Lisa Delfin leads the Blue Zones Project® – Hawai‘i team as the director of community programs. Her professional background in operations, marketing, and communications strongly contributes to her life-long goal of improving the quality of life for her Hawai‘i Island community. Lisa graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing, and later completed her master’s degree in Communication with distinction from Hawai‘i Pacific University.

Prior to working with Blue Zones Project, Lisa oversaw the marketing and communications department at Hawai‘i Pacific University and previously managed the marketing and communications department at CU Hawai‘i Federal Credit Union in Hilo. Lisa has extensive experience leading successful teams on community outreach projects with a track record of success, including the achievement of leading seven Hawai‘i communities towards becoming certified Blue Zones Communities®.

Lisa is passionate about helping others live longer, happier, healthier lives—physically, spiritually, and financially. During her free time, she loves to cook, garden, travel, and spend time outdoors with her dogs and husband, DJ. 

My Power 9

My favorite Power 9® is Purpose. I agree with Mark Twain, who said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

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A true Wahiawā girl, Joslyn Sato was born and raised in this small town of Central O‘ahu. Joslyn holds a deep passion for making a difference in the place she continues to call home while raising her two children. She received her Doctorate in Management of Organizational Leadership, an MBA, and a BSBA, and holds a Project Management Professional certification. Prior to joining Blue Zones Project®, Joslyn worked as an Operational Excellence Consultant, Business Process Improvement Analyst, and an Enterprise Project Manager. Her passion for leadership development, project management, small business, and lifelong learning motivates her to inspire others. Joslyn also loves giving back and empowering other students, professionals, and community members through her many volunteer roles with professional and non-profit organizations within her community. Wherever she goes she encourages others to “Lead to Empower, Learn for a Lifetime, and Believe to Achieve the Unthinkable.”  

My Power 9

My family is the reason I strive to make a difference, live healthy, and make the most of each day. No scheduling activities on Sunday because we’re at the beach!

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Karen Teshima has worked for over 20 years to build a healthier Big Island. Her career started at Bay Clinic, a non-profit community health center that serves one in ten island residents. As a health educator, Karen planned, organized, and implemented health education programs in reproductive health for young adults and professionals. As case management coordinator, she worked closely with patients and physicians to ensure that patients with complex illnesses received consistent care across a multitude of facilities and providers.

Karen has also written grants to expand patient navigation programs in Hawai‘i County. As executive assistant to Mayor Billy Kenoi, Karen was the administration’s lead on community health initiatives such as the Hawai‘i Island Beacon Initiative, the designation of Blue Zones Project® communities on the island, and the administration’s expansion of parks and activities for keiki and kūpuna. She also served as liaison within the administration for upgrades to the built environment to make biking, running, and walking safer for all. And she’s served on the boards of the National Cancer Survivors Network, Hawai‘i State Rural Health Association, Hawai‘i Island Healthcare Alliance, and YWCA Hawai‘i Island. 

My Power 9

My favorite Power 9® is Right Tribe. My husband and I have had the same group of friends for over 20 years. Our Moai consists of 10 friends that encourage, support, and strengthen one another.

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Megan Yarberry is the daughter of educators who came to the Hawaiian Islands in 1957. Growing up in Hawai‘i, Micronesia, and Indonesia gave her a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and contextually relevant solutions to community issues. With a degree from the University of Puget Sound, she joined the Peace Corps and served two years in West Africa before returning to the U.S. to pursue a career in healthcare. After receiving a master’s degree from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, she opened a private practice in Hilo. She also served as an instructor and Academic Dean of a small college on the Big Island. In 2005, Megan began developing healthcare training and programs for high-needs populations in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. Before joining Blue Zones Project^®, she spent two years as a Project Manager in Tanzania implementing community development programs among rural populations. Megan is passionate about community empowerment through education and resource optimization. 

My Power 9

My Power 9^® are Family First and Right Tribe. Living abroad and in a multi-racial family taught me to be inclusive, to look for the commonalities between us, and to nurture the best parts of myself and those around me.

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Originally from Seattle, WA, Cyrus Howe grew up swimming, and playing soccer, basketball, and baseball—developing a love for sports early on. His Thai mom guaranteed a love for food and cooking, too. After moving to Hawai‘i in 2008, Cyrus’s parents were kind enough to let him move “back in” upon graduating from the University of Washington in 2010. After spending a year teaching English in Thailand with his wife, Cyrus attended Hawai‘i Pacific University, where he got his MA in Sustainability. He received his MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 2021. His passion for community development and people’s happiness led him to become the Blue Zones Project® – Hawai‘i Worksite Lead. As much as he likes being in the kitchen, Cyrus also likes spending time with his wife in their Makiki Community Garden plot.

My Power 9

When I think of the Power 9®, two quotes from the 14th Dalai Lama about Purpose come to mind: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito” and “I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy.”

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Crystal Germano holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management and a graduate degree in Educational Studies, and has worked in marketing and PR for over ten years. Crystal has always been intrigued with living a healthy lifestyle and is humbled to serve her community in this area of focus. She also has a passion to conduct outreach with others and enjoys seeing people happy in their environment. Crystal has three sons with whom she loves spending time. Her hobbies include bonding with loved ones, participating in ocean activities (fishing, surfing, diving, swimming, etc.), hiking, gardening, reading a good book, and listening to other people’s life experiences. Working with Blue Zones Project® allows Crystal to serve and make a positive impact within her community. 

My Power 9

My favorite Power 9® is Family First, because the years go by too fast so we must cherish our loved ones while we can.

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