American Mothers, Inc., Hawaii Association

Time Out for Mom "Motherhood: Reaching New Heights."

2011-10-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

2011 Mothers of the Year

2011-09-04T19:16:00.001-07:00

Claire Nakatsuka and Cecsi Wong

2011 Young Mother of the Year

2011-09-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Cecilia (Cesci) Perez De Wang

TONGAN American Mothers Association (TAMA)

2011-09-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Chapter President: Sinita Uluave
email: ssuluave@gmail.com.
cell phone # (808) 382-9217
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No events listed

NORTH SHORE Chapter

2011-09-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

Chapter President: Donnette Tew
email: storymom2@gmail.com
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Opening Social: Girl's Night Out

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

7:30-8:30 pm

Shumway Home in Laie (please email for more information)

RSVP by September 15th to May at 561-2106 or at mayshumway@gmail.com

Special Guest: Merv Kitashima (2003 National Mother of the Year)
She will speak on "Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands"
Go home with wonderful ideas on how to nurture your marriage

Bonus: Sample new Healthy snacks (with recipes) to try with your family.

LEEWARD Chapter

2011-07-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

Chapter President: Lianna McMillan
email: alohalanimc11@hawaii.rr.com
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Fondant Fun

Saturday, August 20th, 2011 • 5:30 pm
Hosted by Lianna McMillan & the Leeward Chapter of American Mothers, Inc
384-5340
Newtown Cultural Hall
98-530 Kaahele Street
Pearl City, HI 96782

Cesci Wang, homeschooling mom and Young Mother of the Year 2011 will bring her cutting tools and supplies to make beautiful cupcakes

Come and play with Fondant and decorate a mini cake or a few cup cakes.

bring your own home baked cupcakes or 8-9" round cake.

Fondant and fun cutters will be available

you can also pick up rolled fondant at the Walmart craft section of the store

RSVP by Aug 15 and let me know whether or not you will bring some cupcakes or a mini cake and fondant

Mom and Keiki playgroup 2nd and 4th thursdays. 10am to 12 noon
1716 Noelani Street Pearl City
Join us for crafts, moms talk story and all around fun
Pack a Snack

Kailua 4th of July Parade

2011-07-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

2011 American Mothers National Convention in Utah

2011-05-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

2011 Awards Banquet

2011-03-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

Mother and Young Mother of the Year
Claire Nakatsuka and Cesci Wong

Mother and Young Mother of the Year with their husbands

AMI Service Award
Donnette Tew with Husband Glade Tew

Young Mothers of the Year
Juli Hallstrom, Lianna McMillan, Jeanine Wong, May Shumway
2011 YMR Cesci Wong

Mothers of the Year
Joyce Fasi, Sally Lee, Claire Nakatsuka, Cathy Wong,
and Merv Kitashima

You are cordially invited to the
American Mothers Inc. Hawai’i Association

Annual Honor Banquet

Please join with us in honoring

Claire Loo Nakatsuka
2011 Hawai’i Mother of the Year

Cecilia (Cesci) Perez de Wang
2011 Hawai’i Young Mother of the Year

Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Hale Ikena @ Fort Shafter, Bldg 711 Morton Drive

Open seating

Annual Mother's Conference!

2010-10-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

2010 AMI-Hawaii Association board

AMI-Hawaii invites you to:

Time Out For Mom

“Celebrating the Facets of Motherhood”

Presenting Cathy Wong 2010 Mother of the Year & Juli Hallstrom 2010 Young Mother

Saturday, November 13, 2010 ~ 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ~ Pohai Nani. Pohai Nani is located at 45-090 Namoku St., Kaneohe, HI

Cost (includes Pupus/dessert): $18 per person until November 5; $20 for late registration;

$15 for current AMI members

Register by Friday, November 5

Detach form below and mail with check or money order

(payable to AMI HI Assoc.) to Nancy Bliss, 55-102 Kulanui Ln, Laie, HI 96762. For more info, go online to www.americanmothershawaii.org or call Nancy @ 358-8809.

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Name(s):_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Best Contact Phone #’s:_________________________ Email Address:________________________________________

Mailing Address:________________________________________________________ Zip Code:___________________

Payment: _____________ x $_________________ = $_________________

(# attending) ($18 or $15 member) (Total enclosed)

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Workshop Sessions

"Around the Dinner Table" by Donnette Tew

"Children Need Parents Who Love Each Other"

by Doug Brinley

"Connecting With Grandkids, Near or Far" by Becca Kesler

"Digital Diva: What to do with all those digital photos!"

by Ruth Pukahi

"Girls Night In" by Juli Hallstrom

"Motherhood: so it's not the destination you anticipated"

by Dianne Callister, 2010 National Mother Of the Year

Schedule for the Day:

1:30 Registration

2:00 Pre-conference Activities

Jewelry Making, Qi Gong,

Massages

2:50 Welcome

3:00 Keynote Address

by Dianne Callister,

2010 National Mother of the Year

3:30 Workshops (Choose 3)

5:45 Pupus, Prizes and

Entertainment

6:30 Closing

7:00 Pau

I Support American Mothers, Inc.

