Aloha! My name is Mikala Akiona. Despite being a Senior, I am so excited to end my high school journey by being a part of this year’s Ka Mōʻī Staff. Always having a fondness for writing and journalism, I cannot imagine a better place than Ka Mōʻī to embrace my passions. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, binge-watching movies, playing piano (I dabble), scrapbooking, and journaling. If I am not doing any of those, one could find me sightseeing or taking in the amazing landscapes our state has to offer. My admiration for nature goes hand in hand with my love for traveling, especially to National Parks! Over the past four years, I found a sense of community & cooperation within the high school clubs I’m involved in, including the Women’s Empowerment Club, in which I am the President! My post-secondary goals consist of attending college and majoring in political science and/or law. This newspaper is an excellent space to embrace the unique stories in our lives and ignite the power that lives within our voices. I hope everyone reading will come to see this too! I can’t wait to provide the Kamehameha community with authentic narratives during my last year on the hill!