appreciate each day as my last," Chuck said. "I finally learned to live in the here and now and not worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You are now whatever you choose to make yourself. It's what you do henceforth that is what your are. We all need to move forward and fulfill our potential."
Chuck has seen and experienced a lot throughout the years. And, he has learned one important lesson.
"I've learned that death is no big deal," he admitted. "It's the dying that sucks."
 

Interesting Islanders

Introducing Barbara Steingasser

By Karen Welsh

City sidewalks. Busy sidewalks. Overcrowded Stores. Bah humbug.
It was an unusually blustery day. The winds were restless and howling from a cold front had just arrived in East Hawaii, making the hustle and bustle of the holiday season slightly more unbearable. At least that's the way I felt the other day when leaving Hilo's Wally World with a headache and a wallet devoid of everything, except a few straggling pieces of blue lint.
Then I heard the familiar ting-a-ling of the Salvation Army red kettle ringer and a gigantic feeling of apprehension rushed over me.
Then, the glass doors opened, and both a big gust of frigid air and Barbara Steingasser enveloped me with a passion. This 52-years-young gal was out there, wind blown, but smiling and steadily ringing the bell. She never missed a beat, blessing each and every person walking out of the store, complimenting some, wishing a happy holiday to others.
Barbara's eyes spoke too. The beautiful pair of gold and green pupils simply twinkled with delight and magically I was transformed from a weary woman with a long "to-do" list to someone infused with a renewed Christmas spirit.
After unloading Christmas wares into the car, I was compelled to come back and watch Barbara lift young keiki up to the bucket so they could drop in their change.
"Thank you very much," she said. "And, Merry Christmas to you."
Barbara was so perky, working with such a fervor that it was shocking to find out she was at the end of a long six hour shift.
This wasn't her first day on the job. Oh no. For more than two weeks Barbara has tirelessly worked in the rain, sunshine and wind at various locations throughout Hilo.
And, she's relished every moment of it.
"It's just a nice little thing to do at Christmas," Barbara said. "It's much better than shopping. I find it really pleasant. I get a lot of wonderful smiles back and it feels really good at the end of the day. It's a rewarding feeling."
That's a pretty upbeat attitude from someone who left everything familiar to her in San Antonio, Texas to come and live in the islands this past September.
"I've come into the second part of my life," Barbara said. "I guess you could look at it that way. My daughter got married and I paid off all my bills and I said, 'This is my time, where do I want to live,' and it was Hilo because it's the most beautiful place I've ever been and it is filled with aloha."
For Barbara, one of the greatest joys of ringing the bell and filling the red kettle is the opportunity to meet interesting people.
"I've met happy people who are homeless and unhappy people getting out of their SUV's," she said. "If everybody could see the beauty in everything they see and take the time to see it's how you view the world. It's all a matter of perspective. It's how you look at it. It's how you see the world. What you're looking for is what you get."
After talking with Barbara for a few moments it's easy to see why she is ringing with joy. Her positive attitude comes from a life overflowing with something money can't buy.
"Every morning I wake up and make a choice," she said. "It's a reflection of my inner life. I am happy with the simplicity of my life. The older I get, the more I see the simplicity, the simple abundance. Life is a real blessing.
"My cup is half full and filling up quickly. Your home is where your heart is. That way you're never alone and never homeless. I find my peace within."
Well peace on earth and good will toward men and women because Barbara's life is a living Christmas Carol. Ring-a-ling. Here her ring. Soon it will be Christmas day!
For everyone else out there, spread the Kalikimaka cheer. If you see Barbara around town, drop an extra buck or two in the kettle and wish her a happy holiday from me and you. Aloha!

