Use three words to describe yourself:

G70 utilized the Gallup StrengthsFinder personality test years ago to help us learn more about ourselves and each other. The software shares your top five out of 34 strengths. Over the years, my descriptions did not really change but interestingly, the rank/order changed.

1) Relator: Someone who builds strong, meaningful, and lasting relationships, focusing on relational depth rather than breadth. Being empathetic, compassionate and faithful help me to relate to others.

2) Visionary/Ideation: They can envision future possibilities and develop new strategies. They are natural idea generators and can find connections between disparate things, and love coming up with new concepts and solutions.

3) Strategic: Individuals who can quickly identify opportunities, devising plans, and navigating complexities, and often identify innovative ways to solve problems and improve processes. I finally realized I’m a strategist.

What inspires you or is most exciting about your job, business, and industry, and what are the biggest challenges?

2025 is an exciting season of transition and growth for G70. As CEO, I’m excited to focus on developing high-level corporate strategies and fostering a long-term vision for G70’s future. Collaborating with the Principals and leadership team, we will develop a strategic plan to bring our G70 vision into reality.

As a multi-generational firm, G70 is in the midst of realizing our new corporate structure, as we have thoughtfully parsed out the roles of President and COO as well as added a CFO position. Kawika McKeague, our incoming President, leads with Aloha and solidifies G70’s culture and values.

As a Kānaka Maoli Principal Planner leading our Cultural Resources, Kawika is well suited as President. Ryan Char, our incoming COO, brings the structured mindset of an engineer—naturally organized, highly efficient, and has great qualities to oversee the daily operations of the business alongside our new CFO, Rachel Fukumoto.

As G70 grows in project types and services as a multidisciplinary design firm, we maintain our strong value of group practice. Each Principal, even in corporate leadership roles, remains actively engaged in projects. Rooted in our core value of family, we believe that sharing the corporate responsibilities fosters a healthier work-life balance, cultivates our next generation of leaders, and reflects the heart in our corporate name: Group 70 International, Inc.

It is inspiring watching the natural strengths and gifts of our next generation leaders grow as they rise into their new roles. While there may be challenges ahead, I believe G70’s strong foundational core values will guide us through every challenge that comes our way.

What has been the biggest sacrifice you’ve made for your career?

The biggest sacrifice I made was not being home “early” enough to have dinner with my girls when they were young. In a profession where design and production deadlines can be time consuming and demanding, I sacrificed precious time with my family.

They thought it was “normal” for parents to have dinner at nine or 10 pm and they would stay up just to be with us. While I cannot turn back time, I can pay it forward by setting up a system that promotes a healthy work-life balance while enabling us to continue to create amazing designs and position G70 as a beacon of hope for future generations.

What have you created that you are most proud of?

What I’m most proud of are my resilient and beautiful daughters. Watching them blossom into amazing young women who have overcome the trauma and grief of unexpectedly losing their beloved Dad as teenagers. They have continued to encourage me in their zest for life, being free to be themselves while carrying on the steadfast qualities and legacy of their amazing Father.

How has the Covid-19 pandemic positively affected your career/business?

The pandemic catapulted us into an efficient WFH (Work from Home) scenario throughout the State and Nation. This accelerated our adoption of technology and reinforced our commitment to a healthier work-life balance. Web meetings quickly became the norm, saving valuable commute time and elevating everyone’s technology proficiency.