To support community-engaged design, outdoor recreation and conservation initiatives across �鶹��ý and the Pacific region, the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa was awarded a $439,576 grant by the National Park Service (NPS).

The grant spans the next three academic years. The funding will directly support Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) graduate students as they conduct collaborative design research focused on public parks, trail systems and conservation projects.

Up to two graduate assistants per year, mentored by faculty members, will provide technical assistance to state, municipal, non-profit and community groups requesting design support. This initiative addresses both past and future technical assistance requests to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program.

Real-world impact for students and communities

The project offers MLA students a unique hands-on opportunity to work directly with public and non-profit partners to develop natural, cultural and historical resource design projects outside the classroom, all while receiving financial support for their education.

Judith Stilgenbauer, professor of landscape architecture, serves as the principal investigator for the initiative. Stilgenbauer was instrumental in bringing the grant to the School of Architecture, leveraging UH‘s existing �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ����ﲹ�����ھ��� Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit master agreement.

“In my view, it goes to show how incredibly relevant landscape architecture is as an academic discipline and profession when it comes to providing design services that increase community and environmental resilience,” said Stilgenbauer.

She noted that during her 14 years at UH, small specialized degree programs in the School of Architecture have rarely secured federal funding of this magnitude dedicated primarily to graduate student support.

Work under the new grant will be carried out in close collaboration with NPS partners. Initial project selections and student hiring will begin in the coming months.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its (VEMBA), marking a quarter century of preparing business leaders and strengthening economic and educational ties between �鶹��ý and Vietnam.

To mark the milestone, hundreds of alumni representing all 33 VEMBA cohorts joined faculty, university leaders and distinguished guests at anniversary celebrations in Vietnam. Held in both Hanoi, where the program welcomed its first cohort, and Ho Chi Minh City, where it later expanded to meet growing demand, the events honored a quarter century of academic excellence, international partnership and leadership development.

Since its founding in 2001, VEMBA has graduated more than 1,000 business leaders who now serve in executive roles across Vietnam and beyond.

“The VEMBA program is the only program of its kind and has established itself as a leader in executive education in Vietnam,” said Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley. “As we celebrate this milestone, we also look toward the future by expanding our impact throughout Southeast Asia while continuing to strengthen the global network that has become one of VEMBA‘s greatest strengths.”

Bold vision to a nationwide network

VEMBA traces its roots to a 1997 United States Agency for International Development-funded initiative that brought Shidler faculty to Vietnam to help train business educators as the country transitioned to a market economy. That effort inspired the creation of Vietnam’s first Executive MBA program offered by an American university. The inaugural cohort welcomed 29 executives in Hanoi in 2001, followed by the program’s expansion to Ho Chi Minh City in 2007. In 2024, VEMBA evolved into one nationwide cohort, further strengthening connections among executives across the country.

Today, more than 1,000 graduates from 33 cohorts representing 21 countries comprise one of Vietnam’s most influential executive leadership networks. Alumni serve as CEOs, founders and senior executives across major industries.

Tung Bui, professor of information technology management, Matson Navigation Company Chair of Global Business and longtime faculty director of VEMBA, noted that the program has grown alongside Vietnam’s own economic transformation.

“Twenty-five years ago, the primary concern of VEMBA students was how to optimize operations, improve accounting systems and refine internal human resource management,” Bui said. “Today, our executives are thinking much bigger and looking outward. The most vibrant classroom discussions now revolve around artificial intelligence, global branding, exports and navigating international supply chains.”

For the entire story and information on how to support the Shidler College of Business, .

Recap video of the event in Ho Chi Minh City

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s (RoSE) is celebrating one of the most successful years in the student engineering organization’s history after earning international recognition, competing on the world stage and expanding its portfolio of aerospace projects.

Over the past spring and summer, the student-led team represented UH Mānoa at several 2026 events:

• University Rover Challenge World Finals (27th out of 116 teams) International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award (finalist)
• Project PETAL at NASA’s Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts–Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) Forum

“Our team has grown tremendously in size, number of projects and student ambition throughout the past year,” said Micah Tajiri, project manager for the University Rover Challenge team. “We’re proud to represent UH Mānoa and excited to keep building on this momentum.”

