This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Kapiʻolani Community College Liberal Arts undergraduate Maliny Soukkhasem.

Soukkhasem shared: “This past Spring on Kapiʻolani Community College campus. I won in the student division for lei contest. This is a photo of my Spanish professor who also won in her faculty division. It was a special moment to share in this winning experience on campus together since class was online.”

Send us your image!

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Lei making
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A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• .

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

In an effort to help the estimated 93,000 people exposed to jet-fuel-contaminated drinking water, the , facilitated by the University of �鶹��ý, held a training event for healthcare professionals with guidance on caring for patients using findings from recent research.

In July 2026, and partnering with the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at University of California, Berkeley, the registry provided nearly 200 healthcare professionals with the most up-to-date guidance when caring for patients who were exposed to jet fuel in November 2021, including emerging recommendations for clinical evaluation, monitoring, treatment considerations and patient support. .

Drawing from a recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report, “Clinical Follow-up and Care for Those Impacted by the JP-5 Releases at Red Hill,” the registry’s webinar reached a national audience of participants.

“Broadly sharing the registry as the best method for collecting long-term health information is critical given the global dispersion of exposed military families that have relocated since the crisis occurred,” said Rosana “Sanie” Weldon, director of the Red Hill Registry.

Advancing care through provider education

The registry offers educational opportunities for both healthcare professionals and community members. In March, Seiji Yamada, a family medicine physician, director of medical student education, and faculty member at the , presented the registry’s first continuing education session for healthcare professionals during “Grand Rounds,” hosted virtually by Pali Momi Medical Center.

“Our website houses resources, such as fact sheets and reports, that Red Hill community members can utilize for their own health advocacy, including a letter to clinicians documenting the exposure,” said Weldon.

One of those resources is a examining the health effects of exposure to unburned kerosene-based jet fuels and other kerosene-based products in Environmental Health. Led by Veronica Carvajal, junior specialist at the and scientific coordinator for the Thompson School Registry Hub, the review is the first to focus on exposure to unburned jet fuel specifically and continues to inform the ongoing work of the registry.

“The Red Hill Registry offers an important opportunity for both community members and researchers to help close this gap, an increasingly urgent issue given the multitude of jet fuel contamination events that have occurred,” said Carvajal.

Since the 2021 fuel spill at Red Hill, additional spills have occurred across the country, underscoring the need to better understand the long-term health effects of pre-combustion jet fuel.

The registry’s next continuing education opportunity will be at the Western Occupational Health Conference hosted at the ʻAlohilani Resort in September, where registry staff will be keynote speakers.

The Office of the Governor and the University of �鶹��ý today announced that deployment of $149.5-million in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) projects is set to begin to bring reliable high-speed internet connections to �鶹��ý‘s most rural and underserved communities. This effort marks a major milestone in the state’s ongoing initiative to provide universal access to affordable broadband internet on every island.

�鶹��ý has finalized a $34-million contract with Hawaiian Telcom to deliver fiber-optic service to approximately 5,800 homes that currently lack modern broadband access. The effort, coordinated by the University of �鶹��ý Broadband Office, follows years of planning, community engagement, and a competitive bidding process to ensure connectivity reaches those who need it most.

Across the state, the BEAD program targets approximately 7,000 unserved and underserved locations, with about 82% of these locations slated to be served through state-of-the-art fiber-optic infrastructure.

“Reliable, modern Internet infrastructure is critical to help ensure that all of our communities have access to information and opportunities for healthcare, education, commerce and public safety,” said Governor Green. “All of our residents benefit when we can leverage federal investments that truly complement and amplify the efforts of our local business partners like Hawaiian Telcom.”

“The University is proud to continue to lead �鶹��ý‘s public investments in internet infrastructure that will ensure our residents and business are globally competitive for years to come,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “Open access to information, resources and collaborations are key to enabling our residents to thrive and prosper.”

This partnership with Hawaiian Telcom represents the first major wave of work to build modern fiber internet connections, expanding the state’s reach further into local communities to reach difficult-to-provision locations.

“This incredible BEAD award complements our more sustainable, long-term investment,” said Su Shin, president of Hawaiian Telcom. “We are investing $1.7 billion to make �鶹��ý the first fiber-enabled state in the country.”

