Page 5 - MidWeek Central - May 5, 2021

MAY 5, 2021 5
‘Iliahi Manager Is Honored
Owner Enjoys Making Others Happy
FROM PAGE 1
Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association has recognized ‘Iliahi Elementary School cafeteria manager Guy Shimabukuro with its 2021 Friend of Youth Award.
resident for 26 years. He and his wife, Lori, a pastor at New Hope Central Oʻahu, are admired people in the community and respected as mentors to others.
“Ifeltinalotofways,wecoulddoit better for both the client and ourselves. Currently we’re doing residential new builds, renovations, retail stores, light in- dustrial and hotel guest rooms. We are currently moving into government work,” Chun notes.
have been able to survive the pandemic by following government guidelines in order to continue to operate,” Chun emphasizes.
HSTA explains that Shimabukuro demonstrates a passion and commitment to mentoring keiki that goes far beyond his day job as the cafeteria manager at ʻIliahi. For more than two decades, Shimabukuro has coached youth in a variety of sports.
The Shimabukuros be- gan Wahiawā Athletic Club in 1999 to run the neigh- borhood’s Police Activities League.
“In anything I do, being able to see peo- ple happy for something you have done is so rewarding,” he adds.
His goals for the future include planning to explore new markets in construction by being constantly open to new ideas and en- tertaining possible avenues of growth.
“We’re trying to develop each child as an overall per- son, not just on the court or on the field, but in the class- room, in the community, and at home. We’re trying to build a complete child,” Shimabukuro states.
The club accepted youth from Wahiawā and sur- rounding communities, such as Pearl City, Mililani and Waialua.
family donated the materials and made plexiglass desk shields for the entire ʻIliahi staff to keep us and the stu- dents safe during this pan- demic,” Low-Liu states.
He also loves to promote and compete in strength sports all over the United States, and is part of strongman team lifthaus 808.
He has been a Wahiawā
“Our team is resilient and knows how to make adjustments when the need arises. We
For more info, visit wavebuildershi.com or call 808-680-9283.
In addition, Shimabukuro coached youth in flag foot- ball, basketball and volley- ball, while Lori oversaw cheerleading.
Guy Shimabukuro
He shares that he also derives happiness from employing people, because it feels good to see his workers able to provide for their families. The business now has 25 staff members and is still hiring.
Besides his work, Chun enjoys his fam- ily life with his wife, Lori, and their daugh- ter Kiara, 18, and son Kylan, 13. Born in Honolulu and raised in Kāne‘ohe before moving to Waipi‘o, Chun is a 1988 gradu- ate of Castle High School.
Denise Low-Liu, a first- grade teacher at ʻIliahi Ele- mentary, nominated Shima-
For more info on Shima- bukuro and the teachers’ as- sociation, visit hsta.org.
Meanwhile, the company has succesful- ly dealt with the coronavirus pandemic.
“Aside from enjoying any strengthen- ing activities, I have a passion for seeing people happy and to always be moving for- ward in a positive direction,” he declares.
bukuro for the award.
“He is so generous. His
According to Chun, the company has constantly adapted to accommodate an in- crease in business, whether that meant add- ing new employees, equipment or programs to make Wave Builders more efficient and able to cater to the changing market.
“We have also used the time wisely to reconfigure our strategies in business to allow us to effectively move forward,” the company owner adds.
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