Ceremonies were held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium.
Photos by Bob Douglas, click to enlarge.
Procession
Candidate waves to family and friends in the stands as she enters the venue to take her seat.
Opening, Faculty Awards, and Speakers
Alexander Nagurney, instructor of psychology, is this year’s recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Conferring of Baccalaureate Degrees
Big smiles all around as students commence their new life with degree in hand.
Mortarboard Communications
Hooding Ceremonies
Prof. of Anthropology Peter Mills (right) bestows candidate with hood for master of arts in heritage management. This commencement marked the first cohort to graduate from the new UH Hilo program.
Closing of Ceremonies
Graduates with Friends and Family
About the photographer:Bob Douglas is a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.
University officials are hoping that the three renovated classrooms will spark discussions regarding what kind of technology, flexible furniture, and writing surfaces will cultivate collaboration and active learning for students.
The university has brought three pilot classrooms into the 21st century where learning spaces are designed for students to engage and interact with each other, their professors and the knowledge being presented to them via high tech media. Click photos to enlarge.
Three classrooms at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo have been transformed into spacious, interactive learning spaces supported by technology the current generation of university students uses as naturally as previous generations used overhead projectors. The university has brought three pilot classrooms into the 21st century where learning spaces are designed for students to get plugged in, flip open laptops, interact freely with each other and professors, absorb information from smart 3-D screens and sound bar systems, and write down ideas in myriad places from computer screens to whiteboards to old fashioned paper.
The project is part of the UH System goal to create 21st Century Facilities and “modernize facilities and campus environments to be safe, sustainable and supportive of modern practices in teaching, learning and research,” and is the first step in the development of a formal UH Hilo 21st century classroom plan. Future plans aim to identify the shortcomings of existing classrooms, consult with the campus community to understand UH Hilo’s unique learning objectives, create standards and guidelines for the transformation of outdated classrooms into modern spaces appropriate for current students, and define the technology infrastructure needed to support modern classrooms such as the three in the pilot.
“This pilot project is the first step towards faculty and student driven active learning classroom designs,” says Brenda Hamane, director of special projects at the UH Hilo Office of Administrative Affairs. “We are hoping that the three renovated classrooms will spark discussions regarding what kind of technology, flexible furniture, and writing surfaces will cultivate collaboration and active learning. As future classroom buildings are renovated, feedback from this pilot project, and future faculty and student focus group discussions will facilitate the conversion of existing traditional classrooms into 21st century classroom designs that support an active learning classroom environment.”
Learn more about the concept of interactive learning environments in the video below:
During the recent short planning period, a small group of UH Hilo administrators, faculty and students selected three versions of flexible classrooms designed to support active learning as part of this initial pilot project. Drew Martin, former interim dean of the College of Business and Economics, supported this innovative project and initiated the focus group involved in the planning and design of the classrooms.
Also part of the planning were Kolin Kettleson, director of UH Hilo Auxiliary Services; Gene Harada, a professor at the Hawai‘i Community College carpentry program; Royd Liu, an information technology specialist from the UH System;Dave “Moku” Baptiste, UH Hilo Computing Center; Sunny Walker, UH Hilo Information Technology Specialist and Webmaster; and Matt Baldwin, media design and production specialist at the UH Hilo Office of Campus Technology.
Subsequent classroom planning will include a broader and larger planning group as well as campus-wide input and involvement. A survey will be provided in late September to faculty and students using these pilot classrooms to obtain valuable feedback on the classrooms.
The three classrooms selected for the pilot project are in Kanakaole Hall because there are no plans to renovate that classroom building within the next five years and existing outdated furniture was in need of replacement. The classroom size in the building is large enough to create the active high tech learning spaces.
“Each classroom (chosen for the project) in Kanakaole Hall—built circa 1970s—was designed with a different layout and furniture set to learn what arrangements work best for our students and their professors,” says Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai, who approved funding for the 21st Century Classroom Pilot Project with a one-time allocation of Administrative Affairs lapsing funds earlier this year when she previously served as vice chancellor for administrative affairs.
