Skye Banda
Occupation: Education & Employment Case Manager for RYSE
What school you grad? Waiʻanae High ‘17
Location: Waiʻanae, HI
Waiʻanae native Skye Banda serves as an education and employment case manager with Residential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE), a non-profit organization founded in 2018 that services opportunity youth in Hawaiʻi through empowerment and personalized support. RYSE has an access center in Kailua, where at-risk youth can drop in for free showers, laundry facilities, hot meals, clothing, toiletries and hygiene supplies as well as referrals for different services. Beyond serving as a shelter, RYSE offers a comprehensive range of services, including counseling, mentoring, education, life skills training, case management and advocacy. In her role, she helps at-risk youth between the ages of 14 and 24 explore educational and employment opportunities, whether it’s earning a GED, obtaining a high school diploma, or researching trade schools and colleges that align with their interests, goals and individual needs.
Banda attended Trường Tiểu học Māʻili, Waiʻanae Intermediate School Và Waiʻanae High School. She previously served as a substitute teacher for the Leeward District schools and currently volunteers with Waiʻanae Intermediate School’s music program.
Q: What was your journey like after high school?
MỘT: After high school, I struggled to find a career that truly gave my life meaning. As a result, I often moved from one employer to another, simply trying to stay busy while searching for my purpose. A little over two years ago, I began volunteering at Waiʻanae Intermediate School, and that experience changed my life. It was there that I discovered my calling: helping students and young adults find their own paths and realize their potential. More recently, I joined RYSE, where I have the opportunity to support homeless youth and young adults as they work toward their goals and futures. I could not have asked for a more rewarding career, and I feel truly blessed to do work that makes a difference in the lives of others.
Q: What are you up to these days?
MỘT: These days, I devote much of my time to helping the youth of RYSE build brighter futures by finding jobs and completing their education. A large part of my role involves talking story with each youth to build rapport, establish trust and assess their needs. These conversations allow me to better understand their unique circumstances and provide individualized support tailored to their goals.
I also spend one day each week working with the chorus students at Waiʻanae Intermediate School, sharing my passion for music with the next generation. While my work keeps me busy, I always make time to stay true to myself through singing and playing my ʻukulele.
Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it?
MỘT: I chose this career because two of my greatest passions are music and helping others. In this role, I have the opportunity to do both. While helping youth build better futures for themselves, I also get to connect with many of them through music. We often have jam sessions together, which help us build trust, strengthen our relationships, and create lasting memories.
Every youth is different. They come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, which has taught me the importance of keeping an open mind and approaching each person without judgment. Through my work, I have learned that building a genuine connection can often have an even greater impact than simply guiding a youth through the education and employment process. When youth feel supported, understood, and valued, they are more likely to believe in their potential and take positive steps toward their future.
Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?
MỘT: Public school has taught me to celebrate every moment regardless of failure because where one door closes another door will always open and all it takes is one open door to have a limitless number of opportunities.
Q: Favorite subject in school?
MỘT: Chorus and JROTC.
Q: What type of extracurricular activities were you involved in?
MỘT: During high school, I was actively involved in community service throughout the Waiʻanae community. I volunteered for the Special Olympics, participated in Waiʻanae parades, and helped coordinate donations for Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae — a self-governed, community-led Native Hawaiian village and refuge located near the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of giving back, supporting others and making a positive impact in my community.
Q: What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast?
MỘT: Kalua pig and cabbage.
Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?
MỘT: I have two teachers whom I absolutely love and would not be the person I am today without.
The first is my Waiʻanae High School JROTC instructor, 1st Sergeant Milo Sinapati. He taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, confidence and character. Most importantly, he showed me that it’s okay to stand out from the crowd and be unapologetically yourself. The lessons he taught me continue to guide me in everything I do.
The second teacher I would like to thank is my chorus teacher from Waiʻanae Intermediate School, Mrs. Shanita Akana. Mrs. Akana helped me find my voice, both as a singer and as a person. Her encouragement and belief in me made a lasting impact on my life. Even today, she, Principal John Wataoka, and the entire faculty and staff at Waiʻanae Intermediate School continue to welcome me back as a volunteer. Through that opportunity, I am able to help current chorus students find their voices just as Mrs. Akana helped me find mine. For that, I will always be grateful.
Q: What advice do you have for students?
MỘT: Be proud of where you come from and never be afraid to showcase your successes because seeing you succeed might just be the motivation that someone else needs to strive towards success as well.