Competing among the world’s best

From May 27 to 30, Team RoSE competed at the University Rover Challenge World Finals at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah.

The team’s rover featured a robotic arm, autonomous navigation system, science payload and communications platform designed and built by students.

The rover team’s work also earned recognition beyond the competition. Team RoSE was named one of just 13 finalists from more than 100 teams worldwide for the inaugural INCOSE Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award, recognizing its systems engineering approach and performance during the competition.

Building Beyond the Rover

Team RoSE‘s success extended beyond the rover program.

Project PETAL was selected as one of 14 finalists from more than 150 applicants nationwide for NASA‘s RASC-AL Forum, where students presented a scalable lunar power management and distribution system to NASA engineers and industry professionals.

Project PETAL became the first multi-campus student-led engineering project involving students from UH Mānoa and UH Hilo, while the organization established new business and marketing training opportunities for students.

Team RoSE also completed the latest iteration of the UH Advanced Balloon Satellite, which now features autonomous recovery capabilities, and launched CapM74, a new student project focused on developing a low-cost astrophotography telescope in partnership with the Institute for Astronomy.

Team RoSE is one of more than 20 (VIP) housed in the . VIPs connect undergraduate students with faculty-led research teams, giving students hands-on experience through long-term, project-based work alongside graduate researchers and faculty mentors.

The team’s work is supported by the College of Engineering and the , whose support helps provide students with opportunities to design, build and compete on national and international stages.

Student innovators at the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) showcased their business evolution during a PACE Entrepreneurs event in July. Program organizers emphasized that the core objective was helping participants transition their projects forward.

“If the students came in here with an idea, the goal was to launch a minimum viable product (the most basic version of a new product),” said PACE Entrepreneur-in-Residence Jeff Hui. “If you had a product, the goal was to get customers. Everyone was supposed to get to the next phase, and everyone accomplished that.”

PACE is a unit of the Shidler College of Business at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa that coordinates and offers educational opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization to students at all 10 campuses throughout the UH system.

Recent UH Mānoa marketing graduate Keʻalohilani Bloom, founder of Brightness of Heaven Co., said, “With this program, I was able to go from just an LLC (limited liability corporation) with no products or designs to the end where I could launch my products.”

Featured student ventures

• 
  Bloom’s venture bridges the gap between mature, premium, versatile style and Christian apparel. Reflecting on her time in the program, Bloom noted her progression from having a non-functional website to debuting 11 products.
• 
  Sarah Benimana, a PhD student in tropical plant and soil science who is also pursuing a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, introduced this agricultural recycling concept. She was struck by how much imported food ends up in local landfills, while local livestock and aquaculture industries struggle with mainland feed costs. Her venture has already secured small-scale production equipment and a manufacturing space at the Wāhiawa Value-Added Product Development Center.
• 
  Business students Macy Ferguson and Sophia Franco developed Kumulink to streamline the fragmented systems used to monitor Individualized Education Plans for special education students within the �鶹��ý Department of Education. The team highlighted that special education teachers currently navigate four to five systems to document data, communicate with families and track progress. Kumulink has established an active data-sharing agreement draft with the Maui complex area and aims to initiate a school pilot program this academic year.
• 
  Ernest Bethe IV, a graduate student finishing his coursework in urban and regional planning, designed Kumu Planning Systems to help government agencies efficiently track and report on municipal plans. The software leverages AI to extract goals and metrics out of massive planning documents. Bethe reported that the venture has pivoted successfully to a service-based platform model, capturing multiple beta testing agreements and closing a $4,500 conversion with the Commission on Water Resource Management.



• 
  Dounya Bilal introduced her bespoke floral studio, Orchid Mantis, which focuses on artistic custom installations, and community workshops. Moving away from a background in architecture, Bilal generated $4,000 in seasonal sales and secured an upcoming installation layout for a local fashion show.
• 
  Studi Bunni is a live task-management and productivity web application featuring interactive dress-up elements, micro-breaks and journaling features tailored to alleviate academic stress. The developer, Tawanza Farmer, shared that before entering the cohort, the project had stalled at the wireframe (early layout) stage. Gaining structural motivation from PACE peers, Farmer successfully finalized studibunni.com.
• 
  Gray Stetcher presented Tesray Technologies, an AI workflow automation company executing specialized digital receptionist and onboarding tools for professional practices. Stetcher explained that while Tesray’s software logic applies to multiple spaces, market research led to targeting legal practices, since law firms demonstrated immediate operational interest and a strong willingness to pay for administrative time-saving solutions.

