ABOUT ME
Hawaiian Native grown on the Big Island, transplanted to Montana. After receiving my Music Education degree, I moved home to Montana and taught full time at a private school in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley, which is nestled in between the majestic Rocky Mountains and the rolling Sapphire Mountains of western Montana. I LOVE teaching, students and school. Now, I’m studying at the University of Oulu in Finland to obtain my Master’s in Education to be able to serve my students and staff at a greater capacity! Friends call me Matthew or Matt, but close friends and family call me Makaio (my Hawaiian name).

I am a lover of people, God, sushi, kombucha, playing any instrument, singing, silence, food, any type of food, traveling, all things education/school, destroying all things related to human trafficking, anything that is coconut (stereotype me, I'm Hawaiian), taking care of our planet (ocean, forests, skies, climate), and I love adventures.

PHILOSOPHY
- Faith, hope, love; but always love.
- Humility is the wisest posture. Joy is the strength of the heart. Peace is knowing the unknown is known.
- To know God, his peace and his love, that surpasses all understanding, and to give the same peace and love to all we meet.
- Humans are made for togetherness. This truth makes Couchsurfing a beautiful place!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I LOVE cultures: experiencing, talking about, and sharing different cultures. Couchsurfing provides an excellent opportunity for both hosts and guests to share their cultures - and that's what I love: the main Couchsurfing currency is SHARING.

Interests

Sunrises < Sunsets
Ocean > Forest
Party = Deep conversations
Early mornings < Late nights
Water with a lemon > Any other beverage
Coffee (>mood abundant finances
Reading < Listening to nature & making up stories in my head
Planned spontaneity > Spontaneous plans

• culture
• singing
• photography
• education
• human rights
• dining
• cooking
• traveling
• music
• backpacking
• teaching
• psychology
• religion
• beaches
• mountains
• ocean
• youth work

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC
Uplifting, wholesome music.

MOVIES
All Disney/Marvel, Bollywood action, Now You See Me, Bourne series... I don't really use my time watching movies.

BOOKS
Bible, Strength in What Remains, The Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, The Complete CS Lewis Signature Classics, The Kite Runner, 1984, Crazy Love, The Hobbit, Love Does, Everybody Always, The Prophet.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Made someone smile.

Teach, Learn, Share

TEACH
Ukulele, guitar, card games, Hawaiian culture, American culture, cooking Hawaiian food

LEARN
Any language I can, card games, different cultures, your culture, riddles, how to cook new foods, how not to look like a tourist

SHARE
Laughs, stories, tears, food, connections, friends, family, card games, cultures, smiles, homes.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My friendship, my couch in return (I’d love to return the favor), laughter, recipes, card games, peace.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Finland, United States