Driving Change: Meet the Alumni-Founders of SafeRide Hawaii
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and what are you doing now?
Chanda: I am from Honolulu, I am the Executive Director/co-founder of SafeRide Hawaii and I am a Senior Marketing Director with World Financial Group.
Amphay: I was born in Laos and I came to Hawaii as a refugee at the age of five. I am the Vice President/co-founder of SafeRide Hawaii and a practicing attorney with Estate Planning Group.
Could you tell us about SafeRide Hawaiʻi? What type of services does it offer?
Chanda and Amphay: SafeRide Hawaii is a nonprofit organization with a mission to save lives by providing a service that takes intoxicated drivers and their cars home safely. In addition to this service, we work to raise awareness and educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. SafeRide Hawaii aims to live in a world where driving under the influence is nonexistent.
What motivated you to start SafeRide Hawaiʻi?
Chanda and Amphay: Days before Christmas in 2020, my daughter, Azalia Park was killed by a drunk driver. She was on her way to see the Christmas Light Show at the Aloha Stadium and while walking in the crosswalk, a drunk driver struck her and fled the scene. She was pronounced brain dead three days later and she was only 21 years old. I was motivated to start SafeRide Hawaii to prevent other families from suffering the tragic loss that my family and I will forever feel. I wanted to honor Azalia, and her legacy of living a life of love, joy and contribution.
Why did you choose to attend UH?
Chanda: I chose to attend UH because I wanted to become a dental hygienist. UH Manoa’s School Of Nursing and Dental Hygiene was the only Dental Hygiene program in all of Hawaii at that time. I received a Bachelor in Science degree through this program whereas many other programs are just certificate programs. I truly feel that I received the best training a student could receive at UH Manoa.
Amphay: I am proud of being from Hawaii and UH is my home school. I was on the football team and playing for UH Manoa allowed me to play in front of my family and friends. UH gave me everything I needed to make a difference in the world by providing me with the opportunity to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work then later a Law Degree from the Richardson’s School of Law.
Please share a favorite memory from your time at UH?
Chanda: A favorite memory I have from my time at UH was when I was able to provide dental services to my daughters in the UH Dental Hygiene Clinic. They were so excited and very proud of me.
Amphay: My favorite memory from my time at UH was graduation because I was the first person in my family to graduate from college and it was special to have my parents there to celebrate my achievements with me.
What advice would you give to an incoming or current UH student?
Chanda: My advice to an incoming or current UH student is to work hard, study hard, stay focused, take the exams and projects seriously, yet have fun and enjoy the journey too.
Amphay: My advice to an incoming or current UH student is to finish what you started.