An associate professor in the at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�, has been named one of 22 fellows in the . It is a new initiative of the Penn Project on the Future of U.S.–China Relations at the University of Pennsylvania.

The fellowship brings together scholars from the U.S., Asia and the Pacific, to examine changing geopolitical dynamics due to growing Chinese influence. Associate Professor Tarcisius Kabutaulaka said he hopes the initiative will lead to actionable policies for governments and other stakeholders to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by China.

“A lot of our discussions take place in academia but never make it into the policy space,”Kabutaulaka said. “This project is about creating mechanisms through which scholarly work can inform decisions made by governments and other institutions as well.”

He added that UH ����ԴDz�’s unique role as an Asia-Pacific–facing institution strengthens the university’s relevance and importance in global conversations.

“My involvement in the project reflects not just my individual participation, it is the involvement of UH ����ԴDz�, which gives the university and the islands we live in more prominence on the global stage,” Kabutaulaka said.

Kabutaulaka’s research focuses on international relations, Pacific Islands regionalism and natural resource development, and he recently examined geopolitical competition linked to China’s expanding role in Oceania. He also brings extensive practical experience, having served as a chief negotiator in the Solomon Islands peace talks in 2000.

The two-year initiative will include in-person workshops hosted by partner institutions in Singapore, South Korea and Australia beginning in June 2026.

With diverse expertise ranging from oceanography to economics to community-based coastal management, the University of �鶹��ý hired eight new faculty members to support sustainable Pacific fisheries efforts. The new cohort of hires will develop an innovative graduate program to advance fisheries research, education, and training for sustainable management in �鶹��ý and across the Pacific.

Fishing is essential to the way of life in �鶹��ý and the Pacific, providing 50–90% of the protein for Pacific Islanders. However, management strategies from the U.S. continent often fail here because they were designed for cold-water, industrial fisheries. Pacific fisheries are different—they operate in warm tropical waters with diverse species and fishing gear, and with Indigenous Pacific Island communities. The Pacific Island region is multinational and has comparatively less scientific data, requiring a locally developed approach to ensure they can be sustained for generations.

“It is critically important to elevate and co-develop knowledge relevant to the Pacific, foster local expertise, and train the next generation of fisheries stewards and managers,” said Megan Donahue, director of the (HIMB) in the UH Mānoa (SOEST). “The new faculty members in this cohort each bring unique perspectives and talent to the complexities we face here. In addition to their contributions to advancing research and sustainable management of Pacific fisheries, they will be a vital part of developing a fisheries graduate training program.”

New faculty

• Donna Dimarchopoulou, Fisheries Quantitative Biologist–/
• Mary Donovan, Ecosystem-based Fisheries Science & Management–SOEST/ HIMB
• Erik Franklin, Fisheries Science & Management–SOEST/ HIMB
• Kanoe Morishige, Indigenous-Led Biocultural Coastal Management–/
• Eileen Nalley, Fisheries Extension–SOEST/
• Justin Suca, Fisheries Oceanography–SOEST/
• Ron Vave, Ocean Governance & Marine Resources–/
• Xiurou Wu, Environmental & Resource Economics–/

Fisheries in �鶹��ý are distinct in that they include a variety of sectors ranging from the open ocean longline fishery, which is the sixth largest fishery in monetary value in the U.S., to community managed fishponds or loko iʻa. Importantly, the majority of nearshore fisheries in �鶹��ý are non-commercial, which requires unique considerations for management. This program seeks to build on existing work by faculty and practitioners across the UH System to understand the unique contributions of these diverse commercial and non-commercial fisheries to the economic, social, and cultural well-being of �鶹��ý to ensure their longevity.

“This cohort of new hires will take fisheries at UH to the next level to better serve students, communities, fishers, government agencies and conservation organizations in �鶹��ý and across the Pacific,” said Jeff Drazen, professor in the SOEST Department of Oceanography. “Our vision with this cohort is to stand up a center of expertise and excellence to facilitate the synergistic work that UH is uniquely positioned to contribute.”

Developing the graduate education program

In �鶹��ý, the Division of Aquatic Resources, the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, and NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center have noted the need for greater local research and management capacity. This graduate program will be distinguished from others by creating learning opportunities for students to weave western science and Indigenous knowledge in collaboration with communities, and supporting community-based fisheries solutions and participatory governance approaches.

