Alexandra Paer
Alex starting tutoring Chemistry while in college at the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in Biology and double-minored in Chemistry and Biological Basis of Behavior. After graduating in 2011, she returned home to Oʻahu to teach in Punahou School's High School Academy. During her years at Punahou, she taught various levels of high school Biology, Chemistry and Physics. She also developed the curriculum for and taught a Culinary Chemistry lab-based elective course (iBook here!) with the goal of helping students engage with chemistry in their daily lives. In 2012, she volunteered with Teachers Across Borders - South Africa in Mpumalanga, South Africa and Mbabane, Swaziland. She was hired by Educational Testing Services to write exam questions for the national AP Biology and Praxis Biology exams. She was honored to be selected as a United States Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher, given to just two teachers per state per year, in both 2016 and 2017. In 2017, she took a leave from classroom teaching to develop her tutoring business full-time and pursue her graduate research on Alzheimer’s drug discovery at UH Mānoa under Dr. Qing X. Li, earning her graduate degree in Molecular Biosciences & Bioengineering.
9-12: all levels of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), SAT/ACT prep, Writing Skills, Spanish, History and Math (to AP Calculus BC) as well as Organizational Tutoring
College: all levels of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Writing, Math (to Calculus), Spanish and Organizational Tutoring
Nick Amador
Nick is a proud Punahou School ('18) and Harvard College ('22) graduate with a joint degree in History of Science and Theater, Dance, and Media, and a secondary in Astrophysics. While at college, he was an active member of the Harvard-Radcliffe Society of Physics Students, as well as the Harvard Beekeeping Club and the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club. He also served as the President of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the country's oldest theatre company (and the third oldest in the world!). While in high school, Nick served as the lead teaching assistant for AP Physics 1 & 2, student body president, and co-founder of Punahou’s Poetry Club. For the past six years, he has tutored math, writing, science, social studies, as well as SSAT, SAT, and ACT prep in both Hawaiʻi and the Boston-Cambridge area. He has been working with Paer Tutoring for over two and a half years. He will attend the University of Chicago Law School in fall 2023.
K-5: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep)
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep)
9-12: Biology (Gen/H), Chemistry (Gen/H), Physics (all levels), SAT/ACT prep, Writing Skills, History, AP Music Theory and Math (to AP Calculus BC)
College: Physics and Math (to Calculus)
Kiana Komeiji
Kiana is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics, a Bachelor of Arts in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, and a certificate in Civic Leadership at Rice University. She is involved in programs with the Center for Civic Leadership, a member of a couple dance groups, and the president of the Crochet Club on campus. At Rice, she also works at the Outdoor Adventure Center and works as a TA, grading assignments for Honors Physics classes. During her time at Punahou, she was a TA for AP Physics 1 & 2 and Japanese Immersion, a student entrepreneur for PunsUnited, and a tutor at the Peer Learning Center. Kiana received several excellence and recognition awards from the math, science, language, and art departments. She was also a proud member of Drill Team Hawaii and continues to enjoy dancing and art in her free time to this day.
9-12: Math (thorugh AP Calc AB), Physics (through APC/IB), AP Computer Science, Python, MATLAB, Japanese (Level 1), and PSAT/SAT Math/Science prep
College: Physics (Introductory Levels 1 & 2, plus labs) and Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, and Multivariable Calculus
Tetsuto Nagashima
Tetsuto received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Physics and a Bachelor of Science in Physics/Computer Science at the University of Southern California in 2023. He was a member of the USC Society of Physics Students and spends his free time with the basketball and spike ball club teams. He is a native Japanese speaker and studied Mandarin for six years. At Punahou, he was a TA for the physics department and a tutor at the Peer Learning Center. Tetsuto received multiple awards during high school, including the AP Physics C Award and the President’s Award. He was also a two-time state Math Bowl champion and the 2018 National Chemistry Olympiad Hawaii State High Scorer. Outside of the classroom, he played basketball for two years and was a hurdler on the track team for three years.
K-5: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History & SSAT Prep) and Japanese/Chinese
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History & SSAT Prep) and Japanese/Chinese
9-12: Physics, Chemistry, SAT/ACT Math prep, Japanese, Chinese, Math (to AP Calculus BC)
and AP Computer Science Principles (Python)
College: Physics, Math (to Calculus), Japanese and Chinese
Note: Tets is not currently accepting new students.
