Growing up on Rapa Nui, Noah Paoa spent his summers camping by the shore, bodyboarding, and exploring the island’s landscape with his family. A pivotal moment occurred in 2010 when, at 15 years old, a massive earthquake in Chile triggered a tsunami warning for the island. Paoa watched the shoreline recede so far it seemed as if the ocean had never been there. This experience highlighted how closely life on an island is tied to the forces of the sea, eventually guiding him toward a historic academic milestone.

Graduating with the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa in May, Paoa earned a landmark achievement as the first Rapa Nui person to go through the Rapa Nui school system and earn a doctoral degree. While he is careful to honor those who paved the way, Paoa’s degree in from the UH Mānoa (SOEST) is significant personally and for his community.

“Earning this degree is an honor for me, but it is also the reflection of all the work that Rapa Nui people have done so that Rapa Nui students would have the tools to pursue advanced studies,” Paoa said. “I see myself as a testament and example for future Rapa Nui students and perhaps for students of other small island communities.”

Assessing sea level rise threats

Chip Fletcher, professor and dean of SOEST, served as Paoa’s advisor for both his master’s and doctoral degrees. Fletcher said Paoa brought an extraordinary combination of determination, discipline and insight to his graduate work.

“Noah has an incredible work ethic and a rare intuition for coastal science,” Fletcher said. “He has the ability to see both the physical processes shaping island shorelines and the deeper cultural meaning of what is at stake. His research reflects years of hard work, careful thinking, and a deep commitment to serving Rapa Nui and other island communities.”

His doctoral research addresses the , such as ceremonial sites, ancestral landscapes and sacred places.

“Most climate research focuses on impacts to infrastructure and ecosystems, but I wanted to show that coastal cultural heritage is just as vulnerable, and that losing these sites would be more than an archaeological loss, it could result in disruption to cultural identity and continuity,” Paoa said.

Cultural pride and responsibility

Growing up with a Rapa Nui father and a German mother who dedicated part of her life to preserving the Rapa Nui language, Paoa grew up surrounded by both cultural pride and a recognition of the responsibility that comes with preserving language, knowledge and identity. He felt a frustration with the island’s extractive academic past, where outside researchers often benefited their own careers without providing tangible benefits to the local people.

“My research provides new modeling tools and regional datasets to support heritage preservation and climate adaptation planning, but I’ve tried to be clear that what I have produced is to inform management and planning, and that decisions must ultimately be guided by descendant communities and grounded in their own cultural protocols,” Paoa shared.

By pursuing earth sciences, beginning as an undergraduate student at the University of Oregon, Paoa found a way to link geological processes to issues that affect his home island.

“I hope this work inspires future generations of Rapa Nui to pursue scientific paths of their own, helping ensure that research on our island increasingly reflects our own voices, perspectives, and priorities,” said Paoa. “This degree isn’t only mine, it belongs to everyone who made the path possible, and my responsibility now is to carry what I’ve learned back home and put it to use for Rapa Nui.”

–By Marcie Grabowski

Column by University of �鶹��ý Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana was published by on May 28, 2026.

“E kaupē no i ka hoe a kō mai.” Every paddler—every member of any team—is likely familiar with this ʻolelo noʻeau (Hawaiian poetic saying) which translates literally to “Put forward the paddle and draw it back.” More generally, the beautiful mana’o expressed is, “Go on with the task that is started and finish it.”

This was the theme for our Spring 2026 Commencement held earlier this month. Six hundred and fifty certificates and degrees were conferred in disciplines ranging from automotive technology to nursing to creative media and everything in between. In attendance were families, friends, teachers, and counselors—the teammates who paddled with our graduates all along the way.

Commencement speaker Mayor Richard Bissen took up the theme during his inspiring address. “Paddling is not about one powerful stroke. It is about discipline, steady effort, consistency, and continuing forward even when you feel you have nothing left to give. And that sounds a lot like the journey many of you took to get here today.”

That description surely fit most of our graduates and none more so than Johrae Pumehana Park, who was awarded her Master’s Degree in Education. She overcame what seemed like insurmountable odds to reach her milestone.

Born and raised in Hāna, she had to cut short her college tenure on the Mainland to return home and help her family. She was soon the single mother of three children.

“Pūnana Leo (Hawaiian language immersion pre-school) was established in Hāna in 2016 and my daughter Kaia was in the first class,” says Pumehana. “I love my Hawaiian culture and grew up doing a lot of Hawaiian things, but not really learning and speaking the language. After volunteering at Pūnana Leo, I realized I wanted to speak my language and perpetuate my culture by teaching the next generation. I started taking Hawaiian language classes in Hāna through UH Maui College SkyBridge distance learning and never stopped. I enrolled at UHMC for Gen Ed classes online through Hoapili Pathway.” The Hoapili Teacher Pathway program helps those interested in becoming licensed teachers by providing free substitute certification, tuition-free coursework, academic advising, support, and professional development.

