The Writing Center Staff

My name is Scott Nalani Kaʻalele and I was born and raised on Oahu, in beautiful Kaneohe on the windward side, and I currently reside in the Hawaiian Homelands division of Papakōlea. As a first generation Native Hawaiian college graduate, I have found that a student-centered pedagogy based in a composition and rhetoric background has allowed me to engage a student population both diverse in age and background. My recent research endeavors consist of popular culture and literary studies, with a focus on comics studies, and a bit of Shakespeare for fun. 

My name is Abbygail, but most people call me Abby! I'm a Secondary Education Major with an emphasis in English. I was born and raised on the Valley Isle, also known as the island of Maui, Hawai'i! I grew up in the ahupuaʻa of Wailuku, and my favorite spot is 'Īao Valley. However, I currently reside in the bustling city of Honolulu! My interests include crocheting, boba, singing, cats, and spending time with loved ones!

Amery (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in English and minoring in Japanese. While she has been speaking English her whole life, she has started learning Japanese since high school. Her academic interests are in languages and its nuances in meaning. Her post-graduate plan is to participate in the Japan English Teaching (JET Program). Her hobbies include reading books and exploring inner musings.

Anna is a fourth-year English major with a concentration in creative writing. She is also in the pre-med program so she has to deal with a lot of lab report writing (which she enjoys a lot less than creative writing, haha). She is the Editor-in-Chief of Ānuenue Review, an undergraduate journal supported by UHM’s English Department, and loves this role of helping undergraduate students amplify their voices through their creative craft. She also sails for the university’s sailing team and loves spending time in the ocean when she isn’t busy writing :) 

Armilla is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Sociology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Though Armilla enjoys research writing per their major, their heart resides in the English Department; they have a minor in English, with a focus on creative writing. When they are not writing or working, Armilla is likely untangling yarn for their knitting project or making a trip to the nearest boba place.

Brendon is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His areas of interest include cultural studies, specifically with Asian American and Indigenous studies. He was born and raised here in Hawaiʻi on Oʻahu. Outside of school, he enjoys binge watching TV shows and collecting vinyls.

Chloe is a third-year Secondary Education, English major who has a passion for analyzing works of literature. Ever since middle school, she has always dreamed of becoming an English teacher as a means to instill future generations with the same passion she has for reading, writing, and literature. After earning her undergraduate degree, she hopes to teach high school English, whilst pursuing a Master’s in English. During the times where she is not swamped with assignments, you can find her hanging out with friends, eating sushi or ramen, playing video games, or napping---which she encourages everyone to do :)

Majoring in both English and Psychology with a minor in Dance, Esther Tang likes to think that her majors reflect her personality, not only is she passionate about telling stories through writing and movement, but she is passionate about how and why stories come to be. Esther believes everyone has a story, and is a strong advocate for helping people tell their stories. When Esther is not reading, writing, or dancing, she loves doing sunrise Bible studies with her friends at Sandy’s.

Hi! My name is Gabby, I am a first year MA student in the Creative Writing Track. I got my undergraduate degree in Narrative Studies from USC with a minor in Cinematic Arts and I like to analyze storytelling across multiple mediums. When I'm not writing or reading, I'm riding my bike, cooking, or playing video games. I enjoy puns, so here's one for you: Why should you never write with a dull pencil?

Haley is a first-year MA student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a focus in literary studies. Her areas of interest include ambiguity, literature by women, and generational storytelling. She enjoys meeting and getting to know others through their writing. Born and raised on the west side, her passions outside of school are consuming art and talking about cats (especially her own).

Hello! My name is Jade, and I am an undergraduate student majoring in English. My interest began with, and continues to be in creative writing. I look forward to the opportunities to share ideas and motivate a positive writing experience.

Janessa is a first-year M.A. student in the English program with a focus in Cultural Studies in Asia/Pacific and creative writing. As an undergraduate, Janessa attended New Mexico State University where she doubled majored in English and Journalism Mass Communication. After college, Janessa worked professionally for three years as an editor, reporter and photographer for a daily newspaper in Alamogordo, N.M. Although she loved being a journalist, Janessa decided to change her life by backpacking around the world solo. While traveling she fell in love with many different cultures and lifestyles which ultimately lead to living and working abroad. Overseas she worked as a PADI Scuba Instructor and an English teacher. Her hobbies include reading, writing, hiking, diving, surfing, mixed martial arts, and talking story with anyone and everyone about everything.

Julie Jane is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in English and minoring in Ilokano with a particular interest in Filipino American literature. She was born and raised on the west side of Kaua‘i; she wants to return home in the future with the hope of contributing to the success of younger members of the community who had originally raised her through her prospective role as a teacher. During her free time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, play video games, and watch childhood cartoons and cooking videos.

