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!
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.
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!
