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鈥檚 something I鈥檝e 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 Office of Workforce Development in partnership with Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance and the college鈥檚 (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鈥檝e put into my education over the years.”

• Related 东精影业 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鈥檛 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鈥檓 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 Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu, where he plans to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business. He also hopes to put Kenny Boy Ice Cream on retail shelves across Hawaiʻi soon.

“Anything is possible when you take that first step and stay committed,” Tsuru said. “And honestly, I wouldn鈥檛 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鈥檛 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鈥檛 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鈥檓 ready to get back out there and start over.”

Greater opportunities for women

Construction and masonry have long been part of Santos鈥� 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鈥檚 opening new chapters and new doors for women to say, ‘I can do this too鈥攁nd it鈥檚 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 associate驶s degree in entrepreneurial business. Her long-term goal is to earn a commercial driver鈥檚 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鈥檛 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 Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi鈥檚 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鈥hese connections are what’s going to take us farther in life.”

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 Hawaiʻi on Oʻahu.

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

Lexie Tilton came to University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo from Oʻahu‘s ʻIolani School on a softball scholarship鈥攁nd somewhere between the diamond and the dean鈥檚 list, she found her real fight. This spring 2026, she graduates with a and a , headed to 东精影业鈥檚 law school with one clear mission: helping local families afford to stay in Hawaiʻi.

Initially drawn to 东精影业 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, 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 #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鈥檙e small, but we鈥檙e feisty, and we get it done,” she said.

Tilton shared that her academic trajectory was profoundly shaped by 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 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鈥檚 soaring housing prices.

“We want to be able to empower locals to become homeowners by creating more affordable housing so they鈥檙e able to stay here,” Tilton explained, citing sobering statistics of how many Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi 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鈥檚 pull was undeniable. He chose 东精影业 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 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 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鈥檛 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鈥檚 a lot of potential鈥� 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鈥檚 perspectives.”

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

This spring 2026, she graduates with a double major in and , headed into a master鈥檚 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, Hawaiʻi 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 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 , where she found a community dedicated to the perpetuation of culture.

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

Valdez said she was deeply inspired by her ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge) in and across all areas of life in Hawaiʻi—including her interest in science.

Valdez鈥檚 time at 东精影业 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 Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi with friends. “Hilo makes it easier [to be away from home].”

Valdez鈥檚 journey at 东精影业 Hilo doesn鈥檛 end with her undergraduate degrees. She has already been accepted into the master鈥檚 program, where she will use LIDAR, a laser-based mapping technology to protect cultural historic sites from climate change.

Chelsea Ligsay鈥檚 path to graduation spans from teen mother to nurse and mentor. On May 16, she will earn her master of science in nursing education and leadership from the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa .

“I was inspired to return to school after discovering my passion for precepting new graduate nurses and witnessing their growth into confident, motivated and competent professionals committed to providing excellent patient care,” she said.

A graduate from Farrington High School and teen mother at the time, she earned her BS in nursing from 东精影业 M膩noa in 2011. She is currently working at The Queen鈥檚 Medical Center on the cardiac telemetry unit where she has been for 13 years.

As part of her practicum, Ligsay worked with the Kilolani Project, a diabetes management program based at Queen Emma Clinics that uses a multidisciplinary team—including nurses, pharmacists and a Native Hawaiian patient navigator—to improve engagement and outcomes through culturally grounded care.

“The mission of the Kilolani Project to engage vulnerable populations in improving their health and knowledge through cultural connection deeply resonated with my personal purpose and commitment to service,” she said.

At The Queen鈥檚 Medical Center, she worked alongside patient navigator Lauralee “Ulu” Ana to support diabetes education group sessions and outreach efforts. Ligsay focused on strengthening participation in group sessions by building relationships and trust with patients, while helping facilitate culturally grounded, evidence-based education.

She said the experience reinforced the importance of understanding health through cultural context, particularly in Indigenous communities where cultural identity is closely tied to wellbeing.

Inspiring the next generation

Looking ahead, Ligsay said she will continue serving as a dedicated nurse preceptor, strengthened by enhanced leadership skills and refined approaches to teaching and training.

“Through this journey, I have discovered new ways to contribute to the nursing profession by sharing the knowledge and insight I have gained to help guide, support, and inspire future generations of nurses,” she said.