“We are thrilled to welcome the new fisheries cohort, whose work will significantly enhance Pacific Island fisheries,” said Brian Neilson, Administrator of the �鶹��ý Division of Aquatic Resources. “By advancing research and cultivating the next generation of scientists, practitioners, and managers with social and cultural competencies tailored to Pacific Island communities, this initiative will benefit �鶹��ý and our island neighbors.”

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa welcomed Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Professor Biman Prasad on March 27, for a lively talanoa—or open conversation—about the future of the Pacific.

The event, hosted by the UH Mānoa (CPIS), opened with a sevusevu—a traditional kava ceremony of welcome. Woven mats lined the floor and kava, a drink made from a plant native to the Pacific islands, was shared.

The warm welcome set the stage for a thoughtful discussion about the Pacific’s place in a shifting global landscape. Prasad, a longtime academic turned political leader, spoke of the region’s many challenges—from climate change and economic uncertainty to issues of governance. But he also spoke of hope.

“We were extremely thankful that he and his wife took time out of their family holiday to share briefly about the government’s work, both in Fiji and the region,” said Ron Vave, an assistant professor at CPIS. “Also, on the proposed National Research Council by government to, amongst other things, systematize and possibly integrate scholarly research into informing and influencing decision making.”

Penitiko Taoi, a masters student of Fijian descent in UH Mānoa’s Pacific studies department also attended the event.

“I for one was thankful that we could register the concern that U.S. funded Fijian students face and learn of potential government assistance they could tap into,” said Taoi.

Unity: Island nations

Prasad also serves as Fiji’s Minister for Finance. Fiji, often seen as a regional leader, is no stranger to the pressures of climate change, rising costs, and political reform. Prasad called for greater unity among island nations and highlighted the importance of values like democracy, fairness, and cooperation.

Born into a rice farming family in Dreketi, Vanua Levu, Prasad rose to become one of Fiji’s most influential public figures. Before entering politics, he was an economics professor and earned his PhD from the University of Queensland. His life’s work has centered on social justice and inclusive growth.

A newly established award is paying tribute to prominent Pacific historian and former University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� Professor Brij V. Lal who died in December 2021. Created to honor his significant contributions to the Pacific history field and scholarship, the will honor exceptional articles published in , a journal by the UH ����ԴDz� (CPIS).

“This award represents a wonderful testament to Brij’s scholarly legacy as the first editor of The Contemporary Pacific, as well as the generosity of the Lal family,” said Terence Wesley-Smith, UH ����ԴDz� emeritus professor and chair of the journal’s review committee.

The first awardee

The first awardee was Monica C. LaBriola, an assistant professor of history at UH ����ԴDz�. LaBriola received the recognition for her article, “Marshallese Women and Oral Traditions: Navigating a Future for Pacific History,” published in the journal’s fall and spring 2023 issues. Her work focuses on reevaluating the role of women in Marshallese history by analyzing oral and performative traditions.

“To say it is an honor to be the inaugural recipient of the Professor Brij V. Lal Award is an understatement—he was a true giant in the field of Pacific history. I hope Brij would approve,” said LaBriola.

Pioneering scholar

Professor Lal, known affectionately as Brij, was a pioneering scholar whose work greatly influenced the study of Pacific history, especially regarding Fiji and the Indian diaspora. In recognition of his impactful career, Lal’s family, CPIS and UH ����ԴDz� established the annual award to honor a The Contemporary Pacific article that embodies the rigorous scholarship and depth of understanding Lal championed.

The Lal family shared their excitement about the award’s first recipient.

“We are delighted the winning article examines a nation’s history from the perspective of previously marginalised voices, and that it is written by an early career academic. I know Brij would also have wholeheartedly supported the award going to an article that reflects interdisciplinary historiography and embraces non-traditional sources of knowledge to provide a more nuanced understanding of a country’s history.”

This year’s award was based on articles published in 2023 and reviewed by Wesley-Smith, Emeritus Professor David Hanlon and Stu Dawrs, senior Pacific librarian.

