Voices & Views: Janelle Manlapas

Posted by Juri Dagio | Sep 18, 2023 | Voices & Views | 0 |

Voices & Views: Janelle Manlapas

By Juri Dagio | Staff Writer

Janelle Manlapas is a 26-year-old student who was born in Los Angeles, California. After moving to Hawai’i in 2022, she hoped to be able to enroll in the Nursing program at KCC.

“I already graduated from college [University of California] with an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major, and now I’m trying to pursue Nursing. So, I’m taking my pre-requisites … trying to get into the nursing program,” Manlapas said.

Over the course of four years, Manlapas worked in a laboratory. While she enjoyed her career in health sciences, she longed to develop a connection with those she was helping, so she wanted to become a nurse.

“I want to be a registered nurse,” she said. “And potentially become a nurse practitioner.”

Manlapas currently runs a small business on Etsy.com selling crochet patterns, clothes, keychains, and other handcrafted items. Aside from sewing and crocheting, she also enjoys going to the beach.

“I walk to Magic Island in Ala Moana all the time, and I love going to North Shore,” she said.

Having only lived on O’ahu for a year and a half, Manlapas is in love with the people, the culture, the environment, and, of course, the relaxing weather here.

About The Author

Juri Dagio

Juri Dagio is an international student of Kapi'olani Community College completing her associate degree in Liberal Arts. She plans to transfer to University of Hawaii at Mānoa to pursue a bachelor's degree in Journalism. She enjoys reading online, writing, and skateboarding under the stress-free Hawaiian weather. To read all of Juri's stories, go to https://kapionews.com/index.php/author/jurid/.

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Kiara Bell
Kiara Bell is a 30-year-old Liberal Arts major from Warner Robins, Ga. Although majoring in Liberal Arts, his focus is in History. Before attending KCC, Bell served for seven years as an Embarkation Specialist in the U.S. Marines. During his service, he was deployed twice to Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom. At 19-years-old, Bell joined the Marines to support his family. He also came from a family of veterans, including his mom and brothers. Bell explained that he was able to experience more than his peers at that age, and had opportunities to travel and interact with different people and high-level agencies. Bell feels that he was presented with many positive influences. During his deployments, Bell explained that because of always being forward deployed, and not always able to communicate, there was a lot of stress on his family. He was unable to attend the birth of his first son, and his marriage became strained. After he returned, he struggled with the impact of engaging in combat, losing friends in combat, and having to cope with everything on his own. Bell struggled with negative thoughts and emotions that impacted his personal life. Of all of the places that he was able to travel, Bell states that Germany was one of his favorites. His favorite aspect of serving in the Marines was the ability to travel, and the opportunity to see the world and meet new people. When asked what advice he would give anyone considering joining the military, Bell said, “Do your research. Do your research and know what you want. Take note of your skills and don’t let anyone pressure you into taking a job you don’t want." Now Bell spends his time attending classes at Kapi’olani Community College and can often be found helping out his peers in the Veteran & Military Resource Center. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, going to the beach, and hiking with his dog.

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