Meet the Scholars

	Kailee Chun Born and raised in Oahu, Kailee Chun graduated from Kalani High School and is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management. Throughout her next four years she plans on focusing on transportation management at the TIM School. Being raised on the island, she can not imagine herself living anywhere else although she would like to be able to travel to experience different cultures internationally which is why she chose TIM as her major. In her last two years at Manoa, she hopes to be able to study abroad in Europe or Japan, obtain a leadership role in a TIM student club, and gain knowledge and connections through networking. She is currently in the Travel Industry Management Student Association hoping to grow professionally. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, baking, and has a part-time job at Menya le Nood. After college she hopes to be able to travel worldwide professionally and for leisure.
	Kari-Ann Akasaki Kari-Ann Akasaki was born and raised in Pearl City and is a graduate from Pearl CIty High School. She is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management and plans to focus on tourism and transportation during her time at the TIM School. Kari-Ann is pursuing a degree in TIM as she wants to give her focus on spotlighting “cultural awareness,” to ensure that tourists and locals respect Hawaii's multicultural society. In the upcoming years, Kari-Ann wishes to study abroad in South Korea. She is currently completing one of her internships in food and beverage and would like to complete her second internship in the tourism and transportation industry. She is currently in a leadership position in the Travel Industry Management Student Association (TIMSA). Another goal of hers is to minor in Korean and get involved at school as much as she can. During her free time, she loves to spend her time with her family and friends. Post graduation, Kari-Ann hopes to become a tourism executive on the island of Oahu.
	Emily Quach Emily Quach is a proud graduate of Moanalua High School in Honolulu, Hawai'i. She is currently a student at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management. She plans to focus on tourism and travel during her time at the TIM School. As a part of her goal as a future tourism leader, Emily hopes to create a strong sense of peace around the world as we ride through the rough waters of the 21st century. She aims to educate all visitors about the history and culture of Hawai'i, in hopes of creating a positive and pleasant experience for guests and locals alike. She believes that tourism encourages people to embrace each other’s similarities and differences and brings the world together. Unity will allow focus to be placed on the greater issues occurring in our world, bringing attention to sustainable methods of tourism and living that will allow residents and visitors to enjoy Hawai'i’s beautiful lands and beaches for many years to come.
	Fanglin Xu Fanglin Xu graduated from Moanalua High School in 2019 with summa cum laude. She is currently studying in Travel Industry Management with a hospitality emphasis and Human Resources Management. She is an overachiever, accomplished, and self-driven student. Fanglin currently serves as the President for the Travel Industry Management Student Association (TIMSA) and the Executive Vice President for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Aloha Chapter. In Spring 2021, Fanglin was recognized as the Outstanding Junior in TIM at the annual Shidler Business Night. In the summer of 2021, Fanglin interned at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island as both a Housekeeping Intern and Food & Beverage Intern. Fanglin will be studying abroad at Keio University in Japan in Spring 2022 to learn about Japanese culture and language. In her free time, Fanglin enjoys spending time with her family and friends and being outdoors interacting with people. Post-graduation, Fanglin hopes to apply to Manager in Training programs to steer her way as a future leader in the travel industry.
	Sarah Lorenzo Sarah Lorenzo was born and raised on Oahu and graduated from Kaiser High School. She is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management with an emphasis in Hospitality. Sarah is pursuing a degree in TIM as she was attracted to the environment during past career shadows and wants to share the uniqueness of Hawaii and create joyful experiences for visitors. She is currently holding the position of Director of Marketing in the Travel Industry Management Student Association club. In the upcoming years, Sarah hopes to finish two internships. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys swimming and waterpolo. Post graduation, Sarah’s goal is to find an employer who can provide a life long career with the ability to experience different opportunities and career progression.
