Today my uncle, Maui Mike, sent out this image he took of Maui’s south side from Upcountry. Although this made me a little homesick for the beach and my family, it was also reminder of everything I have for me back at home.

Looking at the date, August 2007, I was reminded this was the same month I left home for my first year in college at the University of San Diego. Moving away is a difficult thing to do, especially when home is Hawaii–a very unique , warm, and loving community–but I have realized a few things since leaving home. I would never be so grateful of where I am from if I did not leave. This theme has come up multiple times in many of my art works and my motivation. I know I am not moving home anytime soon, but one day I will return home to share what I learned with the Maui community. A lot of people want to flee the islands and never turn back, soaking up all the opportunities on the mainland and beyond. It is one thing to leave, but to me, coming back is just as important. Taking the opportunity to share experiences with younger generations, is helpful to provide guidance and relieve the fears many people have of leaving our very amazing, tight-knit Maui community.