Visualizing a future where to survive rising tides has earned a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa research team the 2026 Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC) Best Journal Article Award.

The team leveraged scientific data, studies and community participation to create architectural renderings that visualize how �²�����ī��ī’s built environment can be modified to accommodate future flooding.

“By merging climate science with architectural design and integrating direct community feedback, we are creating forward-looking, actionable visions that will help coastal communities like Waikīkī successfully adapt to the growing realities of sea-level rise,” said Wendy Meguro, principal investigator and associate professor.

Selected for its “exceptional quality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the field,” was honored in April at the 2026 ARCC–EAAE International Conference at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia.

Engaging stakeholders

The research engaged more than 1,000 individuals, including residents, urban planners, government employees and local business owners. Presentations of these strategies have drawn hundreds of participants from recreation, hotel and restaurant industries. The findings are already being utilized by the City and County of Honolulu, the State of �鶹��ý and the Honolulu Climate Change Commission to guide adaptation policies.

“This recognition underscores the immense value of community-driven design in climate resilience,” said research associate Josephine Briones. “Our process shows that when you actively listen to stakeholders and combine their local insights with rigorous scientific evidence, the resulting adaptation strategies become much more practical, impactful and relevant.”

Authored by Meguro, Briones, German “Gerry” Failano and Charles “Chip” Fletcher, the project represents a partnership between the , and . It was funded by �鶹��ý Sea Grant, National Sea Grant and the Office of Naval Research.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa ballroom dance team won its third consecutive national title at the (NCDC), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 27–29.

Competing against 37 colleges, UH Mānoa once again took first place for “highest point average,” as well as a close second place for the overall team championship, asserting its place among the nation’s top ballroom dance college teams. Winning top honors in the highest point average requires most team members to perform exceptionally well in all events.

The dancers of the Ballroom Dance Club @UHM—a registered independent organization at UH Mānoa—are trained and coached by Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti. Narayan and Sumukti also represented �鶹��ý in the senior age division placing 1st in several events.

“We are no longer the underdogs, so all the other colleges are looking at us as the team to beat,” said Narayan, who is also an adjunct faculty member in the UH Mānoa . “The bar is getting raised higher and higher each year, but we prevailed once again. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our dancers who put in many hours to prepare for this competition. We are grateful for the incredible support we have received from the entire ballroom community in the state of �鶹��ý.”

The Ballroom Dance Club @UHM was formed in September 2022, and the team took first place for “highest team average” in 2024 and 2025.

“Nationals was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me,” said Caleb Zerbe, who competed in the nationals for the first time. “Getting to see so many people dance and enjoy themselves on the floor made me realize how fun dancing can be, even at the highest stages. It was a moment that helped me build a lot of confidence, and one that I will never forget.”

Christopher Ramirez, who competed on all three victorious UH Mānoa teams, added, “Given the opportunity to compete at my third nationals, there is always something new to learn. Winning for the third year in a row has reminded me just how incredible it is to be a part of this team.”

Tough competition

NCDC is a grueling competition with events starting at 7 a.m. every morning. It consisted of multiple events based on proficiency (bronze, silver, gold, etc.). Each student danced in up to 32 different events at the bronze and silver skill levels. They competed in all four styles of ballroom dance including International Standard (waltz, tango, viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep), American Smooth (waltz, tango, foxtrot and viennese waltz), American Rhythm (chacha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo) and International Latin (samba, chacha, rumba, paso doble and jive).

Several students took individual first place awards in their respective divisions defeating up to 70 other competitors in some events. This trip was designed to give the team exposure to a collegiate competition, as �鶹��ý has no statewide collegiate ballroom competitions.

More about the Ballroom Dance Club

The Ballroom Dance Club offers beginner classes to all UH Mānoa students, faculty and staff in studio 2 in the athletics department from 6—7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. No dance experience is required. For more information, or visit their Instagram page @bdcuhm.

