Career Pathways
Career Pathways
Arts & Communications
- Multi-disciplined Artist :Willow Chang
- “I’ve always been an artistically inclined person; it doesn’t feel like a choice, but a part of my emotional DNA. It’s who I am. It’s what I was born to do.”
- Fashion Designer : Allison Izu Song
- Allison Izu Song, 31, found her place in Hawai‘i’s fashion industry by tailoring a denim line to fit petite women like herself.
- Director of Photography: Michael Kalili
- Michael Kalili’s photography career first started with cleaning toilets. But, all that hard work paid off because the freelance photographer is now the director of photography for Spike TV’s reality show...
- Lead Instructor: Peter Shin
- From a young age, Peter Shin had healing hands. The 10-year-old boy rubbed his mother’s achy shoulders at holiday celebrations, while his other relatives waited their turn.
- Webmaster: Casey Cho
- Most parents raise their children with an ideal life in mind. Casey Cho's parents were no different.
- Disc Jockey: Sam The Man
- There is so much more to being a disc jockey (DJ) than going to parties and meeting famous celebrities. As Sam The Man likes to put it, you’re the voice of the people.
- Station Technician: Aaron Chun
- For Aaron Chun, television production sparked an interest in him while he was already in college.
- Literary Writer: Lee Tonouchi
- Growing up, the first Pidgin word that Lee Tonouchi learned was "bumbye."
- Newspaper Photographer: Andrew Shimabuku
- Andrew Shimabuku picked up a camera four years ago and started snapping shots of things that struck his fancy on a stay in Japan-with no formal training or fancy equipment.
- Hair Stylist: Kiyoshi Mizuta
- Four years prior to becoming a hair stylist, Kiyoshi patiently paid his dues, working his way up the ladder.
- Graphic Designer: Brian John Sabate
- Sabate, 30, earned a degree in graphic design from the University of Washington, and returned to Hawaii in 1999...
- Fashion Designer: Chelsea Gines
- This 18-year-old swimsuit designer with the Pink C design company, knew exactly what she wanted to do right from the get go.
- Filmmaker: Edgy Lee
- For artist and filmmaker Edgy Lee, the notion of transition is an all too familiar experience.
- Sports Anchor: Steven Uyehara
- It's almost like a job for an adrenaline-junkie. Just to be able to say that you did all that you did - that's HUGE.
Business
- Business Owner: Abi Langlas
- This ambitious attitude has allowed her to live in France and England. It’s allowed her to work as a pastry chef at Alan Wong’s Restaurant, one of the most prestigious restaurants on O‘ahu. And most recently, it’s allowed her to call herself a small-business owner.
- Sales Assistant: Teona Marie Cosare
- There’s no escaping the fact that college costs are rising. According to College Board, the majority of families paid an average yearly increase of $95 to $1,404 between 2007 and 2008.
- President & Managing Director: Veronica Kaneko
- Veronica Kaneko started out working the counter, and in her 31 years with McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawai‘i Inc., she climbed the food chain to become president and managing director—the region’s top corporate position.
- Director of Guest Relations: Dave Kaneshiro
- Dave Kaneshiro doesn’t have the office you might expect for a manager at the prominent Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa.
- Deposit Operations Analyst: Leandra Fontillas
- Working mother Leandra "Leanne" Fontillas has been employed at American Savings Bank (ASB) for more than 15 years, and her commitment to success is evident both on and off the clock.
- Accountant: Sonia Mulare
- These days it's difficult to find a 26 year old with the expertise and tenure that Sonia Millare has.
- Human Resources Manager: Eileen Nepomuceno
- Overseeing more than 1,800 employees could be a difficult task for some people. But for Eileen, she loves the fact that no two days are ever alike...
- Wedding Planner: Dawn Nash
- Dawn M. Nash of The Romance Specialists is Hawaii's only licensed wedding planner certifier
- Video Producer: John Garcia
- John can do everything from web development, to photography, to graphic design, and even branding and marketing of products...
- Retail Sales: Frankie Thompson Jr.
