“All in the ‘Ohana” is a new series of stories that celebrates families who share a special connection with the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu as students, graduates, employees, or alumni. The series will run throughout the spring 2023 semester.
Although they may be seven years apart, Macie Remular and her younger brother Macien have a lot in common — including their love and appreciation for the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu.
Macie, 26, graduated in fall 2018 from UH West O‘ahu with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with a double concentration in Marketing and Management. She now works on campus as the Student Services Specialist for Native Hawaiian Student Success Projects (NHSSP), coordinating the Ke Ala Kiakahi Pathways to College Success Program.
“UH West O‘ahu has positively impacted my life and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the experiences and relationships I was able to build and continue to build here,” Macie said.
Macie’s younger brother Macien, 19, is a Creative Media major at UH West O‘ahu and also works on campus as a student assistant for the Ho‘opūliko Kumu Hou Program. Macien shares his sister’s positive sentiments about the university and its strong sense of community.
“Since I first started school, everyone has been friendly and supportive of one another,” Macien said. “UH West O‘ahu is a place to build relationships. Everyone there supports your dreams while guiding you along the way.”
‘She continues to inspire me’
“I’m happy and proud to say that UH West O‘ahu was my first-choice university,” said Macie, who enrolled in fall 2014. “During my senior year in high school, I knew I wanted to stay on island and attend a four-year institution, and when I was researching various colleges, UH West O‘ahu stood out to me.”
Macien was a high school junior when he decided to commit to UH West O‘ahu. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the university in fall 2021.
The Pearl City siblings were drawn to UH West O‘ahu’s affordability, small class sizes, hands-on learning environments, professors with professional experience in their fields, and its supportive community, among other qualities.
“I shared with Macien my experience of what it was like attending UH West O‘ahu and how much I enjoy it here,” Macie added. “I would share with him all the different, fun events and activities that were put on by all the different organizations and departments, like Splash Bash, Karaoke Night, and Cram Jam.”
Macien said he thinks “it’s so cool” to attend the same university as his sister Macie.
“Seeing my sister’s experience inspired me to pursue a college degree — witnessing the ups and downs of her journey and knowing that she did her best,” Macien said. “She continues to inspire me every day, knowing I could be just as successful as her someday. I‘m super proud of her and what she has accomplished.”
‘A proud older sister’
“Being able to share this experience with my brother is a blessing, it brought us closer,” Macie said. “Seeing him get involved on campus and find his voice, passion, and purpose through his experiences here definitely makes me a proud older sister. I feel so honored to say that we are able to walk on this educational journey together at UH West O‘ahu.”
And both siblings highly encourage others who are interested in continuing their educational journey to also consider attending UH West O‘ahu.
“I like to share with my students that when it comes to figuring out what they want to do after high school and when picking an institution, to make sure that the institution they decide on attending has a campus culture that allows them to embrace who they are and allows them to find their own voice and enhance the gifts they all have,” Macie said.
“With my personal experience, UH West O‘ahu definitely does this, and I see UH West O‘ahu as my extended family,” she continued. “The faculty, staff, and community members are supportive, and they truly want to help their students succeed. UH West O‘ahu strives on building pilina (connections) with one another by creating a campus culture of support.”
Click here to read more stories from the “All in the ‘Ohana” series.