University of �鶹��ý alumna Jocelyn “Josie” Howard received the Health Equity Champion Partner Advocate Award on behalf of (WAO) at the (APIAHF) Annual Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Howard is CEO of WAO, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Micronesian and Pacific Islander communities in �鶹��ý, which was honored for its impactful work in connecting communities to accessible health insurance and vital services.

Howard, a co-founder of WAO, worked to establish the organization to meet the Micronesian community’s need for a dedicated resource center in �鶹��ý. During the pandemic, WAO became a crucial support hub, serving not only Micronesian families but others in the community.

“It is truly an honor to receive We Are Oceania’s Award for the work we do in helping not just Micronesians, but everyone in �鶹��ý access health insurance,” said Howard. “Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our Micronesian communities; the Chuukese, Kosraeans, Marshallese, Pohnpeians, Palauans and Yapese; for your trust and willingness to allow us to serve you. This is truly a privilege. This award is for you.”

Howard holds multiple degrees from UH, including her masters of social work (MSW) from the and a certificate in from UH ����ԴDz�, and a bachelor’s degree in from UH Hilo. Maintaining strong ties to her alma mater, Howard serves as a field instructor for WAO, a field placement for Thompson School bachelor and master’s-level students in social work. She also sits on the advisory board of the UH Pacific Partnerships & Workforce Development Initiatives.

Also attending the APIAHF ceremony was fellow Thompson School MSW alumna Halaevalu Fonongavaʻinga Ofahengaue Vakalahi. Vakalahi currently leads the Council on Social Work Education as president and chief executive officer. Her presence highlighted the shared mission among social work professionals dedicated to advancing health equity and supporting diverse communities.

“Representation matters! And championing equity in that representation is a collective responsibility,” said Vakalahi. “This award was not only an incredible way to represent the Pacific community, but all of our communities. Thank you Josie Howard and WAO!”

WAO continues to make strides in partnering with communities and organizations to provide pathways to access vital services and opportunities to further foster empowerment.

—By Maria Pou

Mary Hattori was to the by Gov. Josh Green. Hattori earned a BEd and professional diploma in secondary education, an MEd in educational technology (LTEC), and EdD in professional education practice from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� .

As part of the board, Hattori will formulate policy and exercise control over the public school system and public library system through its executive officers, the superintendent of education, and the state librarian.

“This appointment is important to me because my professional journey has given me the qualities required for board service, it aligns with a family tradition of public service, and I possess a strong belief in the importance of education for the good of society,” Hattori said. “I am humbled and honored by the Governor’s appointment; the many expressions of support from family, friends, and colleagues; and the support of the �鶹��ý State Senate. I appreciate this opportunity to practice servant leadership for the sake of our keiki, our future.”

Director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center, Hattori teaches EdD and LTEC courses at the College of Education, and serves on doctoral committees. Her subject areas include Indigenous research methodologies, online course design and digital leadership/digital wisdom.

Hattori, who said education has been a passion of hers since she was young, has also worked for the UH ����ԴDz� and Chaminade University.

“These organizations support professional development of educators and prioritize the needs of Pacific Islander communities,” Hattori said. “I have been greatly influenced by public servants from Micronesia like my friend and mentor, the late , the first COFA citizen to serve on a state board or commission. I have also been inspired by community leader Ms. Shanty Asher, Pacific Islander Liaison Officer at the Office of Economic Revitalization for the City and County of Honolulu and outgoing Board of Education member.”

Known for her work with equity and social inclusion for Micronesians in �鶹��ý, Hattori has been teaching professional development courses to teachers and other school personnel for more than a decade.

“I am impressed by the dedication of our teachers and their interest in better understanding and better supporting Pacific islander families in their schools,” Hattori said. “I have met many parents, pastors, and youth leaders who all care deeply about our schools and know that educational attainment will enable positive contributions to the state of �鶹��ý.”

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (CALL) is set to pioneer a venture into environmental justice within Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, thanks to a game-changing $1.25-million grant from the Mellon Foundation. This funding will propel the establishment of a cutting-edge interdisciplinary initiative, complete with two new faculty positions, a humanities lab to develop new teaching materials, and a dynamic forum for professional development and the exchange of ideas.

“We have every expectation that this project will have a transformational and lasting impact on UH Mānoa’s growing capacity to serve as an international leader in advancing the goal of environmental justice across the vast and interconnected regions of Asia, Oceania and America,” said CALL Dean Peter Arnade.

