Karina & Chad
Wedding Party
Jocelyn Eng
Maid of Honor
Jocelyn and Karina met when they were 5 years old, when Karina moved into her childhood home. Even though they both don't have siblings, the two instantly became best friends, practically sisters. Some of Karina's favorite memories of Joc are when they went on numerous family trips to Hawaii, riding scooters and bikes in the neighborhood, impromptu ramen lunches, and as the two got older, bar hopping in LA. Even though Joc went to USC and Karina went to Gonzaga, they've kept in touch with FaceTimes and phone calls. They try to see each other often whether that be in LA or Seattle usually surrounded by dim sum or hot pot.
Jared Toba
Best Man
Jared Toba, aka "Toba", and Chad became friends in high school at Kamehameha Maui Campus, during cross country practices. They reunited again as Toba came to UW for college, where they would make spam musubi together for UW's Hawaii Club, go to Husky games, or workout together while watching college basketball. Chad was grateful to have Toba at UW, as a connection to home, and Alaska Airlines seatmate during Christmas travel. After graduation, Chad stayed in Seattle while Toba went on to the University of Hilo to become a pharmacist. They would get together over the years, either in Hilo, Maui, or Seattle, to catch up on each other's lives.
Britney Carino-Hinshaw
Bridesmaid
Britney and Karina met during the summer of their Sophomore to Junior year in college. Karina had an internship in Spokane and Britney was taking summer classes on campus. Throughout that Spokane summer, Karina and Britney would stay up late to eat ice cream and talk about life. Karina's favorite memories of Britney are their late night Ben and Jerry's runs, late night study sessions, and hanging out at their apartments watching movies. Karina is so excited that Britney is moving up to Washington soon so she has a hot pot and Korean BBQ buddy.
Omeed Faghih
Best Man
Omeed, aka "Meedy", and Chad became fast friends in their early years at UW, particularly during their sophomore summer, both working as Orientation Leaders for UW. Many fond memories were made throughout college with after-class hangouts with friends, as well as Friendsgiving dinner parties. Post-college, they became roommates, along with some other groomsmen, for a fun and crazy start to their young professional lives. Meedy would eventually go off to Australia for 2 years to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. Now back in the States in New Orleans, Chad looks forward to visiting his new home!
Lia Ikeda
Bridesmaid
Lia is Karina's future sister in law. Karina and Lia met for the first time when Chad's family came up to Seattle for a family vacation. Some of Karina's favorite memories with Lia is when she came to stay with her and Chad for a weekend of Seattle adventures, going to the Farmers Market, Frankie and Jo's and bar hopping. She also loved having a family Christmas in Maui where Karina and Lia would go shopping at Mahina together. Karina is really excited that Lia will be an extension of the Ko-Ikeda family.
Alika Guerrero
Groomsman
Alika, aka "Alex", and Chad also became friends in high school during cross-country practices. Chad didn't necessarily 'love' the hot and humid Maui practices and races, but did love the community from the team. Some of Chad's favorite memories with Alika: staying over in Hilo with Toba and deep life-talks over sushi and sake-bombs, and those two also coming to Seattle for Alika's bachelor party, not an easy-task to get him to come to "the continent". Now, they connect with each other virtually over fantasy football drafts, and in-person whenever Chad comes back home to Maui.
Jacquelyn Rainey
Bridesmaid
Karina and Jackie met their junior year at Gonzaga through Lili. Jackie and Karina would study together after school and would often make dinner together. Karina's favorite memories of Jackie are making soup dumplings in Jackie's apartment when the weather got cold. Jackie gave Lili and Karina the key to her apartment, so they would sneak in after class and start making family dinner together at least 3 days a week. When Jackie moved into her new house, Karina came over and made chocolate croissants with a wine glass because they didn't have a rolling pin.
Prottush Hossain
Groomsman
Prottush, aka "PZH", holds the record of "longest roommate" of Chad's, even beating out Karina so far. They met through Omeed in college, and connected over music. They've jammed together probably hundreds of times, and even performed together in Husky Stadium during Relay for Life. After college, they lived together in a house on Aurora Ave, and continued that streak by moving in to a house in Queen Anne. Many Mariner's games and fast food drives later, and they've helped each other grow through their confusing early-mid-late 20's.
Liliana Ramos
Bridesmaid
Karina and Lili met at Gonzaga their Freshman year of college where they sat next to each other in choir class. Karina claims that Lili was the primary reason why she was able to get through choir classes all together. Some of Karina's favorite memories with Lili were when they went on several choir trips; they sat together on the bus. Every year, Gonzaga plays their championship game in Las Vegas. Lili and Karina attended all of the games together and lost their voices. Karina and Lili had many sleep overs at each others houses and Lili hands down makes the best margaritas and tamales. Even though Lili lives in Chicago, they FaceTime all of the time. When Lili comes home for a vacation, Karina will usually pick her up from the airport.
Ranish Patel
Groomsman
Ranish and Chad actually met at the very, very beginning of their UW journeys. They were in the same Freshman Interest Group at UW, so shared classes and lived in the same dorm building/floor. Chad likes to think that the best professor he had at UW was not the faculty teaching my classes, but study sessions with Ranish in study rooms, and eventually in their pajamas at home when we moved into an apartment together their junior year. After college, Ranish moved back home to Portland to pursue medical school at OHSU, but the two stayed in touch, getting together any time either of us were in each others cities, now both being able to participate in each others weddings!
Kana Saito
Bridesmaid
Kana and Karina have known each other since elementary school; in fact, they were third grade science fair partners! They have been close throughout their lives even though they went to completely different middle schools, high schools, and higher education. When Karina came back from Gonzaga, they reconnected. Some of Karina's favorite memories with Kana were running around the Tokyo restaurant when they were kids. Karina loves their annual girls day adventures to Bainbridge, Bellewood Farms, and Deception Pass. Usually once a month, the two will meet at different coffee shops throughout the city to catch up. Kana is definitely Karina's "go to" for any clothing and fashion advice, as they both love to thrift and shop at the same stores.
Corey Tanaka
Groomsman
Corey is primarily responsible for Chad and Karina meeting! Another one of Chad's classmates from Kamehameha Maui, they became close during college Thanksgiving celebrations. Toba's brother lived near Seattle, so he graciously hosted all the young Kamehameha classmates for a taste of home. Corey was in Spokane at Gonzaga, and would drive over for those, also sleeping on Chad's couch for weekend trips in to Seattle. Eventually, Corey wanted to move to Seattle after graduating, and joined in on the 4-person house rental in Queen Anne, along with Omeed and Prottush. Corey knew Karina from Gonzaga, and invited her and other friends over for get-togethers. Corey has the unique position of being deeply connected to both earlier and current friendships of Chad and Karina.