Organizers praised the summer cohort’s high productivity and outcomes. A larger collective showcase featuring these teams, alongside alumni and new groups, is tentatively scheduled for December.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s (JABSOM) marked a major milestone impacting medical care in the state with its White Coat Ceremony in July. The students in the Class of 2030 boosted the school’s Service Commitment Scholarship Program, surpassing 500 years of committed physician service to �鶹��ý.

The ceremony welcomed 77 incoming medical students, who donned the symbolic white coat marking their entry into the medical profession.

“We are already doing what we’ve dreamed of,” said medical student Gabriela Cruz-Mattos. “Through having the opportunity to focus on academics, to focus on serving our community, I think it’s not just about being able to have that financial support, but being able to have that support just as a community member. I’m just eternally grateful.”

Supporting future physicians

Launched in 2019, the Service Commitment Scholarship Program provides financial support to students who commit to practicing medicine in �鶹��ý after completing their residency training. Supported by JABSOM and private donors, the program helps address the state’s physician shortage while reducing the financial burden of medical school.

JABSOM awarded about 12 to 13 service commitment scholarships annually during the program’s first several years. This year, the school awarded 21 scholarships, pushing the cumulative service commitment from all recipients beyond 500 years. The long-term impact is expected to be even greater, because many recipients were born and raised in �鶹��ý and already planned to build their careers here.

For many students, the scholarship allows them to focus on their education while preparing to serve their communities.

Student Tyler Chock hopes to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery to help address cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of illness among Native Hawaiians.

“I’ve always wanted to pursue cardiothoracic surgery,” he said. “My biggest reason is that there’s such a huge disparity, and cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity in the Native Hawaiian population, so I really wanted to help my community reduce that.”

Preparing physicians who remain in �鶹��ý is central to the school’s mission.

JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker added, “To the extent our graduates stay and practice medicine here, we’re doing our job and it’s really gratifying to see how many of our graduates wind up deciding to practice here and take care of the communities that raised them.”

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When Vivian Legaloimoe Ho Ching was named first runner-up in the 2026 Miss American Samoa contest, she added another remarkable achievement to a journey already defined by service, leadership and dedication to her community.

A recent graduate of the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s , Ho Ching is the first student to complete the Master of Social Work (MSW) online program while residing in American Samoa. Her accomplishment highlights the importance of creating pathways that allow students to pursue advanced degrees while remaining in their home communities.

My journey has always been about giving back to the community that has shaped me.
—Vivian Ho Ching

“Vivian represents the very best of what is possible when educational opportunity, cultural identity and community service come together,” said Theresa Kreif, director of Pacific Partnerships and Workforce Development Initiatives. “Her success demonstrates that students can pursue advanced education while remaining connected to their families and cultural values.”

“Increasing access to our online social work programs allows students throughout the Pacific to pursue a high-quality education without having to leave the communities they plan to serve,” said Meripa Godinet, associate dean of the Thompson School. “Vivian’s achievement demonstrates how accessible educational pathways can prepare local professionals, strengthen the regional social service workforce, and create lasting benefits for families and communities. Her accomplishment also honors the social work alumni connected to American Samoa who came before her, whose service, leadership, and commitment helped establish a strong foundation for future generations of social workers.”

A commitment to service

For Ho Ching, both her education and her pageant role are grounded in a commitment to service. While completing her MSW field internship at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in American Samoa, she provided support to veterans and their families, developing skills grounded in Pacific values.

“My journey has always been about giving back to the community that has shaped me,” said Ho Ching. “Earning my MSW while remaining in American Samoa allowed me to stay connected to my culture and grow as a professional.”

As first runner-up in the Miss American Samoa contest, Ho Ching serves as a cultural ambassador, advocating for issues important to Pacific communities. Her social work background reinforces this role, emphasizing advocacy, social justice, and community wellbeing.

