Michael Coloma Taylor - UH Hilo Spring 2021 Commencement Celebration Graduate

Mahalo Campus Center Team,

For providing students, like myself, a space to grow as leaders. I've met great mentors, great friends, and have become a better person through the celebrations and hardships the CSOs and its programs have put me through. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I wish I could be here longer to draw it out further. Thank You especially Matt, Maile, Lai Sha, and even Uncle Randy for being the mentors and friends I needed over the years I've been involved on Campus.

To my friends I've made over these last four years: my roommates, my classmates, my lecturers, kumus/senseis/professors... thank you for the knowledge you've given me along this journey.

My roommates and friends; thank you for putting up with me, my 2am cleanings, overnight cram sessions, and being my go-to people for the weekend. From hours of D&D, to good vibes just chilling, to my friends I've made here, thank you for loving me for who I am, quirks and all.

To all of my teachers: Mahalo Nui, ありがとうございます, Thank You. You all showed me the passion you had for your subject and you have all become my role models in your own ways. You all were essential in making me understand the world in ways I never thought of– there are bits of each in you in the person I am now.

Mahalo to my ʻohana on the Big Island and Oʻahu.

To the Ka'aihue 'ohana thank you for supporting me through this academic journey– wether it be letting me live with you for a few months, taking me to see the beauty of the island, or even taking me grocery shopping– I greatly appreciate every ounce of effort you had put in to making me happy while I've been here. Thank you for never making me feel homesick, because you made big island my home for these last few years.

To my family on O'ahu, and most especially my mom, dad, and brother – thank you for always rooting for me. I do all of this because of the unconditional support you've given me. Thank you for giving me my reasons for never giving up, and reminding me who I am– but most especially never giving up on me.

Love you!