Thank you for your time today Michelle.

Thank you too.

We started working on this picture book after you lost your job in the Maui fires, but how did you feel after actually experiencing the fires?

It's hard to put into words the range of emotions that come from experiencing a historical fire that impacted so many lives & people close to me, including my livelihood. From the time I moved to Maui, I've spent about 80% of my time in Lahaina, on Front Street managing henna businesses. While I'm still accepting my new normal, I look forward to the future and believe the strong willed people of Maui will continue to support each other towards a proper rebuild of Maui. This event has also put into perspective the importance of having disaster preparedness with families and people close to you. Natural disasters are always on the horizon and it does address the need to be prepared for such scenarios. 

Well, Michelle lost her job in Maui in that fire. I've walked down Front Street where the fire burned, so I'm very sad that the street with its lovely, small, traditional houses is no longer there. Come to think of it, I met Michelle through a friend who had a company on that street who introduced me and you did henna tattoos on my hands. At that time, you showed me your painting portfolio. What made you start painting?

From a young age, I was always drawing characters and people with pen on paper. I never pursued my talents until I reached my 20s and started my henna career. Learning how to draw henna definitively sharpened my line art, steady hand and symmetry skills. It helped me have a smooth transition when I moved into digital art. I focused on my bold lines and bright colors, inspired by anime characters drawing many of them. My digital art journey was self taught, learning functions from tutorials. I felt the urge to further enrich my talents and move away from character art, so I eventually started to get into acrylic and watercolor painting a few years ago. I took a couple of lessons, but otherwise again have been self taught in my painting career and continue to learn more on color theory and lighting. I enjoy mainly painting landscape art.

When Michelle first showed me the portfolio, I thought the character reproductions were attractive, but what I thought was the most beautiful was actually the lines themselves. It's a thick, strong, good line, but it's a line that doesn't hesitate, and that's what I found very attractive. Michelle, who experienced the fires in Maui, decided to tell the story and use that thick black line to create a picture book that you would want today's children to read. Do you have any impressions after creating this picture book?

I was delighted when I was contacted by Ayumi to put a children's book together. I'm learning more about my own style as I compile each page. Writing about disaster preparedness is something that hits home especially for me, having gone through many scenarios where I've personally lost electricity, cell service, water, & have had to either shelter or evacuate. I hope this book brings awareness that you don't need to be afraid, but it helps to be prepared to protect your loved ones. Natural disasters happen all over the world, and I believe my book will help many families come together to be safe! 

Thank you for talking to me about yourself and your picture books today. Is there any place you would like to support Maui?

Personally, I would like to request this place.
▶ boys and girls club of Hawaii