- Frankie has no one to rely on for any kind of financial support. For the first time, he was on his own.
- Financial Advisor: Jodi Nozoe
- Jodi Nozoe, 30, is a second-degree black belt, who correlates the philosophy of Judo with her career as a financial advisor...
- Branch Manager: Lianne Uradomo
- On the contrary to popular belief, there are lots of branch managers that don't have a degree in business.
- Sems Manager: Dennis Yoshida
- Find out where his love of soccer eventually landed the Hilo boy.
- Entrepreneur: Brooke Israel
- Fulfillment, enjoyment, and the 'warehouse workout.'
Health Services
- Dental Hygienist: Diane Kockelman
- As a kid, Diane Kockelman always loved going to the dentist. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that she never had any cavities.
- Registered Nurse: Teresa Chow
- or Teresa Chow, every workday is a reminder of the miracle and joy of life. As a postpartum nurse at Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center, she takes care of the women who have recently...
- Hospital Biller: Gail Miyasato
- According to employmentguide.com, the average American changes jobs 10 times and switches careers three times over the course of a lifetime.
- Massage Therapist: Jason Foranda
- Inspiration can be found anywhere and sometimes it comes in unexpected ways. For Jason Foranda, it came in the form of a high school elective class.
- Research Assistant: Christy Gilman
- With her youthful looks, Christy Gilman can still pass as a high school student, but don't be fooled, this 21-year-old is wise beyond her years.
- Nutritionist: Mia Inoshita
- Mia Inoshita is a dietician by trade, but her job duties at Meadow Gold Dairies aren’t as clear-cut as comparing apples to oranges.
- Physical Therapist: Lisa Curtis
- … by the time the three-sport athlete reached her senior year of high school she was already experiencing excruciating pain.
- PLASTIC SURGEON: Randolph Wong
- If someone told you that Dr. Randolph Wong's medical career began with an evening with Mr. Bufo Marinus, would you be surprised? You might.
- Optometrist: Cherilyn Lai
- With degrees in hand, Cherilyn has been back home practicing optometry with Mid Pacific Eyecare since 1994...
- Pharmacist: Jennifer Seo
- Jennifer worked hard throughout her educational career, and these days she's reaping the rewards.
- DENTIST - Kevin Suehiro
- Suehiro, 30, is a Kaneohe native, practicing dentistry at Koolau Family Dentistry for two and a half years now...
- Athletic Trainer: Garvin Tsuji
- Garvin Tsuji is a local boy who went away to college, but decided to come back home to start his career.
- Registered Nurse: Dee Ann Omatsu
- Dee Ann Omatsu knows something about sacrifices and persevering things that go "bump" in her life.
- Med-Tech: Ernest Pasion
- Who knew being a med-tech could be so fascinating? Besides doctors and nurses, who work at the hospitals? Did you know that med-techs can be fascinating? Ernest Pasion didn't even know such a profession existed when he started his journey beyond high school.
Industrial & Engineering
- Certified Kitchen Designer: Rick Cowan
- Rick Cowan, co-owner/president of Archipelago Hawai‘i, CKD, had a hammer in his hand way back in small-kid times.
- Operating Engineer: Keeley Bontog
- Most young girls grow up admiring their mothers. But Keeley Bontog was born with her dad’s gear-head genes. And, as daddy’s girl, she had an inherent inquisitiveness for tools, cars...
- Boilermaker: Jason Fierro
- As a kid growing up in the world’s surfing capital, O‘ahu’s North Shore, Jason Fierro never really got into the surf scene.
- Electrician: Lance Kawada
- If you don’t like the idea of being chained to a desk eight hours a day in a cubicle the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, you may want to consider a career in the industrial and engineering field.
- Automotive Mechanic: Nyguen Doan
- When Nyguen Doan graduated from high school, he signed up for the Computer Networking and Electronic Technology Program at Honolulu Community College (HCC).
- Assistant Superintendent: Kanani Langley
- Going to college wasn’t in the horizon for Kanani Langley so he took the tools that he acquired from high school, and built a solid career from the ground up.
