>> Everywhere you turn, people try to tell you who to be and what to do.
But what about deciding for yourself?
Roadtrip Nation is a movement that empowers people to define their own roads in life.
This year, we brought together three students from the state of Hawaii.
Together, they explored the Hawaiian Islands, interviewing inspiring individuals from all walks of life.
They hit the road in search of wisdom and guidance, to find out what it actually takes to create a life around doing what you love.
This is what they found.
Roadtrip Nation presents Setting Course.
[MUSIC] >> We are currently in Kalihi, on the island of O'ahu.
>> The end of the trip, it's going by way too fast.
>> We're doing so much stuff and having a lot of adventures.
Time flies by when you're having fun, right, especially when you're having really good conversation with a lot of people.
That's what makes the interviews go by so fast.
>> This road trip has already opened my eyes in a completely different way.
I was able to take something away, some powerful message, from every interview so far.
>> It's kinda sad for it's the end the trip, just because I feel like it's gone so fast.
>> And that's what I've learned throughout this whole thing, is that if I wanna make a difference, maybe I have a different path.
My kuleana is to give back.
It's to not serve myself, but it's to serve others, and to serve the future generations of people, animals, life in Hawaii.
Throughout this whole thing, I've learned so many things about what it means to make a difference.
People like me, Traven and Kea are the next generation of leaders, who are going to make things a lot better, hopefully.
[MUSIC] >> We're going to the capital building to interview Governor Ige.
Before he was governor, he used to be an engineer.
>> We're gonna really get to see who he is in this interview.
So we walked in the capital building and immediately you're just like, whoa.
Yeah, we're executive, we have to go to the executive level.
>> That's a nice painting.
That's a nice one too.
Hold on, we're gonna try to recreate all these poses.
>> You're gonna recreate all these poses?
>> I'm gonna try.
I was trying to see how governor-like I could be.
>> Yep.
>> On to the next one.
I think I nailed it.
>> Got it.
[MUSIC] As we finished up one governor post, that's when people started coming in.
>> [LAUGH] Hi.
>> Hi, we weren't doing anything stupid.
[MUSIC] >> I never really started out planning to run for office.
It was an opportunity that came to me.
I really was focused on my career as an engineer.
Math and science came easy.
Trying to solve problems, finding creative solutions, applying technology is just something that I just am passionate and I enjoy doing.
The public service part, I guess, is kind of a variant of my wanting to be engaged as a student.
I always felt that besides the study, that there was more to life at a school than just being in class and studying.
And for me, I truly felt that the government had gotten away from being responsive to the needs of its citizens.
And many of my friends went away to take jobs on the mainland, because there weren't as many career opportunities here in the islands.
At the point that I decided to run, I found that being an elected official just allowed me to make a bigger impact on people.
And so for me, it was the perfect combination.
I could continue to do the things that I enjoy doing, in solving problems and finding solutions, and I could have an impact in public service, in helping to create more jobs and opportunities.
And so I became passionate about both.
[MUSIC] >> Sitting down with the governor, you just realize he's just another person.
A person with a family, a job, and a career.
>> When he was younger, he kind of had his hand in everything, which is kinda similar to me when I was in high school.
I liked to do anything and everything.
I wanted to be a part of it all.
>> Explore new things, find your passion.
Aloha.
>> I always had this thought that people who go into politics in college are the ones that become politicians.
But, I mean, he was an engineer.
And maybe, I don't need to be a politics major, or a business administration major, to be able to evoke change in office.
When we were playing around and taking pictures and stuff in the governor's office.
But I look at that picture now that I took playing around in front of the desk, and I was just like, hm, maybe I can do policy later.
[MUSIC] [MUSIC] So after the governor, we got to go see Chrystie Naeole.
She was straight up and she was real and she's loud and she's everything that I hope to be when I'm at her age.
>> Hi.
>> Hi, I'm Tehani >> Tehani >>Traven >>Traven >> Hi, I'm Kea.
You guys are gonna edit, right, some of this stuff, yeah?
>> Yeah.
>> We can make whole movie now.
>> No [LAUGH].
>> Whole episode dedicated to you [LAUGH].
No, no, no, no.
[CROSSTALK].
>> [LAUGH] [MUSIC] My name is Chrystie Naeole, I'm from Waimanalo.
I'm a biology lecturer and special project coordinator.
As a child, I was an outpatient at Shriner's Hospital, because I thought I had a curvature in my spine.
