When I step onto campus, it seems like most people recognize me. Maybe itʻs from my backpack, decked to the nines with charms, pins, and chains. Maybe itʻs my signature long, colorful socks paired with Doc Marten boots. Or maybe, itʻs my loud, blunt personality.

Although I often hear my name uttered on campus, in the hallways, standing in line in the cafeteria, and in whispers from the back of classrooms, I canʻt shake the feeling that almost no one at this school knows the real me.

So, letʻs start with an introduction. My name is Moss Limuakamokumekealoha Kuon, and I am… well…

See, thatʻs the problem. There isnʻt really one perfect way to sum up my existence. Iʻm many things: an artist, a poet, a filmmaker, and a work in progress. I am a sophomore at KS Maui, and an aspiring politician.

I am also, at my core, deeply humanist. I believe that all of as humans have the right to pursue happiness, and have their growth be supported.

But in practice, all of these words are merely labels; in my experience, labels do a poor job at best of expressing a whole. They describe parts.

And in a sense, I am defined by all the communities and activities I partake in. But that doesnʻt quite do it justice. If we were all only the words we use to describe ourselves with, there would be no self, only broken vignettes of our stories.

I find the things that say the most about a person are their taste in music, the way they resolve conflict, and their flaws. So here are mine.

My favorite artists are Flipturn, Cavetown, ADÉLA and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.

Although it depends on the day, I try my best to communicate assertively, and find creative, collaborative solutions.

These are my biggest flaws, in order: bias, a tendency to focus on what could be better instead of what is already great, choosing all the battles, and spontaneously breaking into song (in true theatre kid fashion).

We all have stories, stories that deserve to be heard, seen, and respected. In this blog, I will share mine. I would be honored to hear yours.