Ross Shiraki:  

Life Life is an adventure. Sometimes you find direction by experiencing life. The Navy enlistment 71-75 was instrumental in understanding what opportunities would mean in the future. The GI bill enabled me to go back to college and finish up and an additional two years of graduate school. It changed my life. Leaving Hawaii is another life changing experience - going off island and experiencing life elsewhere. Through the Navy I got to live in San Diego, The Bay Area in Northern CA and near Tokyo Japan. Through the Naval Reserves I got to experience New England, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sardinia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia, Italy, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC. In graduate school got to intern for Sen.Dan Akaka when he was a Congressman back in the early 80's. Enjoyed it but decided life in the fast lane was definitely not my style. Met Cindy, my wife, during my second stint in college. She finished up at Univ Puget Sound and I went on to Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh. Have 2 wonderful sons. Recalled for active duty Bosnia in 98-99 and 2001 in Mechanicsburg PA. Was in Bosnia for start of war in Kosovo. Appreciate what freedom means and the opportunities available in America. Enjoy spending time with family and friends. Hope life has been great for you too. School Non-traditional student, late bloomer - went to UH Manoa 2 years, Portland State 1 year, enlisted in the Navy. First major - elementary education. Worked a couple years and and decided to attend Kapiolani Community College. Met my wife and dated for 1 year. She transferred to University of Puget Sound, I had only 1 year left at UH so began looking at graduate schools - a family friend suggested going to the east coast if I wanted to eventually come back to Hawaii. Finished with a POLSCI degree and received tuiton scholarship to Carnegie-Mellon University in Public Policy and Management. Never worked harder in my academic life. H...Expand for more