Connect �����dz�

The BEAD investment is integral to the state’s broader Connect �����dz� initiative, which aims to close the digital divide and increase access to life-enhancing broadband benefits, such as telework, remote learning, telehealth, and fostering community connections. This crucial “last-mile” deployment directly complements other major internet infrastructure investments currently underway, including subsea fiber-optic systems being deployed by Ocean Networks and Google that will fortify �鶹��ý‘s role as a digital hub.

For more information on the BEAD program and �鶹��ý‘s ongoing efforts to connect all residents, visit Connect .

A food innovation project comes full circle in August, when students from Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture will travel to �鶹��ý to reunite with culinary students. The teams will refine recipes for shelf-stable products and gather consumer feedback at the , transforming an international classroom partnership into a real-world experience.

Earlier this summer, Kapiʻolani CC students traveled to Fukuoka to explore the product development process, experimenting with mentsuyu (Japanese noodle soup base), dashi (soup stock), and locally sourced Japanese ingredients.

“Working with students from Fukuoka opened my eyes to the way culture influences our flavor preferences and how that plays such a significant role in selecting your audience when developing a new product,” said Kapiʻolani CC culinary student Rachael Mathers. “The Japanese students leaned more towards traditional flavor profiles while we experimented with flavors that were familiar to us in �鶹��ý.”

Combining culture, creativity

Students visited dashi maker Kubara Honke Kayanoya, met with Fukuoka prefectural government leaders, and explored regional markets featuring local food products.

“This partnership gives students the opportunity to experience the food innovation process from an international lens,” said Lauren Tamamoto, assistant professor and coordinator of the Takitani Foundation Innovation Center. “They are not just learning about food—they are learning how culture and creativity come together to create collaborative products.”

Now in its fourth year, the partnership between Kapiʻolani CC and the Fukuoka Prefecture Government has evolved from culinary competitions into a three-year food-innovation project called One Health.

“�鶹��ý and Fukuoka share a fundamental understanding that the health of our environment is directly connected to the health of our food and our people,” said Kapiʻolani CC Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi. “This partnership reflects our kuleana (responsibility) to �鶹��ý, its people and ʻāina (land), while preparing students to become thoughtful innovators who strengthen their communities. We are deeply grateful to the Fukuoka Prefectural Government and our educational partners for their friendship and collaboration over the years, and we look forward to continuing our shared commitment to a healthier, more sustainable future.”

The public is invited to sample the students’ creations at the on August 22, 2026, from 7:30 to 11 a.m.

—By Lisa Yamamoto

When Lele Wale premiered at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s in March, audiences embraced the original hana keaka (Hawaiian theatre work) inspired by the lived experiences of Lahaina after the 2023 Maui wildfires. This August, the production reaches the destination it was always meant for, home.

A company of 25 students, alumni, faculty and theatre professionals from UH ����ԴDz� will travel to Lahaina for four performances from August 7–8. Six members of the cast and crew are from Maui, including three cast members from Lahaina whose personal experiences helped shape the production.

For Maui native Ikaika Mendez, a UH ����ԴDz� master of fine arts candidate in and the writer and director of Lele Wale, bringing the production home is both meaningful and humbling.

“I’m hoping that, even though we’re three years later, it still sparks hope, it still sparks joy, and it still reveals to the community that the people are what make the place, and the place is what makes the people. I’m hoping this is a timeless experience where people can reminisce, but also have hope for a better future.”

Related UH News story: Lahaina’s story lives in new hana keaka production, February 5, 2026.

For Lahaina

Rather than recreating the tragedy of the fires, Lele Wale creates space for reflection, healing and connection through Hawaiian theatre, hula, music and storytelling.

Lele is the traditional place name for Lahaina. In ʻō������� �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language), lele wale evokes prayer and speaks to motion, as well as the act of releasing. The hana keaka is performed in a combination of ʻō������� �鶹��ý, �鶹��ý Creole English (Pidgin) and English intertwined with live music, hula and imagery.

The Lahaina performances are presented in partnership with Festivals of Aloha, with support from Hawaiian Airlines and the Wave of Harmony Foundation. Their sponsorship is helping transport the cast, crew and production from Oʻahu to Maui so the story can be shared with the community that inspired it.

