Blog

Mike Sullivan, M.A., LMHC Family & Alumni Services Director With the race approaching in less than a month, Ironman training is in full swing!  Training has ramped up to 20+ hours per week, including relentless swimming drills, 100+ mile bike rides on the Kona coast, and jungle runs. This has been an epic “El Nino” …

I never imagined that I would find myself on the precipice of such an athletic feat. A typical Ironman triathlon is a grueling 140.6 miles of swimming, cycling and running. The Kona Ironman World Championships is the granddaddy of all Ironman triathlon – an international competition amongst the world’s most elite triathletes competing in the …

Written through the voices of incoming Pacific Quest staff and their stories of arrival… (Through the lens of Kenny) As we fly into Hawaii the feeling of nostalgia wouldn’t wear off. I have left my family in the midst of winter to join a group of strangers in the field of troubled youth reform. There …

A group of students recently had the opportunity to visit Papakolea Beach, also known as Mahana Beach or Green Sand Beach.  This infamous beach is located in the district of Ka’u on the Big Island, not too far from Pacific Quest.  Papakolea is one of only four green sand beaches in the world–the others being …

By Mike Sullivan, Therapist “Belay on!” shouts Johnny, whose legs are shaking and hands trembling as he prepares to climb his first route of the day at the Hangar 18 rock climbing gym in Los Angeles.  Moments before this, Johnny had pulled me aside and said, “Mike, I wasn’t kidding when I told you and …

By Todd Ransdell, Young Adult Program Director Polynesian people throughout the Pacific Ocean have long used the many types of Wa’a (pronounced vah-ah) to travel, explore, and fish. It is an integral part of Hawaiian history – Polynesian sailors and navigators crossed immense distances to find and colonize the islands of Hawaii without the use of …

By Taylor Schultz, Ka’u Program Supervisor Students recently had the opportunity to visit Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau, a National Historical Park that preserves parts of traditional Hawaiian life. The park sits in Hōnaunau Bay which is a popular snorkeling destination today. This bay once provided a sheltered canoe landing and fresh drinking water for the ali’i …

By Mike McGee, Program Supervisor Students recently had the opportunity to visit Kuhuku Ranch, a special area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  Kuhuku Ranch was one of the largest ranches in Hawaii and sprawled out over almost 200,000 acres on the western slopes of Mauna Loa.  The ranch was purchased by the National Park Service …

By Matt Armstrong, Recruitment Manager As the Recruiter at Pacific Quest, I speak to potential Program Guide applicants and current staff on a daily basis. I’m often asked a variety of questions from those interested in applying or currently working in this position. As the recruiter, I can’t help but want to spend extra time …

By Chris McConnell, Program Supervisor Reeds Bay Aloha, my name is Chris and I have worked with Pacific Quest for a little over two years. During this time, I have seen this company go through enormous transformation, and have watched it grow into one of the most progressive therapy programs in the country. I am …