The project was expedited in order to roll out the new classrooms at the beginning of 2017 fall semester.
“Although we had only a month to plan and procure, and two months to implement, it was an opportunity that Administrative Affairs could not pass on,” explains Hamane. “Thanks to a committed project team who went above and beyond on this project, and Tam Vu, interim dean of the College of Business and Economics, and Michael Bitter, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who seamlessly provided support midway through this project, we were able to deliver three versions of active learning classrooms for faculty and students to experience during fall semester.”
“Before” photos
“After” photos
The new classroom designs in the three Kanakaole Hall rooms are as follows (click on photos to enlarge):
Room 126: New vinyl flooring, roller shades, fresh coat of paint, additional electrical outlets for student electronic devices, flexible chevron tables and five-star mobile chairs (including ADA compliant tables, and armless larger chairs), 85-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart 3D LED TV and BOSE soundbar system, compact lectern with PC and monitor, document camera, HDMI laptop connector, DVD/CD, four-port USB hub, instructor table, five mobile porcelain white boards, and three wall mounted porcelain whiteboards.
Room 127: New vinyl flooring, roller shades, fresh coat of paint, additional electrical outlets for student electronic devices, flexible 360° tablet arm chairs (including ADA compliant tables, and armless larger chairs), 85-inch 4K HD Smart 3D LED TV and BOSE soundbar system, compact lectern with PC and monitor, document camera, HDMI laptop connector, DVD/CD, four-port USB hub, instructor table, four mobile glass boards, and four wall mounted glass boards.
Room 128: New vinyl flooring, roller shades, fresh coat of paint, six peninsula tables with 50-inch TV/Monitor mounts, mobile mesh back chairs (tables and chairs ADA compliant, armless larger chairs), compact lectern with PC and monitor, document camera, HDMI laptop connector, DVD/CD, four-port USB hub, instructor table, four mobile glass boards, and one mobile porcelain white board.
About the author: Susan Enright is a public information specialist in the Office of the Chancellor. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
The ceremonies were to honor UH Vice President Don Straney and UH Hilo Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai in their new positions.
Don Straney and Marcia Sakai at Kīpaepae.
Kīpaepae Ho‘oku‘u (Releasing Ceremony) and Kīpaepae Ho‘onoho (Appointment Ceremony) were held today for former University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney and new UH Hilo Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai. Straney was recently reassigned to a new position as the UH System vice president for academic planning and policy. The ceremonies were to honor Vice President Straney and Interim Chancellor Sakai in their new positions.
(l-r) Hawai‘i Community College Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas, UH Vice President Don Straney and UH Hilo Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai.
The University of Hawa‘ii at Hilo celebrated mid-autumn today with a Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival on the Library Lanai. The Chinese Studies Certificate Program, along with Chinese Culture Club and students from several classes focused on Chinese culture and history hosted the Chinese Moon Festival event.
In addition to displays of posters, paper cuts, handicrafts, and tables of calligraphy, there was a two-hour performance of Traditional Chinese folk dancing (Yangko and fan dancing), Taiji shadow boxing, martial arts demostration, story telling of the legendary story of the Moon Festival (Archer Yi, Goddess Chang’e, Jade Rabbit, etc.), and recitation of classical poems on the Moon. There also was audience participation in folk dancing,Taiji, martial arts, and Chinese expressions.
Photos by Kimiko Taguchi, click to enlarge.
中秋节
Kimiko Taguchi (senior, geography and environmental studies) is a photography intern in the Office of the Chancellor.
Ten astronomy students at UH Hilo went on a lab field trip to Maunakea where they practiced their astrophotography skills and captured spectacular photos of the night sky.
