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Hawaii Community FCU would like to express our appreciation and aloha to the performers, guests and all who supported the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival — one of Hawaii Island’s most treasured traditions.
We’re especially proud of this year’s participant— Hālau Kala‘akeakauikawēkiu from Kailua-Kona, pictured above.
We invite you to stop by one of our branches or scan the QR code to visit us online, and experience the HCFCU difference.
Lilianani Maya Rae Pi,Miss Aloha Hula Contestant with Kuma Hula Kenneth Dean Alohapumehanaokalā Victor
Photos: Left to Right Hālau Kala‘akeakauikawēkiu (Kuma Hula: Kenneth Dean Alohapumehanaokalā Victor)
What a Joy To Be a Woman!
There are so many aspects that make women amazing, and I could speak to our grit, our capacity, our beauty or all the unending qualities that shape the intricacies of who we are and who we are becoming. But one thing stands out to me: not just who we are in ourselves, but who we are to those around us.
We experience depths of emotion unlike any other—to be so deeply stirred by people, art, places and experiences; to hold on to those evocative memories and transform them into something tangible. Women are capable of immeasurable love and carry the very essence of life. Biologically, the profound possibility of creating, carrying, and nurturing life within ourselves is a miracle that brings me to my knees in wonder. Happy Mother’s Day to all our strong makuahine!
Even beyond that, women provide the spiritual mothering of those around them, whether they have their own children or not, bringing life to every room they enter. Women create an environment of care and nurture, from the most vulnerable to the most powerful. No person, regardless of power or prestige, is beyond the human desire to be loved and cared for by a woman—whether that be a mother’s embrace, a wife’s love, a sister’s support or an auntie’s cooking. There is an incredible power in the way women provide a place of rest for the soul.
I felt stirred to highlight and honor women who have utilized that power in magnificent ways to serve our community. Our 2026 Women of Influence represent all the amazing women who call Hawaiʻi home and tend to it. We also gathered with more influential women for a brunch to celebrate those shaping the Kona Coast’s culture. These are women who have accomplished so much, yet never hold back in serving and loving our community. These are the culture-shapers who make this place a home.
Take a moment to celebrate and uplift the women around you this month. Warmly,
JULIA KURPPA, EDITOR
May 2026
PUBLISHER
Johnny Gillespie | johnny.gillespie@citylifestyle.com
Emily Ordoñez, Matias Arredondo, Julia Silva Kurppa
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Cadencia Photography, Fletch Photography, Anna Velichko
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Fletch
inside the issue
city scene
1: L-R: Courtney Scherer, Olivia Smith, Cait Silva and Mehana Pilago at Kona Coast’s Women’s Brunch 2: L-R: Roxie Zendejas from The Club and Rebekah Moyer at Kona Coast’s Women’s Brunch 3: Cindy Robinson Mullen, keynote speaker for Kona Coast’s Women’s Brunch
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Portraits of Impact
A TRIBUTE TO THE WOMEN EDIFYING OUR COMMUNITY. INTRODUCING KONA COAST’S 2026 WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
ARTICLE BY JULIA SILVA KURPPA
| PHOTOGRAPHY BY FLETCH PHOTOGRAPHY
CINDY ROBINSON MULLEN
Global ambassador for the END Fund, chair of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle, and a leader within Queen’s Health Systems and North Hawaiʻi Hospice.
• What draws you to philanthropy work? It’s simple and empowering at the same time. Give what you can: $10, 10 minutes, or 10 “thinking of you” messages. I have the time, energy and resources to help others. All the money in the world couldn’t save my sick mother or heal me, but it can make a difference in someone else’s existence.
• If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self? Don’t take things so personally. The way people treat you is a reflection of their own emotional capacity or suffering. What can you do to help or avoid that issue? Sometimes it requires empathy, and sometimes it requires you to walk away.
MANU POWERS
Regent of Daughters of Hawaiʻi, entrepreneur and owner of Sea Quest Hawaiʻi.
VICTORIA MIKAELE
Co-director of Kamakani O Ka Moku ʻĀina.
• Do you have a favorite quote? “Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
—Dr. Seuss.
