ERIN "KAHANANUI" LOW
Educational Coach, Hawaiʻi Community College (Manono, Pālamanui, and Kō)
I am originally from Ewa Beach, Oahu and moved to the Big Island in 2008 to pursue my education. I attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and completed my Bachelorʻs degree in Sociology. Then furthered my education at Argosy University and completed my Masterʻs degree in Marriage & Family Therapy.
Growing up I was the youngest of 5 children and the first to receive a college degree. In my family as a Native Hawaiian, that was a big deal! I grew up seeing all the sacrifices and hard work that my parents went through to provide best for my family. It was from being instilled with strong values from a young age, like working hard and never giving up is what I believe contributed to the successes I made through college. I encountered many challenges and there were often times I felt very discouraged thinking that maybe college wasnʻt for me. And then there were rewarding moments when I did things that I never would have imagined I could now do and that if I gave up, I would have never come to discover it. Although my family never went to college, I feel like they deserved to have their names on my diploma because it was their love and support that got me there.
Now in return, I want to help be a support for students as they navigate through college. Help students more to see that with effort and hard work, they can achieve anything! You would be surprised to see what you are capable of and college is the best platform to experience it all!
GENEVA COSTALES
Educational Coach, Kapiʻolani Community College
I was born and raised in Honolulu. I attended Kaimukī High School (go bulldogs!), Kapiʻolani Community College, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I am currently a student at Chaminade University pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in school counseling.
At an early age, I realized the value of education. I understood that it would allow me pursue the career that I wanted and also help to create a better future (for myself and my community). There were definitely some challenges that I have had to navigate around in order to get to where I am today. Dropping out of college crossed my mind several times, especially when I had a lot of self doubt and saw that my peers were progressing faster than I was. However, I am grateful for my support network of friends, instructors, counselors, and mentors that encouraged me to keep going.
I chose to pursue the field of counseling and this position because of my passion for helping others. Many people have showed me kindness, compassion, and unconditional support over the years, so it is my turn to pay it forward. I want to be able to use my education, life experiences, and resources to encourage the next generation of students.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
"My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective."
Māori Proverb
JANEZKA ESPOSO
Peer Coach, Kauaʻi Community College
Moving from the Philippines at three years old seemed like an insignificant thought in my life, but as I grew older, I came to understand that if that move never happened, I’d be a different person today. I thought about that person I became, who I am, and I feel a deep sense of pride when it comes to my accomplishments.
I always knew college was something that was like a default choice in my pathway of life. I tried to plan out my whole college journey in my first year because I’m someone who likes to know where I’m going. What I realized, though, was that no matter how detailed and solid your plan is, it can ultimately change. I realized two years wouldn’t be enough for me to graduate on time while managing multiple jobs and familial responsibilities. Some of my classes proved to be difficult as well and there were a few I needed to retake. This was when I found my strength in adapting. While I had strong goals and plans in place, I was able to shift them in ways to fit the adversaries I went through and work even harder. It’s true that the challenges you face can change you, but it is what you take and build from them that really becomes important.
Social Work is not the major I chose, but I feel like it chose me. There were no other majors or job descriptions I felt that was right for me except for this one. Helping people would be the easiest reason for why I chose this course, but it’s really the possibilities of change and impact that one person or a whole community can have to make so many people feel safe and important.
Just as Martin Luther King Jr. said, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” While I follow this quote through my educational and career journey, I also follow it through my everyday life, advocating for myself to get to where I want to be. My goal as a peer coach is to help students become advocates for themselves as well, while helping them on their educational journey.
SIERA ALAIBILLA-LAGUNDINO
Peer Coach, Kauaʻi Community College
AIoha! I was born an raised on the island of Kaua’i. I attended Kaua’i Community College and graduated with my Associate degree in Liberal Arts. Now, I am going forward with pursuing my Bachelor’s degree at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Ever since I was in elementary my grandparents would always tell me that going to college and continuing to further your education was something so powerful for an individual. As I gain more experiences and continue with my educational journey, I realize just how true this is in today’s world.
Social Work was always something that interested me. It is such an amazing thing to learn and keep learning about everything around us and to be part of helping others!
“Do what makes your soul shine”
- Unknown
ANAGEN MANIPON-HAMADA
Peer Mentor, Kauaʻi Community College
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Aloha, my name is Anagen, and I'm a peer mentor from the Kulia project that works at the Kauaʻi Community College campus. I've lived my entire life on Kauaʻi in the small town of Līhuʻe. I graduated from Kauaʻi High School in 2019. I am currently attending Kauaʻi CC, with my major in liberal arts, and I'm working towards my associate's degree. So far in my college career, I've gotten Dean's list for all four semesters I've attended college.
I first got into mentoring after seeing my older brother work with students in the Wai'ale'ale program. Since I first started my college career, I've been helping out with the Wai'ale'ale program and have volunteered to help with an event that the program held. This past semester was my first time as an official mentor, and I was able to help a lot of students. I've worked hard with them, helping them register and keep up with classes. I enjoy helping new college students become acquainted with college life.
A quote that inspires me to pull through even when I face hardships in my academic and personal life comes from Greek philosopher Socrates: "Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes where you stay where you have fallen". This quote shows what I believe wholeheartedly to be truth; failure only comes when one gives up in the face of adversities.
MIA RITTE
Educational Coach, Molokai Education Center
I was born and raised on Molokai and am a proud Molokai High School Farmer. I attended Whitman College for three years and studied abroad in Osaka, Japan at Kansai Gaidai University. I returned to Hawai’i to complete my degree in English at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo.
I’ve had an aspiration to teach as early as the first grade and have worked in the field of education, in various capacities, off and on, for years. Most recently, I’ve worked as a Substitute Teacher, primarily at the elementary level.
I enjoy helping students progress, not only in their understanding of content and on their academic journeys, but also personally, as they gain new insights and life skills.
I understand the impact that a caring educator can make, having been fortunate to know several. These individuals fostered my curiosity, instilled in me a love of learning, challenged and encouraged me, and opened my eyes to opportunities beyond the shores of my small island. They also reassured me that home would always be here. As an Educational Coach, I hope to similarly support and perhaps even inspire, the students with whom I work.
ABRAHAM (KE‘ALA) ALAMA
Educational Specialist, Oʻahu (Honolulu, Leeward, and Windward Community Colleges)
I studied at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and obtained my BA in Hawaiian Language & Hawaiian Studies and a M.Ed in Curriculum Studies. "If you plan for a year, plant kalo. If you plan for ten years, plant koa. If you plan for one hundred years, teach the children" (na Puanani Burgess).
SEAN NAGAMATSU
Project Coordinator
Hi! My name is Sean, and I’m the coordinator for our project. Iʻm from Pālolo and graduated from Kamehameha. I went to a small college in Ohio, which was a big change. When I was there, I majored in English, and then I came home to UH for graduate degrees in Teaching and Library Science. Before coaching college students, I taught English at Waiʻanae High School.
Inspiration is important. Sometimes I get inspiration from this Octavia E. Butler quote: “Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is persistence in practice.”