“It was all lining up! I took all the Hoapili classes I could. I learned about the BAM (Bachelors and Masters Degrees with Teaching License) and I went for it. I transferred to UH ����ԴDz� and was so fortunate to be able to do all my classes online. This was a game changer for me. I could work, take care of my family, and still complete my education,” says Pumehana.

It may sound like pretty smooth sailing but here’s that first big obstacle. Four years ago, her then 13-year-old son was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, an illness she knew nothing about. Numerous tests on Maui and Oʻahu did not provide answers.

“We took a leap of faith and went to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford in California (they spent ten months there) where we learned my son needed a stem cell transplant. By the grace of God, his 10-year-old sister was his perfect match. She courageously gave her stem cells and with lots of prayers, he recovered! He has been healthy ever since,” says Pumehana.

But… “That same year we were told we needed to move out of the house where I lived my whole life,” says Pumehana. “With the help of ʻohana and the community we moved to a new place in Kula to be closer to doctors and my new job as a teacher at King Kekaulike High School. We’ve also established a farm with goats, pigs, rabbits, dogs and a cow, and we grow ʻuala, kalo, banana and my new hobby, succulents.”

Pumehana plans to spend part of the summer in Japan where she will teach hula to elementary school students in Kyoto and explore the country before returning to her first job as a licensed teacher. “I want to go back to school in a year or so to pursue my PhD in Hawaiian Studies. I love learning, I love experiencing new things and I know higher education is where I can get that.”

It seems Pumehana always has a smile on her face. Positivity surrounds her. “I want others to know that education is for everyone and it’s something no one can take from you. It’s yours and it’s what you make it. If you are curious or have always wanted to go back to school, old or young, DO IT! The things Iʻve learned and people Iʻve connected with are priceless and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” What better endorsement than that. And, apparently, absolutely no obstacle is truly insurmountable.

For information about the Hoapili Teacher Pathway Program, please visit For complete information about �鶹��ýMaui College, please visit .

Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of �鶹��ý Maui College. Kaʻana Manaʻo, which means “sharing thoughts,” is scheduled to appear on the fourth Thursday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County with information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.

A Waiākea High School graduate is now a physician after completing his medical training in May at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM), a journey shaped by his �鶹��ý Island roots, early classroom curiosity, and a commitment to returning home to serve.

Duke Escobar has been described by teachers and peers as approachable, trustworthy and easy to connect with.

“You wish you had a full class of Dukes,” one educator said, noting his friendliness and ability to relate to both younger and older people.

Despite his accomplishments, Escobar often returns to a phrase that reflects his perspective growing up: “just a kid from Waiākea.” The sentiment speaks to his humility as a first-generation college student raised in a close-knit �鶹��ý Island community.

Early inspiration

His interest in medicine began at Waiākea High School, where a health academy course introduced him to medical problem-solving through activities such as diagnosing cases from the television show House. A teacher recalled his curiosity and enthusiasm in class.

Escobar went on to study cell and molecular biology at before completing research gap years at Stanford University and the University of Washington. He was later accepted to JABSOM after years of preparation and persistence.

At medical school, he joined the School Health Education Program, helping bring medical learning into local classrooms. He said working with students came naturally.

“Maybe it’s like the same level of maturity, but we get along quite well,” he said.

Serving his community

Escobar also discovered his interest in pediatrics, drawn to working with children and building connections through humor and trust. He matched into a pediatrics residency and will continue training in �鶹��ý.

“I always kind of felt like I needed more of a human connection, and I felt like being a physician is where I could find that,” he said.

Escobar plans to return to Hilo to serve the community that raised him and hopes to inspire �鶹��ý Island students to pursue careers in medicine.

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When Leiya Margareth Torrano crossed the stage at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo 2026 Spring Commencement on May 16, she carried more than a diploma. The Honokaʻa-raised daughter of Filipino immigrants became the first in her family to graduate from college—and spent four years helping other local students see higher education as a possibility for themselves.

Torrano earned a degree in with a concentration in healthcare management, a minor in philosophy and a pre-law certificate. She said earning her diploma represented the sacrifices and support of her family.

“I’m representing them—all of their investments, all of their energy—will be coming on stage with me,” Torrano said. “This is for them and for me.”

Creating pathways for local students

While navigating college as a first-generation student, Torrano focused on helping other local students access higher education opportunities. As a and member of the team, she helped launch UH �ᾱ����’s inaugural Thrive and Shine: First Generation Day celebration.

