PROFILE

. I’ve been a published writer since Kindergarten. (Okay, it was a couple of poems in the school paper but hey, published is published.) Since 1986, my articles, essays and photographs have appeared in numerous publications. I’ve co-authored two cookbooks for Ten Speed Press (now Random House) and several guidebooks for Dorling Kindersley. I’ve won three Pele Awards (advertising).

. For 11 years I was a news reporter/editor, producer/bureau chief, and studio director at the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., CBS, and PBS. Highlights include working with the late great Walter Cronkite, Ed Bradley and Charles Kuralt.

. I was Belgium field producer for the Hawai‘i documentary “Simple Courage,” which won many awards, including a regional Emmy. All who worked on it but were unable to attend the ceremonies gave acceptance speeches at a party in Honolulu.

. I wrote, produced and directed a 30-minute film documentary for the CBC which was nominated for an ACTRA award.

. I’ve been a student of Hawaiian language, culture and values since 1990 and studied hula for 12 years.

. I was a kumu kōkua (teachers’ aide) at Pūnana Leo O Maui (Hawaiian language immersion pre-school) for six years - and I'm happy to say I'm back as of 2009! - and taught English literature and language arts to immersion 6th, 7th and 8th graders for one year.

. I founded Maui’s first organization devoted to feeding hungry and homeless members of our community. This eventually evolved into the Maui Food Bank.

. I taught Menu Merchandising at Maui Community College for eight years. In May ’07, I graduated from the college’s culinary arts program with a Pastry Cook certificate (and a 4.0 average).

. I invented, manufactured, and marketed Chocolate Chips of Maui, chocolate-covered Kitch’n Cook’d potato chips, and owned a successful gourmet catering company.

. I was co-curator of “Here’s to the Heroes,” a major benefit art show and sale commemorating the first anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The proceeds of $51,000 were donated to the Maui Firefighters Relief Association and Engine 33, Ladder 9 in New York City.

. I’ve traveled in North America, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

. I've been a member of the Directors Guild of America since 1978.

. I've won two ribbons for my protea and three for my photographs at the Maui County Fair.

. I rooted for the Hawai‘i Winter Baseball League’s Maui Stingrays. I always have and always will root for the New York Yankees.

. My favorite flavor is Maui’s own Roselani Hawaiian Vanilla Bean (especially when it tops a homemade brownie).