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.