Eco-justice movement

Examples of environmental justice issues can range from unequal access to clean water, air pollution and climate change impacts. Asia and the Pacific Islands are home to more than 60% of the world’s surface area and human population, and are disproportionately affected by the ecological catastrophes of sea-level rise, marine pollution, coastal erosion and biodiversity loss. At the same time, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders are notably underrepresented in the environmental movement at the national level.

Throughout the next three years, the new initiative, housed in CALL’s (SPAS), aims to chart a new course forward by developing an approach to environmental justice that leans into the long-standing connections— of culture, kinship and shared histories—that link the diverse regions and populations of America, Oceania and Asia. The initiative will lay an educational foundation for a new generation of leaders who will be equipped with grounded and culturally-relevant knowledge, networks, and skills to empower themselves and their communities.

“UH Mānoa will be one of the first universities in the country with this kind of AAPI-based environmental humanities initiative,” said Cathryn Clayton, professor and chair of the . “We hope to spark new conversations, at the local, national and international level, about the intersections of environmental and social justice from AAPI perspectives. We also hope to provide an institutional platform that can help amplify the voices that are already out there in the community doing this vital work.”

Clayton and Alexander Mawyer, an associate professor and director of the UH Mānoa , authored the proposal.

New courses, professional development

New faculty in the Departments of Pacific Islands Studies and Asian Studies will develop and teach innovative interdisciplinary courses that explore how issues of environmental justice connect populations and cultures, pasts and futures, across the Pacific Islands, Asia and the U.S. The grant will also fund a series of activities aimed at establishing UH Mānoa as a hub for AAPI environmental humanities and environmental justice. A new pedagogical lab will invite faculty and students to collaborate with community groups to create multimedia resources such as e-books and videos to strengthen humanistic approaches to environmental justice studies.

UH Mānoa faculty and students will also have the opportunity to participate in an ongoing forum to share emerging research with colleagues, scholars and practitioners from the continental U.S., Asia and the Pacific Islands. The forum will serve as a generative space for new networks of knowledge and professional development that advance AAPI needs, voices and solutions in environmental justice through the humanities.

A new bi-weekly podcast has set sail to showcase the voices of Oceania’s people, artists and scholars. Launched this spring from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (CPIS), the debut episode of , aired on February 27 and attracted hundreds of listeners.

The new podcast is recorded in cutting-edge facilities at UH ����ԴDz�’s and hosted by CPIS Associate Professor Tarcisius “Tara” Kabutaulaka and Kenji Cataldo, a graduate assistant at CPIS.

“I hope listeners will learn more about Oceania, Pacific Island cultures, about the issues that are important to Pacific Islanders, and the challenges and opportunities they face in the 21st century,” said Kabutaulaka. “It is also about understanding and learning from the past in order to ‘way find’ into the future.”

The premiere episode featured interviews with past and present CPIS faculty, including CPIS Director Alexander Mawyer, Emeritus Professor Terence Wesley-Smith and Professor Katerina Teaiwa, a CPIS alumna now teaching at the Australian National University. Each discussed the significance of the Pacific Islands studies department which is centered around encompassing a deeper understanding of Oceania, a region consisting of Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

• Related UH News story: 1st Indigenous woman named top Australian university teacher, March 21, 2022

“After months of preparation for the launch, it’s exciting to see the strong response to our first episode across Oceania, the U.S., and even other parts of the world,” said Cataldo. “Dr. Tara has had the vision for this project for some time, and the time now is right. Dr. Tara says, the currents are flowing!”

Listeners can catch Oceania Currents on and podcasts. A new episode posts every other Tuesday. It also airs on every other Thursday, 8–9 a.m. and on East-West Center’s , a collaborative project supported by the Pacific Islands Development Program and CPIS.

CPIS is housed in the UH ����ԴDz� .

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (CPIS) hosted the Republic of Vanuatu’s permanent representative to the United Nations, New York, H.E. Ambassador Odo Tevi in October.

At an event on the ����ԴDz� campus for faculty, students and the broader community, Tevi spoke on the Vanuatu government’s leadership in the initiative to request an advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). His talk focused on the diplomatic processes and strategies, the supportive roles played by various groups and individuals, and the challenges faced.

