Photo - Diane & favorite Sister, Margie @ Kahaluu (Turtle) Beach ... Aloha!

riginally from Los Angeles, California, Diane Dana (Welles) at barely 19 years of age, was drawn to the Hawaiian Islands by the promise of warm tropical waters and abundant sea life - perfect for diving. After graduating from San Diego State University, at age 18, with a B.S.degree with Honors (3.95 GPA) in Business/Marketing, plus a Minor in Scuba Diving Physiology; Diane has called Kona her home for over 30 years.

Kona Mermaid

One of her earliest Kona jobs played a pivotal role in shaping her future. Diane worked on a glass bottom boat as a "mermaid", while scuba diving under the boat with food to entice the fish into view of the clientele. One fateful day while the boat was docked at the Kailua Pier, Diane witnessed her first Ironman Triathlon. The intense determination and dedication of the competitors was so inspirational that shortly after she formed a group with five members to train and compete in the following Kona Ironman Triathlon. Of the five, one member was her sister, Margie, as well as Bill Bell (the oldest triathlete in the world).

The Kona IronMan - Now and Then

"It's a long way from 1982, since it's 28 Years later, but nonetheless, I am still motivated and in Awe, by the huge number of Female Athletes that are now competing ... We've come A Long Way, Baby! Here's My Ironman Survival Story and I would Love to Hear about Yours too!"

In 1982, Diane competed in and finished her first Ironman Triathlon. The race, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a 26-mile run, took her 14 hours to complete. In those fourteen hours, Diane formed an unbreakable bond with Kona. She realized through the cheers, the support, the 'chicken skin' and the community spirit of just how much Kona meant to her … a truly magical place.
Diane followed up that amazing accomplishment by starting a family, which proved to be an even greater challenge than the Ironman.

Following her Triathlon success, Diane and her sister Margie, both continued to compete in other Hawaii, US and International Triathlons events, that incuded Marathons.

IRONBABY

She became the first Ironman competitor to be a Mom, and her son Randal (that at age 10 & 12, completed two Honolulu Marathons with Diane); became the first so-called "Ironbaby." Employing the term "Ironbaby", Diane partnered with Ironman to create a successful clothing line for children up to age six with hats, shirts, joggers, etc. Visit us at: www.ironbaby.com

Real Estate Developer & Construction Worker

Hardly one to back down from a challenge, Diane decided to fully pursue her dream of becoming a builder and developer of custom homes. Starting literally in the ditches, she learned every step in the process of homebuilding from foundation to finish. Relying on the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright, she designed an homage to the master with a magnificent house in Kona. The final result of all the years of passionate hard work was a labor of love she named "Falling Waters Villa ", easy walking distance to White (Magic) Sands Beach Park.
Diane meticulously designed every element of "Falling Waters" to create the consummate tropical getaway. She even used Giant Open-Beam Cupolas to vent the tropical heat, maintaining a temperature nearly 12 degrees cooler than neighboring homes. The interior, complete with Granite Countertops and hardwood, tile, & stone floors, is accented by original works of local Hawaiian and Balinese artists.

Wyland Art Director

In 1998, Diane started her career in Art Sales with Wyland galleries in Honolulu, and later was promoted to General Manager and Art Director to the world famous marine-life artist, Wyland for his Kona art gallery.

Diane set a WyLand 'single client ' art sale record of over 1.4 Million, that still stands today, in 2010.

With over 30 years of living in Hawaii, Diane knows all the inner workings of Kona and can arrange any type of activity or service including scuba diving, fishing, helicopter rides, swimming with the wild dolphins or Manta rays to Hawaiian Wellness & Holistic health care/treatments.

If you happen to see Diane around town, please don't be shy and introduce yourself and talk story with her. Diane loves to chat about her current Home Improvement Projects or about her new marketing ideas and/or about her favorite Scuba Diving spots or you may see her Board Surfing with her Friends and Family at Kahaluu Beach these days.

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About Diane

  • Retired Realtor, Licensed in Hawaii & Oregon
  • Former General Contractor / Custom Design / Builder, Licensed in Hawaii & Oregon
  • Resident of Hawaii, over 30 years
  • Art Director & General Manager, WYLAND Art Galleries, Kona, retired
  • Master SCUBA Instructor, PADI & NAUI - Certified
  • First Mom to compete & finish Kona IronMan Triathlon

About Dave

  • 'Doc' David, came on-board in 2005. A retired professor from the world of academic medicine & research. Dave, started his next Life chapter in Kona, after training in Entrepreneurial Business & Marketing.

  • Experience and training in Digital Media/Arts and IT Tech Support .
  • In 2004, he became an on-site Project Manager in the start-up & completion of a very sucessful Million-dollar Bed & Breakfast Luxury property, in Volcano Village.
  • Served with distinction with the 1st Cav in the US Army, and later, as an officer in the US Navy.
  • Listed in the US -Marquis WHO's WHO & in the US National Library Of Science database, as a scientific reference / contributor, in the areas of heart, lung & kidney clinical research.
  • Since 2009, Dave has been working on a few book drafts, as well as conducting research and traveling abroad.

 

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