In the near future, she also hopes to pursue a clinical nurse faculty position at the 东精影业 M膩noa, where she can further develop her passion for teaching in an academic setting.

Amalia Pangelinan will graduate in May 2026 with her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa , but in her final month of the program, Super Typhoon Sinlaku shifted her focus from academic preparation to disaster response in her home community of Saipan.

As the storm caused widespread damage across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), disrupting power, communication, transportation and access to services, Pangelinan balanced completing her culminating internship with immediate community needs unfolding around her.

The first Saipan-based student in the Thompson School Department of Social Work驶s distance education MSW pathway, Pangelinan had been completing her field placement at the Commonwealth Healthcare Center when the typhoon struck on April 14. In its aftermath, she adapted her internship to support disaster relief efforts with World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in emergency response settings worldwide. She supported food distribution efforts for residents across Saipan and nearby islands during the recovery efforts.

As social workers, we are taught to meet communities where they are.
—Amalia Pangelinan

“As social workers, we are taught to meet communities where they are,” Pangelinan said. “This experience reminded me that social work is not only about providing services—it is about showing up for your community when people need one another most.”

“Amalia鈥檚 ability to continue moving forward academically while simultaneously supporting disaster relief efforts in her own community reflects the resilience, leadership, and relational accountability that are foundational to social work practice across the Pacific,” said Theresa Kreif, director of the Pacific Partnerships and Workforce Development Initiatives. “Our students are often balancing family, community, work and cultural responsibilities while pursuing higher education. In moments of crisis, they do not step away from community鈥攖hey step further into service.”

• Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

Critical need for locally rooted professionals

Pangelinan鈥檚 experience highlights the importance of locally rooted behavioral health and social service professionals across the Pacific region. Through the 东精影业 M膩noa online MSW pathway, students in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands—including Guam, the CNMI, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands—can pursue graduate education while remaining embedded in their home communities.

That local presence is especially critical during disasters, when outside support may be delayed and culturally grounded responses are essential.

Despite the disruption, Pangelinan completed her degree requirements while continuing to serve her community, preparing to join the social work workforce grounded in place, culture and service.

A decade ago, Alyssa Silva first stepped into the as a Running Start student. Running Start is a program that allows eligible high school students to take a college course at a University of Hawaiʻi campus as part of their high school coursework.

Silva is preparing to cross Kauaʻi CC鈥檚 commencement stage for the third time to earn her master of library and information science degree from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. She was only 16 when she began her journey there, while attending Kauaʻi High School.

“I basically grew up in this library in terms of my career,” Silva said. “I came here when I was 16, and now I鈥檓 26.”

Silva earned her associate degree in accounting from Kauaʻi CC in 2019 before transferring to . She completed her bachelor鈥檚 degree in with an emphasis in in 2021, while residing on Kauaʻi. During her undergraduate years, she worked as a student assistant in the Kauaʻi CC library.

After graduating, Silva briefly worked in accounting before finding herself drawn back to the library. What began as a temporary position quickly turned into a permanent role. She credits University Center Education Specialist Rhonda Liu with encouraging her to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in library and information science.

Working in a small community college library has allowed her to develop skills across many areas while helping students feel welcomed and supported.

“We get students fresh out of high school, or students returning to school after a long time, and they can be nervous,” Silva said. “We鈥檙e here to help them become comfortable using the library and the school鈥檚 resources, and to give them a safe space to be.”

Indigenous librarianship

Throughout her graduate studies, Silva said courses focused on Indigenous librarianship had the greatest impact on her perspective and career goals.

“Libraries are based on Western ideas, and Indigenous knowledge doesn鈥檛 always fit neatly into those systems,” Silva said. “I feel like my way of contributing to our Indigenous-serving institution is by being a careful steward of what we have, continuing to learn from our community, and finding ways to make library spaces and collections more reflective of the people we serve.”

Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

In recent years, Silva has supported a variety of initiatives at Kauaʻi CC, including managing circulation operations, learning cataloging, and collection management while helping plan for future library projects and supporting projects connected to the Kikuchi Center.

“As an Indigenous-serving institution, archiving helps make these materials accessible,” Silva said. “It creates greater access for the community, especially for Native Hawaiian students, to connect with and work with these materials.”

Silva also recognizes the important role libraries play for local students at a time when many public school libraries on Kauaʻi face ongoing challenges and reductions in services.

