• Featured Business
    • Around the House
    • Health Care
    • Retail Shops
    • Services
  • Everyday
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Adna High School
    • Centralia High School
    • Morton/White Pass High School
    • Mossyrock High School
    • Napavine High School
    • Onalaska High School
    • Pe Ell High School
    • Toledo High School
    • W.F. West High School
    • Winlock High School
    • Rec League
  • Food
    • Restaurants
  • Art
  • History
  • Community Channels
    • Home Construction and Remodel
    • Home Inspection Services
    • Law Office
    • Media Partners
      • NorthAmericaTalk
    • Non Profit
    • Physical Therapy
    • Health
  • LocalTalk
  • Activities
    • Adult
    • Family
    • Indoor
    • Outdoor
    • Kids
  • Calendar
    • Calendar
    • Add An Event
    • Event Articles
  • Travel
    • Day Trips
    • Overnight Trips
Search
Thursday, February 9, 2023
  • About
    • Team
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Marketing Insights
    • Company News
LewisTalkWA
  • Featured Business
    • AllAround the HouseHealth CareRetail ShopsServices
      Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Chehalis

      Get Your Glow on With Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Now…

      NW Remedies

      NW Remedies Is Olympia’s Local Pharmacy for Supplementing Your Health and…

      Providence Chehalis Family Medicine

      The Resident Benefit at Providence Chehalis Family Medicine

      Inspire Physical & Hand Therapy

      Hand Therapy is Back at Inspire Physical & Hand Therapy Lacey…

  • Everyday
    • Arbor Health

      Rebecca Will Take Arbor Health Over a Skilled Nursing Facility Any…

      Timberland Regional Library

      Timberland Regional Library Building Updates Focus on Accessibility and Comfort

      Ocean Crest Resort

      Where to Stay at the Washington Coast: Ocean Crest Resort

      Providence

      Addition of 3 Providence Residents Expands Access at Neighborcare Dental Clinic

      Kitty Kat Haven

      The Founder of Lewis County’s Cage-Free Feline Adoption Program: Valarie Filer…

  • Sports
    • AllHigh SchoolAdna High SchoolCentralia High SchoolMorton/White Pass High SchoolMossyrock High SchoolNapavine High SchoolOnalaska High SchoolPe Ell High SchoolToledo High SchoolW.F. West High SchoolWinlock High SchoolRec League
      The Evergreen State College Women’s Basketball Team

      The Evergreen State College Women’s Basketball Team Is Gaining Momentum, Looking…

      The Evergreen State College

      The Evergreen State College Men’s Basketball Welcomes a Season of Growth…

      Nate Conkey Onalaska Logger Football

      Nathan Conkey is the Heart of Onalaska Logger Football

      Valkyrie Mounted Archery Winlock

      New Mounted Archery Club in Winlock Brings Sport to Lewis County

  • Food
    • AllRestaurants
      Thai Food West Olympia

      Where to Find Thai Food in West Olympia

      Vics Pizzeria

      Fresh and Innovative, Vic’s Pizzeria in Olympia is a Local Favorite…

      Olympia sushi

      Find Sushi in West Olympia

      Bayview and Ralph’s Thriftway

      Bayview and Ralph’s Thriftway Stores Are Your Holiday-Helping Team with Photos…

  • Art
    • Evergreen State College

      The Evergreen State College Longhouse Celebrates its 25+1 Anniversary of Supporting…

      Chehalis Community Renascence Team

      Color Welcomes Visitors in Downtown Chehalis with Chehalis Community Renaissance Team

      Return Home Inspires Chehalis Woman to Write First Children’s Book

      Evergreen State College

      Celebrate Art, Culture and History at The Evergreen State College’s Digital…

      Irisa Kennedy

      Lewis County Artist Spotlight: Irisa Kennedy

  • History
  • Community Channels
    • Home Construction and Remodel
    • Home Inspection Services
    • Law Office
    • Media Partners
      • NorthAmericaTalk
    • Non Profit
    • Physical Therapy
    • Health
  • LocalTalk
    • The Centerville Café

      Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for Centerville Café on February 15

      Willapa Hills Trail

      The Economic Alliance of Lewis County Acquires Discover Lewis County Program

      Lewis County Veterans Honored With Quilts of Valor

      Burgers and Brew at Bub’s Pub February 11: A Fundraiser Supporting…

      Mint City Coffee Roasters

      Grand Opening Ribbon-Cutting at Mint City Coffee Roasters on January 24

  • Activities
    • AllAdultFamilyIndoorOutdoorKids
      Lewis and Clark State Park Trail of the Deer

      A Gem of a Trail at Lewis and Clark State Park…

      Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation

      Get Outdoors, Get Active and Have Fun This Winter Through Olympia…

      Winter storm Watching Washington coast

      Winter Storm Watching on the Washington Coast at Kalaloch Lodge

      The Evergreen State College Plants

      Explore Northwest Plant Varieties at The Evergreen State College Campus in…

  • Calendar
    • Calendar
    • Add An Event
    • Event Articles
  • Travel
    • Day Trips
    • Overnight Trips
Home Featured Business From Hawaii’s Road to Hana to Centralia’s Freeways, Aloha Driving Schools Teach...

