Kamakana Gilman

Hello!

My name is Kamakana Gilman. I grew up on the North shore of Oahu, in a little town called Laie. I went to Kahuku High and Intermediate school. In high school I was able to partake in the early college program which allowed me to get my AA at Windward Community College while also getting my high school diploma. If I were an artistʻs tool, A piece of paper, I think I learned that I love creating opportunities or sparking the creative thoughts that people have. There's something very raw and passionate that you get to experience when an artist has their initial idea or creative spark. A piece of paper could either symbolize the freedom one could have with that paper or for me, when I have those sparking moments I instantly write it down on a piece of paper. It's a simple but extremely necessary process artist or creatives need.

Research Topic: Media Impact: The Evolution of College Football Recruitment

Research Question: How does the NIL affect both the recruiters and recruits?

Abstract:

As football recruitment evolves, social and digital media now play a major role in shaping athlete visibility, personal branding, and opportunities. This paper examines how an athlete’s digital footprint—past posts, images, and captions—can directly influence recruitment across high school, college, and professional levels, drawing on firsthand insights from NFL safety Alohi Gilman. It also explores the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) legislation on athlete media engagement. Together, these findings highlight the need for student-athletes to manage their online presence with professionalism and intention as they navigate today’s media-saturated recruiting landscape.

Capstone Practicum: D/Stone Creative Media

Project Deliverable: Athlete Unknown (video podcast series)

Capstone Proposal:

PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE:

The practicum is a planned, supervised, and evaluated practice experience. The goal of the practicum is to provide an opportunity for the student to synthesize, integrate, and apply practical skills, knowledge, and training learned through courses, to gain professional experience in a professional work environment, and to work on creative media projects that revolve around the research they conducted in the prior semester.

Practicum placements are individually selected and therefore, the focus, substance, and approach of the practicum will vary, depending on the studentʻs concentration and the specific interests, research goals, and professional objectives.

DELIVERABLE:

For her senior capstone podcast, Kamakana interviewed athletes, coaches, and community members willing to speak candidly about the complexities of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in today’s sports landscape. Despite NIL being a hot and often taboo topic—especially within local athletics—her podcast created a rare space for open dialogue. Guests shared personal experiences, concerns, and hopes surrounding how NIL is reshaping recruiting, opportunities, and athlete responsibility. Through these conversations, she highlighted the uncertainty, tension, and possibility that NIL introduces, offering listeners an honest, nuanced look into an issue many are hesitant to address publicly.

Go and check it out!

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