IGNITING OUR VOICES
OUR STORY
Igniting our voices
Ho‘a O‘ahu is a student-led media organization managed by the Journalism 401/402 classes at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, in the School of Communications, under the advising of Dr. Brett Oppegaard.
It was created in the fall of 2015 and has continued since, under the direction of each new cohort.
The meaning behind the name of our organization:
Ho‘a is the Hawaiian word for “ignite.“ Our motto is “igniting our voices,” and our mission is to prompt meaningful discussions about current events relevant to young adults in Hawai‘i.
MEET THE HO'A O'AHU TEAM
We are commited to bringing you stories that matter!
HO'A O'AHU
MANAGEMENT TEAM - Leading the way
Marketing & Public Relations Director Jessica is a senior at the University of Hawaii Manoa, majoring in Journalism. She is a member of the Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society for Journalism and received the Carol Burnett Award for Responsible Journalism. She has worked as a writer, copy editor, Photography Editor, Public Relations Coordinator and Marketing Consultant for Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, and has also interned at WOODTV8 in her hometown in Michigan.
Managing Editor
News Director Before coming to Hōʻā, Alex Bitter reported financial news for TheStreet.com as a Dow Jones News Fund intern. He has also covered local business trends for Hawaii Business Magazine and arts and culture for HONOLULU Magazine. During the 2014-2015 school year, he was editor-in-chief at Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, UH Manoa's student-run news publication. In his spare time, he enjoys collecting and studying ancient coins, metal detecting and playing with his dachshund, Lila.
Social Media Director Stevi is from Long Beach, California and is a journalism student at UH Manoa with a focus in broadcasting. She is a features reporter for the student run organization, Ho’a O’ahu news. She also reports for UHM-TV a news production show through the school of communications at the University of Hawai’i. She was also an intern at KITV4 News where she was inspired to pursue a career in broadcast television.
Web Developer & Designer With a background as a professional singer, actor and TV Host, Jordan continues to broaden his knowledge and skills in the media and television industry. He currently presents "808 Update", a weekly events and entertainment segment on KHON2's daily lifestyle show, Living808. To learn more about Jordan, visit his website at www.jsegundo.com
HO'A O'AHU
INVESTIGATIVE TEAM - Digging Deeper
Investigative Reporter - Lead Alden is the former editor of Kaua‘i Community College’s student newspaper, Ka Leo O KCC, serving from spring 2012 to fall 2013. During the same time period, he was a weekly stringer for TGI Friday, an entertainment tabloid for The Garden Island newspaper on Kaua‘i. This past summer, Alden worked as general reporter for TGI continues to file stories for TGI. Additionally, He’s interned twice at Hawaii Business Magazine.
Investigative Photo/Video - Lead Ana Giliberti-Ippel is a freelance writer and reporter for her publishing website, www.transcendreporting.com, focusing on investigative reporting. She has produced, filmed and directed short news pieces for the University of Hawai'i, where she is majoring in Journalism with a Women's Studies minor. She hopes to work with documentary filmmaking.
Investigative Reporter Ieva Bytautaite is a current journalism student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. She has written for the campus newspaper Ka Leo o Hawaiʻi and interned for Governor Abercrombie’s administration at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, working closely with the communications and protocol teams. She is also a cadet in the AFROTC program with hopes of becoming a public affairs officer and later on pursuing a career in the State Department.
Investigative Reporter Alyssa is a third-year undergraduate at the University of Hawai’i majoring in Journalism with a minor in English. She is a member and Treasurer of the Society of Professional Journalists (Manoa Chapter). She has experience as a production manager, writer, intern, editor and photojournalist for newspapers, television shows and online organizations. With her experience, she is well equipped with the tools and resources for reporting.
Investigative Photo/Video Jessica Lotts is a third year journalism student at UH Manoa. She has been writing for the University marine newsletter Seawords for over a year, and through them, has had several articles and photos published both online and in print. Jessica also specializes in photojournalism, and has won two awards for her underwater photography. She hopes to write and take photos for a marine/nature related publication after she graduates in the spring of 2017.
