Tiffany Kaʻiulani Bento

My name is Tiffany Kaʻiulani Bento and I am originally from Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i. My family surnames are Soo and Bento. One side of my family comes from Keālia in South Kona and the other side of my family comes from Honolulu, Oʻahu. I was born in Hilo but I was raised in Kona. Kona has had a big impact on who I am as a person today because it’s the place that’s kept me grounded. Kona has taught me more than I could ever give it back in return. It’s taught me to take care of the land, take care of the people, and to take care of my responsibilities. I currently live in Kalāahuipuaʻa at Mauna Lani and it’s safe to say that my passions as a high school senior stem from my ancestors before me. My great grandfather, Buddy Soares, was a state senator and he’s the reason I am so invested in politics today, specifically Hawaiʻi’s politics. Politics is a generational stronghold in our family and from the moment I knew what the fancy word was, I wanted to be involved with it. Politics has and always will be part of our family discussions during celebrations, traditional holidays, and our everyday lives. When I was little, I tried to shy away from politics because I didn’t understand it and I never wanted to be the kid who admitted they were from a powerful Hawaiʻi family. However, as I got older, I began to understand that having a well known family isn’t all that bad, it’s actually useful when referring to Hawaiʻi’s culture and people. On the other hand, my papa’s family is the Nāmāhoe family and being a part of this family has taught me to value not only the land but also the people who take care of those lands. The Nāmāhoe family is important to me because I feel like it balances out the political side of my family. I like to think I am a balanced person because of the fact that my family comes from both sides of the tracks. Our family land originates back to Kīholo Bay which is a significant place for me because it reminds me of where I come from and why I’m connected to the land in Hawaiʻi. Both sides of my family combine my interests with the land and politics. Both sides of my family create a big part of who I am because they both contribute to my characteristics as a person. For example, my papa’s side has always taught me to stay true to myself and to be humble along the way. While my grandma’s side of the family has taught me to stand up for what I believe in no matter how difficult it is.