Pueo Far and Wide

Griffin speaks highly of paddling with his Pueo teammates on Maui Prep’s outrigger canoe. He first took interest in paddling in his middle school years when he joined the Lahaina Canoe Club with some of his friends. As a HHSAA sanctioned sport, Griffin joined the Pueo squad his freshman year. As the canoe’s steersman, he is the boat’ quarterback, calling commands and keeping the paddlers moving in sync.

Griffin was very invested in language as well. “I explored that through taking Japanese, which was one of the few languages offered at Maui Prep when I attended. Studying the Japanese language enabled." Griffin and his classmates to compete on the school’s Japan Wizards Academic Team. The annual three-student team competition is a full day of academic tests on an extensive range of topics related to Japan, including arts, contemporary Japan, culture and traditions, food, geography, history, Japan- Hawaii ties, language, literature, politics and government, and sports. In 2018, the Maui Prep team earned a trip to Japan after winning the statewide competition.

Griffin discovered that his interests lie in computer science. The administration helped him enroll in courses through the University of Hawai'i-Maui College and he completed an independent AP Computer Science. “I always had a fascination with computers as a child,” Griffin recalls. “Computer science interests me because there are many ways to solve the same problem, and you are expected to come to the solution with your own style and method.”

He definitely made his mark in academics, being named the Upper School Academic Leader at the end of his junior year, followed by being honored as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2018. Griffin chose to attend the University of Vermont in Burlington after graduation. His mother, Karin, is a UVM alumni. “From what I heard, Burlington was a really fun town to live in and there were many natural areas nearby (waterfalls, ski resorts, hikes, etc.)” Griffin applied to a handful of other East Coast schools but Vermont courted him with a great scholarship and early admission decision. Although he stepped on campus undeclared in his major, he quickly gravitated back to computer science, eventually earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science/Information Systems in 2022. After completing an internship in Vermont, Griffin moved to New York City.

Currently, Griffin is employed by Ernst and Young as tech consultant. At EY, his job varies with each client. “I focus on data and AI for different clients. This could be anywhere from creating different data visualizations, working on code, app development, as well as working on gathering requirements for different technical products and, doing project management” for national and global corporations.

Griffin reflects fondly on his Maui Prep experience. Traditional mainland high school experiences were a trade-off for the opportunity to grow up on West Maui, and attend an intimate independent school. “Coming from Maui Prep, I thought I might be ready for a bigger school experience with more social opportunities.” Griffin recalls, “[But when] talking with people, I was really grateful for how well I knew everyone in my class and at the school and everyone I could interact with. [My] college balanced that out. Like it's satiated anything I was left wanting for from high school.”

Griffin is grateful for the varied experience that Maui Prep afforded him. He was free to explore passions even if his interest was fleeting. Griffin also points out that Maui Prep’s academic load prepared him well. “Maui Prep prepared me for those challenges and sort of ways to tackle the stressors of college.” He draws a blank when asked what advice he would lend to his younger self. “I think it's a good sign that there's nothing immediately coming to mind,” Griffin laughs, “I would probably say don't be afraid to explore even more interests. If you don't like it, then you know what you don't like. That's the only way you're able to figure it out.”