Taysha Muranaka is the new counselor for the class of 2026 at Kalani High School for the 2024-2025 school year. She was inspired to pursue counseling after working with kids when she was 17, discovering her passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others their lives. 

“I do like to make sure that every student feels comfortable and safe coming to talk to me, whether that means I’m greeting them with a smile or making sure I know their name,” Muranaka explained.

Beyond creating a welcoming environment, Muranaka takes time to get to know her students beyond just their academics. She strives to learn about their hobbies, family, and future goals, using snacks like Hello Panda as icebreakers to build connections. 

“I try to get to know them as a person, what they want to be when they grow up, get to know what they enjoy doing with their family and kind of just build a relationship from there,” Muranaka states. 

Muranaka is committed to helping all students succeed, recognizing that everybody learns differently. Her main goal is to keep students on track for graduation and help them understand the importance of their education.

“I had some students who did not have enough credits to graduate within four years, but we found an alternative way so that they can still get their high school diploma because, as I said before, not everyone learns the same,” she adds. 

Muranaka also creates a space where students can discuss both academic and personal struggles. She works closely with them to brainstorm solutions and overcome obstacles. When conflicts arise, she listens to both sides to understand what’s really going on, then helps students find peaceful ways to resolve the issue and learn from the experience. 

“I want them to have the confidence and the skills to be successful when they leave high school.”