Meet The N.O.H.N.O. Team!
Universe Y. Lawrence
N.O.H.N.O Founder
Universe Yamase Lawrence is from Pohnpei and Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Although being from these two island states, she has lived in many parts of Micronesia. These places include the Republic of Palau, Kwajalein, Saipan, Pohnpei, and Chuuk. Universe’s early career also brought her to the islands of Kosrae, Yap, and American Samoa for work opportunities. During her higher education years, Universe lived and worked in Honolulu, Hawaii for six years. In 2016 she moved to the East Coast, and today resides in Maryland State.
Universe graduated from Xavier High School (XHS) in 2007. She attained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations with a Minor in Political Science at Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) in 2011. Then in 2013, Universe completed her Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a certificate of Disaster Management at the University of Hawaii (UH) at Manoa.
Universe was a scholar student throughout her whole undergraduate and graduate career. She was a member of the Delta Epsilon Society for CUH, and a Fellowship Student in the East West Center Honolulu for UH. In addition to being a scholar student, Universe was active in college clubs, worked with non profit organizations, and volunteered in numerous community service projects. Currently, she is a full time wife and mother raising three children while aspiring to become a light and helping hand to fellow Micronesians through the NOHNO organization.
Philios Uruman
N.O.H.N.O. Co-Founder
Philios Uruman is from Fananu Island in Chuuk, Federated of Micronesia. At the age of eleven, Philios left Chuuk with his family and settled in Waianae on the island of Oahu, Hawaiʻi. Growing up, he acted as an interpreter in his family, assisting them with communicating when accessing basic services, seeking employment, and in other activities that required the use of English. These experiences helped Philios realize the pressing need for interpreters in the community, leading him to pursue a career as a professional interpreter of the Chuukese language.
Philios currently works with Language Services Hawaiʻi as a Project Manager and Professional Interpreter providing interpretation of the Chuukese language, as well as supporting initiatives that serve other Pacific Islander language communities. In addition to his work as an interpreter, Philios has extensive experience in community advocacy. He has worked with non-profit organizations contributing to underserved communities in Hawaiʻi. More recently, Philios has been active as a cultural consultant working with a wide range of organizations in Hawaiʻi, the U.S. mainland, and the Pacific region.
Desiree Yamase
N.O.H.N.O. Co-Founder
Desiree Yamase is from the islands of Chuuk and Pohnpei in the Federated states of Micronesia. She spent parts of her life growing up in Palau, Saipan, Chuuk, and Pohnpei. In 2007, Desiree graduated from Xavier High School (XHS) in Chuuk. She graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations in 2011 and a Master of Business Administration Degree in 2013. As an alumna of XHS, Desiree was taught to show compassion in her service for others. Performing community service had become a pillar in the foundation of her identity as a young Pacific Islander. Currently, Desiree is a Grant Planner for The Honolulu Police Department (HPD), where she manages multi-project awards worth up to $1.6 million dollars in federal grant funds. Desiree’s work with The HPD has allowed her to continue serving others through numerous community policing projects that she helps to manage. Her passion for community service has been a longstanding value in her life, and she hopes to continue reflecting this through her role with NOHNO.