Aka Beebe (m, R) and Gordon Walker (M, L)
Aka is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in the Natural Sciences at Kapi‘olani Community College and plans to soon transfer into SOEST’s Global Environmental Science program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Aka is currently conducting research involving the intersection of Western science and traditional la‘au lapa‘au techniques. Aka enjoys food and is a very family-oriented kane, and is a proud father of two keiki with his beautiful wife. Ultimately his goal is to achieve a broad understanding of Hawaiian ecosystems, tying together economic, cultural, and physical science perspectives. Gordon Walker is originally from Kingston, Jamaica and came to Hawai‘i many years ago to try open water swimming and surfing. In 2012 Gordon completed an M.S. in SOEST’s Oceanography program, before which he was a teacher in New York City, India and Hawai‘i. Through his teaching and research experiences Gordon has served as an outstanding mentor for numerous young minds.
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Reid Fowler (m, R) and Sherril Leon-Soon (M, L)
Reid is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in the Natural Sciences at Kapiolani Community College and looks forward to transferring to the University of Hawai‘i at Mā:noa campus soon. Reid is interested in pairing engineering with environmental science and is currently exploring creative possibilities for his research and education. His mentor Sherril hails from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, and is currently a Ph.D. student in SOEST’s Department of Oceanography working at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). Sherril has found a passion working with native students in Hawai‘i, serving as a mentor for numerous undergraduate and high school students. Sherril brings to Hawaii the family-oriented philosophy of her island nation at home, and enjoys sharing her knowledge of coastal ecosystems and best management practices with the community.
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Bradley Hughes (m, R) and Eric Tong (M, L)
Bradley is a Hawaiian Studies undergraduate student pursuing the Mālama ‘Āina focus. He was born and raised in Ka‘alaea, O‘ahu on his ‘ohana’s windward farm. Having worked at Waiāhole Elementary, Hui Kū Maoli Ola and Papahana Kuaola, he brings a community-focused natural resource perspective to his current research. He is examining traditional mo‘olelo in reference to Pālolo to learn more about the sources and historical uses of Ka‘au. Eric is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Oceanography from Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu. His projects range from community-based ecological studies of important nearshore resources locally in Hawai‘i nei to investigating patterns of dispersal in important reef resources across the Tahitian Archipelago using genetics. Together, they are exploring research avenues that bridge culture and science, mauka and makai.
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Melanie Keliipuleole (m, L) and Kiana Frank (M, R)
Melanie recently received her ASNS degree at KCC and is now pursing a B.S. in Global Environmental Science at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM). She hopes to continue on to graduate school with a focus in Biological Oceanography. Melanie is a C-MORE scholar working to identify the genetic connectiity of the sea urchin, Colobocentrotus atratus. She has won multiple awards for her work with sea urchins and an award for her work of uncovering the science behind Ka‘au Crater’s red spring. Melanie’s mentor, Kiana is a SOEST Young Investigator in Oceanography at UHM. She is a microbial biogeochemist interested in understanding the complex role that microorganisms play in biogeochemical cycling, with focus on describing the microbial community structure, functional capacity and rates of metabolic activity. She works very closely with Dr. Rosie Alegado to investigate links between biogeochemical processes and microbial communities in coastal marine environments like He‘eia Fishpond. Kiana earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology from Harvard University in 2013. Kiana grew up in Kailua, O‘ahu and is a proud graduate of Kamehameha schools.
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Lani Kito-Ho (m, L) and Tina Lin (M, R)
Lani is a GESs student at UH, but does not know what kind of research she would like to do in the future. She feels that the GES program is a step in the right direction to explore her options. Through the Native Hawaiian Science Engineering and Mathematics Program (NHSEMP), Lani was able to participate in a field sampling trip to Papua New Guinea over this past summer. She is glad to be a part of the SOEST Maile Mentoring Bridge program for extra support and building confidence as she moves forward in her academic journey. Tina is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Oceanography. She started her Ph.D. program at UHM in 2007 and after 6 years of hard work, received her Ph.D. in Oceanography in the summer of 2013. Her research involves studying the biogeochemistry of hydrothermal fluids circulation in the basaltic rocks underneath the ocean sediment. She has had the opportunity to dive to depths of ~10,000 ft (2600m) in the famous human-occupied-vehicle (i.e. a research submarine) ALVIN, and has also participated in several remotely-operated-vehicle JASON cruises. She is very interested in outreach and education programs and is glad to be part of the Maile program as Lani’s mentor!
