Meet Evan Nishida, Financial Consultant, Island Wealth Management
Introduce yourself with your degree information and tell us what you do now.
Aloha! My name is Evan Nishida, and I’m a proud graduate from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Natural Sciences. I am currently a financial consultant with Island Wealth Management, a local company, specializing in multi-generational financial planning and asset management. I work alongside a team of experienced financial planners, and together we help individuals, families, and business owners create customized comprehensive financial plans that bring clarity and confidence to their futures.
What drew you to the financial services industry, and what do you love most about what you do now?
Prior to pursuing a career in financial services, I started out as a biology major with the intent of attending medical school and becoming a physician. After exposing myself to various events and opportunities in the field, I finished my sophomore year still questioning if medicine was really the right fit for me. Around that time, my dad, who also works in the financial services industry, encouraged me to consider a career as a financial planner. That summer, I was fortunate enough to participate in the internship program at Island Wealth Management. It was there where I discovered my passion for financial planning, ultimately leading me to shift my academic plans and career focus. I decided to finish my degree in biology at UH Mānoa, but I supplemented my education with various finance-related courses and later pursued a financial planning certificate through the University of California, Berkeley Extension.
What I love most about this career are the individuals and families we have the privilege of working with. As a planning-based firm, our team of consultants construct plans that help our clients feel confident and secure in their financial futures. It is incredibly rewarding to guide them through important decisions – whether it’s planning for retirement, managing investments, or navigating major life changes. Seeing the meaningful impact we can create in the lives of Hawaiʻi’s local families by turning complex financial decisions into clear, actionable strategies is what continues to drive our team every day.
Can you tell us about your journey from a student to an industry professional working in Hawai‘i’s workforce?
My journey from student to financial consultant working in Hawaiʻi’s workforce has been both a challenging and rewarding experience. As a student, I spent years building a strong foundation of technical knowledge and practical skills through classes, internships, real-world work experience, and involvement in campus activities. These experiences gave me valuable insight into Hawai‘i’s unique economic landscape and helped shape my commitment to the professional development and community impact I’d strive to create once I entered the workforce.
After graduation, I was fortunate enough to be offered a full-time position at Island Wealth Management, a firm where my skills and core values directly aligned with the vision and mission of the company. As a member of the Island Wealth team, I’ve had the opportunity to continue my growth and learning while still being able to directly contribute to tailored financial solutions for our clients and their families. The overall support I’ve received from my family, my mentors, the professional organizations I’m involved in, and my alumni network have all been a key part of my journey.
How did you choose UH Mānoa and how did financial aid and scholarships play a role in that decision?
One of the biggest motivating factors that led me to choose UH Mānoa was the generous financial support I received. I was fortunate enough to be awarded the UH Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Mānoa Opportunity Grant, and the ASUH Scholarship – all of which significantly reduced the financial burden on my family. Thanks to that support, I was able to pursue my degree without needing to take out student loans – an opportunity I remain incredibly grateful for.
Although financial assistance was a key contributor when deciding where I wanted to go to college, it was not the only factor I considered when making my final decision. Being close to home provided a deep sense of comfort, knowing that I was surrounded by a trusted network of friends and family who I knew I could lean on for support when needed. As a 4th generation UH Mānoa alumni, I also come from a legacy of proud UH Mānoa alums, so I took a lot of pride in being able to sport the Mānoa green and white. It was a memorable and meaningful experience for me to watch football, volleyball, and baseball games as a university student – all while still cheering for the same team I grew up watching as a kid.
What advice would you give to students who are considering changing their career paths while still in school?
As someone who switched career paths midway through college, I can attest that I did not have it all figured out from the start. UH Mānoa offers a wealth of academic resources, from counselors and professors to peer advisors and student-led organizations. I leaned heavily on my counselors as sounding boards while planning out my semesters – figuring out which classes to take, keeping track of application deadlines, academic calendars, and all the moving parts that come with shifting directions. My best advice? Don’t try to do it alone – reach out, ask questions, and seek guidance. If you’re exploring a new field, search for opportunities to gain real-world experience as you make that transition.
What is your favorite memory from your time at UH?
Even though I lived in Kapahulu at the time, I convinced my parents to let me dorm during my freshman year at UH Mānoa. In hindsight, the Hale Aloha dorms may not have been my initial housing preference, but it became the place where I created lasting memories with people who I’m confident will remain lifelong friends. One memory that sticks out occurred within the first few months of moving into the dorms. My friends and I entered a UH intramural dodgeball tournament with one clear goal – win. We all got ready in my dorm, pounding energy drinks and drawing eye black on each other. It was go time. After defeating all our opponents, I’m glad to say we successfully achieved our mission and the celebration that followed was just as memorable. That experience remains one of the clear highlights of my college career.
What’s one lesson from your time at UH Mānoa that continues to guide you today?
During my time as a student at UH Mānoa, one of my mentors shared a piece of advice that has stayed with me: “People don’t care about what you know until they know how much you care.” That message resonated with me because it captures what makes working in Hawaiʻi unique. Expertise is important, but true success is built on trust, relationships, collaboration, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. Being the smartest person in the room means nothing if people can’t trust or connect with you. My commitment to this perspective is what continues to shape and guide me as I grow in my professional journey.
Why do you think it’s important to stay connected to the UH alumni network?
The UH alumni network is a vast community of individuals who truly strive for the personal and professional development of both current and former UH students. I believe that the UH alumni network is also a powerful source of knowledge, collaboration, job opportunities, and mentorship that active students and young alumni in particular should look to leverage when starting their careers. When you have such a large community of individuals all striving to encourage and uplift each other – I think that’s pretty special. Above all else, members that belong to this unique network share a similar sense of identity and pride of what it truly means to be a graduate from the University of Hawaiʻi. Go ‘Bows!