Several observation team members stand next to the telescope they’ve just set up to conduct astrophotography during a lab field trip to Maunakea, Sept. 15, 2017. Click photos to enlarge.Lagoon Nebula, one of the many images captured by students in UH Hilo astronomy lab course.
Ten students in the astronomy and physics program at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo recently went on a lab field trip to Maunakea where they practiced their astrophotography skills and captured spectacular photos of the night sky.
R Pierre Martin
“The main goal of the lab is to introduce them to modern observational techniques of astronomy,” says R. Pierre Martin, associate professor of astronomy and the director of the UH Hilo Hōkū Ke‘a Observatory on Maunakea. “The course [observational astronomy lab, ASTR250L] includes a series of experiments in observational astronomy, going from digital astrophotography to making real quantitative photometric and spectroscopic measurements on celestial targets.”
To accomplish this, the students use a suite of small aperture telescopes, fully equipped with cameras, guiding systems, spectrographs, filters, computers and software.
Click photos to enlarge.
“Under my supervision, each team decides which objects they want to observe, how they want to do it, how they will analyze the data, etc,” says Martin. “This is really very similar to what astronomers do on larger telescopes.”
The observations are performed outside at the mid-level facility on Maunakea, where it can be very cold.
“But we are really privileged to be able to observe from Maunakea where the night sky is quite extraordinary,” says Martin. “I pay attention to teamwork, as well, before, during and after the experiment. So far, we have done one expedition to conduct color astrophotography and let the students become more familiar with the equipment and software.”
Andromeda image taken by lab students, Sept. 15, 2017, Maunakea. Click to enlarge.
For most of the students, it is really the first time that they can start applying some of the tools they have learned in the classroom right there in the field, Martin explains. Technical aspects of telescope collimation, focusing and guiding techniques, and data correction are also covered.
“This gives them a good introduction and prepare them to use more sophisticated astronomy instruments in the future,” Martin says. “Thus, every student in our program has the chance to learn first with small telescopes, then use the future 0.7-meter UH Hilo Hoku Kea telescope and also the larger facilities on Maunakea.”
The class is going back up to Maunakea this week and the teams are planning some experiments on imaging nebulae with special filters to determine their chemical composition, measuring some properties of spiral galaxies, evaluating the motion of a comet, and some other specific, more technical observations.
“Despite the long hours in the cold, this is a lot of fun!” says Martin.
About the author: Susan Enright is a public information specialist in the Office of the Chancellor. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
Participants in the event spent time at the Campus Center Plaza painting t-shirts with heartfelt and emotional words about domestic violence to raise awareness in the campus community.
Katie Brunk from the UH Hilo Women’s Center stands next to t-shirts created for The Clothesline Project, Oct. 18, 2017, Campus Center Plaza. Photos by Kimiko Taguchi, click to enlarge.
The Women’s Center at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo commemorated Domestic Violence Awareness Month by hosting the Clothesline Project on Wednesday. The project is an annual event to raise awareness about domestic violence.
Participants spent time at the Campus Center Plaza painting t-shirts with heartfelt and emotional words about domestic violence to raise awareness in the campus community. The shirts will be on display at the plaza for the week of Oct. 18-25.
The UH Hilo community celebrated the richness of Filipino heritage, culture and scholarship.
Photos by Bob Douglas.
As part of Filipino American Heritage Month, this year’s Barrio Fiesta at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo served as the opening ceremonies of the first International Conference on Multidisciplinary Filipino Studies as the campus welcomed researchers from around the world to share and exchange ideas, research and interest of the Filipinos and the Philippines.
Conference attendees were welcomed at the fiesta on Oct. 27 with a traditional Hawaiian ceremony, followed by welcome remarks from UH Hilo Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai and others and then cultural dances of the Philippines and modern dance performed by UH Hilo students of the Filipino Studies Program, the Bayanihan Club, and the Hilo Visayan Club.
Also highlighted was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the sisterhood of Cabugao City, Philippines and Hawai‘i Island.
