Opinion: Leaving Hawaii for college made me feel alone, but I persisted in the name of my ancestors

Tulang-De Silva is from Waipio, Oahu, Hawaii, and graduated from the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences with a master’s of education in curriculum and instruction. She lives in Point Loma.

The pathways built by my ancestors and their stories of colonization and distress are deeply rooted in me. The roots of where I come from and the foundation of who I am are as permanent as the Hawaiian “central side” red dirt on the bottom of my footwear.

These humble beginnings similarly represent the origins of my family of immigrants who sacrificed all they knew to set roots in Hawaii from the Philippines and Japan to provide a better life for their families.

Knowing the sacrifices my ancestors made to provide for me and my family instills in me pride for who I am and where I come from. The red dirt stains remind me of the paths taken and the struggles overcome to get me where I am today, despite the skepticism of my ability to achieve success because of the stereotypes attached to where I come from.

Commentary

Opinion: Graduating students look back on their journeys and forward to what’s next

In recent weeks, on campuses around the region and the nation, students have begun to celebrate a remarkable achievement and a pivotal moment in any life journey: graduation. This week, a diverse group of graduates will share essays about their successes and challenges. Congratulations!

May 30, 2023

Some people view individuals from my side of the island of Oahu a few miles northwest of Waikiki as a little less refined, less articulate and less polished than counterparts from the more upscale city side of the island or continental United States. But I am proud to be a product of the “central side,” and refuse to let stereotypes bind me.

When I first arrived at University of San Diego in 2018, I instantly felt out of place when I began school because I was now considered a minority in most of the circles I moved in. My mentality, the way I carried myself, the way I looked — as well as the way that I spoke and the things that I did — were now considered “different,” and I began to feel restricted to fit in.

My way of life was peculiar for others. I began to feel as though I should pretend to be someone I wasn’t in order to be accepted. I let the fear of rejection prevent me from truly being myself and letting myself grow into the person I wanted to become.

Through the tough transition, my mother constantly reminded me that starting college meant that I had a blank slate. I could be or do anything that I set my mind to. There was no one holding me back from becoming the person I wanted to become while still being able to remain grounded in my roots and culture — except for myself.

Her words resonated with me, and I began to worry less about how I might be perceived by those around me. Joining clubs and trying new things, I began to see who I was and the type of person I wanted to become. I learned that if I was truly myself no matter who or what situation I found myself in, I would always find my place.

San Diego provided me with the perfect place to build myself. My undergraduate and graduate coursework at University of San Diego provided me valuable insight into how I might use a law degree towards becoming a more effective and sensitive policymaker.

A legal foundation will support my interest in governmental education administration and educational reform. A law degree will help place me in an influential position to change laws and remove barriers of economic and cultural segregation, inequality and discrimination.

I intend to further serve my community by continuing to pursue avenues that allow me to engage with neglected people and raise awareness about the struggles that oppressed people face.

Hawaii’s increasing cost of living has forced many college graduates to relocate to states that are more affordable to live in. Unfortunately, this trend does not allow Hawaii’s college graduates to give back to Hawaii’s community and flourish in their home state.

The realities of the exponential expenses of higher education and Hawaii’s overwhelming cost of living threaten this dream. In the words of the 2023 winner of “American Idol,” Iam Tongi, many youth in Hawaii and their families are “priced out of paradise.”

Therefore, I am returning to Hawaii, pursuing my law degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and taking the knowledge that I gained from San Diego not only for myself but also for all the generations before me who sacrificed in the name of better education — and for all the generations who will follow me.

San Diego has enriched this island girl in profound ways and claimed a piece of my heart forever.