Started in 2012, the Engineering Student Ambassador (ESA) program was developed to increase recruitment and retention at the UHM College of Engineering. ESAs are undergraduate students trained to engage in STEM outreach to K-12 students and work with industry partners by planning and coordinating events throughout the year. This program provides our ESAs valuable public speaking and leadership training as they pursue a career in engineering, and sparks excitement about our college – and the field of engineering at large – with Hawaiʻiʻs youth.
We encourage you to reach out to the ESA team to schedule a presentation for your school or request assistance with your upcoming STEM-related event. They may be reached via email at engsamb@hawaii.edu or phone at (808) 956-0776.
Rhea Mae Arellano
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: December 2026
Hometown: Waialua, Hawaiʻi
High School: Waialua High and Intermediate School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I decided to become an engineering major in the seventh grade because I favored my math and science classes since elementary school. From seventh to twelfth grade, I participated in VEX and FIRST Robotics, and I enjoyed the hands-on aspect of engineering. I love designing and creating solutions that solve various challenges!
Why you selected UH: I first wanted to attend college out of state. After some thinking, I decided to attend UH Mānoa because it was my most cost-effective option. UH Mānoa also provides opportunities similar to what I could find outside of the state and allows me to stay close to home while giving back to my community.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: In my free time, I love watching k-dramas, spending time with my friends and family, and trying new food. In school, I am part of the Mānoa Scholars Club, the Society of Women Engineers, and the UH Band! I’m also a part-time robotics mentor for my high school in Waialua.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy the opportunities and resources that the engineering program offers. From engineering student organizations to VIP projects, there are a lot of opportunities to get involved in the College of Engineering.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Take advantage of all the opportunities and resources provided to you. Be confident in yourself and everything you do, push yourself and try new things. It allows you to learn and grow as a person! And don’t forget to take breaks when you need them. Your academics are important, but so is your mental and physical well-being!
Erika Baguio
Major: Civil Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2028
Hometown: Waialua, Hawaiʻi
High School: Waialua High and Intermediate School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I originally wanted to become a pharmacist, but after some thinking I decided it wasn’t the right fit for me. I enjoyed subjects that were very straight forward, one answer type of thing, so math and science were fun to me. I chose engineering in my senior year of high school because I realized it allowed me to solve problems that help other people. I also love learning about how things work and the process of how things become what they are.
Why you selected UH: I always heard great things about UH’s engineering program and the opportunities it offers. I also figured since I want to become an engineer in Hawaii, there’s no better place to learn about it than at home!
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I love going paddle boarding at the beach, learning new songs on the guitar, playing volleyball, and going on car rides.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: The college offers so many resources to the students and you can tell they want you to succeed. There are so many friendly people and lots of ways to learn even when outside of the classroom.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: If you wanna try something new, do it! You never know what might come out of it. Step out of your comfort zone and meet as many people as possible. I know it’s scary, but trust me, you’ll thank yourself later. College is such a new experience, but you’ll find your routine and adjust. Also, have faith in yourself! You’re smarter than you think you are 🙂
Jenny Brown
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: December 2025
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
High School: Kalani High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I entered college without expecting to pursue engineering due to my limited math skills. However, my mentors, primarily math
professors, at community college, taught me to develop a growth mindset and embrace failure. Trying out an engineering project on a whim ignited my passion for the design process. Pursuing engineering has been highly rewarding, constantly motivating me to persevere and bounce back when faced with difficulties. Through experience and time both within and outside my field, looking back I wouldn’t trade engineering for anything else.
