Kauai Living, Irate Customers & Becoming Fire Commissioner Mari Yokoi

By: Daniel McArdle-Jaimes

It’s been 10+ years since I’ve spoken to Mari Yokoi. Sure, we are friends on Facebook and Instagram, but she barely comments on the photos or updates that are posted on my Facebook or Instagram page. I’m not upset about it. I’m just calling her out on it. In fact, I’m calling all of us out on that. Aren’t we all guilty of that? We are friends with so many of our former classmates on Facebook or Instagram, but we haven’t spoken personally to them in years!

When I reached out to Mari to acquire her interest via Facebook Messenger Chat, I was actually quite surprised to earn her interest so easily…I mean it’s been 10+ years since we literally talked! As we were exchanging email addresses to set up our interview, it was like going back in time. In those emails, I was humorously pleased to learn that Mari still likes to take jabs at me (e.g. she’s still good about telling me “no” in her sassy Mari-like manner and making me work hard to get her to sigh and say “Fine….I guess I’ll do it...”). After all, she and I bickered a lot in high school when we did student government things together. Actually, that’s one of my most favorite memories of Mari.

In fact, I am going to go on record and say that Mari was actually the brain child and FORCE behind convincing me to do all sorts of embarrassing things for you all at school. She was the one that told me it would be a good idea for me to dress up as Ricky Martin and Britney Spears at the Welcome Program and Aloha Program. She (along with Karalyn Tom) were the ones responsible for choreographing the dances to “Shake Your Bon Bon” and “Oops….I Did It Again”. And so, we can all thank Mari Yokoi for that...

After a brief catch up and a couple more exchanged jabs, here is a summary of my interview with Mari Yokoi:

1)     What have you been up to over the last 15 years?

I moved to Kauai two and half years ago. I was in a long distance relationship and we decided that it was time to for me to look for employment on Kauai. When I was in Honolulu, I was working with Kamehameha Schools (KS) at the time and one of my connections through KS, recommended me for a position at Kanuikapono (a charter school on the east side of Kauai). I applied and began immediately working as an Admin under the Executive Director/Principal. The role grew as more responsibilities were given to me. While I liked working at the charter school, I was beginning to feel a little burned out. Mari explained to me that charter schools have a small staff, so she was taking on the workload for three to four people that their school couldn’t hire for.

At the time, my boyfriend was coaching high school football on Kauai, and one of the coaches referred me to an opening at Hawaii Gas, a company he was working for. After a lengthy and weird interview process, I was finally hired to work as the Admin Supervisor. In my role, I manage the customer service representatives who work in the front office. I also get to deal with the irate customers who request to speak with management. In addition, I am also responsible for handling the back-end processes, including debt or collections (the harder stuff) and leak credits. Also, I often times gather data and generate reports to track information for our Business Unit. And finally, I work with the general manager to improve operations, our procedures, and assist in letters/correspondence with our customers. After hearing about all of the things she’s doing, I grew exhausted trying to keep up with her on the note taking. In summary, it certainly sounds like a job Mari would be good at it.

2)     There was a picture on your Facebook profile. It looked like you were sworn in for something and got a lei for it. It looked super important. What was that about?

It’s a long story. My boyfriend’s son’s grandpa served on the county commission before. He also happens to be a good friend of the Kauai mayor. Those that serve on a commission are all volunteers, and it’s difficult to get community members to volunteer their time for civic duty.

One day he asked me via text if I was interested in serving on the Fire Commission. I was trying to be nice and asked him to send over some information (well in his mind, I had already said yes—I’ll do it). After reviewing the responsibilities and giving it some thought, I realized that it would be a good way to meet people in the community. I was sworn in last summer and will serve a three-year term.

The fire commission meets 10 times a year and we meet with the fire chief (he oversees all of Kauai’s fire stations) to review his budget and goals. We basically make sure he’s doing his job. I never thought I would serve on a commission, but it’s been interesting so far and I enjoy it.

3)     What does alumni relations or school relations mean to you?

I can’t say that I’ve been the most involved. Not that I haven’t thought about it or wanted to…I think like you, and everyone else, I just got busy with life.

I am a person that lives in the present, BUT I think it is always important to remember where you came from and the opportunities you had. For me, Mid-Pacific was “the good old days,” when you were growing up and life was carefree. Back then, we only worried about homework, friends, and what we were going to do during our free period.

4) What teacher/staff member did you admire most in high school?

Mr. Wheeler. He coaches Pac-5 football now. What is crazy is that my boyfriend used to coach football with him. My boyfriend calls him “Billy” not Mr. Wheeler. But to me, he will always be Mr. Wheeler. I actually saw Mr. Wheeler last summer when Pac-5 played Waimea High School.

OK, but why did you admire Mr. Wheeler in high school?

Mr. Wheeler was always there for me; he was someone that I confided in personally when at school. I just admired how attentive he was. He was always really open about information and advice.

5)     Pick one classmate. Who do you most admire and why?

Chad Nishi. She proudly and fondly proclaims.

That boy has gone through so much academically and he’s finally living his dream by being a vet. He’s proof that perseverance pays off. He lives far away now and I rarely see him, but I am so proud of him.

6)     Who would you most want to see at the Mid-Pacific reunion?

Well when is it?

It’s to be determined by the reunion planning committee. Stay tuned in the coming week for details.

Lindsay Farias. She’s another one. We are Facebook and Instagram friends, but just looking at her photos…It looks like she is living her dream too! She’s working in Los Angeles for a company that allows others, particularly younger people, to live their dreams. Lindsay Farias is a talent agent. I’m trying to get an interview with her. We went to college (University of Southern California) together but I haven’t seen her since. It would be interesting to see what she’s been up to.

7)     What’s your favorite high school memory?

MPSA. The dance concerts were fun. I actually miss dance…a lot. I think as you get older, there are some things that you just don’t do anymore.

Mari used to do Zumba with an instructor on Kauai who specialized in hip hop routines. However dance classes are limited on Kauai and she’s no longer taking Zumba classes anymore insisting it’s for “older people.”

MPSA gave me more of an appreciation for the arts. Mr. Maley and Ms. Yamada were not only my teachers, but former professional dancers themselves. Their classes were structured in a professional fashion. They taught us the technical movement, but also the style of dress. We learned what was acceptable/unacceptable in the dance world. It was good for us. MPSA and dance class provided us with “real world” insight into what it would be like to be a professional dancer and that we should take our training seriously. I appreciated that and miss it.