New Rainbow Warrior Peer Leaders

Meet your 2024-2025 New Rainbow Warrior Peer Leaders!

Nico Canaria. Hometown: Aliso Viejo, California. Major: Anthropology. Minor: SLS, Spanish. Favorite Class: Philippine, Popular Culture. Advice: It's okay to be nervous about making new friends, everyone is also nervous too!

Sai Cepeda. Home Town: Dublin, California. Major: Blochemistry. Favorite Class: Application of Public Health Principles in Research and Practice. Advice: Explore and have fun, there are many things to do even if it's a smaller island. There are lots of opportunities for you so don't hesitate to make connections and network.

Mercy Cheng. Home Town: Taiwan. Major: Marketing. Favorite Class: Principles of Effective Public Speaking. Advice: As much as grades are important, don't let your grade define you or mess up your mental health. Enjoy your time in college. Work hard but also play hard!

Miki Cheung. Home Town: Macau, China. Major: Music Composition. Favorite Class: Music Theory II. Advice: Don't rush to make friends or be in a relationship. Enjoy the time with yourself. Knowing and understanding yourself is the key. The right people will come eventually!

Garindra Darmawan. Home Town: Jakarta, Indonesia. Major: Economics. Favorite Class: Introduction to Globalization. Advice: Find your own pace. Adjusting to college takes time. Trust the process, whether fast or slow. Everyone's adjusting in freshman year, so reach out to peers and build a support system.

Sophia Ibanez. Home Town: Kapaa, Kauai, Hawai'i. Major: Travel Industry Management, Minor: Filipino Language and Literature. Favorite Class: Food and Beverage Management. Advice: Don't hesitate to reach out to your professors, TAs, advisors, mentors, etc. if you have any concerns or questions. We are here to help you!

Amanda Kanthack. Home Town: Honolulu, Hawaii. Major: Psychology, Japanese. Favorite Class: Elementary Japanese II. Advice: Look into clubs or student organizations you want to participate in. It is by far one of the easiest ways to get to know people on campus and make friends with people who have similar interests.

Sagan Kurose. Home Town: Waipahu, Hawai'i. Major: Political Science, Korean, Minor: English. Favorite Class: Religion and Law in the United States. Advice: It is so important to get involved on campus whether it's through clubs, sports, programs, etc. By getting involved, you can feel more connected and a part of the UH Manoa community, It is also a great way to network and make friends!

Shaina Laguatan. Home Town: Kapolei, Hawai'i. Major: Political Science. Favorite Class: History of Political Thought. Advice: Find a study method that fits you. Time management is key for balancing school and personal life. Organize your time to avoid burnout. Take breaks, eat well, and trust yourself. Strong study habits will ease your transition to UH Manoa.

Tiffany Le. Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii. Major: Economics. Favorite Class: Economic. Advice: One piece of advice I'd give to students is to get involved in campus activities. It's a great way to meet new people and enhance your college experience.

Jacie Le. Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii. Major: Secondary Education-Mathematics. Favorite Class: Photography. Advice: One piece of advice I'd give to students is to read the syllabus! Syllabuses are so important as they hold all the information for the rest of the semester.

Keoni Martin. Hometown: Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Major: Nursing. Favorite Class: Application to Public Health Principles in Research and Practice. Advice: Make time to have fun in college! Join a club, attend a UHM sporting event, or attend the events held on campus which may have free food or merch.

Brianna Murray. Home Town: Plainfield, Illinois. Major: Secondary Education-Social Studies. Favorite Class: Slavery and Freedom. Advice: One piece of advice I would give to students is to not stress too much about everything all at once. It can be scary moving to a new place and being on your own, but once you settle in to your new space its less stressful/worrisome.

Kyla Musso. Home Town: Honolulu, Hawaii. Major: Political Science, Ethnic Studies. Favorite Class: Filipino Language. Advice: Pick a major you genuinely enjoy! UHM offers many options, so choose something you're passionate about, even if unconventional. Loving your subject makes your academic journey fulfilling and successful.

Aaron Paulo. Home Town: Waianae, Hawaii. Major: Public Health. Minor: Filipino. Favorite Class: Filipino Language. Advice: Find a studying method that works for you and surround yourself with people who push you to be better.

Maggie Rieken. Home Town: Denver, Colorado. Major: BS Biology, Minor: Korean. Favorite Class: Introduction to Biology 1. Advice: Spread out classes if needed, even if it delays graduation. Taking fewer classes can reduce stress and help your mental health. It's okay to take longer to finish your degree.

Kimberly Serratos. Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas. Major: Philosophy. Favorite Class: Philosophy. Advice: Your sleep is more important than anything else. You are a human being first and a student second!

Takeo Swallow. Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii. Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Favorite Class: Introduction to Biology 1. Advice: Take advantage of UH Manoa's opportunities.

Jace Tsukahira. Home Town: Richmond, California. Major: Exploratory Health Sciences. Favorite Class: Hawaiian Studies. Advice: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there because you'll meet people who have similar interests as you.

Cailey Umamoto. Home Town: Los Angeles, California. Major: Management and Marketing. Favorite Class: Introduction to Globalization. Advice: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there! Seek ways to get involved on campus and in activities that match your interests. It's a great way to meet new people and build your community at UHM.