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Kelly Lance (m, L) and Rebecca Simpson (M, R) and
Hailing from O‘ahu, Kelly is a senior-standing undergraduate student at UH Mānoa majoring in Meteorology with a minor in Hawaiian Studies. Sparking her interest in air-sea interactions, sailing is one of Kelly’s passions that has led her to training with the crew of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a. Kelly hopes to be able to combine her passions of sailing, marine science, and Hawaiian culture in graduate school or a career with NOAA corps. Rebecca is originally from Colorado and came to Hawai‘i to study the marine atmosphere. She completed her M.S. in Oceanography in 2010 and is currently working on her Ph.D. Rebecca serves as the head teaching assistant of Science of the Sea (OCN 201), an introductory Oceanography course. Through this experience, she has developed an interest in cultivating young local students’ interest in and appreciation for science.
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Aaron Lee (m, R) and Lora Van Uffelen (M, L)
Originally from Makakilo, O’ahu, Aaron has recently transferred to SOEST to pursue a degree in Global Environmental Science. An ocean lover and recreational fisherman, Aaron completed coursework at Leeward Community College and is also interested in engineering. Lora is a researcher in the Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering at UH. She has a B.S. in Engineering and a Ph.D. in Oceanography and works primarily with Seagliders, which are autonomous underwater vehicles, equipped with sound recorders. Since she started in oceanography Lora has spent over a year at sea, but when she is landlubbing she enjoys traveling and scuba diving in Hawai‘i.
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Aaron Lee (m, R) and Donn Viviani (M, L)
Originally from Makakilo, O‘ahu, Aaron has recently transferred to SOEST to pursue a degree in Global Environmental Science. An ocean lover and recreational fisherman, Aaron completed coursework at Leeward Community College. He is currently working with Dr. Jeffrey Drazen in the Department of Oceanography to find pair down his research interests. Donn is a Ph.D. candidate in SOEST’s Department of Oceanography, and is originally from Virginia. Donn came to Hawaii to do his graduate work with the Hawai‘i Ocean Time-series program. He finished his Masters in 2009, and has racked up 342 days doing science at sea. Before he became a graduate student, he spent time as a teacher, an outdoor educator, and a lifeguard, among many other things. His interest in sharing his fascination with science dates back to his museum days.
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Augustine Luc (m, R) and Olivia Nigro (M, L)
Augustine is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Science in Biotechnology at Kapi‘olani Community College. Augustine is currently conducting research on producing antibodies from hybrid cells. She graduated from Kaimuki High School magna cum laude. Augustine hopes to pursue a degree in medicine at the University of Hawai‘i. Olivia is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Oceanography at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Although she works in the field of oceanography, a large portion of her research is closely related to the medical field including work on the human pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus. She has been living in Hawai‘i for over 10 years, and is also mother to three great kids.
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Tatiana Oje (m, L) and Shimi Rii (M, R)
Tatiana is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Tati is also a C-MORE Scholar working with Dr. Oceana Francis, researching the effect of storm intensity on surface wind-driven waves, and her career goal is to work in the field of renewable energy. She has won numerous awards, including 1st place for a poster in the Environment and Engineering category, at the Emerging Researchers National Conference in Washington, D.C. Tati’s mentor, Shimi, is a Ph.D. student in Oceanography at the University of Hawai‘i. Shimi’s graduate research examines the population dynamics of small phytoplankton in the open sea and how they contribute to the oceanic carbon cycle. Aside from her research, Shimi’s two passions are inspiring local students to pursue marine science and improving science communication through writing.
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Lhiberty Pagaduan (m, R) and Shellie Habel (M, L)
Lhiberty Pagaduan is an undergraduate student at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) pursuing a B.A. in Geology. She has shown interest in the igneous petrology of Mars. Lhiberty works for GEAR UP which is federally funded grant partnership with Waipahu Intermediate School and Waipahu High School. The program provides 2020 cohort students access to college preparation workshops. Lhiberty’s mentor, Shellie Habel is a M.S. student in Marine and Environmental Geology at UHM. She works with the UH-Mānoa Coastal Geology Group under Dr. Chip Fletcher, focusing on beach erosion studies and modeling future flooding in Waikīkī due to sea level rise.
