Students produce video about UH Hilo: Staging, video production, and original music from the heart

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“4000 students. 6 Colleges. 1 University. One Heart. We’re all connected through the heart.”


Above video, “Hoʻokahi ka Umauma,” a song about UH Hilo with ukulele accompaniment, composed by students Sky Flores, Micah Ramos and Elise Inouye, lyrics below.

By Susan Enright/UH Hilo Stories.

Students have produced a video about the diverse student services and academic programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. In a special collaboration between Lava Shoot, the student-run video production program, and New Student Programs, a unit of Student Affairs dedicated to welcoming new members of the university ʻohana (family), the students created “Hoʻokahi ka Umauma,” a fun video montage of students, faculty and staff from services and programs throughout the university.

“It truly captures the warmth and aloha of UH Hilo,” says Micah Ramos, who helped write and perform the original music on the video. “It showcases our many resources, clubs, faculty and beautiful campus. We are truly connected through the heart.”

Students gather in Lava Shoot offices, with donuts!
The production staff at Lava Shoot. This is the new fall staff in first training session earlier this month, learning basics of scripting, storyboarding, videography, animation, and video editing. (l-r) Michael Lovell, (back) Sky Piilani Flores, Goody Cacal, (back) Ericka Reff, Gwendelyn Go, (back) Bodhi Shartner, (at front center) Aya Shimada, three unidentified (sorry!), and (top right corner) Mason Agor.

Ramos teamed up with two friends to write and perform the original song of the same name to accompany the video, with ukulele and lyrics honoring the island and university community. Sky Piʻilani Flores (singing and ukulele), Elise Inouye (ukulele), and Ramos (ukulele solo and bass) will steal your heart with this sweet song about UH Hilo.

Hoʻokahi ka Umauma

By Sky Piʻilani Flores, Elise Inouye, and Micah Ramos

4000 students. 6 Colleges. 1 University. One Heart. We’re all connected through the heart.

ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi. One learns from many sources.

Lyrics

Sky Piʻilani Flores casual portrait on plaza.
Sky Piʻilani Flores

Verse 1:
In the land where rain falls
Where lava flows and glows all night long
Watching our land grow and expand into a new age
This our home away from home

CHORUS:

In the right here and now
UH Hilo can be found
Diverse with many cultures for the world to see
On the mountain side is where we reside
Promoting our Vulcan pride
Hoʻokahi ka umauma
Hoʻokahi ka umauma

Elise Inouye casual portrait against red printed cloth.
Elise Inouye

UKULELE SOLO

Verse 2:
From the mountains to the sea
In our little country side community
Unity and harmony helps our lives continue on
Hard work and dedication gets us to where we belong

CHORUS:

In the right here and now
UH Hilo can be found
Diverse with many cultures for the world to see
On the mountain side is where we reside
Promoting our Vulcan pride
Hoʻokahi ka umauma
Hoʻokahi ka umauma

Micah Ramos casual portrait with red printed cloth backdrop.
Micah Ramos

Bridge:

ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi.

CHORUS:
In the right here and now
UH Hilo can be found
Diverse with many cultures for the world to see
On the mountain side is where we reside
Promoting our Vulcan pride

Hoʻokahi ka umauma
Hoʻokahi ka umauma
Hoʻokahi ka umauma
Hoʻokahi ka umauma

Learn more about Sky Piʻilani Flores, Elise Inouye, and Micah Ramos

Name: Sky Piʻilani “Skylani” Flores
Home Island: Kauai
Year: Senior, Graduating in Spring 2016
Major: Performing Arts — Concentration in Music
Campus Involvements: Vice Chair for Board of Media Broadcasting (BoMB), Entertainment Chair for UH Hiloʻs Relay For Life, Entertainment Co-Chair for UH Hiloʻs 20th Annual Hoʻolauleʻa, Theatre Backstage/Stagehand at UH Hiloʻs Performing Arts Center, Member of INT Dance Squad

Name: Elise Inouye
Home Island: Oʻahu
Year: Sophomore
Major: Communication major, Women’s Studies Certificate
Extracurricular Activities: Orientation Leader at New Student Programs, Rotaract Club, Water Polo Club
Work: UH Hilo Housing

Name: Micah Ramos
Home Island: Hawaiʻi Island
Year: Senior
Major: Communication major, Filipino Studies Certificate
Work: Student Coordinator at New Student Programs
Extracurricular activities: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Rotaract club, Bayanihan club

Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

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