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UH Hilo retirees and longtime employees recognized at annual celebration

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UH Hilo Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai hosted event May 3 to recognize this year’s retirees and longtime employees’ service milestones.

Recent retirees and employees marking milestones of 10, 20, and 30 years at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo were recognized at the 2018 Awards and Recognition Celebration on May 3.

Photos by Bob Douglas, click to enlarge.

Retirees

Group of retirees stands with the chancellor.
Retirees at recognition event stand with Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai (far right).
Marcia Sakai Honoree receives a lei. Retiree Kolin Kettleson Kolin Kettleson Honoree receives lei. Jim Mellon Kolin Kettleson Honoree receives lei. Honoree Honorees Honorees Chancellor Mike Tanabe receives lei Mike Tanabe and Bill Sakai Mike Tanabe
  • Leomi Bergknut—Student Leadership Development Coordinator, Campus Center, 6 years.
  • Susan Brown—Professor of Psychology, 31 years.
  • Robert Hamilton—Instructor and Student Support, 21 years.
  • Janis Iyo—Research Support, 30 years.
  • Jackie Johnson—Professor of Drama, 37 years.
  • Kolin Kettleson—Director of Auxiliary Services, 27 years.
  • Ivy Losh—Office Assistant, Campus Center, 10 years.
  • Eileen Lovell—Associate Professor of Nursing, total 20 years.
  • Avis Masuda—Associate Professor of Education, 10 years.
  • Barbara Meguro–Instructor of Computer Science, 15 years.
  • Gordon Mitchell—Janitor, 31 years.
  • Neal Nagao—Building Maintenance, 30 years.
  • Hazel Reece—Junior Specialist Lab Coordinator, Nursing, 10 years.
  • Bill Sakai—Professor of Horticulture, 41 years.
  • Irene Sakamoto—Assistant, Human Resources, 23 years.
  • Alan Sugiura—Supervisor, Auxiliary, 36 years.
  • Mike Tanabe—Professor of Horticulture, 42 years.
  • Erlinda Walker*—Office Assistant, Financial Aid, 19 years.

10 Years of Service

Group photo
UH Hilo employees with 10 years of service and attended event gather for group photo.
  • Lee Barnette-Dombroski
  • Lee Chee Chang
  • Kurt Dela Cruz
  • Tom Dewitt
  • Kirk Flores
  • Farrah-Marie Gomes
  • Ken Hupp
  • Gene Johnson
  • Shana Kaneshiro
  • Carolyn Ma
  • Cindy Mohandie
  • Jonathan Price
  • Eric Rodrigues
  • Dolly Roth
  • Efren Ruiz
  • Ghee Tan
  • Veronica Tarleton
  • Keri Ann Tomita
  • Rebecca Yamashita
  • Jing Yin
  • Brian Wissman

20 Years of Service

Group photo.
Four members of the UH Hilo ohana who reached the milestone of 20 years of service attended the recognition event and   stand with Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai (r) for a group photo.
  • Cyrena Belaski
  • Emmeline De Pillis
  • Andrea Duyao
  • Michelle Fernandez
  • Andrew Grabar
  • Amy Jones
  • Sharon Kessinger
  • Peter Mills
  • Madeline Sehna
  • Vladimir Skorikov
  • Enbao Wang

30 Years of Service

Tammy Tanaka and Marcia Sakai.
Tammy Tanaka, who attended the event, and Marcia Sakai.
  • Erik Cleveland
  • Alton Okinaka
  • Dean Miyose
  • Tammy Tanaka

 

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: Students from UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College learn about career pathways at the ʻAha Haumāna Native Hawaiian Student Symposium & Conference

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The ʻAha Haumāna Native Hawaiian Student Symposium and Conference helped students to better translate their undergraduate experiences and degrees into actual careers.

By Susan Enright.

Group of all participants in conference (about 80), pahu at front.
About 80 students from UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College attended the ʻAha Haumāna Native Hawaiian Student Symposium and Conference, Sept. 15, 2018. The group gathers here on the Campus Center Plaza at UH Hilo for a group photo. All photos in this story provided by Kalei Baricuatro, click to enlarge.

An annual student conference to promote Native Hawaiian leadership, community engagement, language and cultural parity was recently held at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

This year’s theme at the ʻAha Haumāna Native Hawaiian Student Symposium and Conference was “Career Pathways” to help students to better translate their undergraduate experiences and degrees into actual careers. There were about 80 students from UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College who attended.

“By inviting [presenters] predominantly UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College alumni with diverse backgrounds, we aimed to exemplify that one’s major and degree does not necessarily limit one’s career options,” says Kalei Baricuatro, leadership development facilitator at the the Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center.

Since its first year in 2016, the ʻAha is coordinated and sponsored by the Mōkaulele Program (a cooperative program funded by a U.S. Department of Education Title III Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions grant awarded to UH Hilo and Hawai‘i CC under the chancellors’ offices of both institutions) and the Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center. This year, organizers broadened the collaboration by also working with the I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles program at Hawaiʻi CC to coordinate the event and reach more students.

“One of the Title III grant activities is building capacity through leadership development,” explains Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, executive assistant to the chancellor at UH Hilo. “The intent is to increase Native Hawaiian students participating in leadership development opportunities of which the ʻAha is one of the annual opportunities. These activities have a direct link to increasing student leadership development skills and engagement.”

Baricuatro, who serves as facilitator of the Mōkaulele program, says this year’s event, held on Sept. 15, was a full day starting with a kīpaepae ceremony to orient and welcome students into the space of learning for the day. Peer mentors and staff members from the hosting departments beckoned in participants with pahu (drumming), (blowing of conch shells), and hula, to start the day with a cultural foundation.

Welcome to group Pahu

Breakout sessions were held on topics that included general information on graduate school, skills, and careers, to more specific topics on popular career paths for Native Hawaiians.

“We brought in UH Hilo and Hawai‘i CC alum who majored in and are working in social work, business, STEM fields, and education,” says Baricuatro.

Group around table having discussion, Classroom with students and kumu at front. Classroom with students and kumu at front. Classroom with students and kumu at front.

A panel during lunch featured UH Hilo alumni who are currently working across different disciplines.

“They spoke broadly to participants about the role of cultural identity in academia, motivation for success as Native Hawaiians in their fields, and the applicability of skills developed in college in any career field,” explains Baricuatro.

Four people at panel.
Panel discussion.

Afternoon workshops featured practical topics:

  • Waihoʻoluʻu: The Natural Dyeing Process, A Parallel for Student Resiliency
  • Curating a Collection: Building a portfolio through critical thinking and design making
  • Personal Conservation Practices: Awareness and Personal Aloha ʻĀina Advocacy through Composting
  • Wahi Pana o Hilo: A Journey to Celebrated Places of Hilo for Academic Success
  • Kōkō Pūʻalu: Securing Connections through the Creation of Kōkō Pūʻalu (carrying net for water bottles)
Two students weaving. Student in workshop. Two students in workshop Students dying materials in large pot. Students weaving. Students weaving.
Kōkō Pūʻalu
In the workshop Kōkō Pūʻalu, students learned about making connections by creating netting for carrying water bottles.
Group of students on plaza.
Students who participated in the workshop “Kōkō Pūʻalu: Securing Connections through the Creation of Kōkō Pūʻalu (carrying net for water bottles)” gather on the Campus Center Plaza and show their creations.

“Overall, it was a great learning and networking opportunity,” Baricuatro says.

 

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 post PHOTOS: Students from UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College learn about career pathways at the ʻAha Haumāna Native Hawaiian Student Symposium & Conference appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTOS: UH Hilo Women’s Center hosts annual Clothesline Project in support of domestic violence victims

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At the event, students and staff gathered at the UH Hilo Campus Center Plaza to paint t-shirts with meaningful messages in support of domestic violence victims and survivors.

By Alyssa Mathews. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Shay Lewis
Shay Lewis, a student volunteer at the Women’s Center, stands next to the t-shirts at the Clothesline Project event, Oct, 17 at the Campus Center Plaza, UH Hilo. Lewis is a former program coordinator for the Women’s Center. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri, click to enlarge.

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s Women’s Center held its annual Clothesline Project event on October 17, 2018. At the event, students and staff gathered at the UH Hilo Campus Center Plaza to paint t-shirts with meaningful messages in support of domestic violence victims and survivors.

T-shirt with words: FROM VICTIM TO SURVIVOR T-shirt with words: THEIR ABUSE IS NOT YOUR WEAKNESS T-shirt with the words: LOVING NEVER HURT. T-shirts with messages hung on clothesline.

The Clothesline Project originated in 1990 in Hyannis, Massachusetts, created with the intent to educate people about domestic violence as well as serve as an outlet and healing aid for survivors, through painting t-shirts with powerful messages.

Decades later, Clothesline Projects across the country still serves to support the men and women who suffer from domestic violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner.

“The Clothesline Project is an awareness event to highlight domestic violence and the support for survivors we have as a community, specifically the UH Hilo community,” says Destiny Rodriguez, interim director of the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ+ Center.

Destiny Rodrigues
Destiny Rodriguez, interim director of the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ+ Center.

The UH Hilo’s Women’s Center has been hosting the event since 2015, showing continuous support for the cause.

“UH Hilo is committed, we want to end domestic violence, we want to show students that we support them, staff and faculty as well, and to show that the community also supports these events,” explains Rodriguez.

Representatives of Child and Family Services sit a a table filled with informational materials. A sign on the side says, "We're all about FAMILY."
Kehau Kaili and Gordlyn Dias from the non-profit organization Child and Family Services had a table with informational materials at the event.

At the event, art supplies and t-shirts were provided for students to paint slogans or sayings in honor of victims and survivors. The t-shirts were then pinned up along one side of the plaza.

“We typically like to leave up the t-shirts for a couple of days in the plaza so that students can see the positive messaging and the support that we have for one another and to show that you’re not alone, your voice is important, and we are here to assist in any way possible,” says Rodriguez.

The t-shirts are painted with the intent of showing the realities of domestic abuse and to give hope to those suffering from it.

“Sometimes people paint little anecdotes about their own lives or about the lives of people that they know, sometimes they paint positivity phrases,” says Shay Lewis, a student volunteer at the Women’s Center where she formerly served as program coordinator.

Painting table with the words painted on a sign: LET YOUR VOICE OUT.
The table set up to paint t-shirts: LET YOUR VOICE OUT.

