OUR STORY
Growing up in Kailua, Oahu, I played sports my entire life. I was 5 when I started playing soccer, judo, flag football and basketball. At age 8, I placed 2nd in the Judo Junior National Championships against kids from around the world. However, it was my love for football that began to consume me. I played year-round on multiple club teams and school programs, under the best coaches and trainers, up through high school. I believed my college future was bright with pending multiple offers from Division 1 schools, including my preferred school, Dartmouth College.
However, it was the Summer before my Senior year of high school that I faced the greatest adversity. I started to get debilitating headaches and a sensation of dizziness that prevented me from training and performing at the highest level. The cause and triggers were not known. For fear of further injuries, I did not play my Senior year. I saw my division 1 offers slip away and sadness and depression set in. I was a student athlete! There was no alternative. I felt angry, sad, depressed, and lost as I watched my friends continue to play and thrive. I was slipping deeper into darkness wondering what I was going to do.
I needed a new sense of purpose. KÅ« pa’a – to stand strong and firm, steadfast. I needed to dedicate and commit myself to something greater than me…. I searched for another avenue to dedicate my time and prove my value and worth. I decided to create a business to help others.
Today, I am proud to have created KÅ« Pa’a Total Care Services. A general total care service in which I can help everyone with multiple requests.
I know that my future is bright without football and competitive sports and I am grateful to start this journey…. As KÅ« Pa'a evolves and continues to grow, I hope this story will be an inspiration to all student athletes facing adversity.