For 25 years, KHON2’s Lokahi Giving Project has helped struggling families in Hawaii, providing them with life’s necessities, emergency services and some cheer during the holidays. The program targets families in the "gap group" — those with incomes too high to qualify for government aid yet too low to live without financial stress.

But likely few of the thousands of people helped by the organization realized that Lokahi’s executive director, Mariellen Jones, had been suffering the whole time as well. Since childhood, Jones had been in agonizing pain because of her teeth, which were progressively deteriorating.

"It was painful and humiliating," Jones said. "The only thing I could think was ‘Keep your mouth closed,’ but when you’re trying to do public speaking, that’s hard to do."

Now Jones has received what she considers to be her "Christmas miracle": a complete reconstruction of her teeth and gums by Dr. Wynn Okuda, a dentist who specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. The value of the donated work was estimated at $60,000, finished last week.

"There was so much devastation going on in her mouth," Okuda said. "She was here the whole day, 12 hours in the chair. But if I didn’t get it done at this point, it would have been three years of dental work … seeing the dentist every other week."

Jones suffered severe ear infections as a child, and some of the medications she took may have weakened her teeth. Her condition might also be hereditary, Okuda said.

Although she practiced good oral hygiene, over the years the deterioration of her teeth led to nerve and gum damage. She was unable to pay for the major dental work required and was reluctant to accept offers of help. Her colleague at KHON2, Trini Kaopuiki, and Okuda’s assistant, Julie Brumm, had urged Jones for years to get an exam. Finally last summer, with her pain increasing, she agreed.

"I really didn’t want to accept anything," said Jones, who co-founded Lokahi in 1985, just a year after coming to Hawaii from New York. "I was worried about whether it … would be appropriate or fair. I’m really grateful that they pushed me and pushed me and pushed me."

Okuda, one of the few dentists in the country who can do major reconstructive work in one day, carefully reconstructed Jones’ mouth, rebuilding her gums and correcting her bite. A dental ceramics specialist constructed her new permanent teeth.

Jones said her "entire face already feels strong. I’m not afraid to bite down," she said.

Her said her self-confidence is boosted every time she smiles, and she feels even more enthusiastic about her charitable work.

Okuda said he felt gratified by his work on Jones but felt it was long overdue.

"I’ve been a part of donating to Lokahi for a long time," he said. "Every year, I felt really proud of doing that. But I didn’t realize how bad her teeth were, and I thought, ‘This person is providing hope for all the families of Hawaii. I’ve gotta do something to change this.’

"It was understanding the spirit of Lokahi. It’s about sharing your talent and paying it forward."