Kelsey Poaha

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hi Class Dental Learning Center

How do you define success?

Whether it involves my work, my community service or my personal life, I define success by asking myself these questions:

• Do I enjoy what I do and do I do it well?

• Am I the best person I can be?

• Am I making a difference in someone’s life in word or deed?

If the answer to all these questions is a yes, I have succeeded in my purpose.

What do you hope to see in your industry in the next 10 years?

Having good dental health is essential and vital to a healthy life. Developing healthy habits in our oral hygiene routine can prevent future ailments in our general health.

I hope to see a future where dentistry is affordable, where people will understand the importance of taking preventive measures in their daily oral care, and seeing the dental community continue to thrive with innovative technology to achieve efficient procedures while providing patient comfort.

I also envision our future generation excited to discover a career in dentistry where they can play a key role in creating the confidence in someone’s smile.

What do you love most about your job? There is nothing better than seeing confidence bloom in our students.

Many of our students come to us shy and unsure whether they have what it takes to be employed in the dental field. Our program teaches not only dental assisting skills, but we work to develop and grow good character and work ethic in our students. We believe in their great potential to succeed.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing your industry?

Dental service can be expensive and as a result people will neglect their dental care. Through private and public effort, we need to get to a place where excellent dental care is affordable to everyone. It’s about education, awareness, and committed care providers.

Another challenge is having well-trained staff. The struggle with newly hired inexperienced employees affects the timeliness in dental procedures. This is where I believe our program is able to provide valuable skill sets to our students to equip them for employment.

What advice would you give yourself? “Extraordinary things can happen in the space between who you are and who you are becoming.”

I once read this passage that resonated within me: You evolve into who you are meant to be, and every change, every experience you have, sews together the fabric of your life.

The advice I would give myself is: “You have a story to tell. Trust your ability, trust your mind and your strength to be limitless and in the end it will reveal someone truly remarkable who has made a difference in this world.”

What do you do for fun?

I love traveling and exploring the world. I enjoy the excitement in researching my destination and experiencing all of my planned activities.

Here at home, fun for me is simple. It’s as simple as a walk in the park, lunch with a friend, or going to the movies with my two boys.

Describe your ideal day. I begin with prayer, seeking to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and having wisdom to know the difference.

Balance is so important to fulfill my purpose. Fulfillment comes when I reflect back on my day, finishing the things that need to be done, enjoying a fun activity with my two boys and making memories with people who are dear to me.

And then of course, there’s coffee and a spa day…

What are some surprising lessons you learned in becoming a leader? Great leaders are servants who are accountable to inspire, empower, and have compassion for others.

A few lessons I learned about being a leader:

• Boundaries are very important and should include the magic word NO.

• Time management includes selfcare without the guilt

• Effective communication is essential. You waste more time trying to resolve an issue that stemmed from poor communication.

• I’ve also learned that great leaders don’t always have to have all the answers. They just need to know how to go about finding it.

Elevate your self care.

MASSAGE

HYDROTHERAPY BODY WRAPS

ÉMINENCE ORGANIC FACIALS

PRO FACIAL PEELS

HYDRAFACIAL

NATURAL & GEL NAIL CARE

WAXING & THREADING

CUT, COLOR & TREATMENT

You deserve it.

A tranquil oasis in the heart of downtown Honolulu

What are some of your recent career achievements?

I am proud of Assets School’s Transforming Lives Center which opened to the community in June. It is Hawai‘i’s first private school-based full resource center for K-12 students who are homeschooling or attending a public, private, or charter school. Our Clinical Director assesses struggling students for dyslexia, and other language-based learning differences. The Center was funded by a grant and annual operations are funded by new grants. It took a year to build it out from start to finish, which was fast given we were in the height of the pandemic. Once completed, we held a blessing and grand opening.

We have been impressed by the number of parents and grandparents who are noticing their children or grandchildren are not where they should be and seeking answers. We were concerned hundreds of students fell behind academically during the pandemic. We wanted to be part of the solution. Once a family has insight into their child's learning profile it becomes a tool for them and the child’s teachers. One style of teaching does not fit all children. It’s important for families to find the right environment and education for their children.

I am also proud of Assets School’s 65th Anniversary one-hour television show I wrote, produced and directed to educate the community about learning differences. We are grateful to The Queen's Health Systems for underwriting the cost of the show.

Did your career in the news help you to decide to create the show?

Yes, I was a news producer for many years before becoming an anchorwoman and news reporter in California and Hawai‘i. I really enjoy producing and being behind the scenes but every aspect of being in a newsroom is exciting.

How did you transition from news to philanthropy?

I transitioned from news into a career in corporate communications, community relations, and business development for a technology firm. I was blessed to be part of two exciting cutting-edge companies when the tech sector was just taking off in Hawai‘i. First, I had the honor of being part of the Science & Technology International – U.S. Navy Airship Program. I traveled with the airship as it performed eye-in-the-sky operations and managed all the community relations, public relations, and official visits from Virginia to San Diego. The second firm was Trex Enterprises Corporation which specializes in millimeter-wave imaging. As the Vice President of Business, I negotiated projects and product sales with government agencies and defense firms which required a lot of travelling.

