Living at Hawaii Loa Campus

For the past two semesters, I have lived at Hawaii Loa Campus(HLC). This is our Windward location, which means it's not on the metropolitan side where Honolulu is, but on the more natural side with smaller towns like Kailua and Kaneohe. 

I am so glad that I lived on this campus for the first couple months here on Hawaii. Living here, I made so many friends I never would have met otherwise, and allowed us to bond over the joys of having geckos skirting around and discovering that the weather can be completely different once you cross from one side of the island to the other. 

I also feel like I never would have made it over here had I lived any where else. I know over winter break when I lived Downtown, I missed the Dining commons and found that without living on this side I never come here. Which would be a real shame, since I can safely say I like it over here much better. 

This is largely in part because Lanikai Beach is just a short bus ride away, which is rated to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. Many students retreat to this beach as often as possible myself included. 

Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I mentioned zombies. And that's because we had some. In a campus-wide week-long game, at least. This years Humans versus Zombies consisted of many students running around and shooting each other with Nerf guns. Our campus looked like a war zone from the rouge ammo that littered our campus for the week It was all very enjoyable to watch from a safe distance. 

Apparently I Eat Like a Pig: This Revelation and More...

As a former exchange student, I had already been to my fair share of fancy dinners and had been trained in the art of etiquette quite thoroughly. However, over the years, my skills have deteriorated quite substantially! 

At the beginning of this month, HPU offered an event at a nearby cafe designed to train students on how to eat in a professional setting. Due to the fact I had already been through lessons such as this, I signed up merely for the 5 dollar four course meal (amazing food for that price, by the way!). 

Once we started the meal, I quickly realised I had forgotten nearly everything except the very basic tips you could easily pick up from sitcoms, so I ended up re-learning quite a bit! 

I cannot stress enough how great this event was, and so many students I talked to did not even think to take advantage of it, or didn't know it was going on because they didn't read their newsletter. I hate to tell people what to do (for the most part), but one thing I stress too much now is to read the newsletter. 

We have SO many events for such a small campus, and not nearly enough students take advantage of the numerous networking seminars, free movies, career development opportunities, and free services the school offers! 

For the upcoming week, I have a networking seminar, and for the week after that? An alumni perspective opportunity! 

Hello all! So after a crazy amount of work and meetings and talking about it, Hawaii Pacific University officially has a Gay-Straight Alliance again.  I am so pumped to be able to be the president of this RSO (Registered-Student Organization). Even though we haven’t even had our first meeting yet, I have already talked and met people I never would have otherwise, which is amazing.

I'm so thankful to everyone who helped me, and I'm sure will help me, make this a reality. HPU was supportive, helpful, and most of all—understanding. I can only hope that I can be as great as the staff have been to me these past few weeks. Being in charge of this club is such an honour to me already, and a lot of responsibility. The fact so many faculty and staff have encouraged and helped me in so many ways is so edifying. 

I know it’s going to be even more hard work, but this RSO will strive to create an even more open and accepting community. As someone who really needed this kind of space in high school, I am over the moon at the fact that I can be a leader on-campus of a group that aims not only to educate, but create a more aware and proactive student body. As I am sure any poor soul who asked me about this project heard, we here at HPU have this great advantage of being one of the most diverse schools, in one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states, and because of this we should be utilizing that platform.

If the past few weeks have shown me anything, it’s that I should be even more excited for the ones to come. Have a gay day! 

Hello everyone (but let's be honest, probably just my mom)!

My name is Mackenzie and I am a freshman here at Hawai'i Pacific University. I was born in San Diego, CA, but I have lived most my life in Mattoon, IL. I am currently studying International Relations after being inspired by my time as a Rotary Youth Exchange student to South Korea for my junior year of high school.

I am so excited to share this adventure of mine with all of you, so stay tuned for the many antics (and anecdotes) that are sure to come.