Pāhonoa te oro

I worked nonstop to pay for college—early shifts, late shifts, weekends, anything I could pick up. Every dollar I made went into a savings account I thought was safe. My parents always had access “just in case,” and I trusted them. At the same time, my family kept taking trips. Beach vacations, theme parks, even a cruise. They always said it was “cheap deals” or “paid with points,” but something never added up. One semester, I checked my account and felt sick. Thousands were gone. I confronte