“Sometimes students come into the library feeling intimidated,” Silva said. “I feel like making sure Indigenous, Pacific and local authors are represented and available to our students is crucial. It鈥檚 important for students to walk into a library and see something of themselves reflected there.”

Looking ahead, Silva is considering pursuing a second master鈥檚 degree in Indigenous language and culture education, history, anthropology or humanities to become a specialty librarian. No matter where her career leads, the Kauaʻi CC library remains at the heart of her journey.

—By Caitlin B. Fowlkes

Before the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 became a fixture of the state’s legal landscape, it began as an experiment in the early 1970s. As the school prepares to graduate its 50th class on May 17, the 东精影业 community is looking back at the trailblazing students who built the foundation of legal education in the islands.

Founded in 1973, the law school鈥檚 first class of 53 students famously attended lessons in old wooden buildings in the Quarry at 东精影业 Mānoa. Prior to the school鈥檚 opening, Hawaiʻi residents seeking a law degree were forced to travel to the continental U.S., a barrier that often made legal training inaccessible for many.

Chief Justice William S. Richardson, the school鈥檚 namesake and a primary advocate for its founding, told the inaugural class in 1973 that they represented “no less than the realization of a dream.” The mission was clear: to produce lawyers equipped to handle the unique legal needs of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 communities and to serve as a source of independent leadership within the state government.

Innovation through necessity

The inaugural class, which included future leaders such as former Hawaiʻi Gov. John D. Waiheʻe, navigated their education with resourcefulness. Alumni recall learning from “photocopied tomes” and using card catalogs for research in an era long before digital databases.

“We started with nothing,” said 东精影业 alumnus Allen Hoe. “We had no textbooks and everything we did or had was provided via Xerox.”

This “analog” environment fostered a culture of cooperation rather than competition. Class members emphasize that their success was rooted in supporting one another, a trait that has become a hallmark of the “Richardson” experience over the last five decades.

A lasting legacy

The Class of 1976 didn’t just graduate; they went on to reshape the state. From environmental advocacy to the establishment of the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, the first graduates set a precedent for public service and community responsibility.

As the school celebrates its 50th graduating class, the legacy of that first group remains the heartbeat of the institution.

Read the full story on .

At , nursing graduate Franziska Bass transformed personal tragedy into a calling to care for others.

For months, Bass lived inside a hospital room, fighting for her young son鈥檚 life. She relocated to Oʻahu for six months, spending three of those months at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, where she witnessed both the fragility of life and the power of compassionate care. Despite every effort, her son, Cooper, passed away—an experience that would forever shape her path.

“This heartbreaking event shattered my world, but it also became a powerful turning point for me,” said Bass. “I wanted to give back and honor my child by working at the hospital and help others during their most vulnerable times.”

Now, as she graduates from Hawaiʻi CC P膩lamanui鈥檚 nursing program, Bass carries that purpose forward—transforming grief into service and connection.

Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

Her decision to pursue nursing was deeply rooted in what she experienced during her son鈥檚 care. “The nursing staff and everyone that we came in contact with were so incredible and touched us in many ways,” she said. “I knew exactly what my calling was.”

A path forward

Bass found not only an education, but a support system that helped her navigate unfamiliar territory. As a single mother returning to school, the transition was overwhelming at times. The journey was filled with challenges—anxiety, financial strain and the emotional weight of loss—but also profound personal growth.

“Thank God for the amazing staff at P膩lamanui that walked me through it one step at a time, and sometimes quite literally held my hand along the way,” she said. “If something truly matters to you, you will find a way to make it work.”

Born and raised in East Germany, Bass grew up with a strong sense of community and resilience that continues to guide her today. After coming to the U.S. at age 20, she eventually found her home on Hawaiʻi Island. Graduation represents more than an academic milestone—it is part of her fundamental transformation.

She is set to graduate on May 16 and plans to work at The Queen鈥檚 Health Systems 鈥� North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, bringing empathy and human connection to every patient she serves.

“Graduating from the Nursing Program at Hawaiʻi CC P膩lamanui is part of my healing process,” Bass said. “I feel a strong calling to help others…hoping to help people heal.”

University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa graduating senior Emily Josefina Velasquez had full-ride scholarship offers closer to home. Instead, Velasquez, who came to Hawaiʻi from Mozambique, chose 东精影业 M膩noa for its culture of environmental stewardship and community-centered science.