From Hawaii’s Road to Hana to Centralia’s Freeways, Aloha Driving Schools Teach Teens to Drive Safely

By
Nancy Keaton
aloha driving schools
Aloha Driving Schools cars are easy to spot around town as students practice their driving skills.

Share via:

114 Shares
  • More
FacebookTweetPin

 

By Nancy Keaton

i-5 toyotaAs you enter the Aloha Driving Schools office, you are greeted with bright Hawaiian colors, a giant picture of a massive wave, and surfboard decorations everywhere. A book called “Our Maui: Photographs from a Day in Maui County by its Seventh Graders” sits on the table, worn with pages torn out, evidence of being well-read. Yes, you are still in Centralia, so you might wonder why the Hawaiian décor is here.

Jay Cowin, owner of Aloha Driving Schools, used to live in Maui, it’s as simple as that. But your first question might be, why on Earth would anyone willingly choose to get in a car day after day with inexperienced drivers?

aloha driving schools
Aloha Driving Schools cars are easy to spot around town as students practice their driving skills.

Cowin had earned his teaching credential and decided to add a minor in Traffic Safety to make himself more employable. “It was a good choice,” he smiles. “It helped a lot on job applications because they are always looking for Driver’s Ed teachers.”

Cowin’s first teaching job was in the town of Hana, Maui, Hawaii. He still remembers how he showed up the first day on the job wearing a three-piece suit. “Everyone else was wearing shorts and flip flops. I went home and took off my suit, mailed it back to the mainland, and never wore it again,” Cowin says.

If you’ve ever been on the infamous 52 mile long Road to Hana with its 617 curves and 56 bridges, you can picture what it might be like teaching teenagers to drive on the road. But it wasn’t too bad, according to Cowin. As a Driver’s Ed teacher, “You’re pretty alert, let’s put it that way. They may think they’re doing all the driving but I’m always looking. You can never relax.” Yet he maintains that he doesn’t find it stressful.

Cowin and his wife spent seven years in Hawaii, coming back in summers, before moving back to Washington to be around family when they started their own family. Cowin began teaching classes in Rochester and taught there for about 17 years. He had thought about starting a driving school ever since moving back but there were already two schools in the area. After one school moved, Cowin decided now was the time.

aloha driving schools
Jay Cowin greets students with the “shaka” sign, showing his Hawaiian spirit.

Cowin opened Aloha Driving Schools two and a half years ago. Now he has a 1-2 month waiting list. He has staff helping him, and is always looking for more instructors. “You have to be a special kind of person to be a Driver’s Ed teacher. You really have to like kids, be very patient – and not be afraid of much,” he laughs. New instructors receive 100 hours of training before they can begin working with the students.

When asked about his scariest moments, Cowin looked thoughtful for a moment, then quietly said, “Hmm, let me think. There have been so many of them.” Yet the thought doesn’t appear to rattle him at all. He goes on to say that people who have been driving awhile can be scary because they get comfortable, not watching carefully enough. Cowin says he is, “always ready for the unexpected. We can grab the steering wheel very quickly if we need to.” Another thing he has to keep in mind is that, “students pretty much do anything you say. I told one student to turn at the bush, and he turned into the bush. You have to be very clear about what you want them to do.”

While it may seem like teaching driving on the crazy Road to Hana would be more difficult, Cowin says that it’s actually harder in Centralia. There is much more traffic, one-way roads, and the interstate with big trucks.

aloha driving schools
Students who successfully pass class get to have their picture taken in front of the giant wave.

His biggest surprise is always how fast the students can learn (with parental help). “In six hours they can go from not being able to stay in their lane to driving on the freeway in the rain with trucks passing. They start out with such a fear then find out it’s not as hard as they thought. ” While that would stress out most of us, that’s one of parts that Cowin finds fun. “It’s challenging to live on the edge,” he smiles.

It’s important to Cowin that students enjoy their time in class because they will learn quicker. He easily works with all abilities, including reading the test in Spanish, if necessary. He finds all the students really want to learn, some just need a little extra time.

Cowin enjoys seeing former students, both here and when he visits Hawaii. “It’s fun to see what they’re doing and what kind of car they are driving. I love my students. I care about every one,” says Cowin. His commitment is evident in Aloha Driving Schools’ Mission Statement – “To produce a safe and responsible driver who is capable of driving collision-free for a lifetime!”

