Ever heard of H-Poko?
It was the nickname of an old Maui plantation camp, Hamakuapoko, where Leona Rocha Wilson spent her early childhood in a close-knit Portuguese family. Later her family moved to "Dream City," better known today as Kahului!
Leona is my guest tomorrow night (Tues., March 30, 2010) at 7:30 on Long Story Short on PBS Hawaii. She spent decades in business on the East Coast. She invented a still-popular home-sewing tool--the fashion ruler--and served as a national spokesperson in the home sewing industry.
Today, back on Maui and retired, she hosts a Maui Community College cable show called Go School, No Come Like Me. It's her way of encouraging families to support loved ones to transform their lives through education.
She's a remarkable woman, self-made, full of personality, interested in others. She always was a quick learner and she found mentors along the way who helped her in business. For those of you who aren't in Hawaii to see the TV program, we'll post a podcast on our website, www.pbshawaii.org
Not long after the talk-story was taped, Leona's longtime husband William Wilson, former owner of the Butterick garment pattern company, was hospitalized for more than a month and passed away.
Our heartfelt condolences to Leona and her family...
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