Kauai Made

Prior to joining OED, Melissia worked at Unlimited Construction for 5 years, handling administrative tasks. Somewhere in our talk, she confessed to enjoying administrative work, providing a window into how companies really function.

Before the construction job, she spent 18 years at Alu Like, a non-profit funded by several federal government agencies. Once again, she started in admin and worked her way into being a counselor for employment and training, serving on-island, indigenous people, interested in work and/or furthering their education. To this day, she still meets up with those she helped back then, who frequently share their gratitude for the help she provided. I could tell, it still means a lot to her.

In her typical understated fashion, she casually mentioned she had been working at various incarnations of Smith’s Tropical Paradise for nearly 40 years! While she now oversees the entire production, she began as a dancer when she was 14. It is also part of her personal connection to both Nalani and Theri, who danced there and are now at OED.

I gotta say the next part of our conversation was jaw dropping for me, as she magically segued from talking about her work to who she truly is as a Hawaiian. While saying she doesn’t “officially” carry the title, Kumu Hula, her lineage feels mythical. Her mother bears the title and went to UH to study, carrying the lineage in her blood and through certification. Hula has flowed in the blood of her family for generations. Her daughters and granddaughters dance, too, carrying on the tradition.

Melissia was born and raised in Anahola, where she still lives today. Her mother is from Waimea and hula is in their DNA. Her dad was a fisherman and a surfer. When I referenced being haole and feeling uncomfortable even using Hawaiian words, she shocked met yet again with her history. Her mom’s dad is from England. Her mother’s family is comprised of entertainers, with her great grandmother even bearing the Kumu Hula title. Melissia grew up in this world and speaks of her past with tremendous affection.

She has four daughters. When she married her husband, Joseph Sugai, he had two daughters of his own. The two were married for 32 years, until his passing several years ago. He was from the Kealia Camp, half Japanese and half Portuguese.

Her oldest, Joe-Ana, was named after Joseph and Melissia’s Hawaiian name, Analani, and is a chef currently living in Alaska. The other three, Joeddy, Kristene and Jaime, along with both stepdaughters, Maile and Marla, live on Maui.

She took a minute to brag about her grandson, who plays football for Kapaʻa High. They had just won a state championship. Her nine grandchildren and one great-grandson are so clearly a source of joy. It was wonderful to just listen. Her number one message to all her children is to always be humble, a lesson taught to her by her dad.

We returned to talk more about Kauaʻi Made and how there are so many more venues for vendors to sell their products these days. Then, we had a real interesting conversation about how the pandemic, surrounded in negativity, ended up being a blessing for the program. So many people were stuck at home and out of work. Many turned their focus to things they enjoyed doing, often evolving into businesses, which bolstered membership in a major way.

Melissia found herself on the receiving end of how so many folks turned to starting their own businesses, simply out of necessity and often steeped in emotion. It was life changing for them. They all shared their stories with her.

Nothing has changed procedurally today. Every applicant fills out an application, then sits and talks story with her. This is an important part of the program, as it’s crucial to understand the inspiration and stories of each product.

Outside of the office, she enjoys being part of non-profit organizations that she says have taught her a lot, which include:

The Malia Foundation, Hui O Na Molokama, Kahu O Ka Paka Kahakai O Anahola, Hawaiian Agency Organization, Kaua‘i Keiki & HS Rodeo Association, Kaua‘i All Girls Association, Hawai‘i HS Rodeo Association, King Kamualii Parade, Aha Punana Leo Kaua‘i, Kawaihau Strategic Team, Anahola Hawaiian Homestead Association, Aloha Week Royal Court, Na Hui o Kamakaokalani Halau, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, and Hale O Na Ali’i Kauai.

She credits Nalani with getting her involved in other non-profits, like the American Cancer Society and stewardship programs that take care of many of Kauaʻi’s heiau. The entire OED functions very much like a family, with everyone helping everyone else.

Moving forward, she hopes to use her experience with various grassroots organizations to get more involved with the Anahola community.

I couldn’t possibly end this story without talking about the Kauaʻi Made Holly Jolly Holiday Fair. I went to the 2024 event for two reasons: 1) It was the perfect location to video a brief conversation with her; and 2) to get a really good look at members of the program and their products. It was fantastic to see the incredible array of offerings and the smiling faces of the participants.

She shared her wish to have more people on board doing culturally-relevant work—like Niʻihau shell design and lei making. Then, in one last surprise, Melissia told me that she makes lei, repairs costumes at the show, and crochets. When anybody in the office dares to go out and buy a lei, she tells them she’ll make one instead, because she loves doing it.

As the person writing these stories for Kui Kauaʻi, I guess I get to have the last word. I want to say that it has been a pure pleasure getting to know Melissia. If anyone ever wanted to know what makes this island so special, it is people like her.