Written BY:

Chels Chae -
CEO & President

Chels Chae

It is not often that I share my personal story.  But it is a special season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, so here it goes.

I wanted to share with you what happened for the past month.  In short, I ended up missing the Thanksgiving festivities and both of my and my wife’s, Christine, birthdays due to an illness.  And yet, none of that mattered since there have been so many people praying and caring for my healing and full recovery and I am happy to report that I am on the mend.  The health crisis I went through was completely unexpected and I did not discover how serious it was until several days after the incident.  My liver began bleeding and the medical team faced a difficult decision as to whether or not to perform a risky open liver surgery to stop the bleeding without knowing the cause or exact location of bleeding.  In the end, thankfully the bleeding slowed to the point that the medical team was not forced to perform a high-risk surgery.  Through this harrowing experience, I learned two valuable lessons: 1) nothing is more precious than at the point of loss – health, life, relationships; and 2) preparedness is irreplaceable.

When I was hospitalized, my family was right there, every step of the way while they received innumerous notes letting us know that they are praying for me and my family, uplifting them with hope and love.  Whenever I teach a class on disaster preparedness, I would always remind the class that “when you need a friend, it is too late to make one.”  So build your strong family relationships and friendships while you have time – when the sky is blue.  And take care of your health each and every day where your resilience might be key to quick and full recovery.

At the height of my physical pain and risky conditions of my organ and bleeding, I remembered that my family was very strong and our company team was just as strong and competent.  I thank God for both blessings.  But preparedness takes time and deliberate effort.

Some of you had been informed of my condition and I thank you for your encouragement and prayers.  Those who had not, I thank you for doing your best in what you do each and every day.  This holiday season, I have a deep appreciation for my family, friends, staff and all DP&R team members.  Thank you all and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Written BY:

Joy Miyamasu -
Director of Operations

Joy Miyamasu

Investing in People

We will cross paths with over 80,000 people in our lifetime. Every day we will come across someone new and can make a positive connection. It could be letting someone cut at the grocery store when they only have one item, and we have a cart full, or complimenting our local barista on a new haircut. Spreading the “Aloha” will build people up and motivate them to do the same.

During my senior year in high school my English teacher invested in me. Without asking she pulled me aside and handed me a college recommendation letter. When I got home, I read it and cried. At 17 years old I didn’t have the confidence to pursue big dreams or goals, but her letter and perspective of me raised my bar of potential and motivated me. She may not remember and might have written several college recommendation letters, but it altered my life for the better and am forever thankful.

This season DP&R participated in Operation Christmas Child. It was a blessing to participate and thank you to all the team members who donated. I believe these small acts will bless children around the world that were born into less than favorable circumstances and make them feel connected and loved this holiday season.

Written BY:

Desiree Marts -
Director of Human Resources

Desiree Marts

Gratitude

It’s this time of year that does not come without thoughts of how blessed we truly are.

To live in a free country, to have family, work, a place to belong within our communities.

Our team recently traveled to Australia for our annual strategic planning meeting, and I got to see vision and possibilities come alive.

While we planned and projected for the next years to come, I had intermittent thoughts of how thankful I am for the DP&R team. For all our awesome team members who make serving you a meaningful task.

One of the farms we visited, specializes in growing high value produce, which then in turn is sold to restaurants and hotels. Looking at their fields and with how much care they tend them to reach the crops’ full potential, it also reminded me of Team DP&R’s commitment to excellence and our continued striving to improve so that we can be our best.

My hope is that we find contentment in reflecting on what we can be grateful for this season.

 “Gratitude helps us to see what is there instead of what isn’t.” – Annette Bridges

Thankful for you!

Written BY:

Joshua Tyler -
Program Manager

Joshua Tyler

It is that time of the year when we reflect on the past year and consider what we are thankful for in our lives.  It has been another great year for me and my family, for which I am truly thankful for.  So, I think back to what set me on the course which led me to where I am today.  We make so many decisions throughout our lives of which many we consider insignificant.  However, even the most seemingly inconsequential decision can forever change the course of our life.  For myself, that decision was made on May 30, 1995, at 2:30pm.  But here is the catch, the decision wasn’t one I made.  It was someone else’s.

In high school I was a horrible student.  Not a troublemaker.  Just didn’t apply myself and put the time in.  Needless to say, it wasn’t uncommon for me to be failing a course.  Usually, my English class, as was the case at the end of my senior year.  On the last day of classes my English teacher handed me an assignment I had scored atrociously on.  I still remember.  I received 12 points on a 200-point assignment.  She handed me the assignment and a pass to the library for the rest of the day.  I had her class first thing in the morning, so literally I had the entire day to spend in the library.  I did the work and completed the assignment as best I could.  When I turned the assignment in at the end of the day, she didn’t even look at it.  Simply opened her gradebook and pointed to my final grade.  I had passed, barely, but still passed.  She had obviously decided earlier that the best thing for me was that I graduate, and she was right.  Had I not, I certainly would not be where I am today.

