Birthplace: Minnesota, USA

Education: I received my B.A. and completed some post-graduate work at The University of Hawai`i.

Year started at Star of the Sea:  1993

I joined the Star of the Sea faculty in 1993 as a part-time music teacher, while finishing my undergraduate requirements at the University of Hawai`i.  After receiving my BA in Music, Language & Culture in 1996, I became a full-time educator, teaching music to grades 1-5 and Hawaiian language to grades 6-8.

My earlier education was in journalism (Idaho State University) and I worked for many years as a writer/reporter, editor, columnist, photographer, bureau chief, and State editor at several daily newspapers, including the Honolulu Star-Bulletin (1968-77).  I left journalism when I was appointed State Director of Information on the staff of Governor George R. Ariyoshi. After a stint in government, I joined an advertising agency as director of public relations and new business and when the agency closed its Hawai`i office, I became director of advertising and public relations for Mid Pacific Airlines, and later as owner of my own public relations and consulting firm, The Idea Man.

For many of those years, I doubled as a lecturer and instructor, teaching Hawaiian music related classes at the University of Hawai`i's College of Continuing Education (now called the UH Outreach College).  I also conducted workshops and seminars for broadcast personnel, realty firms, and others who needed help with Hawaiian language and names.

And for most of my adult life, I have maintained a second career as an entertainer, songwriter, recording artist and record producer.  My wife, Carmen, and I are a Hawaiian music and hula duo, and have performed together in Waikiki and all over the world for the past 30 years. We have been regulars at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel since 1986, now performing only two nights a week. We also produce and co-host an award-winning Hawaiian music radio program on KIPO/KIFO every Sunday.

I love teaching children, and I like to think that my background enables me to bring out the best in my students.  I help them to learn about life - using music and language as my tools.  I lived in Japan for eight years and my knowledge of Japanese language and culture is also beneficial.   I am a family man, with five adult children and 10 grandchildren, and as a Christian educator, I believe I set a good example.  I don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, and have never used drugs. I don't ever use obscene or profane language, and I try to set a good example for my students in my everyday life.

It is my desire that every elementary student at Star of the Sea learn to love music while in our care and that through exposure to the music of other cultures around the world, they will learn an appreciation for others and their cultural expressions.

In the Hawaiian language classes, it is my goal that our graduating eighth graders will already know everything that is currently being taught in ninth grade Hawaiian language classes in other schools.