Aloha mai kākou! ʻO John koʻu inoa

(Greetings everyone! My name is John.)

I am excited to be a part of Calderas Counseling and have the opportunity to get to know you all more but first let me tell you a little bit about myself.

I was born and raised on the island of Kauaʻi. I grew up not more than 10 minutes from the beach where I would spend most of my time surfing and hanging out with friends after school. Being out in nature and especially being out in the ocean has always been a big part of my life. On weekends, my father would take my brother and I to go freedive spearfishing. If I wasn’t in the water or at the beach I would be playing basketball. I started playing basketball at the age of 7 and played throughout high school. To this day, basketball has been the biggest coach in my life and has taught me a lot about overcoming adversity and developing mental toughness. Aside from sports and ocean activities, I started singing when I was in the 8th grade and then later taught myself how to play guitar when I was in college. Music has always been a way for me to find peace and express myself. Singing and playing guitar has been a way for me to become more comfortable in my own skin.

While in college, I began to develop a desire to explore the world and travel because my family wasn’t in the right financial situation to take us on trips. I have been to 11 different states and out of the country twice in the past 7 years which is more than most people from the islands get the chance to experience. Traveling has impacted my life in so many ways. It has helped me to develop a deeper understanding of cultures and it has helped me to understand people as unique individuals within a unique cultural context. I love to experience and explore new places, different people, and different foods. This spontaneous part of me has influenced me to take chances, chances like deciding to finally leave the islands that raised me. In November of 2021, My wife and I finally made the leap of faith and moved to Texas. Although living in a new place, my island roots have never left. I learned that no matter how far from home you go, home will always be in your puʻuwai (heart).

Growing up in a small community on the island of Kaua’i, you learn how important relationships and families are. I had my fair share of great relationships and not so great relationships but I was always able to focus on the relationships that had a positive impact on my life. This is what drives me to connect with people through therapy and to be that supportive relationship for them that they may have never had. The passion for helping people and impacting lives has always been a part of me since I can remember. What drives me more than anything to help people are the trials and adversities that impacted me at a very young age. When I look in the mirror and see everything that I have overcome to be the person that I am today, it gives me hope and inspiration to help others achieve that same success. I believe that we have the power to take control over our lives and find peace and happiness, but sometimes it takes one person in our lives to believe in us and help us unlock our true potential.