graduate assistants

LJ Rayphand ---------------- Graduate Assistant Center for Pacific Islands Studies e-mail: rayphand@hawaii.edu Ran Annim,

LJ Rayphand spent most of histime growing up on Udot, a small volcanic island in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia. He earned an AS degree from the College of Micronesia–FSM and two BA degrees from the University of Guam and San Jose State University. In spring 2005, he graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa with an MA in educational technology. For the past three years, he has been working at the College of Micronesia–FSM in areas of education, culture, and technology. He has extensive experience working with various communities in Chuuk and Pohnpei. He has produced two videos, Chuuk State Constitution Day and Protecting Chuuk Lagoon from Dynamite Fishing and a Web site entitled Chuukese Idioms. He is currently working on a PhD in educational technology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. His area of interest encompasses the integration of educational technology and media in remote areas of the Pacific Islands, specifically in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Kisha Ann Borja-Kecho'cho' (Quichocho/ familian Lasåru) ----------------------------- Graduate Assistant Center for Pacific Islands Studies e-mail: kishabq@gmail.com Håfa Adai!

I am from the village of Mangilao in the island of Guåhan (Guam). In Spring 2008, I earned a BA degree in English from Hawai`i Pacific University and am currently pursuing an MA degree in Pacific Islands Studies from the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. I am the secretary of the Pan-Pacific Association at UH. My favorite color is purple. My research interests include exploring the contemporary Chamoru culture and identity, or what it means to be a Chamoru today, in addition to looking at how this culture and identity influence the representation(s) of the Chamorus. I am also interested in gaining more knowledge and sharing what I already know about the indigenous rights of the Chamorus, rights which have been especially jeopardized more recently. I am further interested in using creative writing, mainly poetry, to express and explore issues related to the Chamoru culture and people. In May 2009, my chelu` Angela Cruz and I hosted and performed a poetry reading event, "Karera i Palåbran Måmi" ("The Journey of Our Words”).

I will eventually return to Guåhan, where I want to teach, help my family, and contribute to my local community. As a daughter of Guåhan, it is my responsibility to give back to the place, people, and culture that I come from.