Oftentimes, victims of domestic violence find it difficult to reach out for help or are fearful of speaking out on their situation. The Clothesline Project recognizes those factors and provides a way to show victims that they are not alone and that they have advocates on campus that they can talk to about their struggles.

“It’s good and very pertinent to have these kinds of events because it really does draw those people out that otherwise wouldn’t necessarily go out seeking those resources,” says Lewis. “The resources are put out right in front of them and it’s there for them to engage with. When people walk by, maybe they see themselves, maybe they see a loved one. It’s all about giving people a platform to talk about these issues in a public setting.”

Nate Myers, program coordinator at the LGBTQ+ Center and student at UH Hilo, also participated in the Clothesline Project to show support for the cause.

“My mother was a really big victim of domestic violence,” shares Myers. “What the Clothesline Project means to me is supporting my mother in a way, I’m telling her thank god you got out of that and you stood up to your abuser because a lot of times, victims don’t.”

Someone paints t-shirt with message.
Student paints t-shirt.

Myers painted a shirt with the message, “She only hit me once,” in support of people in the LGBTQ+ community suffering from domestic violence as well as men who are abused by their female partners, to bring awareness to their stories.

“Once is enough, once is too much,” says Myers.

Through the painted messages, the UH Hilo Clothesline Project speaks up for domestic violence survivors and victims and shares their stories to bring hope and recognition to their struggles.

“The Clothesline Project is basically our voices, because for a long time being abused was the norm,” says Myers.

The Women’s Center and the LGBTQ Center provide many resources to the campus community throughout the year. For more information visit the websites or contact Destiny Rodrigues.

 

About the author of this story: Alyssa Mathews is a freshman at UH Hilo planning to major in business with a marketing concentration. She graduated from Waiakea High School and is a UH Hilo Chancellor’s Scholar.

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

Related posts:

PHOTOS: UH Hilo Clothesline Project raises awareness about domestic violence

UH Hilo 2016 Clothesline Project brings awareness about domestic violence

The Clothesline Project comes to UH Hilo; creativity addresses violence against women

The post PHOTOS: UH Hilo Women’s Center hosts annual Clothesline Project in support of domestic violence victims appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

Three UH Hilo students win awards for diversity-themed artwork and poetry

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In recognition of Global Diversity Awareness Month, students were asked to submit art, video performances, or writings on what it means to be part of a campus ranked as the most diverse four-year public university in the country.

By Alyssa Mathews. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Allison Dupre Diamond Mundy Jacinda Angelsberg

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo celebrated Global Diversity Awareness Month last week by recognizing student art, performances, and writings on what it means for the campus to be the most diverse four-year public university in the country. Three students—Allison Dupre, Diamond Mundy, and Jacinda Lee Angelsberg—who each won a $500 prize for their creative works, were recognized at an event held on the Campus Center Plaza celebrating UH Hilo’s diversity ranking by the Chronicle of Higher Education 2018 Almanac. Students, faculty and staff gathered to listen to live music, interact with campus organizations, and admire the works of the students who competed in the art/poetry/performance contest.

Diversity Committee
Diversity Committee members, left to right, Susan Shirachi, Director of Disability Services; Dana Ko‘omoa-Lange, Committee Chair; Kristi Doran, Office Assistant for the Office of Campus Technology; and Jennifer Stotter, Director of Equal Opportunity Office.

“The purpose of the fair was to celebrate University of Hawai‘i at Hilo being the most diverse university in the U.S. by providing an opportunity for a diverse group of students, faculty and staff to gather and enjoy an afternoon together,” says Dana Ko‘omoa-Lange, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences who chairs the UH Hilo Diversity Committee that organized the event.

Student Awards

To celebrate the diversity of the student body, the Diversity Committee requested that interested students submit creative works highlighting what it means to be attending the most diverse four-year university in the country. Entries could be written work, artwork, or performance art. Students competed for awards including a $500 Inspired by Each Other Scholarship, Vulcan tickets, and t-shirts.

“We decided as a committee that we wanted the student presentations to be an opportunity for students to share what it means to be a part of the most diverse university, to get the students’ perspectives,” says Ko‘omoa-Lange.

The following winners each received a $500 scholarship called “Inspired by Each Other.”

Painting of a tree in rainbow colors, colorful wax dripping down from above onto the tree. Quotation by American entrepreneur Malcolm Forbes: “Diversity, the art of thinking independently together.” 
The Diversity Tree by Allison Dupre. Mixed Media, 2018. Click to enlarge.

UH Hilo business major Allison Dupre, who hails from Anchorage, AK, won the $500 prize with her work, “The Diversity Tree,” a mixed media piece—the top part of the piece is melted crayon wax, the black paint is acrylic, and the lettering is stickers. The lettering spells out a quotation by American entrepreneur Malcolm Forbes: “Diversity, the art of thinking independently together.”

“It represents everybody’s unique and individual personality, and since UH is one of the most diverse schools here in the U.S., it [represents] that we’re all together as a community, and we’re all here for one purpose, which is education, whether educating or being educated,” says Dupre. “It represents our community and where we come from and how we’re all here together.”

Student Jacinda Lee Angelsberg also won a $500 scholarship with her poem, “Embracing the Rainbow of Diversity.” Angelsberg, whose hometown is Hilo, is earning baccalaureate degrees in psychology and Japanese. Her winning poem:

Embracing the Rainbow of Diversity

In this world of racist commotion
Each person is a separate drop
Reluctant to form an ocean
Racism ceases to stop
Brotherly love is a sea
Of limitless possibilities
That very few seem to see
Reduce clashing waves of hostilities
By valuing the rainbow of ethnic diversity
For its colors are mixed together without division
Teach loving-kindness in Hawaii’s university
To achieve the awakening vision
Of oneness and acceptance
Not appreciating the ostracized minority
Drains equality of its unifying essence
As the unenlightened majority
Are narrow-minded
To beloved cultural differences
Opposing mindsets so one-sided
Create the hindrances
Of togetherness and harmony in society
Judging based on ethnicity
Pigment tones have a unique variety
Yet all souls are bounded by connected elasticity
And are the same, beautiful hue
Do not remain separated and divisively torn
Apart to understand an equal view
Within thy heart so unity shan’t become forlorn
Unwillingness to embrace
Each race
Regardless of colored skin
Prevents humanity from being a kin
People are not meant to disperse
In this diverse universe
Spread the virtue of compassion
Love one another with a deep passion
Through the healing aloha spirit
The central core of thy being can hear it
Reverberate synchronized tides of peaceful mana
To unite mankind as one interconnected ohana

 

Group of abstract figures standing in a circle, each figure a different color.
Artwork depicting diversity by Diamond Mundy. Click to enlarge.

Student Diamond Mundy also won $500 for her art piece that colorfully captures diversity.

“Diversity means that despite everyone’s differences, we’re still able to come together and that’s why in my painting, I made everybody a different color, different features, because no matter what, we’re still able to be friends,” says Mundy.

A campus that embraces diversity

At the event, tables were set up by a variety of clubs and organizations showing the diversity of cultures and activities at UH Hilo. The LGBTQ+ Center, Women’s Center, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and the Water Polo Club were among some of the campus organizations that gathered at the event in support of embracing diversity.

Students and faculty were encouraged to take pride in their diversity, whether it be diversity in culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious beliefs, or even something as simple as hobbies or interests, as a way of learning from one another and creating a more unique experience at UH Hilo.

Through celebrating diversity and encouraging inclusion, acceptance, and becoming more culturally aware, UH Hilo creates a campus community in which people are constantly learning from each other, not just academically, but also about different perspectives and lifestyles. In becoming more aware and sensitive to differences, students become open to more opportunities and experiences.

“Diversity on campus is important, because colleges and universities are where we learn,” says Jennifer Stotter, emcee of the event and director of the UH Hilo Office of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action. “By bringing people together from all kinds of backgrounds, we have the greatest opportunity to learn from each other and be exposed to all kinds of new ways of thinking, new experiences, which will in turn enhance our learning and increase innovation.”

Having diversity on campus also enables UH Hilo to produce graduates from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds who are entering fields where there is a lack of diversity, creating more representation for minorities.

“We’re hoping to enhance the participation and success of diverse students and have better representation in different fields of study and in the workplace,” says Ko‘omoa-Lange.

 

About the author of this story: Alyssa Mathews is a freshman at UH Hilo planning to major in business with a marketing concentration. She graduated from Waiakea High School and is a UH Hilo Chancellor’s Scholar.

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post Three UH Hilo students win awards for diversity-themed artwork and poetry appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

A diverse and inspired team leads UH Hilo’s student-run news publication, Ke Kalahea

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The diverse staff at Ke Kalahea, made up of students with different interests and backgrounds, is creating a publication reflective of the most diverse four-year public university in the country.  

By Alyssa Mathews. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Group photo of staff.
The staff at Ke Kalahea offices, Campus Center, UH Hilo. Front row (l-r): Jenna Pontes-Borje, Kristine Liz Lucrida, Kasumi Collins, Holly Trowbridge, and Mirei Sugita. Back row (l-r): Zach Gottlieb, Rosannah Gosser, Peter “Holden” Chao, Elijah Kahula, Leah Wyzykowski, and Clara Scheidle. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri/UH Hilo Stories, click to enlarge.
Group talking. Staffer shows group a layout. Staff mugging for a photo.

Every Friday from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, the staff of Ke Kalahea, the student-run news publication at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, hosts News and Brews, where students are invited to come to Campus Center to drink coffee, share stories, and discuss events happening on campus.

The student paper has been around for decades, put together to inform, entertain, and bring to light different things on campus. It’s published in both hard copy (glossy magazine) and online formats by a diverse team of writers, copy editors, photographers, photography editors, layout designers, layout editors, graphics artists, calendar editors, social media managers, and webmasters who make their vision come to life.

This semester, the staff is made up of students with different interests and backgrounds creating a publication that is both accessible to, and representative of, a wide audience. This makes sense at the most diverse four-year public university in the country, a ranking given to UH Hilo by the Chronicle of Higher Education earlier this semester.

“It’s important for us to acknowledge that everyone has a very different vision,” says Peter “Holden” Chao, a geology and natural science major serving as the paper’s editor since last year. “Taking their views and being creative has been something we’re trying to do. What we’ve tried to do is highlight people and things that are ongoing, both good and bad.”

