Occupation: President, Hawaii Forest & Trail

How long you have lived in Hawai‘i?: I was born in Kona Hospital 37 years ago

Favorite Food Hawaiian Style Smoked Meat. It’s a local favorite often made from wild boar and chopped into cubes served with rice. You can find it at many of the authentic Hawaiian food spots like Umekes or Broke Da Mouth Grindz … or any hunter’s house!

Favorite pastime/activity Surfing. It’s a great way to siultaniously connect with nature, and friends while getting great exercise—and the best part, no sweating!

Favorite snorkel spot Mahukona on the Kohala Coast, everyone knows about Two Step, Kahalu‘u and the Captain Cook Monument. But Māhukona has really easy access in and out of water, and along with great fish, there are some cool plantation relics sunk at the bottom of the bay from a tsunami in 1946.

Favorite drive The Kohala Mountain Road between Hawi and Waimea. It’s such a unique perspective of the island and the green pastures of the ranches up there make it feel like you transported to Scotland!

Favorite hike I may be biased but Hawaii Forest & Trail’s Kohala Waterfall hike is my favorite, because I can do it with my parents and my 3-year-old son, its incredibly beautiful, and you get to swim in a waterfall!

Favorite date place The Kona Inn bar at sunset. It’s like stepping back in time to old Hawai‘i; great ambiance, great pūpū (appetizers), and great people!

Favorite place to take in the history Hawi and Kapa‘au. I love the charm of the old plantation buildings, plus there is a statue of my favorite historical figure, King Kamehameha, who was born nearby.

Lucky you live Hawai‘i because … I’ve been exploring this island my entire life and there is still so much more to discover!

If you were a visitor, you would want to know… Don’t honk your horn! If you lay on your horn here, it’s the equivalent of the “middle finger”—we just don’t do that. If you need to get someone’s attention just lightly tap the horn, or simply wait patiently because we are on Hawaiian time!