Meet Me on Monday

Introducing Barbara Steingasser

By Karen Welsh

City sidewalks. Busy sidewalks. Overcrowded Stores. Bah humbug.
It was an unusually blustery day. The winds were restless and howling from a cold front had just arrived in East Hawaii, making the hustle and bustle of the holiday season slightly more unbearable. At least that's the way I felt the other day when leaving Hilo's Wally World with a headache and a wallet devoid of everything, except a few straggling pieces of blue lint.
Then I heard the familiar ting-a-ling of the Salvation Army red kettle ringer and a gigantic feeling of apprehension rushed over me.
Then, the glass doors opened, and both a big gust of frigid air and Barbara Steingasser enveloped me with a passion. This 52-years-young gal was out there, wind blown, but smiling and steadily ringing the bell. She never missed a beat, blessing each and every person walking out of the store, complimenting some, wishing a happy holiday to others.
Barbara's eyes spoke too. The beautiful pair of gold and green pupils simply twinkled with delight and magically I was transformed from a weary woman with a long "to-do" list to someone infused with a renewed Christmas spirit.
After unloading Christmas wares into the car, I was compelled to come back and watch Barbara lift young keiki up to the bucket so they could drop in their change.
"Thank you very much," she said. "And, Merry Christmas to you."
Barbara was so perky, working with such a fervor that it was shocking to find out she was at the end of a long six hour shift.
This wasn't her first day on the job. Oh no. For more than two weeks Barbara has tirelessly worked in the rain, sunshine and wind at various locations throughout Hilo.
And, she's relished every moment of it.
"It's just a nice little thing to do at Christmas," Barbara said. "It's much better than shopping. I find it really pleasant. I get a lot of wonderful smiles back and it feels really good at the end of the day. It's a rewarding feeling."
That's a pretty upbeat attitude from someone who left everything familiar to her in San Antonio, Texas to come and live in the islands this past September.
"I've come into the second part of my life," Barbara said. "I guess you could look at it that way. My daughter got married and I paid off all my bills and I said, 'This is my time, where do I want to live,' and it was Hilo because it's the most beautiful place I've ever been and it is filled with aloha."
For Barbara, one of the greatest joys of ringing the bell and filling the red kettle is the opportunity to meet interesting people.
"I've met happy people who are homeless and unhappy people getting out of their SUV's," she said. "If everybody could see the beauty in everything they see and take the time to see it's how you view the world. It's all a matter of perspective. It's how you look at it. It's how you see the world. What you're looking for is what you get."
After talking with Barbara for a few moments it's easy to see why she is ringing with joy. Her positive attitude comes from a life overflowing with something money can't buy.
"Every morning I wake up and make a choice," she said. "It's a reflection of my inner life. I am happy with the simplicity of my life. The older I get, the more I see the simplicity, the simple abundance. Life is a real blessing.
"My cup is half full and filling up quickly. Your home is where your heart is. That way you're never alone and never homeless. I find my peace within."
Well peace on earth and good will toward men and women because Barbara's life is a living Christmas Carol. Ring-a-ling. Here her ring. Soon it will be Christmas day!
For everyone else out there, spread the Kalikimaka cheer. If you see Barbara around town, drop an extra buck or two in the kettle and wish her a happy holiday from me and you. Aloha!

Meet Me on Monday

Introducing Barbara Steingasser

By Karen Welsh

City sidewalks. Busy sidewalks. Overcrowded Stores. Bah humbug.
It was an unusually blustery day. The winds were restless and howling from a cold front had just arrived in East Hawaii, making the hustle and bustle of the holiday season slightly more unbearable. At least that's the way I felt the other day when leaving Hilo's Wally World with a headache and a wallet devoid of everything, except a few straggling pieces of blue lint.
Then I heard the familiar ting-a-ling of the Salvation Army red kettle ringer and a gigantic feeling of apprehension rushed over me.
Then, the glass doors opened, and both a big gust of frigid air and Barbara Steingasser enveloped me with a passion. This 52-years-young gal was out there, wind blown, but smiling and steadily ringing the bell. She never missed a beat, blessing each and every person walking out of the store, complimenting some, wishing a happy holiday to others.
Barbara's eyes spoke too. The beautiful pair of gold and green pupils simply twinkled with delight and magically I was transformed from a weary woman with a long "to-do" list to someone infused with a renewed Christmas spirit.
After unloading Christmas wares into the car, I was compelled to come back and watch Barbara lift young keiki up to the bucket so they could drop in their change.
"Thank you very much," she said. "And, Merry Christmas to you."
Barbara was so perky, working with such a fervor that it was shocking to find out she was at the end of a long six hour shift.
This wasn't her first day on the job. Oh no. For more than two weeks Barbara has tirelessly worked in the rain, sunshine and wind at various locations throughout Hilo.
And, she's relished every moment of it.
"It's just a nice little thing to do at Christmas," Barbara said. "It's much better than shopping. I find it really pleasant. I get a lot of wonderful smiles back and it feels really good at the end of the day. It's a rewarding feeling."
That's a pretty upbeat attitude from someone who left everything familiar to her in San Antonio, Texas to come and live in the islands this past September.
"I've come into the second part of my life," Barbara said. "I guess you could look at it that way. My daughter got married and I paid off all my bills and I said, 'This is my time, where do I want to live,' and it was Hilo because it's the most beautiful place I've ever been and it is filled with aloha."
For Barbara, one of the greatest joys of ringing the bell and filling the red kettle is the opportunity to meet interesting people.
"I've met happy people who are homeless and unhappy people getting out of their SUV's," she said. "If everybody could see the beauty in everything they see and take the time to see it's how you view the world. It's all a matter of perspective. It's how you look at it. It's how you see the world. What you're looking for is what you get."
After talking with Barbara for a few moments it's easy to see why she is ringing with joy. Her positive attitude comes from a life overflowing with something money can't buy.
"Every morning I wake up and make a choice," she said. "It's a reflection of my inner life. I am happy with the simplicity of my life. The older I get, the more I see the simplicity, the simple abundance. Life is a real blessing.
"My cup is half full and filling up quickly. Your home is where your heart is. That way you're never alone and never homeless. I find my peace within."
Well peace on earth and good will toward men and women because Barbara's life is a living Christmas Carol. Ring-a-ling. Here her ring. Soon it will be Christmas day!
For everyone else out there, spread the Kalikimaka cheer. If you see Barbara around town, drop an extra buck or two in the kettle and wish her a happy holiday from me and you. Aloha!









