About Us

The Nāulu Center is located at UH West Oʻahu on the ground floor conveniently between the campus cafeteria and the fitness center. It is a bustling hub where the Nāulu Center staff and student support team collaborate efforts to enrich the experiences of the entire student and staff community at UH West Oʻahu. We work together in the spirit of lōkahi in order to achieve our goals. The Nāulu Center provides a gathering space with professional, holistic, and cultural development opportunities and useful resources for the UH West Oʻahu community. 

Thanks to the funds afforded by the UHWO Title III grant, UH West Oʻahu students and community now benefit from new learning spaces and programs with project objectives in place making significant enhancements towards cultural practices, community relationships and student success. The student staff and faculty of the Nāulu Center collaborates together focused on student health & wellness, cultural purpose and engagement. 

Nāulu Center Staff

Ryan Perreira

Ryan Perriera (Coach RP) is the Coordinator for Campus Recreation and the Naulu Center which includes, intramural sports, the Pueo/Nāulu Fitness center, Health and Wellness programs. He is originally from Lihue, Kauai, and is currently living in Manoa with his wife and 2 children. Coach RP has been working for the University of Hawaii System since 1994, mostly at of the community colleges on Oahu, but joined the University of Hawaii – West Oahu in 2015.  

Ryan Perreira
Recreation, Wellness, and Fitness Coordinator and Naulu Center Manager
University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu
rperreir@hawaii.edu l Phone: (808) 689-2688

Kelly Fujino

I am the Student Life Operations Mgr. overseeing the administrative and operational duties of Student Life, including Campus Rec.
and Naulu Center.  I worked in the private sector for 15 years before making my way to UHWO via Windward CC and have been with the University system for about 12 years.  Growing up, I’ve always been around sports and fitness and although I never played organized sports, I enjoy watching sports.
Kelly Fujino
Student Life Operations Manager
University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu
kafujino@hawaii.edu l Phone: (808) 689-2672

Pueo Program Coordinators

Kailee (Hōkū) Kwan, M.Ed.

Aloha mai kākou – It has been an honor to serve all students here at the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, primarily students who are Native Hawaiian and are from the coast of Waiʻanae. My passion and kuleana (responsibility) has been focused on developing programs which targets Native Hawaiians, First-Generation and other minority students to help navigate their time here. I am grateful that this line of work has allotted me the opportunity to create avenues of access for students to achieve their higher educational goals. I look forward to working with you as a haumana (student)!
Kailee (Hōkū) Kwan, M. Ed.
Interim Director of Student Equity & Access Papahana Wailau Ola Director
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
kwank@hawaii.edu | (808) 689-2927

Aloha Espinosa

Aloha! It has been a privilege for me to support Wailau Ola students as they transition from community college to the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. My priority is to ensure a smooth transition and continuous support of students through academic advising, inclusive approach to counseling, workshops, and other program initiatives. I am blessed to be able to do this work and have so much akomimm and aloha for all of our students. We cant wait to welcome you into this extended ʻohana!

Aloha Espinosa, M.A
Papahana Wailau Ola Program Success Advisor
University of Kawaiʻi West Oʻahu
ckee@hawaii.edu | Phone: (808) 689-2650

Samuel (Wela) Wahilani III

Aloha Mai – I have the privilege of assisting our high school students and their ‘ohana for their college journey here at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu  through an NHEP (Native Hawaiian Educational Program) funded program named He Paepae Aloha. Our program aims to create a strong foundation for Native Hawaiian students to become global citizens, 21st century thinkers, and community leaders through strengthening our pilina with our surrounding communities. If you are interested in becoming a future leader and community contributor, I look forward to meeting with you so that I can help you achieve your academic goals and enhance your student experience.

Samuel Wela Wahilani III, M. Ed.
He Paepae Aloha Project Director 
samuelww@hawaii.edu | Phone: (808) 689-2659

Macie Remular

Aloha mai, It has been an honor and pleasure working here at the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu assisting various programs which targets Native Hawaiian and minoritized students from the coast of Waiʻanae. Iʻm so grateful that this work allows me to create a place of inclusion and access for students to achieve their academic goals. I look forward to assisting you in your higher educational journey and please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a wonderful rest of your day, stay safe and take care!
Macie Remular
NHSSP Program Coordinator
University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu
macier@hawaii.edu l Phone:(808) 689-2652

Adam (Kainoa) Nāhulu

Aloha Mai – I am the Nā Pua Noʻeau Program Coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu within the Student Affairs Division in the Nāulu Center. My experience is in Native Hawaiian student programming revolving around early college, peer mentoring, and summer bridge. I worked in various positions in the Title III sector for nearly 10 years and it has been an exciting journey.