A friend shared with me information about a position at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children. I thought it would be great to put my skills in business development toward a notfor-profit organization and rally behind helping children. It was a fantastic new chapter—philanthropy. As the Senior Director of Development, I was fortunate to be part of a dynamic team raising $35 million for Kapi‘olani’s new Diamond Head Tower. It is an amazing place where miracles take place every day.

What drives you?

I have always been driven to make a difference. It was rewarding reporting on historical events, to promoting technologies that saved lives or protected our nation, to now helping families afford Assets School by raising millions of dollars for tuition assistance and capital improvements.

What advice would you give a young person?

Follow your dreams and do not give up. It takes a lot of work but if you love what you do, it will not feel like work. Introduce yourself to people you admire or are in the position you desire to be in. Ask them to mentor you. Keep learning by reading, listening, and observing. Do not be afraid of change because with change comes growth and opportunities. Volunteer in your community or for your favorite charitable causes. You will meet wonderful people all striving to make a difference. There is a wonderful poem by Linda Ellis called “The Dash.” I highly recommend reading it from time to time.

Overall, it is important to stay balanced with your career goals, your family, and your health. You perform best when you are rested, eat healthily, and have exercised daily. Book your time to exercise as if it was an important meeting. When you find your career path and are balancing your family, you are a role model for your children. It might not feel like it at the time, but you are!

Lastly, always smile, share your gratitude daily, and read this quote:

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are two of the most important milestones of your career?

Important milestones in my career have been while serving as the Director for MHLA. The first was when I was nationally recognized as a leader in workforce development while serving on the Advisory Board for the National Academy Foundation (NAF). Workforce Development for our youth continues to be a passion of mine. I believe strongly in providing opportunities for our youth in mentorship, internships, certificate training and scholarships. Providing for our youth now will lead to a brighter future for all of us.

The second milestone is being recognized as a thought leader for the industry. I have always had the goal to take my knowledge of policy engagement and advocacy and be a keynote speaker/ panelist for industry meetings and trade conventions. This June, I will be a featured speaker at the PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference. I hope this is the first of many engagement opportunities.

How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years?

A lot has happened over the last five years for all of us. For me, I tried to switch careers right before the pandemic arrived. I had to reinvent myself and try to get back to the work I enjoyed, and was blessed to play a role in assisting the industry from the governmental side during the height of the pandemic.

I knew then, as I do now, that helping and advocating for others is truly my life’s calling. During all the above transitions in my career, I had time to look inward and spend time working on my spiritual growth. Now, I am very blessed to be back in my role as the Executive Director for MHLA and working towards my certification as a meditation teacher.

What do you feel about spirituality?

Spirituality is necessary. I want to see the world as a kinder and better place. So, I focus on myself being a better person, especially after the pandemic made the world so much harder. We have seen so much fear and hatred being normalized that it really made me want to help the world. We all have dharma (life’s purpose). My dharma is to help others.

What are some misconceptions people have of your current role?

There is a misconception that I represent only big money, but my job is actually to represent the people who work in the hospitality industries that provide for families to live and thrive here on Maui. Many people don’t know how important it is to advocate for the hospitality and visitor industries. For there are many bills that if turned into laws, would hurt people’s ability to stay on island or provide for their families.

What do you hope to see in your industry in the next 10 years?

I would like to see a visitor industry that is more collaborative with the government and the community, ensuring revenues generated by the industry are used for infrastructure, and government leaders craft better legislation to protect jobs, the environment, and our communities. It is my hope that with our current efforts in educating the community and government leaders about the benefits of our industry and in supporting efforts for better destination management, the industry will be seen in a positive light. A foundation for additional opportunities can be set to diversify our economy through film, health and wellness, and alternative energy.

What are some hard lessons you had to learn in becoming a female leader? Growing up, we were taught women were not equal in business realms and although things are much better today, I still see different rules for men than women.

Why did you choose to live where you do? My husband and I chose to live in Paia because we are water people and we always loved windsurfing. The north shore of Maui is one of the best windsurfing coasts in the world and it is not too far of a commute to work.

What are some of your daily routines? I meditate every morning and work in my garden. At night, I like a glass of wine as I wind down and finish my work.

Did you always want to go into this line of work?

No! I was in music, sang opera and worked with an orchestra in my early adult life. I received a certificate in nonprofit management from UCLA thinking I would be helping nonprofits of the art world. But on Maui, there weren’t as many opportunities for that goal. So, I followed the health and nonprofit industries and fell in love with advocacy along the way.

Our ‘āina. Our ‘ōpio. Our future.

The land and sea were the classrooms of our kūpuna. It is here that keiki learn the kuleana we all share in preserving our honua. Together, we malāma ‘āina for generations to come.

@kamehamehaschools

How do you define success?