Why you selected UH: I chose to attend UH Mānoa because of its support system. As a local, I value the connection to my home, and the universityʻs strong community engagement and valuable resources make it the perfect environment to pursue my career goals and help me succeed as a student.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I enjoy engaging in ecological and conservation initiatives that allow me to be outside with people and make a positive impact on the environment. To unwind and relax, I regularly practice yoga. I am involved in The Engineers Council at the University of Hawaiʻi (ECUH) and the Horticulture Society.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: What I love most about my program are the amazing people I get to connect with. The community here is filled with interesting and passionate individuals who make my college experience so much more vibrant and rewarding.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Don’t forget to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and keep things in perspective when you find yourself caught up in the stresses of school. It’s easy to lose sight of your motivation for pursuing engineering, but remember that every step you take is an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. Investing in a strong support network and fostering healthy habits will be some of your best tools to ensure your success and well-being in the long run.
Noah Hu
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2027
Hometown: Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi
High School: Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: At first, I wanted to major in economics and eventually go into law school. However, I found economics to be a bit boring, and realized I would have to read and write way too much to get through law school. So naturally, I pivoted to engineering in my senior year since I always enjoyed math, science and problem solving.
Why you selected UH: I selected UH because it allowed me to stay close to home, as well as keep in close contact with many of my friends. Plus once I learned to drive, I never wanted to give up that newfound freedom by moving to the mainland with no car.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: In my free time I enjoy playing the piano, learning more about audio engineering, and hanging out with friends.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: The thing I enjoy most about the College of Engineering is the many projects available to students. When I was choosing a project, I was presented with so many options, all of which would give me real-world experience and skills that I could use in the workforce.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: My advice to any incoming students is to always be on the lookout to meet new people. Almost every new student attending UH Manoa is in the same boat as you, looking for a new group of friends. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and form connections on day one. Your peers will be your greatest resource when trying to learn your coursework.
Zayd Hussain
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2027
Hometown: Santa Clarita, California
High School: Valencia High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I first decided to be an engineer towards the end of my junior year of high school. As a kid I was always fascinated by how things worked like cars, but more importantly I always looked up to the superheroes like Iron Man and Batman because they were just normal people who used engineering to help others. So I want to use engineering to help others as well.
Why you selected UH: I selected UH because I only got a small amount of exposure to other cultures in my hometown. Hawaiʻi is a melting pot of different cultures and people, so I figured that if I want to help people I need to learn about everyone and their cultures. Over here everyone is about family and it’s a very family oriented place and I wanted to be a part of that and learn about how to live life. This is also my second home because I used to visit family here on the island throughout my childhood.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I like to go to Jazz clubs for fun or just listen to Vinyls in my room. I also like working on cars or going to car meets to see other people’s hard work. I enjoy surfing when I have the time and love cats. My extracurricular activities consist of being apart of ASME, ASCE, and the Formula SAE team here.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy getting to talk story with all of the upperclassmen. Learning from them is one of the best resources that this program has to offer in my opinion. They’ve been through what all the underclassmen are going through and have great tips and tricks on how to get through college and what to do when you’re finished. Most importantly everyone acts like a giant family here and there’s never a dull moment.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: My practical advice would be to read the textbooks for every class you have because your professors won’t cover everything in class. My personal advice is to make sure you have a dream. It doesn’t matter what it is or how big it is, you just need something to motivate you to get past all the obstacles that college will throw at you. A dream is the primary source of fuel that drives people and if you don’t have a dream it’s because you haven’t noticed it within yourself. In that case college will help you realize your dream with hard work and determination. Also make sure to check “rate my professor” when registering so you don’t make your life any harder than it should be.
Skyler Ikeda
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: December 2027
Hometown: Waikele, Hawai’i
High School: Pearl City High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I knew I wanted to become an engineer when I was in the 2nd grade when I tried Lego® robotics and loved it! From there I joined every STEAM related extracurriculars possible from Seaperch, Science Olympiad, and Robotics. I decided to pursue mechanical engineering to learn the fundamentals of how machines work and so I would be able to build prosthetic devices to help children who require such services and to give them a better quality of life.
