The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates September 2018 faculty and staff anniversaries.

50 years

Day, Richard R
Professor, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature, UH Mānoa

Fukamizu, Kenneth N
Audio Visual Technician, Library Services, UH Hilo

Nitz, Lawrence H
Professor, College of Social Sciences, UH Mānoa

O’Harrow, Stephen D
Professor, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature, UH Mānoa

Steinhoff, Patricia G
Professor, College of Social Sciences, UH Mānoa

Vaughn, Ralph E
Professor, Social Science, Leeward CC

40 years

Hartline, Daniel K
Researcher, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, UH Mānoa

30 years

Cook, Haruko M
Professor, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature, UH Mānoa

Crookes, Graham V
Professor, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature, UH Mānoa

Huss, Jacob M
Instructor, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature, UH Mānoa

Miyataki, Kallen T
Head Baseball Coach, Athletics, UH Hilo

Nishimoto, Paula M
Institutional Support, Athletics, UH Mānoa

Nunokawa, Jill L
Specialist, Chancellor’s Office, UH Mānoa

Rocheleau, Richard E
Director, Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute, UH Mānoa

Singer, Steven A
Professor, Business Education, Kapiʻolani CC

20 years

Abe, Carol S
Promotion Manager, University of Hawaiʻi Press, UH Mānoa

Baker, Christopher M
Assistant Professor, School of Hawaiian Knowledge, UH Mānoa

Bill, Teresa J
Assistant Specialist, Student Affairs, UH Mānoa

Dau, Lisa H
Institutional Support, Administration, UH System

Gregory, Laurel A
Professor, Dean’s Office, Hawaiʻi CC

Hill, Andrea
Instructional and Student Support, Children’s Center, UH Mānoa

Omori, Jill S
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Saviano, Jerry D
Professor, Language Arts, Honolulu CC

Uwono Koike, Deette
Title IX Coordinator, Chancellor’s Office, UH Mānoa

Yamamoto, Myra
Institutional Support, School of Pacific and Asian Studies, UH Mānoa

10 years

Aceves-Foster, Martine
Lecturer, Language Arts, Leeward CC

Akeo, Lynn P
Lecturer, Business Education, Leeward CC

Arakawa, Melissa M
Institutional Support, School of Law, UH Mānoa

Archer, Luʻukia T
Assistant Professor, Humanities, Leeward CC

Banaag, Aris A
Counselor, Counseling and Guidance, UH Maui College

Bethel, Crystal T
Office Assistant, Office of Continuing Education and Training, Kauaʻi CC

Boryk, William
Lecturer, Humanities, Leeward CC

Cabatu, David J
Academic Support, Dean’s Office, Kapiʻolani CC

Cary, Cynthia L
Lecturer, Humanities, UH Maui College

Chock, Leslie K
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Leeward CC

Crandall, Richard L
Lecturer, Social Science, Leeward CC

Crutchfield, Anne E
Lecturer, Language Arts, Leeward CC

Deangelis, Alexander
Junior Researcher, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, UH Mānoa

Delmendo, Magie C
Janitor, Administrative Services, UH West Oʻahu

Foster, Nancy K
Chief Financial Officer, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Fujino, Wayne I
Institutional Support, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, UH Mānoa

Hamada, Kay S
Assistant Specialist, Arts and Sciences Student Services, UH Mānoa

Hampton, Camille M
Assistant Specialist, Student Services, UH West Oʻahu

Ikeno, Clarise S
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Honolulu CC

Ing, Dana K
Instructor, School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, UH Mānoa

Joo, Hye R
Lecturer, Language Arts, Leeward CC

Kelly, Franklin H
Assistant Professor, Humanities, Kapiʻolani CC

Knuuti, Keith P
Lecturer, Humanities, Windward CC

Kosasa, Eiko
Assistant Professor, Social Science, Leeward CC

Kwock, Frances L
Lecturer, Business Education, Leeward CC

Laimana, John K
Instructor, Humanities, Leeward CC

Lee, Tina
Assistant Professor, Business Education, Leeward CC

Licudine, Danilo L
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Leeward CC

Little, Joanne
Lecturer, Social Science, Leeward CC

Liu, Li Q
Janitor, Administration, UH System

Manning, Mackenzie M
Associate Professor, Natural Sciences, Kapiʻolani CC

Meola, Kalyan V
Academic Support, Dean’s Office, Hawaiʻi CC

Meyer, Michael
Information Technology, Dean’s Office, Honolulu CC

Morita, Shane Y
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Nishimoto, Angela
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Leeward CC

Nishimura, Corin K
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Leeward CC

Pasi, Amelia M
Lecturer, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature, UH Mānoa

Reyes, Brandi L
Assistant Professor, Language Arts, Leeward CC

Sentell, Adrienne L
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Leeward CC

Stavrue-Peahi, Jean
Assistant Professor, Counseling and Guidance, Leeward CC

Stroble, James A
Lecturer, Humanities, Leeward CC

Suenaga, Karen K
Lecturer, Humanities, Leeward CC

Sung, Jaeyeon S
Librarian, Library Services, UH Mānoa

Suniga, Nova N
Instructional and Student Support, Enrollment Services, Honolulu CC

Swendsen, Loren C
Information Technology, College of Business, UH Mānoa

Tanji, Michael K
Lecturer, Instruction, UH West Oʻahu

Urgelles, Fernando R
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Honolulu CC

Uribe, Emily
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Leeward CC

Wang-Lee, Janet L
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Leeward CC

Wong, Evelyn S
Assistant Professor, Business Education, Leeward CC

Wong, Shelby L
Academic Support, Academic Affairs, UH Hilo

Wu, Ivan Z
Information Technology, Provost’s Office, Windward CC

Yamada, Kory K
Secretary, Business Education, Hawaiʻi CC

Yamashiro, Amy P
Associate Professor, Natural Sciences, Kapiʻolani CC

Yanagi, Richard A
Lecturer, Business Education, Leeward CC

Hawaiʻi has a shortage of healthcare providers, and University of Hawaiʻi health sciences training programs are working to meet those needs.