• What’s your most precious belonging? The majority of my life was spent with my mother, a fisherwoman and prison guard, who was the center of my universe. Her battle with cancer began in 2009. She put up a long and courageous fight. In 2014, while she was in hospice, her doctor mentioned that it was time to take off her bracelet. My mother’s Hawaiian bracelet belonged to her grandmother. It had a history of being worn by strong women, and their mana became a part of it. Taking her bracelet off and giving it to me meant I was receiving her mana. Two days later, she died in my arms as I kissed her and thanked her, the bracelet on my wrist.
• Which values shape your business? At the heart is an understanding of cultural redemption—the belief that God created every culture with unique beauty, purpose and a piece of his greater story.
• What person in history do you wish you could sit with?
Queen Liliʻuokalani. As the last reigning monarch of Hawaiʻi, her life represents resilience during a painful chapter in our history. When everything seemed lost for her people, she remained steadfast in her identity, faith and responsibility. I would love to hear the untold stories, the quiet moments that shaped her strength and the prayers she whispered.
• What’s your most precious belonging? My lei hulu. A traditional Hawaiian feather lei. My husband and I both received one on our wedding day. It represents being intentionally woven together, strand by strand, in love. The circle of the lei has no beginning and no end, symbolizing covenant, unity and legacy.
CARRIE NICHOLSON
Vice president of sales and marketing, principal broker at Kohanaiki Realty and co-director of Hawaiʻi Fitness Foundation.
• How did you build a strong reputation within your market? Consistently and intentionally. In our market, trust is everything. People remember how you make them feel, how you handle challenges and whether you show up when it’s not easy. I’ve learned that reputation isn’t built in big moments—it’s built in small, daily disciplines like returning calls promptly, being transparent and leading with aloha.
• How do you find balance? Balance isn’t something you find—it’s something you practice. As women, we naturally carry a lot. I prioritize time with God, my husband, kids, friends and time outdoors. I protect my calendar intentionally. Creating healthy boundaries has been crucial in sustaining my energy and effectiveness. Balance is about staying aligned with your values and giving yourself grace in the process.
KOLBY MOSER
Emmy-winning film director and producer, entrepreneur and radio personality.
• Who inspires you? Besides my daughters, Hayley and Kaci, I’m inspired by Mary Kawena Pukui. The way she honored our kūpuna by documenting their wisdom is something I try to carry forward in my own work. And of course, she was born and raised in Kaʻū—home to many amazing mana wahine.
• What do you wish to leave for the generations to come? I hope to leave behind a collection of
meaningful stories about our people, culture and history. So much has been taken from Hawaiʻi—our land, language and parts of our way of life. It’s our kuleana to keep documenting the stories of our traditions. I want future generations to have pride in being Hawaiian. If the work I do helps preserve a small piece of that, then I’ve done something worthwhile.
VIRGINIA HATCH-PIGOTT COURTNEY SCHERER
Primary care physician and clinical trauma specialist. Founder and executive director of Whole Foundation, Foster Care & Adoption Center of Excellence in Hawaiʻi.
Entrepreneur and Realtor with a background as an international model.
• How do you define community? Community is a place where your presence matters and your absence is noticed. A place where people show up for each other, and burdens are not private. Transactions are two-way. Real community includes conflict, repair and growth from it all.
• What needs in our community are you passionate about? I am most passionate about the hidden suffering of foster and adoptive children. They are offered disjointed and uncoordinated care that typically involves medication-only management. This leads to repeated placement breakdowns, resulting in a multiplication of trauma instead of healing. In addition, the foster parents and social workers are traumatized vicariously by witnessing all of this, leading to the attrition of great caregivers and child welfare workers. Our goal is to interrupt trauma biology early enough that destiny is not dictated by dysregulation.
• You’re expecting your first daughter; what have you learned through pregnancy? To surrender. I’ve never done this before, and I can get nervous about performing perfectly. I remind myself that this is one of the most natural things a woman can do. My body is accomplishing a beautiful transformation, creating life and becoming a mother. At first, the physical changes took a toll on my mind. Growing up in the modeling industry, my weight was a determining factor in who I was and how much I worked. Watching my body grow was something I had to surrender to, and it’s been a rewarding growth experience in self-love.
