Rachael's History
Rachael Ray Kimmel was born on July 9th, 1978 in Kealakekua, Hawai'i. Her father is James D. Kimmel and her mother is Glenda Mawae.
While spending most of her childhood on Moloka'i, she also grew up on Maui where she stayed and went to Lihikai School, Maui Waena, Ka'ahumanu Hou and finally Baldwin High School. Rachael also went on to achieve a B.A. in Liberal Studies through the University of Hawai'i. Rachael is naturally a creative person and loves to paint and study Hawaiian Language.
Rachael's family is complex: she has one real sister, two half brothers, one half sister, 3 foster sisters, one step sister and two step brothers! Rachael's life has been a testimony of overcoming obstacles to achieve lifes' dreams and goals and to take what you have and to make the most from it to leave an impact on the world.
Rachael Ray Kimmel
Employee Of The Decade
Rachael has worked at the Randy Jay Braun Gallery since 1997! She continues to serve aloha to all of her customers with legendary service and the Employee of the Decade award to back her up!!! The galley has been located in Makawao Town for 9 years.
Green Thumb
Rachael loves to garden and plant and especially loves growing orchids! Having a natural green thumb, Rachael has no problem having a continuous bloom of orchids in the home at all times and often takes the overflow to the gallery to enjoy too!
Rachel Naeole Naki
Rachael was named after the late "woman of the kalo" Rachel Naeole Naki of Wailua, Moloka'i. Rachel was born at the turn of the century in Pelekunu, Moloka'i until she later moved to Wailua and raised her family there.
Rachael's mother recalls how special she was and she admired Rachel's work in the lo'i and wanted to name her a daughter after her to carry on her legacy and her connection of the kalo (taro) to the 'aina (land) - the chief, and na kanaka (the people) of which it feeds.
This is a rare photo of Rachel in her lo'i which she worked in until her late 80's until she had a stroke and had to slow down.
When Rachael Ray Kimmel went to University of Hawai'i she also found a greater than life size portrait which showed her in her usual knit top and with her o'o stick in one hand and the other hand ready to serve and give. Her hand told so many stories through many generations. Seeing that mural was a sign to Rachael Kimmel that she was, like the late Rachel Naki, starting to carve her mark in the world.
Aunty Rachel Naki once told my mother, "Don't be afraid of the white man and his riches."
