Shay Kauwe was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu and grew up on the Hawaiian Homelands in Waimānalo. She worked in Russia as an English teacher but was eventually drawn back home. While she has a corporate job in telecommunications, Shay continues to educate with the Hawaii Literacy Project. She resides in Honolulu with her husband, Denis, and their poi dog, Iris. Learn more about Shay at www.shayzykova.com and on Instagram as shayzykova.