Personal Statement

Aloha!  I am Mahiehie K. Kaawa, I can be called Mahie for short.  I love to play volleyball!!  

My experience in volleyball started at Pauʻoa Community Park when I was in the first grade.  Our family moved to Hawaii Island and when I was in the forth grade,  that is where I started playing volleyball with Hoopa Hawaii in Kailua-Kona, under Coach Ainsley Kalani Keawekane and Hamana Ventura.  I traveled every summer with Hoopa Hawaii, bringing home many titles.  As a freshman, I played on the varsity team at Konawaena High School where I continued till this very year as a Senior.  We won 3 BIIF Championships and 2 Hawaii State Titles.  I was named on the BIIF first team for two years. 

Throughout the years, Iʻve learned that my love to play volleyball is deeper than my own experiences.  My family also loves to play volleyball, including my parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins.   Many have told me that Iʻm a natural.  I was raised as the third child of Kini Kaawa and step-father Kalaniakea Wilson.  My two older brothers and I are one year apart each.  We are humble, very competitive and totally athletic.  We played, competed and are champions in many sports like baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, surfing, makahiki, and track.  Growing up and as the "youngest girl" at that time, I was forced  to be aggressive. For example, I couldn’t cry when I got hit by the ball and therefore, I am not afraid to get hit by a ball!! During high school, my family moved to the other side of the island and I remained residing in Kona so that I could continue playing as a Konawaena Wildcat. I reside with my coaches and focused my time on improving my skills and completing my schoolwork. Though I missed my family very much, I was fortunate to have the experiences and responsibilities of being mostly on my own.

In character, I strive to live "aloha". Aloha is used to greet someone and it generally means love but a deeper reflection of aloha includes being meek, being in unity and harmony, being kind, being humble, and being patient. I love to travel and I am looking for a college where I can play competitive volleyball while getting a good education. I am interested in going in to the physical therapy/kinesiology field, maybe even the health field. As my family cannot provide for my college tuition, I am hoping to receive assistance through financial aid and/or scholarships to pay for college. I ask that you please consider me as I am a great athlete, I am a good student, I have a great humble personality, and I absolutely love to play volleyball. Thank you for your time, mahalo. Mahie