She also developed Kūlia i ka Nuʻu, meaning “strive for the highest,” a college-preparation program connecting local high school students with campus resources, mentorship and college guidance. Torrano said the program aims to “debunk the myths and barriers” that discourage some students from pursuing college.

“We’re navigating and eliminating the fear of what steps to take,” she said.

Leadership beyond the classroom

During her time at UH Hilo, Torrano served as Health Occupation Students of America President and studied abroad at the University of Birmingham in England. She credited the Bonner Program with helping her become a more confident leader.

Torrano encouraged local students to recognize the opportunities available close to home.

“People think they have to leave, but there is so much you can accomplish here,” she said.

After graduation, Torrano will begin working as a service supervisor for The Arc of Kona, supporting elderly individuals and people with disabilities.

A service dog who supported nursing students and faculty at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo became an honorary member of the Class of 2026 at the school’s Spring Nursing Pinning Ceremony.

Liam, a service dog belonging to Assistant Professor Tracy Thornett, crossed the stage wearing a custom stole after spending the past two years attending lectures, labs and clinical rotations alongside students. The senior class voted to pin Liam during the ceremony in recognition of the comfort and support he brought to the cohort.

“He’s literally the best dog I’ve ever had,” said Thornett.

From reject to service dog

Born in Pāpaʻikou, Liam was unable to be registered with the American Kennel Club because of an overbite. Thornett originally planned for him to become a therapy dog, but those plans changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and a difficult period in her personal life as she cared for her mother during cancer treatment outside �鶹��ý.

“I just felt myself unraveling,” Thornett said. With support from her doctor, Liam became her official service dog.

A classroom companion with lasting impact

Liam helped Thornett continue teaching while also becoming a familiar presence for nursing students. She introduced him to her junior nursing class in fall 2024 and openly shared how his companionship supported her mental health and well-being.

Liam later became a staple in nursing labs and classrooms, where students said he helped demonstrate the compassion and human connection central to healthcare.

“He reminds me how to do that over and over again,” Thornett said.

This week’s UH News Images of the Week are UH ����ԴDz� journalism graduates Grant Nakasone and Josslyn Rose, who many of the UH ʻohana have seen in “What’s up this week?” and “UH News For You” social media reels. But before they proudly crossed the stage at UH ����ԴDz�’s spring morning commencement ceremony, before they were efficient, honest and incredible student workers of the Office of Communications, they were keiki with bright futures ahead of them. Hoʻomaikaʻi, Grant and Joss! Can’t wait to see where your paths take you!

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The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa held two commencement ceremonies celebrating more than 2,800 graduates on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The ceremonies featured outstanding student speakers Diego Haʻaheo Ortiz and Erica-Skyler Malie Salvador Holokai, and inspirational words from guest speaker Walter A. Dods Jr., who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

In the morning, Diego Haʻaheo Ortiz spoke about Haʻaheo, his name, which means pride, dignity and self-respect earned through responsibility.

“What comes next may be exciting, uncertain or both. The main thing is that Haʻaheo reminds us that uncertainty is not weakness. It is an invitation to keep learning and to keep pushing forward.”

In the afternoon, Erica-Skyler Malie Salvador Holokai urged graduates to embrace their community and identity, and to find the unique opportunities that come with them.

“Look at the diversity community that surrounds us today. Claim your place. Claim your place in community. Claim your place in cultures, and claim your place in loving yourself.”

Dods, a longtime leader in �鶹��ý’s business community, philanthropist and UH alumnus and supporter, encouraged the graduates at both the morning and afternoon ceremonies to consider all the opportunities their new degrees offer and find where they are needed the most.

“When you align your talents with the needs of others, work becomes more than a job. Success becomes more than personal achievement, and your life becomes part of something larger than yourself.”

• Meet more amazing UH graduates

For most of his life, Troy Branco-Liu never imagined leaving Lahaina. However, after the 2023 Maui wildfire upended his community, and a University of �鶹��ý scholarship opened a door he never expected, the Lahainaluna High School graduate found himself starting over at �鶹��ý Community College—pursuing an education that would ultimately change the course of his future.

“When I was in high school, I didn’t think about leaving,” Branco-Liu said. “I love the place I come from. I’m all about Lahaina. That’s always going to be home to me.”

Now a 2026 graduate of �鶹��ý CC’s Diesel Mechanics program, Branco-Liu says the scholarship helped him discover new opportunities while strengthening his desire to one day bring his skills back home to help his community rebuild.

Making college possible

Following the wildfire that devastated Lahaina, the University of �鶹��ý announced scholarships for every Lahainaluna High School senior in the Class of 2024 to attend any UH campus. The initiative was later expanded to cover two years at UH community colleges and four years at UH universities.

For Branco-Liu, the scholarship made college possible during a time of uncertainty for many Lahaina families displaced by the fire. As a first-generation college student, the opportunity helped him envision a future he had never seriously considered before.