The event featured an opening ʻoli by Welaahilani Wāhilani, a CPIS welcome by Director Alexander Maywer. Tevi shared some of his experiences navigating the diplomatic processes and coalition building necessary to mount a global campaign for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. This was followed by a moderated question and answer with Associate Professor Tarcisius Kabutaulaka. Tammy Tabe, Oceania research fellow at the East-West Center, provided concluding thoughts and shared resources for the audience to engage and follow the movement for the ICJ advisory opinion.

Despite the challenges, on March 29, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Resolution to request an advisory opinion from the ICJ. It was co-sponsored by a coalition of 132 countries.

The success at UNGA was due largely to the diplomatic work conducted by Vanuatu’s Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by Tevi.

“On behalf of the LLM [] students, we are privileged to co-host Ambassador Odo Tevi in our university,” said LLM student Solomon Yeo. “His presentation underscored the notion that a nation’s size is irrelevant to the elucidation and progressive development of international law; what truly matters is its political will. I hope his words can inspire students in this university to rise to the challenges of our time, just as the students at the University of the South Pacific did in 2019.”

After the talk Tevi joined informal conversations over kava. He was also the guest of honor at a picnic held at Magic Island.

Tevi’s visit and talk was co-sponsored by CPIS, the William S. Richardson School of Law, the East-West Center, the Pacific Islands Development Program and the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change.

In October, undergraduate and graduate students from around Oʻahu gathered at the for a three-day workshop to engage on nuclear policy issues. The workshop featured lectures from leading experts, group discussions and a crisis scenario exercise. In addition to discussing policy issues at the global level, students also thought critically about the ways nuclear policies impact �鶹��ý and the Asia-Pacific region.

“This workshop may very well be the first time deterrence, nonproliferation and disarmament have been discussed on the UH ����ԴDz� campus since the Reagan administration,” said Brien Hallett, professor in the at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�.

The Honolulu Nuclear Policy Workshop was organized by the in partnership with UH ����ԴDz�’s and and the at the East-West Center. It was the latest in a series of workshops the Truman Center has convened in cities such as Chicago and Atlanta with the goal of diversifying the pipeline of people working in U.S. nuclear security. This diversity ensures a more comprehensive representation of communities affected by those policies and fosters a more inclusive policy making process.

Encouraging diverse perspectives

No prior expertise with nuclear issues was required to apply for the workshop, and the organizers actively encouraged applications from women, people of color, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ students. Thirteen undergraduate and graduate students from UH ����ԴDz�, �鶹��ý Pacific University, Chaminade University of Honolulu and University of the South Pacific were selected to participate.

“I came away with a new perspective and more confidence in my ability to discuss nuclear policy issues,” said Monica Orillo, a graduate student in at UH ����ԴDz�.

The first day of the workshop kicked off with sessions addressing the dawn of the nuclear age and nuclear deterrence led by Lily Wijtowicz from the Truman Center. The second day included a breakout session on proliferation in East Asia and a lecture on deterrence in East Asia by David Santoro from Pacific Forum, a Honolulu-based non-profit foreign policy research institute. The third day began with a session on nuclear disarmament led by Jana Wattenburg from Aberystwyth University, followed by a lecture on why nuclear testing matters for �鶹��ý by Lilly Adams from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Nuclear weapons, public health, environmental preservation

Throughout the workshop, discussions highlighted the links between nuclear weapons, public health and environmental preservation. Participants explored the continued risks that nuclear weapons pose to people around the world, especially those in historically underserved communities. Students were encouraged to think critically about the policy making process and to consider how the inclusion of new voices could impact their communities and the world.

“Prior to the workshop, I had never thought about viewing nuclear politics through a gender lens, or using feminism as a tool for world peace, or that increased gender representation at nuclear arms control and disarmament discussions could potentially shape a different kind of foreign nuclear policy,” said Elizabeth Yen Tzu Liew, a student in the UH ����ԴDz� Master’s in Asian International Affairs program.

The workshop concluded with a panel discussion on careers in nuclear policy featuring speakers working in a variety of fields. Liew said, “This experience was instrumental in inspiring me to see the myriad of career opportunities where nuclear politics could merge with soft power, my area of interest, and that one need not be a nuclear scientist to pursue a career related to nuclear policy.”