Photos by Bob Douglas for UH Hilo Stories, click to enlarge.
Opening ceremonies
Traditional Hawaiian welcoming ceremonies started the event.
Celebrating Barrio Fiesta with traditional and modern dance
About the photographer:Bob Douglas is a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.
The annual event, held during International Education Week, celebrates United Nations Day and the university’s geographic and ethnic diversity.
The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo held its annual Parade of Nations last week as part of International Education Week. The event celebrated United Nations Day and the university’s geographic and ethnic diversity. United Nations Day honors and promotes human rights, social progress, and world peace. Students from different parts of the world also shared displays about their countries on the Library Lanai.
A group of international journalists attended the event. The Study Hawai‘i Press Tour, a media tour of seven journalists from key press outlets in Asia, Latin America, and Europe, visited campuses throughout the state. Their visit was purposefully timed to coincide with International Education Week.
Photos of the festivities, displays, and special guests by Kimiko Taguchi—click to enlarge.
Parade
Celebration
Displays
Special guests
The event honored special guests from the Study Hawai‘i Press Tour, a media tour of seven journalists from key press outlets in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The group spent time visiting campuses on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island to get a sense of the breadth of educational opportunities for international students in Hawai‘i.
Members of the press from the Study Hawai‘i Press Tour stand with UH Hilo staff and state officials on United Nations Day. (Left to right, front row) Eri Hall, Hawai‘i Community College; Christine Quintana, Hawai‘i CC; Huiyuan Wang, Studying Abroad Online; Claudia Civinini, EL Gazette; Yukari Kato, Ryugaku Journal; Patrick Atack, PIE News; and Amanda Sadamoto, UH Hilo student. (Back row): Jiaqi Wu, UH Hilo student; Igor Skibickij, Student Marketing; Jim Mellon, UH Hilo (Executive Director, Global and Intercultural Education Programs and Director, International Student Services and Intercultural Education); Aaron Baldwin, Mainichi News; Allan Mitelmao, E! Magazine; Todd Shumway, UH Hilo (Director, Global Exchange); Timothy Tiu, State of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Click photo to enlarge.
Members of the group visiting UH Hilo:
Allan Mitelmao, Ei! Magazine, Brazil.
Claudia Civinini, EL Gazette, England.
Yukari Kato, Ryugaku Journal, Japan.
Huiyuan Wang, Studying Abroad Online, China.
Aaron Michael Baldwin, Mainichi Newspapers, Japan.
Members of the UH Hilo ‘ohana took some time from the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy some cookies and fun at Chancellor’s Holiday Celebration.
Chancellor Marcia Sakai hosted the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo holiday celebration on Friday. There was fun with dressing up in “ugly or festive” Christmas wear, a photo booth and cookie contest. A good time was had by all.
At holiday celebration (clockwide from bottom right) Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Farrah-Marie Gomes, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ken Hon, and Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Kalei Rapoza.Winner of the cookie contest was Lydia Mukai (right), an office assistant in housing. At left is Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai.
About the photographer:Bob Douglas is a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.
The extraordinary talent, diversity, and inspiration found at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is beautifully captured in this photo essay of fall commencement by Bob Douglas.
Opening Ceremonies, Introductions, Awards and Speakers
Kolin Kettleson, director of Auxiliary Services, received the Chancellor’s Special Recognition Award for his years of service to the UH Hilo community.
Conferring of Baccalaureate Degrees
Mortarboard Communications
Conferring of Graduate Degrees
Graduate degree candidate with hood.
Conferring of Doctoral Degree
Doctoral degree in pharmacy is conferred.
Closing Ceremonies
Exit procession to meet with family and friends.
With Family and Friends
Graduate with family.
About the photographer:Bob Douglas is a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.
Photos may be freely shared in any print or electronic media.
