My wife and I moved to Kapaa not that long ago, it was in 2023. My wife is a New Zealand citizen with dual Canadian citizenship that she got after our marriage. We decided to move to Hawaii after my wife completed veterinary school, as it positioned us between Canada and New Zealand, and provides the advantage of the USD conversion for paying off student debt.

My family’s immigration to Canada was from my great-grandparents, with each of them immigrating at some point in their lives and each from different European regions. I  do not know a lot of the specifics, but I believe they were of Norwegian, Danish, Ukrainian, Polish, Scottish, and Irish descent.

I think my family heritage has led me to be in a section of society with privileges, shaped by the societal paradigms that define cultural norms. I believe that being aware of the privileges that are extended to cis-white males is important because it helps to understand that my experiences are based on my personal perspectives, which can be a reflection of the general cultural paradigms. This understanding results in an improved ability to understand the perspectives and experiences of others.

I am male.

I would be a 4th-generation Canadian, to my understanding of my family history.