Aloha Driving Schools

1101 Mellen St. in Centralia

360-633-3636

http://alohadrivingschools.com/

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
FacebookTweetPin

Share via:

114 Shares
  • More
Previous articleJennifer Radach – Creating Meaningful Relationships Along Her School Bus Route
Next articleNapavine High School’s Volleyball Team Heads Back to State Tournament
Nancy Keaton

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Chehalis

Get Your Glow on With Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Now in Downtown Chehalis

NW Remedies

NW Remedies Is Olympia’s Local Pharmacy for Supplementing Your Health and Knowledge

Providence Chehalis Family Medicine

The Resident Benefit at Providence Chehalis Family Medicine

Upcoming Events

Feb
1
Wed
9:00 am Dental Health Month @ Hands On Children's Museum
Dental Health Month @ Hands On Children's Museum
Feb 1 @ 9:00 am – Feb 28 @ 5:00 pm
Dental Health Month @ Hands On Children's Museum
Each February we promote healthy smiles by joining with our dental community to offer free dental screenings right inside the Museum! Kids can pretend to be the dentist in our Puget Sound Dental Office exhibit[...]
Feb
11
Sat
all-day Centralia Gun Show @ Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
Centralia Gun Show @ Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
Feb 11 – Feb 12 all-day
Centralia Gun Show @ Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
SHOW HOURS Sat. 9 AM – 5 PM Sun. 9 AM – 3 PM **ADMISSION TO GUN SHOW ** General Admission – $10 per day Military/Veterans – $8 per day 2-Day Passes: $16 (12 and[...]
4:00 pm Burgers and Brew at Bub’s Pub Fe... @ Bub's Pub Sports Bar and Grill
Burgers and Brew at Bub’s Pub Fe... @ Bub's Pub Sports Bar and Grill
Feb 11 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Burgers and Brew at Bub's Pub February 11: A Fundraiser Supporting Adna Senior Class of 2023 @ Bub's Pub Sports Bar and Grill
Come support this awesome fundraiser in support of the Adna Senior Class of 2023 and have a burger and brew! Join the fun on February 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. and enjoy a yummy[...]
Feb
14
Tue
5:30 pm Volunteer Orientation for Big Br... @ Virtual
Volunteer Orientation for Big Br... @ Virtual
Feb 14 @ 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Volunteer Orientation for Big Brothers Big Sisters @ Virtual
Join a virtual volunteer orientation and learn more information about becoming a volunteer in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Mentor a youth in our community by spending a few hours each month doing things[...]
Mar
7
Tue
5:30 pm Volunteer Orientation for Big Br... @ Virtual
Volunteer Orientation for Big Br... @ Virtual
Mar 7 @ 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Volunteer Orientation for Big Brothers Big Sisters @ Virtual
Join a virtual volunteer orientation and learn more information about becoming a volunteer in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Mentor a youth in our community by spending a few hours each month doing things[...]
View Calendar

Local Community Sponsors

Local Community Sponsors

STAY CONNECTED

8,450FansLike
361FollowersFollow

Business

Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Chehalis

Get Your Glow on With Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Now...

It seems like there is always something to do and somewhere to go. In a day and age where everything needs our attention, Spruce...
NW Remedies

NW Remedies Is Olympia’s Local Pharmacy for Supplementing Your Health and...

Providence Chehalis Family Medicine

The Resident Benefit at Providence Chehalis Family Medicine

Inspire Physical & Hand Therapy

Hand Therapy is Back at Inspire Physical & Hand Therapy Lacey...

Arbor Health

Rebecca Will Take Arbor Health Over a Skilled Nursing Facility Any...

Trending Now

Morton

Small Town Tales: The Story of Morton

Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Chehalis

Get Your Glow on With Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Now...

The Centerville Café

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for Centerville Café on February 15

Editor Picks

things to do in Lewis County

23 Things To Do in Centralia, Chehalis and Lewis County in...

Centralia businesses

Creativity, Comfort and Magic Flourish With New Businesses in Centralia

50 mile turkey trot Big Bottom

The 50-Mile Turkey Trot: How East Lewis County Homesteaders Brought Big...

Recent Posts

  • Where to Find Thai Food in West Olympia
  • Get Your Glow on With Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe Now in Downtown Chehalis
  • Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for Centerville Café on February 15
  • Plan a Romantic Getaway at Port Ludlow Resort on The Salish Sea
  • Olympia Thriftway Stores Makes Hearts Smile This Valentine’s Day
ABOUT US
LewisTalk is a community social network delivering positive stories about what it’s like to live, work and play in Lewis County. Advertise with LewisTalk. Brand your business and tell your story to your target market.
Contact us: info@lewistalk.com
FOLLOW US
  • About
    • Team
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Marketing Insights
    • Company News
© LewisTalk, Inc.
Share via
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Powered by Social Snap
Copy link
CopyCopied
Powered by Social Snap
Edit with Live CSS
Save
Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete.