By Shawna Takaki | Staff Writer

Kazuyuki Shoji is a 41-year-old student majoring in Hospitality at Kapiʻolani Community College. His hometown is Ibaraki, Japan, and he recently moved to Hawaiʻi.

“I worked as a flight attendant in Japan,” Shoji said, “I really love Hawaiʻi. During the pandemic, I thought life is short. I always wanted to live in Hawaiʻi, so I decided to take a leave of absence from work.”

He began studying at Kapiʻolani Community College this semester and has enjoyed his first month living here greatly.

“In 2014, 8 years ago, I came to Hawai‘i and fell in love with this beautiful island,” Shoji said. “Since then I’ve visited Hawai‘i every summer, each year. I always felt I wanted to stay longer. A vacation of 1 to 2 weeks is too short.”

During his 1-month stay here so far, Shoji has enjoyed going to the beach, having barbecues, hiking in Makapuʻu, playing volleyball at Kapiʻolani Park with his classmates, and many other activities.

He next wants to go to hiking to Koko Head and snorkeling to Hanauma Bay.

Shoji wishes to complete his studies here in 1 to 2 years and then work at a hotel or restaurant here in Hawaiʻi.