Jason Estrella

Name Jason Estrella

social media @hawaiijiujitsu

Age 49

Town/Moku Waiakea

Island Hawaiʻi Island

Leadership Category Culture

Nominated by Dawn-L Estrella

Share with us a little about yourself and what you do.

I am the son of Ronald Estrella and Donna (Cabinatan) Estrella. I am married to my middle school sweetheart Dawn-L. We have two wonderful and amazing children, Ka’aumoana and Aysha-Lynn.

Why is the work that you do important to you? The community?

People, the relationships, Hawai’i’s natural resources and the perpetuation of our communities and culture are important to me. I pray daily that I am fulfilling my kuleana and just remaining obedient by engaging and doing what I am moved to do. Just Aloha.

Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life.

Empathy, compassion, treating people with respect and dignity right where they are at. I believe in life long learning and promoting such. Inviting in those who have strengths beyond my own and championing the growth of others.
I admire the ones who are not afraid to dive in and get their hands dirty.
I just try to treat and love on people the way I would like to be treated. Cause can and life is really short.

Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing?

I have known my parents to be compassionate, loving and giving people. So is my mother in law, Beverly who is a retired teacher. My wife is also someone who not only inspires me because of her passion and Aloha for our communities and people, but because of her encouragement and support that allows me to just serve. Our children, Ka’aumoana and Aysha-Lynn also inspire me because of their love for the Lāhui, community and taking charge as servant leaders.

What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui?

Mo’omeheu

What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui?

Kuokoa