Among the more than 2,500 graduates in 东精影业 M膩noa鈥檚 spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, Velasquez may have traveled the farthest to reach the islands. Her journey from Mozambique in southeastern Africa to Hawaiʻi spans approximately 12,000 miles, one of the longest possible distances between two points on Earth. She said Hawaiʻi immediately felt familiar in their connections between environment, culture and community.

“I wanted to study somewhere where the love and the passion for the environment and environmental science wasn鈥檛 separate from everyday life and kind of just ingrained within the culture,” she said.

Her family is expected to travel to Hawaiʻi to attend commencement. Velasquez said she told them that they didn鈥檛 have to make the trip, but they insisted on coming, and she said she is excited to welcome them to Hawaiʻi to watch her graduate.

Raised across continents

A major in the , Velasquez was born in California before moving with her family to Nigeria at 3 months old. She later lived in Ecuador and Mozambique as her father worked on international shipping port development projects.

Before arriving in Hawaiʻi, Velasquez said she was searching for a university where science extended beyond the classroom. It was her high school English teacher at the American International School of Mozambique鈥攚here she graduated as the valedictorian鈥攚ho told her what he knew about 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补.

“You can take a biology class, and they鈥檒l teach you the same things, but it鈥檚 all about how it鈥檚 implemented,” she said. “I wanted to learn not only how the ecosystem works, but how it鈥檚 integrated within the community and the culture.”

‘I had a purpose being here’

She said 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 emphasis on environmental stewardship reminded her of the collectivist cultures she experienced growing up in Mozambique and Ecuador.

“I felt like the Hawaiian epistemology and the way the culture just so resembles what I grew up in,” she said.

At 东精影业 M膩noa, Velasquez immersed herself in research opportunities across multiple disciplines. Her work has included invasive algae research in the Gal谩pagos Islands, invasive species studies at and marine carbon dioxide removal research through the . She has received funding and a scholarship through to present research on invasive species in Portugal.

Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

“I was just extremely busy doing things,” Velasquez said. “Joining the sailing team and joining organizations and work definitely made it not feel like I was so far away from home, but that all the work I was doing here was meaningful and like I had a purpose being here.”

Finding community in Hawaiʻi

Velasquez said the transition to Hawaiʻi was made easier through friendships she built at 东精影业 M膩noa, especially with her roommate, an international student from Switzerland and Brazil.

“Knowing that both our families are on the complete opposite side of the world, we were always there for each other,” she said.

Although she is graduating a year early, Velasquez said she plans to take time to reconnect with family and community in Mozambique before pursuing graduate school.

I haven’t gone back home for almost the entire time I鈥檝e been here. I need to return, not just to my family but to my other community, to reconnect and reflect on why I chose this path and where everything I鈥檝e learned can do the most good. Honestly, home is a complicated word for me since it’s not just where my family is but where I can show up, contribute, belong and wherever my curiosity takes me next.

Looking back on her time at 东精影业 M膩noa, Velasquez said the university shaped both her scientific perspective and her understanding of responsibility as a researcher.

“It definitely has shaped me to become the kind of scientist that I want to become,” she said. “It showed me that science and cultural knowledge do not exist separately.”

Tamila “Tami” Alcoran’s college journey began in an unlikely place: prison. This spring, she will graduate from Windward Community College with an Associate in Arts degree and continue to the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa , building on academic work she first started through the college’s .

Puʻuhonua provides access to credit-bearing college coursework for incarcerated students, helping create pathways for educational achievement both during incarceration and after release.

“I just got out of prison. I’ve been there for nine years, and my journey actually started at the prison,” Alcoran said. “Taking classes sparked my interest in going back to school—that I can do it.”

During her incarceration, Alcoran completed approximately 20 college courses, earned a 3.76 GPA and received certificates in psychosocial development and mental health technician.

“It’s encouraging that you can do it,” she said. “You get the diploma and it’s like, wow, I did it.”

Transitional support

After returning home, Alcoran enrolled at Windward CC to complete her associate degree. She said support from Puʻuhonua and helped ease her transition back into college life.

“The transition was very smooth,” she said. “The people are wonderful… any question I have, they answer.”

After spending years without access to technology, adjusting to computers presented an early challenge.

