The Environmental Law Program is thrilled to welcome Miranda Steed and U‘ilani Tanigawa, who will join us as our two newest research associates. As research associates, they will support the continued growth and success of the program for the next two years under the guidance of ELP Director David Forman and Assistant Director Shalanda Baker. ELP would also like to wish the best of luck to outgoing RAs, Kaily Wakefield and Olan Leimomi Fisher.
Miranda is originally from the west coast, having grown up in both San Diego, CA and Portland, OR. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a BA in International Studies and French and minors in Environmental Studies and African Studies. Her interest in the environment developed at a young age, but she did not decide law school was the best route until she started taking environmental studies courses. She is most passionate about the area of environmental justice. In her free time, Miranda loves to snorkel.
Uʻilani was born and raised in Makawao, Maui and now resides in Heʻeia, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu. As a dancer and hula practitioner with Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, Uʻilani first found her passion for and foundation in ʻike Hawaiʻi through hula. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Hawaiian Studies from Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her studies there developed her passion into a sense of kuleana for social justice and advocacy. With this background, Uʻilani is interested in the field of Environmental Law, given Hawaiʻi’s unique geographical position. As an Evening-Part-Time Student, Uʻilani finds excitement in integrating cultural knowledge with the law, while continuing her work at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Welcome to the ELP team, Miranda and U‘ilani!
Furthermore, while we are excited to welcome our newest members of the team, we would also like to bid farewell and offer our best wishes to our graduating research associates, Kaily Wakefield and Olan Leimomi Fisher.
Kaily is looking forward to continuing to be involved with environmental advocacy after law school. During her time as an ELP RA, her favorite memories are of the numerous lunchtime panels, the days working in the courtyard garden, and all of the hardworking and inspirational friends and mentors she met through the program at Richardson. One of her fondest memories was attending and presenting at the IUCN Congress in 2016. Kaily is especially grateful for the support and encouragement from Professor Forman, Dean Antolini, Professor Burkett, Professor Baker, and her fellow 3L RA Leimomi, as well as the other past present and future ELP RAs.
While Leimomi does not have any set plans after graduating, she says, “It is actually kind of exciting to just see where the wind takes me. I’ve been in school for the past 10 years straight, so it is nice to have a little breather until my next endeavor.” Leimomi has thoroughly enjoyed her time being an ELP RA as she was able to work with several interesting and smart people in the environmental & Native Hawaiian communities. Her favorite event was the Mauna Kea Panel that she organized last year while it was a hot topic amidst much protesting. She also enjoyed organizing the Hawaiian Home Lands Panel last year because she found it important to her as a Native Hawaiian. Leimomi is very grateful to Professor Forman for all of his guidance over these past two years, and will miss working with him, Kaily, Professor Baker, and the other RAs.
