Say hello to our 2018 summer interns!
Please give a warm welcome our 2018 summer interns Robinah and Brayden!
Robinah Gibola
Robinah joins us as a Global Leadership and Sustainable Development graduate student at Hawaiʻi Pacific University. She is from Kitgum, a small town located in northern Uganda that is still in recovery after a war that lasted over 25 years. While in Uganda, she volunteered in several activities that were oriented towards empowering women and the youth, and creating a platform for men to understand the roles they play in ensuring gender equality and equity. As a young African woman, she believes that through good governance and education, Africa and developing countries can solve their own problems. When she graduates from her master’s program, she plans to engage in research work, coordinate with organizations on issues related to climate change and environmental management/education, and involve people in current and discussions that are of relevance to the community. Robinah is excited to work alongside Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi on several issues. Her main focus is on water and waste management—bridging the gap between different stakeholders through community outreach and environmental education. This experience she believes will act as a foundation in building her career in environmental management and sustainable development.
Brayden Aki
Brayden is currently a junior undergraduate student at Santa Clara University, studying Environmental Studies and Political Science. He was born and raised on Oʻahu and admires the islands for their pristine beauty and luscious greenery. Growing up on Oʻahu has helped him appreciate the islands and how special of a place they truly are. In his free time, Brayden enjoys hiking, playing baseball, and creative writing. One of his biggest accomplishments was winning best screenplay at Mid-Pacific Institute’s student film festival his senior year of high school. His love for the islands and his childhood experiences have dedicated Brayden to preserve what he cares for in order to share it with others so they can experience what he has experienced. Brayden is extremely excited for the opportunity to work with the Sierra Club on the array of projects and campaigns designed to protect and preserve the Hawaiian Islands. He hopes to gain skills and insight in the political realm that will help him in his future endeavors in environmental legislative work. He also hopes to find which of the environmental issues that Oʻahu is facing interests him the most and continue to work on these issues after the internship is over. Brayden is excited to begin his work at the Sierra Club and get involved with the community.