“I was a little bit challenged with the computers because I didn’t have a computer for so many years,” she said. “But they were so wonderful and helped guide what I needed to do.”

Paying it forward

Her experiences led her toward social work. After witnessing the challenges many women face after incarceration, Alcoran hopes to help others navigate reentry.

“Knowledge is power,” she said. “Everybody deserves second, sometimes third or fourth chances.”

“Being nine years incarcerated, seeing the comings and goings of women… when they get out, they need something to help them,” she said. “If I can help out in whatever way I can, that’s one of my goals.”

Now preparing for graduation and her next chapter at 东精影业 M膩noa, Alcoran hopes her story encourages others to take the first step toward higher education.

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“Don’t be scared,” she said. “It is scary to try and go back to school, but just take one day at a time.”

Windward CC‘s will be held on Friday, May 15 at 5 p.m. on campus.

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Micah Tutuvanu came to college searching for direction but found something more enduring, a belief in himself. Graduating from Kapiʻolani Community College with a liberal arts degree with a concentration in psychology and a certificate in sustainability, Tutuvanu reflects on a journey shaped by self-discovery and perseverance.

Growing up in Salt Lake and attending Moanalua High School, Tutuvanu described himself as a below-average student who was not involved in extracurricular activities and unsure if college was within reach.

“I had a fixed mindset that I wasn鈥檛 a good student, that I wouldn鈥檛 succeed,” he said. “Kapiʻolani CC changed that.”

Navigating challenges and finding direction

As a first-generation college student, the youngest of three brothers and a Lunalilo Scholar, Tutuvanu鈥檚 transition to college was not easy. In his first year, he commuted daily from Mililani, spending about two hours each day on the bus, using that time to rest between classes and work.

Tutuvanu began without a clear path, initially pursuing biology while trying to find where he fit. Along the way, he stepped away from college to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a dental assistant, returning with a renewed sense of purpose and direction in clinical psychology.

“Kapiʻolani CC taught me how to navigate institutions as a Native Hawaiian, Samoan, first-generation college student,” he said. “My journey has been figuring things out.”

Leadership and campus involvement

Tutuvanu immersed himself in campus life, while also working at Oeno Winery and Milk Market Hawaiʻi. He became involved with the Center for Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, rejoined Student Congress, and co-founded both the Sustainability Club and the Rooted Christian Club. He also mentored Pacific Islander students and was recognized with the campus鈥檚 distinguished Ne驶epapa Award.

Through mentorship, campus involvement and peer support, He became active in Student Congress, contributing to efforts that helped lower summer tuition across the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges.

“Kapiʻolani CC provided me with life skills, time management, leadership, to move into my next step,” he said.

Building a support system and looking ahead

Tutuvanu navigated personal hardships and built a strong network of support through mentors and peers. He credits his parents, mentor Shannon Sakaue and friend Jenny Brown for providing a foundation throughout his time at Kapiʻolani CC.

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“Micah is a determined individual, who knows how to survive through any circumstance,” said Sakaue, Kapiʻolani CC Student Congress faculty advisor and counselor. “He has grit, focus and intentionality behind his work. He is a role model to his peers, and I look forward to watching where his life journey will take him.”

Looking ahead, Tutuvanu has been accepted to several universities and while he decides where he will transfer to, he plans to continue in psychology, aspiring to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology or education.

“The hardships I experienced influenced my decision,” he said. “I want to give back in the way that I was supported.”

In the Hawaiian language, haʻaheo means pride, dignity and self-respect earned through responsibility. For the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa spring 2026 commencement student speaker, it鈥檚 also his middle name—and the focus of his message.

Diego Haʻaheo Ortiz will earn his bachelor鈥檚 degree in and from the and address graduates and guests at the morning ceremony on May 16.

“The main thing that I want people to take away is the idea that you don’t have to expect people to be proud of you,” Ortiz said. “As a person that has always wanted to make my parents proud, my mom teaches me and reminds me every day that Haʻaheo is a reminder that they’ll be proud of me no matter what.”

“I always want people to know that whatever they go through in life—the good and the bad—you will always have your support with the people that uplift you.”

Ortiz said he is constantly working with speech coach and PhD student Sanoe Burgess to improve his address.

“I’m very excited,” Ortiz said. “There isn’t a day that has gone by where I haven’t been like, ‘oh, I’m so ready for this.’”

