When Madison Nālei Kazue Fujitani takes to the podium at the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu’s upcoming commencement ceremony, she hopes to convey to the thousands in attendance, especially to Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), the importance of continuing their education — to go beyond just existing in the university system, but to use it as a place to practice the higher learning their kūpuna were accustomed to.
The Wai‘anae resident, 21, attributes this perspective to learning to a UH West Oʻahu mentor and her experiences throughout her undergraduate years. Fujitani added that her experience as a Native Hawaiian student in college has helped her understand her purpose — realizing the need for Indigenous presence in the higher education system and how the power of knowledge can incite change and uplift communities.
“It is not all about career prospects or having a title to your name, but using education as a powerful tool of resistance,” Fujitani said. “It is about fulfilling our kuleana, which is both a responsibility and a privilege.”
This is a topic Fujitani is passionate about and will delve into as one of two student speakers at UH West O‘ahu’s 2026 Annual Commencement, taking place 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9, in the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on the UH Mānoa campus. All guests are welcome to the ceremony on a first-come, first-seated basis, and will be able to greet their graduates following the formal commencement program at the Clarence T.C. Ching Field. Tickets and parking passes are not required.
Approximately 375 students are candidates for graduation, and of these students, about 250 will be participating in the commencement ceremony, which will celebrate Applied Science, Business Administration, Creative Media, Cybersecurity, Education, Humanities, Natural Science, Public Administration, and Social Sciences candidates.
Fujitani will receive, with Distinction, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.
“As a student speaker, the main message I hope to convey is that the history of higher education and the college system is not one that is very pretty, especially for Indigenous peoples,” she said. “They were initially created as attempts to limit, contain, and control.”
She continued, “We fight by learning, reclaiming knowledge, and stepping into positions where we can transform these systems from within. We should aim to prioritize being an Indigenous-serving institution, which benefits all people, shaping the way education is carried out.”
‘An accomplished student leader’
After graduating from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in 2022, Fujitani took part in UH West O‘ahu’s Ke Ala Kiakahi summer bridge program, aimed at easing the transition from high school to college. Fujitani started her first semester at UH West O‘ahu in fall 2022.
Throughout her years at UH West O‘ahu, Fujitani has been active in various campus programs and events, often taking on leadership roles in these activities. She is currently a Student Support Specialist with Papahana Wailau Ola, a multimillion dollar Title III grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education for Native Hawaiian-serving institutions; a member of the NASPA Undergraduate Fellowship Program (NUFP); and Hope Po‘o (Vice President) of UH West O‘ahu’s ‘Auli‘ikolomanu ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language) club.
In addition to her academic responsibilities and extracurricular activities, she is also a licensed nail technician and small business owner of “Nails by Nālei” (Fujitani goes by the name “Nālei”).
“I have seen the resiliency, perseverance, and motivation to elevate the lāhui (Hawaiian nation) through intentional education and community responsibilities held by Nālei,” said Christielove “Aloha” Espinosa, Director of Wailau Ola Title III and Fujitani’s aforementioned mentor. “Nālei is an accomplished student leader who has provided leadership to other student employees across campus and participates in (numerous) extracurricular activities.”
Fujitani said one of her most notable achievements at UH West O‘ahu was leading the Lā Kū‘oko‘a event in fall 2025.
“The goal was to bring together the community surrounding UH West O‘ahu to commemorate Hawaiian Independence Day, in which the Hawaiian Kingdom was recognized as a sovereign and independent nation in 1843,” she said. “We aimed to create a space to reflect, examine, and learn about our kuleana to the lāhui and all of Hawai‘i.”
She continued, “This event was used as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for self-determination and need for Ea (sovereignty) as a way to help our campus better understand the university’s role and obligation to Kānaka Maoli, to protect and celebrate cultural identity and pride.”
Espinosa also noted Fujitani’s exemplary talent as a fellow of the NASPA Undergraduate Fellowship Program (NUFP). NASPA, which stands for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, is the professional home for the field of student affairs. NUFP aims to increase the number of historically disenfranchised and underrepresented professionals in student affairs and/or higher education through opportunities for scholarships, on-campus mentorship, and professional development events for its fellows.
“In each monthly development workshop and all of the other region programming opportunities, she demonstrates the ability to listen and speak about the difficulties higher education is facing and has been perpetuating,” Espinosa said. “In each conversation and project, she is grounded in her indigeneity as a Native Hawaiian and brings ancestral knowledge and approaches into her work. One of the best qualities Nālei has is her humility and desire to never stop learning.”
Forging ahead ‘full force’
“This upcoming graduation is something that I am definitely excited for — I feel like my undergraduate experience has allowed me to better understand who I am, and what I am passionate about,” Fujitani said. “Now I am able to go full force into learning more about these things from other sources and experiences.”
After graduation, Fujitani plans to continue her education at UH Mānoa, where she will pursue a master’s degree in Political Science with a focus in Indigenous Politics.
“I plan to continue working in higher education, with goals to work within my own community of Wai‘anae,” she said. “I hope to support other students in continuing their education, for them to see the importance of it. I want to transform these spaces in higher education as a place for Native Hawaiians and other Indigenous students to not only exist, but to thrive through self determination.”
Fujitani credits UH West O‘ahu for helping to prepare her for these next goals she has set for herself.
“I have been able to see first-hand what resources are out there, and what improvements can not only help students get to college, but to be supported throughout their entire journey at the university,” Fujitani said.
UH West O‘ahu has also shown her the importance of community and connections, she added.
“I have experienced how this can transform the college experience,” Fujitani said. “Being connected to others, especially through a cultural foundation, creates a sense of belonging essential to thriving in higher education as Kānaka Maoli.”
Click here to read more about Georcelle Lozano, who was also selected to be a 2026 Annual Commencement student speaker. Commencement student speakers were chosen on criteria including academic achievement and a record of meaningful university or community service.
The 2026 Annual Commencement is one of the “50 Acts of Pueo Pride” — events highlighted as part of the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu’s 50th anniversary in 2026.
