LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lisa Hayashi was nominated by her principal, Mitchell Otani. 

"It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I recommend Lisa Hayashi, College and Career Guidance Counselor at Kalani High School, for consideration for the 2025 LifeChanger of the Year program," said Otani. "Ms. Hayashi has redefined the college and career guidance program at Kalani, providing outstanding support for students and families as they navigate college admissions, career planning, and personal growth. She runs a highly effective and inclusive counseling program, working individually with students and leading group and classroom guidance sessions, encouraging students to explore their goals and ambitions. She also holds workshops and informational sessions for parents, ensuring they feel equipped to support their students."

"Her leadership within the school community is widely respected, and she is a trusted advocate for all students. One of Ms. Hayashi's most remarkable strengths is her bilingual fluency in Japanese, allowing her to bridge cultural and language barriers within our diverse student body," said Otani.

She creates more substantial connections with families and provides unique personalized support, particularly for students who aspire to pursue education abroad in Japan. She has established partnerships with prestigious institutions in Japan through extensive research and relationship-building, including Sophia and Rikkyo Universities. Through her intensive contacts, Kalani High School recently traveled to Nagoya University, College of Business and Meikai University, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to meet with the University Presidents and admission directors to streamline the admittance process. She has also visited many universities in Japan and Korea, and through her connections, she has become very knowledgeable about each school's program, admission process, and cost per year. These connections have opened international pathways for Kalani students, broadening their prospects and helping them embrace global opportunities.

She runs a highly effective, comprehensive, and inclusive counseling program, offering a variety of workshops and resources to empower students at every step. Ms. Hayashi's advisory-based student workshops cover critical topics, such as "What Are My Options After High School?", "How to Build a College List," "Resume Building," "Interview Preparation," "Scholarships and FAFSA," "FSA ID Creation," "Studying in Japan," "College Essay Writing," and "Navigating Application Portals." She also coordinates UH System-Wide Application Days and offers dedicated application days for out-of-state schools, ensuring students feel supported in their post-high school pursuits.

Ms. Hayashi's deep commitment to accessibility is evident through her tireless efforts to reach all students and families. She presents to senior English classes, organizes drop-in sessions twice a month with Kapiolani Community College (KCC) counselors during lunch hours, and brings in college representatives and industry professionals for career talks covering careers in aviation, emergency medical services, and firefighting. For students pursuing community college, She organizes workshops with KCC and Honolulu Community College (HCC), helping students register for courses and attend orientations. Additionally, her senior and underclassmen informational nights offer critical guidance for students and families as they prepare for their futures.

Ms. Hayashi's approach is rooted in her deep understanding that students have varied aspirations; she recognizes that college is not the path for everyone. With this in mind, she works closely with outside agencies to organize informational sessions for students interested in alternative careers, including those in cosmetology, construction, and other service industries. Her dedication to each student's success is further exemplified by her partnerships with local businesses like Y. Hata-Chef Zone, YMCA, Kumon, and A+ Programs, which provide students with valuable part-time work and career experience.

Her hands-on counseling approach shows her commitment to her students' success. She meets with every senior multiple times throughout the year, tailoring her guidance to each student's unique aspirations, whether they aim for college, a trade, military service, or immediate entry into the workforce. This dedication has contributed to remarkable achievements among Kalani's students: the class of 2024 collectively earned over $15,000,000 in scholarships, a testament to her support in identifying and securing funding opportunities. Her initiatives and connections to community resources mean that Kalani students have opportunities to thrive, regardless of their chosen path.

Ms. Hayashi's most treasured discovery was the QuestBridge Program, a national nonprofit based in Palo Alto, California. Founded in 1987 as the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program, QuestBridge connects low-income and first-generation students with top colleges and universities. Through her research, Ms. Hayashi became well-versed in the program and now helps students navigate their applications to QuestBridge and its 52 partner schools. QuestBridge identifies high-achieving students early, leveraging test data and guidance counselor networks to offer mentorship and full-ride scholarships, ensuring the admissions process is more equitable for underrepresented applicants. In the past 10 years, Ms. Hayashi has helped five graduates achieve QuestBridge Match Status and the opportunity to match and attend one of 52 top college partner universities. Her comprehensive approach includes organizing FAFSA Completion Workshops, coordinating field trips to college fairs, campuses, and relevant industries, and inviting guest speakers tailored to various classes. She helps students connect with community members and alumni for mentorships and internships, matching their interests with real-world opportunities.

Ms. Hayashi's dedication to personalized support includes meeting individually with every senior, giving preference to those about to graduate, discussing their next steps, writing letters of recommendation, and managing transcript and document requests. In addition to her individualized counseling, Ms. Hayashi has built extensive connections with admissions directors across the United States, providing Kalani students a competitive edge during college applications. She frequently travels to meet with college representatives, ensuring she remains informed about admissions trends and scholarship opportunities that benefit students. Ms. Hayashi embodies professionalism, compassion, and innovation in her role. Her support of faculty includes conducting workshops upon request and sharing best practices for advising students on college and career readiness. Her collaboration and dedication extend throughout the entire school community, enhancing the environment at Kalani and contributing to a high rate of post-secondary engagement—approximately 90%+ of graduates pursue post-secondary education.

Ms. Hayashi is also well respected by other counselors and is the go-to person in Hawaii regarding international partnerships. Ms. Hayashi models and promotes trust, enthusiasm, rapport, respect, and openness among faculty, staff, students, and school community members. She is innovative, creative, and persistent in pursuing ways to improve her school. She utilizes effective strategies in planning, decision-making, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and setting expectations and amplifies her efforts through others. She brings friendship, loyalty, cooperation, industriousness, and a "we can" attitude. She is very personable, extremely flexible, caring, conscientious and hard-working. Her ability to bring people together is of great importance, which amplifies all of the positive, proactive activities that raise the level of excellence at Kalani High School.

"She is an exemplary counselor whose work will have a lasting impact on Kalani High School and our students. I wholeheartedly recommend her for LifeChanger of the Year," said Otani.

Her contributions to students' lives and futures are immeasurable, including:

• Student workshops during advisories, with topics such as What are my options after high school, How to build a college list, Resume Building, Interview Prep, Scholarships and FAFSA, FSA ID Creation, Studying in Japan, College Essay, Application Portals, and Sending School Documents
• UH System-Wide Application Days
• Presentation to Senior English Classes
• Out-of-state application days
• Twice a month KCC counselor drop-in lunch hours
• College representatives visit
• Career talks (Pilot, EMT, Fire, etc.)
• Next steps workshops with KCC & HCC - course registration, new student orientation, etc.
• Senior Class College & Career Informational Night for Students and Families
• FAFSA Completion Workshops
• Underclassmen College & Career Informational Night for Students and Families
• Meet with students, preference with graduating seniors
• Parent meetings upon request
• College/career field trips: national college fairs, field trips to college campuses, field trips to industries students are interested in
• Arranging guest speakers for other classes and teachers that match their subject areas
• Connecting current students to members of the community or alumni that match their interests or for opportunities such as internships
• Letters of recommendations
• Registration for classes for underclassmen support
• Senior Awards Night
• Transcript and school document requests and sending of documents
• Faculty workshops upon request