Kaimana experienced the transition from heat and serve meals to scratch cooking during grade school. The high school she attended would have students throw their leftovers from their lunch plates into buckets, which would then be used as compost for our school’s agricultural garden. Her elementary school had students participate in the cafeteria alongside food service workers and serve their peers. Additionally, they would clean the cafeteria after lunch and be rewarded with popsicle sticks. This was a way for us, as students, to gain a deeper understanding of the work that goes into our school food and appreciate the hard work that it entails.

Kaimana was born and raised in Hawaii and is now attending the University of Colorado Boulder, where she majors in electrical and computer engineering.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing and painting, listening to music, watching her favorite shows and movies, and spending time with friends.