The new UH Homestay Aloha program seeks to recruit UH alumni and community members to serve as homestay hosts for UH health sciences students who are training on different islands from where they live. Data indicate that exposing students to new training sites, including rural and underserved areas, increases the likelihood that they will practice there. However, Hawaiʻi’s expensive housing and rental market is a barrier to UH health sciences students doing rotations on other islands.

“Providing additional clinical training opportunities for our health sciences students, especially in underserved areas, is critical to improving access to high quality healthcare across Hawaiʻi. We are extremely grateful to our alumni and community partners who are making it possible for us to expand these opportunities by extending their aloha and support to our students,” said UH President David Lassner.

The University of Hawaiʻi currently faces a shortage of clinical training sites for its medical, nursing, pharmacy and allied health students. Without enough clinical training sites, including on neighbor islands, UH health sciences programs will face difficulties in growing or meeting community needs. Declining clinical sites statewide are the result of multiple factors, including increasing time and regulatory pressures on health providers, competition among clinical sites, and limited housing near available clinaical sites.

“If housing were more readily available and affordable, I feel confident that we could find more clinical training sites for UH health sciences students,” said Kelley Withy, executive director of the Hawaiʻi/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center. “More students training in more locations across the state would help us to address health workforce shortage issues in Hawaiʻi.”

Called a win-win situation

The UH Homestay Aloha program was developed as a cross-discipline UH System initiative, in a partnership with the John A. Burns School of Medicine and the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene at UH Mānoa; the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at UH Hilo; Kapiʻolani Community College’s health sciences, EMS and nursing programs; and nursing programs at UH Hilo, Hawaiʻi Community College, UH Maui College and Kauaʻi Community College.

“University of Hawaiʻi alumni volunteers have been attracted to the UH Homestay Aloha program since it gives them an opportunity to give back to their alma mater in a meaningful way,” said Aimee Grace, director of health science policy for the UH System. “By opening up their homes and sharing their personal experiences with current UH health sciences students, UH alumni and community volunteers can forge long-term relationships with students and invest in Hawaiʻi‘s future health workforce.”

Homestay volunteer Nem Lau, a UH alumna and Kona community member, said, ”I understand that one of the major challenges for the [placement of health sciences trainees in rural communities] is affordable short-term housing for the students. It’s a no-brainer and a win-win situation for all: opening up our homes and hearts to those students will increase the chance they may come back as future workers/providers, thus enabling Kona to build and nurture healthcare capacity in and resources for the community.“

The program, run through the Hawaiʻi/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center at the medical school, provides homestay hosts with a stipend of $250 per month per student. For more information, go to UH Homestay Aloha program web page or call (808) 692-1068.

Alan Wong, Ross Baechle, chef instructor Jason Peel, winning students Nohea Banner Martin and Mychelle Coon, Stephen Reyes and Denise Yamaguchi

Center: Fan’s Choice award winners chef instructor Paul Heerlein, Lily Frazier and Thomas Elcarco.

Kapiʻolani Community College won the inaugural University of Hawaiʻi Culinary Institute of the Pacific Brewing Future Minds Statewide Competition and the $9,000 first prize–$5,000 for the school and $2,000 for each of the two student chefs on the team. Four teams from UH community colleges competed in the event sponsored by Stella Artois, Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival and Kauaʻi Shrimp and held at the UH Culinary Institute of the Pacific (CIP) on Diamond Head.

The UH teams from Kapiʻolani CC, Kauaʻi CC, Hawaiʻi CC Hilo and Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui had to create a dish using Kauaʻi Shrimp that pairs perfectly with a Stella Artois beer. The entries were judged by Chef Alan Wong of Alan Wong’s, Chef Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Hawaii, Chef Keoni Chang of Foodland Super Market, Ross Baechle of Stella Artois and Paul Bienfang of Kauaʻi Shrimp.

The winning dish—spiced grilled Kauaʻi shrimp, plantain, sauerkraut applesauce and Stella cheese sauce—was inspired by a German recipe said Kapiʻolani student chef Nohea Banner Martin, who partnered with fellow student Mychelle Coon to take the competition.

“It’s exciting to see that all these chefs are here to try what we are making,” said Martin referring to the famous judges. “It means that they support what we are doing, so it’s nice.”

The celebrity judges were just one element of the competition. The CIP kitchen was packed with student chefs, judges and other guests who were able to enjoy the dishes as soon as they were prepared and plated before their eyes.

“I would say it’s a little stressful, but it’s also very satisfying to be able to see right away their face, while trying it,” said Martin. “I think it is a really cool concept.”

Wong, a graduate of the Kapiʻolani CC culinary program, says competition is a great experience for the students.

“All the culinary schools get their students together and compete, they’re like striving,” said Wong. “I think that’s the most important thing. The bonus is the food taste great!”

Kapiʻolani CC Chef Instructor Jason Peel, the instructor for the winning team, helped organize the competition. He says his goal is to get all of the UH culinary programs to compete.

“The biggest thing I want to see is getting the state together, getting the schools and start building this camaraderie,” said Peel.

The team from Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui, Lily Frazier and Thomas Elcarco, won the fan’s choice award and $500 each from Stella Artois. Their chef instructor is Paul Heerlein. The competitors from Hawaiʻi CC Hilo were student chefs Sachie Oshima and Jomar Oli with Chef Instructor Brian Hirata. The Kauaʻi CC representatives were Caylen Ajimura and William Park with Chef Instructor Steven Nakata.

“I was pleased with every dish,” said Wong who raved about the students and instructors before thanking the sponsors. “They create funds for competition like this, which raises the bar for all culinary campuses, for the future of the industry and the future chefs of Hawaiʻi.”