“The significance of this hana keaka traveling to Lahaina is in the intention and creation of the work,” said Tammy �Ჹ������ʻō��ܲ� Baker, director and founder of the UH ����ԴDz� Hawaiian Theatre program. “The moʻō������� (story) encapsulated in Lele Wale was developed by a kama (child) of Maui for their community.”

As Lahaina marks three years since the wildfires, Lele Wale returns not as a finished work, but as an offering. It honors those who were lost, celebrates the strength of those who remain, and reminds audiences that the heart of Lahaina has always been and continues to be its people.

Ticket information

Performances are scheduled for Friday, August 7, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Saturday, August 8, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Haleakalā Ballroom at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. .

In celebration of World Oceans Day, the Alaska SeaLife Center featured a captivating exhibit that bridges the worlds of microscopic marine science and fine art. The “Plankton Mandala Art Exhibit” is the culmination of a multi-year collaboration between a team of ocean ecologists from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa and an Alaska-based artist and educator. The intricate artwork captures the beauty of the smallest ocean animals, all created during an artist-in-residence program at Seward Middle School and community workshops at Alaska SeaLife Center. The exhibit opened in April and is still available to the public.

“It is easy to overlook the details of an organism—until you try to draw it,” said Petra Lenz, project lead and research professor at the (PBRC) in the UH Mānoa (SOEST). “Combining art and science allows us to introduce concepts and characteristics that are easily missed. Sensory hairs, eyes, and symmetry take on a new meaning when they become part of a drawing.”

Sharing discoveries with communities

The National Science Foundation-funded science driving this initiative focuses on the annual “spring restart” of the zooplankton community in the Gulf of Alaska, a time when tiny crustaceans awake from a wintertime lull and flourish as days become longer. The PBRC research team is assessing the understudied winter and early spring cycles to determine how species of zooplankton grow, stay healthy and are distributed throughout the water depths. Zooplankton, particularly tiny crustaceans known as copepods, serve as the crucial link connecting microscopic algae to economically vital fisheries, seabirds and marine mammals.

Lenz worked with Alaska artist Kim McNett to develop an innovative educational experience that translates complex biological concepts into hands-on art. While McNett developed the art component, how to engage students and adults in plankton theme artwork, select art materials, sample drawings and reference materials; Lenz and her graduate student Lauren Block worked on the scientific concepts and hands-on science activities.

Latest research

Block also spearheaded much of the fieldwork and foundational research for the project. Highlighting the scientific success of the project, her findings were published in . Block’s research integrated traditional sampling methods with modern molecular approaches to characterize the diversity, development, feeding and physiology of zooplankton in a deep Alaskan Fjord, Resurrection Bay.

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In July, Gov. Josh Green (, Act 186) that lays the groundwork for cohesive management of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s blue economy—centralizing marine affairs oversight and formally designating the state as a hub for ocean innovation and stewardship. The bill transforms the , which has several University of �鶹��ý members, into the new state Marine Affairs Governing Board; and re-establishes the position of Marine Affairs Coordinator.

“John Craven was the first and, to date, only State of �鶹��ý Marine Affairs Coordinator,” said Dave Karl, UH Mānoa professor and director of the in the UH Mānoa (SOEST) who has been the of the Marine Affairs Advisory Committee since Earth Day 2024 and attended the bill signing.

“The re-establishment of this key leadership position is timely and important,” he said. “A key goal is to support marine research and education, and to promote novel blue economy partnerships throughout the state and across the Pacific basin. UH is well-positioned to contribute to this new marine vision.”

Sustainable use of resources, preservation of ecosystems

As shared in the , �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s “blue economy” is defined by the sustainable use of ocean and aquatic resources to support economic growth and job creation, in turn ensuring the preservation of essential marine ecosystems. �鶹��ý stands as a national leader, driven by its unique position as the only U.S. island state in the Pacific and its long-standing cultural, economic and scientific ties to the ocean.

“SOEST is deeply committed to advancing �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s blue economy by integrating world-class research with education in ways that strengthen student engagement, expand workforce opportunities, and accelerate innovation,” said SOEST Dean Chip Fletcher. “Our responsibility is not only to generate new knowledge, but to apply those discoveries to improve the resilience and well-being of Pacific communities.”

As shared in the Governor’s office press release, “a centralized office allows the state to focus its efforts on advancing �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s blue economy while eliminating the fragmented approach of the previous system.”