Maya Mastick
Maya is pursuing a concentration in Chemical and Physical Biology with a secondary in Astrophysics at Harvard College. She worked as a teaching assistant for two and a half years at Punahou for all levels of chemistry and physics and volunteered as a peer tutor as well. She was captain of the Science Bowl and Ocean Sciences Bowl teams, winning regional competitions and competing in the national Ocean Sciences Bowl competitions in Washington, D.C. She was also editor-in-chief of Punahou’s award-winning literary and art journal, Ka Wai Ola, and was the recipient of multiple awards, including the Bausch & Lomb Science Award and the AP Biology and AP Chemistry awards. Additionally, she participated in varsity cross-country and track, specializing in long-distance running and racing in the Nike Desert Twilight Competition for national qualifiers. She has also spent time working as a paralegal. In her free time, she enjoys the ocean and loves scuba diving; she is currently working to get her Rescue Diving Certification.
6-8 :all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and French
9-12: all levels of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), SAT/ACT prep, Writing Skills, French, History, Biotechnology, Astronomy and Math (to AP Calculus AB)
College: all level of Chemistry, including Organic Chemistry
Robbie Bickerton
Robbie received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and English at Yale University. She also received top marks while studying markets and crashes at the London School of Economics. At Yale, she worked as the business manager for the Yale Women’s Water Polo Team and was president of the Yale Polynesian Dance Club, overseeing all funding and accounting for the organizations. She also served as board member and treasurer for the Yale Undergraduate Screenwriting Syndicate, deepening her interest in Television and Entertainment. Leading up to her senior year, Robbie had the pleasure of interning at HBO Max while also tutoring high school seniors in college essay writing. In high school, Robbie was a Chemistry Honors TA for four years and also privately tutored math and chemistry during this time. She was also president of Punahou School’s Spanish Club and Feminist Club, and would volunteer for Planned Parenthood. Robbie currently works as a showrunner’s assistant to Oscar-nominated screenwriter Paul Attanasio and plans to pursue a career in Television.
K-5: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Spanish
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Spanish
9-12: Chemistry, Writing Skills, Economics and PSAT/SAT English/Reading prep
College: Essays, Research Paper Writing and Economics
Note: Robbie has limited availabiity and is only adding English-related subject, like Writing, Reading, and Prep
Josette Huang
Josette Huang is a recent graduate of The University of Chicago (‘24) with a dual degree in Political Science and Economics with Specialization in Business. While at college, Josette was a varsity tennis player and a teaching assistant for introductory macroeconomics and microeconomics courses. She also acted as the Vice President of Operations of the Chinese Undergraduate Student Association, the Field Trip Director and Social Chair of the education organization Supplies for Dreams, the Social Chair of her dorm house, and the Social Media Coordinator of the scholarship program Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii. In high school, Josette also volunteered as a peer tutor and outdoor education counselor at Punahou and as an AVID tutor at Washington Middle School. She will be working as a paralegal at the top-ranked law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom for two years before attending law school.
K-5: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History, and SSAT Prep), Chinese, ESL
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep), Chinese, ESL
9-12: Math (to AP Calculus AB), Chemistry (Regular and Honors), AP Economics, AP Statistics, College Essay Writing, Social Studies, Chinese (to AP), PSAT/SAT/ACT prep
College: Writing, Introductory Macro/Microeconomics, Calculus I, Introductory Statistics, Chinese (through Level 5/AP equivalent), LSAT prep
Malia Munley
Malia is currently a senior at Yale University pursuing dual degrees in History and Theatre Studies. She was a National Merit Scholar and a Presidential Scholar nominee. While at Punahou, Malia received the Principal’s Award and the President’s Award, as well as multiple departmental awards, including from APES, Spanish, History, English, and Theatre. In addition to her coursework, Malia served as her class’s Carnival Co-Chair, a peer tutor, and the class Vice President for two terms. At Yale, she was the Vice President and Special Events Coordinator for the Yale Dramatic Association—Yale’s student-run theatre company—and performs Improv Comedy with Yale’s Purple Crayon group in cities across the country. During the first year of the pandemic, Malia opted to take a one-year leave from Yale to work as a field intern in Michigan for the Biden-Harris campaign as well as in Georgia for Jon Ossoff’s 2021 Senate runoff campaign in the 2020 election cycle. Malia also works in Yale’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a Campus Tour Guide, serves as the Student Head of the Shen Musical Theatre Curriculum, and advises undergraduates in Technical Theatre as a Peer Mentor.
K-5: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Spanish
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Spanish
9-12: Math (thorugh AP Calc AB), APES, Writing Skills, Organizational Tutoring & Executive Function Coaching, College Guidance, PSAT/SAT prep, History, and Spanish
College: Essays, Research Paper Writing, Organizational Tutoring & Executive Function Coaching, and Spanish (through level 3)
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Former Tutors!
We appreciate all of your hard work!!
