Makanani is the daughter of Kim and Kahiki Hodson. James is the son of Andi and Greg Griffin.

We were introduced at Collective, our churches college and young adults ministry, on the Friday before Thanksgiving. James was introduced as Mario, because he was wearing a Super Mario Bros t-shirt. Makanani was introduced as braids because her hair was styled as such. We didn't remember each other's actual names for some time. Throughout the next 3+ years, we spent time with each other regularly at this ministry. Eventually, Makanani's sister and brother-in-law, Kalei and Logan, would bring us both to hang out with them as a group of four, and this helped our relationship to grow. Through those years, Makanani graduated with a Master's degree, and James pursued his Bachelor's degree. During that time, we remained friends, but continued to grow closer and served together in a couple of ministries. Makanani grew fond of James, and he grew fond of her but didn't show it. Eventually, after a long time of waiting, James asked her to hang out sometime, nervously after Collective on November 3rd, 2017. Makanani agreed, but did not think this was going to be the beginning of our dating relationship. The next morning, November 4th, we went to Starbucks and got some coffee and talked for a couple of hours, just about life with some small talk. After getting hungry, we went to a nearby restaurant, got food and talked for another hour before James shakily asked her to be his girlfriend. Makanani said yes, but we both wanted to discuss all that this meant and had our DTR (Determine the Relationship) right on the first day. Three weeks later, James and Makanani when to her parents house on Big Island for thanksgiving. James was invited as Logan's friend to come for the holiday, and so this turned into James meeting the family for the first time, only 3 weeks after asking Makanani out. Our love grew more and more throughout the next year.

From the beginning of our relationship, we both were wanting to move towards marriage. James knew from the beginning that he wanted to ask her to marry him. Around the time of our 1 year anniversary, James brainstormed and tried to find a ring. He was saving for a ring, and got advice from Kalei, Makanani's sister, as to which one to pick. Eventually, James was able to find one that matched her and he bought it. He decided that his proposal would involve her family and it would be a fun trip. It happened to be a trip up to Maunakea to see the summit and the snow, and the family played it off as a birthday trip for Kalei and to give James and Logan a new experience on Big Island. They made a sign, and took multiple trucks up to the top. During the trip, the roads were supposedly going to be closed, but they opened about an hour before we arrived. Once at the top, everyone looked and enjoyed the view, pictures were taken, and then with some help from her dad, everyone got into couples and started having their pictures taken facing the view. When it was our turn, we took a few photos and then James got down on one knee and the family held up a sign behind her so once she turned around she saw that it said, "Makanani, will you marry me?." Through frozen tears of joy, she said yes! Now that James had proposed, everyone scrambled back into the cars because it was very cold and they wanted to get down to the rest stop to warm up and celebrate with each other.