It was a fantastic and amazing experience to meet the students at Everett Community College School of Cosmetology.  The new remodel on the facilities was a fantastic surprise for me.  The many talented future professionals at our program impressed me tremendously.

My background in instruction is extensive but primarily in the private sector post-secondary community.  I began my teaching career after a decade and a half of working in some of the most challenging and upscale salons on the US westcoast and Hawaii.

I started my career in 1986 after being honorably discharged from my Military Intelligence unit.  In an attempt to secure more funding for my pre-law studies at Kapiolani Community College I became a cosmetologist.  My brother Keoki, a longtime hairstylist, convinced me that hairstyling could completely fund the rest of my college career.  What we did not anticipate is the love I would find in doing hair and helping people.

After a few years of doing hair full time at Paul Brown Hawaii (http://spaolakino.com/paul-brown.asp) and going to college part time, I decided to pursue my career in hair design.  I enjoyed the first few years as Paul's personal assistant.  I then became a color specialist for Paul Brown Honolulu. 

This part of my career lasted until 1991 and was one of the most exciting experiences of my life.  I worked on Countesses, Governor's wives, business owners, teachers, heiresses, the Royal Family of Japan and many more extremely interesting people. 

Sadly and excitingly, this period of my life came to an end with a move to Portland, Oregon in 1991.