Sacred Work

Leadership, Service, and Growth with Tiera Covington

In this month’s episode of Sacred Work: Conversations About Evolving in the Workplace, we sit down with the inspiring Tiera Covington, founder of Integrated Facilities Services Hawaii (IFSH) and the #1 veteran-owned business in the state. With over 215 employees providing janitorial, maintenance, landscaping, and site management services across Oahu, Tiera shares her journey from a 16-year career in facility management to becoming a thriving entrepreneur and president of the Entrepreneurs' Organization Hawaii Chapter.

We explore:
✨ The power of vulnerability in leadership
✨ How mentorship and team development drive success
✨ The importance of service before self in business and community

Tiera’s approach to leadership is deeply rooted in empowerment and opportunity, proving that success isn’t just about degrees or titles—it’s about dedication, adaptability, and a commitment to growth.

🎧 Tune in now and be inspired by her journey!

February Spotlight: Innovating Opportunities with Good Jobs Hawaii!

This month, we're excited to highlight two inspiring voices shaping our community.

Vincent Kimura, Good Jobs Hawaii
Vincent shared his vision for creating sustainable, quality employment opportunities in Hawaii. His insights emphasized:

• The transformative power of community-focused job creation.
• Innovative strategies to drive economic growth in our islands.

Andreah Mamaia, AlohaHP Success Story
Andreah’s journey is a true testament to opportunity in action. Through a grant from Good Jobs Hawaii, she landed a role with AlohaHP and shared:

• How targeted support can open new career doors.
• The real-life impact of investing in people and potential.

Their vibrant stories remind us that strategic partnerships and community investment are key to building a brighter future. Don’t miss out on the full audio for more dynamic insights from Vincent and Andreah!

The Power of Opportunity: How AlohaHP is Changing Lives with Monty Pereira & Wayne Moore

In this inspiring episode of Sacred Work, host Kathleen sits down with two remarkable guests—Monty Pereira, General Manager of Watanabe Floral, and Wayne Moore, a Purple Heart recipient whose journey from military service to civilian success is nothing short of extraordinary.

Monty shares insights from his 28-year career at Watanabe Floral, where he has transformed the company into a pillar of the Hawaii business community, while also championing local organizations and mentorship. Wayne opens up about his transition after an 18-year work sabbatical following his honorable discharge from the Army. Thanks to AlohaHP, he found purpose and stability at Watanabe Floral, allowing him to dream again—now setting his sights on becoming a pilot.

Together, they discuss the power of opportunity, resilience, and community support in shaping lives and businesses across Hawaii. Tune in for a conversation that highlights how the right connections can lead to incredible transformations. 🌺✨

Empowering Hawaii's Future Through Hospitality and Education

In this episode of Sacred Work, Julie Morikawa, President and Executive Director of ClimbHI, shares her inspiring journey from a young hula dancer on cruise ships to a trailblazing leader in the hospitality and education sectors. Drawing from her experiences in global hospitality giants like Expedia, Bellagio, and Aston Hotels, Julie explains how her passion for uplifting Hawaii’s youth laid the foundation for ClimbHI.

Julie opens up about the challenges she faced as a local student seeking career resources, and how her drive to fill that gap has redefined pathways for thousands of students across Hawaii. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, experiential learning, and building meaningful industry connections to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Key Insights from the Podcast Include:

• Building Bridges Between Industry and Education: How ClimbHI creates opportunities for Hawaii’s youth.
• Leadership and Impact: Why early mentorship shapes successful careers.
• Empowering Through Experience: The value of hands-on learning in education and hospitality.
• Navigating Challenges as a Leader: Lessons from Julie's journey to the top.

Discover how Julie Morikawa’s vision continues to transform Hawaii’s education and workforce landscape, fostering innovation, leadership, and community empowerment.

 

The Power of Empathy in Leadership and Education

In this episode of Sacred Work, Gerald Termae, Head of School at Island Pacific Academy, opens up about his journey from teacher to educational leader. Gerald shares how his upbringing instilled in him the values of hard work, compassion, and resilience—principles he has carried throughout his career.

Gerald reveals how authentic leadership and empathy can transform not only the lives of students but also the broader school community. By fostering self-awareness and reframing mistakes as learning opportunities, Gerald creates a culture of confidence, character, and growth that inspires others to thrive.

