About Us
About Big Island Beauty Academy
Big Island Beauty Academy offers a full range of courses in Cosmetology, Hairdressing, Nail Technology, Esthetics, and Beauty Instruction. We are licensed by the Cosmetology & Barbering Board of Hawaii. Our primary goal is to establish a solid base of education and experience to equip students with the essential tools to launch a successful career in their chosen career path.
It is our commitment that each of our graduates has the skills and confidence to immediately join the workplace in their chosen craft. At Big Island Beauty Academy, we utilize the Milady’s curriculum. Milady’s is the leader in the industry and has been around since the 1920’s. They update their curriculum regularly to stay abreast of the most current trends in the industry.
It is our desire to lay down a foundation in both theory and practical training that will prepare our students for an exciting journey, leading to high self-esteem and a quality lifestyle. We strive to exceed not only what is expected from us, but also what we expect of ourselves.
Our Staff & Instructors
Monica May-Gramlich
Director of Education
I truly appreciate your interest in Big Island Beauty Academy!
Upon arriving to the Big Island nearly a decade ago, I just couldn’t believe the Big Island did not have a Beauty School. I started off by opening my own salon—Monimay Salon— and told myself that I would one day open a school here. Five years later, I can’t believe that day is finally here!
Hairdressing has been a very rewarding and lucrative career for me for over 30 years, and I have been inspired by every aspect of this exciting industry.
Throughout my career, I have worked for some amazing salons which provided me the opportunity to travel and teach. I have won national recognition for my work as a Color Specialist, as well as many local awards in Arizona. One of my awards was being voted by Vogue magazine as the one of the country’s Top 5 Colorists! I was also recognized in Seventeen and Cut and Style magazines.
I look forward to sharing my many years of experience and my passion with you, and to discovering new inspiration from you, my students!
David Gramlich
Dean of Students
Since we first met 7 years ago, Monica has been very passionate about starting this beauty school, and her enthusiasm, and the enthusiasm from everyone we spoke with about it, made it an easy choice to go into a partnership with her to help make this dream happen! We intend to bring a great new career option to the residents of the Big Island in opening our Beauty School.
In my position as Dean of Students, I primarily oversee the students’ progress. I conduct school tours, market the school to prospective students, provide enrollment services, and track student attendance and progress in class. I also work closely with Monica in managing supplies, class materials, and products for sale.
I believe I bring a great skill set to running The Big Island Beauty Academy. I’ve been a resident on the Kona side of the Big Island since 1986. Since embarking on my career as a Painting Contractor in 2003, I have been contracted to work on shopping malls, condominium projects, resorts, and private residences. Throughout these projects, I have successfully managed over a dozen employees, worked tightly on schedules with other subcontractors, and worked with hundreds of clients in all types of environments. My real world project and people management experience make me a well-qualified choice for Dean of Students.
Lindsay Lecker-Olsen
Hairdressing Instructor
Born and raised in Canada, Lindsay started her career in hairstyling in 1999. Lindsay worked in top salons and spas in Whistler, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Through her years of doing what she loved, Lindsay won many prestigious awards from the Allied Beauty Association. She also won 6th place for Cut and Color at the OMC Hairworlds in Paris 2010 with team Canada.
Moving to Hawaii in 2016, Lindsay wanted to share her many talents with the community here, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have such a wonderful, enthusiastic team member and mentor for our students at the Big Island Beauty Academy.
G. Estefany Talamantes
Cosmetology Educator
With a span of 10 years growing in the beauty industry, Estefany has been able to learn from great mentors and share knowledge to others. Estefany has been a Houston, TX-based Licensed Operator and Instructor, and pursued many artistic endeavors. With an eye for design, she has applied these qualities in the art of dressing hair and inspiring others to join the industry.
Having an Associate’s in Interior Design, she explored the endless possibilities in colors, which continues to be an inspiration she draws from in the everyday life in a salon. She was a part of the Education Dept. for the global company, made by hairdressers for hairdressers, known as CHI. She continues to provide an impact through her work in the salon and in a classroom.
Her heritage as a Latina has also contributed to her knowledge and passion for treating a variety of hair textures that make up the wonderful mosaic of hair. She understands that one never stops learning in this industry and strives to share knowledge and experiences to likeminded individuals. Estefany continues to be a tireless Educator in the beauty industry and feels privileged and humbled to be a part of Big Island Beauty Academy along with an amazing team.
Marcy Pulotu
Director of Administration
Marcy Pulotu is the newest member of the Big Island Beauty Academy team. She has been a resident of Kailua-Kona for 35 years, and raised both of her sons here with her husband.
Marcy has worked in Office Administration for 25 years. Prior to taking her position with Big Island Beauty Academy, she was the Office Manager for the Kona IRONMAN office for seven years.
She looks forward to helping Big Island Beauty Academy students pursue their chosen careers in the beauty industry!
Interested in a career in beauty?
Get your start in this exciting and fulfilling industry today!