Some of the staff outside Campus Center.
Some of the Ke Kalahea staff gather for a photo outside Campus Center. (Left to right standing) Jenna Pontes-Borje, Leah Wyzykowski, Kasumi Collins, Kaipo McKeague, George Donev, and Elijah Kahula. Below is editor Peter “Holden” Chao. Photo by Raiatea Arcuri/UH Hilo Stories Nov. 9, 2018.

Working at Ke Kalahea gives students a chance to learn and gain experience operating a newspaper publication, not the least of which is developing skills in journalism and storytelling.

“Journalism to me is the art of writing the truth,” says business major Elijah Kahula, a writer for Ke Kalahea. “I think we all aspire to become masters of this art in one form or another. We’re trying to push toward that by having the skill, the passion, and the vocation to really make it to that next artistic plane.”

The students working at Ke Kalahea encourage inclusivity and open their doors to everyone.

“I think we do a good job of not making it exclusive,” Kahula says. “Anyone can walk in here and anyone can contribute if they have an editorial idea or something like that, it’s open to submission.”

Cover of Ke Kalahea showing Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony.
Current issue of Ke Kalahea, click image to see issue.

The paper provides a way for student needs to be addressed through commentaries and articles.

“It allows a voice for people who are struggling to find a way,” says marine science major Kasumi Collins, a layout editor. “Maybe you see something on campus and you don’t know who to talk to about it, but you have the newspaper. It creates a place to go to where you can talk about your concerns and have someone look into this. As a community on this campus, it’s important for us because we all also go to this school.”

Ke Kalahea wasn’t on Collins’s radar last semester, but now the budding layout editor is all in. “I think that having an actual, accessible, online paper that is actually publishing things all the time, as well as having News and Brews every Friday and having activities so that people can come into the office and see that we’re actual people, is huge.”

The staff is enjoying the diversity of their team.

“I think that this semester has definitely been the most successful, out of all three that I’ve worked, simply because we have a bigger team, more variety, and so many different backgrounds,” says layout editor Kaipo McKeague, a geography and environmental studies major. “We’re growing more, getting more and more known.”

Through the paper, the staff is able to share their perspectives and speak up for the students at UH Hilo by creating a diverse and open publication.

“This is a sum of all of our parts,” says editor Chao. “Ke Kalahea in a certain sense is kind of like a small family.”

New and Brews

The next News and Brews is on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, noon to 3:00 p.m. at Campus Center room 202-A. The talk-story session is open to all students with a valid UH Hilo ID.

 

About the author of this story: Alyssa Mathews is a freshman at UH Hilo planning to major in business with a marketing concentration. She graduated from Waiakea High School and is a UH Hilo Chancellor’s Scholar.

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post A diverse and inspired team leads UH Hilo’s student-run news publication, Ke Kalahea appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTOS: UH Hilo 2018 United Nations Day Parade

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The event showcased the amazing ethnic and racial diversity found in the multicultural student population at UH Hilo.

Students with flag
Students from Pohnpei in the United Nations Day Parade at UH Hilo, Nov. 16, 2018. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri/UH Hilo Stories, click to enlarge.

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo celebrated United Nations Day with the annual United Nations Day Parade at the Library Lanai, Nov. 16, 2018. The event showcased the amazing ethnic and racial diversity found in the multicultural student population at UH Hilo. Following the parade, students performed world music and dance, and presented educational displays.

Photos by Raiatea Arcuri for UH Hilo Stories, click to enlarge.

Chinese dragon Chinese dragon Chinese dragon Chinese dragon visits young girl in audience. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. Students enter venue carrying flags. All students line up with flags. Group dance. Group dance. Group dance. Group dance. Audience watching students perform. Group dance. Group dance. Men dance. Men dance. Men dance. Men dance. Men dance. Men dance. Audience watches student performance. Audience watches student performance. Audience watches student performance. Group dance. Group dance. Group dance. Musicians play. Audience.

Line of flags from all the different countries represented.

 

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post PHOTOS: UH Hilo 2018 United Nations Day Parade appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTOS: UH Hilo student-grown poinsettia plant sale, sold out!

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Lines were long at the Campus Center Plaza as students from the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management sold the poinsettia plants they had grown and nurtured at the University Farm Laboratory in Pana‘ewa.

Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Two women holding poinsettia plants.
Happy customers at the sold-out annual poinsettia plant sale, Campus Center Plaza, UH Hilo. The plants are grown by students of the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management.

The annual poinsettia plant sale was held today at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Lines were long at the Campus Center Plaza event where students from the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management sold the beautiful poinsettia plants they had grown and nurtured at the University Farm Laboratory in Pana‘ewa. Sharad Marahatta, assistant professor of tropical cropping systems, is faculty advisor of the project. Plants were $5 each and sold out quickly!

Click photos to enlarge.

Professor Sharad Marahatta (second from left) stands with agriculture students (left to right), Ryan Helzer, Estreya Enquist, Kendall Tuinstra, and Tai Salinger at the Annual Poinsettia Plant Sale, Campus Center Plaza, Nov. 29. 2018.
Plants on display plants on display
Customer with plants to purchase.
People standing in line with plants. People buying plants.
Poinsettia plants Yellow poinsettia plants
Overhead view of the plant sale on the Campus Center Plaza.
About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post PHOTOS: UH Hilo student-grown poinsettia plant sale, sold out! appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTOS & FULL VIDEO: UH Hilo 2018 Fall Commencement

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This fall commencement, approximately 192 students received degrees and/or certificates from UH Hilo’s six colleges. I mua!

Photos by Bob Douglas for UH Hilo Stories.

Graduate switching tassel from right to left.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 2018 Fall Commencement was held Saturday, Dec. 15, on campus at the Vulcan Gym. Approximately 192 students received degrees and/or certificates from the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Natural and Health Sciences; the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management; the College of Business and Economics; the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy; and Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, and for various post-graduate credentials.

Lieutenant Governor Joshua Green gave the keynote address, and English major Kai Anthony Gaitley was student speaker.

Click photos to enlarge. Video of entire commencement ceremonies follows photos.

Opening Ceremonies

Woman blows conch shell at opening ceremony.

Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai Group open with oli Norman Arancon sings Drummers Drummers Dancers Dancers Drummers Dancer Dancers Dancers Dancers Dancers Dancers Candidate seated before ceremonies begin Candidate before ceremonies begin Candidate seated before ceremonies begin Candidates seated before ceremonies begin Candidates seated before ceremonies begin Candidate seated before ceremonies begin Candidate seated before ceremonies begin Candidate stands at his seat Candidate seated before ceremonies begin Candidates seated before ceremonies begin Candidate seated before ceremonies begin Candidate seated before ceremonies begin Candidate seated before ceremonies begin Back of seated Candidate before ceremonies begin

Keynote and Student Speaker

Lt. Gov. Josh Green at podium Kai Anthony Gaitley at podium

Mortarboard Communication

Message on top of candidate's mortarboard: She believed sh could, so she did.

On mortarboard: Everything written has meaning. Everything read has a voice. Everything spoken has power. -Mana Message on mortarboard: WHEN UR MIND SAY GIVE UP, I SAY... ONE MOH Saying on mortarboard: THE TIME HAS COME TO SASHAY AWAY Words on mortarboard: This is for you DAD [angel wings and a halo] On mortarboard: bs chem & bio On mortarboard: 04-02-65 RN to BSN On mortarboard with photo of little dog: MU HUMAN IS GRADUATING, DOCTOR TO BE 2018: Words on mortarboard: ALREADY FORGOT EVERYTHING

 

Conferring of Degrees

Candidates switch tassel from right to left.

Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate hugs young girl. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Two candidates. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidate receives diploma on the dais. Candidates at their seats. Candidates at their seats. Candidates at their seats. Candidates at their seats. Candidates at their seats. Candidates at their seats. Candidates at their seats.

Celebration

Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies.

Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduates with lei. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei. Graduate in lei. Graduate gets a hug Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Three generations of women: Graduate, mother and grandmother. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies. Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies.

Graduate in lei with family after the ceremonies.

 

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.

Video

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UH Hilo biology professor uses his own classroom to investigate best practices in undergraduate research experiences

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Ecologist Matthew Knope is collaborating with researchers at Arizona State to investigate which model of teaching scientific inquiry results in better outcomes for students. And he’s using his classroom as the testing ground.

By Leah Sherwood. Symposium photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Group photo
Students in evolution class who have generated their own research data gather for a group photo at their research poster symposium, Dec. 6, 2018. Symposium photos by Raiatea Arcuri, click to enlarge.
Matthew Knope
Matthew Knope

The idea of bringing real, faculty-driven research into the classroom, rather than “cookbook” exercises with known outcomes, is commonly referred to in the field of science education by the acronym CURE or Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences. At the forefront of this nationwide movement to upgrade undergraduate science curriculum is Matthew Knope, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo specializing in speciation and extinction, who is introducing his students to advanced research methods.

“While CUREs have been largely shown to be effective for a wide variety of student learning outcomes, much remains to be learned about how to best deliver CUREs in different educational settings with a diverse array of learners,” says Knope. The ecologist is collaborating with researchers at Arizona State to investigate which model of teaching scientific inquiry results in better outcomes for students. And he’s using his classroom as the testing ground where his students generate data themselves vs working with data that is given to them.

In fall 2018, the CURE philosophy was put into practice in Knope’s evolution course (BIO 357) where students learned about organic evolution as a unifying theory of biology—topics covered the history of ideas of evolution, adaptation of populations, genetic drift, molecular evolution and the neutral theory, quantitative genetics, speciation and phylogeny, biogeography, macro-evolutionary trends, and mass extinctions. Students in the class collected data on the ecology and extinction risk of terrestrial birds and mammals and then analyzed the data in R, a computer programming environment that can be used for statistical analyses.

Maya Munstermann (Instagram), a UH Hilo graduate student in the tropical conservation and environmental sciences program, provided students in the class with a list of more than 1,000 species each of birds and mammals. The students were assigned to seek out data on the habitat associations, feeding behavior, and mode of locomotion in animal life encyclopedias and peer-reviewed scientific journal articles for each species. The goal of the project was to pinpoint the combinations of ecological modes of life that are significantly associated with an elevated risk of extinction.

The students’ data analysis yielded some surprising results. In the case of mammals, the data showed that being arboreal (living in trees) elevated a species’ risk of extinction significantly over other habitat associations. For birds, species that primarily live on the ground and feed by walking around and foraging for immobile prey (such as cranes) were found to have a significantly elevated risk of going extinct.

