About Hawaii-Guide

Our Mission

'To provide users with the most accurate, detailed, and up to date travel information available on each and every major spot in the Hawaiian Islands, while continuing to give back to the community, 'aina (land), and people of Hawai'i.'

Aloha, welcome to Hawaii-Guide.com and more specifically, to our About Us page. Here you can learn all about the couple that has created 'Guide of Hawaii' and what drives our passion for the islands of Hawaii. Mahalo (thanks) for visiting!

Our History

Hawaiian Style Organization, L.L.C. (a subsidiary-company of Tradewind Creations, L.L.C) was founded by John Derrick in May 2002. From origins as a small Maui photography website, the company developed into a multi-media rich organization. Between 2003-2004, the company was assisted by Angela Jenkins and Debby L. T. in significant research and expansion of the Hawaii-Guide site and forum. Today the company is run by husband and wife team John C. and Victoria C. Derrick.

Meet the Owners

John C. Derrick - President / Founder

An avid fan of Hawaii and researcher on eco-tourism, John enjoys study on many aspects of Hawai'i, ranging from the cultural and historical to the flora and fauna of the islands. John has particular interest in landscape photography and tropical flora. John's love for Hawaii dates back to 2002, when he first visited the islands with a friend. John's first moment of 'Hawaiian bliss' came at Waikamoi Ridge Trail on the island of Maui in May 2002. John especially enjoys visiting the island of Kauai, saying the 'Garden Isle' will always be his true home. John has published six books on the Hawaiian Islands, taken thousands of photos, and published countless entries here on Hawaii-Guide.com. When not working (which seems to hardly be ever) John can be found hiking the cliffs of Na Pali, often pretending to be a mountain goat venturing places others might not even dream about. John has this to say about the Hawaiian Islands, "Hawaii is an experience, Aloha a lifestyle, and the mana or power of the islands is nearly indescrible in words... you have to experience it first hand to fully understand it, yet you can often feel it from a distance without ever having visited at all. I'll be blunt, you either get it (Hawaii), or you don't. Hawaii seems to be picky about who it truly lets in, but welcomes all with open arms and a warm spirit of Aloha. It's my hope that every person who visits, understands the beauty of the place, the history in the culture, and the true balance this place offers. It is simply put... life changing."

John services as the President of the Organization and oversees the company's web-related material, photography, advertising, marketing, sales, web store, and performs map layout and GIS analysis on the companies books and digital media. John holds a Bachelors of Science in Environmental/Physical Geography.

Victoria C. Derrick - Vice President / Creative Manager

Like her husband, Victoria too has been captured by the glowing spirit of Aloha. It fits her personality well in fact, she was born with the Hawaiian mentality in mind - laid back, calm, loving, and caring - a true Hawaiian at heart. Victoria has a sincere love for writing about the Hawaiian Islands in addition to capturing it through photos and video so that she can share it with others. In particular Victoria loves anything related to inspiration, events, and planning - wedding planning to be exact. She is fueled by her capacity to always help others and her caring spirit is soothing and relaxing to all those who know her well. Victoria adores her three dogs at home - all whom have Hawaiian names of course: Puka, Mele, and Hana. Always full of ideas on how to make Hawaii-Guide.com better Victoria keeps John busy coding away and creating new areas or features of the site. She also keeps John from getting too serious or behaving to mountain goat-ish when hiking. Victoria is particularely drawn to the Honopu Ridge Trail on the island of Kauai, where the 'Garden Isle' presented her its mana in a moment of solititude. To this day, the moment fuels her passion for all things Hawaii. Victoria had this to say about Hawaii, "Hawaii isn't just a beautiful place. It's a culture full of love and history. It's a feeling you experience near or far. You either understand the mana(aura), or you don't. Hawaii accepts all walks of life. Everyone's experience is different; for me it turned my life around for the better. Me ke Aloha."

Victoria serves as the Manager of the Organization and oversees all finances, public outreach, advertising, printed media coordination, shipping, and distribution.
 

Presently, Hawaiian Style Organization, L.L.C. produces our expansive Hawaii-Guide.com website, photography prints and artwork, travel planning media, maps, assorted merchandise, and a series of guidebooks (the Mile by Mile series). All profits made by the organization go back into the development of the organization. The 'One Hawaii Charity & Education Organization,' founded in 2003, is also managed by HSO. A portion of all earnings from our products are donated quarterly to charities aiding in cultural and environmental issues in the islands of Hawai'i.

We sincerely hope this website helps guide you to the use of our other websites, and that through this site, or the others, that you are able to plan your perfect Hawaiian Vacation. We welcome your feedback, comments, and suggestions.

Mahalo nui loa for visiting,

John C. Derrick & Victoria C. Derrick