Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Features > Inspirational person on campus

Inspirational person on campus

By Ethan Murao

Chaminade Silversword

 
Noelani Tu'u senior at Chaminade is an ideal inspirational student and has been here for five years. After the receiving his associates degree in American Samoa in 2007, he was then accepted into Chaminade. During his first year at CUH, he was scared and stood in his room by himself. One day, someone told Tu'u to be active and join clubs and activities, and still today he is involved and volunteers for most events around campus.

"Today five years later has developed into a leader," said Margret Uiagalelei director of campus ministry.
Tu'u held positions of leadership at school. He became an Resident Assistant from summer 2009 to summer 2011, but before that he was an orientation leader from Spring 2008 to Fall 2011. His favorite time here is being an orientation leader because he met a variety of people from all over the world.

"We were taught to put ourselves in their shoes," Tu'u said.

The orientation leaders, campus ministry and a few people helped him easy his way in he beginning of college. He tries to make people feel as comfortable as possible when coming to Chaminade.

" When Noelani was an RA, he took care of students who were very home sick and abandoned and stood with them for hours on end to make sure they felt comfortable at Chaminade," Uiagalelei said.

These students couldn't thank him enough for going to such an extent to take care of them that they offered to take care of him if he was ever headed in their direction.

He doesn't try to be somebody that he's not, he just acts like himself, which is why most people at CUH like him.

During the interview about eight people came up to Tu'u and shook his hand and, the interview only lasted 20 minutes. Tu'u overall rates his experience at Chaminade around a 9 or 8.5 out of 10, only because his first year he was always in his room and never wanted to do anything. Also, he misses not being able to experience Chaminade with his friends back home. Tu'u is an inspirational person here at Chaminade according to Uiagalelei.

"He made hundreds of people feel at home and loved," Uiagalelei said.

Tu'u will be miss after his completion this fall, he received an internship with a medical examiner after he graduates, and plans on working in that field in the years to come.