The team would like to thank the Department of Information and Computer Sciences, UH Mānoa Department of Athletics, Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Associated Students of the University of �鶹��ý, USA Dance Honolulu and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation for facility and financial support.

UH Mānoa 2026 nationals collegiate and adult team roster:

• Ravi Narayan, faculty (computer science), coach and alumnus
• Synthia Sumukti, coach and alumna
• ʻAulani Wagner, library science and American studies
• Alexander Picken, Earth science
• Amanda Kanthack, psychology and Japanese
• Caleb Zerbe, computer science
• Christopher Ramirez, linguistics
• Christopher Wright, electrical engineering
• Courtney Hisamoto, computer science
• D’Elle Martin, architecture
• Elijah Saloma, computer science
• Gregory Snyder, mechanical engineering
• Hannah Madiam, kinesiology
• Iris Calauan, pre-nursing
• Jonathan Bona, civil engineering
• Julietta Lopez, architecture
• Kanaru Ebi, psychology
• Karl Merritt, mechanical engineering
• Luis Hernandez, electrical and computer engineering
• Lyndsey Moku, political science
• Maya Ito, psychology
• Michaella Villanueva, computer science
• Noah Asano, computer science
• Samantha Reed, computer science
• Shaelyn Loo, computer science
• Tessa Heidkamp, journalism and political science
• Andrew Lin, computer science alumnus
• Sydney Kim, computer science alumna
• Jason Aguda, computer engineering alumnus
• Matthew Rummel, political science and business alumnus
• Ariel Ramos, cinematic arts animation alumna
• Yong-Sung Masuda, computer science alumnus
• Wilson Tran, computer science alumnus
• Florence Liu, faculty, mathematics

Luis Hernandez and Maya Ito dancing the American Cha-cha in the Collegiate Team Match where UH Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Elijah Saloma and Michaella Villanueva dancing the International Quickstep in the Collegiate Team Match where UH Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti dancing the Mambo in the Senior IV American Rhythm Championship final. (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

Students cheering for their coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

To introduce both undergraduate and graduate students to the rapidly evolving world of AI-driven architectural design, this spring the University of �鶹��ý offered a new course on designing with artificial intelligence (AI), designed to integrate emerging technologies with human creativity.

The course requires no prior experience in AI, architecture or complex design software and is open to students from all majors.

Students are learning to incorporate modern AI tools into local design projects. A recent course assignment involved designing a single-family home on one of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) scattered sites (units located at more than one location). Using AI-assisted workflows, the students successfully produced full presentation materials and architectural animations for the project.

AI as a tool, not a replacement

“Something interesting that I learned in the AI design course was that it isn’t necessarily a process where the AI is taking control of the work produced, but it has been a process of lots of guidance and decisions based on what the AI is producing,” Darci-Lyn Kaina, a second-year UH architecture student, said. “It really took away the fear that I had before this semester, where I thought AI would be taking over architecture.”

Professor Hyoung-June Park designed the curriculum to focus on four core areas: AI program generation, spatial massing development, AI-assisted three-dimensional modeling, and the integration of AI workflows into architectural decision-making.

“Through a series of guided exercises and design explorations, students are learning how AI can support and augment architectural thinking rather than replace human authorship,” said Park. He concluded by invoking William Gibson’s observation: “The future is already here—it’s just not very evenly distributed.”

Visionary architect Francis S. Oda, a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa distinguished alumnus who played a key role in shaping the UH School of Architecture, died on February 14, 2026.

Oda was instrumental in developing the Doctor of Architecture program at UH Mānoa. His contributions included his service as an adjunct associate professor of the UH School of Architecture and as a Mānoa Forum Fellow. He also helped with the UH Long Range Development Program.

“Francis was such a monument in the field. A one-time architect for the University, he oversaw the development of many of the institution’s now seminal buildings. With G70, he extended �鶹��ý’s influence worldwide,” said Professor Bill Chapman, former dean of the School of Architecture. “He was a true gentleman, who embraced his responsibilities to the wider community.”

