When Rina Brown-Ono arrived in Hawai‘i from Japan, she spoke little English and knew very few people. She had no idea where her education would eventually take her or how many unexpected turns her career would follow.
More than a decade later, her journey has taken her through childcare, family therapy, legal studies, and now clinical psychology. Today, she works with neurodivergent children and adolescents while pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology. Her path has been anything but straightforward, but curiosity and a willingness to explore new opportunities have helped her find meaningful work along the way.
Building a Foundation at HTIC
Arriving at Hawai‘i Tokai International College was intimidating, especially as Rina adjusted to a new language and environment. She eventually found her community through student government and kendo, a Japanese martial art she began practicing in high school.
Through these experiences, she developed lasting friendships, including a close relationship with a former HTIC staff member whose family she remains connected to even today. Those relationships became an important foundation for her life in the United States.
Following Curiosity Through Career Changes
After transferring to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Rina studied family resource management and began working in childcare. Although she enjoyed working with children, she eventually felt limited in her opportunities for growth and decided to pursue a master's degree in marriage and family therapy.
Frequent relocations with her military partner made completing the required clinical training difficult. During this time, national conversations around racial injustice and discrimination sparked her interest in law, leading her to pursue a bachelor's degree in legal studies.
Although she ultimately decided against a legal career, the experience gave her new knowledge and perspectives.
Rina jokingly describes her journey as an "oopsie career," shaped by spontaneous decisions rather than a carefully mapped-out plan. Yet each transition helped her better understand her interests and what she wanted from her work.
Finding Meaning Through Self-Discovery
When Rina resumed her clinical training in Washington State, she began working closely with neurodivergent individuals, including people with autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities.
Through this work and her own journey of self-discovery, she came to recognize that she was also part of the neurodivergent community. This realization deepened her connection to her clients and helped her better understand her own experiences.
Her childcare background proved valuable, particularly in communicating with children who may struggle in environments that aren't designed around their needs. What once seemed like unrelated career experiences began to complement one another.
As her interest in the techniques of psychological assessment grew, Rina decided to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. In the future, she hopes to contribute to research that better recognizes cultural differences in mental health, particularly the experiences of Asian populations.
For Rina, her work is about being part of a support system rather than having all the answers.
"I want to make myself available as a resource center," she explained, emphasizing how much she also learns from the people she supports.
Staying Curious About What Comes Next
Throughout her journey, Rina credits the relationships she has built with helping her navigate change. Kendo remains a particularly meaningful connection to Hawai‘i, and she is currently training for an opportunity to represent Team Hawai‘i at a world championship in Japan.
When asked what she is most proud of after nearly fifteen years of growth, her answer was simple: staying curious.
Looking ahead, she hopes to complete her PhD and potentially return to Hawai‘i in a clinical leadership role.
Her journey is a reminder that a meaningful career doesn't always follow a straight line. For Rina, embracing unexpected opportunities, learning from different experiences, and surrounding herself with supportive people all have helped her discover not only professional goals but also a deeper understanding of herself.
Advice for Students and Early-Career Readers
In her own words:
Follow your passion. If something inspires you or genuinely interests you, go with it. Give yourself the opportunity to explore what you enjoy.
Stay curious. Keep learning and looking for opportunities to grow. There's always more to discover, regardless of where you are in your career.
Be open to new directions. You don't always know whether something is right for you until you try it. Even if you choose a different path, the experience can still be valuable.
Find joy in what you do. Pursue work that feels meaningful to you, and remember to take care of yourself along the way.
Credits
Interview with Rina (Washington State), October 2026.
This feature has been edited for clarity and length.
