I ka nānā no a ʻike.
By observing, one learns.
— ʻŌlelo noʻeau no. 1185
Welina mai to a critical, Indigenous, wahine ʻŌiwi space to speak back to the "Ivory Tower" of academia through humanizing reflections on my ongoing educational and career journey.
I use this blog to document personal updates, book reviews, and reflexive writing. Mahalo for taking the time to engage with me.
Celebrating Makahiki with Kalo & Hoʻopono
In this post, I share an ʻoli for Lono and reflect on a 2025 Makahiki celebration.
HONUA Scholars’ 2025 Laulima Symposium
In this post, I provide a brief reflection and a collection of pictures from HONUA Scholars’ 2025 Laulima Symposium.
A Reality Check on Collective (Un)Wellness
In this post, I reflect on a recent temperature check in an undergraduate class (Fall 2025).
AISES 2025 Reflection
In this post, I reflect on my first attendance at the 2025 AISES Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
New Reality: Undergraduate Teaching, Grant Writing, & Relationship Building
In this post, I reflect on my new reality as an acting assistant professor at Berkeley School of Education.
ʻAʻole SFFA! I Mua Kamehameha!
In this post, I reflect on the current attack on Kamehameha Schools’ Admissions Policy, which gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry.
Retreats Galore! Orienting Myself to Campus and the Berkeley School of Education
In this post, I reflect on a week of faculty retreats at UC Berkeley.
Building and Dreaming Asian American and Pacific Islander Transpacific Futures
In this post, I share pictures and a brief reflection on a new academic appointment for Asian American and Pacific Islander Transpacific Futures.
A Weekend in NYC with NYU Steinhardt
In this post, I share pictures and a brief description of NYU Steinhardt’s in-person networking event.
Officially PAU (with the PhD)
In this post, I reminisce on finishing the PhD and graduation.
HONUA Scholars’ Onizuka Day Outreach
In this post, I share brief reflections on recent community outreach with HONUA Scholars.
National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship Reflections
In this post, I share four points of reflection on the 2025 spring retreat for the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation dissertation and postdoctoral fellowships.
Post-Graduate Pathway Reflections: Day 4
In this post, I share reflections and key takeaways from Day 4 of NYU’s 2025 First Faculty-Look Program.
Post-Graduate Pathway Reflections: Day 3
In this post, I share reflections and key takeaways from Day 3 of NYU’s 2025 First Faculty-Look Program.
Post-Graduate Pathway Reflections: Day 2
In this post, I share reflections and takeaways from the second day of NYU’s 2025 Faculty First-Look Program.
Post-Graduate Pathway Reflections: Day 1
In this post, I share a few key takeaways and reflections from the first day of NYU’s 2025 Faculty First-Look Program.
Celebrating student engagement in STEM
Reflections on the third annual HONUA Scholars Laulima Symposium and Proposal Competition
Our work continues: Remembering what’s at stake in the aftermath of Nov. 5
A brief, post-election reflection and a reminder of what’s at stake
Enacting Kūʻē in academia
In this post, I share a brief moʻolelo of my upcoming article on a qualitative study of kūʻē (resistance) among Native Hawaiian students from 2019–2024.
Life lately: Listening, learning, and embracing my anger
This past week was jam-packed with events — a symposium, a public talk, a night market, a work day — and opportunities to reconnect with old friends and build pilina with new ones.