As a 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Undergraduate Summer Intern, Paola is contributing to the Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas, an interdisciplinary initiative led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Hawaiʻi Sea Grant that blends moʻolelo, marine science, original orchestral composition, hula, and animation to engage K–12 students and educators in ocean literacy. Drawing inspiration from previous symphonies celebrating Hawaiian birds and forests, Paola’s work helps deepen pilina (connection) between keiki (children) and kai (the sea), while encouraging Hawaiʻi-focused STEAM education. Through this immersive arts-and-sciences experience, she helps amplify local voices and stories, honoring the moana (ocean) as both a source of knowledge and a pathway toward a more sustainable future.