Hello, I'm Kiera (any pronouns). I'm a second-year English and Psychology major and I grew up in Mililani. I'm very passionate about all forms and content of writing, so I'm eager to help you with whatever genre of writing you're working on. My interest is heavily rooted in the writing process itself, and my goal is to support you through your writing journey and tailor sessions to best suit your style. I believe collaboration and discussion is the most vital step in the process, so I'd love for you to share your work with me :)

Lin holds a Master's degree in Second Language Studies and is pursuing a PhD in the same department. Her study focuses on the ways people use language, gestures, and other resources in everyday and institutional interactions. She has been an academic writing instructor for international graduate students for over a year. Outside academia, she likes hanging out with her cats, reading novels, snorkeling, SUP, and practicing Chadō. 

Lindsey is a third year English major with a passion for contemporary literature, antiquity literature, and all things Greek mythology. Lindsey is currently an honors student studying Greek mythology adaptations. After graduating she plans on obtaining a masters, then entering the publishing field. Outside of school, she enjoys shopping, painting, puzzles, and being outdoors.  

Mason is a third-year English major from Hau'ula with a passion for creative writing (particularly high fantasy, horror, and Hawaiian fiction/nonfiction) and uplifting others to find their unique voice. A prospective English teacher, he strives to build skills and confidence in writers so they can succeed in both academia and a world stacked against them. When he’s not writing, he enjoys playing video games and spending time with friends.

Maiya is a fourth-year English Major from O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. She is passionate about reading (everything), enjoys discussing literature with peers, and loves learning about people’s work and aspirations. Maiya is currently pursuing a career in editing and is enthusiastic about providing constructive feedback. When she is not reading or writing, she is likely visiting animal shelters, at the beach, or spending time with her family. 

Melia (she/her) is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in English with an interest in creative non-fiction. She grew up in the Sierra Nevadas of Northern California and previously attended Cabrillo College in the central coast. Outside of academia, Melia enjoys following San Francisco Giants baseball, playing volleyball, watching 2000s rom-coms, and collecting music.

Mia (she/her) is a fourth year English major with a focus in Creative Writing. She was born and raised here on O'ahu, and has been an editor for various literary student publications since high school. She loves poetry, creative non-fiction, and the lyric essay, as well as harbors a guilty pleasure for YA fantasy novels. Most of her work is influenced by an unhealthy obssesion with fruit metaphors, feminine symbolism, cosmology, and the idea of the multiverse. Outside of English-related interests, she adores fashion, posseses a deep emotional attachment to her Spotify playlists, and moonlights as a barista trying to improve her latte art. 

My name is Rhea (she/her), I am a second year Masters student in the English Department. My recent research interests include ecocriticism, animality studies, and science writing. I am happy to work with students on all kinds of writing projects but some of my specialties include argumentative and research essays, abstracts and research reports, as well as citations.

Sierra is a third-year English major with an interest in creative writing. From Haʻikū, Oʻahu, Sierra has a love for everything rain-related, metaphor-ed & imagery-ed. She is passionate about helping writers create and awaken stories, and invites story-sharing and elder-embracing when she writes. When she is not doing English-major-related-things, she can be found baking and spending time with her sister. 

Sydney is a junior majoring in Secondary Education - English. She is passionate about learning and teaching. Currently Sydney is working on an Honors thesis focusing on how we can integrate more creative writing in the English Curriculum. She loves creative writing and thinks it is a fun way to acquaint students with the writing process while also helping them find their voices.

Aloha, my name is Kamehana, and I’m from Waimānalo, Oʻahu. I received my B.A. in Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian language from the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, and I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree in English with a focus on cultural studies. Some of my reading and writing interests include poetry, decolonial theory, and Hawaiian literature. Drawing from my experiences as a writer, proofreader, and transcriptionist for Native Hawaiian organization, Kauluakalana, I feel well-equipped to support writers from diverse backgrounds and across various disciplines in strengthening their writing practices. Outside of academia, my passions include growing food, surfing, sailing, and spending time with my pet pig, Pewa.

Wendy was born and raised on Maui. She has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology, a minor in English, and is currently working on her Master's degree in English (with a focus in Composition and Rhetoric). Her research interests include: the coevolution of rhetoric and public sphere ideology, storytelling rhetoric (particularly in folktales, fairy tales, and myths), popular culture rhetoric, posthumanity rhetoric, and composition pedagogy (i.e., the study of teaching writing).

Zhanna is currently an MA student in SLS in the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Having acquired her BA in Philology in Russia, Zhanna wanted to pursue a higher degree abroad. Her academic interests include instructional design and international education. She has been teaching English for more than four years. In her spare time, Zhanna enjoyes taekwondo, horse riding, ballet and video games. 

Z (they/he/she) is a third-year English major at University of Hawai’i at Mānoa with a focus in creative writing. They have a love of all things fiction, but they enjoy talking about any form of creative project. They have a passion for story-telling and is fascinated with how the human experience comes through in different forms of writing. As they plan to become a creative writing teacher, they strive to make a safe and productive space for writers to find their voices and learn about their personal writing process.