About Me — Dustin Kaleo’Okalani Maneja-Poole
Spreading ALOHA one story at a time!
My reason for joining medium was to share my experiences giving others a different perspective on life and travel. I feel like I have so much stories to tell but not many places or people to say it to, but I am taking a chance to find a place to write it on.
First Things First
Who am I and why should you care for what I have to say? My name is Dustin preferred to be called Kaleo and I am from Hawai’i. Typically this is the short answer I like to tell people because I’m always unsure if the person has the time or cares to hear the full version. Yet most times once I mention Hawai’i it never fails to be asked “Woah, your from Hawai’i?! Why would you ever want to leave paradise?” I never wanted to leave Hawai’i but the opportunities to stay wasn’t there for me.
I always had the feeling to leave but did not know how to. Then my opportunity came and I joined the United States Navy to explore the world discovering who I am always looking towards the future but never forget my past and where I come from.
From The Beginning
For most Asian American and Pacific Islander families they are very large and my family is no exception. My parents only had one child together but had other children before and after I was born. On my Dad’s side I’m the youngest of six; four boys, and one girl. My Mom’s side I am the oldest of four; two boys, and two girls.
Being the youngest and oldest had it perks growing up. On one side I felt like I could get a lot more leniency and not in trouble as much because I was the youngest but that also meant I get all the hand me downs, first pick of the beds, or choice of where to sit in the cars. Yet what I didn’t get on one side I could be a different person almost because I was the oldest so I usually got the new clothes, first pick on everything and I was the one everyone had to listen to. This also meant that if I got into trouble I got the worst punishment amongst the younger siblings.
Living in two different households had it’s challenges. I developed this sense of insecurity of not living up to the expectations everyone had. I wanted to make everyone proud but I felt like I came up short. My older siblings were very talented in athletics, smart in school, and easily liked by the people that met them. For me that wasn’t always the case. I was naturally talented, school was a deficiency of mine, and I always felt out of place amongst my peers so I would change to fit in. To my younger siblings I wanted to live up to be someone they could look up to as I did with my older siblings.
I struggled with this until my senior year in high school. One of my older brothers knew my potential and he took a different approach with me where he was slower in teaching me. He became my best friend giving me many lessons and skills that unlocked everything that was hidden which was just embracing who I am. I felt ashamed but that is not how any of my siblings viewed me or my Dad. They always believed in me I just needed to believe in myself.
My Heritage
What makes me feel unique is that in Hawai’i there is so much different cultures that came together that it became a melting pot of ethnicities. I am Hawaiian, Filipino, White, and Cherokee Indian. Growing up in Hawai’i you always had this sense of pride because you were taught at a very young age to be proud of where you come from.
This was because asian immigrants were shipped over to be sugar plantation workers or farming, working hard to get the life they provided their family. As Hawaiians they were proud because even though bloodlines were decimated due to diseases and western influence they always were able to prevail and keep the culture alive.
Knowing where I come from gives me strength that I can conquer anything as long as I put my mind to it. I also use my background to help spread my culture and bring awareness of the history of Hawaiians and Asian culture from Hawai’i traveling the world.
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Anchors Away!
After high school I got my Associates degree but still I wanted to attend college in the mainland but it didn’t seem possible at the time. My love for Hawai’i is endless but felt this need to leave and go explore something new. This feeling was new and almost scary because of the unknown.
With mixed emotions not knowing how to express or control it. My mind went spiraling into a place of being trapped, stagnant, and guilt because I felt like I was not living up to my potential letting my family down.
My Dad who is a Marine, and Army veteran encouraged me to join the Armed Forces. He originally wanted me to the Air Force and I almost did but it just did not feel right.
My other close friend joined the Navy around this time and I remember his life looking cool. He had a family, house, and was traveling the world.
One day I went down to the local recruiting offices unable to make a decision, I came across a random person outside the Navy recruiting office. I walked straight up to her and just said “do you like the Navy?” She replied “Yeah I like it.”
I explained to her my situation and how indecisive I was. She told me to just go for it and at that moment I did. I walked into the office and just said I want to join and started my process. Then on June 2nd, 2015 I officially enlisted into the United States Navy. Since being in the Navy I never saw that girl ever since or even know here name but she helped influence I believe one of the best decisions I’ve made.
My Life.
Since joining the Navy, I am an aircraft mechanic working on the fighter jets specializing in airframes, hydraulics, wheel and brake assemblies, composites, and hazmat. In this demanding and dangerous environment I thrive in it and love what I do most of the time.
My time in the Navy gave me the opportunity to live in Japan for three years from 2015–2018. While deployed and being stationed overseas I have visited eight different countries. I’ve also met so many people in the Navy with different backgrounds from all over the U.S.
I was able to go back to school while working and traveling and obtained my Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and currently going my Masters in Aviation Management.
I met my wife in 2017 while on a visit back home in Hawai’i from deployment and got married in 2018. I’ve since then dedicated to building a life for her and us. We purchased our first home in 2020 and had our first child in 2021. Living with them is not perfect but I strive everyday to provide them with everything and to be a better Husband and Father everyday.
Why Me?
Between going to school and working I do a lot of talking, networking, and writing. Im exposed to so much that I always have something to say and talk about.
Even though I can be a loud mouth I reserve that side for those that I feel close to. My wife and family have always encouraged me that I could be a good mentor because of my stories and experience but I myself get insecure for being the extroverted introvert I am.
I know that everyone can evolve and elevate themselves from the lessons and stories we are told. So I want write and create stories for people to read, enjoy and have fun with.
Exploring all the different experiences on this platform I hope to learn from them as well and give back by sharing my ‘Ike (knowledge) and Mo’olelo (stories) which will be my way of spreading Aloha to the world.