• What is something that instantly makes you trust another woman? My favorite quote is, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” When I see women supporting each other, it instantly draws me toward them. If one wins, we all win.
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PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
BECKY HILLYARD
From Side Hustle to Style Empire
The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”
She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s, she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.
Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?
A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.
Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection
Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?
A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.
Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?
A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.
Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?
A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?
A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.
This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle Podcast.
“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”
— Becky Hillyard
Money Wise with Ken.
Why go global with your investments?
Global diversification helps you reduce risk. By spreading your investments across multiple countries, you don’t rely solely on the health and performance of the U.S. economy. International exposure can also lower volatility, increase long-term opportunities, and provide attractive valuations compared to U.S. stocks.
It’s important to build a portfolio that’s resilient and balanced. That’s why global ETFs and mutual funds may have a place in your investment mix.
Scan to read the article.
CHOOSE SUPPORTING YOURSELF
Living Edit’s Founder Serves the Big Island and Beyond
ARTICLE BY MATIAS ARREDONDO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA VELICHKO
After completing the KonMari® process, Laurel Tincher realized her work went far beyond organizing. It was mentorship. Clients weren’t just looking for someone to tidy their homes; they were seeking clarity, calm and a sense of control during moments of transition. She opened her home to share her experience with Kona Coast Magazine.
“Each stage built clarity, confidence and emotional momentum, which you can see reflected in the spaces photographed.”
My home is a living example of how the KonMari Method® works in real life. I’ve completed the process with my own belongings, and over the past year, I’ve also guided my mom through it, category by category. After relocating to Hawaiʻi from the mainland and spending time settling in, we both realized that some of what we brought with us no longer aligned with the life we’re living here. That realization became an invitation, not simply to declutter, but to choose what truly supports how we want to live now.
The KonMari Method® organizes by category rather than room. We began with clothing, then moved through books, papers, miscellaneous items and finally sentimental pieces. Each stage built clarity, confidence and emotional momentum, which you can see reflected in the spaces photographed.
The first and most foundational step of the process is the closets. Clothing is where we learn how to listen to our intuition and reconnect with our
sense of joy. We gathered every clothing item in one place and evaluated each piece individually: what feels good to wear in this climate, what supports daily life in Hawaiʻi and what no longer serves us. What remains is clothing that fits our lifestyle now: breathable, comfortable, fun and functional. Everything has a clear place, is easy to see and easy to put away. This sets the tone for the rest of the home and the decluttering process.
The bedroom reflects calm, rest and clarity. Here, the philosophy is about creating a space that supports restoration. Surfaces are kept minimal, storage is purposeful and only items that contribute to a sense of peace remain. This is where you really feel the mental ease that comes from reducing visual noise. Nothing here feels accidental; it’s all been chosen.
The pantry is a great example of organizing miscellaneous items with intention. After living here
for a year, we noticed which tools, ingredients, and systems we actually use and which were simply taking up space. The pantry was edited to focus on what supports daily cooking, entertaining and enjoyment, with clear categories and visibility. It’s functional and calming. When everything has a place, cooking becomes easier and more joyful, not overwhelming.
Some of the photographs show trinkets, decorative objects and art pieces. This stage of the process can be challenging, but it is incredibly important. These items tend to accumulate quietly over time. Each piece was examined intentionally. What remains are objects that truly spark joy.
You’ll notice certain items intentionally left out on display, such as coffee table books, art pieces, and meaningful objects. These weren’t forgotten; they were chosen deliberately. In the KonMari Method®, we don’t hide what we love; we give it a place of honor. These pieces reflect who we are, what inspires us and what we want to be reminded of daily. The home feels personal without feeling cluttered.
The final category, sentimental items, is where everything comes together. By now, it is much easier to identify what truly matters. We were able to keep meaningful items without being overwhelmed by them. What remains is a curated collection of memories that feel supportive, not heavy.
Overall, our home isn’t about minimalism for its own sake; it’s about intention. Every room reflects the same philosophy: choose what supports the life you want to live, let go of what doesn’t, and treat your space as something that works for you. It’s not just about tidying, it’s about creating a home that feels aligned, peaceful and full of joy.
