[ HAWAII AT WORK ]
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Emerick Akamine washes dishes at Alan Wong's Pineapple Room at Macy's in Ala Moana Center. Lanakila Rehabilitation Center helped him get the job there.
Pineapple Room
dishwasher shuns labels,
dreams of opening
restaurantI'm so lucky to be working at Alan Wong's Pineapple Room, because it's hard for me to get a job that I really like. People sometimes label me "developmentally disabled," but I'm no different from other people. I graduated from high school. I have a family. I pay taxes. And, I plan and dream like everybody.
Lanakila Rehabilitation Center helped me get a job at Alan Wong's Pineapple Room. I like it a lot. The people are super-nice. The chefs ask me if I'm hungry, and if I am, they cook something good for me.
Emerick Akamine
Position: Full-time dishwasherEmployer: The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong in Macy's, Ala Moana Center
Motivation: "Chef Alan gave me an opportunity, and I'm going to do my best to succeed."
I work at night from 5 to 10:30, sometimes until 11. When I get to the restaurant, I sign in and put the time that I started. I put the dishwashing machine together and get it up and running. Then, I take out the trash. Next, it's my job to clean out the freezer. I have to throw away all the old food. When that's done, I go back to the dishwasher and start the wash cycle. Then, I go to the other side of the kitchen and help wash the smaller pots and pans. After the pots and pans are clean and dry, I help my co-workers package stuff that will be sold, such as popcorn. Then, I go back to the dishwasher to unload the clean dishes. When the kitchen is neat and orderly, my job is finished for the night.
While I was going to Kaimuki High School, I was introduced to the programs at Lanakila Rehabilitation Center. I have been in Lanakila's Food Service Program for the past three years. I started at Lanakila's main facility on Bachelot Street in Nuuanu with the Meals on Wheels program. I was in charge of setting up and clearing tables, cleaning, washing dishes. Four months later, I moved to the Hale Aina Cafeteria at Hickam Air Force Base where I had the same job, but I could talk a lot more with the military people. And now, Lanakila has helped me get a job in an industry that I have dreamed about.
One day, I would really like to study to become a chef and open my own restaurant. Maybe even a chain of restaurants. Who knows, maybe I'll even have my own television show and get to be famous like Alan Wong.
