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!