Inspire 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

Pali Momi: Following Unexpected Paths

David Arita, founder of American Floor & Home, and his wife, Chris.

Life never goes as planned. David Arita knows that too well. He earned his degree in engineering, but then a friend shifted his interest, and soon, they were opening a carpet business.

The investment paid off. David created American Floor & Home, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2024. From the beginning, the company culture has always been to help others.

“I believe in giving back because the community supported us, plus we want to share the joy of giving with our employees,” David said. "We have done everything from community trash pickups to giving away free carpet to teachers for their classrooms.”

The tradition of giving became personal for David a few years ago. After an accidental fall forced his wife, Chris, to postpone a mammogram appointment, she did her own self-check and discovered something was wrong.

“There was a real thick, hard feeling in my right breast,” said Chris.

She was stunned to learn that she had Stage 2 breast cancer. Fortunately, she could receive treatment just minutes away from their Aiea home at Pali Momi Medical Center. Chris was among the first patients treated at the Dr. James T. Kakuda Cancer Center. She underwent surgery, radiation and 17 rounds of chemotherapy.

“We never expected she would have cancer,” David said. “What Pali Momi did taking care of her was amazing. We just felt a bond with the team there.”

American Floor & Home Foundation made a significant donation to Pali Momi, which named two multispecialty rooms at the Cancer Center after the family business.

“These are rooms where physicians who are involved in your treatment come together and speak with you,” Chris said. “It gives a little peace to the patient to be in one room with all the people in charge of your treatment. We thought that was important.”

The room dedications were only part of the Aritas’ celebrations in 2023. That same year, Chris marked five years of being cancer-free. She says being in remission is the one part of this unexpected journey that she feels blessed for every single day.