{"id":234980,"date":"2026-05-26T11:59:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T21:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=234980"},"modified":"2026-05-26T15:02:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T01:02:45","slug":"uh-hilo-2026-torrano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/26\/uh-hilo-2026-torrano\/","title":{"rendered":"Striving for the highest: 糖心视频<\/abbr> Hilo grad gives back"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Leiya Margareth Torrano<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Leiya Margareth Torrano crossed the stage at the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Hilo 2026 Spring Commencement on May 16, she carried more than a diploma. The Honokaʻa<\/span>-raised daughter of Filipino immigrants became the first in her family to graduate from college—and spent four years helping other local students see higher education as a possibility for themselves.<\/p>\n

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Torrano earned a degree in business administration<\/a> with a concentration in healthcare management, a minor in philosophy and a pre-law certificate. She said earning her diploma represented the sacrifices and support of her family.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m representing them—all of their investments, all of their energy—will be coming on stage with me,” Torrano said. “This is for them and for me.”<\/p>\n

Creating pathways for local students<\/h2>\n

While navigating college as a first-generation student, Torrano focused on helping other local students access higher education opportunities. As a Bonner Leader<\/a> and member of the First Year Experience<\/a> team, she helped launch 糖心视频<\/abbr> Hilo\u2019s inaugural Thrive and Shine: First Generation Day celebration.<\/p>\n

She also developed K\u016blia i ka Nuʻu<\/span>, meaning “strive for the highest,” a college-preparation program connecting local high school students with campus resources, mentorship and college guidance. Torrano said the program aims to “debunk the myths and barriers” that discourage some students from pursuing college.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re navigating and eliminating the fear of what steps to take,” she said.<\/p>\n

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Torrano and her family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leadership beyond the classroom<\/h2>\n

During her time at 糖心视频<\/abbr> Hilo, Torrano served as Health Occupation Students of America President and studied abroad at the University of Birmingham in England. She credited the Bonner Program with helping her become a more confident leader.<\/p>\n

Torrano encouraged local students to recognize the opportunities available close to home.<\/p>\n

“People think they have to leave, but there is so much you can accomplish here,” she said.<\/p>\n

After graduation, Torrano will begin working as a service supervisor for The Arc of Kona, supporting elderly individuals and people with disabilities.<\/p>\n

Read the full story at K\u016bkala N\u016bhou<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Leiya Margareth Torrano created a program to help local students pursue higher education.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":234982,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[498,499,234,14],"class_list":["post-234980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-business","tag-college-of-business-and-economics","tag-commencement","tag-uh-hilo","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t