Serving our community isn’t just what we do; it’s part of who we are. We’re your neighbors and friends, your kids’ scout leaders and soccer coaches, the volunteers who help non-profit organizations. We care deeply about our island community and that care shows up in how we treat our customers every single day.
Michele Saito
What do you do at Farmers Hawaii? I’m President. This December marks my 26th year!
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Moiliili.
What kind of volunteer work do you do? Currently, I’m co-troop leader and cookie manager for Troop 808, Girl Scout Silver Award advisor, Treasurer for the Kailua Service Unit of the Girl Scout Council, Director for the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and a parent volunteer for Iolani School activities.
How does your volunteer work affect our community? My work is just a small but necessary piece in building a stronger community. To make a difference...that’s important.
Colleen Hironaka
What do you do at Farmers Insurance Hawaii? Our department handles the incoming mail to agency staff and the inputting of data into our agency management system.
Where did you grow up? On the Island of Kauai. I went to Kapaa Elementary, Kapaa Intermediate and Kapaa High School.
What kind of volunteer work do you do? Through the Kamehameha Lions Club, we paint bus shelters, keep Pali Highway clean and assist the Hawaii State Science Fair. Through the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU), we cook dinners for Ronald McDonald House residents, participate in Toys for Tots and support American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
What would you say to others interested in serving their community? Find your passion. Go and do it. Think about others and not yourself.
If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for? First, a cure for all types of cancer.
Then, to bring back the Aloha Spirit and importance of the Ohana.
Lastly, to feel safe in our home, our cars and our streets – everyone taking care of each other.
Craig Matsuda
What do you do at Farmers Insurance Hawaii? I oversee software development, IT compliance and budgeting, and also business case development.
What kind of volunteer work do you do? I’m a board member for Junior Achievement of Hawaii, and also volunteer as an AYSO soccer referee.
What was your first volunteer experience? Christmas caroling at a senior home.
What is the most rewarding part about volunteering? The satisfaction of helping others without anyone asking me to do so.
If you had a superpower you could use to help people, what would it be? Time travel (without the paradoxes), so that people can have a second chance to redo, or make things right, for themselves and everyone else.
Maria Carvalho
What do you do at Farmers Insurance Hawaii? I manage the underwriting activities of our personal insurance lines.
What kind of volunteer work do you do? I’m an active member of my condominium homeowners association.
How does your volunteer work help the community? I act in the interest of all our owners, protecting their financial investments and promoting a sense of pride and security in our building.
What would you say to others interested in serving their community? Do what you can, when you can, with what you have.
If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for? World peace, financial stability in government. And 3 more wishes!
Tammy Wesson
What do you do at Farmers Insurance Hawaii? I work in the accounting department as a collector.
What kind of volunteer work do you do? I'm secretary for Keolu Elementary School PTSA and also the parent rep for the school's school community council.
What is the most rewarding part about volunteering? I enjoy seeing how happy the kids are with the activities we plan for them.
What is your wish for Hawaii's community? That more people get involved and get their kids involved in giving back. My kids and I will be volunteering next at the Hawaiian Humane Society. We'll probably end up with a lot of pets.
What famous person do you find inspiring? Why? Oprah. Because she’s self-made and continues to give back to people and communities.