- Engineer: Elaine Owens
- As a junior at McKinley High School, Elaine Owens found she had an innate interest in electronics…
- Glazier: Jordan Ross
- Jordan Ross has been enrolled in an apprenticeship program as a glazier - an artisan who cuts and installs glass and aluminum - for over two years.
- Information Technology Coordinator: Kazuo Chambers
- Kazuo moved to Hawaii not knowing where he fit in but what he eventually found, was paradise...
- Machinist: Kanoe Lauriano
- Kanoe never imagined she'd fix submarines for a living.
- Woodworker: Marian Yasuda
- After graduating from Punahou High School, Marian decided to major in art history at the University of Hawaii...
- Carpenter: Daphne Henion
- Daphne Henion have been tearing down the gender divide that has traditionally kept women out of male career bastions.
- Automotive Specialist: Travis Higa
- Travis Higa was 16 when he fell in love for the first time... with cars.
- Architect: Salli Morita
- Creating things that no one has ever seen, that no one else thought could be produced.
Natural Resources
- Canine Handler: Teri-Lyn Nagao
- “Atlas, are you ready to go?” Teri-Lyn Nagao calls as she pulls a freshly clean collar and leash from the dryer in the back of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) office under the airport.
- Research Assistant: Ayja Nakasone
- As a kid, Ayja Nakasone’s grandmother would baby-sit her, and the two would spend countless hours outside in her grandmother’s garden on the Windward side of O‘ahu.
- Geologist: Donielle Chittenden
- Most geologists are adept on land, as they study the composition, structure and other physical aspects of planet Earth. For 27-year-old geologist Donielle Chittenden, it’s the sky that has no limits.
- Veterinarian: Leianne Leeloy
- After Li‘i, the poodle, displayed aggressive behavior, his original owners discarded him. But, he was one lucky dog.
- Recycling Specialist: Chris Hirota
- Growing up surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Chris Hirota spent most of his free time fishing, diving and surfing.
- Agricultural Inspector: Jonathan Ho
- His story may have a happy ending, but things didn’t come easy for Jonathan. He scratched and clawed his way through college, and his career goal finally became a reality about 12 months ago…
- Humane Investigator: Neal Chung
- "If you love animals than this is the job for you. We find them a good home, and give them a better chance at having a good life,"
- Astronomer: Marianne Takamiya
- Marianne has finally achieved her life-long goal of becoming an astronomer, but she has also found a second calling in the process.
- Oceanographer: Carolyn Berger
- While searching for the right career path, Carolyn explored every option, and she made sure nothing was left uncovered...
- Farmer: Dean Okimoto
- Living proof that a solid education can benefit a person in any line of work.
- Golf Course Manager: Kevin Ginoza
- Kevin, 30, is the golf course manager at the Makalei Golf Club in Kona...
- Meterologist: Kevin Kodama
- Kodama has a bachelor's degree in Meteorology and master's degree in Atmospheric Sciences...
- Aquarium Biologist: Kelley Lam
- Kelley Lam has a job that's almost like being a concierge, fish doctor…
- Veterinary Technician: Darin Padula
- Darin has had his share of ups and downs and dry spells between jobs. he's had quite an adventure getting to where he's at now.
Public & Human Services
- Clinical Psychologist: Mary Horn
- When life gets tough … the psychologists get to work. Throughout her career, clinical psychologist Mary Horn has helped people
- Crisis Therapist: Christopher Smith
- As a youth in Sacramento, Calif., Christopher Smith dreamed of joining the CIA and becoming an operations officer in China.
- Assistant Professor: Ty Tengan
- Ty Tengan always felt a little bit like an outsider growing up on Maui.
- Social Worker: Julie Tsutsui
- In this society, we hear about family crises only after tragedy strikes. As we sip our orange juice and munch on our breakfast, we peruse news headlines that read, “Man gets life in death of baby.”
- EMT: Jenna Gandy
- "I'm always excited to come to work," says Jenna Gandy, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
- Youth Corrections Officer
- Due to financial reasons, college was not an option for Mary Lemau. She lost her mother when she was 13 years old, leaving her father to care for the family.