Oda was a co-founder of �鶹��ý design firm G70, where he guided the company for more than 50 years. His work and mentoring of generations of professionals helped shape �鶹��ý’s built environment, reflecting his deep respect for culture, community and place.

“Francis was more than one of our founders—he was a mentor, spiritual father and source of inspiration for everyone who had the privilege of working with him,” said Linda Miki, CEO of G70. “His legacy lives on in our G70 ʻOhana, our projects and our commitment to serving �鶹��ý and beyond with integrity and care.”

A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Oda received numerous accolades, including the Gordon Bradley Humanitarian Award and induction into the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame. His award-winning projects include the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, Hanauma Bay Nature Center, and master plans for the City of Kapolei.

Internationally, he designed projects such as Bora Bora Resort, French Polynesia, Roches Noires Smart City, Mauritius and Place Jacques Chirac, Papeete, French Polynesia, and Heaven’s Gate, Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. Oda was also a senior pastor and board chair of New Life Church Honolulu.

He is survived by wife Caroline and children, Reid and Nalani. A celebration of life service will be held on April 25, 2026, at the First Assembly of God – Red Hill, Moanalua. as it becomes available.

Christian de Quevedo, a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa alumnus, founded Lēʻahi Landscaping after identifying a disconnect between the importance of �鶹��ý’s built environments and the standards of the industry serving them. Landscapes shape some of the state’s most visible and valuable spaces, yet the work behind them is often noisy, emissions-heavy and unreliable.

In �鶹��ý’s unique setting, Lēʻahi takes a site-specific approach to sustainability and land stewardship at residential and commercial sites. Using drone mapping and environmental modeling, the team evaluates sun exposure, wind, drainage and soil conditions before design begins. This leads to smarter decisions and fewer unnecessary inputs. As climate pressures and wildfire risks increase, resilience guides the work—prioritizing landscapes that are environmentally appropriate, safer over time and that deliver value to property owners.

“I couldn’t find a service that matched the standards expected in other professional sectors, so I set out to build one,” said de Quevedo, who graduated from the JD/MBA program in 2021.

A defining principle of de Quevedo’s entrepreneurial journey has been adaptation. He believes �鶹��ý businesses can no longer rely on geographic isolation or outdated practices. He said local companies are now measured against national and global standards.

He credited his law degree from the with shaping his analytical approach and his MBA program with giving him the tools to act, scale and execute, and said that his Shidler experience reinforced systems thinking, disciplined operations and long-term value creation.

He also emphasized that none of Lēʻahi’s success would be possible without Kaimalu Stanich, his business partner, close friend and a graduate of UH Mānoa’s , or without the Lēʻahi team. Since founding the company, he said all profits have been reinvested into growth, systems and employees, reflecting a belief that long-term success begins with investing in people.

For the entire story and more stories like this, see the .

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa School of Architecture student has earned top national honors at an industry-sponsored design competition held during the annual convention of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) in Kansas City, Missouri from February 2–6.

Rebecca Hiller, a master of architecture candidate, participated in Project Precast, a three-day design charrette that challenges students to develop innovative building proposals using precast concrete systems under real-world constraints. The competition emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration, with each team composed of two architecture students, one structural engineering student and one construction management student.

Hiller received the WOW Award, presented to the most outstanding individual student among all participants. In addition, her team earned the Award of Excellence – Outstanding Structural Design, recognizing the group’s technical rigor, structural innovation and integrated design approach.

“The competition was an intense but rewarding experience,” Hiller said. “Working closely with students from structural engineering and construction management pushed our design thinking beyond architecture alone. It showed how much stronger a project can be when design, structure and construction are developed together from the start.”

The competition took place during the PCI Convention and involved interaction with industry professionals, who served as mentors and jurors throughout the charrette. Teams were evaluated on design quality, constructability, structural performance and clarity of presentation.