The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo celebrated Chinese New Year yesterday with its annual Spring Festival held on the Library Lanai. The event was hosted by the UH Hilo Chinese Studies Program in association with the Chinese Culture Club and students taking classes in Elementary Chinese (CHNS 102) and Chinese Architecture and Gardens (CHNS 381).
The highlight of the festival was a lion dance, the first ever performed at the annual event.
Lion Dance performance at the Chinese Spring Festival.
Tables set up on the lanai offered visitors colorful displays of interactive delights with zodiac signs, beautiful paper crafts, calligraphy, Chinese characters of good meaning, spring couplets, and a crimson red backdrop for photos. There also were performances of traditional Chinese arts in Taiji shadow boxing, a sword and martial arts presentation, folk dancing (fan, red silk, red handkerchief), and more.
Photos by Elijah Owens, click to enlarge.
Tables and Displays
Calligraphy
Lion Dance
Dances
Taiji Shadow Boxing
Happy New Year!
Student places hand in mouth of the lion for good luck.
About the photographer: Elijah Owens is a sophomore majoring in geology.
The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo hosted the annual International Nights on Feb. 23 and 24, 2018. Each year, the UH Hilo International Student Association produces a two-night show that features dance performances from the many different cultures and countries represented at UH Hilo. International Nights is a long-standing tradition at the university that spans over three decades, and is a favorite event on campus among students, the community and visitors.
Photos are arranged in order of appearance during the two-night event. Click photos to enlarge.
JAPAN
Taishoji Taiko
“Yatai Bayashi”
USA
Performing Arts Center Drama Club
“Disney Medley”
POHNPEI, FSM
Pohnpei Kaselehlie Club
“Dokia & Wen”
AFRICA
Melanin Magic
“Contemporary African Dance”
PHILIPPINES
Bayanihan Club
“Kapamilya Tayo: The Culture of the Philippines”
KOSRAE, FSM
Kosrae Hilo Organization
“Sra Lo Tol, Hula Dance & Kasrpacsr”
KOREA
“Three Treasures of Korea”
SAMOA
Tupulaga O Samoa Mo A Taeao
“O oe o le toa, e lua a’u pelu, o lo’u fatu, ma le atua”
TAHITI
Te Ora Nui
“Te Fara”
JAPAN
Sei Gai Ha with Japanese Student Association
“Yosakoi & Saran-bushi”
PALAU
Ngelekel Belau Club
“Tribute to the 16 Mother States of Palau”
IRELAND
Hawai‘i Irish Dance
“Irish American Celebration!”
TONGA
Tonga Otumotu Anga‘ofa
“Tau‘olunga”
JAPAN
Puna Taiko
“Kazan/Expanding”
INDIA
Shiv-Shakti
“Indian Fusion”
USA
INT Dance Squad
“We Are…”
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Marshallese Iakwe Club
“Biit Dance & Song”
About the photographer:Bob Douglas is a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.
Students at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo held the 12th Annual Relay for Life last Friday night from sunset to sunrise Saturday morning. This year’s theme was “The Amazing Relay: Race to End Cancer,” with a goal of raising $20,000 for the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is a global fundraising event where people come together to honor cancer survivors, to remember loved ones who have succumb to cancer, and to fight for a cure for those battling the disease. Every year at Relay for Life, teams and individuals rally for twelve hours as a representation that the battle with cancer never rests. UH Hilo’s 2018 event included the INT Dance Squad, Sāmoan Club, Bayanihan, and many more performers. There also was karaoke, games, fundraising, and luminaria ceremonies.
As part of a month-long program of events for Black History Month in February, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo hosted “Soul Food 4 Thought,” a performance event, on Feb. 23. Poets, spoken word artists, and musicians performed featuring African American genre.
Click photos to enlarge.
Unity Nguyen performs solo dance.
Photographer Elijah Owens (sophomore, geology) is an intern in the Office of the Chancellor.
A record turnout of 42 employers and hundreds of students made the day a great success.
