Hawaii is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the United States, and its diversity is openly celebrated. Each year, there are festivals that highlight different cultures—such as the Okinawan Festival, the Honolulu Festival, and the Greek Festival—where food, music, and traditions are shared with the community. These events are not only fun, but they also teach respect and appreciation for the many backgrounds that make up our islands.

Hawaii is unique compared to many other states because race and culture are not just tolerated—they are embraced and respected. People here treat each other like family, even when they are not blood related, and that sense of community is very special.

Hawaiian culture itself is woven into daily life, from language and music to traditions like hula and the aloha spirit. Raising a child in this environment will naturally teach them to value diversity and honor different cultures.

Our lifestyle is very family‑oriented, active, and rooted in community. Living in Hawaii, we spend a lot of time outdoors, going to the beach to swim, surf, look for shells, or simply lie on the beach. We enjoy hiking and often stop to pick fruit along the trails. Once a week we visit Mari’s family, where her mom cooks dinner and everyone contributes a dish. Those evenings are filled with laughter and catching up with our jobs and our kids' lives. 

We also spend time with friends nearby, gathering for game nights with mahjong, Settlers of Catan, or Skyjo. Life is busy with full‑time jobs, transporting our daughter to school and practices, and cheering her on at swim meets. Weekends often include barbeques, church, and volunteering—Lukas coaches soccer at a middle school, and we both help with our church’s monthly food distribution.

Travel is something we love whenever we have the chance. We take annual trips with Mari’s family, and we enjoy weekend getaways to the neighbor islands. We also travel to Minnesota once or twice a year to visit family. Hosting is another big part of our lives. We frequently welcome friends visiting Hawaii and love cooking dinners together. Lukas enjoys home projects and renovations, while Mari makes our space cozy and inviting.

Lukas has a 15‑year‑old daughter from a previous relationship. We share both physical and legal custody, so she lives with us half of the time. Having her with us is a big part of our lives, and she’s an incredible young woman. She’s bright, thoughtful, and has a real love for the outdoors. She enjoys swimming, kayaking, and spending time at the beach, and she’s also very dedicated to her schoolwork.

Her schedule is full with school, activities, and going to the beach. She enjoys spending time with younger children and often babysits for family and friends. She has a natural ability to connect with kids. She’s patient, kind, and playful, which makes her a wonderful role model. We know she’ll be a loving older sister.

Family is at the heart of our lives, and we are fortunate to be very close to our extended families. Mari’s family lives in Hawaii, which means we get to see them often. Weekly meals, holiday gatherings, and special celebrations are a regular part of our routine. Her parents, who have been happily married for over 50 years, are a wonderful example of lasting love and commitment. Mari’s dad’s side of the family lives just 30 minutes away, so we frequently come together for occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and baby showers. On her mom’s side, relatives live in California, and they make trips to Hawaii every other year, which always brings joy and excitement to the family.

Lukas’s extended family is mostly in Minnesota, and we make it a priority to visit them every summer and every other Christmas. Lukas has three sisters, a half-brother, and stepsiblings, so family gatherings are always lively and full of laughter. We especially enjoy spending time at his dad’s peach orchard, where the simple pleasures of nature surround us, and at his mom’s rescue horse ranch, which is a place of compassion and care. When we’re in Minnesota, we love embracing the seasons—sledding in the winter, hay rides in the fall, hiking and fishing in the summer. These moments with grandparents, siblings, and cousins are filled with connection and fun. Our families are a source of strength, joy, and tradition, and we cherish the time we share with them.

Our home in Hawaii is surrounded by a vibrant, family-friendly community that truly embraces the spirit of aloha. Neighbors look out for one another, and families often share fruit they grew or meals they cooked. Many of our closest friends also live in the same town, and we regularly gather for dinners, Bible study, and celebrations. These friendships are like an extension of our family, and they bring so much joy and support to our daily lives. With several close families nearby who have young children, your child would have plenty of friends to grow up alongside.

Our house is a cozy, welcoming space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. One of our favorite rooms is the living area, where sunlight pours in through large windows and we spend time laughing, playing games, and enjoying family meals. Outside, we’ve planted fruit trees—including mango, papaya, banana, and orange—and created a cheerful green space that has become the heart of our yard.

Just steps away, there are neighborhood parks, beaches, hikes, playgrounds, and even a community swimming pool—perfect places to imagine your child running, playing, and making lifelong memories. We’re also close to beautiful beaches and hiking trails, offering endless opportunities for outdoor adventures.

We believe our home, community, and circle of friends provide a safe, loving environment where a child can thrive.

We want to begin by saying how much we admire the strength and courage it takes to consider adoption. We understand that this decision stems from a place of deep love, and we want you to know that we respect you and the journey you are on. Whatever you choose, your care and thoughtfulness in this process will always be part of your child’s story.

Our marriage has been built on a foundation of trust, communication, and shared values. Over the past five years of our marriage, we've faced challenges together, and each one has strengthened us. One of the hardest challenges we’ve walked through has been our struggle with infertility. After years of fertility treatments and the hope of becoming pregnant, we came to realize that growing our family would look different from what we first imagined. That journey was not easy, but it deepened our love for each other and strengthened our commitment to building a family through adoption. We now see adoption as a beautiful way to share our love and create the family we’ve always dreamed of.

A large part of our strength in marriage comes from our faith. It has carried us through difficult seasons and reminded us to lean on something greater than ourselves. Faith has taught us patience, resilience, and gratitude, and it continues to guide how we love each other and how we hope to raise a child. We believe that faith, combined with the support of our friendships and family, has given us a strong foundation to welcome a child into our lives. We are blessed to have a community of close friends who support us, encourage us, and remind us to laugh often. They are the people we turn to when life feels heavy, and the ones we celebrate with when life feels light. Their presence has helped us grow as individuals and as a couple, and we know they will play an important role in the life of any child we welcome into our family.

We dream of creating a home where a child feels safe, cherished, and free to explore who they are. We imagine days filled with laughter, bedtime stories, and adventures. Adventures to us aren’t just about travel, they’re about everyday experiences that spark joy and curiosity. We picture camping trips under the stars, roasting marshmallows by the fire, and waking up to the sound of birds in the morning. We imagine traveling together, whether it’s exploring new places close to home or visiting family across the country, giving a child the chance to see the world through fresh eyes. Living in Hawaii, the ocean is a big part of our lives, and we look forward to teaching a child to play in the waves, dive for seashells, build sandcastles, and experience sea turtles, fish, and whales! We believe these experiences will help shape a life full of wonder, resilience, and connection.

We also believe in honoring your role in your child’s life. If you choose us, we will make sure your child knows their story and the love that led to their adoption. We are open to sharing letters, photos, and updates, and if you are comfortable with more contact, we welcome that too. We believe that openness can be a gift, giving a child a fuller understanding of where they come from and the love that has always been present in their life.

We understand that you are making a decision that carries significant weight, and we don’t take lightly the trust that comes with it. If you choose us, we will dedicate every day to honoring that choice by raising your child with love, stability, and honesty. We will celebrate their milestones, walk with them through challenges, and make sure they grow up knowing how deeply they are loved, not only by us, but by you as well. No matter which path you choose, we want you to know that we see your strength, admire your courage, and are grateful for the opportunity to share a little of who we are with you.

Lukas & Mari