And luckily, it wasn't scoliosis it was just, my spine was bout ten degrees off of being straight.
And so that was my first interaction as an outpatient with a physical therapist.
Continuously going back there, and having to do work with the physical therapist, I was like, this is what I'm gonna do.
And so from there all the way through high school, that's what I'm definitely gonna be, so I decided to go to college at U.H.
Manoa.
Going into my senior year, I took a human genetics course for non science majors and I was in heaven.
>> [LAUGH].
>> [LAUGH] I was just like okay, I have done physical therapy, that's what I thought everything was going towards.
And so when my mentor was like, well what are you going to do?
I said I don't know, you tripped me up.
>> [LAUGH] >> I walked into your class thinking I was going into physical therapy school, got involved with research, and now I'm stuck because I'm in my senior year.
[LAUGH] And I have no classes to apply to, graduate school, and he said just apply.
And I figured, why not give it a try?
It seems really interesting, I got really nothing to lose, so I said all right, I'll apply and I got in.
and then progressed to a PhD in biomedical sciences but a concentration in cellular molecular biology.
And I never thought I was gonna get a Masters degree, I knew I was gonna go to college.
I never thought I was gonna get a Masters degree in biomedical sciences, you know what I mean, of all things.
I think you just gotta go with kinda whatever the wind blows your way.
Cuz you might miss an opportunity, you know what I mean?
If I just said, research, forget it, then I would have missed where I am today, you know?
But anyway, I think I'm going off track, so.
>> I've got a question for you [LAUGH].
>> [INAUDIBLE].
>> [LAUGH] >> Okay, ready for it?
>> I guess, [LAUGH].
>> Go ahead Kea [LAUGH].
>> Okay, okay, I guess I could ask what would your personal definition of success be?
>> Success is you have to feel good about what you're doing.
Cuz if it doesn't feel right, it's not right.
I don't like to hear when people say, that's just my job.
It's you kinda got to want to like your job, [LAUGH], you know what I mean?
You kind of got to like your job to show up?
What is your guys' definition of success?
>> Turning it around on us now.
>> I think a lot of it has to do with happiness but for me, making myself happy but also seeing somebody else be inspired to chase after the dream, from something I did.
>> Cuz you never know what one word, when one action you could do, could send somebody off into something different then what they were expecting, you know?
>> So definitely happiness, my own happiness and the happiness of those around me is a huge part of my success in general.
And then another part of it is just having self identity, being one with yourself.
And I think combining all those things would make you a very happy person and be successful in whatever you end up doing.
>> I don't know how to put it into words, because for me it's more of a feeling.
That feeling of like pure joy or excitement or a little bit of anxiety thrown in there.
>> Yeah, yeah, yeah [LAUGH].
>> All of it all of it combined, that's my definition of success because that comes from anything important that I would do.
So whether it's inspiring someone, I get that feeling or whether it's I guess getting all A's on my report card.
>> [LAUGH] >> Or whatever the case is.
>> So for me, you're right, it's all wrapped up in the feeling.
If you feel it, then it's good.
And if you don't feel it then it's kind of like, where is my, you don't wanna feel that emptiness.
>> Success is however you measure it.
>> She was such a good lady, so cool, so cool.
>> [MUSIC] >> So we went to Malaekahana, we camped.
>> We had a mean bonfire.
>> Okay, hot dogs are here.
>> We're coming down to our last final hours together.
>> I never roasted a hot dog.
>> Me neither, so this is a first for me [LAUGH].
>> Whoa, really?
>> Yeah.
>> I think you guys have been missing out.
It may not seem like it cuz we're crouching in fear of the fire right now, but [LAUGH].
>> First day was pretty awkward.
Just sitting next to each other we were trying to keep to ourselves and be nice.
But towards the end of the trip it just became like brother sister.
>> I feel like since the first time we've met until now, we've all grown as individuals but also as a team.
>> There was just this, there was never this come down to where it was like I'm sick of being with you guys.
Our interests align really, really, really well >> Part of me is happy to go home, spend time with my friends and family.
But at the same time, I don't want it to end, because it's been such a good trip.
I'm gonna keep these people with me for the rest of my life, and they're gonna be my very good friends for years to come.
[MUSIC] >> I mean, it's kind of sad that it's the end of the trip just because I feel like it's gone so fast.
>> In a few hours, we'll be heading home so heading our separate ways.
>> It's a weird feeling, you don't want this to end [LAUGH].
