Ka'eo and Jackie Griffin

Autism Light #347 is Ka'eo and Jackie Griffin

Ka'eo and Jackie Maraya-Griffin live in Kapolei on the island of Oahu, Hawaii with their two sons. Their oldest son Ka'eo Griffin Jr. has autism. Ka'eo and Jackie Maraya-Griffin are Autism Lights because they spread autism awareness in Hawaii as leaders of New Hope Oahu's autism ministry and as administrators of the Son-Rise Program in their son's autism treatment.

The following is a video of the testimony and song Jackie Maraya-Griffin gave at New Hope Church in Oahu, Hawaii on May 8, 2011 to spread autism awareness.


Christian Faith: Ka'eo, Sr. and Jackie Griffin are Christians and their faith provides them with the confidence that there is a divine purpose for all those with autism. Jackie said,

There is hope and beauty in autism.  You can see it if you choose to.  Every day can be a struggle full of obstacles if we choose to see it that way. These kids are just doing the best they can.  We choose to see our son's challenges as opportunities to express an amazing love and acceptance to him in a way that no one else normally would (Email to Autism Light on 6/4/2014).

Ka'eo and Jackie Griffin have served as the Directors of the Autism Ministry at New Hope Oahu, a Christian church in Oahu, Hawaii.

Musical Theater Performer: Jackie Maraya was a musical theater performer for many years, doing shows such as Miss Saigon in Germany, the 3rd National tour of Rent, and Regional Shows such as the King & I and Flower Drum Song. Jackie took a contract to sing on the NCL Star Cruise Ship in Hawaii where she met, Ka'eo Sr. Jackie gave up being a performer so she could stay home with her son after he receive the autism diagnosis.

Son-Rise Program: The Son-Rise Program was developed by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman for their son Raun in 1974. The program continues to be taught by the Autism Treatment Center of America. Jackie and Ka'eo run a home-based, child-centered, play-based Son-Rise Program for their son Ka'eo. They direct a 17 person volunteer team, who they've trained to play with their son Ka'eo in the most loving and accepting way possible, with a goal of connecting with him and building a bridge of trust from his special world into theirs.

The following video is Ka'eo Griffin explaining the great results his son had from the Son-Rise program.




Social Media: You can follow more of Ka'eo and Jackie Griffin's work in these social media areas:

• Team Ka'eo Jr.: A Journey Out of Autism (Facebook)
• HawaiianSonRise.org (YouTube)

Special thanks to Ka'eo and Jackie Griffin for shining their light for autism in Hawaii. Their son Ka'eo, Jr. is wonderfully blessed to have parents who have walked beside him in his journey by learning principles of the Son-Rise program. And the community of believers at New Hope Oahu is likewise blessed to have such capable coordinators of their autism ministry. If you would like to read other posts at Autism Light on individuals from Hawaii find them by searching the blog for the Hawaii label.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The photo of Ka'eo and Jackie Griffin and their family is used with permission and taken from their Hawaii Son-Rise website.

William Bolman

Autism Light #343 is Dr. William Bolman.

Dr. William "Bill" Bolman was a long time psychiatrist from Hawaii with a special expertise in the field of autism. He was an autism advocate and the co-founder of the Autism Society of Hawaii. Dr. William Bolman passed away on April 18, 2014, leaving a legacy of service to autism. He is survived by his wife Victoria Asayama and daughters Dr. Susan Garrison Bolman and Elizabeth Stinette Bolman. A celebration of life for Dr. William Bolman will be held on May 31, 2014, at the Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Dr. William Bolman will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today. It is fitting that Dr. William Bolman be added to Autism Light on this first Memorial Day after his recent passing, because he served in the United States Army. During his service he was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.

Dr. Ryan Lee, a board member of the Autism Society of Hawaii wrote this announcement about the passing of Dr. Bohlman.

It is with sadness that we share with you the passing away of Dr. William Bolman on April 18^th, 2014. Bill was gentle and compassionate with a great sense of humor.  He served children and families with autism, and other mental health disorders for over forty years. He touched many of your lives in a positive way. He was the ASH president since 2009, and is one of the founding members. 

In the 1970’s, physicians specializing in autism spectrum disorders were scarce in Hawaii. He humbly accepted his role as the local leader in the field. He had a unique passion for advancing health care opportunities, mentoring and education, and exploring novel research avenues, in hope of bettering the lives of children. He was well respected by colleagues from Boston to Hawaii, and served as a consultant to the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Mental Health. He updated himself, almost on a daily basis, in the latest findings in autism research. Bill was a scholar and a strong advocate, especially for those unable to communicate their needs effectively (Dr. Ryan Lee as Quoted on Autism Society of Hawaii Website). 

Education: Dr. William Bolman graduated from Harvard College in 1951 and Harvard Medical School in 1955. He completed his residency at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Boston and Boston City Hospital.

Experience:  According to his obituary, Dr. Bolman "served as a consultant to the World Health Organization and National Institute of Mental Health as well as state health departments and organizations. He also was a teaching fellow at Tufts University and Boston University and served as a professor at the University of Wisconsin and University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 4/30/2014)."

Obituary: You may read more information about Dr. Bolman's life in his obituary in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to the Autism Society of Hawaii.

Special thanks to Dr. William Bolman for making a difference for those with autism in Hawaii.  He is being remembered for a giving spirit, and people with autism were often the recepient of his kindness and wisdom. May Dr. William Bolman's legacy inspire others to become psychiatrists in order to help provide needed therapy for the growing number of those with autism in the years to come.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Laura Cook

Autism Light #121 is Laura Cook.

Laura Cook is the founder and CEO/President of the Pacific Autism Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Laura Cook's son Zachary has autism. Laura Cook is an Autism Light for creating a place for children with autism to receive ABA treatment in Hawaii and for her autism advocacy in Hawaii.

Laura Cook has been blessed that after 5 years of intensive ABA treatment her son Zachary is now 12 and is mainstreamed. Read the rest of her story at this link.

The Pacific Autism Center was founded in 2004 by Laura Cook to help children with autism learn functional languages. ABA is used at the 5,000 square foot facility. The mission and motto of the Pacific Autism Center is provided on their website. The motto is "Helping Children reach their full potential...one child at a time."

The mission of the Pacific Autism Center is to use ABA and be a foundation to those individuals (and their families) within the autism spectrum, and to also provide high quality researched based services that support the individual in all areas of their life. Pacific Autism Center is recognized as a leader in the field of serving special needs children in the Hawaiian islands and beyond (Source).

One can also find external links to resources on ABA at the Pacific Autism Center website.

Laura Cook is the co-founder of the Hawaii Autism Resource Team (HART).  HART started in 2006 and according to their website provides these three main services (Source).

• Help in obtaining quality ABA services.
• Education to parents, providers and the community.
• Legal support to attorneys and to parents needing legal support.

Awards: Laura Cook was presented an advocacy award from the Hawaii Chapter of Cure Autism Now on May 31, 2006 (Source).  "Cure Autism Now" merged with Autism Speaks.

For more information on Laura Cook and the Pacific Autism Center you can read these online news stories.

• Road to Recovery
• Hawaii's Autism Epidemic
• Sons' Disorder Gives Her New Reason to Run

Social Media: Friends can follow Laura Cook and Pacific Autism Center at the following social media areas.

• Facebook - Laura Cook
• Facebook - Pacific Autism Center

Special thanks to Laura Cook for being a light for autism in Hawaii. Your efforts are appreciated.

If you enjoyed this post then you may wish to read our Spotlight on ABA post. There are several other Autism Lights who are spreading light through ABA.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.