“I’m the type of person who loves becoming a beginner again and again, so I’m always jumping around,” sophomore Minato Hirano said.
When most people seek stability and routine, Hirano constantly strives to pursue new experiences to both further his knowledge and help his community. After 11 years at Mid-Pacific Institute, the results of his quest to experience all the school has to offer is evident, making space for a new journey.
Students may know him from his involvement in student leadership, where he was on the student council, executive council and is now a member of the Student Government Association (SGA). Others may know him from his contributions to dance, hula, breakdancing, jazz band or his gigs as a DJ. However, most recognize him because of his willingness to engage with the Mid-Pacific community at large and lend a listening ear.
“Leadership [is more] than what’s written on paper. I think the biggest impact I have on my community is bringing positivity day to day, helping people feel like they’re heard not [just] in the sense that your ideas are heard, but just genuinely listening. Speaking, talking, complimenting their stuff. And if I compliment someone, I’m not just complimenting to compliment,” Hirano said.
Despite his tall resume, Hirano continues to believe his largest impact on Mid-Pacific isn’t motivated or because of his positions, but instead his biggest contribution is a representation of his character and born from a want to help others.
“During my freshman year, I didn’t have many friends, and one of the first people who put themselves out there and made it a point to be my friend was Minato. He’s a very sweet guy and he’s outgoing in a way that even if he has anxiety, even if he’s nervous, he’s still gonna do it because he knows it can impact others in a good way. He’s not a people pleaser, he’s someone you want to be around just because he’s somebody you can feel comfortable around and comfortable talking to,” sophomore Uluwehi Anshutz said.
Hirano is invigorated to strengthen his community due to his understanding of its importance in a person’s view of themself and their work.
“Community builds a base for what you create. There’s no art without the artist, there’s no artist without the journey and to find the experiences to make that journey it has to come from your communities,” Hirano said.
Hirano personally knows the impact of community on motivating a person to chase their talents and passions to reach greater heights, recalling how he first began dance at Mid-Pacific.
“I think what [impacted me] was when guest artist Gregory Lauo came to our class in seventh grade and specifically said ‘I know this kid is below level, but I want him to join my camp for level threes.’ And then after that, I auditioned for his piece and he was like, ‘I want him’ and I was the only eighth grader. I got to experience two weeks of studying with him and catching up to everybody who was three times better than me: it made me feel so alive. And that’s when I was like, damn, I have talent and I love this so much because I love music. It all connects,” Hirano said.
Just as he inspires others in his community, there are those who inspire him; this cycle continues, each interaction feeding into further motivation and creativity. Hirano is constantly chasing positivity, transforming fear into ambition and dread into hope.
“I always want to go where people are three times better than me and that’s part why I’m excited to move to Japan. When you’re three times worse than everybody you’re so hungry to keep going and driving. It just completely pushes you forward so much and growing feels good,” Hirano said.
Over his time at Mid-Pacific, from elementary to now in his sophomore year of high school, Hirano has strived to better his community. The community that he has helped to grow is saddened to say goodbye to such a wonderful person but– inspired by Hirano’s own mindset– is excited to see what he does going forward. With his unique personal philosophy, highlighting optimism and self improvement, his physical presence will be greatly missed but his spirit will continue through his great impact on our campus.
“Because Minato is a person of many talents, he’s all over the place. He’s a prominent figure in our community as a person and he’s respected among his peers and teachers. I’ve never heard anyone have anything bad to say and that speaks volumes. His involvement with so many things means everyone gets a glimpse of Minato and sees how awesome he is,” senior Peyton Rente said. “It feels like even though he’s younger than me, there are so many things I can be learning from him.”