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Equipped with cutting-edge marine robotics, hyperspectral imagers and aerial drones, five University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (MOP) alumni reunited aboard the R/V Searcher in June for a 22-day expedition into Papahānaumokuākea. Their mission was to deploy advanced autonomous systems to combat an invasive macroalgae called Chondria tumulosa.

The expedition highlights the impact of UH’s 50-year-old undergraduate program, proving how MOP produces scientists, engineers and leaders who work fluently across disciplines, agencies and oceans.

“We have a unique opportunity to work with brilliant marine roboticists to develop tools to help combat one of �鶹��ý’s most mysterious and potentially devastating marine macroalgae species, Chondria tumulosa,” said Chief Scientist Keolohilani H. Lopes Jr., a MOP alumnus and UH Mānoa PhD candidate.

High-tech tools, interagency collaboration

The voyage brought together diverse expertise to monitor and protect fragile ecosystems. Three advanced marine robotic packages—equipped with computer vision cameras, a hyperspectral imager and an environmental DNA (eDNA) profiler—were provided by Matthew Dunbabin’s lab at Queensland University of Technology. Meanwhile, PhD student Anna Baker Mikkelsen of the Climate Resilience Collaborative (CRC) led aerial mapping of Sand Island at Kuaihelani (Midway) using a drone.

Shellie Habel, a coastal geologist with the CRC and , served as primary drone pilot for aerial mapping. At Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll), the team conducted aerial operations over shallow reef flats to supplement in-water surveys of macroalgae. The team also evaluated shoreline changes at Tern Island and East Island of Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) to support research led by Sara Kahanamoku and Haunani Kane at UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s (SOEST).

Decades of trust, leadership

Crucial permit compliance, field safety, and historical context were overseen by MOP alumnus Jason Leonard, Marine Operations Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. Leonard, who has visited the sanctuary for more than 25 years, credited MOP and its Quantitative Underwater Ecological Surveying Techniques field program with preparing exceptional marine field personnel.

UH Mānoa MOP Coordinator Jeff Kuwabara also served as expedition photographer.

“What made this expedition possible wasn’t just funding or equipment,” Kuwabara said. “It was a network of trust built over decades, by people who trained together, dove together, and learned to work across disciplines before they ever had professional titles. That network is MOP‘s quiet legacy: not a single discovery or expedition, but a generation of professionals who know how to collaborate because they were taught to from the start.”

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from UH ����ԴDz� undergraduate and Office of Communications student worker Natasha Maafala during a visit to (HIMB) on Moku o Loʻe in ����Ա�ʻ�dz�� Bay.

Maafala and fellow Office of Communications student workers Liliana Okimoto and Emili Phomsouvanh had the opportunity to experience some of HIMB research—including young hammerhead shark—and educational outreach.

From the “living laboratory” of �鶹��ý, HIMB advances fundamental research and develops new technologies to address the challenges facing �鶹��ý, the Pacific, and the world’s oceans.

Send us your image!

Previous Images
Lei making
35mm photoshoot
Noni lab
May Day, 1952
Weekend weather
All Images of the Week

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• .

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

—Name, term, title.

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

Check back for more ʻō������� �鶹��ý.

—Moanikeʻala Nabarro, Office of Communications, Ke Kulanui o �鶹��ý ma Mānoa (University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

The University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu recently hosted the 5th annual �鶹��ý Threat Assessment Conference (HTAC), a statewide effort that brought together more than 200 attendees and a dozen national and local experts. In collaboration with the �鶹��ý Office of Homeland Security, the event equipped participants with vital tools to enhance community safety across the islands.

This year’s conference centered on “The Threat Continuum,” emphasizing the integration of threat prevention, management and response. By mastering both mitigation and rapid response, �鶹��ý communities can better protect their residents.

“Making our communities safer through the incorporation of both mitigation strategies helps to limit injuries and loss of life, as well as potential liabilities,” said HTAC co-organizer and UH West Oʻahu’s Director of Compliance Bev Baligad. “It should never be about choosing one over the other. Embracing efforts to support the entire threat continuum is the key.”

‘Preventative practice’

The conference featured speakers from the Honolulu Police Department, the FBI and other experts who shared strategies for today’s rapidly changing environment.

