Nakamura said that when he was a youngster he used to hang out at the store while his mom was having her hair done in a nearby salon. “They’ve known me my whole life,” he said. “I used to come here and sit very patiently. John would let me help out in the back, cleaning rings and stuff. For a while, I wanted to be a jeweler because of Uncle John.” So when it came time to select a ring, Nakamura said he knew the place to go. They chose a special ring to order from the Mainland and when it arrived this week, John Kuge sized it. “It’s amazing, perfect,” said Michaels, who wore the ring out of the store. “It couldn’t be better.” The couple said they have not yet set a date for their nuptials.

Michael Nakamura made fiancee Laura Michaels a happy woman Thursday afternoon, presenting her with an engagement ring at J S Kuge & Sons Jewelers in Wailuku. Store owners John and Jean Kuge had front row seats to the very touching and loving moment. Nakamura had already proposed to Michaels but without a ring. They were at the store Thursday to pick up a ring that they had already chosen.