I was born in Kaunakakai on the island of Molokai, in the state of Hawaii.  My Dad owned a restaurant with my grandmother and my Mom was the administrative secretary at the local hospital.  When I was three, my parents and I moved to Hilo, Hawaii so that they could finish college.  They both became high school teachers and after six years, we moved back to Molokai where I spent the remainder of my childhood.  I spent my days in and out of my grandparents’ house while my parents dedicated their lives to education. I grew up with many cousins, three of which are the same age as I am.  We rode bikes and rollerblades, went on hikes, and built clubhouses.  I spent a lot of time at the beach with my family.  I loved to go camping, surfing, and diving.  I also was into music.  My Dad taught me to play guitar and I would jam out with him and my uncles on most weekends.   

 Despite living on a small island in the Pacific, my parents found ways to ensure that I experienced as much of the world as possible.  We visited California frequently growing up and we've also traveled to England, France, Italy, and Spain through a travel club I founded in high school.  I am the fourth generation of an immigrant family and I am multiethnic.  My large, loving family lives a simple life filled with hard work and gratitude.  We have a reunion every summer and we believe in faith, love, and strong values.  Tradition and community are important to me.  My values of Aloha and Ohana are evident in the work I do.