The Spring 2018 Career Fair was recently held at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. The event was open to all undergraduate students to meet with local employers to learn about employment and internships opportunities. A record turnout of 42 employers and hundreds of students made the day a great success.
“UH Hilo now joins a number of businesses and organizations working together to transform Hilo into a Blue Zones community by adopting healthy best practices.”—Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai.
University and Blue Zones Project officials gather for a group photo. Ar far left is Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Kalei Rapoza holding framed certificate of designation, and to his left is UH Hilo Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai. Photos by Eli Owens—more photos taken at the event below, click to enlarge.
A celebration was held today on campus to mark the designation of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo as a Blue Zones Project Approved worksite. The Blue Zones Project is a nationwide initiative taking place in several states to promote healthy living and long lives. The Blue Zones concept of healthy living is modeled on the best practices of places in the world where people live longer by reaching the age of 100 while enjoying a high quality of life.
A growing number of U.S. cities are adopting the secrets of longevity discovered in Blue Zones around the world. Discover how these neighbors, teachers, community leaders, and people just like you are transforming where they live, work, learn, and play so healthy choices are becoming easy for everyone in the community.
“UH Hilo now joins a number of businesses and organizations working together to transform Hilo into a Blue Zones community by adopting healthy best practices,” says Marcia Sakai, UH Hilo interim chancellor. “As an institution of higher learning, we are already well-versed in developing healthy minds. We can now look forward to taking that next step to promoting overall physical well-being.”
UH Hilo earned its designation in March when at least 25 percent of its employees signed the Blue Zones Personal Pledge and the campus implemented the following actions to promote well-being among the campus community (see also Blue Zones Worksite Pledge):
Creation of a wellness committee and an annual engagement plan outlining wellness program activities and communication strategy.
Designation of parking stalls with signage encouraging people to park further away for added steps.
Hosting Purpose Workshops to help people discover their gifts, talents and purpose.
Organized healthy cooking demonstrations.
Formed Walking Moai groups to connect with others and enjoy walking together.
Blue Zones Project Organizational Lead Jana Ortiz-Misiaszek noted that worksite approval isn’t the finish line, but rather the first of what she hopes will be multiple milestones.
“UH Hilo has been a wonderful partner in well-being and provides opportunities to make the healthy choice the easy choice on campus,” Ortiz-Misiaszek says. “We now look forward to seeing how they evolve.”
Blue Zones Event
Faculty, staff, and students attended today’s Blue Zones event. There was good food and information shared about how the UH Hilo community is striving for optimal health and well-being for everyone on campus.
Photos of event by Eli Owens, click to enlarge.
Contact
The Hawai’i Medical Service Association brought the Blue Zones Project initiative to Hawai‘i. For more information, contact the East Hawai’i team at email bluezonesprojectbigisland@sharecare.com or visit the Blue Zones Hawaii website.
Photographer Elijah Owens (sophomore, geology) is an intern in the Office of the Chancellor.
It was a fun-filled day for hundreds of schoolchildren who learned about reforestation, the science of conservation, reef ecology, endangered species, permaculture, recycling and more.
The 30th annual Earth Day Fair took place on the campus of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo on April 20. The event is sponsored each year by UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College along with many federal, state, and local county agencies, nonprofit groups, and private organizations. Hundreds of schoolchildren enjoyed this year’s celebration that featured storytellers, face-painting, campus garden tours, papermaking, information-packed displays, hands-on fun with watercolors, microscopes, software, song, dance and more. The children went home with seedlings, other giveaways, and great memories, inspired to do their part to save the Earth.
The event was chock-full of fun interactive displays about conservation and preservation activity on Hawai‘i island and showcased local employment opportunities.
Future biologists learns about endangered sea turtles.
