Tamara “Tam-e” Fa‘agau resides in Wai‘anae near where she was raised, and is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama.  A certified pharmacy technician, her pharmacy career spans almost two decades in a variety of positions:  outpatient pharmacy, ambulatory care, pharmacy management, and oncology, where she assisted with preparing chemo infusions. She is very passionate about providing quality healthcare to Native Hawaiians and their ‘ohana.

Married for twenty years, Tam-e and her husband have three children, which she believes are her greatest accomplishments in life. She enjoys traveling, photography and football.

Our newest staff member, Tam-e has joined Papa Ola Lōkahi in the capacity of Finance & Administration Assistant.  She tells us that she feels, “blessed and excited to be able to contribute to carrying out Papa Ola Lōkahi’s mission, representing its vision and serving the lāhui.”

A guiding principle for her is:

    Ma ka hana ka ‘ike.  It is in the work that one learns.

Welcome, Tam-e!

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Each Monday, executive director Sheri Daniels introduces a member of the Papa Ola Lōkahi hale.

Babette Lilinoe Galang, Traditional Healing & Complementary Health Director of Papa Ola Lōkahi, is one of six children born and raised in Kalihi where she still resides.  She enjoys working at POL, where she has been since 1997.

She also enjoys talking to people young and old, but especially with kūpuna, traditional and cultural practitioners, other native groups, and children. Babette keeps busy reading, working in the yard, shopping, eating desserts, and travelling, especially to Las Vegas where she can be found on the slots or at a Black Jack Table and eating her favorite Lappert’s Kona Coffee ice cream from the California Casino.  She enjoys eating local food as long as she doesn’t have to prepare and cook it.

Babette loves what she does and is more of an early bird than night owl; thus, you can find her in her office by 6:30am. 

Most of all, Babette hates talking about herself. Amene.

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Ka Huaka`i Mauli Ola!

Every month I have a movie date with my Aunty Shirley and Aunty Helen, both in their 80s.  I lost my own mother 11 years ago, so spending time with these precious kūpuna is a blessing.  We prolong our time together over lunch at some nearby eatery.

On our last date we ventured to a new restaurant that had just opened in Kapolei.  Hearing about my launch to a healthier self pleased my aunties because they had begun their own similar journey together this past spring.  They’ve transitioned to a plant-based diet. 

Aunty Helen ordered a grilled veggie sandwich with a side salad,  Aunty Shirley ordered marinara pasta dish also with a side salad.  They’ve become vegetarians!

Moreover, each ate half her meal and took the rest home for dinner. 

They’d confided that the change has been challenging, but with one another’s support, they’re already feeling good about their results.  Each aunty has lost more than 30 pounds.  They’ve pulled out their “Skinny Clothes” and given their old clothes away.  They no longer suffer the same aches and pains in their joints. Their overall health has vastly improved, according to their primary care physicians. 

They report that the greatest challenge has been cutting back on sweets. 

Which brings me to my Momona Moment: Since we were celebrating my birthday, they insisted that I order a dessert.  Normally, I’d love a piece of ice cream cake—more ice cream than cake—but that afternoon we ordered one slice of celebration cake to share among six of us.  And it was ‘ono!

So I got my cake and more:  a lesson on portion control, inspiration by example, kupuna wisdom, and Aunty Approval.  I am MOTIVATED! I can do this!

Tercia

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Each Monday executive director Sheri Daniels introduces a member of the POL staff. 

Tercia Ku was born in Hawai‘i, raised near Fairbanks, Alaska, graduated from Wai‘anae High School and University of Alaska, Fairbanks.  Most of her professional career has been spent in clinical research and public health settings.  She lives in a Hawaiian homestead community and is devoted to moving the needle in the Hawaiian health compass to effecting positive change.

Mirroring the health journeys of our communities, she will be sharing her personal story over the next few months.

Meet Tercia Ku.

“I love birthdays.  As long as they are someone else’s! 

I celebrated my birthday this past week.  A milestone.  Ugh.  Self-reflection. 

I feel healthy.  But according to “the experts,” I am obese (such an ugly word).

Starting the day after my birthday, I’ve committed myself to work on my daily habits:  eating better and moving more.  I am stating here and now that I commit to shed 20 pounds over the next 6 months.  Monthly, that’s 3.33 pounds and that feels manageable.  But weight isn’t everything, so I’m going to look at other metrics, too, to measure my success.

And I will be sharing my wellness journey—the triumphs and challenges—with you regularly.  I am now accountable to someone other than myself. 

I hope that you will stay connected as I document my journey to a healthier me!”

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