Valentino is soon to be four years old. Looking back, age three had common themes. One of the themes centered on play. For the most part when we would play, I allowed him to direct the activity. He was the happiest when we would sit down on the floor together and start to engage in …
“In deciding Friday that marriage equality is the law of the land, the Supreme Court justices not only made history, they also showed their respect for it. This weekend marks the anniversary of three major events in the fight for gay rights: the Stonewall Riots, the court battle against discriminatory sodomy laws and the fight against …
Father’s Day is approaching this weekend and so I felt particularly compelled to spew some new thoughts. As I reflect on fatherhood, I can’t help but remember the father who taught me so much. Raising a toddler, I seem to have learned that there is one word that can turn a perfectly wonderful day into a …
April 2015 was an epic month for Imua Family Services! The 68 year old non-profit provides critical comprehensive therapeutic services to children on Maui and had much to celebrate. Also the Week of the Young Child, IFS held their anniversary celebration and fundraising gala at the Hyatt Regency Maui on Friday April 3. The agency followed …
Recently, I was leaving the Queen Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center with my son on my shoulders, when a young man walking shouted “Hey Uncle Dean! Howz it?” he said with a big smile. I had to really look at him to think how I knew this young boy. He then went on to explain, “Do you remember …
Gung Hey Fat Choy (Happy Chinese New Year)! This was actually the most celebrated of holidays in my household growing up. Each year, my father would plan feasts for the restaurant I grew up in. Anyone who came to dine at Wong’s restaurant in Chinatown got the privilege of the abundance of holiday foods …
I have a tendency to take things seriously. I am not sure when this changed in me. When I was a young boy in school, I was a nerdy scholar. I had to be, otherwise my father would have had his great Chinese meltdowns on my ass. But to cover up how stressed I was …
Lately, our three year old toddler has been waking up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain in his knees. He is at an age where he can identify the pain, tell us about it, and tell us how much it pains him. “Oh daddy, my knees, my knees, why do they keep …
How did you learn about Imua Family Services? I have known Dean for years… A portion of November 15th’s event will benefit Imua Family Services. Why is it important for Sugar Beach to partner with local causes? I have been blessed with an opportunity to do what I love on this beautiful island. It …
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons I’ve been slightly taken a back by all the buzz that the Ebola epidemic has created lately, and while I certainly don’t take it lightly and appreciate all precautions taken, I do find it intriguing. When I was very young, growing up, my father would always take every opportunity to …