 

Interesting Islanders

Introducing Bill Kikuchi

By Karen Welsh
Happy is a great word to describe 62-year-old Bill Kikuchi. In fact, that's the first word I ever heard him say, or sing as it turns out.
Bill walked into a party I was recently attending, crooning his rendition of the classic song "Happy Holidays."
Bing Crosby doesn't have to worry about Bill taking up a singing career, but if the ageless singer was alive he would need be on guard, because Bill stole the spotlight and lit up the room in a way very few people could do.
That wasn't too shabby for a man who openly claimed it was almost past his bedtime.
This was an easy crowd for Bill to please. Turns out he is a people person extraodinaire, outstanding in his field or far off in left field as the field representative, a bona fide political hack, working for the past 23 years as the East Hawaii eyes and ears for Sen. Daniel Inoye.
That's a pretty good career for a man who was born on Lanai in 1942, then moved with his family to Hilo in 1949.
"My dad worked on a plantation on Lanai," Bill said. "But, he had an auntie who owned Arakawa Jewelers on Kamehameha. She asked my dad to come work with her at the store."
Bill graduated from Hilo High School in 1960 before attending San Francisco City College and Honolulu Academy of Arts where he earned a degree as a graphic artist.
Then, Bill returned to East Hawaii and worked his way up the proverbial ladder, but he did it with the ease of the most popular kid in class.
All of his success, or most of it any ways, could be attributed to his employment at the Hawaii Tribune Herald during the late 1960s. It was during this time Bill drew political cartoons for the newspaper.
As a result, he was invited to many political gatherings. Before long, he was helping candidates plan and win their races.
"Here I was doing all this stuff, drawing political cartoons," Bill said. "Then, I became involved in Democratic Party political campaigns."
In the early 1970s, Bill married his wife, Bobbi, and had three children. He kept working in the political arena and in 1980 he became the chairman of the Democratic Party.
Two years later, Bill was approached by Sen. Inoye and has worked with him ever since.
Bill said there are many faces to politics. But, each person matters, no matter their political party affiliation.
"The way Sen. Inoye and I see it is there are no democrats or republicans," he said. "The first question I ask anyone who walks through my office is, 'How can Sen. Inoye assist you?' We are here to serve all Hawaii residents because they are all Inoye's constituents."
Bill is adept at dealing with a lot of movers and shakers, and people with ideas who simply want to "talk story," but it's the dreams that become reality that keep him going.
"Politics makes the impossible happen," he said. "I've seen it many times, political initiatives that were once a vision, but are now happening. It's that kind of stuff that is really rewarding, to see that kind of thing happening."
Perhaps Bill's greatest achievement is yet to come. When he retires in the near future he would love to solve the Coqui frog problem.
"One of my innermost endeavors is to have a contest to make Coqui frog pupus," he said. "That way people will go out and catch them and, oh boy, I think they would be great to eat."
And that, dear Bill, would make everyone in Hawaii happy, very happy. Happy Holidays!


 

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