“I see both social work and the pageant experience as opportunities to uplift others,” she said. “Both are rooted in listening to people and working to create positive change.”

Ho Ching’s success reflects the Thompson School’s broader commitment to strengthening the social service workforce throughout the Pacific. Her achievement serves as a model for future students, proving that advanced education can be pursued without leaving home, while bridging the gap between professional expertise and cultural stewardship.

For generations, audiences have applauded the performers in the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s renowned Kabuki in English productions. Behind the scenes, one woman helped preserve the tradition that made those performances possible.

Former students, colleagues and friends gathered on July 21 to honor 95-year-old Japanese classical dance master Onoe Kikunobu, whose artistry and teaching helped shape both UH Mānoa’s Kabuki in English and Japanese dance traditions for decades.

The luncheon also recognized two of her longtime protégés, Onoe Kikunobukazu (Howard Asao) and Onoe Kikunobuaki (Shirley Miyamoto), whose decades of teaching, performing and mentorship have helped ensure her legacy endures. The celebration also included a proclamation from Gov. Josh Green recognizing Kikunobu and her protégés for their lasting contributions to preserving Japanese classical dance in �鶹��ý.

Master artist

Gertrude Yukie Tsutsumi, professionally known as Onoe Kikunobu, is considered one of �鶹��ý‘s most accomplished nihon buyō, or Japanese classical dance, artists. She began her training in Honolulu’s Bandō School before continuing her studies in Japan with the Onoe School, where she earned a shihan, or master of dance diploma and received the professional name Onoe Kikunobu. Her lifelong dedication to preserving Japanese classical dance earned her recognition as a Living Treasure of �鶹��ý and a National Heritage Fellow, the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2015.

Her UH legacy began in 1951, when she worked with legendary theatre professor Earle Ernst on The House of Sugawara, the university’s first postwar Kabuki in English production. Kikunobu helped with choreography and music, served as an interpreter and went on to contribute to nearly every UH Kabuki in English production through 2010.

“What she brought was a real, embodied understanding of Japanese dance and kabuki,” said Julie Iezzi, UH Mānoa professor of theatre and dance and one of Kikunobu’s former students.

“There’s no substitute for that. It’s not something you get out of a book. You see it, you feel it, and you learn it by working alongside someone like Sensei.”

Sensei’s legacy

Beginning in 1980, Kikunobu served as a lecturer at UH Mānoa, teaching Japanese dance and preparing students for Kabuki in English productions. Though she has since retired from teaching, her influence carries on through the students she inspired.

“She cared so much about passing on the art correctly,” said former student and UH Mānoa theatre alumnus David Furumoto, who later taught theatre and directed Kabuki productions at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. “There was meaning behind everything she taught.”

Kikunobu’s influence extends far beyond �鶹��ý. Former students like Furumoto have carried her teachings to classrooms and stages around the world. In 2024, Iezzi led UH Mānoa’s popular Kabuki in English production of The Maiden Benten and the Bandits of the White Waves on a tour to Japan, demonstrating that the tradition Kikunobu helped build more than seven decades ago continues to thrive.

Jeff Hui serves as the entrepreneur-in-residence at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in the Shidler College of Business. Drawing on his extensive background running growth teams at major tech companies, Hui now mentors UH students and guides them in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to bring their ideas to life. In addition to running accelerators (programs that fast-track the growth of early stage businesses) and office hours, Hui has been doing public presentations to demystify AI. In a recent interview, Hui expanded on his core philosophies for success in an AI-driven world.

Everyone is an entrepreneur

“Moving forward is the only option. Keep trying new things and stay proactive. It’s not as simple as it was five years ago, when the path was to study computer science, join a software company, and earn a salary. Today, you must be entrepreneurial. To me, an entrepreneur is simply someone who makes things happen. That is the true origin of the (French) word, entreprendre. It isn’t about raising venture capital or launching a major business; it’s about being a doer. You could be working on side projects to demonstrate your ability to build. Some of my students securing AI jobs are simply those who tinker on their own. With AI technologies, you must forge your own path and create your own opportunities.”

