Interview: Sage Watanabe

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Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised on the island on Kaua’i!

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What high school or college did you attend?

I graduated in 2016 from Kapa’a High School. From there I attended West Kauai CNA Program where I earned my CNA license. I attended Kaua’i Community College where I graduated with my Associates in Liberal Arts in 2019 and then my LPN in 2021.

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What made you interested in the medical field?

My brother is my #1 reason why I became interested in the medical field and that from a young age I always knew I wanted to help people in anyway I could. Nursing and teaching also runs in my family, so being able to work at Punzal Vision where I have opportunities to learn and educate patient’s feels very rewarding for me.

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What do you enjoy doing on your days off or in your free time?

On my free time/days off I enjoy going to the park with my friends and playing basketball. I also enjoy baking! Like everyone else during the pandemic baking was my outlet and also my side business while in nursing school. I learned how to bake ube crinkle cookies, ube cheese cakes, Oreo cheese cakes, and even stuffed cheese bread!

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Do you have any hidden talents?

I’m pretty good at reciting the airplane instructions before take off 😂 There was this one time I was close to the flight attendant and I knew it so well she laughed and said I should work for Hawaiian Airlines 😂

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What are 3 things on your bucket list?

-Experience everything Japan has to offer

-Go on a helicopter tour

-Go to all the Disney Parks

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What's one fun fact that people may not know about you?

I’m left handed, but do majority of other things with my right hand/right dominant, besides shooting a gun, I am a lefty LOL.

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If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to Japan because it’s a beautiful place rich in culture. I know a lot about my Hawaiian culture and I think learning more about my Japanese culture would be bonus.

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What is one of your favorite quotes or phrases that you live your life by?

My favorite saying that I love my life by is the Bible verse Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Every time I feel like things are too complicated or challenging I think of this Bible verse and it encourages me to keep going because at the end of every storm there’s a rainbow.

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What is your favorite thing about working at Punzal Vision?

My favorite thing about working at Punzal Vision is that every day there is something different and you’re always kept on your toes.