	Rhema Wong Rhema Wong was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and is a graduate of Henry J. Kaiser High School. She is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Travel Industry Management with an emphasis in Hospitality. Rhema is pursuing a degree in Travel Industry Management because of her passion for sustainability and sharing it with others and the desire to engage with different cultures and backgrounds. Rhema wants to incorporate sustainable practices into the tourism industry and invite visitors to do their part in respecting and taking care of our Island. She is the Director of Student Affairs and Marketing for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Student Chapter at UH Manoa, an organization that values the sustainable growth of the travel and tourism industry. In her free time, Rhema enjoys going to the beach and working on her business she and her twin sister have co-founded, R Planet. R Planet is an online zero waste store that provides plastic-free alternative products and aims to make sustainable living accessible and convenient for others. Post graduation, Rhema hopes to become an active worker within the sustainable tourism industry on the Island of O’ahu.
	Quinn Sumida Quinn Sumida was born and raised in the Manoa Valley on Oahu, and is a graduate of Roosevelt High School. Quinn is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management and plans to focus on Transportation and Tourism while at the TIM program. He was drawn into the industry through his hospitality career technical education classes in high school, and he also wanted to find a career where he could use Japanese language since it is something else he enjoys learning about. Some of Quinn’s goals while at the TIM school is to study abroad for a semester in Japan to strengthen his language skills, and to intern somewhere in the tourism industry since his goal after graduation is to work in the tourism industry. In his free time, Quinn likes to play video games, watch Japanese dramas, cook, and hang out with friends.
	Cody-John Sakamoto Cody-John Sakamoto was born and raised in Waihee, Maui and graduated from H.P Baldwin High School. He is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management. Cody is pursuing a degree in Travel Industry Management and Human Resources Management. He loves meeting and making new connections with those around him. In the upcoming years, Cody hopes to do more community service assisting Kamehameha School Scholars Program, assume a leadership role in a Travel Industry Management Club, and finish two internships within the hospitality industry. In his free time he enjoys sewing, spending time with friends, and swimming. Post graduation, Cody hopes to work within the human resources department for The United Parcel Service, hiring the next generation of employees that will allow UPS to continue moving at the speed of business.
	Camille Castro Camille Castro was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu specifically in Kalihi. She graduated from W.R. Farrington High School. Camille is a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa majoring in Travel Industry Management with an emphasis in Hospitality. Camille chose to pursue this degree since both of her parents have worked within the hospitality industry and have worked in hotels located in Waikiki. She was always curious to learn about hotel management. Camille would love to travel in the future as a job and thought that this degree would allow her to do so. As a TIM student, she plans to be involved in TIMSA, gain experience through internships, and build relationships with business professionals. When she’s not studying, Camille puts in hours at her part-time job at a tea place as a barista, while also working on her customer service skills. Post-graduation, Camille hopes to gain a position at a hotel in either housekeeping or sales management.
	Taylor Ledgerwood Taylor Ledgerwood was born on Oahu and raised in Hawaii Kai, and a graduate of Henry J Kaiser High School. She is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management with a focus on hospitality management during her time at the TIM School. Taylor wants to pursue a degree in TIM because of her love and commitment to Hawaii, its land, culture, and future. She would like to help the visitor industry understand the beauty of Hawaii and encourage sustainable efforts across the tourism industry. Her main goal post-graduation is to work in sustainable management in the hospitality industry here in Hawaii.
	Macy Luke Macy Luke was born and raised in Aiea, Hawaii and graduated from Moanalua High School with the class of 2019. She is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management and plans to focus on transportation and tourism management during her time at the TIM School. Macy is pursuing a degree in TIM as she loves to travel, help people, and wants to be a part of the future of Hawaii’s tourism industry. In the upcoming years, Macy hopes to finish her two internships within the industry. She is currently interning at the Blue Note Hawaii and is looking forward to her second internship as a Ho’oilina scholar. She would also like to assume a leadership position in one of the TIM clubs. In her free time, Macy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring and eating at new places, playing Okinawan Eisa Taiko, and listening to music. Post graduation, Macy hopes to work within the transportation industry more specifically for an airline which has been a dream of hers since she was young.
