Makamae Sniffen is a kupu of Wahiawā, nourished by the ʻike of her kūpuna, fed by the moʻolelo of her ʻohana. Her commitment to serving her kaiāulu and lāhui led her to pursue her doctorate in Educational Policy Studies. Previously, as Program Coordinator, she wrote federal grants to fund Native student access to higher education and oversaw college programming for Hawaiian immersion and culture-based high schools.
Her research interests include History of 19th Century Indigenous Education and Educational Equity as reflected in her final Master’s project that elevated wāhine presence in a patriarchal-dominated history.