Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 11, 1 November 1991 — HPU student seeks career in computers [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HPU student seeks career in computers

For Alison Kaai, the challenge of a career in the fast-changing world of computer systems means putting to the test how best to use information systems for your benefit.

Kaai attended Seattle University and graduatec with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. She chose the field, she says, because she wanted the challenge, and in part because others said she couldn't do it. She was one of only three women in her class.

This interest was stimulated while she attended Kamehameha Schools where she took courses in science and found a fascination with semiconductors, power plant systems and electric companies. In her senior year she decided to go into electrical engineering, a field she sees as constantly changing.

Now Kaai is completing her thesis at Hawai'i Pacific University, where she is working on a master of science in information systems degree, focusing on computers. Her thesis deals with ways to make information systems applicable to the Hawaiian community. Kaai is on the dean's !ist at HPU, where her coursework has covered artificial intelligence, systems analysis, computer hardware, software applications and programming and general business classes. She has been accepted in the Epsilon Delta Pi Society for graduate students in computer science.

Kaai is the daughter of Herman and Nani Brandt of Ho'olehua, Moloka'i. She was raised there and attended Kualapu'u Elementary School. She has three brothers and one sister, and a son. Kaai says her progress to date is the result of a lot of hard work. She credits her parents for always supporting and encouraging her to persist, even when discouraged, because her past accomplishments showed she could succeed.