Harry Zisko (a.k.a. the Haole Boy) has over 30 years of experience in the computer industry. He started with IBM in 1979 after graduating from college with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology.
He worked in many different positions at IBM, but the bulk of his 27 years at IBM were spent in the software support arena, working with Enterprise database products. Harry worked as both an Advisory Software Support Engineer (on the phone with corporate customers diagnosing their problems) and as an Advisory Software Engineer (writing the code to fix the problems found by the customer).
Harry also spent time as an instructor teaching other IBM support personnel how to use diagnostic tools and internals of the products that he supported. Before moving to Hawaii, Harry left IBM and spent 3 years working as a Windows System Administrator at various Silicon Valley companies.
Through this experience, Harry learned not only diagnostic skills and the art of communication with a customer, but also the absolute importance of taking the necessary steps to ensure that the customer does not lose any of their data.
In August of 2000, Harry and his wife Melinda moved from Gilroy, California to Kailua, Hawaii so that Melinda could be closer to her parents, who still live in the same house where she grew up in Kalihi Valley. As part of the move to Hawaii, Harry re-joined IBM and spent nine years telecommuting to his IBM software support job.
Harry left IBM in early 2009 and started his own company, Haole Boy Computer Services, offering expert computer diagnostics and repair to individuals and companies on Oahu.
When not fixing customer’s computers, Harry stays busy tinkering with his classic Mustang and is active in the Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii. Melinda and Harry like to get away from their computer screens and observe the heavens as members of the Hawaiian Astronomical Society. Harry also has been playing ukulele for several years – most of the time as a student at Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studio, and also has taken lessons from Bruddah Sam.
Harry previously volunteered his time at the US VETS facility in Kalaeloa (Barbers Point), a rehabilitation facility that helps homeless Veterans get back on their feet and find jobs. As a member of the Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii, he also participates in several community oriented events each year like Toys for Tots Cruise, Foodbank Cruise, Veteran’s Day car show and other events.