Aloha!

Welcome to my summary page, where you'll learn more about who I am both personally and professionally.

I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, and continue to feel a deep sense of commitment to bettering the lives of both individuals and families here.

I obtained my Undergraduate degree in Justice Administration from UH West Oahu, with the goal of one day becoming an attorney. During that time, I took on an internship with the Office of the Public Defender that powerfully and unexpectedly re-steered my professional trajectory. I knew deep within my core that I wanted to help people in the criminal justice system dealing with complex levels of trauma and addiction, but after spending countless hours in courtrooms and volunteering in jails, I realized that advocacy for individuals in this space was meant to look a little different for me. I was then inspired to continue my education to help effect change on a deeper, more individual level.

This led me to obtaining my Masters in Criminal Justice from Chaminade University in 2022, and returning in 2023 for my Masters in Counseling Psychology, specializing in Mental Health Counseling (I am currently in this program today and anticipate graduating in June 2026). I felt that if I were to have any success in working with people to explore their traumas and rewrite their stories in a way that allows them to rebuild their lives, it needs to happen outside of a courtroom.

…and that leads me to my work today. As Executive Coordinator for Safe & Sound Waikiki, I work to assist people caught in a cycle of crime, homelessness, and/or serious mental illness in getting connected to the sustainable, long-term help they need. It is a perfect combination of my passions and a sturdy foundation for me to only build from into the future.

Lastly – but most importantly and dear to my heart – is that I am a proud mom to my daughter. She keeps the fire within me alive to continue advocating for a better future, and it will be my life's most important work to have created something that helps her and her generation thrive.