Kamala Nayeli Elected President of Hawaii Spa Association

Kamala Nayeli, OWL member and current Director of Spa & Wellness at Halekulani, Oahu, was elected President of the Hawaii Spa Association. As Director of Spa & Wellness at Halekulani, a five-star resort, Kamala oversees daily spa, salon, pool and fitness operations, develops new innovative wellness programming and contributes to Halekulani’s sustainable and environmental practices. Prior to joining Halekulani, she served as Spa Director for Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort’s Manea Spa and established additional locations in French Polynesia’s Tahiti and Huahine.

The Hawaii Spa Association (HI-Spa) is a non-profit that elevates awareness of Hawaii’s significant role in the World Leisure and Wellness Market. Congratulations Kamala!

Leianne Pedro named Publisher and Market President of Pacific Business News

OWL member Leianne “Lei” Pedro has been named Market President and Publisher of Pacific Business News. Pacific Business News is one of the longest-running publications in American City Business Journals, and for the past 61 years has been a relevant business resource in the State of Hawaii. Congratulations Lei!

OWL Past President Valerie Schmidt Honored at YWCA Oahu Empower Hour

OWL Past President and Founder of “The Bella Project”, Valerie Schmidt, was honored at the YWCA Oahu Empower Hour. The Bella Project breaks down financial barriers by providing prom dresses and formal attire to high school students so they can attend special events. Over the past 14 years, they have given out over 4,000 dresses. The Bella Project will now be managed by YWCA Oahu as part of its Dress for Success Honolulu program. Congratulations Val!

Tania Fukuda-Freuler Receives Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Award

Congratulations to OWL member Tania Fukuda-Freuler for receiving the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Award! The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is a global association that recognizes top-performing life insurance agents and financial advisors. MDRT membership is considered the gold standard in the industry and is recognized internationally as a mark of excellence.

Joy Kimura Appointed to Honolulu Planning Commission

Joy Kimura was nominated by Mayor Blangiardi and confirmed by the Honolulu City Council as a Commissioner for the Honolulu Planning Commission. The Honolulu Planning Commission is considered one of the five major boards for the City and County of Honolulu - Planning Commission, Police Commission, Liquor Commission, Fire Commission and the Board of Water Supply. Planning Commissioners advise the Mayor, County Council, and Planning Director in matters concerning planning programs, act as authorities for the City on State Special use permits, reviews amendments to the Oahu General Plan and transmit findings and recommendations to the County Council for consideration and action. Congratulations Joy!

Cheryl Cross featured on the Military to Civilian Career Transition Power Hour Podcast

Cheryl Cross was a featured guest on the Military to Civilian Career Transition Power Hour Podcast on November 11, 2023. This podcast informs listeners with valuable information from experts in the field of military-to-civilian career transition process, and provides job search tips, expert advice and personal stories. Congratulations Cheryl!

Joy Kimura recognized by Governor Josh Green, as Hawaii's Mother of the Year 2023

Joy Kimura was recognized by Governor Josh Green as the 2023 Mother of the Year for the State of Hawaii. Every year since 1935, American Mothers Inc. has named an inspirational mother from nominees across the 50 states, District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for this important honor. Joy Kimura was chosen by American Mothers Inc. as Hawaii’s Mother of the Year for 2023. Congratulations Joy!

Joy Kimura recognized by Honolulu City Council as "2023 Mother of the Year for the State of Hawaii"

Joy Kimura was recognized by the Honolulu City Council for receiving the title of “2023 Mother of the Year” for the State of Hawaii, by the national organization, American Mothers, Inc. For over 88 years, American Mothers Inc. has recognized moms across the United States and its five territories with the historic honor of “Mother of the Year”. Congratulations Joy!

Cheryl Cross selected as a Moderator for Wahine Forum 2023

Cheryl Cross was selected to moderate the “Negotiation Workshop” with panelists, (Retired) Honorable Judge Marie Milks, Lori Kahikina - Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) and Jalene Kanani (Bell) Hitzeman of NOHO Home for the 2023 Wahine Forum. The Wahine Forum is the largest professional development conference for women in the State of Hawaii. The conference is attended by Hawaii’s top female executives, entrepreneurs, up-and-coming leaders and others intent on advancing their careers. Congratulations Cheryl!

Cheryl Cross Featured in ShoutOut LA

Cheryl Cross was featured in Shoutout LA in their February 2024 issue. Shoutout LA is part of the Los Angeles based Voyage Group of Magazines, which helps entrepreneurs and creatives share their stories. Shoutout LA and Voyage Group publications are distributed in close to a dozen cities across the United States and has generated millions of page views. Shoutout LA focuses on topics that inspire important conversations within the community in ways that puts artists, creatives and local businesses at the center of these conversations. Congratulations Cheryl!

Joy Kimura, Julie Arigo, and Lisa Ma elected to Soroptimist International of Honolulu Board

Soroptimist International of Honolulu (SIH) elected several OWL members to their 2023-2024 Board.

  • Joy Kimura - President

  • Julie Arigo - Past President

  • Lisa Ma - Treasurer

Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Soroptimist International of Honolulu is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, one of five federations that make up Soroptimist International, which now has over 75,000 members in 122 countries.

Congratulations Joy, Julie, and Lisa!

Achievements and Announcements

Pacific Edge Magazine Women in Business - Joy Kimura

Joy Kimura was featured in Pacific Edge Magazine’s Women in Business Edition - March 2023 and honored at their Awards Ceremony. Pacific Edge magazine showcases the accomplishments of Hawai’i’s diverse business community, the brightest entrepreneurs and professionals that champion motivation, inspiration and innovation in Hawaii.

Achievements and Announcements

2023 Hawaii Mother of the Year - Joy Kimura

Joy Kimura was selected as Hawaii’s Mother of the Year® for 2023 by the American Mothers Organization. The award recipients—women from diverse backgrounds and experiences across the nation, are recognized for their work, resilience and commitment to family and community. These mothers were chosen through a national nomination and selection process led by American Mothers, which has had the honor of searching for and selecting the Mother of the Year® in every state, district and territory in the country since 1935.

Julie Arigo, Lisa Ma and Joy Kimura elected to Soroptimist International of Honolulu Board

Soroptimist International of Honolulu (SIH) elected several OWL members to their 2022-2023 Board.

  • Julie Arigo - President

  • Joy Kimura - President-Elect

  • Lisa Ma - Treasurer

Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Soroptimist International of Honolulu is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, one of five federations that make up Soroptimist International, which now has over 75,000 members in 122 countries.

Congratulations Julie, Joy and Lisa!