The Hawaii Tobacco Quitline's Quit Coaches know how hard it is to quit and are specially trained to provide you with the support you need to be tobacco free. Using proven quitting techniques and materials, your quit coach will work with you to help you quit tobacco for life. Our Quit Coaches include:

• Valerie
• Quwahia
• Willie
• Lori

Valerie

What's your background and how did you get into supporting others?
I received my degree from NYU and worked as a social worker with crime victims in New York City. I eventually transitioned from direct service to telephone counseling. I worked with “The Parent Line,” for seven years as a telephone counselor and trainer.

What drew you to the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline?
I was working as the Intake coordinator and tobacco treatment specialist for APS Healthcare which ran the “Ready, Set, Quit“ smoking cessation program for HMSA. I found that I really loved working as a tobacco treatment specialist because it was really rewarding. Each individual brought to it new challenges, which I found very exciting. I heard that Hawaii was going to have a statewide tobacco quitline and I knew that they would need someone who would work with the counselors with training and supervision. This was something I really wanted to do because it blends the counseling work I’ve done with my work with telephone counselors.

What will you enjoy most about your job?
I like working with people over the phone and I really love working with the Quit Coaches – motivating them and helping to encourage them. I have developed nice relationships with the people that I supervised and trained. I learned that you have to have a sense of trust with them.

What are you most excited about with this new role at the Hawaii State Quitline?
The excitement of something new in Hawaii. I think it’s going to be really amazing. I feel excited and proud to being involved in something that’s going to be innovative. Given that a lot of people in Hawaii don’t have insurance or the ability to get help with quitting tobacco, access to a phone line that supports people in their goals to quit is very exciting.

Have you smoked before?
Yes. I started smoking when I was 13 years old. I quit during both of my pregnancies and started back up after the pregnancies. I never smoked in front of my children because I didn’t want them to know that I smoked, but I smoked when I left the house. I started to develop chronic bronchitis, and one Christmas season I had it to the point where I couldn’t talk. This was when I was working for the Parent Line and I told myself, “you’re an idiot because here you are… your way of making a living is talking to people on the phone and you’re doing something that is preventing you from making a living.” My children were getting older and I wanted to be a better role model for them, so I quit. I’ve been quit now for seven and a half years and I am very proud of that. This has helped me be compassionate with smokers and understand that quitting tobacco is really hard.

What’s the most common misconception about quitting?
That you’re a failure if you slip or relapse. It’s so important to let people know that each step brings them closer to their goal. It’s normal and people do slip and relapse, but it doesn’t mean that they’re failures. We just need to keep encouraging them and reminding them of what their goal is and keep them moving in that direction.

How do you remain objective and fresh for each intervention?
I try to understand where each person is coming from. I truly am someone who loves people and their different backgrounds and viewpoints and that’s what keeps me going.

Why do you think phone-based counseling is so effective?
There are two reasons why phone-based counseling is so effective. 1) It provides everyone with anonymity and that helps people feel safe. 2) When people are calling into any kind of phone line, they are feeling very vulnerable, and part of what is important for them is that we’re authentic. With all of our skills and education in place, if we’re real, people really respond to that.

How do you feel about your ability to connect with the people of Hawaii on a cultural level?
Although I am not a native of Hawaii, I have lived here for 20 years and based on my concern and care for people, I have been able to connect with those of all different cultures. I believe that if you have the compassion and knowledge base to want to help, people respond to that.

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Quwahia

What’s your background and how did you get into supporting others?
I grew up in an environment filled with family members who suffered with addictions. I knew that there had to be another way of life, but I didn’t have the role models to show me. There was something inside that told me that I could be like Grandmother; she’s a caregiver. I’d rather be like my Grandmother and care for others. So I went on to receive my Masters in Psychology and Human Development.

What drew you to the Hawaii State Quitline?
For the past 15-20 years I’ve worked in high crisis situations where you tend not see the benefits of helping people until they’ve really stabilized. I want to help people reach a goal that is not really recognized as a crisis, but yet it still is a crisis. Tobacco use is a silent killer. I want to help people heal on a deeper level and that’s the opportunity I saw at Call It Quits. I can apply my skills to help people and do something that I truly believe has value and adds benefits to others and the environment.

What will you enjoy most about your job?
I love talking with and helping people. There’s no greater gratification that I can think of, not even money or gold, than to see a person live a better quality of life.

What are you most excited about with this new role at the Hawaii State Quitline?
I am so excited to be here! I see this service helping people even beyond our imagination. I will be able to help so many people quit tobacco and live longer.

Have you smoked before?
Yes, from the ages of 10-14 years old. I quit when I saw my father die of emphysema because of smoking. I quit so I could be sure to be there to help take care of my family.

What’s the most common misconception about quitting?
That people can quit out of pure will power. Addiction to nicotine is a diabolical disease that becomes a physical and neurological need. When we continue doing something that we want to stop, that’s addiction. It is much stronger than will power. People with this addiction need support and the knowledge of how to quit.

How do you remain objective and fresh for each intervention?
I learned the importance of self care. You can’t help anyone if you’re burnt out. One talk story says that if you’re a pitcher and you’re pouring out water, you need to make sure your pitcher is full. I get my fill from nature, God, and other people and I keep it full. I can feel it when it starts to deplete. I make it my business to fill it up with music, art and spiritualism.

