Lisa Baxa has contributed to Island Scene magazine since it launched in 1992, and she celebrated 40 years as an HMSA employee in June 2024! Lisa is extremely humble and didn’t want to be featured in Island Scene, but I thought our readers would enjoy learning some fun facts about our dedicated publisher and editor.
Lisa and the writing team. Photo by Lew Harrington.
As a fan and avid reader of Island Scene from the beginning, I’ll always remember the first time I met Lisa when I joined HMSA in 2019. I went into small kine fan girl mode, thinking about how my college professor encouraged me to reach out to Lisa to “get to know her” as a storyteller in the communications industry. I was too chicken to initiate contact all those years ago. Little did Lisa know, I did my research on her back then. It turns out we went to all the same schools growing up Aina Haina Elementary, Niu Valley Intermediate, Kalani High, and UH Manoa. I had no idea that more than two decades later, I’d get to finally meet THE Lisa Baxa, have the amazing opportunity to work with her, and call her a dear friend.
Christine Hirasa and Lisa collaborating. Photo by Earl Yoshii
Since Island Scene has one of the largest circulations of any publication in the state, many people are familiar with Lisa’s name. “On my first day, I couldn’t believe that Lisa, the publisher of Island Scene, the person whose column I’ve read and loved since childhood, was training me and giving me hints about how to navigate life at HMSA,” says Courtney Takabayashi, supervisor, online editor for islandscene.com. “It’s been an honor to work alongside Lisa and I’ll be forever grateful for her editing and writing skills, kind and generous heart, and mentorship.”
Lisa started at HMSA in 1984 as a communications and training aide in the Community Health Services department. “This was in the earliest days of the internet,” Lisa says. “Research was done at the library and through other sources.” Lisa was promoted many times in her career, and she now manages the writing team, serves as a mentor, and oversees the magazine.
Of all the writers, Craig DeSilva has worked with Lisa the longest. “I’ve learned a lot from her eagle eye editing. Although many things have changed over the years, her precision to making words better has always been constant.”
“When I first became CEO of HMSA, I was asked if I wanted to move our communication style into the 21st century by making Island Scene a purely online publication,” said HMSA President and CEO Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S. “Are you kidding?,” Dr. Mugiishi responded. “Online in addition, not instead of. Why would I stifle one of the best and most popular assets HMSA has ever had as a communication tool for our members? The success of Island Scene has a lot to do with Lisa’s tireless efforts and I can’t thank her enough for her dedication and years of service.”
Lisa receiving her certificate for 40 years of service from Dr. Mark Mugiishi, HMSA president and CEO, and Janna Nakagawa, executive. Photo by Earl Yoshii
To me, and to so many others, Lisa is a living legacy. She is down-to-earth and reliable, quiet and quirky; a dedicated, hardworking writing wizard with a wicked sense of humor. Since she can retire whenever she wants at this point, I am grateful for every day she chooses to continue working at HMSA.
“I’ve worked with Lisa for more than 20 years, and she is exactly how you hope an editor would be,” says Creative Director Lawrence Esperanza. “She’s very easygoing, thoughtful, and measured. She chooses her words carefully, always adding value and explaining things in the most meaningful way.”
I really wanted to know, so I asked Lisa, “What made you stay at HMSA for 40 years?” She smiled and said, “The people at HMSA make every day worthwhile. While the work never ends and change is constant, it’s our co-workers who help us through.”
Lisa epitomizes the heart of HMSA and what makes it a special place to work. “I have not had a better mentor than Lisa in my writing career,” says David Frickman, senior content writer/editor. “She’s always willing to correct and teach, but never in a negative way. More important than her mentorship, though, is her friendship.”
She helps everyone grow and has great care for our community. “Simply put, Lisa is a treasure,” says Anna Koethe Pavao, director of strategic communications. “She’s committed to doing the right thing.” Lisa loves sharing stories that educate and inspire, and she especially loves hearing from readers.
When asked what advice she has for everyone, Lisa replied, “Keep working hard, keep laughing, keep being there for each other.”
Christine Hirasa is HMSA’s vice president of Communications and loves pandas and dark chocolate.
WI25F