Key Insights from the Podcast Include:

• Empathy and Leadership: Building relationships that support growth.
• Turning Challenges Into Wins: Why mistakes are vital for learning.
• Confidence in the Classroom: The power of fostering resilience and individuality.
• Reflective Leadership: How self-awareness fuels impactful change.

Discover how Gerald’s compassionate approach to leadership is redefining education and empowering others to embrace lifelong learning.

Embracing the Mundane. Embracing it all

In this episode of Sacred Work, Ruthie Kaminskas, a top-ranked real estate agent and world traveler, shares profound insights on living a life that embraces both the extraordinary and the everyday. Ruthie, who recently sold the most expensive home in Oahu for $24.38 million, reflects on her personal journey shaped by a strict Latina mother and an engineering father. Through her experiences, she has learned to embrace the mundane and find wisdom in everyday life.

A pivotal moment in Ruthie's life occurred after she read Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss and underwent a past-life regression therapy session with him. This experience shifted her perspective, helping her develop a calm acceptance of life and death, which deeply influenced how she approached daily challenges and joys.

Key Insights from the Podcast Include:

• Psychonaut Exploration: Learning to “experience ourselves” on a deeper, introspective level.
• Embracing All of Life: Whether it’s the mundane, the triggers, or the joy, embracing every aspect of life.
• Gratitude for the Present: Encouraging listeners to cherish the now, reminding us that what we can do today may not be possible tomorrow.

Tune in now to explore Ruthie’s vibrant energy as she reflects on the importance of being true to one’s inner self and cultivating gratitude for life's moments.

Harnessing Energy for Impact: Featuring Charles Kaneshiro

In this episode of Sacred Work, we are thrilled to be joined by Charles Kaneshiro, AIA, LEED AP, President and Chief Operating Officer of G70. As Hawaii's foremost sustainability expert, Charles has been instrumental in shaping the future of educational facilities across the state, leading projects for Iolani School, Hawaii Baptist Academy, the University of Hawaii, and the Hawai‘i Department of Education. Since joining G70 in 2000, Charles has steered the firm through an incredible phase of growth, expanding its services and global reach.

As one of the state’s first LEED Accredited Professionals, Charles has fostered a culture of sustainability at G70, where over 40% of the staff have pursued LEED certification under his leadership. In today’s conversation, Charles shares his thoughts on sustainable design, the importance of intentionality in where we invest our time and energy, and how the impact of our actions often becomes clear only when we step back and reflect.

Key Takeaways from this Powerful Discussion:

• Sustainability: Learn about the role of sustainability in architectural design and how it impacts communities for generations.
• Leadership: Gain insights into leading with purpose and creating a work culture focused on growth and environmental responsibility.
• Energy and Impact: Understand the profound effects of being mindful about where we direct our energy and the unseen influence of those choices.

Tune in now to explore how conscious leadership and sustainability can shape the future of education and beyond.

#SustainabilityInDesign #AuthenticLeadership #WorkisMoreThanATransaction #LEEDAccredited #SacredWorkPodcast

Theme Music by Bethany Carder and Abram Morphew.

Episode 4: Authentic Leadership Leads to Healthy Work Environments

Join us in learning about how showing up authentically in leadership can lead to healthy work environments. This episode of Sacred Work Kat speaks with Elisia Flores, CEO of L&L Franchise Inc. Elisia shares her insights on her choice to not fight a monster head on, but instead, boldly stepped away. This showed her how to become more confident as an authentic leader, and in turn, how being an authentic leader can create a work environment that promotes community. By making this choice she has experienced important personal growth, introspection, and liberation that drives her leadership.

 

Key Takeaways from this Powerful Discussion:

 

Authenticity: how being authentic in every aspect of your life can create fuller, more profound experiences. 

Leadership: the type of leadership that encourages people to be their best, most authentic selves. 

Work Environment: the importance of what it means to create a work environment that promotes human experience. 

 

Tune in now and be inspired to embrace challenges and grow!

 

#EmbraceChallenge #Introspection #SelfAwareness

#Authentic Leadership #SacredWork #EveolvingInTheWorkspace