I am enclosing a tax deductible donation of $_____________

Sign me up as an AMI member! Additional payment of

$25.00 enclosed.

Fourth of July Parade

2010-07-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

2010 Mother of the year:
Cathy Wong with husband Darrell

2010 Young Mother of the Year:

Juli Hallstrom with husband Jeff and their 4 children

Kailua 4th of July Parade

AMI-Hawaii Awards Banquet: Hale Ikena

2010-03-13T13:44:00.000-08:00

Our very own AMI-Hawaii Serenaders

Nip and Jeanine (emcees)

Juli and Jeanine

Cathy and Nip

Scott and Dawn

Our wonderful "Pick a prize" station

Service Award: Roberta Searle
with husband Robert

Past and Current Mothers of the Year

Wong Family

Hallstrom family

Cathy Wong and Julianne Hallstrom
2010 Mothers of the Year

2010-03-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

2010 Mother of the Year
Cathy Smith Wong

Wong Family

Cathy Wong was born and raised in North Carolina. Her Heritage is Irish, English, and Native American. Cathy has been married for 23 years to Darrell and has 2 children. They both dedicate their lives to their Savior Jesus Christ so that they may teach their children life lessons by living the examples that Christ has given them. Cathy attended Coastal Carolina University and Brigham Young University Hawaii studying Social Work and Human Development. She has been a Memorial Counselor for 15 years.

She has served her church and community for many years. Her most important achievements throughout her adult live have been serving and loving God and family. Motherhood has been her greatest calling and by working and making her family a priority, she has learned that "Success outside the Home can never compensate for Failure in the Home.

2010 Young Mother of the Year
Julianne Hallstrom

Hallstrom family

Juli Hallstrom was born in Colorado and moved to Hawaii when she was 8 years old. She currently resides in Manoa on the island of Oahu. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese from BYU, with a minor in Art History. Juli served as a missionary for 18 months in Sapporo, Japan before marrying her high school sweetheart, Jeff Hallstrom, in 1999. They are now blessed with 4 children-- 2 boys and 2 girls-- ages 1 through 9. Juli gets a great deal of joy (and some pretty funny stories) out of being a stay at home mom, but also loves her book club, gardening with her kids, serving in the children's organization at church, getting together with other moms, digital scrapbooking, dating her hubby, and, recently, artisan bread-making.

Mothers (and Daughters) Conference

2009-09-29T17:23:00.000-07:00

A Mother’s Garden –
Tools to Cultivate and Nurture your Family”
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Hawaii Association of American Mother’s Inc. in partnership
with Kamehameha Schools PAR presents its annual Mothers Conference
Place: Kamehameha Middle School,Kapalama
Who: Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunties, & Daughters 12yrs & older
Time: 8:30am – 2:00pm
Dress: CASUAL & COMFORTABLE
Cost: $20.00 per person / $15.00 current AMI member
(Price includes continental breakfast, handouts, workshops, craft, & lunch)

Workshops 1 & 2 Choices:
(#1)“Weeding”out the Clutter - Kelly Galvin of Organize in Paradise will teach you the tools to de-clutter your home and life and to create order and serenity in your home.
(#2)“Planting the Seeds”-Linda Uehara, Retired Literacy Resource Teacher, will teach you the ABCs of reading to your children (infants to teens) and provide tips to choosing the right books. Grandmothers and Aunties welcome!
(#3)“Fertilizer” for Strength & Health - Anna Velasco, Health Promotion Specialist, will teach you how to make healthy food choices and give you tips on portion control. She will also suggest ways to help your child make “Whoa, Slow, & Go” food choices.
(#4)“Cultivate” Young Cooks - Donnette Tew, Mother of 5, will teach you 25-minute meals to cook with your keiki using ‘grape’ recipes. Come, enjoy, & ‘lettuce’ eat!
(#5)“Preserving the Memories” - Digital Overload? Elliott Wong & Terry Shimabukuro will share photographer and computer tips. They will also give you ideas on organizing, archiving, and web sharing. Not to mention teach us tools to create memory books.
(#6)“Composting 101”- Mindy Jaffe of Waikiki Worms will show you how to reduce, reuse, and recycle your waste with worm composting.

