2022 Ka Lama Ku Student Leadership Award Winners

Leadership

Leaders inspire, excite, and provide commitment toward shared goals. They are role models who leading by example. They inspire and empower others to work towards a common goal.

Zoé Acosta

• Marine Science Major
• Student Assistant/ Tour Guide with Admissions Office

Nominated By: Maria Vicente -Admissions Counselor

Zoé was nominated because she sets an excellent standard for the other student workers by maintaining a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and creative problem solving approach. Zoé never fails to create a happy atmosphere at work and even seems to maintain a smile on challenging days. Her positivity is infectious and brightens the overall mood of the office. She is very conscientious of her responsibilities and incredibly dependable and can always be counted on to respond quickly. When trying to find solutions to problems that arise, Zoé is great at identifying possible causes and areas for improvement. All of these qualities work together to make Zoé an excellent motivator and leader for the other student employees in the office.

To have the gift of vision

Leaders often need to  “navigate unknown waters” and act upon situations and challenges that are beyond their expectations. They take risks that others would avoid, create change, and effectively communicate a shared vision for an organization.

Isabella Arrieta

• Graduate Student in Counseling Psychology
• Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Women’s Center/ LGBTQ+ Center Student Assistant
• UHHSA Senator at Large

Nominated By: Chris Holland - Associate Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs

Isabella was nominated because she is a very passionate learner who excels in and out of the classroom and has continued to show great promise to better not only herself but the world around her. Some of her immediate success was in developing a plan to roll out Safe Zone training on a monthly basis along with a renewed interest in getting the Hilo Pride group together and supported on campus. Her personality, work ethic, and ability to grasp a larger view of the world around her make her a perfect fit.

We are accountable and responsible

Leaders instill and motivate others toward solutions, have respect, ho‘ihi, toward others and are effective communicators. They demonstrate problem-solving for positive action, communicate effectively and empowers others to work together.

Briana Ferrin

• Geography -Environmental Science
• Senior Resident Assistant, University Housing and Residence Life
• Resident Assistant for Natural Science LLC

Nominated By: Landon Ballesteros- Resident Manager, Housing and Residence Life

Briana was nominated because of her ability to jump into problem-solving action and engrouge her peers to be accountable and responsible. Her nominator was humbled by her sense of responsibility to her position, but more importantly to herself and values. Briana was described as having a difficult year at times but leveraging these situations as opportunities for experience in conflict resolution by talking to her students and reminding peers of what her role is: to be a mentor and advisor to them, and not just someone who enforces the rules. In addition to her commitment to upholding policy she also advocates for environmental sustainability, and uses her resources to try to set sustainability-oriented goals, reminding us all that we have a collective kuleana to the Earth.

No task is too big when done by all

Leaders recognize the importance of teamwork, networking, and collaboration and they motivate others to make a difference every day. They gain the trust and respect of others by encouraging people to work together.

Junita Jetley

• Administration of Justice with a minor in Anthropology
• Resident Assistant, University Housing and Residence Life
• Anthropology Club
• Member Student Support Services

Nominated By: Lewis Jacques- Resident Manager, Housing and Residence Life

Junita is described as being a dependable, engaging, kind, genuine and a respectful team player who leads by example with her “can do” spirit. She has dedicated her time in housing investing in others and creating connections to build a positive environment for those she works with and the residents she serves. She can often be found making connections with students, staff and campus partners to help build a network for herself and her peers. She has shown that she is an invaluable asset to the team and was selected for her skills in advocacy and empathy which helped contribute to her ability to enlist others to build a thriving housing community.

No task is too big when done by all

Leaders recognize the importance of teamwork, networking, and collaboration and they motivate others to make a difference every day. They gain the trust and respect of others by encouraging people to work together.

The History Club

• David Freund
• Nathan Myers
• Lilliana Galarneau
• Robert Wheeler
• Charles "CJ" Patris
• Alex Aguirre
• Kaelyn Onodera
• Donovan Wolford
• Joseph "Kepa" Revelle
• Taecia "Kukui" Akana

Nominated By: Mike Skinner - Professor of History

The History Club was nominated because they went above and beyond to connect with each other and with the students on campus. They stayed engaged throughout the pandemic creating discord servers to keep in communication during lockdown. As Covid restrictions were lifted they jumped into action to plan Huakai for their peers and became an active group in person as well.

Taking care of others and community

Leaders demonstrate care for the land, family, and/or spirituality. This is often through civic and social engagement. Leaders have deep respect and honor for others and accept their responsibilities unconditionally.

Jaslinn Makamae Kamaka-Mauhili

• Business Administration Major
  • Concentrations ins Marketing & Management
• Minor in Women’s Studies
• Subject Certificates in Business Analytics and Sustainable Tourism
• Member of Delta-Sigma Pi Business Fatrnatery
• Member Student Support Services Program
• Student Representative for the UH Hilo Relationships Committee
• UHHSA Data Director
• Campus Center Student Staff Member

Nominated By: Valdeane Odachi- Student Support Services Academic Advisor/ Counselor

Makamae was nominated because of her professionalism and for being a proactive advocate for herself and peers. Makamae has shown a dedication to her community and her culture through her time at UH Hilo and through all of her co-curricular pursuits. He nominator said that she was and is continually impressed with Makamae’s “demonstrated high moral character, sense of aloha for others, a strong commitment to completing her academic journey, dedication to her campus community, and the determination to continue to learn and grow into a strong leader for our local and global communities.” It was precisely Makamae’s commitment to her personal growth and the growth of the Lahui that the committee chose to recognize her.

Since the founding of our program in 2007 this award has only been given four other times in 2012, 2015, 2016, 2020 and now in 2022. Each of these awardees have been exceptional student leaders who have gone above and beyond in the work they do. In order to be considered for this award the committee has to be able to see demonstrated examples of all five of the Ka Lama Ku values in the nomination letters. This generally requires multiple nominations to achieve and this year was no exception.

Kuʻuhiapo Jeong

• Psychology & Communications Major
• President- Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology Fraternity
• Chairperson of the UH Hilo Board of Media Broadcasting
• Undergraduate Representative for the UH Hilo Committee for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Host and Social media Manager of UH Hilo Wailau program

Nominated By: Kathleen Baumgarder- Strategic Planning Project Manager Chris Holland- Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Kuʻuhiapo was nominated because of is intense commitment and dedication to the UH Hilo and grater Hawaiʻi Island Community. Kuʻuhiapo leads by example and serves in our community. His nominator said that “his passion for the arts, communication, and his community shines though…he seeks out knowledge and to build relationships and uses all of this to contribute to significant efforts for his community.” It was clear to the awards committee that Kuʻuhiapo is a pillar to the communities that he works with. He is a part of their visions and director for the future and he utilizes team work, collaboration, and innovation to grow as a leader.