Growing up, my parents always stressed the importance of knowing who I am and where I come from. My mother and her kupuna (elders) were born and raised in Waiʻanae, Oʻahu. My roots are in Waiʻanae, it’s my kahua (foundation) that makes me who I am today. My parents prioritized my education and nurtured that until I became old enough to take on this kuleana (responsibility)for myself. Success to me is being able to support my ‘ohana (family) and to give back to my Waiʻanae community and the Lāhui (Hawaiian Nation). I envision achieving an MSW degree and taking my education and practice to my community in the hopes of contributing to the well-being of our kupuna. My work with this population will improve the conditions of nā ʻohana (families) which, in turn, lifts the lāhui. Throughout my educational and cultural journey, I aspire to become an ʻōiwi (native) leader. When I was six years old, I attended my first organized protest. The state legislature was going to drastically reduce the money available to smaller community mental health agencies and I got to go to the capitol building to bring my voice to the cause. That experience taught me not to be afraid to speak my mind especially regarding helping those in need of the most help. I’ve been volunteering for Kamehameha Schools Community Learning Center for many years now and have helped at most of their big events like the annual Keiki Spring Fest and Movie Nights. I was successful at recruiting some of my peers from Kamehameha Schools to also volunteer. We helped to provide cultural activities for the keiki, served food to the kupuna, and helped with registering families. I helped at the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic with Kamehameha Schools FLIK food distribution activities at the Learning Center. I also volunteered one Saturday a month with the Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Lili’uokalani Trust, and KS Community Learning Center with distributing food to moku o Waiʻanae (district). I also organized a book donation event back in 2015 to help restock the Hawaii Literacy Book Mobile. On various occasions, I spent time on the Bookmobile to read to the young children in my neighborhood. I still support literacy promotion activities and help to distribute new books with my friends at Hawaii Literacy. Overall, Iʻve spent over 152 hours volunteering for multiple organizations these past years. Volunteering has not only rewarded me with new experiences and life skills, but it was also an opportunity to meet new people and make friends. This gave me a new perspective on volunteering, that you can work hard and enjoy the experience at the same time. Today I am a dedicated blood donor and am interested in supporting and recruiting people to participate in this act of kindness. I am spending my university experience exploring how I fit into this picture of Hoʻōla I Ka Lāhui (perpetuating the Hawaiian Nation). I know where my interests lie, and I believe that I am a part of making my community a better place. So, I am excited and committed to being a contributing member and ‘ōiwi leader. Thank you for taking the time to read this essay.

I would like to study sociology and anthropology in college. I am very passionate about helping others and giving back to my community. I can see myself as a social worker in the future. More specifically, I would like to be a social worker in gerontology. My grandmother lives with me and my family, she's 79 years old and has dementia. My parents and I take care of her and watch over her. I try to spend as much time as I can with her. I understand how valuable life is, I don't want to waste a moment. I'm usually in here room after school, talking with her or playing cards to keep her company and because I love her. Over the years, taking care of her made me realize that I appreciate spending time with elders. My passion grew from just helping people in general to working more with old people. In my state, Hawaii, our culture is based upon 'ohana or family. We take care of our elders because they have taken care of us. There is a balance in our life cycle. Majority of us locals grew up understanding this concept. It was part of our everyday lives. We knew we had to take care of our grandparents and to respect all elders, even if they are not related to us. I believe this concept has shaped my future. I want to make a difference in the world and I think this would be the best way to do it.

A song that inspired me is "All Hawai'i Stand Together". Here is my playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmBvyhNnEzH3GJFq1HoM3cKIwWvunuVIf My playlist is titled, "E Ola!", in my language means to live long or long life. The deeper meaning of this phrase is to thrive and persevere. I am Native Hawaiian and have been born and raised in Hawai'i. My people has gone through many obstacles in history. Our population has declined drastically over the past centuries. This playlist is meaningful because these artists inspire me to give back to my community and to take care of our ʻāina (land).