Akari’s Bio
Akari Ueoka was born on a beautiful island called Shikoku in Japan. One of the four prefectures in Shikoku is Kochi (we use 'prefecture' instead of 'state' in Japan), famous for fishing and fresh vegetables. It faces the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Akari spent her early childhood years there.
At age 7, her family moved to Tokyo for her father's work, and they lived there until she graduated from junior high school. Then, her family moved back to Kochi. It was a good opportunity for Akari to experience city and country life, expanding her perspectives. She went to Kochi Nishi (West) High School and dedicated herself to different forms of dance: rhythmic gymnastics, jazz, and Yosakoi.
After graduating from high school, she decided to come to Maui on her own with the clear intention of studying various styles of healing arts. However, after she landed on Maui, it didn't take her long to realize that she needed to study English first.
Akari came across an excellent language school, the Maui Language Institute (MLI). With her adamant will, she built a solid English foundation before moving on to Maui Community College (MCC). Feeling that she could use more time and practice to polish her English skills and being intrigued by her passion for children, she majored in early childhood education and worked at MLI as a student assistant for four years. There, she felt much satisfaction and fulfillment in caring for international students who came to study English just as she had done.
After graduating from MCC, she attended a massage school to finally realize her original intention of coming to Maui. It was wonderful to attain knowledge and skills in healing arts and earn a state of Hawaii massage license. However, Akari then understood that her real passion in life lay in contributing to world peace through working with children.
She enrolled in the University of Hawaii at Manoa, pursued a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and obtained a State of Hawaii teaching license. She worked at an alternative school called ROOTS on Maui for two years as the lead teacher in a 3- to 5-year-old classroom. She developed the curriculum and was also on the Board of Directors. This gave her a unique understanding of how a school and business is run and solid experience as a teacher. Then she assumed a position as a second-grade teacher at a public school called Haiku Elementary School and taught there for four years.
Akari has been translating and interpreting for many years. Her career as a translator and interpreter started at the Maui Language Institute (MLI). She has translated various documents, including information and orientation packets, brochures, business cards, and marketing materials, and she has also interpreted at business meetings, school orientations, and counseling sessions. She created Akari Translations in 2010.
From 2015 to 2016, she returned to MLI to assume the position of Short-Term Program Coordinator. Akari took much pleasure in working with international students again and was instrumental in supporting their growth as global citizens.
Combining her understanding of Japanese and English as languages with her teaching experience, Akari has also been instructing private, semi-private, and group language lessons and tutoring sessions.
Today, she is grateful to have a fantastic team of instructors, translators/interpreters, and administrative assistants to serve more students and clients.
Akari has always been a lover of literature. As a young girl, she was an avid reader and writer under the influence of her mother, who read 30 to 40 books a month. She learned her strong work ethic from her father, who passed on his sense of responsibility and diligence in his work. With her love for reading, writing, and human relationships, Akari takes great pleasure in being a bridge between languages, cultures, and people.
She enjoys dancing, writing, reading, and taking a long hot bath in her spare time. Recently, she started learning to meditate, and she's been drawn to it more and more.
Akari’s Curriculum Vitae
Mission & Vision Statement
