Former �鶹��ý Gov. George R. Ariyoshi died on April 19, 2026, at the age of 100. As �鶹��ý’s third and longest-serving governor (1973–1986), and the first Asian-American elected to a governorship in U.S. history, Ariyoshi left an indelible mark on both the nation, state and the University of �鶹��ý.

Ariyoshi’s connection to UH began early in his academic journey—he attended UH Mānoa before transferring to Michigan State University. In 2009, he was named a distinguished UH alumnus. He received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from UH Mānoa in 1986. Throughout his remarkable career in public service, his leadership continually intersected with and championed the university’s research and educational missions.

‘Quietly and effectively’

His campaign slogan touted him as working “quietly and effectively” for �鶹��ý. During his time in office, Ariyoshi played a pivotal role in advancing critical health research at UH. He notably signed the legislation that created the , working alongside former director Lawrence Piette. This foundational legislative support helped the grow into the world-class, NCI-designated research institution it is today.

Ariyoshi’s visionary approach to international relations laid the groundwork for expanding UH‘s global academic footprint. Drawing on his family’s roots, he spearheaded the creation of the �鶹��ý-Fukuoka sister-state relationship more than three decades ago—�鶹��ý’s first sister-state international relationship. This enduring diplomatic tie directly paved the way for system-wide international agreements between UH and the Fukuoka-based Tsuzuki Education Group, enriching student exchange and collaborative research in fields such as sustainability, traditional medicine and disaster resilience.

Reflecting on Ariyoshi’s monumental impact, Gov. Josh Green said in a statement: “Governor Ariyoshi devoted his life to �鶹��ý with humility, discipline and an unwavering sense of responsibility to the people he served. He led our state during a pivotal moment with quiet strength and integrity, and his legacy as a trailblazer and public servant will endure for generations. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones.”

Pacific connections

Ariyoshi also played (EWC). In 1975, he worked with the �鶹��ý State Legislature to establish the center as an independent educational nonprofit corporation. He served as a member of its Board of Governors from 1995 to 2003, including six years as chair.

EWC Board of Governors Chair John Waiheʻe served as �鶹��ý’s lieutenant governor under Ariyoshi from 1982 to 1986 before succeeding him as governor.

“George Ariyoshi was a leader of deep integrity and vision who understood the importance of �鶹��ý’s connections across the Pacific,” Waiheʻe said in a statement. “His support for the East-West Center and the Pacific Islands Development Program reflected his lifelong commitment to bringing people together in pursuit of shared progress.”

Ariyoshi is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Lynn, and sons Ryozo and Donn.

Franklin Kuo, a pioneering engineer whose work helped lay the foundation for modern wireless communications, died April 14. He was 91.

Kuo, a professor emeritus in electrical and computer engineering at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa, co-developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s with colleague Norman Abramson. The system, launched in 1971, was the world’s first wireless packet network and introduced protocols that underpin technologies such as ethernet and wi-fi.

Educated in electrical engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Kuo began his career at Bell Laboratories in the early 1960s, conducting research in computer communications. He joined UH Mānoa in 1966 as a full professor, where his work on ALOHAnet helped place the university on the global map in networking innovation.

“This is a profound loss for our college and the global engineering community,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said. “Frank’s vision and leadership helped establish a culture of bold, boundary-pushing research at UH Mānoa that continues to inspire our faculty and students today. His legacy lives on in the spirit of innovation that defines who we are. Both Frank and his wife Dora have been valuable members of our Engineering ʻohana.”

Related UH News stories on ALOHAnet:

• 50 years of ALOHAnet honored, new endowed scholarship announced, June 16, 2021
• Pioneering wireless technology ALOHAnet honored as engineering milestone, October 13, 2020

Kuo also authored some of the earliest books in the field, including one of the first texts on computer communication networks published in 1972. Beyond academia, Kuo served as director of information systems at the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the late 1970s. He later led networking and information systems projects at SRI International, contributing to early architecture for the National Science Foundation’s network, a precursor to today’s internet infrastructure.

He was a member of national advisory efforts on high-performance computing and consulted for federal science and technology initiatives. In 1994, he co-founded a wireless communications company focused on mobile messaging technologies. Kuo was an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers fellow and a recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Award.

A celebration of life is expected in May.

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Larry Price, a celebrated University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa scholar-athlete, coach and longtime supporter of the university, is remembered for a life that bridged athletics, education and service to the community. Price died March 27, at the age of 91.

Price distinguished himself as a leader on the football field at UH Mānoa, becoming the only player in program history to be elected team captain three consecutive years from 1962 to 1964. He later earned recognition as one of the greatest players in school history, including selection to the program’s all-time team and designation as “Rainbow of the Decade” for the 1960s. He also played in three Hula Bowl games and signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Rams.

Price’s impact at UH extended well beyond his playing days. After earning his bachelor’s degree in recreation leadership in 1967 and a master’s degree in educational administration in 1971 from the UH Mānoa College of Education, he returned to campus to mentor the next generation. He served as head men’s volleyball coach from 1969 to 1972, resident manager of the athletic dormitory and later head football coach from 1974 to 1976. During his tenure as head coach, UH became an NCAA Division I member, changed its nickname to the Rainbow Warriors, introduced the “Hula-T” formation, and on September 13, 1975, christened the newly-built 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium against Texas A&I.

“I’ve considered all of the people I went to school with my friends forever,” Price said in a . “The faculty took particularly good care of me,” he added, specifically pointing to his “favorite faculty member,” Harold St. John, from whom he took a botany course.

In the classroom and across campus, Price was equally dedicated. He went on to earn a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California and completed postdoctoral work at Stanford University, while also serving as an assistant professor at Chaminade University of Honolulu. At UH, he later led the Small Business Management Program, continuing his commitment to education and professional development.

His legacy includes a lasting connection to the broader �鶹��ý community. Price built a distinguished career in media, joining KSSK Radio and becoming a familiar voice to generations of listeners. As a television journalist with KITV4, he earned national recognition for his documentary work. Price was also known for his sports commentary and his signature “katoosh!” call.

Throughout his life, Price remained closely tied to UH. He was a , and 1989 UH Distinguished Alumni Award honoree. Price was also a life member of the UH Alumni Association with the UH Mānoa Letterwinners Club and College of Education Alumni Association.

—By Marc Arakaki

The University of �鶹��ý community mourns the loss of distinguished alumna and trailblazing political leader Colleen Hanabusa, who passed away in March.

Born and raised on the Leeward Coast in Waiʻanae, Hanabusa was a proud three-time graduate of UH Mānoa. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university before receiving her law degree from the in 1977, which launched her early career as a labor attorney.

Her dedication to the university and its students continued later in her career. In December 2015, the UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences announced Hanabusa’s selection as Lecturer and Daniel K. Inouye Visiting Scholar. Taking on a joint appointment between the public policy center and the political science department, she taught a spring 2016 course focused on civil liberties in times of crisis.

Hanabusa’s statewide legacy in public service is historic. She served in the �鶹��ý State Senate from 1999 to 2010, representing her home community on the Waiʻanae Coast. During this time, she made history as the first woman to serve as president of the �鶹��ý State Senate, known for wielding her power collaboratively to support her community. She then represented �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015, and again from 2016 to 2019.

Hanabusa is remembered for her effectiveness in strengthening national defense, preserving natural resources, advancing Native Hawaiians, and protecting civil rights. After her time in Congress, she continued her public service as chair of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board.

To honor her decades of dedicated service, Gov. Josh Green ordered U.S. and �鶹��ý state flags to be flown at half-staff statewide.

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.

Walton K.T. Shim, �鶹��ý’s first pediatric surgeon and a longtime professor of surgery and pediatrics at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM), died in November 2025 at his family home in Montana. He was 94.

Over the span of his long career, he trained residents, mentored future surgeons and helped raise the standard of pediatric care statewide.

Born and raised in �鶹��ý, Shim attended Dartmouth College and Columbia University School of Medicine before completing surgical training in Chicago. Shim returned to �鶹��ý in 1967 determined to build pediatric surgery as a specialty so children could receive complex care without leaving the islands. For many years, he was the only pediatric surgeon statewide.

