MAGALI SUNDERLAND

Age: 51

Lives in: Lower 'Alewa Heights

Family: Married with eight children — a 20-year-old stepson and seven adopted children ages 6 to 13

Occupation: Ex-litigator turned project director of a nonprofit organization that provides educational support for Native Hawaiian special-education children in the foster-care system.

Hobbies/interests: Room parent at ASSETS School and Kahala Elementary School; volunteer guardian ad litem; going to the library, beach and water park. "I'd like to spend more time watching my husband referee football games and watching DVDs." When the children are grown, she hopes to return to dancing, travel, reading, performance arts, movies, running, painting and drawing.

Greatest thing about being a mom? "The amazing joy you experience when your children give you hugs and kisses, something they made for you, or compliments. Even the complaints are a source of joy knowing that you, as a mom, make such a huge difference in how each child can learn to cope with their problems and heartaches. It is truly the most incredible learning experience of my life!"