There have been five major extinction events throughout Earth’s history, and there is general consensus among scientists that Earth is currently entering a sixth such event, appropriately designated as the Holocene or Anthropocene extinction. In a scientific study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2017, scientists used the terms “biological annihilation” and “decimation” to describe what humans are doing to other vertebrate life on the planet, ending with a final somber warning that humanity will ultimately pay the price for this widespread loss of animal life. As one student in the evolution course remarked after her presentation during the class research symposium, “once a species is lost, it is lost forever.”

Students utilized data on extinction risk from the International Union Conservation of Nature Red List, which is an international scientific effort to inventory the conservation status of the planet’s species, ranking species from least concern all the way to already extinct. The Red List has entries on more than 96,000 species and lists a quarter of those as threatened, endangered, or already extinct. Uncovering which habitats, feeding behaviors, and modes of locomotion make species the most vulnerable is key to conservation strategies.

Presentations

The students in BIO 357 presented their findings at a poster symposium at the end of last semester on Dec. 6. Melia Takakusagi, a senior majoring in biology with a concentration in cell and molecular biology, said the classroom research and presentation experiences she gained were valuable. “It taught me a lot about data analysis and it’s helped me with my communication skills,” she says. “We had to present our results in public, which is a challenge for me sometimes. But I’m hoping to go to medical school and I think these skills will help with interviews and other such things.”

Jacey Savage and Jade Wong point to their poster presentation on the PowerPoint screen with the title: "Mode of Life and Extinction Risk in Terrestrial Animals."
(Left to right) Jade Wong and Jacey Savage explain their research on “Mode of Life and Extinction Risk in Terrestrial Mammals” at the research poster symposium, Dec. 6, 2019. Other presentations below. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri/UH Hilo Stories, click to enlarge.
Elly Tan and Nikola Rodriguez. with their poster on the PowerPoint screen titled: Sebastian Wells, Jasmin Curiel, and Chelsea Blaquera. Victor Yurtola, Jane Walsh and Jed Doronio. Michael Morrissey and Nathan Bailey. Malia Stout and Gabriela Edwards. Alyssa Hatada, Kananimauloa Silva, and Erin Berg. Caedan Cambra, Duke Escobar and Keinan Agonias. Melia Takakusagi and Kaydee Rapozo. Ashton Altares, Kaipo McKeague, and Wakan Wahohipi Win Zephier.

“Their findings were phenomenal in that we can now pinpoint a handful of combinations of basic ecological factors that are most significantly associated with the risk of extinction,” says Munstermann. “The results from these data can provide prioritization techniques directly to resource managers.”

Knope says the results of the students’ work can be applied locally here in Hawaiʻi as well. “We can definitely apply this research to aid in conservation in Hawaiʻi. In fact, the global data sets used by the students in the evolution class include Hawaiian bird species, and we can now easily extract those species from the data set and look directly at their ecological signatures of extinction risk.”

UH Hilo undergraduate biology major Michael Morrissey agrees. “These results will allow conservationists to devote resources properly when it comes to conservation,” he says.

Researching Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences

The motivation for the transition to CURE is new research in biology education that finds undergraduates often benefit from involvement in authentic, open-ended inquiry-based research in the classroom. The CURE approach can also benefit faculty, who often think of teaching and research as competing demands on their time.

Knope is collaborating with Sara Brownell, associate professor, and Katelyn Cooper, post-doctoral scholar, of the Biology Education Research Lab at Arizona State University, who are leaders in the field of biology education research, on investigating best practices for bringing CURE into undergraduate biology classes.

In particular, the team is investigating whether students have better outcomes—project ownership, perceptions of themselves as scientists, and intentions to pursue a research related science career—when they generate data themselves vs working with data that is given to them.

“We are testing these hypotheses and others in my evolution classes this year and next year,” explains Knope.

Munstermann believes that it is important to bring authentic, open-ended inquiry-based research into undergraduate biology classes.

“I think exposing students to statistical modeling this early on in their careers is vital if they plan to pursue any field in the biological, ecological, and conservation sciences,” Munstermann says.

 

About the author of this story: Leah Sherwood, a graduate student in the tropical conservation biology and environmental science program at UH Hilo, is an intern in the Office of the Chancellor. She received her bachelor of science in biology and bachelor of arts in English from Boise State University. 

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

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UH Hilo student leaders attend opening of 2019 Hawai‘i State Legislature

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UH Hilo student leaders watched opening ceremonies of the 2019 Hawai‘i State Legislature and met with members of the Hawai‘i Island Delegation to discuss topical issues on Wednesday. They are spending three days at the capitol as ambassadors of UH Hilo.

By Susan Enright.

Micahel Taylor, Angela Ituriaga, Victoria Taomia, Raiatea Arcuri, Kiana Suganuma, Niloofar Soltanipour, Lottie Haleck, Caesar Mendoza with capitol in background.
(L-R) UH Hilo students Micahel Taylor, Angela Ituriaga, Victoria Taomia, Raiatea Arcuri, Kiana Suganuma, Niloofar Soltanipour, Lottie Haleck, and Caesar Mendoza at the Hawai‘i State Capitol on opening day of the 2019 Session of the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Jan. 16, 2019 . Click photos to enlarge.
Pond surrounding Capitol Angela Ituriaga, Caesar Mendoza, Victoria Taomia, Lottie Haleck Hawai‘i State Capitol. Raiatea Arcuri, Michael Taylor, Kiana Suganuma Floor of the Chambers.

Student leaders from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo are attending the first three days of the opening session of the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Jan. 16-18. They have met with most of the Hawai‘i Island delegation including Sen. Russell Ruderman and Representatives Richard CreaganNicole Lowen, Mark Nakashima, Richard Onishi, Joy San Buenaventura, David Tarnas, and Chris Todd. Senators Kai Kahelei and Lorraine Inouye were in meetings but their staffs hosted the students for lunch on Wednesday.

Most of the students are senators of the UH Hilo Student Association (UHHSA).

“The students are learning a lot, and the legislators are being very generous with their time,” says Randy Hirokawa, who is UHHSA advisor and is accompanying the group on their trip.

Michael Taylor, Victoria Taomia, Caesar Mendoza, Representative Mark Nakashima, Govenor David Ige, Kiana Suganuma, Niloofar Soltanipour, Angela Ituriaga, Lottie Haleck, Advisor Randy Hirokawa Lottie Haleck, Victoria Taomia, Michael Taylor, Representative Nicole Lowen, Niloofar Soltanipour, Kiana Suganuma, Caesar Mendoza, Angela Ituriaga, Raiatea Arcuri Lottie Haleck, Victoria Taomia, Michael Taylor, Representative Nicole Lowen, Niloofar Soltanipour, Kiana Suganuma, Caesar Mendoza, Angela Ituriaga, Advisor Randy Hirokawa Advisor Randy Hirokawa, Michael Taylor, Victoria Taomia, Caesar Mendoza, Representative Mark Nakashima, Govenor David Ige, Kiana Suganuma, Niloofar Soltanipour, Angela Ituriaga, Lottie Haleck, Raiatea Arcuri

Lawmakers shared information with the students on a variety of topics.

Rep. Todd, a UH Hilo graduate (economics and political science) explained to the students how people ascend to leadership positions in the House and Senate. He also explained the politics involved in passing bills.

Sen. Ruderman and Rep. Joy San Buenaventura explained to the students how they can get involved in supporting bills relevant to Hawai‘i Island, such as the bill to allow people to give testimony via electronic technology.

Group stands behind desk used for bill signing with Hawai‘i seal and flag plus US flag in background. Group of students and advisor stand with Rep. Onishi. Group of students and advisor stand with Sen. Ruderman. Students and advisor stand with Rep. Chris Todd. Group stands for photo with Rep. Joy San Buenaventura . Students stand with Rep. David Tarnas

Rep. Creagan gave a mini talk on rat lung worm disease and why research dollars are needed for it.

Rep. Tarnas explained why the development of Puako for marine research is important.

Rep. Nakashima explained to them how environmental issues and opposition are working against new energy initiatives in Hāmākua, and how it led to the dairy business going under in ‘Ō‘ōkala. His point was that issues are more complex than it seems to the public.

“In short, students are learning the stories behind the politics in ways they would never learn in the classroom only,” says Hirokawa.

Photos of the Capitol grounds by Raiatea Arcuri, click to enlarge:

People in rotunda pounding poi, milling about.
Looking down at activity in the open rotunda at the Capitol, opening day of the State Legislature, Jan. 16, 2019.
Many people milling about in the rotunda. The open rotunda at the capitol, mosaic work at center of floor. Many people walking, sitting, on the rails at the Capitol rotunda.

 

Photos by Raiatea Arcuri are noted with watermark on the photo. He is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo and is an intern in the Office of the Chancellor. Other photos in the story are taken by various other members of the group. 

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.

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UH Hilo hosts alliance of scholars, educators from Hawai‘i and 10 Pacific Island nations to discuss strengthening the pipeline into STEM careers

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The Islands of Opportunity Alliance is a network of higher education institutions from Hawai‘i and 10 Pacific Island nations with a mission to expand access to careers in STEM fields for underrepresented populations.

By Leah Sherwood.

Large group seated at tables arranged in a square.
The Islands of Opportunity conference was attended by approximately 30 participants from across the Pacific region, including campus coordinators and administrators from each of the 11 alliance institutions, as well as the governing board, two external advisory boards, and an external NSF evaluator from Washington D.C. Jan. 11, 2019, UH Hilo campus. Photos of conference session by Raiatea Arcuri, click to enlarge.
Large group seated at tables arranged in a square. Large group seated at tables arranged in a square. Large group seated at tables arranged in a square.

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo hosted a two-day conference of educators from Hawai‘i and 10 Pacific Island nations working toward encouraging students from underrepresented populations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, commonly called STEM. The conference was held Jan. 10 and 11 on the UH Hilo campus.

At the 2019 annual conference, the Islands of Opportunity Alliance (IOA), which is led by the Office of the Chancellor at UH Hilo, kicked off their 2019 STEM mentorship programs, which are funded by $600,000 of a continuing $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Topics at the conference included inter-campus programs, curriculum enhancements, student learning communities, peer tutoring, enrichment through research experiences, the promotion of STEM graduate degrees and employment, institutional support, and sustainability plans, among other discussions and presentations.

Alliance members. Alliance members.