Ortiz also credited his girlfriend, Sam, with inspiring him to focus his message on his middle name.

“She told me that I should write about something that really is a part of me,” Ortiz said.

Balancing school and service

Aside from academics, Ortiz is a legislative aide to State Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz. A 2022 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Ortiz began working at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol through a Hele Imua internship, a state-funded program that places students in public sector roles.

Originally from Kailua, Ortiz balances his work at the legislature with his studies as he prepares to graduate and pursue law school. He has expressed interest in gaining additional experience through an internship with the state attorney general鈥檚 office.

At 东精影业 Mānoa, Ortiz credits the College of Social Sciences with helping shape his academic and career path, and describes the university as a “second home” that supported his personal growth.

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“The thing that really stuck with me was the friends that I got to make, especially during my first year when I was in student housing,” Ortiz said. “I got super lucky because my roommate was my high school friend. Both of us getting away from home, getting to branch out and meet new people, I feel like that really provided us with an environment that gave us the opportunity to learn and grow as people.”

For prospective students thinking about attending college, Ortiz encourages them to “give 东精影业 Mānoa a chance.”

“It’s a good environment to step yourself into the collegiate life, whether that be finding a program that you like, staying in student housing or even participating in athletics,” Ortiz said. “I feel like a lot of kids in Hawaiʻi often overlook 东精影业 Mānoa, and it should be known that it’s a very good university for people to step into their next aspect of their life.”

—By Marc Arakaki

It鈥檚 never too late to grow in new directions. For Scott “Uncle Scotty” Garlough, earning an associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Honolulu Community College is more than a degree—it鈥檚 planting seeds for the future.

Planting the first seed

Before enrolling at Honolulu CC, Garlough had built a life rooted in service. As operations manager at Hoʻoula ʻ膧颈苍补, a 100-acre nature preserve in Kalihi Valley, he has spent years helping restore native forests and supporting community health.

“In healing the land, we understand we are healing the community,” he said.

Although education was not a part of his original plan, a turning point came through the Ola Niuhelewai Program and encouragement from Kahale Saito and Kalei at Honolulu CC.

What began as a few Hawaiian language classes eventually grew into a full academic path. Over time, Garlough transitioned into the Liberal Arts program while continuing to take Hawaiian studies courses that aligned with his cultural work.

“Coming to school is my way of planting seeds,” he said. “The seeds will sprout when the conditions are just right.”

Blooming beyond the classroom

At Honolulu CC, Garlough found more than a classroom—he found community.

“I鈥檓 surrounded by people that I love who love me,” Garlough shared. As a peer mentor at the Hawaiian Center, he supports fellow students while continuing to learn from them. He also maintained a 4.0 GPA, balancing academics with community leadership.

Despite initial hesitancy about returning to school, Garlough pushed forward.

“All the things—‘I鈥檓 too old,’ ‘I don鈥檛 know how to use a computer,’ but once you start, it鈥檚 not as scary as you think,” he said.

Back to the roots

Garlough鈥檚 path to college was shaped by hardship. His mother was incarcerated during his childhood and passed away when he was 13. He spent years navigating homelessness, addiction and trauma.

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Reflecting back, he realizes he had people guiding him—his kupuna leading him toward the community college that has played such an important role in his family.

“It wasn鈥檛 until I felt love that I was able to transform myself,” Garlough said. “I listen to what my kupunas are telling me. I listen to the plants. They understand energy and come with good energy.”

The power of community

For Garlough, everything comes back to community.

“Healing a community takes a community,” he said. “We rely on communities in times of trouble, but we also should in prosperity.”

Through his work with organizations such as E Alu P奴 and M膩lama Loko Iʻa, he advocates for a Hawaiian cultural point of view. Everything he studied in the classroom has allowed him to give back to his community, from making hala sails to repairing the hale. Garlough also practices Uhau Humu P艒haku, Hawaiian rock masonry, as well as fishing, lashing, and caring for fishponds.

Looking ahead

While earning his degree is a meaningful accomplishment, Garlough sees it as just the beginning.

“This is step one,” he said. “There are a lot of people out there with knowledge, but no pathway to share it. This gives me that opportunity.”

His ultimate goal is to continue planting the seed for others. He is passionate about helping people connect with themselves, their culture, and their community.

“Plant the seed,” Garlough advised. “Wait for it to grow.”