“The scholarship was life-changing,” Branco-Liu said. “It gave me the chance to come here, get my education and do something better for my future.”

Originally, he planned to enter the workforce immediately after high school.

“At first I wanted to work right away because I wanted to make money,” he said. “But then I started thinking more about my future and decided college would help me get further.”

Building a better future

After researching programs through the UH system website, he chose �鶹��ý CC’s , drawn to its hands-on learning environment and his longtime interest in mechanics.

Branco-Liu said one of the biggest influences during his time at �鶹��ý CC was the encouragement he received from instructors and classmates within the close-knit diesel cohort, especially instructor Mitchell Soares.

“He really cared about us. He wanted you to succeed,” Branco-Liu said.

Now preparing to return home with a mechanic job already lined up and a baby boy on the way, Branco-Liu says graduating from �鶹��ý CC represents something bigger than himself.

• Meet more amazing UH graduates

“I’m the first person in my family to graduate from college,” he said. “�鶹��ý CC gave me the opportunity to prove to myself that I could do more and build a better future.”

—By Katie Young Yamanaka

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) celebrated 79 new locally trained physicians during its 2026 Convocation Ceremony at Kennedy Theatre on May 17. The event marked a major milestone for graduates preparing to serve communities across the state and beyond.

As �鶹��ý continues to face a physician shortage, more than half of the graduates are entering critical primary care specialties including internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology.

The ceremony included the recitation of the Oath of Hippocrates, formally welcoming the graduates into the medical profession.

‘I feel so grateful’

Among the graduates staying in �鶹��ý are Joseph Li and Juyoung Chong, both eager to give back to the communities they now call home.

Meet more amazing UH graduates

“To just be able to serve the community that I grew up in, so many people pouring in to me and my family, helping to support me to get where I am today,” Li said. “Couldn’t have done it without any of them, so to be able to stay in �鶹��ý, and support the people of �鶹��ý, is just an incredible honor and I feel so grateful to have this opportunity.”

Chong, who was born and raised in Busan, South Korea, said �鶹��ý became his second home after moving to the islands for high school.

“This is just the perfect environment for me because I was able to start my family, have a child, and with the ʻohana and aloha and all the love that I may not be able to have outside of �鶹��ý,” Chong said. “I’m so happy to share my experience with the soon-to-be mothers who may be very nervous for upcoming life-changing events.”

Thirty-three percent of JABSOM’s Class of 2026 will continue their residency training in �鶹��ý, helping strengthen the state’s future healthcare workforce.

When Dersel Bonai walked the stage to receive his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa on May 16, he carried the pride of his ancestors. A Pacific Islander from West Papua, Bonai became the first person in his native tribe’s family lineage to earn a master’s degree.

“Being the first person in my Bonai family lineage within my tribe to earn a master’s degree means this achievement is not only for myself, but also for my ancestors, family, community, and future generations of my tribe,” Bonai said. “It reminds me that education can create new opportunities while still staying connected to my culture and identity.”

A humorous detour

Bonai’s journey to UH Mānoa featured a humorous detour. He originally earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Rhode Island, choosing the school partly because its name suggested an island environment similar to his home. Instead, he discovered freezing winters and a culture vastly different from West Papua. Seeking an environment closer to his Pacific Island heritage, Bonai, who was also active with and lived at the East-West Center, joined UH Mānoa’s School of Architecture in 2024. �鶹��ý provided the familiar plants, landscape elements, and cultural traditions he had been missing.

Designing for healing

At UH Mānoa, Bonai focused on the intersections between land, culture, and community. His capstone project, “Designing for Healing—Cultural Revival, Ecological Restoration and Human Well-Being in West Papuan and Hawaiian Landscapes,” proposed a new design language rooted in collective well-being. Applying this to sites on Oʻahu and his home island of Yapen, West Papua, Bonai argued that healing landscapes are spaces to reconnect with traditions, land and people.

Meet more amazing UH graduates

“To me, healing means rebuilding relationships between people, land, culture and traditional knowledge,” Bonai said. “Healing can happen through simple everyday experiences, such as spending time outdoors, practicing traditions like hula in �鶹��ý or the yospan in West Papua, working in the loʻi, or reconnecting with cultural knowledge or even just listening to the stories of our ancestral lands.”

Community connection

Since January 2025, Bonai served as a graduate student project assistant on Professor Judith Stilgenbauer’s design research team, contributing to the “Olowalu: The Road to Resilience” project with The Nature Conservancy. Engaging with the West Maui community reinforced his belief that community well-being is deeply tied to environmental health.

“Working with the community in West Maui helped me see that land is more than a physical place. It carries stories, identity, traditions, and memories,” Bonai said.