Since its inception in 2006, the alliance has developed as a network of higher education institutions in the Pacific region within the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, which was launched by the NSF in 1991 with a mission to encourage and facilitate access to careers in STEM fields for underrepresented populations. The program is particularly aimed at encouraging students from two-year programs to continue their education at four-year institutions.

UH Hilo serves as the administrative hub of the Islands of Opportunity Alliance, which includes 10 other partner institutions in American Sāmoa, Guam, Hawai‘i, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

“UH Hilo is proud to be part of such a distinguished alliance dedicated to giving more undergraduate students hands-on experience in the sciences,” says Marcia Sakai, interim chancellor at UH Hilo and principal investigator of the program. “We share the common goal of increasing underrepresented professionals in STEM fields and I feel inspired by each member of our alliance—together we are helping to strengthen not only the scientific communities of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Island states, but also the scientific communities of the world to become more diverse in the quest for and understanding of scientific knowledge.”

Large group seated at tables arranged in a square.

Large group seated at tables arranged in a square. Large group seated at tables arranged in a square. Large group seated at tables arranged in a square.

Alliance goals

The conference was attended by approximately 30 participants from across the Pacific region, including campus coordinators and administrators from each of the 11 alliance institutions, as well as the governing board, two external advisory boards, and an external NSF evaluator from Washington D.C.

Joseph Genz at conference.

Joseph Genz, an associate professor of anthropology at UH Hilo, serves as IOA project director. The alliances’s day-to-day operations are handled by Mārata Tamaira, IOA project manager based at UH Hilo.

Genz says the main goal of the alliance is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students, with a focus on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students who graduate with baccalaureate degrees in STEM disciplines with strong research experiences and then go on to pursue graduate degrees or enter a STEM career back in their local communities.

“The benefit is not just the STEM degree, but what the students are going to do with their STEM degree,” says Genz. “In the vast majority of cases, that means going back home to their island communities and using their degrees to build up the capacities of their communities, fostering a system of self-empowerment.”

Genz explains NSF funds mainly support students on their respective campuses, but also sends them to conferences. “Travel costs in the Pacific are prohibitive,” he explains. “Students on the mainland can travel to conferences by jumping in a van. But for a student to fly from Palau to attend an international conference on the mainland can cost $3,000.”

Most of the funding at UH Hilo is used to support students in the Keaholoa STEM Program, which is now funded completely through LSAMP.

This year the alliance is strengthening ties between alliance members.

“The call to increase ties within the alliance actually came from the NSF,” says Genz. “In the past they had expressed concerns that each campus was its own entity, and we were just dispersing funds. So we’ve developed explicit strategies to tighten the connections across all 11 campuses. One strategy is to provide research experiences for undergraduates, and this effort is being coordinated by Frank Camacho from the University of Guam. Another idea we’re working on is a transfer program to promote the pipeline into the four-year institutions.”

Integrating traditional knowledge and Western science

‘Awa ceremony with visiting alliance members, Jan. 11, 2019. Courtesy photo.

One challenge facing the alliance is how to supplement Western STEM training models with Pacific culture-normed understandings of motivation, attainment, and success. Genz notes that Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders descend from cultural heritages that have traditionally pursued indigenous forms of science and technology, including astronomy, agriculture, aquaculture, environmental management, marine science, climatology, biology, and architectural engineering.

Interim Chancellor Sakai says, “We are finding this awakening to the value of indigenous knowledge is almost second nature to our students. They are ready to claim their heritage as scientists, to redefine and expand Western science, to be inclusive of ancient knowledge in their scientific endeavors, to engage in a new and vital way to do science in the 21st century. And it is our alliance—our Islands of Opportunity Alliance—that strengthens our quest, our resolve, to build on this legacy of scientific engagement empowering our students through culturally aware STEM education that honors traditional knowledge systems while also embracing Western scientific ways of knowing.”

Group photo with delegates and kīpaepae welina participants, group is behind pahu and ipu, standing and sitting on a lauhala mat.
A kīpaepae welina (traditional welcome) was held for the visiting Islands of Opportunity Alliance members on Jan. 10, 2019. Courtesy photo.

The broader vision for the alliance is to build on this legacy of scientific engagement through culturally-resonant STEM education initiatives that integrate traditional knowledge systems while also embracing Western scientific ways of knowing.

“The Keaholoa STEM program at UH Hilo is very grounded in Hawaiian values and there’s a core idea of being place-based and trying to immerse students in Hawaiian ways of learning,” says Genz. “This involves taking students out on excursions, huakaʻi, for experiential learning. That means everybody hopping into the fish pond, cleaning it, testing the salinity of the water, and getting that shared experience.”

Genz also praises UH Hilo’s Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Sciences (PIPES) program for the way it has successfully invoked kuleana, a Hawaiian concept of shared responsibility that inspires students to do work that is meaningful and useful to their communities.

Group standing together with Hawai‘i Island vista landscape in background.
Visiting alliance members and hosts on excursion, Jan. 11, 2019. Courtesy photo.

 

About the author of this story: Leah Sherwood, a graduate student in the tropical conservation biology and environmental science program at UH Hilo, is an intern in the Office of the Chancellor specializing in science writing. She received her bachelor of science in biology and bachelor of arts in English from Boise State University. 

About the photographer of the conference session: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

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PHOTOS: First ever Women in STEM Conference held at UH Hilo

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The inaugural event was planned by women students in the sciences, and the discussions were led by accomplished women scientists, administrators and staff who know a thing or two about the challenges women face in advancing their STEM careers. 

By Leah Sherwood. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Assistant Professor of Biology Jolene Sutton leads break out discussion with students at the Women in STEM conference.

The inaugural Women in STEM Conference was held at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus on Feb. 12. The all-day event brought together women leaders, scientists, students, and members of the campus community to discuss the current state of affairs for women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Topics covered a social history of women in STEM, the importance of mentorship, sexual harassment, mental health, the wage gap, work-family-life balance, retaining women STEM students, and creating a supportive climate for underrepresented minorities in STEM.

The conference was sponsored by the UH Hilo’s Women’s Center, TCBES MATERS Club, and the Office of Equal Opportunity .

Hawaiian opening ceremonies, dancers and drums Hawaiian opening ceremonies, dancers and drums
Marina Karides giving her opening remarks at podium. Topic on screen: "Intersectional Analysis and STEM Careers.
Marina Karides gives opening remarks about intersectional analysis and STEM careers .

The opening talk was given by Marina Karides, chair of the sociology department at UH Hilo. She spoke on the dearth of women faculty in STEM fields, particularly in the UH system, where women make up only 35 percent of STEM faculty. “If about half our population identify as women, then about half should be represented in all sectors of our workforce,” she says. “Instead what we systematically have is an overrepresentation of men in higher paying work and fields and women in lower paying work and fields.”

“We need to let women know they are welcome and strive to reach equity like equal salaries, teaching loads, and support in research.”

—UH Hilo astronomer Marianne Takamiya

Marianne Takamiya, an astronomer at UH Hilo, took part in a panel discussion about factors affecting the retention of women in STEM fields. “We need to hire and retain more role models in STEM, especially those fields that are male-dominated like computer science, math, chemistry, and physics,” she says. “We need to let women know they are welcome and strive to reach equity like equal salaries, teaching loads, and support in research. This is yet another chance for UH Hilo to be on the map, since we are already recognized for our diversity.”

Panel of four with moderator.
Astronomer Marianne Takamiya, second from left, on panel.
Dana-Lynn Koʻomoa-Lange at podium delivering remarks. On screen topic: The Importance of Mentroship fr Women in STEM
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dana-Lynn Koʻomoa-Lange delivers remarks about the importance of mentorship for women in STEM fields.

Open discussion about challenges faced by women in STEM

The conference, organized and produced entirely by students, was the brainchild of Karen Gallardo Cruz and Ashley Pugh, both students in the tropical conservation biology and environmental science (TCBES) graduate program.

Wide view of audience and panel.
Panel discussion at the conference.

“This conference was entirely driven by students and staff—they had curiosity and ran with it to develop something larger and comprehensive,” says Rebecca Ostertag, professor of biology and chair of the TCBES program. “I’m impressed by how broadly they thought about the topics and backgrounds of the guest speakers and panelists, and how passionate and driven they were to share stories and knowledge with the entire campus community.”

“Know your worth, the value of the position, and the company culture. Understand how to negotiate and do it.”

—Director of UH Hilo Office of Equal Opportunity Jennifer Stotter

Cruz, who is a researcher in the UH Hilo Bioaccoustics Lab working with biologist Pat Hart, explained that the genesis of the STEM conference really started with her questioning faculty and graduate students about how they balanced their personal and professional lives, especially scientists such as biologists or astronomers who often spend large amounts of time away from home in remote locations doing field work.

Cruz initially envisioned a smaller event.

“At first I was picturing a small round-table discussion, but when I brought the idea up to Rebecca Ostertag, she suggested having a full-day event, and maybe collaborating with the Gender and Women’s Studies program,” says Cruz. “I brought up this larger idea to Ashley Pugh and the TCBES Mater’s Club, and was connected with Megan Hillery and Destiny Rodriguez from the UH Hilo Women’s Center, who both immediately began supporting us in our endeavor.”

Destiny Rodriguez at podium.

Cruz also connected with Buddhini Samarasinghe, a molecular biologist who recently completed postdoctoral research at UH Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy and who founded the website STEM Women. Samarasinghe provided Cruz with ideas for conference topics, emphasizing issues not usually discussed openly with young women interested in a career in science.

“It’s important to have this conference because the topics covered are not often openly discussed, and a lot of people are either unaware of these issues, or misinformed,” says Cruz. “It’s important to start having these discussions more openly, learn from one another, and form a supportive community so women can continue making strides in all STEM fields. Too often, women compete against each other instead of lifting each other. I hope this conference encourages us all to lift each other so we can collectively succeed.”

During her remarks at the conference, Jennifer Stotter, director of the UH Hilo Office of Equal Opportunity and coordinator of Title IX compliance, laid out some strategies for negotiating fair wages for women in STEM. “Know your worth, the value of the position, and the company culture. Understand how to negotiate and do it.”