Speaking of future chefs, The winning team from Kapiʻolani CC will be featured at the Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival’s Winederland event at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Gene Harada was the recipient of the 2017 Willard Wilson Distinguished Service Award.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2018 Willard Wilson Distinguished Service Award. The systemwide award recognizes a University of Hawaiʻi employee whose commitment and performance has made a significant impact on the university. UH employees from any campus and any occupational classification with 20 or more years of service can be nominated.

To submit nominations for the 2018 awards, download the eligibility, criteria and nomination form from the Willard Wilson Distinguished Service Award webpage. Information about past award winners can also be found on the site.

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, October 22 by 4:30 p.m.

For more information please contact Courtney Domingo at the Office of the President at (808) 956-8207 or by email.

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner made his report to the Board of Regents at their meeting on September 20, 2018.

Highlights include:

• UH hurricane response (video)
• A star is born! Atmospheric sciences Assistant Professor Alison Nugent (video)
• Happy birthday, Emeritus Regent Chuck Gee (video)
• Happy birthday, Emeritus Professor Ryuzo Yanagimachi (video)
• 25th anniversary—UH Cancer Center’s Multiethnic Cohort Study (video)
• 30th anniversary—Hawaiʻi Ocean Time Series’ Station Aloha (video)
• Enrollment update—Kauaʻi CC leading the way (video)
• UH campuses the most diverse in the country (video)
• Cash for College encouraging FAFSA completion (video)
• Importance of free speech and diversity of viewpoints (video)
• Leeward CC recognized as NSA Center of Excellence (video)

View previous reports to the board.

A total of 51,063 students enrolled in the University of Hawaiʻi ten-campus system this fall, down 1.2 percent from fall 2017. It is the smallest overall decrease in the six years following the great recession, when UH hit record high enrollment. UH Mānoa, is a huge bright spot, with a record setting incoming freshman class boosting the student body size to achieve the first increase after five consecutive years of decline.

“We continue to head in the right direction,” said UH President David Lassner, who also serves as the interim chancellor at UH Mānoa. “We have made great strides at UH Mānoa, and Kauaʻi CC is another success story this year. However, there remains a challenge with the strong economy, particularly at our community colleges. Hawaiʻi needs a more educated workforce and citizenry, and we have to get more students enrolled, keep them in school and graduate them on time.”

Three campuses—UH Mānoa, UH West Oʻahu and Kauaʻi Community College—saw increases in enrollment while seven campuses—UH Hilo, Hawaiʻi CC, Leeward CC, Windward CC, Honolulu CC, UH Maui College and Kapiʻolani CC—saw decreases in enrollment.

Record freshman class for UH Mānoa

UH Mānoa welcomed 2,209 first-time freshmen to campus this semester, the largest freshman class in the universityʻs 111-year history and 12.8 percent more than the previous fall semester. It breaks a record set just two years ago as UHMānoa has has been intensifying its efforts to recruit locally and beyond.

“We have really been focusing on Hawaiʻi high school students, and itʻs paying off because this record freshman class includes a 10 percent increase in local students,” said UH Mānoa Associate Director of Admissions Ryan Yamaguchi. “We have dramatically increased our engagement with local high school counselors, our physical presence on campuses and increased communications and marketing initiatives with students and parents.”

• Related UH News: Fall 2018 freshmen: Why I chose UH Mānoa

Kauaʻi CC sees biggest enrollment increase

Kauaʻi Community College experienced the largest enrollment growth of any UH campus, with a 10 percent increase to 1,486 students. Kauaʻi CC Chancellor Helen Cox credits two things for the increase.

“We really had a strong campaign of reaching out to our high schools on the Garden Isle,” said Cox. “That included bringing seniors to campus and helping them enroll, right there, on the spot, along with assisting them in filling out the federal financial aid forms and exploring their possible areas of interest. And we really increased the number of Early College classes offered at our public high schools and charter schools. We have more than 500 students in Early College this year.”

UH West Oʻahu continues nationally recognized growth

UH West Oʻahu continued to grow with a 1.5 percent increase for a total enrollment of 3,128 students. For the second year in a row, UH West Oʻahu was ranked top in the nation as the fastest-growing school of its type in the nation. The Chronicle’s Almanac of Higher Education 2018–19 listed UH West Oʻahu as leading enrollment growth among 86 public baccalaureate-granting institutions.

“Much of our growth is attributed to the hard work of our faculty and staff who develop unique academic programs and learning experiences that prepare our graduates for 21st Century careers,” UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham said. “We anticipate that our numbers will continue to grow and continue to work diligently to improve student success.”

Fall 2018 enrollment

• UH System—51,063 students (-1.2 percent)
• UH Mānoa—17,710 students (+0.6 percent)
• UH Hilo—3,406 students (-3.8 percent)
• UH West Oʻahu—3,128 students (+1.5 percent)

• UH Community Colleges—26,819 students (-2.3 percent)
• Hawaiʻi CC—2,632 students (-6.6 percent)
• Honolulu CC—3,541 students (-0.6 percent)
• Kapiʻolani CC—6,899 students (-2.8 percent)
• Kauaʻi CC—1,486 students (+10.4 percent)
• Leeward CC—6,709 students (-1.4 percent)
• Maui College—3,092 students (-6.4 percent)
• Windward CC—2,460 students (-2.0 percent)

Other campuses battle the environment and a strong economy

Faced with worldwide news and images of Kīlauea’s eruption causing destruction on the island, and then flooding from Hurricane Lane during the first week of classes, UH Hilo saw a 3.8 percent decrease in enrollment to 3,406 students. The campus did, however, recruit a freshman class almost as large as they did last year, in spite of these major local disruptions and worldwide bad press.

