Meet the UH Hilo Bonner Leaders
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2027 Bonner Cohort
2027 Bonner Cohort [L to R]: Shanai, Lana, Niko, Annelise, Misty, Raven
Annelise Hogan
Hometown: Amherst, New York
Major: Linguistics
Annelise has a passion for languages and hopes to study linguistics with the goal of becoming a Chinese language interpreter. She is interested in helping families in need and children in foster care. Her inspiration for joining Bonner comes from her desire to learn from and give back to her community.
Shanai Koli
Hometown: Waipahu, Oʻahu
Major: Chemistry - Health Sciences
A first generation college student, Shanai came to UH Hilo with a desire to pursue a career in healthcare as a pharmacist. She enjoys going to the beach, practicing self-care, and spending quality time with family. Shanai joined Bonner hoping to grow by having new experiences, sharpening her skills, and supporting her community.
Lana Lowery
Hometown: Waiʻanae, Hawaiʻi
Major: Business Administration
Raised in Waiʻanae, Lana is originally from a small state in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) called Kosrae. After growing up mostly in Hawaiʻi Lana spent her senior year in Kosrae connecting with her culture. Her goal with Bonner is to learn from the community so that she can better assist underrepresented populations.
Mark Niko Casimiro
Hometown: the Philippines
Major: Chemistry - Health Sciences
Born and raised in the Philippines, Niko moved with his family to the Big Island in 2022. He is passionate about healthcare and is pursuing a career as a medicinal chemist. He is very family oriented and likes to be involved in extracurriculars that promote his growth and learning. Niko joined Bonner to learn how to best serve his community and share his own story.
Misty Cruden
Hometown: Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Major: Psychology
Throughout high school, Misty participated in the Hawaiʻi State Student Council and the Hawaiʻi State Youth Commission, as well as following her passion for artistic expression through dance with the Island Dance Academy. She joined Bonner to learn how her leadership skills can help her to become a more actively engaged community member.
Raven Brazee
Hometown: Kuna, Idaho
Major: Marine Science
At 17, Raven graduated high school a year early by taking on an overload of classes. She is driven by a fascination with the natural world and through Bonner hopes to continue expanding in both personal growth and community knowledge.
2026 Bonner Cohort
2026 Bonner Cohort [L to R]: Hina, Leiya, Tyler, Aralyn, Hayden, Amber
Amber Dahl
Hometown: Kealakekua, Hawaiʻi
Major: Communications
Amber has always loved being a part of community events and giving back to her community. She loves building connections with others and offering support in any way that she can. She is passionate about mental health and making a positive impact on the world.
Aralyn Hacker
Hometown: Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
Major: Marine Science
Aralyn is incredibly passionate about the ocean especially conservation. She started diving at 10 because of her mom, who passed away when she was 11. Aralyn joined Bonner because helping the community has always been something she enjoys.
Hayden Niles
Hometown: Waubay, South Dakota
Major: Marine Science
Hayden has a strong desire to connect with people and his environment through helping others. He is passionate about exploring and protecting the ocean. Hayden is driven by his community back home and hopes to one day share his experiences with them.
Hina Spielman
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Major: Kinesiology
Hina is a first generation college student and took it completely on herself to apply for and find financing for her education. She values her family and her community and is excited to use her independence and work ethic to contribute to Bonner, her environment, and her community.
Leiya Torrano
Hometown: Honokaʻa, Hawaiʻi
Major: Business Administration
Lei holds her family closest to her as her inspiration for life. She values empathy and caring for others and hopes to give back in ways that encourage self growth. Lei hopes to push others towards new perspectives, passion, and education.
Tyler Dela Cruz
Hometown: Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Major: Business Administration
Tyler is dedicated to connecting youth with community. She believes in educating youth on their importance in the community and sees service as a means to accomplish this. She values taking the time to immerse herself into her community and understanding it as it is. Tyler hopes to build on the existing strengths and characteristics of the community she is a part of.
2023/24 Bonner Cohort
2023/24 Bonner Cohort [L to R]: Devin, Lavina, Amena, Bella, Carley, Evonne
Amena Tep
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: Political Science & Administration of Justice
Amena holds her family at her center, which is evident in the value she places on relationships and teamwork. She joined the Bonner Program because “studying our community allows us to put a stop to repeated social/political/economic issues it faces.
Bella Chapman
Hometown: Rome, Georgia
Major: Marine Science
Bella’s minors in Political Science and English, with certificates in TESOL and International Politics reveal her range of passions and her strong work ethic. Despite her busy schedule, she joined the Bonner Program because she strives to enact change through community interaction.
Carley Atkins
Hometown: Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Major: Communication
Carley’s appreciation for the beauty around her shines through in all that she does. Discovering the Bonner Program felt like kismet, and she felt called “to join others and help engage with the community around me.""
Devin Brown
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Major: Geography
Devin brings his genuine care for others to the Bonner Program, which is reflected in his interest in the environment and in working with under-resourced communities. He became a Bonner Leader because “it’s a great way for me to get to learn about my new community, meet new people with similar interests, and make the community more beneficial for future generations.
Evonne Fronda
Hometown: Waikoloa, Hawaiʻi
Major: Accounting
Evonne feels a strong connection to her Filipino heritage and community and saw the Bonner program as a sign because it combined her love of community with the internship experience that she felt she needed. She looks forward to working with the community to create better resources and nurture her leadership skills.
Lavinia Manufekai
Hometown: Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Major: Administration of Justice
Spending a year of high school in Tonga made a deep impression on Lavinia. She understands the importance of community, and hopes that through the Bonner Program she can develop the skills to affect change and impact the lives around her.