More photos of conference, click to enlarge:

Opening blessing at door. Opening Hawaiian ceremonies, dancers, drums Opening Hawaiian ceremonies, dancers, drums Opening Hawaiian ceremonies, dancers, drums Opening Hawaiian ceremonies, dancers, drums Opening Hawaiian ceremonies, dancers, drums Opening Hawaiian ceremonies, dancers, drums Opening Hawaiian ceremonies, dancers, drums Marina Karides Dana-Lynn Koʻomoa-Lange Audience and Dana-Lynn Koʻomoa-Lange Break out session, participants sitting in circle Break out session, participants sitting in circle Group seated in cirlce during break out session. Discussion during break out session. Staff and student seated in circle. Break out session, students in circle. Seated panel of four with moderator. Seated panel of four with moderator. Seated panel of four with moderator. Two on panel. Audience and panel. Emily Low. Emily Low with screen topic: "Complex? Mental hygiene. Social justice. Destiny Rodriguez Jennifer Stotter Panel of four and moderator. Panel of four and moderator. Panel of four and moderator. Panel of four and moderator, audience. Becky Ostertag gives remarks., on screen topic:"Beyond the Who, What, Why: Let's Think About How" Becky Ostertag

 

 

About the author of this story: Leah Sherwood, a graduate student in the tropical conservation biology and environmental science program at UH Hilo, is an intern in the Office of the Chancellor. She received her bachelor of science in biology and bachelor of arts in English from Boise State University. 

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post PHOTOS: First ever Women in STEM Conference held at UH Hilo appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTOS: UH Hilo celebrates 2019 Chinese New Year with cultural festival

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The festival featured lanterns, handicrafts, zodiac sign bookmarks, paper crafts giveaways (cute pigs in celebration of the Year of the Pig!), calligraphy demonstrations, posters, lion head, martial arts performance, taiji boxing, folk dance and more for the university community to enjoy.

Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Tables set up for festival, with people milling and looking at crafts and offerings. Colorful!
The Chinese Spring Festival was held on the Library Lanai. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri, click to enlarge.
Jiren Feng

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo celebrated Chinese New Year with a Chinese Spring Festival and Lantern Festival on Feb. 11. The festival featured lanterns, handicrafts, zodiac sign bookmarks, paper crafts giveaways (cute pigs in celebration of the Year of the Pig), calligraphy demonstrations, posters, lion head, martial arts performance, taiji boxing, folk dance and more for the university community to enjoy.

The Chinese New Year event was hosted by the Chinese studies certificate program, for which Associate Professor Jiren Feng serves as the program coordinator, in association with Elementary Chinese I (CHNS 101) and Chinese Festivals and Food Culture (CHNS 320) classes he is teaching this semester. The CHNS course discusses traditional Chinese festivals and food as important aspects of Chinese culture. It also investigates the most important festivals and related customs, what food people cook and eat during the festivals, and why. In addition, the course explores popular styles of cooking in different areas and how they have shaped the diversity of Chinese people. Students interact with local Chinese restaurants or families for the cultural tradition of Chinese cuisine.

The event was also hosted by the Chinese Cultural Club for which Feng serves as the faculty advisor.

Read about Associate Professor Feng’s bio and research.

Photos by Raitea Arcuri, click to enlarge:

Paper crafts of cute little pigs. The venue, colorful with hanging lanterns. The venue, colorful with hanging lanterns. Students starting calligraphy project. Students doing calligraphy. Calligraphy table. Prof. gives instruction to student. Banners and lanterns hanging at festival. Woman at looking at crafts on table. Bright red table decorations with lion head on table. Students seated at table doing calligraphy. Sign: 2019 Year of the Pig. Calligraphy. Students seated at table doing calligraphy. Bright red display table. Student doing calligraphy. Paper art panda bears and lanterns. Paper art of pigs with writing: Chinese studies certificate program. One student gives another student some tips on calligraphy. Students at table doing calligraphy. Tables set up at festival. Students doing calligraphy. Students doing calligraphy. Students doing calligraphy. Student doing fan dance with pink fans. Student doing martial arts stance. Student doing martial arts stance. Woman looking at paperworks. People looking at crafts on tables. Woman in taiji stance. Woman in taiji stance. Woman in taiji stance. Woman in taiji stance. Group doing fan dance with pink fluttery fans. Group doing fan dance with pink fluttery fans. Group doing fan dance with pink fluttery fans. Group doing fan dance with pink fluttery fans. Group doing fan dance with pink fluttery fans. Jiren Feng dancing with long red sash around waste. Jiren Feng dancing with long red sash around waste. Jiren Feng dancing with long red sash around waste. Jiren Feng dancing with long red sash around waste. Paper with calligraphy. Group doing martial arts stance. Group doing martial arts stance. Crowds at the festival. Two people looking at crafts and paper arts.

 

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post PHOTOS: UH Hilo celebrates 2019 Chinese New Year with cultural festival appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTOS: 2019 UH Hilo International Nights

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See the shows. See the world.

Drummer
Taishoji Taiko (Japan) opened this year’s International Nights with “Akatsuki,” on Feb. 22 at the Performing Arts Center, UH Hilo. Photos by Bob Douglas, click to enlarge.

Each year the International Student Association at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo produces shows that feature performances from the many different cultures and countries represented at the university. International Nights is a long-standing tradition at UH Hilo that spans over four decades, and is a favorite event on campus among students, the community, and visitors. Performers volunteer their time and do not get paid for their time and effort in preparing for and executing their performances—a testament to the willingness of UH Hilo’s international students to share their cultures with others.

This year’s International Nights were held on Feb. 22 & 23.

Photos by Bob Douglas, click to enlarge.

FRIDAY, FEB. 22, 2019

 

Taishoji Taiko (Japan)
“Akatsuki”

Drummers

Drummers Drummers

 

Native American
“Hoop Dance”

Woman dancing with hoops.

Woman holding hoops overhead. Woman dancing holding large hoops overhead.

 

Korea Treasure (Korea)
“Korea Traditional Dance & K-Pop”

Modern dancers in street clothes.

Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes Modern dancers in street clothes

 

Bayanihan Club (Phillipines)
“Tinikling”

Two women doing traditional Philippine folk dance with candles.

Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance Dancers doing Tinikling traditional Philippine folk dance

 

Performing Arts Club (USA)
“For the Love of Musicals”

Woman singing

One woman sitting on a bench A man doing solo People walking together. Group of women singing Group dancing Two women dancing Two women in costume. Group singing Group singing Group singing Group singing Group singing Three performers Solo male performer. Group of women mopping and singing Group of women mopping and singing Group of women mopping and singing Group of women mopping and singing Woman singing Performer singing Performer singing Group singing Group singing Group singing Group singing Solo woman singing Group singing Group singing

 

Kosrae Hilo Organization (Kosrae, FSM)
“Traditional Stick Dance & Women’s Chant”

Male Kosrae dancers in grass dress with sticks

Kosrae women dancers. Kosrae women dancers. Male Kosrae dancers in grass dress with sticks Male Kosrae dancers in grass dress with sticks Male Kosrae dancers in grass dress with sticks Male Kosrae dancers in grass dress with sticks Male Kosrae dancers in grass dress with sticks Kosrae dancers in grass dress Kosrae dancers in grass dress Kosrae dancers in grass dress Kosrae dancers in grass dress Kosrae dancers in grass dress.

 

Melanin Magic (Africa)
“Modern African Dance”

Dancers doing modern/African dance

Dark stage with dancers barely lit. Dark stage with dancers barely lit. Dark stage with dancers barely lit. Dancers doing modern/African dance Dancers doing modern/African dance Dancers doing modern/African dance Dancers doing modern/African dance Dancers doing modern/African dance Four women dancers posing. Dancers doing modern/African dance Dancers doing modern/African dance Dancers doing modern/African dance

 

Tupulaga O Samoa Mo A Taeao (Samoa)
“O le olaga faʻasamoa”

Single woman dancer dancing.

Samoan dancers sitting. Two Samoan dancers, one prone on stage. Large group of Samoan dancers. Large group of Samoan dancers. Large group of Samoan dancers. Featuring Samoan women in head dresses dancing. Featuring Samoan women in head dresses dancing. Featuring Samoan women in head dresses dancing. Featuring male dancer. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Samoan group dancing. Featuring female dancers in head dresses. Featuring female dancers in head dresses. Featuring female dancers in head dresses. Featuring female dancers in head dresses. Featuring female dancers in head dresses. Featuring female dancers in head dresses. Large group of Samoan dancers. Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Large group of Samoan dancers seated for dance Group dancing. Group dancing. Ending of performance. Ending of performance. Ending of performance. Ending of performance. Ending of performance. Ending of performance., one dancer out front holds Samoan flag.

 

SATURDAY, FEB. 23, 2019

 

Puna Taiko (Japan)
“Hiryu-Issho Medley / Yodan Uchi”

Drummers

Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers Drummers

 

India Music Hawaiʻi (South Asia)
“Raga Jinhoti”

Couple dancing, man bows to woman.

Eastern Indian dress, musicians in background, dancers in foreground. Musicians. Solo male dancer. Solo female dancer. Couple dancing. Solo male.

 

Hawaiʻi Irish Dance (Ireland)
“Irish Rock Celebration!”

Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress., with flags.

Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Man playing bagpipe. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress., with flags. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress., with flags. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress., with flags. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress., with flags. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress., with flags. Group of female Irish dancers in traditional dress., with flags.

 

Ngelekeil Belau (Palau)
“Palauan Contemporary Dance”

Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist.

Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist. Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist. Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist. Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist. Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist. Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist. Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist. Palau dancers in blue, ti skirt at waist.

 

Big Island Kiribati Club (Kiribati)

Solo woman dancing, grass dress.

Solo woman dancing, grass dress. Two women dancing, grass dress. Solo woman dancing, grass dress. Solo woman dancing, grass dress. Solo woman dancing, grass dress. Solo woman dancing, grass dress.

 

Big Island Desi (India)
“Bollywood Fusion”

Solo woman, traditional Indian dress, striking pose.

 

Fije Meke Group (Fiji)
“Mekw Vakaviti (Fijian Dance)”

Fijian dancers in traditional dress.

Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress. Fijian dancers in traditional dress.

 

Marshallese Iakwe Club (Marshall Islands)
“Biit Dance”

Group dance

Marshallese dancers enter stage. Marshallese dancers enter stage. Large group of Marshallese dancers on stage. Featuring male Marshallese dancers. Featuring male Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Featuring male dancer. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers. Group Marshallese dancers.

 

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 post PHOTOS: 2019 UH Hilo International Nights appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTOS: 2019 Girl’s Day celebration at UH Hilo

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The Hinamatsuri program was organized by the UH Hilo Japanese Student Association and the Japanese Studies Program with advisor Masafumi Honda, associate professor and coordinator of Japanese studies.

Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Taiko drummer

This year, Girl‘s Day at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo was celebrated on the evening of March 1 rather than the traditional third day of the third month. The program was organized by the Japanese Student Association and the Japanese Studies Program with advisor Masafumi Honda, associate professor and coordinator of Japanese studies.

A pamphlet at the event explained that Girl’s Day or Hinamatsuri is the festival which was traditionally known as the Peach Festival (Momo no Sekku), as peach trees typically began to flower around March 3. The original festival was mentioned in the Tale of Genji, written in the beginning of the 11th Century. The festival was to protect people from evil. Everyone made their own paper doll and floated it down as stream hoping evil fortune would float away with the doll.

1st performance: Taiko Performance by Taishoji Taiko 

Taiko drummers

Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers Taiko drummers jumping Taiko drummer beating drum in the air. Taiko drummers Taiko drummers at end of performance Taiko drummers line up at end of performance
2nd performance: Koto Performance by The So-shin Kai Koto Club
Four women playing koto.
Audience watching four women playing koto harps. Four women playing koto. Audience watching four women playing koto harps. Woman playing koto harp.
3rd performance: Piano Ghibli Song Medley by Natsuko Uchida (Pianist)
Natsuko Uchida
Japanese performers in costume and mask. Japanese performers in costume. Japanese performers in costume and mask.
4th performance: Okinawan Dance by The Hilo Okinawan Cultural Club
Woman doing Okinawan Dance.
Perfomers doing Okinawan Dance. Solo Okinawan Dance Group doing Okinawan Dance.
 
About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post PHOTOS: 2019 Girl’s Day celebration at UH Hilo appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.


Teapresso Bar concession opens on UH Hilo campus, will support the university’s upcoming Pop Up for Hunger program

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A Pop Up for Hunger Tasting Event featured the new Teapresso Bar concession, where the campus community learned more about UH Hilo’s Pop Up for Hunger program and the upcoming HALE PA’I ‘AI food pantry program to combat food insecurities at UH Hilo.

Student holding beverage.
Student with a beverage from Teapresso at the Pop Up for Hunger Tasting Event, March 13. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri/UH Hilo Stories, click to enlarge.
Students lined up. Chancellor talking with students. VC hands out free beverages.

There’s a new beverage concession on the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus. Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai and Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Kalei Rapoza hosted a Pop Up for Hunger Tasting Event on March 13 featuring the new Teapresso Bar concession, where the campus community learned more about UH Hilo’s Pop Up for Hunger program and the upcoming HALE PA’I ‘AI food pantry program to combat food insecurities at UH Hilo.

Beginning Wednesday, March 27, the campus community can get their boba tea or organic lemonade fix at the new Teapresso Bar pop up beverage concession located at the Library Lanai. The concession will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Teapresso Bar’s rotating beverage menu includes Teapresso’s Signature Milk Tea, Honeydew Milk Tea, Taro Milk Tea, Tropic Osmanthus, Fruity Lychee, Rose Green Tea, Strawberry Lilikoi Lemonade, Blue Hawaiian Lemonade, and Maunakea Sunset Lemonade. Add-ons include large boba, lychee jelly or strawberry bursting boba.

Beverages lined up on table for patrons. Beverages lined up on table for patrons. Beverages lined up on table for patrons.

Pop Up for Hunger

Teapresso Bar is the first beverage concession participating in UH Hilo’s “Pop Up for Hunger” program to support HALE PA‘I ‘AI, UH Hilo’s new food pantry program. The HALE PA‘I ‘AI soft opening is planned for mid-April 2019 through the end of the semester. Administrative Affairs will operate and manage the food pantry program to serve and support any UH Hilo student without reliable access to food. The process to receive HALE PA‘I ‘AI services is simple, and the program is set up to protect the anonymity of students with food insecurities. Any UH Hilo student in need with a valid student ID is welcome to participate in this program.

The Pop Up for Hunger concept was one of many food pantry support programs developed by UH Hilo senior Jordan Kamimura as part of a fall 2018 College of Business and Economics internship class (BUS 400). Andrey Simonov, assistant professor of accounting, oversees the course.

Marcia Sakai, Jordan Kamimura, and Kalei Rapoza standing in front of tea concession.
(Left to right) Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai, business student Jordan Kamimura, and Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Kalei Rapoza at the Pop Up for Hunger event, March 13.

Kamimura’s internship project with Administrative Affairs included developing creative revenue generating programs and food supply sources to fund and sustain a food pantry program at UH Hilo to address student food insecurities. UH Hilo’s Food Service Enterprise was the primary resource and inspiration for many of the food pantry programs Kamimura researched and developed under this internship course. The internship project objective was to develop various revenue streams and food sources to sustain a food pantry program at UH Hilo without having to totally rely on food donations.

The food pantry’s name, “HALE PA’I ‘AI” eloquently describes UH Hilo’s mission to provide “a place to receive an offering of food.” Although HALE PA’I ‘AI is not intended to supply all the food a student needs for the week, it will provide supplemental food for any UH Hilo student in need of this type of support. Additional information will be provided prior to the soft opening in April.

This story is adapted from an email sent from the UH Hilo Food Service Enterprise to the UH Hilo community. UH Hilo Stories will have more in-depth stories about Teaspresso and the HALE PA’I ‘AI program, coming soon, watch this space.

Two students holding beverages.
Students at the Pop Up for Hunger Tasting Event, March 13.

 

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post Teapresso Bar concession opens on UH Hilo campus, will support the university’s upcoming Pop Up for Hunger program appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTO ESSAY: Members of the Urasenke Tankokai Hilo Association perform traditional Tea Ceremony at UH Hilo

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The Tea Ceremony or Chado was hosted by a class studying East Asian history, culture, and civilization including East Asian Zen Buddhism and the development of tea culture and tea ceremony.

Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Woman in blue kimono performing tea ceremony.
Student Misaki Sato performs tea ceremony as Otemae (tea server) for demonstration at UH Hilo March 8. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri/UH Hilo Stories, click to enlarge.

Members of Shoro-an, the Hilo Tea House at Lili‘uokalani Gardens, performed a traditional Tea Ceremony or Chado at the University of Hawaii at Hilo on March 8.

The ceremony was hosted by an introductory class to Japanese and Chinese studies (LANG 200). Yoshiko Fukushima, professor of performance studies and languages, is the instructor of the course. The class is studying East Asian history, culture, and civilization including East Asian Zen Buddhism and the development of tea culture and tea ceremony.

The name of the group that performed the ceremony is the Urasenke Tankokai Hilo Association. Six members attended:

  • Machiko Kuki, Association Chair, acting as guest for demonstration
  • Clara Koga, Sensei, acting as guest for demonstration
  • Philippe Nault, Vice Association Chair, speaker for demonstration
  • Amy Nishiura, Student and Association Treasurer, acting as assistant for demonstration
  • Misaki Sato, Student, Otemae (tea server) for demonstration
  • Tomoko Skinner, Student, acting as assistant for demonstration

The Urasenke Tankokai Hilo Association was organized in 1971 in Hilo. Teachings and practices are done at the Tea Ceremony House named “Shoro-an” (Pine Ocean House), which is located on Banyan Drive, on the grounds of the Lili‘uokalani Gardens at Hilo Bay.

According to a Hilo Tea House pamphlet, Chado is the Japanese “Way of Tea.” It is a “ritual that features preparing a bowl of tea and serving it to a guest. Served with a respectful heart and received with gratitude, a bowl of tea satisfies both physical and spiritual thirst.”

Photos by Raiatea Arcuri, click to enlarge:

Class seated, ready for tea ceremony to begin.

Two women in kimono being introduced. Two women perform tea ceremony. Table with tea pot, bowl, whisk, and other utensils for ceremony. Woman in kimono performs tea ceremony. Woman in kimono performs tea ceremony. Woman drinks from ceremonial tea cup. Woman serves tea. Two women perform tea ceremony. Two women perform tea ceremony.

Woman drinks from ceremonial tea cup.

 

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post PHOTO ESSAY: Members of the Urasenke Tankokai Hilo Association perform traditional Tea Ceremony at UH Hilo appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

PHOTOS: Delegation from UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College visits Evergreen State College to plan indigenous arts program

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A delegation from UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College visited The Evergreen State College in Washington state to talk about modeling an indigenous arts program after Evergreen’s Indigenous Arts Campus and Native Programs curriculum.

Standing in from of longhouse: Laura VerMeulen, Zoltan Grossman, Tina Kuckkahn-Miller, Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Melanie Wilson, Hanalei Marzan, Puanani Nihoa, Ian Shortridge, Kekai Lindsey, Linley Logan, Taupōuri Tangarō. Kneeling: Kauila Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani.
(Left to right) Laura VerMeulen, Assistant Director, The Longhouse Indigenous Arts Campus, The Evergreen State University (TESU); Zoltan Grossman, Geography & Native Studies Faculty (TESU); Tina Kuckkahn-Miller, VP, Indigenous Arts and Education (TESU); Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Director of Hawai‘i Papa O Ke Ao (UH System); Melanie Wilson, Dean of Liberal Arts (Hawai‘i CC); Hanalei Marzan, Uluākea Scholar-in-Residence (UH Hilo); Puanani Nihoa, Assistant Director, Masters in Public Administration, Tribal Governance Concentration (TESU); Ian Shortridge, Academic Advisor, (Hawai‘i CC-Pālamanui Campus); Kekai Lindsey, Hawaiian Culture-Language Pathways Facilitator (Hawai‘i CC); Linley Logan, Director of the Northwest Heritage Program, The Longhouse Indigenous Arts Campus (TESU); Taupōuri Tangarō, professor of Hawai’i Life Styles (Hawai‘i CC). Down lower at front right is Kauila Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani, Community Engagement Specialist (Hawai‘i CC). Group is gathered at the Fiber Art Studio, a structure that combines Northwest Indian and Maori architecture, The Longhouse Indigenous Arts Campus, TESU, Olympia, Washington, March 1, 2019. Photo by Ākeamakamae Kiyuna, Hawaiian Culture-Language Pathways Coordinator (Hawai‘i CC). Click photos to enlarge.
Taupōuri Tangarō, Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Tina Kuckkahn-Miller. Each wrapped in blanket: Kekai Lindsey, Melanie Wilson, Kauil Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani, Taupōuri Tangarō, Ākeamakamae Kiyuna, Ian Shortridge, Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Hanalei Marzan.

