Coming Home to Community

"I left in search of success, but returned in search of connection."

We’re coming back to Hawai’i because we long for that deep sense of community.

I was born and raised in Kane’ohe and graduated from Castle High School. Go Knights! I was young, ambitious, and eager to chase success—so I set off for the mainland in search of money, prestige, and greater opportunities. I ended up spending the next 21 years bouncing between different states on both the East and West Coasts.

For those of you who’ve left the islands, you know: there’s no place quite like Hawai’i. Every place has its charm, but most lack the kind of community and cohesion we often take for granted here.

I remember one moment in particular—at a happy hour with my grad school classmates on the East Coast. We all had just finished a major exam, and I offered to buy a round of beers for everyone. Much to my surprise, no one returned the gesture. One person came up to me, shook my hand, and said thanks—and that was it. I don’t think anyone meant any harm; it just wasn’t part of their culture. But in that moment, I realized: these aren’t my people. And this isn’t my place.

Fast forward a few years: Donna and I had built successful careers and started a family. And we began to see things more clearly. First, objectively speaking—we had “made it.” We had money, accomplishments, and accolades. As the daughter of working-class immigrants, she had achieved the American Dream. By most conventional standards, we had won the game.

But here’s the thing: we didn’t feel good. We had little time for ourselves or our friends. We lacked meaningful connections with those around us. There were even neighbors we’d lived next to for years whose names we still didn’t know. It became painfully clear - we couldn’t keep living like this. Because if you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll get to where you’re going. And we didn’t like where we were headed.

In contrast, every time we came home to visit Hawai’i, we felt something different. Neighbors walking their dogs together, kids playing in the street, people saying “hi,” stopping to talk, exchanging home-baked treats—even after knowing us for only a few days. It was small, but meaningful. That’s what community feels like. There’s no place like Hawai’i.

So how does this show up in our work?

At Ke Ola Noa, our mission is to build a healthier community. Yes, physical health matters—we need to ensure our biological systems and physiological processes are working well. But just as important are the spaces and experiences that bring people together. Social connection, belonging, and shared purpose—these are clinically proven to reduce illness, improve well-being, and slow disease progression.

Modern healthcare has severely undervalued the role of connection. You can’t bill your insurance for going on a walk with a friend, or playing board games with your kids. But those are exactly the kinds of habits that keep people healthy—and thriving.

We know it might sound cynical , but we truly believe that social media, consumerism, and the relentless pursuit of productivity have hijacked our well-being. We’ve lost sight of what really keeps us grounded.

Ke Ola Noa is here to change that. We’re creating a model of wellness rooted in relationship, community, and care. And we hope you’ll join us—or include us—in your own journey to well-being.