Who knew that a Hawaii island boy and an international New York City girl could find forever together?

They first were acquainted in 2012, 12 years ago, studying abroad in Tasmania, Australia. Kela remembers hearing Hawaii Island reggae music for the first time, and Dane never met an Albanian. It wasn’t until 2020, nearly 8 years later that Dane saw Kela was living in Kauai, Hawaii that he reached out to connect with her.

He found her living ruggedly in the jungle, farming, and decided to show her refined Maui living. On Maui, Kela immersed herself in island culture and values, with the most important one being how to drive the speed limit.

Within the first few months of their re-connection, they knew they wanted to build a thriving lifestyle together. And they did! Just 4.5 half years later, they are cultivating gardens on a half acre in upcountry Kula, raising a small husky puppy, and make delicious home cooked meals every night.

Dane is starting to learn Albanian so that he can joke with her Gyushi (grandfather). They look forward to celebrating with their families their union as Mr. & Mrs. Fernandez.