The 6th annual Conservation Career Day was held at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo last Friday in collaboration with the Earth Day Fair. The career event was full of exhibits, displays and hands-on activities led by Hawai‘i Community College and UH Hilo professors and instructors and other local scientists and agencies in the field of natural resource management, all with the goal to inspire local schoolchildren to become environmental stewards and to pursue careers in natural resource management. The event was chock-full of fun interactive displays about conservation and preservation activity on Hawai‘i island and showcased local employment opportunities.
Crew members gave presentations, canoe tours, and shared wayfinding lore and lessons learned from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage. UH Hilo co-sponsored an educational expo featuring programs that promote “mālama honua” or care for the planet.
The crew of the sailing canoe, Hōkūle’a, gave free tours on April 21, at Wailoa Pier, where UH Hilo co-sponsored an educational expo for the public.
The iconic Hawaiian double-hulled sailing canoe, Hōkūle’a, was docked in Hilo for a few days last week while on its “Mahalo Hawaiʻi Sail.” The crew gave free tours of the canoe on Saturday, April 21, at Wailoa Pier, where the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo co-sponsored an educational expo for the public.
The Hōkūle’a is on a six-month statewide journey as the crew expresses mahalo to numerous communities for their support of the three-year Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage from 2014 to 2017. Another purpose of the Mahalo Hawai’i Sail is to reach out to thousands of schoolchildren with canoe tours and hands-on educational activities to showcase ocean navigation’s connection to science, math, culture and conservation. See Interim Chancellor’s Monthly Column: Come celebrate Hōkūleʻa visiting Hilo this month.
Kālepa Baybayan at the Hilo event last Saturday.
Kālepa Baybayan, an alumnus of UH Hilo who has captained and navigated the Hawaiian deep-sea voyaging canoes Hōkūle‘a, Hawai‘iloa, and Hōkūalaka‘i, and serves as navigator-in-residence at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, was lead person for the Hawai’i Island leg of the Mahalo Hawai’i Sail. The full Hawai‘i Island schedule can be found here.
Planning of the Hawai‘i Island visit was done through the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s support and sponsors ‘Imiloa, the County of Hawai‘i, the Grand Naniloa Hotel, Friends of Hōkūle‘a and Hawai‘iloa, Hawaiian Airlines, and UH Hilo. At the Hilo event, crew members gave presentations, canoe tours, and shared wayfinding lore and lessons learned from the voyage. In conjunction with the canoe tours, UH Hilo co-sponsored an education expo where exhibitors featured educational opportunities and environmental stewardship programs to “mālama honua,” or care for the planet.
Photos by Bob Douglas for UH Hilo Stories, click to enlarge.
EXPO
About the photographer:Bob Douglas is a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.
Patsy Iwasaki received the Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi Award for Excellence and Innovation. Details below.
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Student Employee of the Year: Natalie Quinajon, student assistant, Office of Admissions
Natalie Quinajon
Natalie Quinajon plays an important role in the Office of Admissions’ communication with the public, primarily by monitoring and answering email inquiries, which often requires deciphering complex questions to determine the best course of action. She also serves as the primary tour coordinator by scheduling tour guides and meetings with faculty and admissions counselors. Quinajon is thorough and mindful when providing information, and exhibits a calm, kind demeanor when speaking with students and parents. This academic year she took on the additional task of transferring admissions files to the registrar, which she completed for both the fall and spring semesters.
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Mentor Recognition Award: Cheryl Ramos, Professor of Psychology and Hōkū Pihana, Keaholoa STEM Scholars Program Coordinator.
At center, Cheryl Ramos and Hōkū Pihana.
This is the first year for the Mentor Recognition Award, which can be awarded to faculty and staff members. There were two recipients this year, each nominated by students and/or new alumni for their contributions to student success.
Presenter remarks for Cheryl Ramos:
Aloha, my name is Paige Okimoto and I am here to present this award for outstanding mentoring to the students at UH Hilo. I first met Professor Ramos during a one on one meeting to discuss specific classes needed for my psychology major. She was very informative and easy to talk. One of my favorite qualities about Dr. Ramos is her ability to be honest and not always tell you what you want to hear while encouraging and being positive. This is what other students had to say about Professor Ramos:
“She has always been available and helpful to me, while still maintaining good boundaries. . . . I feel so encouraged and supported.”