Despite Kauaʻi CCʻs jump in enrollment, overall enrollment at the seven UH community colleges is down 2.3 percent. The biggest competitor for the community colleges continues to be the strong labor market and record low unemployment.

“We will continue to to work to get more people, including returning adults and other non-traditional students into our community colleges,” said Lassner. “We need to make sure that people can pursue their education to advance in their careers while they work. We are enormously grateful to the State for supporting the new Hawaiʻi Promise program, which removes the cost of tuition as a barrier to a community college education in our state.”

The Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship is available to all qualified students with need and covers the unmet costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies.

More from underrepresented ethnic groups

The university continues its success in enrolling traditionally underrepresented ethnic groups to the proportions of their populations in the state.

• Native Hawaiian or part Hawaiian—23.6 percent of student body, 21.3 percent of the state population
• Filipino—14.7 percent of the UH student and state population.
• Pacific Islander—2.4 percent of the student population, 2.1 percent of the state

UH has received national recognition for its diversity, ranking in the top 10 in the U.S. for greatest racial and ethnic diversity among four-year and two-year institutions, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2018 Almanac diversity rankings.

Thanks to the affordability of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaiʻi is ranked ninth in the nation when it comes to low student debt, according to the latest annual report by The Institute for College Access and Success. The report looked at debt carried by students at public and nonprofit colleges and universities. Hawaiʻi was among the lowest in the country for the amount of debt students carry, and the percentage of students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree with debt.

The average debt for a Hawaiʻi student after graduating with a bachelor’s degree is $25,125, $3,500 below the $28,650 national average. Connecticut had the highest student debt at $38,510 and Utah the lowest at $18,838. About 65 percent of college students nationally graduate with debt. Hawaiʻi is tied for 6th lowest in the country at 49 percent. Utah is the lowest at 38 percent, followed by Alaska and the District of Columbia at 46 percent.

The Hawaiʻi Promise scholarship program is one example of how UH and state leaders are working to keep the cost of higher education affordable. The program provides assistance to qualified community college students for any financial needs not met by financial aid, federal grants, benefits and scholarships. Those costs can include tuition, fees, books, supplies and transportation.

“We are extremely grateful for the warm reception and strong support we received in establishing the Hawaiʻi Promise program for our community college students,” said UH President David Lassner. “Extending the Hawaiʻi Promise program to UH Hilo, UH Mānoa and UH West Oʻahu is one of the best ways we can move forward together to reduce the college debt burden for Hawaiʻi’s university students as well.”

• Read more about Hawaiʻi Promise on UH News

Even before the Hawaiʻi Promise program, UH’s seven community colleges were ranked the most affordable in the nation in 2016.

The in-state tuition at all three of UH’s four-year campuses including the system’s flagship campus, UH Mānoa, is below the national average for public institutions. UH Mānoa is one of 115 research universities in the country classified R1 and is consistently ranked in the top two percent nationally and internationally.

The Institute for College Access and Success is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to make higher education more available and affordable for people of all backgrounds. Student Debt and the Class of 2017 is the instituteʻs 13th annual report on debt at graduation. To learn more download the report (PDF).

Applying for University of Hawaiʻi scholarships just got easier. Students from all 10 campuses can fill out one common application to qualify for many scholarships. Registration opened on October 1, 2018, and closes on March 1, 2019, for the 2019–2010 school year.

“I encourage every student to apply for any and every scholarship,” said Honolulu Community College Financial Aid Director Heather Florendo. “Just apply for anything and everything because you never know what you might qualify for.”

By completing the Common Scholarship Application, students can be considered for numerous scholarships, including those not based on merit or financial need.

Scholarships are available for all levels. Students are encouraged to complete their 2019–2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, 2019, to be considered for the maximum number of scholarships.

Many scholarships are available on each campus, so contact your financial aid specialist for more information.

Deadline for the common scholarship application and FAFSA is March 1, 2019.

Questions? Email scholars@hawaii.edu or call (808) 956-6203.

University of Hawaiʻi students, faculty, administrators, regents and coaches helped to raise awareness on October 4 alongside hundreds of fellow community members in the 24th annual Men’s March Against Violence. The march started at the state Capitol and ended at ʻIolani Palace.

“I want to participate in spreading the word, because I think a lot of the issue is about awareness,” said Kevin Card, UH Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) first-year medical student, “Doctors have the first-hand response to instances of domestic violence in the roles we play in our community. We want this problem to come to a halt.”

Each year in Hawaiʻi, about 50,000 women between the ages of 18 and 64 suffer from some form of domestic violence, and UH’s own community has not been immune to the problem. Approximately 19 percent of UH students have experienced dating or domestic violence, according to the results of a groundbreaking survey by the university in the 10-campus system released earlier this year.

“The reason we’re doing this is to bring awareness to the community and to engage the men in the community to support women and avert violence, in particular interpersonal violence, which is a significant problem and often not discussed enough,” said Jerris Hedges, JABSOM dean. “So to bring a crowd out of over 1,000 people, mainly men, making a statement, it really is important to the community.”

UH Mānoa Athletics Director David Matlin and numerous UH athletes and coaches participated in recent marches. Eran Ganot, head men’s basketball coach, participated in the march with wife Barb and daughter Zeza.

“This is my fourth march, and I’ve been here for as many years,” Ganot said. “I’ve marched every year with my staff, my players and my family. I march with my girls.”

A JABSOM video from the Men’s March

Go the the John A. Burns School of Medicine’s Flickr site for more photos from the march.

Pamantasan Conference participants

A University of Hawaiʻi Filipino advocacy group just hit a huge milestone. The Pamantasan Council celebrated its 30-year anniversary at the Pamantasan Conference on October 5 at UH Mānoa with its largest attendance ever. Pamantasan is the Filipino translation for “institute of higher learning.”

