MARIA – My 18-Year Journey with Kodama Koi Farm.
In celebration of Kodama Koi Farm’s upcoming 25th anniversary, I’d like to share my journey—how I started, what I’ve learned, and why this place means so much to me.
“Treasures Found Along the Way.”
It’s hard to believe that it has been 18 years since I started working at Kodama Koi Farm.
I never imagined I would stay with the company this long, but looking back, my journey has been filled with countless memorable moments.
I still vividly remember my very first visit to the farm.
The property was blooming with lilikoi flowers, and their sweet fragrance and vibrant colors left a lasting impression on me.
I remember thinking, “What a beautiful place this is.” At the time, I commuted from Makiki, about an hour each way, but eventually, I moved closer to the company and now live in Waikele, just minutes from the farm.
When I first started, I knew nothing about Koi. I had come from a large corporation where I managed many staff members, and while I was confident in my leadership skills, the world of Koi was entirely new to me. Everything felt unfamiliar, and I was starting from scratch.
Over time, I began to find my footing, planning online auctions, coming up with promotional ideas, and contributing in ways that played to my strengths. As I handled thousands of Koi photos, I gradually developed an eye for what kind of Koi would sell and which ones would bring joy to our customers.
Today, I’m the one who sets the prices for all the Koi featured in our auctions. It’s a big responsibility, evaluating each Koi’s worth based on photographs alone, but it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
Still, despite all this, I rarely had the chance to see or handle Koi in person. They remained, for the most part, images on a screen. That all changed in my 17th year when I had the life-changing opportunity to travel to Niigata for a Koi buying trip.
The koi buying trip to Japan was without a doubt the most exciting and educational experience of my 18 years with Kodama Koi Farm.
It transformed not only how I view Koi, but also how I approach my work with more heart, more intention, and more joy.
Taro, thank you so much for giving me that opportunity. That experience changed everything for me, and I carry it with me every day. Congratulations to Kodama Koi Farm on 25 amazing years. I’m truly honored to be part of this incredible journey.
EMPLOYEE STORY GALLERY : MARIA F
Truly amazing stories from the Kodama family. I have truly enjoyed receiving my shipments from KKF for so many years. Those small tosai. I have learned so much and continue to be surprise on how the quality has improved year over year.
It’s not always dealing with live animals at times but yes, I would say it has certainly been interesting every time I get a shipment from Kodama and now I understand that it is not only the fish but the people.