Maritime Students

 

Oceanography Students

 

Gyle McGurn

Growing up on Maui, Gyle McGurn felt most at home on the ocean. He swam, surfed, and paddled nearly every free moment; there was nothing like disconnecting and being in the open water. Although he always knew he wanted to do something on the ocean for a living, there was the question of what exactly that was.

Gyle continued to search for an answer through high school. He joined a voyaging program (Hālau Holomoana of the Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy) and broadened his sailing experience. It was then that he first became truly interested in the maritime industry—as well as embrace the role of Hawaiian knowledge in the ocean: from canoe construction, to navigation, to cultural practice. The experience, he says, “gave me a bigger sense of appreciation of where I come from, and how lucky I am to have learned all of this about my culture.” Sights set for the ocean, and with the voyaging program’s encouragement, he applied to California State University Maritime Academy, or Cal Maritime.

When he was accepted, he made the life-changing decision to attend; however, a family with two other young students found it difficult to afford his attendance. Fortunately, his hard work up to this point paid off and Manaʻo Nui awarded him a scholarship. This helped him worry less about paying for school, and focus more on his future. Above and beyond financial assistance, Manaʻo Nui provided him with opportunities to see what the industry is like back home in Hawaiʻi nei. With their help, he connected with fellow Hawaiian youth aspiring to become captains, befriended industry leaders like Hawaiian harbor pilot Captain Ed Enos, and saw the job and career opportunities waiting for him. He gained a greater sense of security in his career choice, knowing that the possibilities in Hawaiʻi alone are endless.

At Cal Maritime, he learned the ins and outs of the maritime industry: from the engineering side, to the business aspects. He also learned some life lessons he didn’t expect. “I’ve just grown a lot as a person over these past three years [at Cal Maritime],” says Gyle. And as with most students going away for college, he found that being away from home isn’t always smooth sailing. But he was able to adjust well. “I’ve learned a few things the hard way with regards to academics, making deadlines, and doing real things out in the real world.” Manaʻo Nui’s scholarship enabled him to go beyond his high school education to become more independent. He gained a greater sense of responsibility for himself as well as others, and an ability to react and adapt in tricky situations both at sea and in life. “I’m just grateful,” he says, “and I’m also just happy that I’m here after all that.”

Gyle can’t wait to earn his degree and realize his dream. Of course, his mind always returns home to Hawaiʻi with the thought of making his family and mentors proud. He plans to share his knowledge as much as he can about the lucrative maritime industry, such as in the voyaging program he once was in, and help those in the same position that he was in not too long ago. “We need Hawaiians in the maritime industry. That has been a fact for a really, really long time,” he says. “I would say [to Hawaiian youth], whether you’re interested in the engineering side or captaining a ship…just go for it.” He believes that it only makes sense for Hawaiians to lead maritime activities connecting the Hawaiian islands with the rest of the world.

Without a doubt, he says he’s chosen the right path. “I don’t even see myself doing anything else with my life,” he says. “I’m happy.”

 

Hiʻilei Robinson

Driven and passionate, Hiʻilei Robinson makes the most of her opportunities. She grew up on an island in the middle of the Pacific, but she knows that the ocean is what connects her to everything around her.

She was part of the Kihei Canoe Club at a young age, and started outrigger paddling in middle school. She went on to compete in the 2012 Calgary World Sprints, paddled down the coast of Washington during the 2014 Paddle to Quinault with Native American tribes, and met Maori participants. “You never really notice the differences that you have [from other people] because when you’re out on the water, it’s just you and them and the ocean, and everyone wants to be there, too.” These experiences introduced her to different cultures around the world—and deepened her own love of both Hawaiian culture and the ocean.

Hiʻilei never thought she could make a career out of her love for the ocean, until she ventured into sailing for the first time in high school. She joined a voyaging program (Hālau Holomoana of the Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy) that brings Hawaiian traditions related to navigation into the modern world, teaching students the need for new Hawaiian maritime leaders. Most of all, sailing helped to harmonize her passion for both the ocean and Hawaiian culture. “We were sailing around the Big Island and I had one of these moments with my kumu,” she says. “It made me realize if I’m out on the ocean doing what I love, then I’ll be okay with where I am because I’ll be happy.”

When Hiʻilei was choosing between colleges, she realized she didn’t want to go to college to do anything in her life but sail. California State University Maritime Academy, or Cal Maritime, was the clear choice. “Being on the ocean is different every day. I’m always learning something new and I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning,” she says. “A lot of my teachers say they learn new things every day. I’m just really excited to be in an industry like that.”

At Cal Maritime, Hiʻilei gained a greater understanding of how the world around her works: for instance, how vital maritime activities are to the United States’, especially Hawaiʻi’s, access to necessities. “It makes me appreciate the ocean more and everything shipping has to offer,” she says.

Manaʻo Nui has been instrumental in Hiʻilei’s exploration of the maritime industry even outside of assisting with her education costs. She was also given unique opportunities to see and experience what the industry has to offer in Hawaiʻi. With Manaʻo Nui’s help, she has made connections with industry leaders including Hawaiian harbor pilot Captain Ed Enos, and did a ride-along at the floating dry docks in Honolulu. “I’m just so thankful for Manaʻo Nui for investing their time and their thoughts into me,” she says, and that “they’re supporting Hawaiʻi kids, no matter where they are.”

Her advice for other Hawaiʻi youth who are interested in the industry? “The maritime industry is very large and very flexible for all kinds of learners,” she says. “[It] has a lot of opportunities. Use them. Find them, and go for it. Never give up.”

Hiʻilei is excited for her career path, and it only gets better. She most looks forward to “taking everything I’ve learned and actually doing something with it,” as well as “using it in my everyday life and applying it to all of the jobs that I could possibly have with any company, anywhere in the world.”