Demonstration WORKSHOPS #3
(Three 20-minute demo sessions)
“Tending the Gardener”

(A) Qi Gong
Tom Yoshizawa & June Fujitani
• Studied 10 years under various Masters
• Learn to open up your meridians to increase circulation, promote longevity & better understand your body
(B) Yoga
Yoga by Roselle Torres
• Benefits to your health, mind, & body
• Mini session to learn basic postures
(C) Skin Care & Facials
Makana Esthetics & Wellness Center
• Learn tips on skin care/facials
• Simple make-up tips
(D) Nail Care (manicure & pedicure)
Paul Brown Institute at Remington College
• Tips on nail care & Demonstration
(E) Hair Care for the Family
Paul Brown Institute at Remington College
• Understanding the difference (men, women, & children)
• Questions & answers and Demonstrations
(F) Hawaiian Health Care
Hui Maulio Ola
• La’au – Hawaiian Medicine
• Ho’oponopono
(G) Massage Therapy
Shelley Yamada & Janice Babin
• Licensed Massage Therapists
• Why massage
• Demonstration

Conference Schedule
8:30 – 9:10 Check-in, crafting, mini makeovers & massages
9:15 – 9:30 Welcome
9:40 – 10:30 Workshop #1
10:35 – 11:25 Workshop #2
11:30 – 12:40 Demo-Sessions
11:30-11:50 Session # 1
11:55-12:15 Session # 2
12:20-12:40 Session # 3
12:45 – 1:30 Lunch
1:30 – 2:00 Evaluation & Closing

*To register, print attached form & mail with payment to address on Registration Form. Workshops will be assigned upon receipt of registration & payment.

For more information: Email Joselyn at akanabk@hotmail.com or Gaye at gyaraki@yahoo.com

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REGISTRATION FORM (Please print)
(Must be received by Thursday, October 15th)
NAME: _______________________________________________ PHONE:_________________________
MAILING ADDRESS: ______________________________
CITY:_________________
ZIP:_____________
E-MAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________
PAYMENT: ____________X $___________________= $____________
(Money order or check ONLY
# Attending $20 or $15 AMI member Total enclosed Payable to: HI Assoc. AMI )

Choice of workshop 1 & 2:
#_____ #______ # ______ #_____
1st choice 2nd choice 3rd choice 4th choice
(see workshop info)

Choice of workshop 3 (A – F):
______ ______ ______ ______ _______
1st choice 2nd choice 3rd choice 4th choice 5 th choice
(see workshop info)

(* * workshops will be assigned based on receipt of registration/payment* *)

Mail to: Gayle Araki, 99-667 Hoio St., Aiea, HI 96701
or
Kamehameha Kapālama families to:
Mervlyn Kitashima,
Kamehameha Schools, PAR,
1887 Makuakāne St. Honolulu, HI 96817

2009-08-06T00:07:00.000-07:00

Midweek article: 2009 Young Mother of the Year
Joselyn Akana

SPORTS/FITNESS > Keeping Score

Great Volleyball Player, Great Mom

By Bob Hogue
Wednesday - March 04, 2009

E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive

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(from left) Braelyn, Brandyn, Tausili, Joselyn and Keonilei

She used to be the “girl next door.” Now she’s the mom next door.

“People approach me at the store or at the park and they’ll say, ‘Are you the volleyball player? Are you Joselyn Robins?’ It always amazes me that they still remember,” she says.

But who could forget Joselyn? She was truly Hawaii’s sweetheart during the amazing run of the University of Hawaii Wahine volleyball team during the mid-1990s. Playing alongside the likes of Angelica Ljungquist, Robyn Ah Mow, Cecelia Goods, Chastity Nobriga and other great players of the past, she captured our hearts with her talent, her charm and her tenacious smile.

“It was during the start of the Stan Sheriff Center era (actually named the Special Events Arena back then). People came (by the thousands), and there was something about that team,” she recalls. “We overcame so much adversity and then started doing very well.”
As it turns out, Joselyn is still doing very well. She’s now Joselyn Robins Akana - married the last 10 years to BYU-Hawaii assistant basketball coach Brandyn Akana (the brother of former UH basketball star Jarinn Akana) and they have three young children. Their two daughters, Braelyn and Keonilei, are 8 and 7. Their son, Tausili, is 5.

Her family and her children have become the major focus of her life. In Laie, she’s in the PTA, she volunteers in the classroom and she helps organize children’s events, among many other tasks.