“Threat assessment and management is very important because it’s such a preventative practice that you can really get red flag warnings, you can see the concerning behaviors, and then you can act on it on the front end,” said Ed Howard, CEO of Pax Bello Security Solutions �鶹��ý, LLC.

By providing these training opportunities, the conference strengthens the state’s capacity to identify risks early. Steven MacDonald, executive director of Safer Schools Together, highlighted the lasting impact of collaboration.

“This gathering shows the great work that’s already been done across the islands, across the Pacific,” MacDonald said. “That’s going to be one of the greatest ways for our communities to continue to grow and get stronger.”

With funding support from Homeland Security and Department of Justice grants, these efforts ensure �鶹��ý remains at the forefront of community-wide safety and resilience.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

Andrew “Keahi” Castro, a Windward Community College student, has created ������ō�Բ��Ա�, a free online platform dedicated to the Hawaiian strategy game kōnane, which was traditionally played with black and white stones. Inspired by his desire to reconnect with his heritage, Castro aims to bring the game into the digital age.

“I wanted to make sure a Hawaiian game had just as much intentionality and respect as chess,” Castro said. “I wanted everyone in the world to be able to play it.”

Using his background in mathematics and statistics, Castro spent years building . The platform features live multiplayer games, tournaments, puzzles and an artificial intelligence opponent named Lopako. Unlike many gaming sites, it is completely free and ad-free.

Connecting to culture

Castro developed the platform as a student in Windward CC’s fully online program in Hawaiian studies called .

His grandparents moved from Oʻahu to California in the 1950s. Raised in California and now living in Washington, Castro found the �鶹��ýloa program an essential bridge to his roots.
“I’ve always wanted to learn more about �鶹��ý and my culture,” Castro said. “�鶹��ýloa seemed like a great opportunity for it.”

Despite the distance, the �鶹��ýloa program fostered a strong sense of community, and Castro is on track to earn an associate degree in Hawaiian studies in the fall.

“The online classes have been great,” he said. “The classmates I’ve worked with have been great, and I’ve made some great connections. Even being far away, it’s helped me feel connected.”

For future generations

Castro is integrating ʻŌlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language) throughout the site, including support for specialized characters in chat and usernames. He hopes to eventually offer an Hawaiian-language version.

Ultimately, he hopes the platform will preserve the game for future generations.

“Everyone was playing it,” Castro said. “It can be played all the time again.”

—By Nakoa Camvel

The has been recognized among the world’s top colleges and universities for global visibility in a new international ranking that measures public attention and online reach.

The 2026–27 , released July 22 by American Caldwell, ranked UH Mānoa No. 208 worldwide and No. 103 in the United States. Only a little more than 1,200 institutions worldwide were included in the rankings from among the world’s , placing UH Mānoa among the top 1% globally.

The rankings complement traditional academic rankings by measuring universities’ global visibility over a 12-month period. The study analyzed institutions across all 193 U.N.-recognized countries using indicators such as news mentions, public interest, website visitors, social media reach and YouTube engagement.

According to American Caldwell, the 2026–27 edition is the first visibility-based ranking to include institutions from every country recognized by the U.N. The study tracked tens of thousands of data points across six visibility indicators to evaluate universities’ global reach and public engagement.

The recognition adds to a series of recent national and international honors for UH Mānoa. Earlier this year, UH’s flagship campus was ranked among the world’s top universities by multiple organizations, including U.S. News and World Report, Quacquarelli Symonds and Times Higher Education.

Recent rankings

• 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, June 17, 2026
• 2026–27 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities rankings, June 16, 2026
• 2026 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 8, 2026
• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

�鶹��ý 4-H youth showcased their hard work and growing self-confidence at the 2026 �鶹��ý State 4-H Livestock Show on July 11. Held during the �鶹��ý State Farm Fair, the event put a spotlight on the program’s role in training the next generation of agricultural leaders.

�鶹��ý 4-H is offered through the University of �鶹��ý at ��ā�ԴDz�’s ’s (CTAHR) Cooperative Extension team, helping young people build life skills to meet modern challenges. During the show, youth competitors evaluated and presented market hogs, goats, cows and steers that they raised throughout the season.

One of this year’s standout competitors was Nydia Robleto, a senior at James Campbell High School in ʻEwa Beach. After losing her first goat to the severe Kona Low storms earlier this year, Robleto persevered with support from the 4-H community and raised a new goat that went on to win first place in the goat show.