Let's continue on, we can go to another state [LAUGH].
>> Our last interview was with Leila Hokulani.
She is a lawyer for NOAA.
I have been juggling law school and grad school and conservation all this stuff.
It's like a cool idea, great, law school, but I feel like I'm not qualified enough to go to law school [MUSIC] >> There was a lot of times where I questioned myself and I think that's pretty natural.
In my undergrad, I was like I'm gonna have to go be a teacher or something, I'm never gonna get into law school.
And that's no offense or anything it was just this is probably a more viable option for me.
You really have to talk to yourself every day.
Stay confident in this, it's gonna be okay and I still do that every day, so [LAUGH].
[MUSIC] Kind of what I'm struggling with is between grad school, and law school, and I don't know how to choose it.
Because love to be outdoors, I love to get dirty and do all this kind of stuff.
But then I also know I can make a difference if I go to law school and specialize, and go back.
So how did you decide [LAUGH]?
>> I don't know if I made that decision at any point, giving up being outdoors kind of through a Hawaiian studies program that I really wanted to get into or law school, which is in your mind you're thinking like lecture hall, lots of books.
It's all true, it'll all be there.
But since I've started working for NOAA, I've been to American Samoa three times to work with the people there.
And this past August I took one of our NOAA ships.
Well, I didn't drive it or anything.
>> [LAUGH] >> But I was on a NOAA ship with our Hawaiian monk seal recovery program.
And we sailed up to the northwestern Hawaiian islands, to Papahanaumokuakea.
So I got to go there and actually perform cultural protocol for the group accessing.
And it was amazing.
It was amazing.
I can't like say enough how awesome it was.
But I had a bird land on my head.
I saw seals, some babies.
It was pupping season.
So there was babies, a bunch of fat mamas that hadn't, they were about to give birth.
It was just amazing.
>> So cool.
I didn't even know that was like of thing.
>> Yeah, it was amazing.
There's a lot of work that I do with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as well.
So we permit them to go up and collect things like feathers to make the hulu or kahili.
Say there's like iwi that are uncovered or ancestral bones they'll go up there, do archaeological surveys and remedy that situation.
Cuz we don't want those things exposed.
My job is filled with almost new tasks every single day.
It's an evolving position.
It's kind of like, do you think you can take this on?
Do you think you can take this on?
So we just try it all.
And yeah, I would never have imagined that this would've been the outcome of going to law school.
But being able to visit the place that you work to protect is really important to me.
>> Personally for me, like I think definitely I'm not alone with trying to figure out which path to take.
Definitely among us three we're not alone, especially across the islands.
So like, what is just maybe a strong one last piece of advice you could give to not just us but to like other native Hawaiian students, students across the globe, people who are just unsure of what they want to do?
>> It's something I've thought about.
As young Hawaiians, everything that you do to further yourself is gonna be an act of resistance.
You're going against the grain.
You're trying to break the mold.
You're trying to step outside of what's kind of been left for us, right?
I really stand on my community, my people, my family, my ancestors, and really myself too, my happiness.
I can't do anything for anyone else if I'm not happy with what I'm doing.
So that is my advice, is to what we call kue, is do it differently.
>> [LAUGH] >> And it doesn't have to be protesting or rallying or anything like that.
Everything that you do is gonna be a resistance to what has kind of been left for you already.
[MUSIC] I know not everyone has a very strong connection to place.
For me, it really is being able to be in Hawaii, in my home, with my community and working on initiatives to make all those things better.
And so being able to do what I love and also benefit my community and my people and my family is everything.
I can't imagine wanting anything more, so.
[MUSIC] >> After talking to Hoku about why she does law and what she actually does, I didn't know that was even an option.
I knew NOAA had lawyers.
But I always thought it was for like, I don't know, lawsuits.
I didn't think It was more protecting resources.
That's my dream job.
That makes me want to go to law school.
I didn't think I could before.
And how I feel like I can.
That's a huge change from two weeks ago.
[LAUGH] I want to be a lawyer.
I want to go into policy.
I want to make a difference.
>> Mahina ke alo pali ke kua Literally it translates to holding your face like the moon and your back like a cliff.
It's an old Hawaiian definition for beauty and confidence and that they go hand in hand.
So beauty is confidence and confidence is beauty.
[MUSIC] >> Looking back at who I was and my passions, and my interests in general compared to where I am now, one big thing that did change is my confidence.
Like what i'm feeling inside has strengthened.