About 300 students, faculty, staff and administrators from across the 10 UH campuses took part in various workshop sessions, cultural activities, and a book and curriculum fair focused on prevalent issues for Filipinos and higher education.

The conference was themed #BeKindToAStudent, in honor of the late Ernest “Niki” Libarios, Jr., who lived by the personal mantra. As director of the Office of Student Academic Services in UH Mānoa’s College of Education, Libarios was a champion for the Filipino community and recognized the importance of positive educational experiences among students. He was the creator of the “Be a hero. Be a teacher.” campaign.

Since its founding in 1987, the Pamantasan Council has advocated for the increased representation of Filipino-Americans and Philippine courses in higher education, as well as to support and recognize Filipino achievements.

Today, Filipinos comprise just under a quarter of all student enrollment in Hawaiʻi‘s public schools. This makes them the second largest ethnic group, behind only Native Hawaiians. Still, they represent only 13 percent of all students in the UH System. Most enroll in UH’s community colleges and remain underrepresented in UH’s four-year institutions. At UH Mānoa, only 10 percent of students identify as Filipino. In addition, only 7 percent of Hawaiʻipublic school teachers and 4 percent in the UH System are of Filipino ancestry.

Opening the conference was up-and-coming rapper Ruby Ibarra, who spoke about her struggles growing up and overcoming them after moving from the Philippines to the San Francisco Bay Area at age 4.

Rzenseth Cabansag, a senior at Farrington High School who plans to attend UH Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, said she came in part to hear Ibarra speak about being Filipino-American. “I think it’s important to preserve that, to help me understand what it’s like to grow up as an immigrant in the U.S., and just keeping true to yourself,” she said.

Leon Florendo, a counselor with Waiʻanae Moku at Leeward Community College and a coordinator for this year’s conference, said the record attendance speaks to the great progress of Libarios’ legacy and work with students, as well as the Filipino-American faculty and staff at UH who are promoting Pamantasan. “More Filipinos are proud of their contributions to the university and the state of Hawaiʻi, and a higher education degree gives you more opportunities to do more,” he said.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that there are a lot of like-minded individuals who know the struggles of being Filipino-American, the pressure we get from family and going into professional pathways,” said Richard Jay Aglugub, who is pursuing his master’s degree in educational administration in higher education at UH Mānoa. “It’s good to see people write their story and I’m excited to be part of all of this.”

Amy Agbayani, emeritus assistant vice chancellor for student diversity and a member of the 1988 UH Task Force on Filipinos that recommended the establishment of the Pamantasan Council, reflected on its history. “Much has been accomplished over three decades to make our state and our university more inclusive of Filipinos and other underserved groups, but much more must be done to promote equity, excellence and diversity at each of our 10 campuses,” she said.

In addition to Florendo, conference co-coordinators were Christine Quemuel, interim assistant vice chancellor for diversity, and Patricia Halagao, professor and chair of the Department of Curriculum Studies in the College of Education.

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates October 2018 faculty and staff anniversaries.

40 years

Okumura, Jean K
Professor, Windward CC

30 years

Ching, Gregory K
Janitor, Kapiʻolani CC

Katada, Jon S
Agricultural Research Technician, UH Mānoa

Ota, Shelley S
Professor, Leeward CC

20 years

Ah Yuen, Jean
Office Assistant, Kapiʻolani CC

Apuzen-Ito, Garrett T
Professor, UH Mānoa

Baxa, Gari-Vic
Junior Specialist, UH Mānoa

Fuchino-Nishida, Sheryl
Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Gasmen, Imelda F
Instructor, UH Mānoa

Gum, Joyce S
Instructional and Student Support, UH Mānoa

Hu, Herbert T
Information Technology, UH Mānoa

Isemoto, Claire T
Account Clerk, UH Hilo

Kawachi, Scott K
Institutional Support, UH Hilo

Lai Hipp, Sean C
Information Technology, UH Mānoa

Sugimoto, Annette R
Institutional Support, UH Hilo

10 years

Ah Sam, Danielle M
Office Assistant, Leeward CC

Arboleda, Pia C
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Danielson, Edward I
Instructor, UH Mānoa

Doi, Saori I
Assistant Specialist, UH Mānoa

Foley, Mary L
Information, Events and Publications, UH Mānoa

Hanada, Royce M
Information Technology, UH System

Hirakawa, Keahilani C
Janitor, Hawaiʻi CC

Isono, Wesley H
Mechanical Repair Worker, UH Mānoa

Jun, Valerie M
Academic Support, UH Mānoa

Krushelnycky, Paul
Assistant Researcher, UH Mānoa

Lubimir, Karen T
Assistant Professor, UH Mānoa

Magarin, Ronald B
Information Technology, UH Maui College

Matsushima, Karen
Institutional Support, UH West Oʻahu

Matsuura, Melissa
Executive Assistant to the Board of Regents, UH System

Michels III, Bernard
Instructor, Hawaiʻi CC

Okamura, Sara M
Instructional and Student Support, UH Mānoa

Oyadomari-Chun, Tammi
Academic Affairs Program Officer, UH System

Park, Trisha S
Institutional Support, UH Mānoa

Ramos, Paul G
Janitor, Hawaiʻi CC

Shiroma, Kiana Y
Assistant Specialist, UH Mānoa

Solomon, Angelique
Junior Specialist, UH Mānoa

Teramae, Ray M
Facilities Planning and Design, UH System

Tomiyoshi, Scott M
Laundry Worker, UH Mānoa

Tones, Kaori H
Instructional and Student Support, UH Mānoa

Yoshihara, Staci N
Enterprise Operations, UH Mānoa

Hawaiʻi’s newest generation of tastemakers, Beer Lab Hawaii’s Derek Taguchi, Kevin Teruya and Nicolas Wong, along with other next generation chefs and entrepreneurs, are highlighted in the fall 2018 issue of the University of Hawaiʻi Magazine for alumni and friends.

