On February 25, the sophomore class expanded their learning with different slate of classes. Various guests, many of them HBA alumni, came on campus to speak about their careers. It was an opportunity for students to learn about a variety of professions—from medicine and engineering to aviation and the culinary arts—in order to help them think about what career paths they might want to take.
Here are what some of the speakers had to say to the students:
AMANDA LEE (’14) – PILOT
Amanda Lee was a Lifer at HBA who graduated in 2014 and then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University before becoming a cargo pilot. In high school, she developed an interest in aviation after seeing the Blue Angels perform and decided to take gliding lessons. Speaking about what she enjoys most about her job, she shared, “What I love most is the people. And I also like the challenge of being able to manipulate a machine that large and be able to grease that landing or fly into whatever I need to fly into, weather-wise, or make decision [about the weather.]” Her advice to students who want to pursue career in aviation is this: “Everything you do starting now affects your career…those parties that you go to on the weekends? Make good decisions, because you know any speeding tickets, any DUIs, anything on your record will reflect that, especially In aviation. So what you do now and the choices you make now are important.”
STEPHANIE DANG (’16) – PHYSICAL THERAPIST
A 2016 HBA graduate who gained her further education at the Mayo Clinic Physical Therapy School, Stephanie Dang is a physical therapist at Rehab Pacific of the Pacific. Her job is to help patients recover or adapt after injuries or sickness. She stressed that communication is an essential skill in the healthcare field. “The great thing is that in any role (for example, group projects, volunteering, work experience) there are countless opportunities to grow in your communication and how you work with others,” she explained. Her advice to the students is this: “I would encourage you to stay open to different careers. You don’t need to have it figured out right away and it is never too late to switch paths if you feel another job may be a better fit for you.”
KAYCI KUMASHIRO (’17) – ARCHITECT
Kayci Kumashiro is a 2017 HBA graduate who earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Doctorate of Architecture at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. She is a designer at WCIT Architecture, a leading interior and architectural design firm in Honolulu. She describes the field of architecture as “an equilibrium of logical thought through problem solving in addition to creative innovation.” Kumashiro makes clear that architecture is also about “helping, respecting, and adding to culture.” The advice she has for students is this: “Take as many opportunities [as you can] to job shadow a professional or apply for summer internships. The best way to know if a career is a good fit is to experience it firsthand.” Kumashiro also wants students encourage students to patient as they figure out their career paths in the next few years. “Also, don’t feel too much pressure to try to figure everything out right away,” she said. “As you gain more experience and grow as a person and professional, your interests may change, but take every experience as an opportunity to learn something about yourself.”
RACHEL SANTIAGO (’08) – PEDIATRICIAN
Rachel Santiago, from HBA’s Class of 2008, attended the John A. Burns School of Medicine. As a pediatrician, her focus is simple but not easy—to make sure children are healthy. She said, “I hope students remember that as they journey through college and beyond to keep an open mind to career options and that it’s never too late to change paths. Say yes to as many opportunities as you can.”
RENA TAKATSUKA (’19) – REGISTERED NURSE
Rena Takatsuka graduated from HBA in 2019, went to Hawai’i Pacific University, and became a Registered Nurse in 2023. She works as a Mother Baby Nurse, caring for postpartum mothers (women who have just given birth) and newborns who are just hours old. Her responsibilities include assessing, treating, and educating patients and their families before they leave the hospital.
Her advice to students is rooted in her belief that God gives people gifts to use for his glory. “Find the joy in discovering the gifts that God has given you and use those gifts to continue to serve Him and His people with great love,” she said. She shared her favorite Bible verse, 1 Peter 4:10, in her seminar. “[This is] a verse that I hold dearly, and my prayer for the students as they look toward the future [is this:] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful servants of God’s grace in its various forms. So, whether it’s nursing, teaching, engineering, or astronaut-ing, I urge you to find the joy in these precious and loving gifts that God has given each of us.”
TERESA LATHROP – MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST
Teresa Lathrop is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, helping people work through their psychological and relationship problems. She said, “I want [my clients] not to give up on themselves or their partners. And maybe it was my own trauma with my own family that makes me stick in there and say, this can be fixed. I think that people deserve hope. I think a lot of what I do relates to my Christianity.” She also gave this advice to students: “Never say you can do something you don’t have training for.”
KIN LUI – CHEF & OWNER OF TANE VEGAN IZAKAYA
Kin Lui was born in Hong Kong, arrived in Hawai’i when he was 15, and has worked ever since he was just 16. He is the owner and chef of Tane Vegan Izakaya, which has locations in Honolulu, Berkeley, Palo Alto and Highlands Park in Los Angeles. Mr. Lui is also an HBA parent. The most critical message he wants students to remember is this: “You need to be happy no matter what career you will be choosing. Don’t do something that you don’t enjoy because there’s money to be made. Money can give you more options and choices, but money can’t buy happiness at the end.” He also offered some advice about failure, saying, “Failing is the most powerful tool to help you to grow. Don’t be afraid to do something that no one has ever done before. Nothing can stop you if you have this mentality; you will become unbreakable.”
Even though sophomores have a couple of years ahead of them before they have to make college decisions, HBA’s Counseling Department hosts Career Day annually to help students think about their future options. A recent survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, conducted in Spring 2025 among teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17, show that many students are concerned that it will be hard to attain a good standard of living. Here is some data from the survey:
