COE Student Delivers Graduation Speech in American Sign Language at the University of Hawai'i Center Maui

Roxanna Hamaku, a graduate student in the College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, was one of the student speakers at the University of Hawai'i Center Maui commencement ceremony, May 15, 2009. The center's director, Karen Muraoka, selected Hamaku based on her high academic accomplishments and real-life experiences. Hamaku, who is deaf, signed her speech alongside an interpreter.

Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science Associate Professor Brenda Cartwright said, "I was ecstatic about the selection. As Hamaku's advisor, I have been amazed with Roxanna's growth throughout her academic journey! She is a natural in the field of rehabilitation and a true self-advocate."

As a nontraditional student and Maui Nui resident, Hamaku highlighted how university outreach and distance learning programs can make a difference in people's lives. In her speech, she said that because she was a Deaf girl, she was told that she would not amount to much and that nothing was expected of her, so she believed, "I can't do it." After failed attempts to go to college and complete courses, she decided to return to school much later once her children were grown. Through an outreach extension program, she was motivated to move forward despite having to start all over again.

With an American Sign Language interpreter from the university's KOKUA program, Hamaku has been successful in her coursework and credits KOKUA and the outreach extension program with her progress. She said, "Later, I realized, 'I can do it!' If it wasn't for [them], I would have never gotten to where I am today. So now I am saying, 'I will do it!'"