Why you selected UH: I wanted to stay on-island since this is where I grew up. I am also a very family oriented person and a lot of my family lives on Oahu. It was also the best option for me financially to avoid taking out student loans and to still receive a great education in a place that I love.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: Binging Grey’s Anatomy and crocheting is a way I love to destress and relax! I also love going on picnics and walks. I am pretty competitive at times so I am constantly trying to beat my previous day step count. When I have enough motivation to clean up after I am done, I make the absolute best chicken katsu ever!
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I love the people here! I love meeting new people, trying new things and I have learned so much both academically and socially!
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” -Michael Scott. Take a chance and just go for it! Even if it might seem scary at first, or if it is out of your comfort zone, you should try everything at least once. Join as many clubs and organizations as possible and really put yourself out there. Have fun and be safe.
Landon Imamura
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2028
Hometown: Pearl City, Hawai’i
High School: Pearl City High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: Since fourth grade, I’ve been drawn to engineering. Competing in robotics competitions exposed me to the challenges of the engineering design process, which I found both exciting and rewarding. I love hands-on problem-solving and the creativity that comes with it, which is what really pulled me into engineering.
Why you selected UH: I chose UH Mānoa because I was the best choice financially, as well as allowing me to stay close with my family, friends, and local connections while still pursuing a high level education.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I enjoy working out, listening to music, watching anime, and playing soccer, basketball, and video games. For extracurricular activities, I am currently president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: The thing I enjoy most about the college of engineering is about how many programs and opportunities are offered. I was able to land my first internship through the career fair and I have made many friends at the various social events offered.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: My advice to incoming students would be that you should not be afraid to ask questions. It’s very cliche and you might have heard it a million times but it’s true. Nobody is here to bring you down and everyone at the university is there to support you. Don’t be afraid to take that first step and it will make your life so much easier.
Ethan Kang
Major: Computer Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2027
Hometown: Kāneʻohe, Hawai’i
High School: Kailua High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I always enjoyed working with Computers, being fascinated by how we’re able to build something so complex, and yet be able to connect with people around the world. Even though I always knew this is what I wanted to pursue as my career, it wasn’t until I applied to UH Mānoa that I wanted to become an Engineering major. I actually wanted to study for a degree in Computer Science however, I thought pursuing a Computer Engineering degree would open more possibilities for me instead.
Why you selected UH: I originally was going to study at University of Maryland Global Campus in Japan, however, I realized that being far away from home may not have been what I thought I wanted. Which is why I decided to apply to UH Mānoa to not only be closer to home, but to still be able to hang out with my friends and family.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I enjoy hanging out with friends, whether it’s when we’re cooking, walking around Ala Moana, or even just talking on campus. I also like learning new things such as fishing or how to play the piano.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy the many activities and clubs the College of Engineering offers, making sure that they provide students with all the tools they need to succeed.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Step outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s by talking to new people or even joining a club or event, this is the time to figure out what you wanna do for the rest of your life. Even though college may be intimidating or even stressful at times, there’s guaranteed someone who can give you advice or even help you figure everything out. Take advantage of the fresh start you have. Who knows, maybe you’ll make new friends along the way.
Lovely Molina
Major: Civil Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2028
Hometown: Kalihi, Hawai’i
High School: Farrington High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I decided I was going to pursue something to do with structures when I visited a city in the Philippines called Vigan. The architectural aspects first interested me but throughout high school I began to be more interested in the process of how a structure is created from ground up.
Why you selected UH: I first wanted to attend a different university although, because of the financial reasons I chose to attend UH instead. The Engineering community within the college and its connection to various companies also is a reason why I chose to stay home and attend the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I love to dance in my free time or just relax at home or at the beach. As for my extracurriculars I am part of the Hawai’i Undergraduate Initiative, Engineering Council of University of Hawai’i, and American Society of Civil Engineering.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I really like the community within the college of engineering, everyone is willing to help one another whether it is about a class or other things. I also like the different projects/programs that the college offers to its students.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: My advice to the incoming students is to learn how to manage your time efficiently and to go out there and make new friends, join clubs. College is a place where you can explore and make new connections with other students, many who may be struggling with the same class as you.