Receiving that confirmation from these professionals in the fields that I'm interested in, it was very reassuring.
>> [MUSIC] Hoku, her final words to us were kue, which is like resist.
We're set up in these little boxes, and expected to do anything within the box.
But she said that to really understand your options and explore them, and understand what you want to do, you need to break that barrier.
So she said kue, resist.
I do feel like I can be a technology person and still take care of a community.
>> I'm kue in the work that I'm doing.
This is exactly what I wanna protect, this area, and what is left back home.
I've been so moved and so changed by that experience.
And I think I came out as like a completely different person, like way more determined.
And I'm like I'm gonna do this.
I don't care what anybody says.
I'm gonna apply for this scholarship, and nothing's gonna stop me.
I need to go into policy.
It can make a difference and I can make a difference now, [MUSIC] >> Prior to this trip I was definitely stressed out about a lot of things.
Like all the little things that don't necessarily matter in the end.
Like what will happen when life gets in the way.
Well, like then I come here and I'm realizing listening to all these different stories that all of it is life.
It's not just like life is a separating thing that happens.
All of it is your life and all of it is important.
All those interviews that we've had, a very common thing that we talked about was just knowing who you are and where you come from.
Because that is always gonna be a part of our identity.
But being able to open my eyes to a whole bunch of different things, exploring your own backyard and understanding a different perspective of it, it's something that's going to lead me to where I need to be in the future.
I don't know what I'm gonna be into yet when I go into computer science.
But maybe I should just start thinking about internships.
Maybe I should just try new things.
Maybe I should let go a little bit.
It doesn't have to be something big.
Because something can start small and make a big impact later.
Yeah, don't be afraid to let life happen.
>> Looking back compared to where I am now, I don't think my passions have changed at all.
They're there and I feel like they will always be there just as strong as they are now.
I love environmental science, natural resources, marine biology.
I love all of that.
But I think one thing that was constant throughout all the interviews was that their path was not set in stone.
They didn't know necessarily.
And although I have an idea of what I want the future is unknown.
No one knows it for sure and it's okay.
As long as you have your passions, you can guide your future to where you want it to go.
[MUSIC] Everything that I do or will do should be for the future generations.
That should be for our great, great, great, great, great grandkids so that they have the best possible life they can have.
Have, Live to learn, always take risks, and never lose your fire.
>> Even the message that leaders and mentors that we've interviewed have been saying is that people like me, Traven, and Kea are the next generation of leaders, who are going to make things a lot better for the planet and for people.
If they're telling us that we are that next generation, that big change that's about to happen, then I think that's really powerful.
[MUSIC] >> I'm super hopeful when I meet people like you, because I think that you have a whole new opportunity to do it, and bring in a whole different ways that we haven't thought of.
So, I'm very optimistic about the future.
>> You're getting me a little optimistic about it too [LAUGH].
>> I feel like I can go and make a difference.
And maybe I'll struggle.
Maybe I'll study ten times more than I've ever studied in my life, but I wanna be a lawyer.
There's something that's drawing me to go that path.
And I keep trying to fight it and say, no, I'm a scientist, or I'll just be a conservationist, or something.
But I think I gotta do it, I think I wanna do it.
You can't let anybody else deter you from that.
And I think too often, we do, and we let other people tell us that we can't do it, or you can't be a doctor, or it's too hard, medical school is too much money.
And I feel like, no, don't listen to them.
Why should you listen to them?
They're not you.
You know exactly what you have to do.
It's your responsibility to follow your dream and to eventually give back to others, because you can be successful, be the CEO of this place or whatever.
But if you don't go out and help people, and give back to the people that helped you get to where you are, then are you truly successful?
[MUSIC] Remember where you come from.
Know your roots.
[MUSIC] >> I'm still nervous about what's gonna happen, because I don't know what's gonna happen.
But that's part of the journey, right?
Wouldn't it be boring if you knew what you were supposed to do 20 years from now?
So I mean, I'm nervous, but also very excited, because I don't know what's in store for my future, but I know it's something great.
[MUSIC] >> My kuleana that I've kind of pushed upon is to give back.
It's to not serve myself, but it's to serve others, and to serve the future generations, and to help kids or these people who are living here to wanna do crazy things with their dreams, crazy things with their life.
[MUSIC] >> Never forget what you're fighting for.
Never give up.
Keep your mind focused on where you're going.
[MUSIC] To learn more about how to get involved, or to watch interviews from the road, visit roadtripnation.com.
