Dana.Pumehana.Aina ~ 1Hawaiian

Welcome! | Welina Ke Aloha!

Aloha kaua! 'O Dana Pumehana 'Aina ko'u inoa. E komo mai i ko'u pana ma luna o punaewele puni honua. Ua hānau ia'u ma Hilo a ua ho'oulu ia'u ma Kailua-Kona, i ka mokupuni nui o Hawai'i. Hello. My name is Dana Pumehana Aina. Welcome to my place on the World Wide Web. I was born in Hilo, and raised in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawai'i. A proud Native Hawaiian, I'm always looking to share my culture with other Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike. So, if you're interested, come and talk-story with me. A'ole hilahila. No shame (don't be shy).

Professional | 'Oihana

I am the Senior Academic Adviser for Penn State Continuing Education at University Park (CEUP). Our office helps returning adult students move ahead in their careers by helping them earn a degree or certificate. As a "CE" student, you can enhance your credentials with professional development programs and take courses your way through the flexibility of weekend, evening and online courses. Through these pathways, CEUP may help students unlock career advancement opportunities, feel the pride of achievement and earn a degree with instant employer recognition.

• Discover certificate and degree programs for adult learners with Penn State Continuing Education.
• Take an online course via Penn State's World Campus.
• Have you thought about going (or returning) to Penn State to get your college degree? To discuss your educational goals, call Penn State Continuing Education at University Park (toll free) at 800-228-1627.

From August 2000 through March 2007, I was a counselor in the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC). The MRC provides professional counseling and educational services for African/Black American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Latino(a)/Hispanic American undergraduate students. Its staff is dedicated to helping students succeed and graduate from Penn State. Some of my responsibilities at the MRC included the following:

• Counseling MRC students and providing referral services to campus resources
• Managing APA Student Listserv and MRC Student Listserv
• Directing the KEWL Mentoring and Leadership Program (now AASIA - Asian American Students in Action)
• Editing and contributing content to MRC website
• Advising student organizations: Delta Sigma Iota Fraternity, Delta Phi Omega Sorority, Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Loyalty-Integrity-Trust-Enlightenment (LITE) and Hui Hawai'i

Fun | Le'ale'a

He mea hoe wa'a ia'u. I am an outrigger canoe paddler. Did you know that outrigger paddling is Hawai'i's official state team sport? NAH, FO' REAL, THO! Hoe wa'a (paddling) keeps me connected to hawai'iana (my culture), ka moana (the ocean), na kupuna (my ancestors), and akua a me na aumakua (my sprituality). In central Pennsylvania, it can be quite a difficult activity to pursue, since we have no ocean nearby nor very many lakes big enough (or unaffected by the cold weather) to support paddling year round. Here's a few organizations on the mainland that promote outrigger paddling and keep the sport alive for me:

• East Coast Outrigger Racing Association (ECORA)
• Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club
• Philadelphia Outrigger Canoe Club
• Huki - manufacturer of OC1 and OC2 outriggers, and surfskis
• Vermont Waterways - makes a paddling adapter for Concept2 Indoor Rower

Pa'ani wolipopo i'au wale no. I also play volleyball...and I have coached the sport for over 10 years at various levels, including the following teams:

• Penn State University - Women's Volunteer Assistant Coach (1992-93)
• State College Area HS - Girls' & Boys' Head Coach (1993-1997)
• Bucknell University - Women's Assistant Coach (1997-98)
• Penn State University - Men's 2^nd Assistant Coach (1998-99)
• Central Mountain HS - Girls' Head Coach (2004)

I may live in Pennsylvania, but like most people from Da "808 State," I love to root for University of Hawai'i Sports (Go Bows!), especially the following teams:

• University of Hawai'i Warriors Football
• University of Hawai'i Warriors Volleyball
• University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine Volleyball

Personal | Mea Au

I live in State College, PA, with my lovely wife, Shelly Aina. We have a kitty named Hina. For fun, I paddle outrigger canoes, ride mountain bikes, strength train, play volleyball, design websites, read Marvel comics, sleep, and record a bunch of shows on my DirecTV HD Tivo not because I'll have enough time to watch them all but because I don't wanna miss anything good in HD.