Michelle Sawa, a 17-year-old criminology major here at Sac State, doesn’t just dance hula. She lives hula. “Just as Christianity would shape a Christian’s life, hula shapes mine,” she says, “The life lessons that are hidden within the poetic words and beautiful lyrics can be applied to every part of life.” After college Michelle plans on going to law school because she says her father, an attorney, will “die a very happy man if I become a lawyer.” Michelle’s dance troupe, Aloha Pumehana ‘O Polynesia, will be performing at Sac State in late February or early March. Check their website www.apop.net for more details as they develop.

Hornet Staff: Where is your favorite place in Sacramento?

Michelle Sawa: I would have to say Old Sac. I love all the small shops and the old time feel of the place. I certainly wouldn’t be able to find a place like that in San Francisco.

HS: If we turned on your stereo right now, what would we hear?

Michelle: You would hear a mix CD that I made myself. There’s a bit of everything on it, from rock to Hawaiian.

HS: If you were to play someone in a movie, who would it be?

Michelle: Probably the main character’s little sister or sidekick or something. For some reason everyone has always felt like they need to take care of me. I’ve always been the baby of the group.

HS: If you could have any Superpower, what would it be?

Michelle: I would want to be able to move anything with my mind. Just being able to make anything I want bend to my will. I like being in control.

HS: If you could choose any person from all of human history to sleep with, who would it be?

Michelle: Gosh, I’m only 17, I’m not supposed to be thinking about that kind of stuff yet. Clark Gables seems like an interesting person to get to know.

HS: What is your intoxicant of choice?

Michelle: For me to be on or to watch others on? Unfortunately, being the baby of the group I am always voted designated driver, so I’ve forced myself to enjoy watching my friends act stupid as they get more and more drunk. Next time I think I should just take a shot and leave everyone else hanging. Let’s just say alcohol for now; it doesn’t eat holes in my brain.

HS: If a genie were to grant you three wishes, what would they be?

Michelle: Happiness, money, and love. Happiness would be seeing my mother happy with whatever she wanted. Money would be having enough so my mother and the rest of my family could live comfortably for the rest of our lives. Love is too complex to explain in a few sentences.

HS: What, for you, is the meaning of life in 25 words or less?

Michelle: Enjoying life without hurting or depriving others. Being happy with what you have rather than wasting your time on what you want.

“These are the people in your neighborhood” is an attempt to create a greater sense of community at Sac State through weekly profiles of interesting people on campus, be they student, faculty, or staff. If you are or know of an interesting person that deserves greater recognition, contact [email protected]. See you in the Funny Pages!