Cody Nakamura
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2027
Hometown: Waipio, Hawai’i
High School: Pearl City High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I decided to become an engineering major in my sophomore year. I loved math and science throughout middle and high school. I also did robotics from 7th to 12th grade, and I enjoyed problem solving in a team environment while figuring out how things work. I also liked seeing how various electronic and mechanical elements come together to create a working robot. These experiences made me realize that engineering was a way to foster my problem solving and creative skills, so I chose to major in Electrical Engineering.
Why you selected UH: I chose UH Mānoa because it offered me opportunities to grow both personally and academically while still remaining at home.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I enjoy going to the beach, cooking, and playing video games. I also mentor my high school’s robotics team in Pearl City.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy the opportunities the engineering program has exposed me to. It allowed me to meet many new people and learn a wide variety of things.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Don’t be afraid to say “Why not”. There’s so much out there to do in college and specifically in the college of engineering. While studying hard is important, don’t be afraid to try something new while you’re in college.
Dayza-Jazzelle Otsuka-Cabodol
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2028
Hometown: Pearl City, Hawai’i
High School: Pearl City High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I decided to major in engineering since 7th grade when I joined Science Olympiad and continued throughout high school. I enjoyed the design and building aspects of some events, such as the mousetrap vehicle and boomilever (wooden bridge), which helped me realize my interest in hands-on problem solving and structural design. Over time, I found myself drawn specifically to civil/structural engineering because of my fascination with how infrastructure is designed and built to support communities. I love the idea of contributing to projects that people rely on everyday and shape how we live and move.
Why you selected UH: I intended to go away for college, but after some time I realized that the experience might not be as exciting or fulfilling as I had imagined. In the end, UH Mānoa was the most cost-effective option, but also a place where I could stay close to home while still receiving a strong education.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, and trying new things. I can be a homebody so I love baking and watching movies but also like hanging out at a park and hiking. Outside of ESA, I’m involved in ASCE and work part-time at a structural engineering firm.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I love the sense of community the college offers. Being able to socialize with other like-minded students and be involved in the clubs and activities the college offers has helped to develop a positive college experience.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Embrace change. It’ll come at you in many ways whether it be meeting new people, current friends, or even yourself. Take advantage of any opportunities presented to you and trust the process even when it feels uncomfortable.
Brandon Pang
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: December 2025
Hometown: Kailua, Hawaiʻi
High School: Kamehameha Kapālama High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I decided to become an engineering major because I was always good with science and math courses in high school. When I was a child my favorite toys were Legos and throughout my life I would always like to do handy things around the house. With my plans to join the military I want to help the military by improving its technology and keep its status as the best military in the world.
Why you selected UH: I am in the high school class of 2020 and due to COVID-19 I was having a hard time deciding on what school to attend. I picked UH because they had a plan laid out for me unlike the other schools I was accepted to. They were clear on what they wanted to do in terms of online, hybrid or in person. UH extended their commitment date unlike the other schools so this showed great management by the school. Knowing that management was good I picked UH because I could trust them when it came to executing things in hard times.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: In my extra time I usually like to do projects around the house. I like using machines and with the pandemic the last 1.5 years I have had the time to try everything around the house from car mechanics to pressure washing, cutting the grass, and painting.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: The one thing that I enjoy most about the college so far is how they have managed online school. Since I am only a freshman going into sophomore year I believe that the only thing I can really talk about is management. The college of engineering has adapted quickly to the new online school environment and they still are carrying out what they need to do.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: The one thing I would tell the new students is to meet with your advisors. Being lost my freshman year advising really helped me with my plan and guided me through it as semesters went by. I also got motivated and had a purpose instead of taking random classes not knowing if I had to be in them or not.