Looking ahead, Bonai plans to bring his Indigenous knowledge into his future work as a landscape architect, hoping to empower Indigenous communities and protect ecological systems across the Pacific and around the world.

Among the thousands of family members and friends who packed the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony to celebrate the university’s 2,800 graduates, one group stood out during the morning ceremony—the family and friends of graduate Cohen Ruport.

Ruport, who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science, is known for his big, curly blond hair. To celebrate his milestone, 25 family members and friends from Alameda, California, showed up wearing wigs inspired by his signature voluminous corkscrew curls.

“I was not expecting it at all. It was crazy,” Ruport said after the ceremony. “Everyone kept asking, ‘Is that your family up there?’ It was really cool and very exciting to see them.”

• Meet more amazing UH graduates

Ruport said he is excited to graduate and grateful he chose UH ����ԴDz� for college.

“It was really good and very different from home,” he said. “I love being in �鶹��ý, and I love my professors. It was a great program, and I really enjoyed it.”

As for what comes next, Ruport’s family enthusiastically jumped in with the answer: a move to Lake Tahoe for rock climbing and skiing.

“And computer science,” Ruport added with a grin.

When University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa graduating senior Chia Yun “Mercy” Cheng first arrived in �鶹��ý from Taiwan, she carried uncertainty alongside her ambition. Now graduating with a degree in marketing from the , Cheng said her experience at UH Mānoa transformed not only her education, but also her confidence.

“UH Mānoa made me feel like it was home,” Cheng said. “It really shaped me into a more extroverted person.”

Today, Cheng said she can confidently introduce herself to new people and step into leadership roles—something she never imagined before coming to �鶹��ý.

“I remember in the beginning, I was very timid to do small talk, even shake people’s hand, talk to people and look at their eyes,” she said. “But now, when I meet someone new, I can confidently go up to them, shake their hands and introduce myself.”

Taiwan to Mānoa

Born and raised in Pingtung, a small city in southeastern Taiwan, Cheng moved away from home at age 15 to attend a five-year junior college program in nearby Kaohsiung. The program combined high school and community college studies. Before attending UH Mānoa, Cheng said school often felt isolating.

“Because I never really liked school before I came to UH Mānoa—it could have been the education system in Taiwan, but it could also have been me—I felt like I could never fit in,” she said.

Finding her place in �鶹��ý

Her connection to �鶹��ý began during an internship at an Oʻahu auto dealership when she was 19. It was her first time traveling alone and visiting the U.S.

“�鶹��ý really healed me in a lot of different ways,” Cheng said. “It’s the people here. It’s the culture, the weather and everything. And I really found peace here.”

Meet more amazing UH graduates

After returning to Taiwan, Cheng made the decision to continue her education at UH Mānoa. At first, she approached college with a narrow focus on academics.

“When I first came here, my freshman year, all I knew was to study because I was raised to get a good grade, be on top of the class,” she said. “So I didn’t know how to really do the work-life balance thing.”

Stepping outside her comfort zone

That began to change when she became a New Rainbow Warrior peer leader, helping incoming students transition to college life.

“I remember at that time I was like, ‘Oh, I feel like I’m so introverted, I don’t even know how to talk to people,’” she said. “‘Can I actually lead freshmen and then help them get used to life on campus?’”

But she took the opportunity—and said it reshaped her experience at UH Mānoa.

“Being a peer leader really gave me a sense of community,” Cheng said. “The other peer leaders were really nice. I still stay in touch with them till this day.”

Cheng also became involved with the (PACE), serving as a for the Entrepreneurship Live program and later becoming its student director. What began as a search for scholarship opportunities turned into a broader experience in leadership and community.

“I applied thinking that, ‘OK, I want this scholarship,’” she said. “And then I realized that the program is not just about scholarship, it’s also about the community and the people there.”

A new sense of confidence

Now preparing to graduate, Cheng plans to remain in �鶹��ý while pursuing a career in marketing. She is currently interviewing for positions and continuing her work as a marketing assistant with Sodexo.

Looking back, Cheng said UH Mānoa became more than a place of study—it became a place where she learned confidence and belonging.

“I wouldn’t be able to achieve everything I have today without UH Mānoa,” she said.

When Asher Griffith walks across the stage in May to receive his associate’s degree in from Kauaʻi Community College, he’ll be carrying much more than technical skills into his future.

Griffith said his true passion lies in voice acting. This fall, he plans to transfer to the University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu to pursue a bachelor’s degree in general while continuing to explore creative opportunities in performance and entertainment.

His artistic interests grew through seven years in the Kauaʻi CC Jazz and Symphony Band and through involvement in theatre. But Griffith’s impact on campus extended far beyond the stage.