This issue also offers ʻIolani Palace’s Kippen de Alba Chu’s reflections on museums in the 21st century and Jim Leahey, “The Voice” of UH sports, who looks back on a 60-year career.

• View the University of Hawaiʻi Magazine online or download the issue (PDF).

The bi-annual UH Magazine, published by Pacific Basin Communications in partnership with UH Foundation, highlights alumni accomplishments and exciting news from UH’s 10 campuses.

David Lassner

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner shared a message on October 30 to students, faculty and staff of the UH campuses.

Aloha to all our UH students, faculty and staff:

Recent events have been disturbing to many within UH, as has been repeatedly shared with me. In just the last 10 days we learned of an internal federal agency document calling for the withdrawal of recognition of transgender people, an individual was arrested for sending pipe bombs to prominent individuals around the country who have expressed political views in opposition to his own, and over the weekend we saw a horrific, murderous attack on people who were doing nothing more than celebrating the sabbath according to their religious traditions.

While these events may seem far away for some of us, we must all recognize that they are deeply impactful to many. Particularly affected are those who feel directly threatened based on their gender expression or sexual identity, their political views, their religion or their race/ethnicity.

Last year the UH Mānoa deans developed a statement about aspirations for the campus that included the following: “All human beings are entitled to the respect of their culture and who they are. We know absolutely that people of different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs can not only peacefully coexist but synergistically thrive together. As the UH motto tells us: Ma luna aʻe o nā lāhui a pau ke ola ke kanaka. Above all nations is humanity.”

While we alone may not be able to reverse divisiveness across our country, we can and must provide a climate of aloha within the University of Hawaiʻi. I urge all of us to be attentive to the importance of expressing kindness, compassion and understanding to one another, particularly in difficult times. And those who feel threatened should reach out for help from an appropriate campus office.

We do not all need to agree on every issue before us. But we can and must live together peacefully and extend human dignity to all. UH is widely recognized as the most diverse higher education institution in the country. As such, we are perfectly positioned to develop and model the behaviors we hope to see in our society-at-large through how we listen to one another and how we treat one another. Our future is ours to create, together.

Aloha,

David Lassner
UH President and UH Mānoa Interim Chancellor

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates November 2018 faculty and staff anniversaries.

50 years

Unebasami, Michael T
Associate Vice President for Administrative Affairs, UH System

40 years

Inouye, Myles C
Information Technology, UH System

Sugiki, Myron S
Research Support, UH Mānoa

30 years

Flament, Pierre J
Professor, UH Mānoa

Hochstein, Candace
Professor, Leeward CC

Santos, Cresente W
Building Maintenance Worker, Kauaʻi CC

Smith, Craig R
Professor, UH Mānoa

20 years

Awaya, Lisa A
Office Assistant, UH Mānoa

Hatchie-Leong, Harumi
Secretary, Leeward CC

Liongson, Raymund L
Professor, Leeward CC

Macmillan, Michael
Information, Events and Publications, UH Mānoa

10 years

Abo, Edward Y
Janitor, UH Mānoa

Castillo, Roland E
Building Maintenance Worker, UH Mānoa

Chang, Diane E
Information, Events and Publications, UH System

Florendo, Heather P
Instructional and Student Support, Honolulu CC

Hara, Nadine T
Institutional Support, UH Hilo

Higa, Joseph Y
Building Maintenance Worker, UH Mānoa

Jacobson, Miriam L
Library Technician, UH Hilo

Kaleleiki, Anna
Information Technology, UH System

McCalla, Ryan S
Information Technology, UH System

Omiya, Chad D
Information Technology, UH System

Ontai, Jennifer N
Institutional Support, UH System

Shigano, Destin
Institutional Support, UH Mānoa

Simpliciano, Wilfred M
Janitor, Leeward CC

Simpson Steele, Jamie
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Stern, Ivette
Junior Specialist, UH Mānoa

Takeda, Julie
Secretary, Kapiʻolani CC

Vida, Nicole
Secretary, UH Maui College

The State of Hawaiʻi will be converting to a new payroll system, the Hawaiʻi Information Portal (HIP). The new system is a significant upgrade to a modern, more reliable payroll application. The transition will begin in December 2018 and be completed by January 2019. HIP will continue to provide the online features University of Hawaiʻi employees are accustomed to, including convenient access to payroll information.

Unfortunately, employees who are currently subscribed to direct deposit for payroll must enter their financial institution and banking information directly into HIP. This is because the current bank and credit union direct deposit details of all state employees in the state’s old payroll system are not formatted in a way that they can be moved to HIP.

Additionally, under the new HIP system, employees will be able to direct their deposit to multiple financial institutions in Hawaiʻi and on the mainland.

Your action is required for the new payroll system

To prepare for HIP enrollment, you will need to

• Set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for your UH Account https://www.hawaii.edu/hawaiipay/mfa/ by November 30, 2018. You will not be able to access HIP without completing this step.

The MFA improves UH account security by protecting personal and institutional information through an extra layer of protection on top of your UH password. Along with your UH username and password, MFA requires authentication through a device such as smartphone, landline, passcodes or hard token every time you login to a UH account for Gmail or other functions.

Possess all relevant banking information on the Direct Deposit Worksheet Form:

• https://ags.hawaii.gov/hawaiipay/files/2018/04/Direct-Deposit-Worksheet.pdf

For help identifying your routing and account numbers:

• http://ags.hawaii.gov/hawaiipay/routing-and-account-numbers/

For more information:

• http://ags.hawaii.gov/hawaiipay/for-employees/

When will I need to set up my MFA and update my direct deposit info?

University officials are in the process of confirming the HIP enrollment period. Currently, it is tentatively scheduled for December 3–December 14, 2018. However, this is subject to deferral. Employees will need to set up their MFA before they update their direct deposit info.

