UH Hilo Fall 2021 Commencement Celebration Personal Messages

Blessings and all the best to each graduate. May you truly live to inspire humanity and a healthier environment through each path you travel.
— Rebecca A Spain

Life is tough. Whether circumstances were your fault or not, it's never too late to change them. The moment you have the opportunity, seize it! Graduating with my first university degree at 41 was a choice to follow my dreams and not let anything get in that way. Don't let fear stop you. Take that first scary step, then the next one, and the next one and soon enough it gets easier and before you know it your goal is within reach. Even if there's a few steps back along the way, think of it like a song. Music is not linear, there's highs and lows, and sometimes you have to move in a different direction-- as long as you come back to the beat (goal). Where before long you'll have created your own personal melody to dance your way through life with <3
— Missy Kiakeiki Keiko Miyashiro

Whether invisible or visible, scars tell our story of struggles and pain, and also of healing and hope. They are our personal badges of honor, shouting to the world that we survived! So, wear them with pride.

~personal mantra
— Missy Kiakeiki Keiko Miyashiro

Awareness, Clarity, Relationships, Self-Care, Love. I AM PEACE, LOVE, AND JOY!
— Shana Elena Hokulani Kealoha

I have a motto and creeds that I go by and will keep. My motto is “I want others and myself to L.I.V.E. To Learn, Inspire, Venture, and Enjoy.”

My creeds of my life are Life, Love, Hope, and Balance. Appreciate the ‘Life’ around you, ‘Love’ the ones or things that you can, ‘Hope’ to inspire others and for a prosperous tomorrow, and finally have ‘Balance’ in your universe to keep stability.
— Nicholas W Eisen

One thing that I learned from my college experience is this, “ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”- Philippians 4:19, I have learned when the journey gets tough, you can always lean on ke Akua to make it to the end.
— Shay Garcia-Yamashita

With God all things are possible. - Matthew 19:26
— Dante M. Bohanny

Treat others the way you want to be treated
— Andrelyn Marie Delos Santos Dela Cruz

You are the artist of your own life. Donʻt hand the paintbrush to anyone else.
— Leslie J Lockhart

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

- Psalm 23:4
— Talen Piʻimakaliʻielewalani Heinicke

You can do anything you put your mind to. The sky is the limit, do not let anyone tell you otherwise.
— Talen Piʻimakaliʻielewalani Heinicke

Take pride in how far you've come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don't forget to enjoy the journey.

- Micheal Josephson
— Rachel Elizabeth Willard

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a beautiful mystery to be lived!
— James Robert Boyd

Life is not a race, rather the fulfillment of your life at your pace.
— Reynelson Kealo-alii Martin

Thank you to my family that has helped through the roughest times, and seeing me graduate. I would like to thank my professors that helped me graduate. "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Winston Churchill
— Andrew Shosei Ban

Listen to the advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:20-21
— Krystal Leslie Hax

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment"
— Kylee Ke'alohilani Hirayama

"Do not give up if you stumble, stand up, head held high and keep moving forward."
— Dusty Joash

“This is the real secret of life – to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”
- Alan Watts
— Jamie Enrica Gardenia Pagan

To whoever reads this,

I hope you do not allow any setback to define you or your goals. I know that life can be difficult at times and can make you ask yourself what is my purpose? You'll even have moments where things don't go as planned, but please do not be so hard on yourself. Give yourself some time to relax, reflect, and enjoy each day. Always remember that you can do anything you want to as long as you believe in yourself. If you do not feel like you can or do not have anyone to support you, I'll believe in you. I may not be someone you know but I've been in your position before and things do change, they do get better. It may take time but if you are willing to challenge yourself, then you can accomplish anything your heart desires.

With love,

Tory.
— Torylee Haunani Keiko Castro

"College went by way too fast. It feels like I didn't have time to stop and relax half the time."
- Chris Hanley 2021

"I will choose a path that's clear. I will choose free will."
-from the song Free Will by Rush

Parting words of wisdom: Always turn something in at the deadline even if it is not yet perfect and try to start projects as soon as possible.
— Christopher Kalani Hanley

Never give up
No matter what the odds
And you will move mountains
— Jamie L. Stancik

KEEP STEPPING

“You don’t get what you wish for. You get what you work for.” – Daniel Milstein

“Every person you meet knows something you don’t; learn from them.” —H Jackson Brown Jr.

“The noblest question in the world is: What good may I do in it?” — Benjamin Franklin

Officially signing out as a PROUD VULCAN, cheehoo!
— Deborah S Meleiseā

Always love yourself, make friends, be humble and courageous, break the boundaries and fly high...
— Thathmini Dasunika Kularatna

"My wish, for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, your worries stay small."
-Rascal Flatts
— Shaelee Avis West