We’ve been here before

“People are anxious about the future. While I do expect some jobs to be displaced, we have navigated major technological revolutions before, and the economy has always rebounded. The Internet and Industrial Revolutions were challenging for employment, yet they created roles we previously could never have imagined—such as prompt engineering (giving specific instructions to AI to get the desired output). Let’s examine historical precedents before concluding that this is the end of the workforce. I don’t believe AI robots will replace all jobs; rather, they will displace certain roles, and we will adapt to find new ways of earning a living.”

What’s happening in the market

“I reached out to 15 to 20 friends working at various private companies, startups and late-stage firms, and asked them, ‘What are you doing?’ I discovered some remarkable things. First, no one is certain of the path forward; everyone is experimenting. This reinforces my point that we are all entrepreneurs now. These individuals are on the business side—not natural engineers—yet they are all building. They may not know if these projects will be worthwhile, and they might even discard them, but they have the freedom to try and build. This is a significant shift. Previously, launching a project required dedicated engineering resources, potentially costing $100,000 in internal capital, which necessitated rigorous evaluation. Now, someone in marketing can simply build a product for themselves.”

Just do it yourself

“I practice what I preach by constantly tinkering. In my presentation, I demonstrated how quickly one can build a website, as I frequently encourage students to use AI for this purpose. There is a growing sentiment in the tech industry that traditional presentations are becoming obsolete. If you need to provide an update or show a mockup, you can simply create a website immediately; HTML is becoming the new PowerPoint. I find this to be accurate—I created a website for the Lychee Man in just a few minutes.”

Back to fundamentals

“At the university, I teach the lean startup methodology: at its core, it’s about listening to your customer, understanding their needs, and iterating rapidly. If you have an idea, talk to your customers and build something. That is the extent of it—no extensive planning or research needed, as talking to customers is the research. We don’t need to conduct giant market studies or assess viability upfront. Talk to customers; if they have a problem, solve it. The beauty is that anyone can now solve these problems using AI. It all boils down to whether you understand what your user wants. That skill is more important than ever because, with technical barriers removed, everyone has the ability to build.”

Future PACE initiatives

“At PACE, we are expanding our efforts significantly. Our most significant project is our AI innovation initiative at RISE, called AIR. We are hiring a new team focused on connecting students with local businesses and organizations to help them solve real-life problems. We will be hosting workshops on ‘vibe coding’—a software development approach using natural language prompts to have AI generate and iterate code—and on using agents, which are autonomous software systems that make decisions and take actions to achieve specific goals. Our goal is to connect students with university departments or local businesses and say, ‘Tell us your problem, and let’s see if we can solve it for you with AI.’ Ultimately, we want to teach students AI skills and connect them with organizations to address real-world challenges.”

• Related UH News:
  1st Entrepreneur-in-Residence to elevate student startup opportunities, April 4, 2024
  Strengthening workforce readiness through ‘The Human Connection’, November 13, 2025
  POG to pop-ups: UH students pitch fresh ideas to Meadow Gold, April 13, 2026

A new $500,000 endowed professorship at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s will strengthen the university’s role as a global leader in Asia-Pacific finance research. The transformational gift comes from distinguished finance scholars and Shidler faculty members S. Ghon Rhee and Rosita P. Chang.

The Dr. S. Ghon Rhee and Dr. Rosita P. Chang Distinguished Professorship of Finance will support faculty excellence in research, strengthen the college’s leadership in Asia-Pacific finance scholarship and help recruit and retain world-class finance faculty.

Rhee, the K.J. Luke Distinguished Professor of International Banking and Finance, and Chang, professor emerita of finance and co-director of the Asia-Pacific Financial Markets Research Center, have devoted their careers to advancing the field of finance through research, teaching and academic leadership. During their tenure at Shidler College, they co-founded the Pacific-Basin Finance Journal in 1993, establishing one of the world’s premier scholarly journals focused on Asia-Pacific finance.

International scholarship, leadership

Beyond their contributions to Shidler College, both have earned international recognition for their scholarship and leadership. Rhee served as the founding chair of the Asian Shadow Financial Regulatory Committee, while Chang’s research and professional accomplishments have helped shape understanding of global financial markets and strengthen the college’s research enterprise.