“When people ask, and I tell them, ‘I’m at home, being a mother.’ I get mixed reactions,” she says. “They seemed surprised. They wonder why I’m not still playing volleyball or doing something else.”

But Joselyn knows that motherhood is a full-time job. And she tackles that job with the same tenacity that made her such an outstanding high school and collegiate volleyball star.

“Her kids are so well-mannered and they’re so cute,” says family friend Lisa Wagner, the wife of BYU-Hawaii athletic director and men’s basketball coach Ken Wagner. “She’s always looking for ways to help her children learn and grow. And with all the things she does, she keeps a perfect house. I really admire the fact that she’s been able to stand up for what she believes is right.”

So right, in fact, that others have noticed, too.

This month, Joselyn will be named 2009 Hawaii’s Young Mother of the Year. The award will be presented by American Mothers Inc. in a ceremony March 14 at Hale Ikena on Fort Shafter.

“The title is very humbling,” Joselyn says. “I guess the recognition will hold me accountable. When the women came by to ask me, I told them I could definitely nominate 10 of my friends.”

But the award seems fitting in the hands of someone who grew up locally and who always strives to be the best she can be.

“I’m such a perfectionist,” she says.

That was true even back at Aiea High School, where the former cheerleader didn’t play competitive volleyball until her sophomore year and then went on to become one of the best players in the state. She was outstanding in hula, too, and competed at the Merrie Monarch Festival for the Miss Aloha Hula title, finishing as high as second runner-up.

She played outside hitter for Dave Shoji’s Wahine from 1993 to 1996 before graduating from UH in 1997 with a degree in psychology and later a master’s in social work. When I asked her if she uses her psychology degree, she answers quickly, “Only with my children,” and she laughs.

All kidding aside, it obviously works.

“Knowing that I have a family that depends on me and that is so loving and so forgiving, all that means so much to me,” she says. “I want to provide so much every day. But I’ve learned that no matter how imperfect I am, they still love me unconditionally. That’s amazing to me.”

That’s being a mom. And that’s Joselyn Robins Akana, still amazing in every way, and now Hawaii’s Young Mother of the Year.

click link below for full story:

http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/keepingscore_article/great_volleyball_player_great_mom/

2009 Mothers of the Year

2009-08-05T23:33:00.001-07:00

Joselyn Akana & Gayle Araki
2009 Mothers of the Year

Gayle Araki
2009 Mother of the Year

The Araki Family

Joselyn Akana
2009 Young Mother of the Year

The Akana Family

You're Invited...

2008-08-09T00:02:00.000-07:00

...to our annual Mother's Conference

"Motherhood: Creating a Lasting Legacy"

Saturday, September 27, 2008 @ Kamehameha Schools 2:30-8:00 p.m.

Cost: $20 per person (includes dinner) $15 for current AMI members

*Daughters 12 and up are invited and encouraged to register as well!

Enjoy the day with your daughter, dancing, painting, journaling, and more!

** Watch for upcoming details on workshops **

For more information or to register, please contact Merv @ 842-8444 or email to amihawaii@gmail.com.

Midweek article

2008-05-15T00:32:00.000-07:00

MIDWEEK > Newsmaker
Hawaii’s Mothers Of The Year
Wednesday - May 07, 2008 By Alana Folen

click on this link for the actual article:
http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/newsmaker_article/hawaiis_mothers_of_the_year/

The Ho family (from left) Ryan Ikaika, Margaret, Winston, Jessica Malia and Jacqueline Kukaealani
Born and raised seemingly two worlds apart, Jeanine Wong and Margaret Ho have at least one thing in common - both are mothers at the top of their game who take their role as a mother seriously. And with Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s quite fitting to honor these women for their achievements and accomplishments as moms - perhaps one of the toughest jobs ever.
“In order for me to raise the best possible children that I can, I must try to be the best possible person that I can be,” says 46-year-old Ho, who was recently named 2008 Hawaii Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc. (AMI) Hawaii Association.
And at 33, Wong has been honored as 2008 Hawaii Young Mother of the Year. Deeply rooted in her faith, she lives by words from the Bible.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not look only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others” Philippians 2:2-4 NIV.
AMI is an interfaith, non-profit, non-political organization whose mission is to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of the family and the home. AMI is the official sponsor of Mother of the Year.
Mervlyn Kitashima, president of AMI Hawaii Association, was the 2003 State Mother of the Year and National Mother of the Year. Kitashima says that while very different from one another, both women are very deserving of this prestigious honor.