Leadership roles

He served in multiple leadership roles within the Student Government Association, including treasurer, president and, most recently, human resources director. As student body president, Griffith focused on rebuilding communication between students and the administration, and revitalizing student life following the pandemic.

Student activities regained momentum, and campus engagement grew once again. Some of the events that were reestablished include the Halloween Bash, Ping Pong Tournament, Valentine’s Day event, and International Education Week. Griffith also worked to help student clubs become active again across campus.

“My motto when I was president was and is to keep growing,” Griffith said. “t’s what I tried to do for Kauaʻi CC—to try to make it better and better—and I also tried to grow myself as well.”

Encouraging others

Griffith immersed himself in campus life, working as a student ambassador in the Student Life Center and serving as president of the gaming club. Through the club, he helped organize participation in an e-sports tournament on Oʻahu and encouraged students to get involved outside the classroom.

“A big highlight for me during my time here was all the friends I made, whether reconnected or new,” Griffith said. “Being able to be in a big community and to be able to develop my social skills was very impactful. I was really awkward in high school, and now I’m ‘Mr. Everybody Knows Me.’”

Other Kauaʻi opportunities

Although Griffith plans to move to Oʻahu to continue his education and pursue voice acting, he said the skills he learned in the electronics technology program will always provide opportunities should he return home to Kauaʻi. The program’s partnership with the Pacific Missile Range Facility provides internship opportunities.

Meet more amazing UH graduates

He also recently began working with former Kauaʻi CC professor Jameyia Shamia to help build customized light-up signs for a startup business and is working on sound and lighting at the Kauaʻi CC Performing Arts Center.

Griffith is grateful for the opportunities, friendships and lessons that shaped him into a more confident version of himself.

He said, “Everything that happens in your life can be used as a growing experience, something you can learn from.”

—By Caitlin B. Fowlkes

At 6 a.m., while many high school seniors are still getting ready for the day, Kenny Tsuru is already checking business emails, coordinating meetings and planning his next batch of ice cream.

“My day-to-day life can be hectic, but it’s something I’ve learned to manage,” Tsuru said.

The 18-year-old Pearl City High School senior is balancing classes, early college coursework through Leeward Community College, and his ice cream business, . His hard work is paying off, as he’s graduating with both his high school diploma and a certificate of achievement in management from Leeward CC in May.

He also became the youngest entrepreneur to complete ʻĀina to Mākeke, a food business program offered through Leeward CC’s Office of Workforce Development in partnership with �鶹��ý Ag & Culinary Alliance and the college’s (WVAPDC), where Tsuru produces his ice cream.

“This moment means so much to me,” Tsuru said. “It represents all the hard work, dedication and commitment I’ve put into my education over the years.”

• Related UH News story: “Teen ice cream entrepreneur chases dreams in Leeward CC food business program, ” February 24, 2026

Overcoming pain

Looking back on his journey, Tsuru says it was hard to imagine these milestones. It wasn’t long ago that he was navigating a new fibromyalgia diagnosis that, at times, left him in too much pain to walk or attend school in person.

“Now, being able to walk across the stage for two graduations this year makes everything feel even more meaningful,” he said.

His determination to succeed shows up in a schedule that rarely slows down. After his busy mornings, Tsuru heads to Pearl City High School for a full day of classes, then spends his evenings doing homework or making ice cream at the WVAPDC commercial kitchens. Despite the demanding pace, Tsuru said the experience helped him discover what he wants for his future.

Giving back

“I love connecting with people, sharing products I’m passionate about, and being able to give back to the community,” Tsuru said.

That purpose drives his work at Kenny Boy Ice Cream. He pledged 10% of 2026 profits to Make-A-Wish �鶹��ý and donated another $5,000 to North Shore communities impacted by recent Kona Low storms.

This fall, Tsuru will continue his education at the University of �鶹��ý at West Oʻahu, where he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. He also hopes to put Kenny Boy Ice Cream on retail shelves across �鶹��ý soon.

“Anything is possible when you take that first step and stay committed,” Tsuru said. “And honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing except maybe eating a little more ice cream along the way.”

—by Devon Bedoya

When Crystal Santos was incarcerated, she realized her life was not headed in the direction she wanted. Determined to create a better future for herself and her family, she took her first step by enrolling in a carpentry micro-credential course through Kauaʻi Community College in 2024.

“When I got out, I knew I needed to do something for myself,” Santos said. “I was nervous and intimidated. I was 45 years old, and I hadn’t been in school for 29 years. I was afraid because there was this younger generation here. But once I got to Kauaʻi CC, so many doors and opportunities opened for me. Kauaʻi CC helped me through every doubt I had.”

Waiʻaleʻale support

Her connection to the college began through her daughter, who served as a Waiʻaleʻale Peer Mentor. Santos applied to the first-year support program that provides mentorship and guidance to students transitioning into college life.

