I am 6′7, I know that’s really tall but I come from some pretty tall and big and wide folks and I’m not even the tallest.
I didn’t have a very conventional upbringing, my parents were very nomadic and we didn’t sit still long enough for me to go to a public school until I was twelve. Up until then my dad home schooled me. Smartest man I know.
I don’t have a middle name, my dad was meant to pick one but he felt my first name was so strong a middle name would just be underwhelming.
My first name is Solaareese, my mother and newborn me communed with the earth for four days after I was born so my name could be revealed to her.
My favorite color is orange, which might have been destined since my last name means orange tree in Hawaiian.
I was in the military for eighteen years, from when I was eighteen all the way up until four years ago.
The last eight of those years I was a Navy SEAL.
I have a scar through my right eyebrow, I got it in combat.
I was married for ten years, long before IHQ and even though the marriage is over I still care very deeply for her.
I have a daughter, she is the child of my ex wife from a previous relationship but I think the universe always intended for her to be my kin and nothing brings me more hope and joy.
I live in an RV, because I grew up in one and nothing feels more like home than a house on wheels. I also like that I can move it around the campus. Keep everyone on their toes; where’s the big man gonna turn up next?
I learned how to cook from my dad, he could make something so mouth wateringly good out of anything and it was something we did together.
I learned how to build and repair most things from my mom, which comes in real handy when you live in a mobile home.
I’m an extrovert, so much so that there might be a picture of me next to it in the dictionary.
No matter what, be kind, that’s my motto. No matter how someone else treats me I will always treat them with kindness, compassion and understanding because putting more love into the world can only make it better.
My big ass does surf, you don’t call O’ahu, Hawaii your hometown and not surf.
I played football in school, and truthfully it wasn’t my favorite but I loved being part of a team so I stuck it out and I’m glad I did.
Cooking is my passion, I love the work I do with security and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, keeping people safe is something I take very seriously but I love coming home and setting up the grill and fire pit and making a feast for twelve.
I enjoy the idea that I’m the dad of IHQ, I always wanted at least six kids and now it feels like I’ve got fifty and I wouldn’t turn another fifty away.
I do know how to play the Ukulele, and it is funny to see a giant with a tiny guitar.
Alexi Murdoch is my favorite musician, I enjoy anything that I can listen to and just sit outside and enjoy the warmth of the sun.
I talk to my parents almost everyday, and recently they have gotten very into memes and my dad’s been known to make a few of his own, they’re pretty funny.
Hawaiian Shaved Ice is my favorite treat and it’s probably a good thing I can’t really get it here.
I believe that people are good, I have seen people do some truly horrible, even evil things, but in my forty years the number of people I have seen do the right thing and fight for what is right and good and fair far outweigh the ambitions of the wicked.
I have been part of a flash mob before flash mobs were even a thing, my best friend was getting married and everyone except his bride danced to an original piece of his. She cried and so did I.
I’m a crier in fact I cried earlier today giving someone a hug, sometimes they are just so filled with love it’s overwhelming.
I genuinely love and care about everyone I meet, if I ask you questions about yourself it’s because I want to know, I want to know your story, I want to learn about you and from you.
I am always trying to be a better person, I know I’m never going to be perfect and I don’t want to be, but I do want to be a good person and I think good people are good to people.
I loved school, even though I was always around people even being home schooled, it was awesome to be around kids my own age when I finally went to public school
I was a short chunky kid.
I didn’t reach my full height until I was seventeen, I had two growth spurts which is odd apparently, but I guess my growth plates just didn’t want to fuse.
I have six tattoos, they all means something personal to me, but I can say I have a rendition of the first thing my daughter ever drew me over my heart.
Until I was about fourteen every time I saw the words khaki spelled out I pronounced it as kahiki, all I know is my dad laughed for twenty minutes and to this day he calls me Reesy Kahiki.
I have lived in five of the seven continents, all but Oceania and Antarctica although I’ve been to Australia.
Elephants are my favorite animal, I feel an unexplained connection to them.
I don’t drink soda, even on my cheat days I don’t, I’d rather spend those calories on pie.
I think it’s safe to say I spend most of my time with no shirt on, I am not a fan of shoes or socks either.
I sleep with my windows cracked and no blanket, I use a sheet and I think it’s because I’ve never really had AC in my life, which I am only just now realizing.
I would like to have another kid, I’m not concerned about them being biologically mine but I would love to find someone to raise a kid or two with.