A delegation from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College visited The Evergreen State College (TESU) in Washington state from Feb. 28 to March 3 to continue conversations about modeling an indigenous arts program after Evergreen’s Indigenous Arts Campus and Native Programs curriculum.

“The proposed program will pilot a focus on indigenous arts in anticipation that it will grow into a two-year community college program with pathways to a four-year degree,” says Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, director of the UH System Office of Hawai‘i Papa O Ke Ao and interim executive assistant to the UH Hilo chancellor.

“The University of Hawai’i welcomes ways to study indigenous cultures as contributors to society instead of simple observations of their art,” she says.

Tina Kuckkahn-Miller, Taupōuri Tangarō, and Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, water in background. Hanalei Marzan, Kauila Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani, Kekai Lindsey, Ian Shortridge (partially hidden), Taupōuri Tangarō.

Taupōuri Tangarō, professor of Hawai’i Life Styles at Hawai‘i CC says, “We’re here at Evergreen on a mission. Evergreen has always inspired us and we’re here to celebrate this inspiration as we prepare to deliver our Hawaiian indigenous arts program for the advancement of indigenous well-being.”

“We’re honored to host our relatives from Hawai‘i Island,” says Tina Kuckkahn-Miller, Evergreen’s vice president of indigenous arts and education. “We consider them a sister institute and want to build upon a relationship that’s been growing for decades among the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest and South Pacific.”

Gathered around a camp fire: Sy Miller, Dexter Miller; Tina Kuckkahn-Miller, and Taupōuri Tangarō.
Group meets at Skokomish Indian Tribe Skabob (Doctor-Medicine) House, which is under construction in Shelton, Washington. (Left to right): Sy Miller (Chief’s son); Chief Dexter Miller; Tina Kuckkahn-Miller (Chief’s wife); Vice President, Indigenous Arts and Education, The Evergreen State University; Taupōuri Tangarō, Director, Hawaiian Protocol and Community Engagement, Hawai‘i CC and UH Hilo performing a Hawaiian chant. Photo by Ākeamakamae Kiyuna.

Hawai‘i CC will host a 2019 indigenous arts summer symposium as the first step in gauging community interest and support in the proposed program.

 

-Adapted from Evergreen release. Photos and captions for this post provided by the delegation.

 

 

 

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PHOTOS: 2019 Earth Day Fair at UH Hilo

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Over 1,000 school children attended the Earth Day Fair at UH Hilo to learn from 40 organizations from around the state who set up interactive displays and booths across campus, plus a variety of workshops and speakers.

Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Four children gather around an info table with a poster about Conservation Leadership.
School children learn about conservation leadership at the Earth Day Fair held at UH Hilo campus, April 26, 2019.

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College held their joint annual Earth Day Fair and related Conservation Career Day today at the UH Hilo campus. The dual event is for members of the UH campus communities and several registered local grade schools. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the UH Hilo-Hawai‘i CC Earth Day Fair.

overhead view of crowds at the plaza. overhead view of crowds at the plaza.

There were over 40 organizations from around the state that set up interactive displays and booths across campus.

Schoolchildren gather around an informational table. Schoolchildren gather around an informational table. Schoolchildren gather around an informational table. Schoolchildren gather around an informational table. Schoolchildren gather around an informational table. Schoolchildren gather around an informational table.

There also were a variety of workshops and speakers, including:

  • Keynote speaker Manulani Meyer, Konohiki for Kūlana o Kapolei (A Hawaiian Place of Learning at University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu).
  • Conservation Careers panel discussion, “Sharing our Mana‘o.”
  • Sandalwood Reforestation Presentations with Mark Hanson.
Manu talk to large group of school children in bleachers. Mark Hansen talks to class. Speaker talking to class. Students in lecture hall. lecture to class. Lecture

Well over 1,000 local schoolchildren took part in various workshops and environmental learning activities around campus.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce UH Hilo to the next generation of students,” says Ryan Perroy, geography professor and co-chair of the fair’s organizing committee.

The many sponsors included Kamehameha Schools, the UH Hilo Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Sciences (PIPES), and hundreds of volunteers, many of them students and faculty from UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College.

Boy learning how to generate electricity. Boy learning how to generate electricity. Students in lecture hall listening to speaker. People looking at plant display. Crowds at the fair. Crowds at the fair. Crowds at the fair. Crowds at the fair.

 

 

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post PHOTOS: 2019 Earth Day Fair at UH Hilo appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

Story & photos: 1,500 island schoolchildren attend the 31st annual Earth Day Fair at UH Hilo

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The students spoke with scientists, conservationists, and representatives from local environmental organizations at dozens of booths lining UH Hilo’s Campus Center Plaza and Library Lanai.

By Leah Sherwood. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri.

Boy generates electricity with hand crank.
Children learned about alternative energy and many other ways to care for the environment at the Earth Day Fair, April 26, 2019, UH Hilo. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri, click to enlarge.
Crowds on the plaza. Crowds on the plaza. Boys gathered around an electric car. Kids watching the activities. Kids at a display. Displays under tents. Crowds on the plaza. Hula dancer. Crowd milling around tents. Crowd on the plaza. Adult and students at a display. Playing Janga! Kids talking to someone at a display. Kids at a display. Kids at a display. Guitar player

The 31st annual Earth Day Fair, co-sponsored by University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College, was held Friday, April 26, on the UH Hilo campus.

The event was attended by more than 1,500 school children from all over the island of Hawai‘i. The students enjoyed educational videos, informational exhibits and science demonstrations, expert guest speakers, a food sustainability panel, environmental science skill-building workshops, dance troupes, hula, storytellers, face-painting, campus garden tours, an environmental career fair, and unmanned aerial vehicle flight simulators, as well as free plants, fruits, and other giveaways.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce UH Hilo to the next generation of students,” says Ryan Perroy, geography professor and co-chair of the fair’s organizing committee. “It’s really important for the university to engage with the community and this is one of the bigger events that we have.”

The students spoke with scientists, conservationists, and representatives from local environmental organizations at dozens of booths lining UH Hilo’s Campus Center Plaza and Library Lanai. Members from local chapters of national nonprofit organizations such as Surfrider and Sierra Club as well as local organizations such as Big Island Invasive Species Committee were on hand to talk with students and answer questions.

Beyond the tables at the library lanai and plaza, there were hands-on workshops and presentations scattered across campus. These were on topics such as Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, Hawksbill turtle recovery programs, and ‘Imi Pono no ka ‘Āina. UH Hilo students in Michelle Shuey‘s environmental science class also developed and ran different environmental games for hundreds of keiki to run around and interact with different environmental issues like pollution.

“Our ‘aina loves us, and when something loves you, you love it back. Nourish your ‘aina, the ‘aina has never not loved us. We have to wake up.” — Manu Meyer

The event kicked off with a traditional kīpaepae opening ceremony. Keynote speaker Manulani Meyer then delighted the audience by whipping out her harmonica and playing a couple of minutes of bluesy licks before speaking. Meyer is the konohiki (facilitator) for Kūlana o Kapolei (A Hawaiian Place of Learning) at UH West O‘ahu.

Manu on harmonica. Manu talks to kids on bleachers. Manu Meyer Mani talks to kids on bleachers.

Meyer urged the audience to hug each other (“like you mean it!”) before addressing the central theme of her talk, which was aloha ‘āina (“love of the land”). Speaking to the K-12 students lining the bleachers of the gym at UH HIlo, she urged them to care of the land. “Even small acts, such as picking up litter we may see on the street, are a gesture of love to Earth,” says Meyer. “Our ‘aina loves us, and when something loves you, you love it back. Nourish your ‘aina, the ‘aina has never not loved us. We have to wake up.”

Perroy feels that the Earth Day Fair’s message has never been more important. “The whole message of aloha ‘aina and ‘aina aloha resonates very strongly with both the campus community and the young students and teachers we bring,” says Perroy. “In general, we are doing a terrible job of taking care of our planet and the more we can have events like this, to not just to celebrate the Earth but to actually get people to do something differently than what they are currently doing, the better off we will all be.”

7th annual Conservation Career Day

This year’s Earth Day Fair was held in parallel with the 7th annual Conservation Career Day, an event that draws local scientists and agencies in the field of natural resource management who seek to inspire local students to become environmental stewards and to pursue careers in natural resource management. This career day event is designed to provide information to middle and high school students, with a specific focus on local employment opportunities.

Youngster with adult at insect display.
Children learned about the work of entomologists and botanists among many other professions at Conservation Career Day, April 26, 2019, UH Hilo. Photos by Raiatea Arcuri, click to enlarge.
Crowds on lanai. Youngster with adult at insect display. Ranger helping student. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. Crowds on lanai. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. Kids watching demonstration. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. School kids viewing displays. Kids listening to talk. Crowds on the lanai. Crowds on lanai. Crowds on lanai. Crowds on lanai. Kids listening to talk. Displays on library lanai. Boy generating electricity with hand crank. Kids at conservation booth.

“Sharing our Mana‘o” was the theme of the career panel discussion, which featured young professionals in environmental fields representing different organizations on the island of Hawai‘i. Two of the five panelists, David Benetiz, an ecologist at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and Kamala Anthony, a conservationist who specializes in Hawaiian fishponds, were graduates of the tropical conservation biology and environmental science master’s program at UH Hilo.

Anthony spoke of how she and her friends established an organization known as Hui Hoʻoleimaluō, which focuses on the restoration and maintenance of the Honokea loko (fishpond) at Waiuli through education outreach, community advocacy, and place-based management. “We need to make sure we are caring for the resources we have in Hawai‘i, and putting in the attention to care for these things,” says Anthony. Referring to Hawai‘i’s unique ecosystems, Anthony says that better management protocols need to be implemented in order to mitigate problems such as Rapid ‘Ohi’a Death that threaten Hawai‘i’s natural resources.

Sponsors

The Earth Day Fair and Conservation Career Day were sponsored by Kamehameha Schools, the UH Hilo Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Sciences, and hundreds of volunteers, many of them students and faculty from UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College.

 

About the author of this story: Leah Sherwood is a graduate student in the tropical conservation biology and environmental science program at UH Hilo. She received her bachelor of science in biology and bachelor of arts in English from Boise State University. 

About the photographer: Raiatea Arcuri is a professional photographer majoring in business at UH Hilo. He was awarded USA Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 (read his blog post about the winning photograph).

The post Story & photos: 1,500 island schoolchildren attend the 31st annual Earth Day Fair at UH Hilo appeared first on UH Hilo Stories.

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