Through the Waiʻaleʻale program, Santos found encouragement to apply for scholarships, helping her cover most of her educational expenses while building confidence in herself as a student.

“At first, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to learn anything,” she said. “But I pushed myself, and honestly, I learned so much. I gained knowledge, confidence and motivation. I’m ready to get back out there and start over.”

Greater opportunities for women

Construction and masonry have long been part of Santos’ family history, and working with her hands and building things for others feels natural to her.

“I like helping people,” Santos said. “I enjoy going out into the field and building things up.”

When she started in construction in her early twenties, Santos was often the only woman on the job site. Today, she sees greater opportunities and representation for women in traditionally male-dominated careers.

“The female population in these fields is growing,” Santos said. “It’s opening new chapters and new doors for women to say, ‘I can do this too—and it’s fun.’”

Inspiration for the future

Santos will graduate in May with an associate in science degree in carpentry technology, and plans to continue at Kauaʻi CC, where she will pursue another associateʻs degree in entrepreneurial business. Her long-term goal is to earn a commercial driver’s license through Leeward Community College, and eventually open her own heavy hauling business.

She said the civil engineering technology components of the carpentry program had the greatest impact on her professional development and inspired her to continue earning additional certifications in the future.

“I have so much gratitude,” Santos said. “I can’t believe this chapter is coming to an end.”

—By Caitlin B. Fowlkes

Erica-Skyler Malie Salvador Holokai once described herself as a “bento box” to avoid explaining her mixed ethnic background. Now, the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa commencement speaker for the afternoon ceremony on May 16 is transforming that childhood shorthand into a message about culture, connection and belonging for the graduating class of 2026.

Born and raised on Maui, Holokai said she often struggled to answer questions about her identity. With Native Hawaiian, Japanese, German, Korean and Filipino ancestry, she recalled feeling disconnected from her cultural background as a child. A high school project asking students to represent themselves culturally led her to compare herself to a local-style bento box filled with different sections and influences.

In her commencement speech, Holokai uses the metaphor to reflect �鶹��ý’s plantation-era history, when immigrant workers from different cultures forged connections despite divisions in language, wages, and living conditions. She will tell graduates that the “bento box” represents unity and resilience found in diversity.

Holokai is looking to reflect on the success and achievement that has come to fruition for those who have worked so hard over their college career, while acknowledging all of the unseen efforts that go into this accomplishment. She wants to “take a second to actually celebrate that,” while embracing the fullness of layered identity.

Her belief is that in “paying homage to your little bento box or your community,” you honor the communities, places and ethnicities that make you, you. As a community advocate, she emphasizes that in remembering all that you are, from whichever corner you come from, you represent and build off of those places. She said, “the people who are your mental support or emotional support…these connections are what’s going to take us farther in life.”

• Meet more amazing UH graduates

Holokai, who is earning her bachelors of social work (BSW) from the , said public speaking once made her uncomfortable. While attending Baldwin High School, she pushed herself out of her comfort zone by announcing daily student bulletins. She then was inspired to audition for commencement speaker after watching her friend Cooper Salomon deliver the fall 2025 commencement address.

Aside from academics, Holokai worked at Student Housing Services as a resident assistant (RA) and served as the treasurer for the Bachelor of Social Work Organization. This coming fall, Holokai will continue her work as an RA as she furthers her studies in the advanced standing master of social work program, specializing in child and family services or gerontology.

Looking ahead, Holokai plans to return home to Maui, where she hopes to open a private practice alongside her mother and give back to the local community. She hopes to continue the work she has been committed to in serving disadvantaged communities, as she has with her BSW internship through Catholic Charities �鶹��ý on Oʻahu.

“UH Mānoa has been a place of opportunity, learning, culture and community for me,” Holokai said. “I think for a lot of students, it’s a place where we can really grow into ourselves and connect with people who understand where we come from. I’ve seen students become more confident in who they are here, and I feel like I’ve experienced that too. UH Mānoa also creates so many opportunities for students, whether that’s internships, connections or just putting ourselves out there in new ways.”

Lexie Tilton came to University of �鶹��ý at Hilo from Oʻahu‘s ʻIolani School on a softball scholarship—and somewhere between the diamond and the dean’s list, she found her real fight. This spring 2026, she graduates with a and a , headed to UH’s law school with one clear mission: helping local families afford to stay in �鶹��ý.

Initially drawn to UH Hilo for the opportunity to play Division II softball on scholarship, Tilton quickly fell in love with the island’s welcoming environment.

“I love the community here. They say this campus is the most diverse in the world, and it has always felt very inviting and supportive, especially for the athletic community,” shared Tilton, UH �ᾱ����’s #4 outfielder and 2025 PacWest Conference Co-Defender of the Year.

