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.
Phillip Amona
Major: Computer Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2023
Hometown: Mililani, Hawaiʻi
High School: Kamehameha Kapālama High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I chose to become an engineering major in my senior year of high school. I wanted to work in a field where I could apply multiple areas of math and science to benefit others.
Why you selected UH: I originally wanted to study outside of the state for college, but I chose UH due to financial reasons. However, I’m glad that I did, since this gives me better opportunities for jobs and internships near my home.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: Arranging & playing music, mostly piano; archery; watching Arrowverse shows; leading RAPS Club.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy the rigorous challenges found throughout the engineering program. I also like how each degree is extensive enough that there can be a wide variety of possible careers available to me after I graduate.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Make the most of your college years. Remember that each year costs money, and there are many opportunities across the UH campus for you to try out before you graduate. Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons!
Jared Antonio
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2024
Hometown: I was born in Sunnyvale, California and lived there up until 2015, when my family moved to Hilo, Hawaii. I consider both places home.
High School: Waiākea High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I decided to become an engineering major my senior year of high school. I have always been fascinated with how things work and how things in our world affect each other. Due to this curiosity I originally planned to pursue a degree in physics. Through research and guidance from teachers and family I realized engineering was a way to focus my curiosity about the world around us in a way that can positively impact others, and I made the decision to major in Electrical Engineering.
Why you selected UH: Initially, I wanted to return to California to further my education. But after some thought, I realized that UH Mānoa offered better opportunities for me to grow and learn, while staying in a place that I love.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I enjoy hiking, spending time at the beach, cooking, lifting, and playing guitar.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy the people the most. Everyone, both staff and students, are friendly and always willing to help. The college of engineering really embodies the idea that together we can achieve more.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: As students a lot of the stress and pressure we experience is often put on us by ourselves. Have confidence in yourself and your abilities, and focus on what you can do now and not on what you can’t control. Relax!
Rhea Mae Arellano
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 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 Manoa 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!
Jenny Brown
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2026
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 university's 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.
Mia Casparian
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2024
Hometown: St. Clair, Michigan
High School: St. Clair High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: From a very young age, I have always had an interest in math, electronics, and medicine. In high school, I discovered that I could combine both of the disciplines in pursuing a degree in electrical engineering with a biomedical concentration.
Why you selected UH: Growing up my family and I visited Hawaiʻi Island a lot. We would always have a joke that one day I would go to school here and that they would retire in Hawaiʻi. When I was in 8th grade my family followed through and bought a house on Hawaiʻi Island and planned on moving in after I graduated. Once they bought the house attending UH was one of the easiest decisions, and then our family joke became a reality.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: For fun, I enjoy snorkeling, hiking, trying new foods/restaurants, biking, reading, figure skating, and hanging out at the beach.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I most enjoy that there is an actual sense of community within the program. The advisors are there to support you, other students motivate you, and teachers want to help you understand concepts. Anywhere I have been on campus people are always willing to help.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: My advice is to remember that college life is a balance. Academics are extremely important but taking care of your mental and physical health is equally as vital. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed, but it’s important to remember to take breaks and reset.
Joshua Lorica
Major: Computer Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: December 2023
Hometown: Kailua, Hawai’i
High School: Hawai’i Baptist Academy
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I enjoyed Math and Science in high school so Engineering seemed like a great fit for me. I also enjoyed programming which is why I chose Computer Engineering specifically.
Why you selected UH:I chose UH because it was the best option for me financially.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I like to stay active whether that be working out or playing sports. I also enjoy going to the beach, going on hikes, and playing video games.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy the opportunities to learn hands-on in labs and projects.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Step outside your comfort zone and push your limits. I believe this is the best way for personal growth. Also, take advantage of every opportunity that UH and the College of Engineering offers.
Joy Maehara
Major: Electrical engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2025
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawai’i
High School: Hawai’i Baptist Academy
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I always drifted more to the math and science topics since elementary. So once I took Physics and Calculus courses in high school, Engineering became the perfect and ideal pathway for me. Furthermore, technology and electronics are constantly evolving which makes it a very interesting field.
Why you selected UH: UH Mānoa was the most cost effective option for me, while also providing all the benefits and opportunities that mainland universities offer, but at the comfort of home!
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I enjoy outdoor activities such as going to the beach and hiking with friends, and also cooking, baking, and trying new food places!
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy the environment and community that the college of engineering creates for students. The people I met are really welcoming, and I enjoy the type of coursework such as hands-on labs.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students:Take advantage of every opportunity. You never know what might come your way, so don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zones!