Why do you think phone-based counseling is so effective?
People can maintain their privacy and safety. They don’t have to worry about how they look or what they are wearing; they can wear their robe and slippers and talk to us. They can stay home and not have to travel somewhere for an appointment.

The phone helps us reach hundreds of people every day just to touch base and give support. You can’t do that in a classroom setting.

How do you feel about your ability to connect with the people of Hawaii on a cultural level?
I am of the Navajo and Crow Native American culture and it’s very similar in many aspects to the Hawaiian culture. Spirituality, respect for life, and compassion and caring are the core values we share.

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Willie

What’s your background and how did you get into supporting others?
I’ve always been interested in why people do things. I think this was my main reason for pursuing a Master's in psychology. My work in the Air Force also increased my interest. During my time in the service, I worked in the Admissions & Dispositions office, where I was able to do grief and advance directive counseling.

What drew you to the Hawaii State Quitline?
I was intrigued with the program because of its motivational aspect. This was a dream job, because I could help people in a safe environment, learn from others (my co-workers and the callers), and put my educational background to use. After spending a significant part of my life in Hawaii, I saw this job as a great way to give back to the community.

What are you most excited about with this new role at the Hawaii State Quitline?
The one-on-one conversations with the callers, making a difference in their lives, and working with diverse cultures. I am excited to be among the 'pioneers' in Hawaii's tobacco cessation efforts. We all know we have huge shoes to fill, but the challenge that lies ahead is exciting. Also, there is great joy in doing what I love to do: helping others and making a difference.

Have you smoked before?
No, but I have had a number of family and friends whose lives have been affected by tobacco. Furthermore, I was truly moved when I saw someone I know die of lung cancer; it brought home that such a death is long and excruciating. It was painful just knowing what they endured.

What’s the most common misconception about quitting?
That non-smokers cannot empathize with smokers. Quitting is really about behavior change, and we can help support people as they become tobacco free. Empathy is a key component in this work; I must be able to put myself in their shoes. Also, many of us have suffered from some form of addiction at one time or another.

How do you remain objective and fresh for each intervention?
Remembering that every caller is an individual, so I need to start with a clean slate. I also know that I need to remain calm and reflective to truly be supportive.

Why do you think phone-based counseling is so effective?
I have to base my experiences on online learning. When I was in an online classroom, I found that not having the face-to-face encounters made me more open and willing to “talk.” Telephone support offers the same environment. It can feel safer for the caller to share more with a stranger.

How do you feel about your ability to connect with the people of Hawaii on a cultural level?
My love for diversity and life has exposed me to different cultures. After spending a decade of my youth on Oahu, I feel as though the island culture is now a vital part of my life.

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Lori

What’s your background and how did you get into counseling?
I felt I wanted to make an impact in the community, so I decided to go back to school and become a therapist. I am currently in the doctorate program in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University and I am working on getting my full certification as a substance abuse counselor.

What drew you to the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline?
Hawaii Tobacco Quitline’s mission is what drew me here. The Quitline is making an impact in individuals’ lives by helping them through the process of quitting tobacco. Given the addictive nature of nicotine, it is said to be more addictive than cocaine and heroine. Tobacco is easier to access and it is more socially accepted. We need to be proactive to help individuals quit and I was impressed with the way the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline does that.

What will you enjoy most about your job?
Being able to help individuals quit smoking. I feel it is more than a job; it is a mission to help people quit their addiction to nicotine.

What are you most excited about with this new role at the Hawaii State Quitline?
You see a lot of people with cigarettes in Hawaii. Tobacco use is truly a problem so to be able to give people in Hawaii the opportunity to get support and help with this addiction is very exciting. It is also exciting to be a part of this innovative process; to see it unfold and watch other people overcome their nicotine addiction. It is very exciting and personally rewarding.

Have you smoked before?
Yes, I started smoking when I was 11 years old. Having grown up in North Carolina where tobacco is very prevalent, it was easy to pick up smoking. But 15 years ago, I wanted to make a clean start in life so I quit smoking along with other substances.

What’s the most common misconception about quitting?
That all it takes is sheer will power. It is not just about putting the cigarette down; there are more variables at play with tobacco use. It takes support to be truly successful. If I did not have the support from other individuals, I may not have been successful. There are no absolutes in life but quitting with support just makes it much easier.

How do you remain objective and fresh for each intervention?
Remembering that every person you talk with is someone new and that it is not about me; it is about them. Each individual has different variables in their lives that play into their nicotine addiction, so I have to keep a fresh perspective, according to the individual, in order to be an effective support.

Why do you think phone-based counseling is so effective?
It allows the participant to lower their guard and feel safe in their own environment. It is more financially reasonable for those who do not have money. They can be who they are at home and feel comfortable. Participants do not have to wait until their next appointment with their Quit Coach, they can get help immediately by calling the Quitline.

How do you feel about your ability to connect with the people of Hawaii on a cultural level?
I have interacted with a variety of cultures in Hawaii. While working for Aloha United Way and attending Argosy University, I have been exposed to an array of cultures. I embrace and appreciate other individuals that have different backgrounds or views. It is educational and expands my perspective on the world; it’s wonderful!

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