Before Covid, I probably would’ve had a totally different answer but after such an incredibly long shut down and watching so many businesses go UNDER, not sure about Kaua‘i but I believe almost 50 percent of the small businesses closed for good. I believe getting through that and managing to keep most of our staff would be defined as a success.

What do you hope to see in your industry in the next 10 years?

In the next 10 years, we hope taxes do not increase like they have. We hope to see development curtailed until infrastructure can support new accommodations.

What do you love most about your job?

This sounds crazy simple but it’s true. The best moments at Whalers Cove are when we check our guests in and take them to their condo. They see the view and the reactions are amazing.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing your industry?

I think staffing shortages are impacting our industry and every industry on the island. Today I witnessed a mother telling her son the cost of living was so high on the island of Kaua‘i that she really recommended he look at options on the mainland even though he wanted to stay here.

I believe reports show that each year Hawai‘i is losing more and more residents due to the high cost of living and that affects every business that’s trying to hire. We have to find a way to lower the taxes in Hawai‘i so that more residents can afford to live here.

What are some words of advice for an exit strategy?

Honestly, I had one pre-Covid but this past three years has been a huge learning curve again and I’m rethinking that one.

What do you do for fun?

Photography is a passion and this location gives me so much to photograph. Going to the beach is always fun! I never get tired of our beautiful botanical garden right here in Poipu. And I strive to find moments to dance.

Describe your ideal day. An ideal day would be everything going as planned. Even as I answer this, I realize that the variety this job provides me and the surprises excite me and keep me going.

What are some surprising lessons you learned in becoming a leader?

Empowering your staff is the most important lesson. When I lived on O‘ahu, I worked for HONBLUE and I had an amazing boss, Matt Heim. He encouraged me to leap to every level. That’s how I learned to be a leader and I will forever be grateful.

What are two of the most important milestones of your career?

Being selected as Advertising Woman of the Year by the Advertising Federation opened up a lot of opportunities for me, such a complete surprise. I will remember that evening forever. Next we recently received a TripAdvisor award that put us in the best of the best across the nation, a tribute to how hard our staff works!

How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years?

Looking out to the community and finding areas where you can help has been the most exciting thing I’ve done. I fell in love with our elementary school in our neighborhood and started working with them. And we found a small organization on the west side of Kaua‘i that has become very important to myself and my staff, and we will continue to help them.

Erin Evans

CEO/BROKER/OWNER CENTURY 21 ISLAND HOMES

How would you introduce yourself to a stranger?

I would say, "Hi, I'm Erin," and then immediately ask about them. I’m much more interested in hearing the stories of others. People are very interesting!

What do you love most about your job?

For me, what I enjoy most about working in real estate is that every day brings something new to learn. With technology constantly evolving and the industry going through different cycles, there are always new challenges to face and opportunities to grow. But what truly excites me is the chance to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Whether I’m helping someone find their dream home or guiding them through a complex transaction, I feel like I’m making a difference every day.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing your industry?

Affordability and inventory.

One of the most significant hurdles is affordability, which can change rapidly based on interest rates. When rates are high, it can be harder for people to qualify for mortgages, leading to a decrease in demand for homes.

Economic uncertainty and instability can also lead to a drop in demand, as people become more cautious about making big purchases. Another major challenge is the supply and demand imbalance, which has led to a shortage of available housing in many markets, driving up prices and making it harder for people to find affordable homes.

What has been the biggest sacrifice you've made for your career?

One of the biggest sacrifices I’ve made for my career is time with my family. Balancing work and personal life can be challenging, especially when you’re striving to excel in your field. I've had to make tough choices and prioritize my career, knowing that it may have meant missing out on some important moments with my loved ones. But I also believe that by pursuing my professional goals, I'm setting an example for my family and creating a better future for all of us.

What has been the biggest reward?

So far, the most rewarding aspect of my career has been opening my brokerage and being able to mentor and develop other agents. My vision has always been to focus on quality over quantity and attract people with integrity and a high level of customer care. Seeing my team grow and succeed has been incredibly fulfilling, and I feel proud of the impact we're making in our community.

What failure taught you the biggest lesson?

I don’t see failures as such; I see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Every experience, whether positive or negative, has taught me something valuable and helped me become a better version of myself.

What makes you feel like a boss?

It depends on the day, but there are a few things that make me feel like a boss. Sometimes, it’s overcoming a difficult challenge and achieving a positive outcome. Other times, it’s accomplishing a big goal or knowing that I’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life. And on those days when I just need an extra boost, putting on a great pair of heels can make all the difference!

What scares you about the future? I do have some concerns about the rise of AI and technology and how it may impact human work. We’re seeing more and more automation in various industries, and I worry about people being replaced by machines.

However, I’m confident that there will always be a need for human agents in real estate. Buying or selling a home is a highly emotional process that requires empathy, advice, and negotiation skills. AI simply can’t replicate that human connection. As long as we continue to prioritize relationships and provide excellent customer service, I believe we’ll always have a place in this industry. AI is NOT capable of providing this guidance as we are in a relationship-driven business!