In addition to his faculty role at JABSOM, Shim held multiple leadership positions at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, including division chief of pediatric surgery and chief of staff. He was also a founding member of the Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons.

A doctor who never delayed

“There’s all sorts of ways you can delay seeing patients,” said his wife, Vicki Shim. “He never did that. In other words, if somebody came into the ER or someone like Dr. Boychuk called him, he was there, right away.”

That dedication was felt at home as well. “I remember them calling him late at night on the phone,” said daughter Jennifer Shim. “He actually had his own telephone line installed just for emergencies…I realize it now as an adult.”

Shim is survived by his wife, four children, six grandchildren and generations of patients whose lives he helped save.

“Dr. Shim was a pioneer in pediatric surgery whose contributions to the field left a lasting impact,” said Russell Woo, professor of surgery at JABSOM and associate dean for clinical programs at �鶹��ý Pacific Health. “His legacy of caring, skill and dedication to the children of �鶹��ý is a high bar for all of us who follow in his footsteps.”

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The University of �鶹��ý is mourning the death of Faith ��������Ծ� Kanakaʻole, a revered kumu hula, cultural leader and UH Hilo alumna who also served as a former faculty member at �鶹��ý Community College, and whose life’s work profoundly shaped Hawaiian cultural practice and Indigenous education across �鶹��ý and beyond.

Born on March 19, 1946, and raised in Hilo, Kanakaʻole died peacefully at her home on January 3, surrounded by family. She leaves behind a legacy deeply rooted in ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), artistic excellence and an unwavering commitment to ensuring Hawaiian culture remains a living, evolving practice.

Kanakaʻole was part of an extraordinary lineage. The daughter of Luka and the legendary kumu hula and educator Edith Kanakaʻole, she stood in the fifth iteration of a direct line of kumu hula within a family whose traditions span eight generations. As the youngest of six siblings, she was part of an ʻohana whose influence on Hawaiian studies and cultural preservation is unparalleled.

She stepped into the kuleana (responsibility) as kumu of Hālau o Kekuhi alongside her sister, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, and later with her niece, Huihui Kanahele-Mossman. A guardian of the ancient ʻai haʻa (hula danced with bended knees) style, Kanakaʻole helped elevate hula as a classical art form while grounding it firmly in , genealogy and ceremony.

Hilo roots

A graduate of UH Hilo, Kanakaʻole studied art history in the early 1970s during the same period her mother was pioneering Hawaiian studies courses on campus.

Together with her husband, Sig Zane, Kanakaʻole co-founded Sig Zane Designs in 1985, helping build a globally recognized brand rooted in Hawaiian values and cultural integrity.

After years devoted to family and co-founding one of �鶹��ý’s most recognized fashion lines, she returned to UH Hilo and earned her bachelor’s degree in art in 2001.

“��������Ծ� was an extraordinary cultural leader and UH Hilo alumna whose dedication to perpetuating Hawaiian knowledge touched countless lives,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. “Her work elevating hula and Hawaiian cultural practices helped shape the broader movement toward indigenous education — a movement that has profoundly influenced our university’s mission.”

Merrie Monarch icon

Kanakaʻole’s leadership extended far beyond campus. In 1993, she and her sister were named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment for the Arts, the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. She was also deeply connected to the Merrie Monarch Festival, serving as a respected judge for more than two decades.

“It’s a sad day for hula,” said Luana Kawelu, Merrie Monarch Festival president and UH Hilo alumna. “She was reviewing plans for this year’s presentation just three days before she passed. That’s how committed she was to hula and to Merrie Monarch.”

Kanakaʻole

The Kanakaʻole family legacy is visible throughout UH Hilo, from Edith Kanakaʻole Hall and its iconic mural to the Hale Kanakaʻole Fund, established with the UH Foundation to support Native Hawaiian students across the UH System.

• Related UH News story: Hundreds celebrate Edith Kanakaʻole at UH Hilo, May 9, 2023

“Our ʻohana has lost a treasured kumu and cultural icon,” said ʻohana member and Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Lei Kapono. “Through generations of haumāna—many of them UH Hilo students—Aunty ��������Ծ� ensured that traditional knowledge thrives as lived practice, not merely performance.”