Help is here

If you need assistance setting up your UH MFA, please contact the ITS Help Desk (808) 956-8883, toll free (neighbor isles) (800) 558-2669 and/or by email at help@hawaii.edu

For assistance regarding the new payroll system, contact the Hawaiʻi Information Portal Service Center via hip@hawaii.gov or (808) 201-SERV [7378].

Thank you to everyone for their patience and cooperation during this transition to a payroll system that will better serve all state employees.

Photo by Claudia Hagan

The University of Hawaiʻi 10-campus system is participating in a new effort in which 130 public universities and systems have begun work together in clusters of four to 12 institutions to increase college access, close achievement gaps and award hundreds of thousands more degrees by 2025.

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is organizing the collaborative effort, known as Powered by Publics: Scaling Student Success. APLU had recognized UH Mānoa last year with the national Project Degree Completion Award for Mānoa’s work improving graduation outcomes at the institutional level.

The new Powered by Publics initiative represents the largest ever national-scale collaborative effort to move the completion agenda forward. Collectively, Powered By Publics participants enroll 3 million students, including 1 million economically challenged students who receive Pell Grants. In addition to committing to common student success goals, participating institutions have pledged to share aggregate data demonstrating their progress to help spur lasting change across the higher education sector.

“The University of Hawaiʻi looks forward to working collaboratively with other institutions to increase college access, equity and completion,” said UH President David Lassner, who attended the Powered By Publics kickoff meeting at the APLU Annual Meeting last weekend. “Our faculty and staff have made a tremendous difference already, and when we partner with like-minded institutions we can learn not only from our own experiences but from those of others.”

UH is part of the Western Region cluster which intends to focus on strategies to: increase success in the first two years of college; identify and remove barriers to student progress; and help individual faculty to be even more effective partners in student success efforts.

“Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a real and growing enthusiasm among public university leaders to advance college completion nationally,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “We have to seize the moment and mobilize institutions to improve not just college access, but also equity in student outcomes and the number of students who earn degrees.”

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates December 2018 faculty and staff anniversaries.

30 years

Evangelista, Pacifico
Information Technology, UH Maui College

Gima, Russell R
Physical Plant Management, UH Mānoa

Hochstein, Candace
Professor, Leeward CC

Moore, Gregory F
Geophysicist, UH Mānoa

Richards, Wendy A
Information Technology, UH Mānoa

20 years

Akama III, William K
Enterprise Operations, Leeward CC

Bento, Tracie
Secretary, UH System

Fung, Mona K
Academic Support, Kapiʻolani CC

Gosnell, William L
Assistant Professor, UH Mānoa

Kawakami, Chase N
Information Technology, UH System

Liongson, Raymund L
Professor, Leeward CC

Parcon, Matt D
Media Design and Production, UH System

Yen, Liang-Mei
Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

10 years

Binonwangan, Martin P
Janitor, UH Maui College

Buchthal, Opal V
Assistant Professor, UH Mānoa

Canite, Kara M
Library Assistant, Honolulu CC

Komori, Aaron Y
Janitor Supervisor, UH Mānoa

Matsushita, Earl K
Physical Plant Management, UH Mānoa

Medeiros, Teresa
Institutional Support, UH Mānoa

Nesbitt, Thomas L
Building Maintenance Worker, Windward CC

Pilago, Ian K
Academic Support, Hawaiʻi CC

Shimabukuro, Summer
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Simmons, Sean K
Janitor, UH Hilo

Stavrue-Peahi, Jean
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Tamashiro, Derek
Janitor, Leeward CC

Villarreal, Pedro
Instructional and Student Support, UH Mānoa

Seniors at McKinley High School apply to UH campus of their choice using MyFutureHawaiʻi.

This fall more than 1,800 seniors from 25 high schools applied to a University of Hawaiʻi campus through Hawaiʻi P–20’s MyFutureHawaiʻi (MFH) college and career planning portal.

MyFutureHawaiʻi is a customized college and career access portal that allows students to explore careers, skills and interests, search for colleges, learn about financial aid and track their courses and progress toward high school graduation using real-time data provided by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education.

Students can also apply to any of the 10 UH campuses directly from the portal with their demographic and academic data being transferred directly (instead of self-reporting) to the UH application system.

Leilehua seniors apply to UH at their annual iPrep College and Career Day.

As part of Hawaiʻi P–20’s College Application and Exploration Season (CAES), high schools had the opportunity to use MyFutureHawaiʻi for their college application events.

“Using MFH for our application sessions was a time saver,” says Elaine Bowler, Waianae High School college counselor. “Students were able to login and complete an application seamlessly with support from UH admission reps and Hawaiʻi P–20. During one week of daily application sessions, over 230 of our seniors were able to complete a UH system application.”

CAES is an initiative that assists high school students with college applications and exploration and encourages high school seniors, particularly prospective first-generation students from low-income families, to apply to at least one college before graduating. Participating schools are given resources and guidance to coordinate their college application events. Most are supported by UH and other Hawaiʻi college admission representatives and are held during the school day.

The initiative started in 2012 and has proven successful in increasing college enrollment at participating schools. Results have shown that CAES participants enroll in college at consistently higher rates than the average schools. This year, 35 high schools statewide are coordinating college application events through the CAES initiative.

The 10 campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi shared many important and insightful stories through UH News in 2018. From sustainable solutions to culinary competition, early college excellence to vital support during the Kīlauea eruption, here are some of this year’s top stories on UH News. Looking forward to a great 2019!

New law expands Hawaiʻi Promise scholarships for UH Community College students
More students will get financial need-based aid because of legislation signed in June 2018. The new law adds $700,000 for “last-dollar” scholarships at seven UH Community Colleges statewide for the upcoming school year.

UH Hilo playing vital role in response to historic eruption
UH Hilo professors, scientists and students are provided valuable expertise and resources on multiple fronts, helping government officials assess the hazards to the public and its personnel, and decide where and how to respond.