Maile Jim
Maile received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At MIT, Maile was a captain for the Varsity Sailing Team and helped lead the Women’s team into competing in multiple national championships. Maile also served as a Teaching Assistant for an advanced biotechnology seminar and has taught Physics and Biochemistry classes in Germany and Kazakhstan as part of MIT’s Global Teaching Labs. In the summer of 2019, Maile organized and led a group of 8 MIT students on a cross-country cycling trip, teaching STEM workshops in rural communities along the way. In high school, Maile was a Physics Honors and AP Physics TA as well as a private math and physics tutor. She currently works as a Research Assistant at the Whitehead Institute in Cambridge, MA on microRNA degradation pathways. In her free time, Maile loves to go hiking and backpacking.
6-8: all levels of Science and Math as well as PSAT 8/9
9-12: all levels of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Math (through AP Calc BC). SAT/ACT prep (all sections), PSAT 10 & NMSQT, and Biotechnology
College: Biology
Evan Liu
Evan studies Biology at Duke University. He conducts research on racial implicit bias in healthcare and couples communication in patients living with cancer under Dr. Laura Svetkey and Dr. Laura Porter, respectively. He serves on the Duke Honor Council and board of Duke China Care and Taiwanese American Students Association. He is also employed as an Organic Chemistry peer tutor and leads weekly group tutorials. In the summer of 2019, he received a grant to teach English and Journalism to middle school students in Zhuhai, China as a part of DukeEngage’s international immersion program. While in high school at Punahou, he served as a teaching assistant for Physics Honors and AP Physics 1. He was an active student researcher at the University of Hawaii’s Area Health Education Center and Cancer Center. In 2018, he was a member of the regional champion Science Bowl team.
K-5: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Chinese
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Chinese
9-12: Chemistry, SAT/ACT prep, Writing Skills, Chinese and Math (to AP Calculus AB)
College: Chemistry, Biology, Research Paper Writing and Chinese
Jac Arnade-Colwill
Jac studied Comparative Literature (French/English) and Philosophy at Barnard College of Columbia University, where they graduated Junior Phi Betta Kappa in the Summer of 2021. They worked for three years as a Writing Fellow at Barnard, selected and trained to tutor writing of all disciplines in a peer-to-peer setting. They were a leader of one of Barnard’s student organizations that educates and organizes around challenging mass incarceration, and were selected for several fellowships to pursue legal, service, and humanities work. They studied in Paris through Columbia University’s Undergraduate Program in Paris at Reid Hall (joint enrolled in French Literature and Philosophy courses at the Sorbonne). While in high school, they were the captain of one of Punahou’s debate teams, copyeditor for Punahou’s literary and art journal, Ka Wai Ola, and worked as a private tutor.
K-5: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and French
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and French
9-12: PSAT/SAT/ACT English/Reading prep, Writing Skills, History and French
College: Essays, Research Paper Writing and French
Clarise Huang
Clarise is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, with concentrations in finance and strategic management and a minor in Mathematics. Her expected graduation is Spring 2023. She is a member of the University of Pennsylvania Women's Varsity Tennis Team, and she is also a current member of the Wharton Investment & Trading Group Financials Investment Team and the Penn Quant/Trading Club Market Research Team. She is a National AP Scholar and National Merit Scholar. At Punahou High School, she was a peer tutor for three years as well as an AP Chemistry and AP Physics TA. She was on the math team for five years and won multiple academic excellence and recognition awards. She played on Punahou’s varsity tennis team for four years and is a two-time doubles tennis state champion. Additionally, she was the Distinguished Young Women of Hawaii 1st Runner Up and Top Scholar of 2019.
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Chinese
9-12: Chemistry (H/AP), Physics (through AP 1&2), Math (through AP Calculus BC), SAT/ACT Prep, Chinese (Levels 1-5), College Essay Writing
College: Introductory Calculus Levels through Multivariable Calculus, Probability
Carter Nakamoto
Carter studied Chemical and Physical Biology and Statistics with Global Health and Health Policy at Harvard College, graduating in 2021. He conducted research in Professor Christina Woo’s lab on the acetylation targets throughout the cell of heroin using mass spectrometry. He served on the board of the Harvard VISION Global Health Society, was an associate editor with the Harvard Health Policy Review, and was been published in the Harvard Political Review. He was a National Merit Scholar and U.S. Presidential Scholar. He was a Teaching Assistant for Introductory Computer Science at Harvard and an Organic Chemistry tutor. In high school, he was the lead Teaching Assistant for Punahou’s Japanese Immersion Program, captain of Punahou’s LD debate squad for three years, and a Teaching Assistant for Physics (general, honors, AP 1&2), Chemistry (honors), and Biology (general, honors), working under Alex Paer.
K-5: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Japanese
6-8: all core subjects (Science, Math, English, History and SSAT Prep) and Japanese
9-12: Carter tutored all levels of Science, Math, Writing and Standardized Test Prep as well as Japanese and US History.