Adam Kainoa Nāhulu
Nā Pua No’eau Program Coordinator 
University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu
anahulu@hawaii.edu | Phone: (808) 689-2689

Jarlyza Mareko

Aloha mai, talofa lava! It gives me much joy to serve our teacher candidates who are in the UHWO’s education pathway through a program called Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou. This Title III funded grant program was established with the intent of getting our teacher candidates out into the world as quickly as possible, all the while integrating cultural frameworks such as Hawaiian Culture-Based Education (HCBE) into their very own classrooms and nā haumāna (students)! We hope to help our HEROES empower and educate to elevate every student of many stories! All the best!

Jarlyza Mareko
Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou Candidate Support
University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu
jarlyza@hawaii.edu

Thalia Lawrence

Aloha mai, as an alumna of UHWO’s Middle Level Education Program, it is with great pleasure and honor to serve as an Instructional and Student Support Specialist for Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou (HKH). HKH is a teacher preparation pathway for Middle-level and Secondary Education Teacher Candidates at UHWO that focuses on integration of Hawaiian culture-based practices. Together, my team and I provide an ‘ohana of support to ensure the success of our soon to be kumu. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with our program students to help guide them through their academic and professional journey to becoming effective educators in our local communities.

Thalia Lawrence
Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou Student Services Specialist
University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu
thalia3@hawaii.edu l Phone: (808) 689-2466

Leiana Alejado

Welina mai! As a proud graduate from the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, it has been an honor to come back and serve my community. Through the GEAR UP Hawaiʻi P20 grant, our program is designed to provide students with college readiness and support as they explore their options leading into their first year as college students. Our grant aims to serve students from diverse backgrounds all around the island. Being able to forge long-lasting relations and creating a safe space for our students is ever so rewarding in this line of work. I hope to support, educate, and inspire you as you make your mark on the world. Mālama Pono!
Leiana Alejado
GEAR UP (P20) College Access Specialist
University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu
lma808@hawaii.edu

Nāulu Center Student Support Team

Lina Dacanay

Aloha!  My name is Lina Dacanay,  I am currently majoring in creative media concentrated in design and media at UH West Oʻahu.  The reason why I chose to work for the He Paepae Aloha program is because I wanted to help the future generation get a head start on their college career.  Being able to meet new people constantly pushes me out of comfort zone, letting me make new connections with some great people!  When I am not working or have free time I am usually drawing, watching anime, or sleeping.

Madison (Nālei) Fujitani 

Aloha, my name is Madi, but I also go by Nālei. I have been a student support specialist and mentor for Papahana Wailau Ola since Fall 2022. I work together with Ara to coordinate workshops, update our social media pages, help with advising, and more. We also host a weekly Wehena to connect with our students, discuss events, and do different activities such as life planning, and discussion on issues relating to ʻike, nohona, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. We provide day-to-day support for our students by providing helpful resources and connections through email and zoom.

Aralen (Hāʻilima) Haiola

Aloha! My name is Hāʻilima, I recently started working for Wailau Ola in November 2022. It has been a work in progress to learn more about our students, create fun and engaging workshops, manage our social media pages, host weekly wehenaʻs which are a way to connect with each individual, and overall be a light to our students. It has been a great experience and I canʻt wait to find new ways I can help.

Kekui Kea

Welcome everyone! My name is Kekui Kea, I am a Social Science Major with a Concentration in Psychology. When I first started working for He Paepae Aloha, I wanted a campus job to be more involved with campus life. As I continued working, I realized that I enjoyed programming and seeing myself help students prepare for their future college careers made me genuinely happy. Some of my hobbies that I enjoy doing in my free time are gardening, writing stories, and hanging out with my pets. A hui hou and I can’t wait to see your lovely faces!

Kaylee (Kaua) Kwan

Aloha mai kakou! My name is KayLee ‘Kaua’ Kwan, I am currently majoring in Creative Media with a General Concentration. Why I chose to work for the Native Hawaiian Success Projects (NHSSP) is because I wanted to contribute back to my hometown of being a role model for the future generation. Not many students who attend school on the west side have college in their plans of post graduation because of reasons like they are scared or its too expensive, etc. I wish to change that in showing students college is possible no matter how impossible it may seem to be! My hobbies includes me being lost in my imagination in any way I can as I enjoy watching anime, playing video games, drawing and creating stories!

Mark Laxamana

Kumusta! My name is Mark Laxamana. I am a Humanities Major with a concentration in English. As a passionate linguist, I wanted to further advocate for multilingualism and literacy in various aspects, such as workshops and literacy events. Nā Pua Noʻeau provided me the opportunity to learn and grow. During my free time, I love to cook, learn new languages, and spend time with family and friends.  

Jamie Mareko

Talofa Lava! My name is Jamie Mareko, I am currently majoring in Elementary Education. Why I chose to work for the Native Hawaiian Success Projects (NHSSP) is because I wanted to give back to my community and help build connections with other students.

Macien Remular

Hi everyone, my name is Macien Remular! I am a creative media major with a general concentration. The program that I work under is Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou. Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou is an education preparation program that focuses on helping UH West O’ahu students interested in becoming middle-level or secondary-level teachers. In my free time, I enjoy running, drawing/painting, and hanging out with my family and friends.