The transition from a structured high school to the freedom of a university setting allowed Tilton, who has repeatedly earned recognition for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher as a student-athlete, to flourish.

Tilton holds great pride in the world-class education she received. She emphasizes the prestige of the , which is accredited by the AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the highest standard for business schools worldwide.

Tilton reflected on the close-knit but powerful nature of the entire university.

“We’re small, but we’re feisty, and we get it done,” she said.

Tilton shared that her academic trajectory was profoundly shaped by UH �ᾱ����’s dedicated faculty. These academic connections proved vital for Tilton, who is already a licensed real estate agent. Inspired by her mother, a first-generation college graduate and realtor, she has sights set on an incredibly noble goal.

This fall, she will attend the to become a real estate attorney. Her mission is to combat the state’s soaring housing prices.

“We want to be able to empower locals to become homeowners by creating more affordable housing so they’re able to stay here,” Tilton explained, citing sobering statistics of how many �鶹��ý natives are forced to move away to make ends meet.

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Hayden Niles grew up 1,500 miles from the nearest ocean, in Waubay, South Dakota—a landlocked town of 500 where the closest thing to the deep sea was a swimming pool. This spring, he graduates from the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo with a bachelor’s in , a minor in , a , and his sights set on hydrothermal vents two miles below the surface.

When it came time for college, Niles, who graduated high school with a class of eight students, initially considered a practical path in nursing. But the ocean’s pull was undeniable. He chose UH Hilo, recognizing it as a realistic option that offered an incredible, accessible marine science program.

“The opportunities here genuinely are shocking,” Niles said, noting the constant stream of emails about internships and jobs. By his freshman year, he had already earned his scientific diving certification, diving headfirst into his passion. He praises UH �ᾱ����’s intimate class sizes, which allowed for hands-on learning and tight-knit relationships with professors.

“You get a chance to really, really get to know your professors, and that helps a ton,” he explained.

Niles didn’t just study the ocean; he actively engaged with it. Before his senior year, he secured a highly competitive deep-sea exploration , an opportunity with only a 2% acceptance rate. This experience, which included crossing the equator and studying unmapped seamounts, solidified his desire to pursue deep-sea microbiology. He specifically hopes to research hydrothermal vent bacteria, noting that “there’s a lot of potential… specifically in the deep sea,” particularly for discoveries that could lead to treatments for diseases such as cancer.

But his ambitions extend beyond research. Niles is dedicated to giving back, currently working with the Bonner Program to manage hydroponic food baskets, aiming to bring sustainable agriculture models back to rural communities like his hometown in South Dakota. He believes in the power of agricultural change, stating, “We can make a difference by shaping people’s perspectives.”

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Tori Kiliʻohu Cashman Valdez has spent her years at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo training in everything required to care for the ʻāina (land)—studying ʻōlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language) over late nights with fellow haumāna (students) at the campus’ , then analyzing aerial imagery the next morning in the .

This spring 2026, she graduates with a double major in and , headed into a master’s program where the full breadth of her training meets a single research focus.

For Valdez, the choice to pursue two seemingly different degrees was a natural extension of her upbringing in Waimea, �鶹��ý and Kailua, Oʻahu.

“We very intimately see the connection between the condition of our ʻāina and its impact on our livelihoods,” she explained.

This “ʻāina-first” perspective is what led her to UH �ᾱ����’s , where she found a community dedicated to the perpetuation of culture.

“We cannot care for ʻāina in �鶹��ý without that ʻike (knowledge) about language, about culture, about people, about history,” Valdez said.

Valdez said she was deeply inspired by her ʻōlelo �鶹��ý class with associate professor of Hawaiian language and literature, Kumu Hiapo Perreira, whose passion for language unlocked a desire for her to find even more meaningful ways to solidify the intersection of ʻike �鶹��ý (Hawaiian knowledge) in and across all areas of life in �鶹��ý—including her interest in science.

Valdez’s time at UH Hilo has been defined by rigorous academic achievement and high-level research. Working in the under geography and environmental science Professor Ryan Perroy, she has utilized aerial imagery for coconut rhinoceros beetle detection and presented her findings at the �鶹��ý Conservation Conference.

Despite a grueling schedule—often reaching 18 credits per semester in order to complete her double major within four years—Valdez found her “home away from home” through Kīpuka.

“Hilo takes care,” she noted, reflecting on nights spent playing music and speaking ʻōlelo �鶹��ý with friends. “Hilo makes it easier [to be away from home].”

Valdez’s journey at UH Hilo doesn’t end with her undergraduate degrees. She has already been accepted into the master’s program, where she will use LIDAR, a laser-based mapping technology to protect cultural historic sites from climate change.