Graphic Designer: Data Visualization Brad is the data visualization designer for Ho‘a O‘ahu. He also works as the managing editor for Ka Leo O Hawai‘i, UH Mānoa's student media organization. Outside of the university, Brad writes profiles for seven of Nella Media Group’s magazines as well as Inkubator’s Abstract Magazine. In the past, he has been a features editor, copy editor, and social media director. Upon graduation, Brad plans to continue writing for lifestyle and culture magazines.
Investigative Reporter Meakalia journalistic experience includes working at the school newspaper Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi as both a former associate news editor and staff writer, reporting on issues ranging from the student senate to the University’s challenges with its free speech zones. She was also a Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS) intern for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs DC Bureau, where she completed her full time internship with evening coursework at American University.
Social Media Developer Kimberlee Speakman is a third-year undergraduate journalism/communications major at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Since she was little, she aspired to be able to tell and share others’ stories. She is currently the Opinions Editor at the University newspaper, Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi and has also written articles for the publication as well. She hopes to pursue a journalism career in the investigative and entertainment fields.
Quality Control Developer David is currently double majoring in Journalism and English at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He is a sports reporter for Ka Leo O' Hawai'i, Bleacher Report and a Free Lance writer for the Honolulu Star Advertiser. He is also a member of the investigative team at Ho'a, serving as the team's Quality Control Developer to ensure that each story looks great.
HO'A O'AHU
Features Reporter - Lead Shiina has written for UH Manoa’s publication "Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi" and is currently the Campus Correspondent for the online magazine “Her Campus Hawaiʻi”. She has interned at KHON2 News in Hawaiʻi, and at KTUU2 in Alaska. She hopes to become a broadcast journalist and live in Massachusetts where she can enjoy her favorite professional sports. Her favorite part about journalism is being able to entertain the audience while still informing them.
Features Photo/Video - Lead Ryan, a journalism student at UH Manoa, is also a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve, and is currently a Public Affairs Broadcaster. He acts as a producer videographer and editor for broadcast products covering the U.S. Army Pacific. He attended the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, MD where he learned the broadcast role in Military Public Affairs broadcast writing and announcing, radio broadcasting and news production and video documentation skills.
Features Reporter Hayley hopes to channel her love of both writing and sports into a successful sports reporting career. She served as associate sports editor at “Ka Leo O Hawai‘i”, where she was recognized as Most Improved Writer, honored for her quick transition from contributing writer to associate sports editor in a single year. She currently serves as a writing intern with UH Manoa’s athletics, producing recaps, profile stories, video content, and press releases.
Features Photo/Video Amber is a senior at UH Manoa majoring in Journalism with a minor in Religion. She worked as a features writer and associate opinions editor for Ka Leo O Hawaii at UH Manoa. She currently writes for the International Mission Board Hawaii chapter and is interning for KHON 2 News. Amber aspires to write and make documentary films for National Geographic and Vice.
Features Photo/Video Aven puts on several different hats outside of being a college student. He currently works as a Traffic Producer, Associate Producer and Assignment Desk Editor for KITV4 News. Aven is also a Broadcast Journalist and Public Affairs Specialist for the Hawaii Army National Guard. He is also a reporter and content developer for ScoringLive, your source for Hawaii High School Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @avensantiago
Social Media Director Zebley is a Journalism major and English minor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is the Associate Chief Copy Editor at Ka Leo O Hawaii, the campus newspaper and Copy Editor for HerCampus Hawaii, an online magazine for women, by women.
Quality Control Director Janelle is a senior at UH Manoa and is majoring in both Journalism and Sociology. Raised on the island of Hawai’i, she is a 2010 graduate from Kea’au High School. She is currently working as a student-journalist at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and as an intern at KITV 4 News for the Fall 2015 semester. She hopes to become a news anchor, and also aspires to become a White House Correspondent.