The Power of People

My favorite part of the job has always been interviews. It honestly does not feel like work when I’m conversing with people about what they’re passionate about and why. I was drawn to reporting because of this direct access, and even after a few decades in the business, my love for these connections has only grown.

Joey Cadiz says the Kona low storms changed his life direction. Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

I was reminded of this as we assembled the current issue, which features so many special people. While all 37 of the women we’re honoring with Celebrating Wāhine Awards may be most recognized for their career accomplishments, there’s a lot more to them than standout résumés. Each one put so much thought into their responses to our questions, reflecting on their careers and lives, how they got to where they are, what they value and what they’ve learned.

Among the featured wāhine is Patricia Tam, Halekūlani Corp.’s CEO and the recipient of the Doris Duke Visionary Voice Award. During our conversation, she told me about growing up in a working-class family, receiving a scholarship to Sacred Hearts Academy, volunteering with Easterseals Hawai‘i as a teenager, then charting a groundbreaking career in the hospitality industry. I was especially moved by how she spoke about her mother—her guiding force who was kind, hardworking and treated everyone with respect. Tam says during challenges, she thinks about what her mother would say and do. Our conversation flowed effortlessly during that Zoom conversation, and we made plans to have lunch together.

I also interviewed North Shore lifeguard Joey Cadiz, to whom I was introduced by a former colleague, Mea Aloha Spady, after March’s Kona low storms. “He’s a freakin’ hero,” she told me. I was intrigued. I met Cadiz at a community distribution hub in Waialua, and at first appearance, he seemed tough and stoic. But tears flowed as he relayed what happened the night Waialua flooded and he and others made harrowing rescues. He also told me how life is pulling him in a new direction—to bring kids to his lo‘i so he can teach them about the ‘āina. He exudes purpose and passion, and that conversation stayed with me long after.

Another person I met: Ma Ry Kim, who leads innovative brain classes for kūpuna and business executives ​​to lessen their chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Kim is truly a force who makes things happen, but in accessible ways. While she’s a globally accomplished architect, her dedication to neuroscience is palpable, and I have no doubt the world will be hearing more about her findings on this front.

And these are just the folks I interviewed. The rest of our editorial team had their own memorable interviews. Katrina Valcourt spoke to Raia Olsen about how she wound up with a herd of about 1,500 sheep and goats that help clear unwanted vegetation. Mari Taketa connected with Dylan Butterbaugh, a tree lover who wanted to grow them for his work, which led to the creation of Mānoa Chocolate. Don Wallace, one of Hawai‘i’s most devoted book aficionados, caught up with the five winners of our HONOLULU Book Awards and shared the inspiration for their amazing stories. And our intern Kayla Luke Colon touched base with Willy Pao, whose family has been selling clothing, vintage goods and housewares at the Aloha Stadium swap meet since the 1980s.

So many intriguing people. So many stories. Thank you for reading.

Diane Seo is the editorial director of HONOLULU Magazine.