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Pua (m, not pictured) and Haunani Kane (M)
Pua is an enthusiastic undergraduate majoring in Geology (SOEST) at the University of Hawai‘i. She has shown interest in volcanology and hydrology, and continues to explore different facets of geology. This past summer, Pua enjoyed her internship with USGS on Hawai‘i island. Pua is a mentor herself, working closely with Keolani Noa and the KCC STEM Center to provide student trips and college tours, among other things. Haunani Kane is a PhD student in Geology and Geophysics, working in the Coastal Geology lab of Dr. Chip Fletcher within SOEST. Haunani is from Kailua, O‘ahu, and her research centers on better understanding past and future sea-level rise events to assist coastal risk management. She believes that by tying culture to science we may be able to inspire more young native scientists.
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Jessica Shon (m, L) and Linyan Li (M, R)
Jessica is a student at KCC with an interest in environmental engineering. In her free time, she enjoys surfing, free diving, and hiking. Linyan came to Hawai‘i from China two years ago as an international student. She got her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Environmental Science and Engineering in China. By participating in a project on tsunami forecasting in South China Sea during her Master thesis, she realized that she was more interested in Physical Oceanography and then decided to change the direction towards it. Now she is pursuing a PhD degree in the department of Ocean and Resources Engineering. Her research is focused on tsunami modeling and interactions between currents and waves. In her free time, she likes hiking, watching shows and eating with friends. She really enjoys her work and life in Hawai‘i, and would like to try her best to help the native Hawaiian students in their study journey through this Maile Bridge program.
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Diamond Tachera (m, L) and Tiffany Anderson (M, R)
Diamond Tachera (Hawaii Kai, HI) is an undergraduate student at UH-Mānoa pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Geology and Geophysics. After she earns her Bachelor’s degree, Diamond will pursue her graduate degree at UHM focusing on groundwater flow and geochemistry, and eventually find a career here at home. Diamond is currently a C-MORE Scholar, working on a research project in the Experimental Petrology lab. Tiffany Anderson (Kapa‘a, HI) feels blessed to mentor such a positive and enthusiastic spirit as Diamond. Tiffany earned her PhD in Geology and Geophysics from UH-Mānoa in 2013. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at UH-Mānoa’s Coastal Geology Group, focusing on modeling shorelines and shoreline change activity. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, and spending time with her daughter, Ke‘alohi.
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William Truong (m, L) and Rebecca Simpson (M, R)
William hails from the east side of O‘ahu and is a senior majoring in Marine Biology and has broad interests researching the ecological roles of abundant midwater animals, like copepods, fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Rebecca is originally from Colorado and came to Hawai‘i to study the marine atmosphere. She completed her M.S. in Oceanography in 2010 and is currently working on her Ph.D. Rebecca serves as the head teaching assistant of Science of the Sea (OCN 201), an introductory Oceanography course. Through this experience she has developed an interest in cultivating young local students’ interest in and appreciation for science.
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Jennifer Wong-Ala (m, R) and Chantel Chang (M, L)
Jennifer is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in the Natural Sciences at Kapi‘olani Community College. She hails from Waimanalo and is a hard-working C-MORE Scholar interested in pursuing marine and environmental science. Recently, Jennifer has been working on a research project that looks at how physical and biological factors play a role in shaping connectivity among reef fish populations off Hawai‘i Island. In the fall of 2015, Jennifer will transfer to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa as a junior in the Global Environmental Science Program. Jennifer’s mentor, Chantel is a graduate student in Oceanography at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa studying the genetic connectivity of copepods through biophysical modeling. Being born and raised in ‘Āina Haina, Chantel grew up with a fascination and love for the ocean and surfing. She is passionate about ocean conservation, sustainability, and deepening her understanding of the Hawaiian culture.
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Jennifer Wong-Ala (m, L) and Anela Choy (M, R)
Jennifer is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in the Natural Sciences at Kapi‘olani Community College. She hails from Waimanalo and is a hard-working C-MORE Scholar interested in pursuing marine and environmental science. Recently, Jennifer has been working on a research project characterizing the metabolism and ecology of an important marine bacterium. Jennifer’s mentor, Anela recently completed her Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Hawai‘i. Anela’s graduate research examined the connectivity of open ocean food webs in Hawaiian waters, and how they contribute to the production of large, commercially valuable fishes like tunas and billfishes. Anela is a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School, and throughout her graduate education has been working closely with local and Hawaiian students, nurturing a passion for getting young native scientists excited about the vast marine environment.
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