Book launch party
​Last night was more than a book launch — it was a celebration of courage, of friendship, and of the power of storytelling.

As a self-published author, I poured my heart into every word of this book, rooted deeply in my immigrant journey — every struggle, every sacrifice, and every moment of resilience. But what truly made this night unforgettable was the presence of my friends, who showed up with love, laughter, and open hearts.

To see the people I care about come together to honor this dream was overwhelming in the best way. We didn’t just launch a book — we celebrated identity, belonging, and the beauty of rising from humble beginnings.

​Thank you for standing beside me, for believing in my story, and for reminding me that I am never alone on this journey. I will carry your support in my heart forever. 💛📖🌺

book event at bishop museum,hi

​This day at the bishop museum event was a moment I will never forget — a celebration not just of a book, but of identity, heritage, and the strength we carry as Pacific Islanders. To stand in this space as a self-published author, sharing my immigrant story with my Pacific Islander brothers and sisters, was deeply emotional and incredibly powerful.
I’m filled with gratitude to be part of a community that celebrates each other, uplifts our voices, and honors our stories. Seeing familiar faces, hearing our shared laughter, and feeling the warmth of our culture throughout the event reminded me of who I am and where I come from. This wasn’t just about my book — it was about us, our roots, our resilience, and our dreams.
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Thank you to everyone who came, who embraced my story as their own, and who reminded me that being a Pacific Islander is something to be endlessly proud of. I carry this night in my heart, always. 🌺📚🌊

book signing at byu-hawaii
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who came to my book signing and stood beside me in celebrating this deeply personal milestone. Your presence, your words, and your support mean more than I could ever express

As an immigrant and proud Pacific Islander, sharing my story hasn’t always been easy — but moments like this remind me that our voices matter, our journeys are powerful, and our stories deserve to be heard. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to return to the university I once called home and turn it into the very place where I launched my dreams into the world.


To host this event on the campus that shaped a part of who I am — where I once walked the halls as a student filled with hopes and uncertainties — and now return as a self-published author sharing my truth, is nothing short of a full-circle blessing.
Thank you for witnessing this chapter of my life. I will forever carry this moment with gratitude, pride, and love. 🌺📚✨

book signing at bookmatter bookstore
Still soaking in the joy of this unforgettable moment — my very first book signing at a beautiful indie bookstore. 💛✨

I’m beyond grateful for the chance to share my story in a space that values voices like mine. As a self-published author, this moment is more than a milestone — it’s a dream come true. To see the shelves filled with stories and know that mine now lives among them… it’s humbling and surreal.

Thank you to the local community who showed up, supported, and embraced my journey with open arms. Your kindness reminded me why I write — to connect, to heal, and to honor where I come from.
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This indie bookstore gave me more than a platform — it gave me a memory I’ll carry forever. 📚

book signing at international peace museum
I am deeply honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to give a speech at the International Peace Museum — a space that stands for compassion, unity, and the power of storytelling to inspire change. Standing on that stage, surrounded by individuals who believe in peace, healing, and justice, was a moment I will never forget.

As an immigrant and a Pacific Islander, being able to share my story in such a meaningful place felt sacred — like my voice, my journey, and the voices of those I represent were being seen and heard. To know that my book now sits on the shelves of the museum, among stories that speak truth, hope, and resilience from around the world, is a blessing I hold close to my heart. It’s a dream I never thought possible, and yet here we are — proof that anything can happen when you stay true to your purpose.

​Thank you to everyone who made the time to attend, who listened with open hearts, and who continue to support my story. Your presence made this moment even more powerful. I carry your support with deep gratitude.

my tedx talk

It is with a heart overflowing with gratitude that I stand here today, reflecting on this moment — a moment I’ve dreamed of for so long, and one I never thought would come in the way it has. Being able to give a TEDx Talk and share my immigrant story with the world is a blessing I hold with both pride and humility. It’s not just a personal achievement — it’s a tribute to every person whose voice has been silenced, every story that has gone untold, and every dream that had to fight through impossible circumstances just to survive.

This journey began years ago — six long, emotional, and transformative years — when I first started writing the book that would hold my truth. Six years of digging through memories that were both painful and healing. Six years of wrestling with fear and self-doubt, wondering if the world was ready to hear the reality of immigration through my eyes. Six years of fighting to believe that my voice mattered. And now, to be here — on this red circle, on a stage where ideas become movements — is something I can only describe as sacred.
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Preparing for this TEDx Talk was one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever done. Not because I didn’t know my story — but because sharing it required me to open up parts of myself that I once tried to hide, just to survive. The immigration detention center is a place most people only hear about in headlines or policy debates. But behind the bars and the barbed wires are human beings. Real lives. Real hearts. Real stories that deserve dignity and compassion.
​In my talk, I shared some of the hardest truths — things that most people don’t know or fully understand about life inside detention. I spoke about the dehumanization, the isolation, and the emotional toll of waiting — day after day — with no idea what your future holds.

But I also shared something just as important: the unexpected light I found inside those walls. The friendships that became family. The laughter that helped us survive. The shared meals, the prayers, the small acts of kindness that reminded us that even in the most difficult places, love and connection are possible.

I dedicate this moment to my friends inside — the ones who walked beside me in the darkest moments and reminded me who I am. You are part of this talk, part of this truth, part of this journey forever. I carry you with me on every stage, on every page, in every breath of this story.

To my fellow immigrants — this is for you. For the courage you show every single day. For your resilience, your grace, and your unshakable hope. You are not invisible. You are not forgotten. You are powerful. Your voice matters.

To everyone who supported me, read my book, stood by me, or simply believed in me — thank you. Thank you for holding space for stories like mine. Thank you for helping me turn pain into purpose. And thank you, TEDx, for giving me this platform to speak my truth — not just for myself, but for so many others still waiting for the world to hear them.
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This stage, this story, this moment — it’s not the end of something. It’s the beginning. And I hope that by listening, we all take one step closer toward empathy, justice, and a world where every story — no matter where it begins — is allowed to be told with dignity.
Thank you. 💛