Learn more at LivingEdit.co.
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WAVES
of WOMANHOOD
“YOU CAN SEE JUST HOW SMALL CHANGES, OVER TIME, COMPOUNDED, BUILD UP TO MAKE A BIG PICTURE AND HUGE, POWERFUL CHANGE.”
Ever since moving to Hawaiʻi in 2020, Rebekah Moyer has become an influential local figure through social media. Rebekah is a multi-passionate woman who not only wears but also integrates all her many hats into a wholesome, balanced and inspiring lifestyle.
CONTINUED >
THE INSPIRING STORY OF REBEKAH MOYER, WHERE PERSONAL GROWTH, MOTHERHOOD AND CONTENT CREATION COLLIDE
Rebekah is a breath of fresh air, creating relatable, attainable content for the everyday woman. She breaks the stigma that platforms must be polished and perfect, instead creating from vulnerability and inviting others into the process of growth. She’s passionate about taking other women along the journey of motherhood, self-discovery and empowered femininity.
“What made a huge change for me was creating my platform, so to speak, based on what I really wanted and the change I wanted to make. From the very start, my goal was to share the journey with people,” Rebekah says.
After having her first child in Hawaiʻi and beginning a brand new chapter, Rebekah found herself at a dark and desperate point in her journey. Though anxiety and depression seemed to have the upper hand, she determined they would not have the final say. With the goal of a brighter future for her kids and a healthier version of herself, Rebekah embarked on a 90-day journey.
For three months, she would change one habit each day and post about it on her platform. It was through the smallest shifts that eventually led to the greatest change in her life. Not only did she gain her first 50,000 followers, but she began to feel lighter,
healthier and more confident. By taking agency over her actions and gaining accountability through her new online community, she created the new path she had always craved.
“Those 90 days changed my life because I really did make that happen. Making small changes and posting about it encouraged me because other people started doing it too. They were sharing their things with me, which was inspiring. I saw so much growth in that time.”
For Rebekah, motherhood was the catalyst for her personal growth and content creation, which led to her current career. She inspires women today that they do not have to lose themselves in the process of raising keiki, but can instead find themselves. She truly bridges the gap between professional womanhood and present motherhood, using her platform as a beacon of light and positivity. She encourages other women to follow suit, too, without having to be perfect to be powerful.
“Being confident in yourself is not about being perfect; it’s about just showing up as authentically as you can, even if you’re imperfect. You are so powerful and capable, and the only one who really has the power to change your life is you.”
Rebekah realizes that there are so many things we can’t control in this life, which is why it is important for her to take hold of what she can change. For her, these are her inner talk and the ways she fuels her body. She got aggressive with her internal monologue, replacing negative self-talk with positive truth and embarking on nourishing her body. By deciding enough was enough and making small, intentional changes, she is
able to confidently say she no longer battles with the anxiety and depression she once felt trapped in. Though they rear their head at times, she now has tools and habits to combat them effectively.
Rebekah views life and womanhood through the imagery of waves. Each wave is a season with new horizons that grant new beginnings. Females undergo many seasons of change at both the micro and macro levels. Whether it’s pregnancy, hormonal cycles or resulting changes in their bodies, women are constantly growing and creating. By riding the waves of womanhood, Rebekah has rediscovered and learned to love herself again, encouraging others to do the same through her social influence.
She exemplifies that vulnerability and authority can co-exist and that one is required for the other. While recognizing the hand of God and the support of others in every wave of life, her story sheds light on the power of personal choice.
“Looking back on the journey, you can see just how small changes, over time, compounded, build up to make a big picture and huge, powerful change,” she says.
Rebekah embodies her belief that women are powerful creators, riding the beautiful balance between honest creativity and dignified femininity. She inspires the everyday woman to know that they can be both imperfect yet powerful. Her life displays that big dreams truly start with small actions. And no matter what season you find yourself in, there is always a new wave moving toward a brighter horizon.
Learn more about Rebekah’s journey through her IG: @ebbymoyer.