- Police Officer: Aaron Carvalho
- It was Aaron Carvalho's boyhood dream to someday become a police officer. In 2003, the 26-year-old was recruited by the Hawaii County Police Department, making his fantasy a reality.
- College Counselor: Sheldon Tawata
- Sheldon Tawata wasn't supposed to graduate from high school, but he did…just barely.
- Dining Room Attendant: Dean Gushi
- With every career opportunity that comes along, there are always going to be two sides to the coin...
- Social Worker: Karley Higashiguchi
- Growing up, Karley felt like the big fish swimming in a small pond.
- Fire Chief: Debbi Eleneki
- Debbie Eleneki proved her doubters wrong 19 years ago when she became the first woman firefighter in the history of the Honolulu Fire Department...
- Executive Chef: Ronald Nasuti
- Ronald Nasuti, 36, always knew what he wanted to do in life. And that, ladies in gentlemen, was to be come a well-respected chef.
- FBI Special Agent: Arnold Laanui
- For Arnold Laanui, being an FBI Special Agent isn't a job- it's a way of life.
- Teacher: Robin Kitsu
- Robin's projects demand energy, dedication, and commitment. And his students energetically follow his lead.
Military Pathway
- Intelligence Analyst: Austin Bennett
- In a Honolulu meeting room, Specialist Austin Bennett stands in front of a large projected map of Afghanistan. In this mock briefing, the relief of roadways, mountains and waterways create squiggling lines across his face.
- ROTC Recruiter: Kenneth Lee
- Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, once said, “Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.”
- LPN: Marimon Maskell
- Marimon Maskell was born in Hilo, but her family moved to San Diego, Calif., before she was old enough to recall living in the lush, Island community. Marimon, named after her parents Maria and Ramon...
- Military Police Officer: Tulasi Tamayo
- While most 21-year-olds are wrapping up their college years or just breaking into newfound careers, Tulasi Gabbard Tamayo was campaigning for office.
- Firefighter: Kyle Miyahana
- Kyle Miyahana had no money saved for college, nor did he have financial support from his parents. But, he did have a burning desire to go to college.
- Supply Officer: Kevin Inoue
- Kevin Inoue slid under the radar when he was in high school . He maintained a 3.0 GPA and passed all his classes, but amazingly he did it without drawing attention to himself
- F-15 Pilot: Curtis Yoshimoto
- In high school Curtis Yoshimoto didn't aim high. After he graduated, his immediate future really didn't look too bright.
- Aircraft Structural Repair Mechanic: Paul Watkins
- When older brother Luke enlisted in the Army National Guard, it seemed like a logical choice for Paul as well.
- Career Recruiter: Elmer Pagaragan
- Waipahu, born 'n raised, this 29-year-old son of a retired Army First Sergeant, spent many of his formative years in places he never thought he would live…
- Task Force Planning Specialist: Jeffery Loo
- Loo is a 19-year-old Private First Class, barely old enough to shave the baby hairs off of his face, but old enough to fight for what he believes in.
- Assistant Marketing And Advertising Specialist: Haunani Kahiapo
- Army National Guard is one branch of the U.S. Military that gives guardspeople flexibility to pursue diverse professions while, providing for the nation's defense.
- Eagle Vision: Tiara Kitagawa
- When a crisis erupts in the Pacific, they're at the scene with a bird's-eye view.
- Helicopter Pilot: Byron Cadiz
- 'I just wanted to drop my stuff, lie down, and forget it. I wanted to give up.' See why he's glad he didn't.
- Pilot: Stefanie Lee
- First Lieutenant Stefanie Lee pilots the Hawaii Air National Guard's KC-135R. If you think driving a humongous gas tank lorry on the H-1 freeway is scary, it takes guts to take the Stratotanker into the air and link it up to another aircraft to refuel midair.
- Aeronautical Petroleum Specialist: Matthew Werts
- Serving with honor in the harshest conditions. 'Anything worth having is hard to get'.