“Both Margaret and Jeanine deserve this honor because of their commitment to their families, their communities and their churches,” she explains. “Their lives are focused around being a wife and mother first while still contributing to the community by serving others. They spend quality time with their children and families and still manage their homes, their careers and their service.”
Wong was born in American Samoa and came to Hawaii as an infant. She is now married to her husband Michael, and together they have three children: Micah (10), Malia (8) and Aidan (7). Residing in Kapolei, Wong is primarily a stay-at-home mom, but is very active in her community. She does volunteer work for Hawaii Meals on Wheels, and at Moanalua Elementary School, where her children are students. She also serves as leader of the Awana Youth Program at Makakilo Baptist Church and leader of Junior Girl Scout Troop 1082 in Kapolei.
Originally from Iowa, Ho came to Hawaii in 1996 with her husband Winston and their three children Jessica (19), Jacqueline (17) and Ryan (16). Ho has always lived her life helping those in need, and has extensive experience working in special education. Ho calls Pearl City home and works for Special Olympics Hawaii, where she currently serves as vice president of area services.
Wong and Ho accepted their awards at the annual Mother of the Year Awards banquet at the Hale Koa Hotel.

The Wong family (front, from left) Micah, Malia, Aiden (back) Michael and Jeanine
“As a mother, this is the greatest honor in the world,” Ho says gratefully. “Of all the awards that a woman can achieve, there is nothing better than this one.”
Says Wong, “Receiving this award was the grace of God. While I am overjoyed to have been chosen, I am most excited about the experiences and lessons that will continue to shape me to become a better mom and woman.”
“Motherhood is not an easy job,” Kitashima says. “Yet these women have set an example of perseverance, faith and service to others. What they expect of their families - they model every day.”
Teaching by example - this is what mothers do.
“I believe that it is important for my husband and I to be in agreement with how we parent,” Wong says. “As our children’s first impressions, we set the examples and we need to be accountable that our words match our actions.”
In that respect, Wong adds it is equally important that her children be responsible for their own actions as well.
“Our children are expected to be respectful to themselves and others and make positive choices. When our children make mistakes, they understand that they will have consequences, but they will be forgiven. I had to learn to parent not in anger, but in love and grace and to have a sense of humor!”
For Ho, she and her husband are firm believers that a child must be raised in the same manner that you wish to see in them as adults.
“Truly, our role as a parent has to be in raising our children to be good adults,” Ho states. “I believe the values you live every day with your family will be the values they will live and pass on to their children. As a family, you must have good communication, set rules, set consequences and follow through with them, and show a ton of love,” Ho advises.
Ho and Wong both agree that children must know they are loved and supported in everything they do.
Ho says a child should never go to bed wondering where they belong in life, questioning if they are loved and where they fit in. “They should always know your family is all of that,” she exclaims.
A family should serve as an unconditional support system, and for Wong the desire for her children to grow up happy and loved is something she truly takes to heart. As a child and throughout some of her adulthood, Wong battled with depression.
“It affected my family early in my marriage,” Wong recalls. “But now with the support of my loving family, patient husband and the strength of God, I have peace within me that I’ve never experienced before.”
One thing is clear: Both women exude a magnitude of humility and grace. As a mother, it’s not about themselves first and foremost, or an award; rather, it’s about serving others and doing their part to build a bright future for generations to come.
“Every mother and father are role models,” Wong says. “It doesn’t take an honor like this to make us one. We are our children’s first role models and, as adults, we need to be role models in all aspects of life!”

2008 Mother of the Year

2008-03-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

Nip Ho

Nip & Winston Ho
with children: Ryan, Jessica & Jacqueline

2008 Young Mother of the Year

2008-03-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

Jeanine Wong

Jeanine & Mike Wong
with children: Micah, Malia & Aidan

AMI Banquet

2008-03-07T15:16:00.000-08:00

Moms of the year and families

2008 Mothers of the Year
Nip Ho & Jeanine Wong

AMI Board

Mervlyn Kitashima, Beth Uale, May Shumway, Taran McQuivey,

Lianna McMillan, Dawn Mukai, Sally Lee, Lisa Wagner,

Donnette Tew, & Kathy Ho

(not on the picture) Jolene Bradshaw, Bennette Evangelista,

Nancy Bliss, Amanda DuPont & Ellen Williams

MILILANI Chapter

2007-11-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

Chapter President: Amalie Monlux
email: sugarsweet584@aol.com
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Meets every 2nd Friday of the Month

4th of July Parade 2007

2007-07-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Jolene Bradshaw (2007 Hawaii Young Mother of the year) and Bennette Evangelista (2007 Hawaii Mother of the Year). 4th of July Parade!