University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa transfer student Liliana Okimoto has been named the winner of the #TakeMeToMānoa social media contest, earning a year of free tuition sponsored by UH Federal Credit Union. The contest, organized by Hawaiʻi News Now, invited incoming Fall 2026 freshmen and transfer students to share why UH Mānoa is their ideal destination.
Okimoto’s winning one-minute video reflected her deep connection to Hawaiʻi and her desire to return home after studying in Washington State. She highlighted the university’s strong sense of community and her aspiration to serve others through education and future professional work in psychology and healthcare.
The announcement was made live on Sunrise, where host Billy V surprised Okimoto in front of students and staff at the UH Mānoa Bookstore. Overwhelmed with emotion, she expressed disbelief and joy upon receiving the award.
Raised in Waiʻanae and educated at Island Pacific Academy and ʻIolani School, Okimoto plans to pursue psychology at the College of Social Sciences, with interest in a pre-health track and psychiatry. She also hopes to integrate art therapy into her future career.
The contest, now in its eighth year, continues to highlight student aspirations. University leaders praised Okimoto as the first transfer student to win, welcoming her back into the UH Mānoa community as a symbol of returning home and academic promise.
