Nicole is HHAPI’s Research Project Manager and recently hit her 5th year-mark with the program. She graduated from high school in Las Vegas and did her undergrad at San Diego State University in Anthropology. She received her Master’s in Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health from UH and is currently applying to UND to pursue an Indigenous Health PhD. She is passionate about helping her people and a true leader of our HHAPI `ohana.

My maiden name is Nicole Lee Kamakahiolani Fujioka-Krzyska. I am hapa. I am Hawaiian, Japanese, Polish, German, Swedish and Spanish. The Hawaiian side goes far back to Maui, then moved to the Big Island. My Tutu’s mom is from Kealakekua Bay. Then, they moved to O’ahu, where my Tutu went to Leilehua High School and was the first graduating class on the new campus in 1949. Then, my family then moved to the coast. My mom and most of her siblings went to Wai’anae High School. Unfortunately, we moved in 1988 and finished school in Las Vegas.

My favorite wai is Pokai Bay in Wai’anae or Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach, San Diego. Pokai Bay, or the correct spelling is Poka’i Bay, is where I learned to swim. My Dad would take me every weekend to the beach, and we would just spend hours in the water. 

This is also the resting place for many of my family members that have passed away. My Tutu and Grandpa’s ashes were spread there. Also, during my Master’s program, when I went back home to UH, we had a project of creating a board and stone and our pōhaku came from Pokai Bay. Being the only Wai’anae student, I felt honored to have the stone come from where I grew up.

Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach is the best it gets outside the islands. Amazing views, tiny beach with soft sand and water is sometimes warm…Bonus excellent food choices nearby including my favorite ice cream place. Lighthouse Ice Cream This is the perfect people watching beach.

What are you grateful for and why?

Grateful for my family and like the 3 close friends I have, but especially my husband. He is so kind and patient with me. He manages to make me laugh and helps me grow as a person. Our 10 years had some bumps along the way, but each bump has strengthened our friendship and love. This year makes our 10-year anniversary of being together and I look forward to many more decades of our ever-growing love.

What brings you joy?



Let’s be real, eating! Eating onolicious food is high up there in ways I find joy. Poi, laulau, kalua pig is like my all-time favorite, but close runner ups are Mexican food and In-n-out Burger. I also feel joy when making food for others and being outside on a hiking trail or in the garden. Washington State has some amazing hiking spots and an app that can find the right hike for your family. When I am near the water being on a long board and just feeling the water beneath me is pure bliss.

During difficult journeys, how do you heal and restore your health and mental well-being?

Last year was the most difficult journey I have ever experienced with my work family. My friend, my boss and my eating buddy died one month and one day after she shared she was diagnosed with cancer. My world was shattered. Heartbreak and confusion is the best way to describe the feelings. Healing has been a process. I did a grief counseling session. I recognized this sadness and lack of motivation is normal and ok. I learned that it is ok to not be ok. I shared my feelings with my team and cried. All of it made me uncomfortable and vulnerable but helped me process. I am still processing and often have triggers that send me to the tissue box but I finally feel some hope. I will honor my friend and continue our work in serving our communities.

How do you share your mana`o and mana

with your keiki?

I love to share things with my keiki through books. We have a collection of books from cultural to imagination to academics. I feel like sometimes when we say things to children, they take it in one ear and out the other but when you read the books over and over, they start recognize the storyline and learning words in the process. So, they are learning positive behavior and letters. Winnah!

What is your favorite way to move your kino (body)?

My favorite way to get some movement is my recumbent bike. When the pandemic hit, there was an apartment gym that was selling off their inventory and I scored a PRECOR 846i. It was the same sit-down bike I would use at the gym when I watched tv shows to distract me from biking. Riding my bike barefoot and watching Grey’s Anatomy sounds perfect!