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Note: Doug Dykstra’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Windward Community College, in Hale ʻAkoakoa 101–105.

Douglas Dykstra, former chancellor of Windward Community College, died on September 20, 2025. He was 77. Known for his warmth, humor and deep compassion, Dykstra led Windward CC from 2009 until his retirement in 2018, shaping the campus into a vibrant college serving the Windward region and beyond.

“Doug was an incredibly kind man; his kindness walked in front of him into every room,” current Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg shared in a message to the campus community. “His leadership style was gentle and compassionate, but still decisive. Doug worked hard to be transparent and understanding. … He really knew us. He took the time, cared and had insight into humanity.”

• More on Dykstra: New Childcare Center breaks ground at Windward CC, April 11, 2017

According to an article published when he retired, Dykstra was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and raised in New York. He was deeply influenced by his father, a Columbia University linguistics professor whose career brought the family to Kabul, Afghanistan, and eventually to �鶹��ý. After earning a master’s degree in history from Kent State University and later a second master’s degree in education from UH Mānoa, Dykstra began teaching history at UH community colleges, most notably at Leeward CC, where he later became an administrator. In 2004, he was appointed vice chancellor for academic affairs at �鶹��ý CC, a role that prepared him for the chancellorship at Windward.

A ‘gentleman giant’

At 6 feet 4 inches tall, with a trademark broad smile, Dykstra quickly became a familiar presence at Windward CC. Students, faculty and staff fondly remembered his mix of humor, humility and fierce advocacy for the college. According to the article, during the 2012 accreditation process, Dykstra personally authored a 20-plus page response that turned a sanction into a commendation.

• More on Dykstra: Windward chancellor shaves head for the hungry, April 29, 2013

Colleagues often described him as a “gentleman giant,” one who could be both a soft-hearted listener and a strong, decisive leader when needed. He was known to show up at countless campus events, always asking after students and colleagues, making sure they felt seen and supported.

Eschenberg, who succeeded him as chancellor, called Dykstra an inspiring mentor when he retired. “Doug is unafraid. He bases decisions on what best serves our college and promotes student success, never on what is easiest. … Doug is a leader. He has made each of us better by working together.”

Dykstra retired in 2018 to spend more time swimming, traveling and reading, and to be with his wife, Elitte. He is survived by Elitte and their son, Nathan.

“Doug made an outsized impact through his caring and love,” Eschenberg said. “As those who knew him and benefitted from his leadership, we carry on that legacy of caring and compassion.”

Kevin Michael Kelly, 66, passed away peacefully at home in Kailua, Oʻahu on July 30, 2025 after a long battle against cancer. Kelly was an integral part of the University of �鶹��ý for more than three decades, contributing his vision, leadership and good humor to marine technology, maritime security and research administration.

Kelly attended SMU in Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982 with a bachelor of science in geology. He went on to study oceanography at San Diego State University. Then, in a move that would determine the course of Kelly’s life, one of his professors recommended him to a colleague at UH Mānoa. Kelly accepted the offer in �鶹��ý, earning a master of science in oceanography in 1988.

Over the next three decades Kelly transitioned into a highly successful career at UH, including as the managing director of the . Kelly’s wide-ranging work included business development for marine technology, maritime security, the administration and management of large scientific grants, and liaising with legislative bodies and government agencies.

“Many of us knew Kevin not only for his professional excellence but also for his warmth, curiosity, and kindness,” said (SOEST) Dean Chip Fletcher. “He inspired and connected people wherever he went—whether in the field, at a meeting, or over a shared laugh.”

After retiring from the university in 2020, Kelly devoted himself to the North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, continuing his lifelong commitment to innovation and community. He recognized the need to help area residents to become more significant in the state’s economy. The North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership is a non-profit dedicated to promoting economic growth from within the region using community-driven solutions. Today it is a thriving organization, leading the effort to document and improve the region’s entire food system to maintain agriculture as an economic pillar in the region’s economy.

His impact was as wide-ranging as it was lasting, and he will be deeply missed by many, including his wife, family and many friends.

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