Newsmaker




Monday, February 10, 1997

Name: Jeffrey Bell
Age: 40
Education: Olivet College, Olivet, Mich.
Occupation: Senior vice president, Bishop Museum
Hobbies: Basketball, triathlons, other athletics

She believed that your life reflected the good you did for others.

On a visit to Hawaii, Alma Fisher, 64, is seeing some of the fruits of her labor of love. Her son has been named this year's president of the Aloha Festivals, what Bell called a "celebration of volunteerism."

Bell planned to recognize his mother at the installation dinner last month.

"Growing up I was taught that one of the measures of whether you've lived a good life is what impact you've made in your community," Bell said. "As you get older you realize it's your turn."

Bell said the Aloha Festivals, an annual event in the islands that starts Sept. 12, happens because of "a tremendous bunch of people doing something great for the community." By the time the 300 events on six islands are finished, 30,000 people have volunteered time.

He's been a helping hand many times in Hawaii since he moved here in 1980. Bell has worked with the Hawaii International Film Festival, Easter Seals and professional associations. He's also been an Aloha Festivals volunteer for many years, serving on its board since 1992.

Bell hopes his two children - daughter Paris, 2, and newborn son Jack - carry on their grandmother's tradition. His daughter's Hawaiian name is Lokomaika'i, the festival's theme in 1994 when she was born. It means a "generous spirit."

"I hope she lives up to her name."