“Professor Cheryl Ramos is an amazing human being. Her soul is pure and honest. Thank you!”
Presenter remarks for Hōkū Pihana
Aloha, my name is Qiyamah Williams and I am here to present this award for outstanding mentoring to students at UH Hilo. I met Hōkū Pihana my first semester here at UH Hilo. I had just transferred here from Florida and was feeling very lost in this new school and new place. Hōkū talked with me and made me feel like I belonged. She introduced me to other students, gave me my first research experience and has been not only a support system, but a friend to me during my time here. She’s not only impacted me but other students as well. Here are some things they had to say about Hōkū:
“Hōkū is a true leader, especially for us Native Hawaiian students who are interested in STEM fields.”
“Ms. Pihana goes above and beyond to make sure that her students are well supported so that we can achieve our academic success.”
On behalf of all the students you’ve impacted, I’m very proud to present this award to Hōkū Pihana.
~~~
Jim Mellon
The Distinguished Service Award for Improving Student Life: Jim Mellon, Executive Director of Global Education and Exchange, and Director of International Student Services and Intercultural Exchange
Jim Mellon has expanded intellectual, cultural and social learning by securing $8 million from the U.S. Department of Education to support initiatives that include the Student Support Services Program and the Pacific Islander Student Center. International Nights, an event that celebrates the students’ cultures, is another beneficiary of funding secured by Mellon. He helps first-year international students transition to UH Hilo through a Host Family program that connects them with families in the local community. Mellon also connects international students to the community through the Global Ambassadors Program, where they discuss their home cultures at island schools and before community, professional and civic organizations.
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Mile Nagata
Excellence in Service Award: Miles Nagata, Director of University Housing
Nagata oversees University Housing on a 24/7 basis to provide student residents a home-away-from-home. He and his team work closely with administrators to expand and enhance the number of available beds, and for the past two years has worked to address affordability and occupancy. His support for campus initiatives cuts across multiple units, and colleagues look to him for historic knowledge, best practices or the most practical way to get things done. He also supports various events, like the Division of Student Affairs annual fish fry, where he joins colleagues in catching, cleaning and cooking fish.
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Pūlama ʻIke Award: Lee Dombroski, Manager of the Performing Arts Center
Lee Dombroski
The Pūlama ʻIke Award recognizes a significant contribution to developing and promoting the spirit and mission of the University. Lee Dombroski positions UH Hilo as an island-wide community arts resource by developing an annual season of performances for the public ranging from music and dance to educational arts. The artists who perform also become a source of educational opportunities for UH Hilo students by offering masters classes in their respective fields. Dombroski provides free arts performances to school children, and makes Performing Arts Center facilities and services available to outside promoters and events. She creates new opportunities to showcase the arts, and expands community outreach and participation by partnering with business and community organizations, creating fundraising events and obtaining grants.
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Patsy Iwasaki
The Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi Award for Excellence and Innovation: Patsy Iwasaki, Lecturer in Communication and English
Patsy Iwasaki infuses her teaching with storytelling artistry in graphic novel and video format. Her graphic novel, Hamakua Hero: A True Plantation Story, and the video documentary of the same name have provided rich distillations of island history for UH Hilo students, along with other readers and viewers. The documentary is an ongoing project on the legacy of island businessman and labor martyr Katsu Goto that has evolved into a community-based production involving numerous individuals from UH Hilo.
Iwasaki recieved a monetary gift and medal and has her name engraved on a perpetual plaque dedicated to recipients of the award, which is permanently housed in the Office of the Chancellor.
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More photos of event
Click to enlarge.
About the photographer:Bob Douglas is a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.