Brandon Pang
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 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.
Chloe Sabado
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2025
Hometown: Stockton, California
High School: Sierra High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: After a few days of being enrolled as a nursing major, I realized that engineering was a better fit as it allows me to creatively employ both my math and science skills.
Why you selected UH: Despite it being 2,500 miles away from my home, I chose UH because the distance allows me to grow as an individual as it challenges my independence and adaptability skills.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: In my free time, I like to crochet and weight lift.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: My favorite part of the College of Engineering would be the hands on labs and projects that are available to its students.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: My advice for prospective students would be to find a healthy balance between your social, academic, and personal life because your college experience is what you make of it!
Dedrick Sakuma
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: Fall 2023
Hometown:Ewa Beach, HI
High School: Kamehameha Kapālama High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: In my senior year of high school I actually wanted to become a lawyer but, I thought, do I really want to do that? So, because I was exposed to robotics, cars, and basically anything that moves and involves building things at a young age I decided why not go with engineering. I took all types of math, science, and engineering classes in high school and really enjoyed the challenges that it gave me.
Why you selected UH: I was going to attend out of state but due to more important events happening here at home I decided to stay home.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: When I am not working or doing school work I really enjoy going to the beach. Whether it’s surfing, barbequing or just throwing a pole out, it’s always a good way to relieve stress. I also enjoy spending time with my family in my free time.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy the many opportunities that the engineering program provides. It allows me to use the skills that I learn in school and really put it to use.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Enjoy your time in college because it doesnʻt last forever. Have fun but at the same time do good in school because you do pay for it. Lastly, take advantage of the opportunities that the school provides and donʻt be ashamed or shy to join different clubs or activities.
Joshua Samonte
Major: Computer Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2025
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
High School: Kamehameha Kapālama High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: Since I was little I have always had an interest in building things and a curiosity for how things worked, especially technology. My freshman year of high school I took my first CAD (computer aided design) class and it made me really consider engineering. But it was only after taking a computer science class my junior year, I really saw the versatility and possibilities technology had. From there I knew I wanted to go into computer engineering.
Why you selected UH: Personally I wanted to go to the mainland for college and experience life out of Hawai’i for a bit. However, I was very blessed to receive a scholarship to come to UH Mānoa and made the decision to stay a lot easier. Though I originally wanted to go away I am 100% happy I stayed here. My ultimate goal as an engineer is that I want to use what I learn to help make Hawaii a better place especially sustainably. Selecting UH allowed me to get the best of both worlds, I can pursue my ambitions as a computer engineer and still do the things I love like being outdoors and surfing here at home.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: For fun I like to be outdoors and just being active. I usually spend my free time surfing or going to the gym. Nonetheless, I really enjoy relaxing and spending time with friends and family.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: The thing I enjoy most about the college is probably the people. You meet a lot of people from different walks of life and backgrounds. However, almost everyone I meet is very friendly and it seems like everyone wants each other to succeed.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: Believe in yourself. A lot of the time you may think you are far behind compared to everyone else but really the majority of the people are probably in the same boat as you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your peers, everyone is pretty friendly and it’s a great way to meet people. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. You’ll learn new things about yourself and find new things you like. Lastly is to find a balance, of course you need to work hard and study for your classes but be sure you are enjoying life and working on different aspects of your life as well, not just school.
Elizabeth Talioaga
Major: Electrical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2025
Hometown:Pearl City, Hawaiʻi
High School: Waipahu High School
When and how you decided to become an Engineering major: I have always favored my STEM classes and I love to build and create. Once I was in highschool, being in the Electronics technology pathway really established my interest in engineering. I found the theory really interesting and loved the hands on aspect.
Why you selected UH: I felt like UH Mānoa was the best fit for me because of the friendly and welcoming environment and amazing academic programs. I want to go into renewable energy and I am very passionate about helping to take care of the Earth. I feel that UH Mānoa is one of the best places to do this. Most importantly, I am able to stay home and give back to my community.
What you do for fun, and any extracurricular activities: I am a member of the UH Band! I have played at various athletic events and in a concert band.
What you enjoy most about your program/the college: I enjoy learning new things about my field of engineering. The courses and content are very comprehensive so I know once I graduate I will be prepared to enter my field.
Any advice to incoming/prospective students: The College of Engineering and UH Mānoa in general can be a great support system. If you are ever unsure, there are advisors, professors, and mentors that will be there to help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others. There are so many resources that the College of Engineering provides its students.
