2011 | Shine: Inspiring Joy Through Their Eyes

“Becky!” “Becky!” “Becky!” Our 2011 participants repeatedly chanted this name when asked who they would most like to attend their opening night exhibit reception. We tell our participants to dream big. Usually, they want to meet the Governor, the Mayor or other local celebrities. But, “Becky?” We soon learned that “Becky” was, in fact, Lauren Potter, best known for her role as Becky Johnson on the hit TV series “Glee.” Lauren, like all of our participants, was born with Down syndrome. She is an accomplished actor, an advocate for those with disabilities and a crusader against bullying. We knew she was our gal! Within 36 hours, we had secured Lauren and her mother as a surprise for the kids. Forty-eight hours later, the hearts of business and community leaders opened with gifts of airfare, hotel accommodations, lunches, breakfasts, dinners, TV appearances, catamaran rides, dolphin adventures and cooking classes, and a farewell party… all adding to a rich, fun-filled and memorable experience for our participants. Although Lauren was unable to attend the opening night reception because of her travel schedule, she did spend four glorious days with our participants, showing them that everyone is “different” and that each has a gift to share with the world.

Society has labeled children with Down syndrome as “special needs” but nothing could be further from the truth. They are kind, loving and capable individuals who have dreams and aspirations, as all children should.

Throughout the 12-week internship, our participants showed us time and again, that life should be lived to the fullest and that dreaming big was not hard for them. As they learned the basics of photography, they taught us to see their world through their eyes. And what a wonderful world they see. A world filled with love, happiness and most importantly, acceptance.

ProjectFocus is blessed to have worked with these extraordinary children; they have taught us that all children are precious and deserve to be loved for their individuality, free from the limitations that society imposes.

“Shine: Inspiring Joy Through Their Eyes” is a tribute to unwavering exuberance and a reminder for all of us to find joy in everything we do.

Down Syndrome ‘Ohana of Hawaiʻi (DSOH) is dedicated to supporting families who have children with Down syndrome of all ages. Its mission is to unite and support families, provide advocacy and information concerning all aspects of life for individuals with Down syndrome.

The goal of DSO Hawaii is to provide a safe and nurturing environment and to foster socialization amongst peers and with adults. Events and workshops are intentionally planned to help develop self-esteem, self-worth, and acceptance. DSOH offers new or expectant parent visits, hospital visits, a variety of resources, family workshops, professional workshops and up-to-date information within the community.

Platinum Level
($10,000 and above)
Blair Parry-Okeden

Na Lei Aloha Foundation
Charlene Flanter
Roy Ho
Chieko Steele

Premier Level
($5,000 – $9,999)
Bishop Street Commercial
Matthew Bittick

Davies Pacific Center *
Cecily Ching

FUJIFILM Hawaii *
George Otsuka
Teri Cristobal

Long & Associates AIA., Inc.
Jeffrey Long

Macyʻs Foundation
Jamie Carr

Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaii
Glenn K. Muranaka
Mia Inoshita

Pacific Office Properties
Lawrence J. Taff
Joy Hessenflow

The Royal Hawaiian ~ A Luxury Collection Resort *
Kelly Hoen
Wendy Nagaishi
Keith Vierra