	Megan Ibara Megan Ibara was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and is a graduate of Kaiser High School. She is a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is double majoring in Travel Industry Management and Chinese Language Flagship. Megan is pursuing her TIM degree because she wants to make people feel at home whenever they are out on vacation. She loved her previous experiences at hotels and restaurants and wants to provide that same feeling for her future guests. Megan also hopes to study abroad in Japan, China, and Taiwan in order to learn more about other people’s cultures and to learn a new language. Megan is currently an officer of the Travel Industry Management Student Association and hopes to continue being a leader for this club. During her free time, Megan likes to chat with her friends, go on social media, and go to the mall with her friends. Megan also enjoys being with her family and likes to watch movies with them. After graduation, she would like to work abroad to improve her language skills. She would like to work at Disneyland or any other theme park.
	Janisse Ibana Janisse Precious Ibana was born in the Philippines and was raised mainly on the west side of Oahu. She is a graduate of Waipahu High School. Janisse is pursuing a degree in TIM as she fell loves working in the hospitality industry, witnessing the smiles and curiosities of guests. She is the President of Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and was the 2021 Women in Lodging and Tourism scholarship recipient. In Spring 2022, Janisse was recognized as the Special Student Leader in TIM at the annual Shidler Business Night. She has interned at ClimbHI as their Special Events Intern where she coordinated LEI (Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration) events. She has also interned at The Pacific Club as the Food and Beverage Intern where she was subsequently promoted to full-time Catering Coordinator. Janisse is enthusiastic about growing and gaining new skills on her industry journey. She values learning from others, genuine connections, and hearing about other people’s passions. Post-graduation, Janisse aspires to be a part of the food and beverage and catering industry in either private clubs or resorts.
	Korey Hanaike Korey Hanaike was born on the island of Kauaʻi and currently lives in Waiohuli, Maui. She is a graduate from King Kekaulike High School, as well as Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kekaulike, in which she was immersed in the Hawaiian language and culture. Korey is a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Travel Industry Management with an emphasis in tourism as well as a minor in Hawaiian Language. Through her education, she hopes to promote Hawai‘i’s travel industry in a sustainable way, encouraging values that align with those of local communities. It is important to Korey that she is an active member in both school and community settings while she is a student here at Mānoa. Post graduation, Korey is open to different career pathways, but plans on becoming an event planner. In her freetime, she loves to adventure around the islands and spend her days at the beach.
	Vivian Thach Vivian Thach was born and raised in Palolo, Hawaii and is a proud graduate of Kaimuki High School. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management with a focus on hospitality management. Vivian is pursuing a degree in TIM as she enjoys traveling the world and hopes to implement worldwide relations and sustainability practices within the world of tourism. Her goal as a TIM student is to be able to assume a leadership position in TIM student club, Travel Industry Management Student Association, otherwise known as TIMSA, in order to build connections with her future colleagues and to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new restaurants and going around the island while discovering hidden spots along the way. Post graduation, Vivian hopes to become a people and culture coordinator at a major hotel branch in Seattle, Washington.
	Makena Cowan Makena Cowan was born and raised in Lahaina, Hawaii and a graduate of Lahainaluna High School. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management and plans to focus on hospitality management during her time at the TIM School. Makena is pursuing a degree in TIM to continue positive efforts of sustainability in the industry and maintain respectful education to visitors of the islands. She hopes to involve herself in the Surfrider Club, TIMSA, and AHLA Clubs, to stay involved with all aspects of her interests in the industry. In her free time, she loves to go to the beach with her family and friends. She’s passionate about ocean restoration and enjoys her time outside. Post graduation, Makena hopes to find a career in the hospitality industry whether it's on the island of Maui or Oahu. She would prefer to work in the hotel industry on Maui or in organizations that implement safe environmental practices in tourism areas.