Record number of Hawaiʻi high school students earn college degrees from UH
Sixteen public high school students from across the state earned college degrees from University of Hawaiʻi campuses in spring 2018, before their high school graduations, through the Early College program. Photo: UH Maui College

UH student chefs battle in statewide culinary competition
The UH teams from Kapiʻolani CC, Kauaʻi CC, Hawaiʻi CC Hilo and Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui created a dish using Kauaʻi shrimp that pairs perfectly with a Stella Artois beer.

UH Maui College aims to be first net-zero UH campus
UH Maui College will soon be among the first in the nation to generate 100 percent of its energy from on-site solar photovoltaic systems coupled with battery storage.

First dual-credit Kapiʻolani graduate delivers commencement address in American Sign Language
While still in high school, Maximillian Soares Miehlstein took both high school and college classes, enabling him to graduate from high school and college at the same time. Photo: Clifford Kimura

Longtime Big Island construction mentor recognized for distinguished service
Hawaiʻi CC Professor Gene Harada was recognized with the UH Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service. Harada is the longtime coordinator of the highly popular Model Home Project.

Better beer and bread: endless culinary possibilities for state’s first culinology student
Alan Martin enhances his culinary skills with science in the UH culinology program, two years of institutional food service management at Kapiʻolani CC, followed by two years of food science and human nutrition–culinology from UH Mānoa.

UH West Oʻahu No. 1 in nation for campus growth
Enrollment jumped 239 percent between 2006, when the campus had 866 students, and 2016, when there were 2,939 students.

UH collaborates on Hawaiian language version of Disney’s Moana
The Moana movie project, a collaboration of five programs at UH Mānoa, UH West Oʻahu and Honolulu CC, was spearheaded by the Academy for Creative Media System and was recorded at the sound studio of Honolulu CC’s Music and Entertainment Learning Experience program.

Full-sized albizia house a model of innovation and sustainability at UH
The prototype was constructed as a single-family low-income shelter made from albizia, reconceptualizing the invasive species as a useful building material.

More top UH Mānoa stories.

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates January 2019 faculty and staff anniversaries.

50 years

Hamada, Helen H
Media Design and Production, Kapiʻolani CC

40 years

Paull, Robert E
Researcher, UH Mānoa

30 years

Dobry, Thaddeus Paul
Associate Specialist, UH Mānoa

Inouye, Clara C
Library Technician, UH Mānoa

Jarman, Raymond L
Graduate Advisor/ Associate Specialist, UH Mānoa

Kawakami, Nancy
Institutional Support, UH Mānoa

Kawaoka, Gerald R
Media Design and Production, UH Mānoa

Okamura, Jonathan Y
Professor, UH Mānoa

Pearson, Thomas C
Professor, UH Mānoa

Ribao, Cesar S
Facilities Planning and Design, UH Mānoa

Tanoue, Patricia
Library Technician, UH Mānoa

Uyeno, Russell K
Specialist, UH Mānoa

Vandevender, Tammy-Lu
Institutional Support, UH System

Watanabe, Barbara
Junior Specialist, UH Mānoa

Willett, Michael E
Instructor, Honolulu CC

20 years

Bayman, James
Professor, UH Mānoa

Drexel, April A
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Heffernan, Thomas Jr
Athletics, UH Mānoa

Mau, Patrick K M
Janitor, UH Mānoa

Moniz, Jeffrey A S
Vice Chancellor and Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Ooi, Phillip S K
Professor, UH Mānoa

Sugimoto, Wesley M
Institutional Support, UH Mānoa

Wood, Susan M H
Professor, Leeward CC

10 years

Barber, Greg Allen
Building Maintenance Worker, Hawaiʻi CC

Beilman, David Wesley
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Bhatawadekar, Sai P
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Boehm, Laura B
Assistant Professor, UH Mānoa

Bohnet, Darwin R
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Burkett, Maxine Andrea
Professor, UH Mānoa

Chow Naomi I
Librarian, UH Mānoa

Clariza, Maria Elena B
Librarian, UH Mānoa

Das, Priyam
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Delay, John Kelly
Assistant Professor, Honolulu CC

Dulai, Henrietta
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Garmire, David Gordon
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Higa, Elaine Tomiye
Institutional Support, UH Mānoa

Higgins, Stacie M
Academic Support, UH Hilo

Kabutaulaka, Tarcisius
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Kim, Dawn M
Institutional Support, UH System

Koahou, Gary Keaunui
Carpet Cleaner, UH Mānoa

Konanui, Nicholle S L
Research Support, UH Mānoa

Koury, Merle K
Associate Specialist, UH Mānoa

Liu, Liping
Associate Professor, UH Maui College

Longanecker, William G
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Moore, Peter L
Associate Professor, Windward CC

Ohta, Aaron
Professor, UH Mānoa

Ooki, Nancy E
Assistant Extension Agent, UH Mānoa

Peppard, Eileen Marie
Assistant Extension Agent, UH Mānoa

Puniwai, Noelani
Assistant Professor, UH Mānoa

Rao, Kavita
Professor, UH Mānoa

Rutherford, Clifford R
Assistant Professor, UH Maui College

Santhanam, Narayana
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Sasaki, Stefanie R
Associate Professor, Honolulu CC

Signor, John Frederick
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Street, Zachary D
Instructional and Student Support, UH Hilo

Uina, Nadine Nalani
Account Clerk, Hawaiʻi CC

Ventura, Doris E
Institutional Support, UH Maui College

Wang, Wei-Kung
Professor, UH Mānoa

Wilcox-Boucher, C
Associate Professor, Hawaiʻi CC

Wolff, Nadine
Instructor, Kapiʻolani CC

Xia, Guilan
Institutional Support, UH System

Yamaoka, Roxanne E
Secretary, Honolulu CC