Robleto’s commitment to agriculture also extends into the classroom as part of CTAHR’s Summer Research Institute, which prepares young leaders to address critical challenges in food systems and environmental sustainability. She credits �鶹��ý 4-H and CTAHR for fostering her personal growth and confidence.

“Honestly, it’s been amazing,” Robleto said. “There are many people who will always support your decisions, and if you feel like you could do it, then they will help you out.”

National judge caps 50-state quest

Adding to the excitement of the event, national livestock judge Ryan Rash served as the official judge for the show, capping off a historic personal milestone. Rash completed his lifelong dream of judging livestock in all 50 states during his appearance at the �鶹��ý State Farm Fair.

He took great care to offer the young 4-H competitors candid and supportive evaluations of their animals’ appearance and performance.

“It has been quite the event to get here, and a very monumental achievement for me,” Rash said. “And so, very, very blessed to be able to get to do what I love and what I’m passionate about.”

The �鶹��ý 4-H summer livestock season comes to a close on August 22 with the 4-H Horse State Show at Kualoa Ranch on ��ʻ�����’s North Shore. To learn more about �鶹��ý 4-H, contact Asia Broussard at asiab9@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-2255.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Leeward Community College.

“Leeward Community College staff and students participate in a lei-making workshop organized by the college’s Office of Workforce Development and led by Honolulu floral and botanical studio Palai �鶹��ý. The hands-on team-building event encouraged creativity, cultural learning and connections. Photo by Maria Orona.”

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Previous Images
35mm photoshoot
Noni lab
May Day, 1952
Weekend weather
Monk seals
All Images of the Week

Send us your image!

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• .

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

—Paddle (As a canoe).

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

“E kaupē aku nō i ka hoe a kō mai (Put forward the paddle and draw it back).”

—Lanakila Grosse, he haumāna ʻōlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Nearly 200 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, family members and supporters gathered at the on July 18 to explore how creative expression can support healing and well-being during the cancer journey.

The free “Healing Through Art” workshop, presented by the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, featured presentations on the research behind art therapy followed by hands-on sessions in drawing, poetry, meditation with shakuhachi (Japanese flute) music, collage art and ti-leaf lei making.

The power of creative expression

Research has shown that art therapy and other creative approaches can help reduce anxiety, depression and emotional distress among people affected by cancer.

“The friendships and connections that blossomed among the people who attended, along with the skilled and caring artists sharing their gifts as tools for the cancer journey, were truly inspiring,” said Jami Fukui, faculty lead for the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community. “We want the UH Cancer Center to be a place of community, and I think healing was accomplished today.”

Among the presenters was artist and breast cancer survivor Leni Acosta Knight, who encouraged participants to express themselves freely through drawing. “To be able to have your mind be free of any stress or pain—just a reprieve from the chaos and overthinking things—I think is very helpful,” Knight said.

Participant Ann Sueno said trying collage art reminded her that creativity can be a powerful outlet. “This lets you just be yourself and lets you just be creative,” Sueno said. “Just being creative, I think that’s really rewarding.”

“Cancer care extends far beyond the clinic,” said Naoto T. Ueno, director of the UH Cancer Center. “Programs like ‘Healing Through Art’ create spaces where people can find comfort, express themselves and build resilience alongside others who understand their experiences.”

The event is part of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, a free quarterly program that empowers and supports people affected by cancer. The next workshop, “Let’s Move! The Importance of Physical Activity in the Cancer Journey,” is scheduled for October 17 at the UH Cancer Center. Registration details will be available soon.

For 29 high school and transfer counselors, the first University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� Summer Counseling Institute was an unforgettable, immersive experience. Held July 12–15, the program invited 27 local counselors and two from Northern California to step into the shoes of a college student and explore the incredible opportunities awaiting future Rainbow Warriors.

Instead of a standard campus tour, participants spent three and a half days diving deeply into the heart of what UH ����ԴDz� has to offer. They toured the world-renowned �鶹��ý Institute of Marine Biology at Moku O Loʻe in Kāneʻohe Bay, went behind the scenes with UH Athletics, and experienced hands-on sample classes. Participants stepped into nursing simulation labs, explored the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center for innovation, and enjoyed a closing dinner at the Waikīkī Aquarium.