“Rebecca consistently demonstrated the ability to connect design intent with structural logic and constructability,” UH Mānoa architecture Professor Ho Kyung Lee said. “Her success at Project Precast reflects steady growth over multiple semesters and a genuine commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary design.”

Hiller’s project, Riverside Station, is a multimodal transportation hub encompassing four stories and approximately 130,000 square feet. It integrates a streetcar station, shuttle and car drop-off areas, parking facilities and a variety of community-serving spaces. Its building systems—from façade to structure—primarily rely on precast concrete, celebrating the material’s versatility and range of applications.

Hiller’s accomplishments highlight UH Mānoa’s architecture curriculum and the ability of its students to excel in national, interdisciplinary design environments that bridge design education and professional practice.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Professor Kevin Nute traveled to Japan in November to present a series of six lectures based on his new book, Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan Revisited (London: World Scientific, 2025).

The series, which drew an audience of more than 300 students and professionals, covered venues across Japan. Nute presented at the French and Italian Schools of the Far East in Kyoto, Kyoto University, Hiroshima University and Mie University. He also lectured to the American Institute of Architects in Japan and was hosted by renowned Japanese architect Professor Kengo Kuma at the University of Tokyo. Kuma also penned the foreword to the new book.

“It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the last 30 years about Wright’s creative debt to Japanese culture with Japanese audiences,” said Nute. “They really seemed to appreciate it too.”

The lectures expanded on the arguments in his book, which re-examines Wright’s interpretations of traditional Japanese forms in the context of otherness, appropriation, abstraction and translation.

As a result of the lecture series, Nute is now in discussions regarding a Japanese translation of Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan Revisited, potentially making his work accessible to a wider audience.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Assistant Professor Ho Kyung Lee and Assistant Professor Erin Voss are the 2025–2026 recipients of the Elmer Botsai Professional Practice Fund. The fund supports faculty immersion in the culture and practice of architecture firms outside �鶹��ý, allowing them to bring global knowledge back to the classroom.

Lee: Timber in tropical contexts

Lee will travel to Portland, Oregon, to be hosted by LEVER Architecture, a nationally recognized leader in mass timber innovation and sustainable material systems. Lee will study research and design, observe project workflows and fabrication processes, and meet with sustainability and fabrication teams to gain insight into how to adapt mass timber for tropical contexts.

“I am incredibly excited to collaborate with LEVER Architecture to understand how their expertise in mass timber can be adapted for �鶹��ý’s unique environment,” said Lee. “Observing their integrated design process will provide invaluable, cutting-edge knowledge that I look forward to bringing directly back to our architecture students.”

Voss: Māori design principles

Voss will travel to Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland, Aotearoa-New Zealand, to be hosted by LandLAB, a design-led studio focused on sustainable landscape and urbanism projects. Her exchange will explore outreach methodologies for co-designing opportunities and incorporating Māori design principles to create a strong sense of place. Voss plans to shadow designers, meet with key mana whenua/iwi (local tribal groups), and visit built projects to develop case studies and methodologies to inform future UH architecture courses.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how firms like LandLAB collaborate with local and Indigenous communities to create culturally and ecologically sustainable landscapes,” said Voss. “This is a great chance to learn how outreach and the co-design process is adapted with different Māori communities, which is a model students can engage with in their own projects as they think about place-based design in �鶹��ý.”

A health tech startup improving how community health workers (CHW) document client visits took the $2,000 first place prize in the second annual , hosted by the (PACE) in the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s . The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of UH Mānoa students that competed in the two-week challenge.

The competition was co-hosted by , a software platform led by a Shidler and PACE alumnus, that empowers community-based organizations to address the social drivers of health. It highlighted PACE’s mission to bridge academic learning with practical, work-based problem-solving.

“Innovate 808 shows how powerful interdisciplinary learning can be when we connect students to real community partners,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “The ideas generated this year show that innovation truly thrives in collaboration.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration

The students in this year’s challenge represented 10 UH Mānoa colleges and schools. The result was a dynamic combination of technical, social and entrepreneurial ideas to support �鶹��ý’s community health workforce.