Sustaining Level
($1,000 – $4,999)
CCIM Hawaii Chapter

Fred & Cheryl DeAngelo *

Cecilio & Kapono *
Cecilio Rodriguez
Henry Kapono Kaʻaihue

Dolphin Quest *
Jay Sweeney
Nook Russell

Hawaiian Airlines *
Debbie Nakanelua-Richards

Keiki O Ka Aina *
Momi Akana
Ann Zeigler

Arthur & Carmen Nitahara

Sun Communications *
Shawn Nakamoto

Pamela S. Tauchi-Nishi

Utopia Design *
Darin Uesugi

Vertigo Projects *
Roy Kimura

Steven & Nancy Yamamoto

Viewfinders
($500-$999)
Cecily Ching
Jade Ching & David Nakashima

Mark & Janie Davis Charitable Fund
Mark and Janie Davis

Joy Hessenflow

Macyʻs West Hawaii

Janis Mookini & Lavina Wong
Anna Palla

The Pineapple Room *
Alan Wong
Barbara Stange

Law Offices of Richard Wilson, LLC
Richard E. Wilson

Aperture Donors
($100-$499)
Marlene Booth & Aviam Soifer
Gervacio & Cora Buenconsejo
Danielle Conway
Gerald Denton
Brian Dote
Brie Eriksson
Hugh & Vivian Fraser
Reiko Goo
John Donaldson-Selby
Linda Hakoda
Steven & Tami Ho
Mahina Hugo
Miles & Renee Jung
Lloyd & Sherri Kandell
Sally Lampson Kanehe
Dennis & Elaine Kato
Cathy Kawano-Ching
The Kimsey Family
Lori Komer
Steve & Cathy Levinson
Elliot Loden, Esq.
Brad & Robin Martin|
Karen Mashino
George & Barbara Matsumoto
Jeffrey & Therese Mau
Doug & Cindy McClaflin
Richard & Sooz Mirikitani
Glenn & Debra Nagatori
Deneen Nakashima
Katherine, Alison & Chris Nichols
Junoh, Shaunei & Joslen Ordenstein
Kathleen Pellegrin
James H. Peterson & Sons
Shirley & Ted Robinson
Nadine Tenn Salle, MD.
Stanley & Allison J. Uesugi
Dan & Judy White

Lens Donor
($10 -$99)
Thomas Aiu & Joan Gribbin-Aiu
Sylvia Kondo Akaka
Denise Antolini
Michael & Sharon Cheape
Dara Covarrubias
Will Espero
Phyllis Garrett
Karin Holma
Joseph & Bonnie Hu
David & Lynn Ishikawa
Mark & Rhoda James
Walter & Ellen Jinbo
Walter & Lucy Jung
Henry Josiah
Jayne Kaai
Joyce Lee
Charles & Sandy Loomis
Bob & Sue Moore
Masanori & Miho Nagamatsu
Stanley & Patricia Nakagawa
Clyde & Jasmine Nakayama
Sandy Natori
Randy & Susie Roth
Kiaʻaina Rozet
Carl & Gail Schroers
Kimberly & Lance Shinsato
SMS Marketing & Research Services ~ James Dannemiller
William & Maria Speck
Sharon Taba
Liz Tajima
Jane Tanimoto
Robert & Elaine Tsumura
Linda Uesugi
Dan & Judy White
Erin Wilde
Howard & Jana Wolff
Gerald Yahata
Howard Yamada

SUPPORTERS
AMPCO
Emlynn Helkena & Stanton Nishihara

Amuse Wine Bar, Stage Restaurant & Cupola Restaurant
Trina Shiroma

Angels Consulting HI
Jeanette Callos, Jade Guess, Sherri Vallejo

Audio Bytes ~ Shawn Takabayashi

Bloomies ~ Debbie Friedrich

Patricia Bittick

David & Laurie Callies

Dezandria Cambra- Orpilla

Chai’s Island Bistro
Chef Chai Chaowasaree

Melissa Chang

Cheesecake Factory
Brian Fusco,Tony Gressak and Steve Hessenflow

James Chow & Lona Torcuato

The Cookie Lady
Dale Marumoto

Current Affairs
Philip Richardson

Damon Brookes Associates
Marc Goldman

Davies Pacific Center
Michael Fausnaugh

Down Syndrome Ohana of Hawaii
Momi Akana, Maureen McComas, Shani Naleieha, Connie Smith
& Ann Ziegler

“Glee” ~ Lauren Potter & Robin Sinkhorn

HiHR Hawaii
Matt Delaney

Honolulu Hale
Scott Goto

Honolulu Star Advertiser
Nancy Arcayna, John Berger & Ben Wood

Clifton Kagawa

Kahala Mall

Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children

Kona Brewing Company
Rebecca Villegas

Menehune Water

Midweek

Miss Hawaii 2011
Lauren Cheape

La Pietra ~ Hawaii School for Girls
Mahina Hugo, Annie Rogers, Mary Belanger, Kierdre Howard &
La Pietra Student Volunteers

Lani Moo Books
Gail Miyasaki

Danielle Moscowitz

Mozaic ~ Deby Chock

Nalo Farms
Dean Okimoto

Alison Nichols

Debbie Nishimoto

Obun Hawaii
Vince Watabu

Ola at Turtle Bay Resort
Chef Fred DeAngelo

The Pacific Club
Chef Eric Leterc & Gary Oliveira

Anna Palla

Poke Stop
Chef Elmer Guzman

Rebecca Prather

Safeway Kapahulu
Brian Takahashi

Michelle Sasaki

Laurel Schuster

Show and Tell
Mike Higgins

Matt Shimura

Joel Speier

Southern Wine & Spirits

Annie Uesugi

Jack Uesugi

Utopia Photography
Lisa Uesugi

Sharon Webb

* Denotes In-Kind Contributions

2011 SUMMER INTERNS
Kelsey Yamanaka ~ Punahou School
Devin Washington
Macy Ring