By Shawna Takaki | Staff Writer

Word on the Street: What are you thankful for?

Avis Jericho Post Je

Age: 18
Hometown: Galihi, Oʻahu
Major: Psychology

“Music and family. Music is something that’s been there for me as a coping mechanism. And family, there’s two sides to it. I consider friends, family. They’re the ones who know me more than my blood family do sometimes. And my biological family is always there, unconditionally.”

Yoshino Naoe
Age: 21
Hometown: Fukuoka, Japan
Major: Tourism

“Friends! Because they’re always helping me.”

 

Melene Lau
Age: 20
Hometown: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Major: English

“The understanding of my professors and friends. It’s really rough when I have social anxiety. … When I’m talking with them, I feel really validated as a person.”

Inook Oh
Age: 20
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Major: Liberal Arts

“My friends, my family, the opportunity for me to come here to Hawai‘i not only to attend school but to experience all the stuff I wouldn’t have been able to do if I was still in Korea.”

 

Minseo Kim
Age: 21
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Major: Tourism

“I’m thankful for the farmers who make it so I can eat food.”