Nine graduates of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa medical school’s ʻImi Hoʻōla class of 2024 have earned admission as first-year students to the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).
The ʻImi Hoʻōla program, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in October 2023, is part of JABSOM’s Department of Native Hawaiian Health. During the rigorous year-long program, selected students study sciences and humanities, and refine their communication and critical-thinking skills. The program has guided more than 300 students from disadvantaged backgrounds toward medical careers, with many serving Hawaiʻi.
“It’s the most amazing feeling,” said Aljay Carnate, one of the 2024 program graduates. “I think it’s probably going to hit me at the White Coat Ceremony. I get super emotional because I’ve tried so hard, so many times, and now I’m finally going to live the dream I’ve been longing for.”
Student’s perseverance, dedication pays off
“It teaches you to navigate and be resilient because medicine is not easy,” said Carnate, who faced several challenges during his application process. Initially, he applied to both ʻImi Hoʻōla and JABSOM but was rejected. On his second attempt, he was waitlisted for ʻImi Hoʻōla but denied admission to JABSOM.
“I gave myself a third try, and this time, I was waitlisted for JABSOM but accepted into ʻImi Hoʻōla,” Carnate explained.
Once admitted to the program, Carnate dedicated himself to his studies, often studying from early morning until late at night, sacrificing time with family and friends.
It teaches you to navigate and be resilient because medicine is not easy.
—Aljay Carnate
“It was a sacrifice that I had to make, but I knew that this would allow me to pursue a path in medicine,” he said.
Carnate was inspired to become a physician after his grandmother, who battled stage four cancer, passed away.
“She didn’t tell us about her condition until it was too late because she didn’t want to place a financial burden on my parents,” said Carnate, who wants to be able to provide medical access to low-income communities like Kalihi.
Carnate hopes to inspire future generations as well. “I represent the low-income, gay, first-generation and Filipino immigrant communities. I hope that by having these identities, my patients can relate to me and trust me. I also hope to empower and uplift those in future generations who want to go into medicine. They can see me and be like, ‘Hey, if he can do it, then I can do it too,’” he added.
The other 2024 ʻImi Hoʻōla graduates are Lindney Acosta, Richelle Hannah Alfonso, Kai Hirayama, Jeannie Ho, Christian Llantero, Nicholas Loi, Kiara Moffitt and Leo Wu.