The winning team, Pear Lens, created a photo-based note capture and conversion tool that allows CHW to document client interactions more efficiently while maintaining data privacy. The team came together as four solo applicants met for the first time during the competition: Justin Paul Alejo (business), Jennifer Kawata (public administration), Biplav Paudel (business) and Ivy Vo (business).

“The competition brought together a diverse team of complete strangers to solve a complex challenge, but we quickly found our rhythm and collaborated seamlessly to propose a simple yet powerful idea,” Kawata said.

Kawehi Kea-Scott, a Pear Suite judge who used to work as a CHW, commended the team for “meeting CHWs where they are” by respecting existing workflows while introducing low-friction technology. “The fact that these students built a fully functioning prototype in just two weeks is remarkable,” Kea-Scott said.

Initially the competition was planned as a winner-takes-all prize structure, but the judges were so impressed by the presentations that three runner-up prizes were added. Each student from the following three teams won $350.

• Jayden Ronel Villanueva, Shannon Tai and Jaylyn-Kate Balon developed a tiered education and certification pathway with AI-generated feedback and mentoring for aspiring CHWs.
• Tate Goodman, Mau Tsujimura, Micah Tajiri and Lenox Covington created a machine-learning workflow tool that helps CHWs select the most effective resources for their clients.
• Logan Lee, Tristan Ta and Yeunggyun Kwon designed a referral platform that connects CHWs and clients based on shared experience and training, fostering stronger engagement.

Takeda invited the winning teams to present their solutions to his executive team and encouraged all participants to consider internships and employment at Pear Suite, as he shared that Pear Suite will be continuing its nationwide expansion after he recently raised $7.6 million in funding.

“Just try it, go out there and find problems to solve,” Takeda said. “Being able to test ideas, try new things and see what the feedback is from your customers is a great way to learn and grow.”

Teams were also mentored by Jeff Hui, PACE‘s entrepreneur in residence, who advised students to “take advantage of these real world experiences. These are the opportunities that open doors to new career paths and set you apart when you are interviewing for a job.”

What does the future hold for some of the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s most iconic spaces? Students recently had the chance to provide possible answers to that question, offering their creative ideas to help reimagine Legacy Path and Andrews Amphitheater.

The (CDL) hosted interactive design workshops on September 24 and October 2, inviting students to engage in discussions and creative activities. The goal was to gather direct feedback on how these key campus areas can better support student life, from daily commutes and study sessions to social gatherings and moments of relaxation.

“I wish this area could be improved to have more space for eating, studying, and hanging out. I’m always looking for a spot because there isn’t enough space to eat,” said Jayden Uowolo, a first year doctorate student at the .

These hands-on sessions are a cornerstone of the university’s approach to campus development, ensuring that the people who use the spaces every day are central to their evolution.

“Hearing directly from students is the most critical part of our design process,” said Brian Strawn, UH director of campus planning and spatial experience. “They are the experts on their own experience, and their ideas are what transform a simple path or an old amphitheater into a vibrant heart of campus life.”

Proven model for campus improvement

Engaging students in the design process has already proven successful across the UH Mānoa campus. Insights from previous workshops have been instrumental in shaping several major projects, including the ongoing McCarthy Mall renovation, the recently completed Aloha Towers student housing renovation, and the upcoming furniture improvement project for student housing.

During an activity, students selected from more than 50 cards—each representing a potential campus feature or amenity—and placed them on a large campus model to show where they’d like to see those ideas take shape in the future.

“I really enjoyed the workshop–the card exercise was a great way to visualize and see opportunities for this area,” said Jonathan Calvillo, a fourth year undergraduate student studying environmental design.

The feedback collected from the recent workshops on Legacy Path and Andrews Amphitheater will directly guide future design plans. These efforts are part of UH Mānoa’s broader master planning initiatives, which are aimed at creating more welcoming, functional and inspiring environments that enhance the overall student experience.