Loreto Mendoza Jr. is a 25-year-old from Maui and is currently enrolled in the Respiratory Care Program at Kapi‘olani Community College.

After graduating high school, Mendoza was a combat engineer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He specialized in working with explosives and urban breaching. In 2014, Mendoza deployed to Afghanistan as a 240 Bravo machine gunner.

“I enjoy the Respiratory program, it’s pretty difficult, but it’s good interacting with the patients in the hospital.” he said. 

In his spare time, Mendoza enjoys spearfishing, fishing, shooting, going to the gym, and hanging out with his 19 pound cat, Tiny Tank, or T.T. for short.