Growing up in Kealakekua on Moku O Keawe surrounded by the beauty of our ʻāina and the stories of our kūpuna. In 4th grade, I joined an after-school program at Amy Greenwell Botanical Gardens, where Aunty Anne Kamuela taught us about the mea kanu Hawaiʻi that make our home so special. That experience planted the seed for a lifelong love of Hawaiian culture, language, and the natural world. I later attended Ke Kula ʻO Ehunuikaimalino, where I continued learning about our lāʻau, our holoholona, and the deep pilina that connects them all. Those lessons shaped who I am and inspired the values I carry today. After having a keiki of my own, that manaʻo grew even stronger. I wanted my child, and other keiki, to have playful opportunities to learn about Hawaiʻi, its culture, and the world around them. From that vision, Pāʻani Pals was born. Through thoughtfully designed toys, flash cards, and educational resources, my hope is to encourage curiosity, creativity, and a meaningful connection to Hawaiʻi through play.

• Mahalo nui for being here at the beginning and for supporting this journey. I can't wait to grow alongside your ʻohana and our keiki.