Contrast Magazine

LEVI MAESTRO

mark — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:54:07 +0000

PRODUCER/FILM MAKER/MAESTRO KNOWS
“When people hear the title of my show they think I’m arrogant, like I know everything. That’s not what it means. It means I understand and know where I want to go,” says Levi Maestro, the creator of the hit Internet show Maestro Knows. “It’s not a video blog or a video diary or anything like that, and it’s definitely not an interview thing. It’s just my perspective on life and the people I associate myself with.” Read more…

MALIKA DUDLEY

mark — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:55:57 +0000

KGMB9 WEATHER ANCHOR
You may have seen Malika Dudley on television or perhaps grace the covers of various local magazines. Although always well put together and beautiful, this former Miss Hawai‘i–turned television weather anchor is a self-proclaimed “klutz.” Malika says that she “runs into things” on a daily basis and laughs at the fact that she finds bruises often and doesn’t have a clue about how she obtained them. Read more…

ERIC SHIN

mark — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:56:53 +0000

PRINCIPAL PERCUSSIONIST/HONOLULU SYMPHONY
The year 1900 was a big one for Hawai’i. It marked the year that Hawai’i became a United States territory. It’s also the founding year of the Honolulu Symphony, making it the oldest American orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. In the past century the Symphony has seen two World Wars, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, The Great Depression, and modernization. It is a landmark in our cultural community and a piece of living history. Read more…

SEBASTIAN VALDES

mark — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:21:32 +0000

STORE MANAGER/FITTED
The hyphy music culture was dead upon inception But that doesn’t stop Sebastian Valdes from getting “hella hyphy” to any upbeat song, regardless of the genre. Valdes, originally from the sloped streets of San Francisco, has seen much personal success since making his way to the islands via a tennis scholarship from Chaminade University. Read more…

COURTNEY KIM

mark — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:17:32 +0000

SCIENTIST/AIDS RESEARCHER
Courtney Kim is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. The 26-year-old scientist takes the Aloha Spirit to new intellectual heights with her work in the Hawai‘i Center for AIDS. (HCA) She is based out of the Clint Spencer Clinic, located in Lē‘ahi Hospital, which services HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome) patients in Hawai‘i, with research collaborations all over the U.S., Vietnam, and Thailand. Read more…

BRIAN CHING

mark — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:36:29 +0000

PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER/HALE‘IWA’S HEAVY LEG
It was my freshman year up on Kamehameha’s Kapalama Campus in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. I was a 5’2”, 86-pound weakling practicing on one end of a soccer field with the Junior Varsity team. On the other side of the field was the Varsity team and Hale‘iwa native, 8’6” and 350-pound Brian Ching* (at least he appeared to be that size in my mind at the time). Read more…

MIKE STEWART

mark — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:20:29 +0000

FILMMAKER/CREATIVE CURRENCY
Mike Stewart wants to blow your mind, but not with aerial maneuvers at Pipe or the latest board innovation from his company, Science. Rather, the godfather of body boarding wants to trip you out with his new movie FIRE. These days, nine-time world bodyboard champ rarely dons a contest jersey, opting to explore a career as a cinematographer. Read more…

DAVE WASSEL

mark — Tue, 12 May 2009 06:24:19 +0000

NORTH SHORE LIFEGUARD/PROFESSIONAL BIG WAVE SURFER
When the North Shore hits that next level in surf size and most Professional surfers are packing it in, Dave Wassel is grabbing his next level equipment. A notorious big wave charger, the Kailua native has called the North Shore home for the better part of the decade. He now resides in the notorious Volcom/Gerry’s house in front of Pipeline. Read more…

KEOLA SILVA

mark — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:06:42 +0000

MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST
After graduating from Kamehameha Schools in 1999, Keola Silva got involved in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). MMA is a newly popular sport that allows for a variety of fighting techniques, including everything from boxing to jiu jitsu. Contrast caught up with Silva to see what life has been like as an MMA fighter and a wrestling coach. Read more…

THE BRIDGEMAN SISTERS

mark — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:11:32 +0000

SERVER, BARTENDER AND DAY MANAGER
Sisterhood is a strong and sacred bond. The link between Pupukea princesses, the Bridgman sisters, boosts the overall character of Lei Lei’s Bar and Grill. The unique blend of a family atmosphere within a restaurant setting makes Lei Lei’s—at the Turtle Bay Resort—a favorite among North Shore residents and hotel guests alike. Read more…