I know there are thousands of other teachers just like my senior English teacher and with all the rhetoric in the news today, it is easy to forget just how many amazing teachers are out there.  They are who I am thankful for this year.  Happy Holidays everyone!

Written BY:

Brandon Hirouji -
Accounting Specialist

Brandon Hirouji

Aloha!

I am Brandon Hirouji, born and raised in HI. Currently the Accounting Specialist where I support the company’s operations.

A few of my responsibilities include processing payroll, GET tax filing, A/P, A/R. Prior to joining DP&R, I have worked in Real Estate and Hospitality.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, going to the beach, exercising, and watching sports.

I’m engaged to my fiancée Kathy, and we’re looking to get married in the near future.

Written BY:

Maggi Devoto -
Administrative Assistant

Maggi Devoto

Aloha! My name is Maggi Devoto, and I am thrilled to have joined the DP&R team – again! When I lived in Hawaii, due to my husband’s job in the United States Navy, I had the privilege of working for DP&R in a contracted position at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Chapel as the Director of Religious Education. When the time came for us to move on to our next duty station, as is the life of a military family, we had to bid a fond farewell to our Chapel family and to my position as DRE. It was sad and hard as change and goodbyes tend to be, but God would see fit to bring us back together – with me all the way in Nebraska. The Lord works in mysterious ways. But before we get to the rest of that story, let me tell you a little bit more about myself.

I am a small-town Texas girl, born and raised. My dad is a successful small business owner, starting out in his 40s after he made the jump from being a dairyman to an insurance agent. I am thankful for his courage and hard work. My mom was the ultimate stay at home mom during my childhood and was always there for my siblings and me. She now helps run the family business and is the glue that holds it all together, much like she is for our family. I am thankful for her steadiness and love through the years. I am the youngest of three, a position in the family tree that I value dearly. 😉 I learned a lot about life and choices from my sister and brother. They paved the way for me, and my life is better for it. I am thankful for them.

My childhood and young adult life could be described as simple and happy. I would meet my now husband in our small Texas hometown while we were in middle school. Let’s just say it was not love at first sight, but I eventually came around. I am thankful for his perseverance. He would eventually go off to school at the United States Naval Academy while I stayed in Texas pursing a degree in Elementary Education at Texas A&M University – Commerce. We married on June 2, 2007, the week after he graduated. So, we settled into married life and serving our country – him on a submarine and me at home, holding down the fort as they say. Over the years, we have added three precious daughters to our family – Sophie, 12; Stella, 9; Sarah, 7. They are without a doubt the light of our lives. I am beyond thankful for them. I would be remiss to not mention our adorable family pet, a cockapoo named Lilo.

During our 15 years in the Navy, we have been stationed in Texas, South Carolina, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, Washington State, and now Nebraska. The Navy has been good to us, and we remain thankful for the life it has provided us. We have been to so many incredible places and met so many wonderful people from all different walks of life that we would not have otherwise had the privilege of knowing. We are thankful for every new experience and new person we have met along the way.

As I mentioned, I worked for DP&R in a contracted position, and I must share a little bit more about that. During my time as DRE, my family got sick with COVID. My husband and I were young and healthy and figured we would bounce back from COVID without much more than a nap and a Tylenol. Well, that assessment would prove to be very wrong. We both almost died. We both fell into that category of “those with underlying conditions” – and that’s the tricky thing about underlying conditions – you don’t know you have them until maybe it is almost too late. All that to say, I was hospitalized and unable to work for weeks. And the support and encouragement that came from DP&R during this time is something I continue to look back on and feel so incredibly thankful for and humbled by. The company truly does believe family first, and they lived out that vision in many ways during my sickness. We were so blessed by the leadership, and that is just one of the many reasons I consider it a blessing from God that he has allowed me to be a part of this company’s leadership team. I want to be able to offer support to employees and families the same way that my family was supported.

So, wherever you are reading this, I hope you know that you are valued and supported, and we are thankful for you. I hope that during this holiday season, you find all the things in your life – big and small – to be thankful for. Perhaps you will have to search a little harder than some or maybe you’ll just have to look across the room. As I look out my window and see all the leafless trees and the gray winter sky, I do find myself missing the beauty and eternal summer of Hawaii, but I also see that God has grace and goodness in every single season – sometimes we just have to dig a little deeper to find it. Be thankful.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

HIREVets Gold Award

DP&R was awarded the HIREVets Gold Award for 2022!

We are thankful for our Veteran team members and their service to our Nation.

DP&R is one of 3 Medallion recipients in the state of Hawaii!

We are grateful for this award and continue to commit excellent support to our Veteran candidates and team members.