Steve Morales, a counselor at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, was blown away by the depth of the research facilities and the university’s strong focus on community building.

“Think of it as a world-class education that you are getting,” Morales said. “It’s a gem and I think students should—no matter what high school they’re at—really look at it. This is a great university to come to.”

Limitless possiblities

The event was intentionally designed to showcase the authentic, vibrant life on campus. Nikki Chun, UH ����ԴDz� vice provost for enrollment management, proposed the institute to highlight the university’s limitless possibilities.

“What amazes me is that there’s so much here, so much richness,” Chun said. “You can spend years here, and there are things you never get to discover.”

Ultimately, the university hopes to inspire more local talent to thrive in �鶹��ý. Malia Kau, a college and career counselor at Radford High School, said the immersive event changed some counseling colleagues’ perceptions.

“I think our local students can look to ����ԴDz� as a place where they can meet all of the needs that they’re looking for in higher education,” Kau said. “They don’t have to go to the mainland… ����ԴDz� has a lot of things that will help them be successful here.”

Editor’s note: This July 15 interview was conducted before federal officials confirmed shredded iceberg lettuce as a source of one cyclospora outbreak; investigations into other cases are ongoing.

A growing cyclospora outbreak across the U.S., including a recently confirmed travel-related case in �鶹��ý, is raising questions about how the foodborne parasite spreads and how people can protect themselves. Erika Noel, an assistant professor at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM), answers common questions about cyclospora, including its symptoms, treatment and simple food safety practices that can help reduce the risk of illness.

Q: Why is this outbreak more concerning than previous years?

Cyclospora is something that we see annually, particularly in the spring and summer months from May through August. But what has been so concerning about this current outbreak is that we don’t currently know the main source. In previous years, it has been traced back to things like raspberries, pre-washed salad mixtures, and other produce.

Q: Can cyclospora spread from person to person?

Cyclospora is not contagious, as it cannot be passed from person to person. It is transmitted when people consume food or water that is contaminated with human feces containing the oocysts, or the eggs, of the parasite.

Q: What symptoms should people watch for?

The symptom range looks like a typical stomach bug: diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, cramping and bloating. Because of that, many cases fly under the radar. Some people ride the illness out at home rather than seeing a doctor. Most of the time, people will recover from the illness on their own, with symptoms resolving within about a week. So, it is definitely not something to panic about. Again, it is important for us to be aware, but not panic, about the cyclospora outbreak during this time.

Q: What are the best ways to reduce your risk?

The best way to prevent illness is to, first and foremost, follow standard hygiene and food safety practices. Washing our hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before and after preparing food is important, as alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill cyclospora; however, soap and water do. Cleaning produce with vinegar has been more effective than just running water alone. For example, use one part vinegar to three parts water. It doesn’t kill the cyclospora, but it helps the parasite detach from the fruits and vegetables, which has been shown to reduce the risk of getting sick or making the illness less severe. Produce is safest when it is heated to 158°F degrees or higher, which actually kills the cyclospora.

Q: So when in doubt, just cook it?

Absolutely. When in doubt at this time, the best thing to do is cook. For fruits with crevices, such as raspberries or strawberries with bumpy surfaces, we actually recommend cooking them in pies or jams to greater than 158°F degrees, because we know that those have been linked to previous cyclospora outbreaks. Freezing them can reduce the number of parasites, but probably not entirely, so we do recommend cleaning. Other things like cilantro and basil, which have small leaves, should be washed thoroughly, separating the leaves in order to decrease the chances of an outbreak. For green onions, we would like for you to trim the root end and remove the outer layer.

Q: What should people know if they become infected?

It is part of the reportable diseases to the Department of Health, and we do see some cases every year throughout the nation. So, it is relatively common in the sense that it happens every year, just not to this degree. One of the greatest things about cyclospora is that there are treatments for it. We always say do not take over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol without the consultation of your primary care physician. What is interesting is that even though it is a parasite, it has been found that an antibiotic is very effective in treating cyclospora.

Q: What is your final advice?

Even though we cannot eliminate our risk completely, it is just important for us to go back to the basics and always wash our hands. If you are sick, please do not prepare food for yourself or other people. Make sure to call out sick, and know that alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill cyclospora. So, always go back to hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

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