This spring, a Waiʻanae mother and daughter are celebrating more than just graduation—they are marking a shared journey of perseverance, sacrifice and a deep commitment to serving their community through healthcare.

Haylie-Marie Domingo-Kealoha, born and raised in Waiʻanae, will earn her associates arts degree from Leeward Community College, completing coursework across multiple University of Hawaiʻi campuses (Kapiʻolani CC, Honolulu CC, 东精影业 West Oʻahu, and Leeward CC) while working to support herself.

Graduating alongside her is her mother, Danielle Kealoha, who is also earning her associate arts degree in liberal arts after returning to school years after stepping away to raise her family.

Two paths, one commitment to healthcare

For Haylie-Marie, the path to college was not always clear. After high school, she entered the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA) medical assistant program through the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC), an experience that helped her discover her passion for healthcare.

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Determined not to burden her parents financially, she balanced work and school, carefully arranging her schedule to pay her own way. A personal medical emergency further solidified her goal: becoming a registered nurse.

Danielle鈥檚 journey began years earlier at WCCHC鈥檚 Waiʻanae Health Academy but was paused due to the challenges of raising children while working full-time.

Returning to school at Leeward CC proved to be the right decision, offering flexible asynchronous courses that allowed her to balance work, family and education. Now working as a dialysis technician at US Renal Care in Waiʻanae, she has found purpose in patient care and hopes to advance in nephrology nursing.

Built-in support system

Experiencing college together has been one of the most meaningful aspects of their journey.

“My mom has been there for me since the very beginning,” Haylie-Marie said. “Knowing she鈥檚 going through the same classes makes it easier when I get stuck—she鈥檚 always there to help.”

Danielle echoed that sentiment, adding that watching her daughter grow into the healthcare field has been deeply rewarding. “She has exceeded every expectation,” she said. “I always believed she would make an amazing nurse.”

Support from Leeward CC

Both credit Leeward CC for playing a critical role in their success, where advisors and staff helped guide them through course selection and degree planning, ensuring they stayed on track despite busy schedules. Danielle specifically highlighted the support of advisor Leilani Yanagi, whose encouragement and guidance helped both mother and daughter navigate their academic paths with confidence.

“He ʻ奴濒别颈 kolo”—an expression for a tough person—is how Yanagi describes Danielle and Haylie-Marie. “They each took different paths to earn their AA, and it will be a joyful moment to watch them cross the stage on May 15.”

Both now work in dialysis care, strengthening their passion for helping others and reinforcing their commitment to healthcare in their community.

Looking ahead

After graduation, Haylie-Marie will begin the 东精影业 Hilo nursing program through the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center cohort this August. Danielle plans to continue her education toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing, with the long-term goal of specializing in nephrology.

Together, their story is one of resilience, family, and community—a testament to the power of support systems both at home and at Leeward Community College.

When Madison N膩lei Kazue Fujitani takes to the podium at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu‘s commencement ceremony, she hopes to convey to the thousands in attendance, especially to K膩naka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), the importance of continuing their education—to go beyond just existing in the university system and use it as a place to practice the higher learning their k奴puna were accustomed to.

The Waiʻanae resident attributes this perspective of learning to a 东精影业 West Oʻahu mentor and her experiences throughout her undergraduate years.

Fujitani added that her experience as a Native Hawaiian student in college has helped her understand her purpose—realizing the need for Indigenous presence in the higher education system and how the power of knowledge can incite change and uplift communities.

“It is not all about career prospects or having a title to your name, but using education as a powerful tool of resistance,” Fujitani said. “It is about fulfilling our kuleana, which is both a responsibility and a privilege.”

This is a topic Fujitani is passionate about and will delve into as one of two student speakers at on Saturday, May 9.

Education as resistance

“As a student speaker, the main message I hope to convey is that the history of higher education and the college system is not one that is very pretty, especially for Indigenous peoples,” she said. “They were initially created as attempts to limit, contain, and control.”

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In Saturday鈥檚 ceremony, Fujitani will receive a bachelor of arts in business administration with a concentration in marketing, and with distinction.

“We fight by learning, reclaiming knowledge, and stepping into positions where we can transform these systems from within,” she said. “We should aim to prioritize being an Indigenous-serving institution, which benefits all people, shaping the way education is carried out.”

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