“We sincerely hope that this endowed professorship plays a key role in promoting academic research on Asia-Pacific financial markets,” Rhee said. “Our goal is for academic researchers globally to look to UH as a leader and bridge in this important field.”

Forefront of finance

Their gift reflects a shared vision of ensuring that Shidler College remains at the forefront of finance research by attracting exceptional scholars and fostering innovative research focused on the dynamic economies and financial markets of the Asia-Pacific.

“Professors Ghon and Rosita have made an extraordinary impact on Shidler College through their many years of teaching, scholarly contributions and longstanding commitment to academic excellence,” Dean Vance Roley said. “This gift is a reflection of their remarkable legacy and vision; it will help attract and retain outstanding faculty, foster innovative ideas and strengthen the college’s position as a global leader in Asia-Pacific finance.”

For more information on how to support the Shidler College of Business, contact Jennifer Lieu, director of development, at Jennifer.Lieu@uhfoundation.org or (808) 956-3597.

For decades, Professor Emerita Mary Tiles shaped the minds of students at University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa. Today, her philanthropic commitment to the university continues to impact the campus community. In recognition of her generosity and lifelong dedication to cross-disciplinary education, the (CSS) recently named its sustainability teaching honor the Mary Tiles Sustainability Teaching Award.

This year’s recipient is Felix Mantz, an assistant professor with the . His work closely aligns with Tiles’s vision of bridging the humanities and social sciences to solve modern global issues.

“This recognition means a great deal to me,” Mantz said. “My teaching and research are based on a commitment to challenge unjust systems of power. By looking at the myriad ways in which the global political economy, planetary environmental crises and colonial structures of power are entangled, I hope to inspire students to help recover, rebuild and defend a world in which many worlds fit.”

In her nomination of Mantz for the award, CSS senior sustainability advisor Aya H. Kimura said students have given positive reviews of his teaching and praised the impact he has had on them.

“Even outside of the classroom, Felix has been a huge support in mentoring me for my own research regarding food security,” said student India Buchanan. “Through teaching and mentoring, he has become my main resource for environmental justice related issues.”

More on Mary Tiles

A former chair of the UH Mānoa until her retirement in 2009, Tiles’s leadership in this role contributed to strengthening the department’s focus on interdisciplinary approaches, building on her own expertise in epistemology (the study and theory of knowledge) and the philosophy of science. Her academic work heavily explored the history and philosophy of science and technology. Tiles joined the department in 1989 after teaching at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and at Swarthmore College.

CSS Dean Denise Konan noted her close personal relationship with the professor emerita and her impact as a benefactor and scholar.

“I have had the distinct privilege of calling Mary a dear friend and colleague for many years,” Konan said. “Her brilliant mind and unwavering commitment to cross-disciplinary education have left an indelible mark on UH Mānoa. It is incredibly moving to see her legacy honored through an award that celebrates the very kind of innovative teaching she has always championed.”

Read the entire story by Simplicio Paragas on the .

Three �鶹��ý educators, including University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (COE) alumni Kawika Gonzales and Leah Aiwohi, were named finalists in the Presidential AI Challenge for their work advancing responsible artificial intelligence (AI) education. As national finalists and winners of the regional competition, they received a monetary prize and access to web-based resources.

Empowering students through responsible AI

Along with colleague Chloe Sato, the educators were recognized in Washington, D.C., for Global Innovation Race �鶹��ý, a statewide program that teaches high school students how to use AI responsibly while addressing real-world community challenges.

Gonzales, who earned a master of education in learning design and technology and a certificate in online learning and teaching from UH Mānoa, said the program encourages students to think beyond simply using AI tools.

“Teaching our students how to use AI is no longer enough,” Gonzales said. “We also need to teach them when to use it, why to use it, and whether it should be used at all.”

Aiwohi, who earned a bachelor of education and professional diploma in elementary education from the College of Education, said her preparation at UH continues to shape her teaching decades later.

“Although I graduated from the College of Education more than 36 years ago, the lessons that have stayed with me are not tied to specific textbooks or technologies; they are the enduring principles of effective teaching,” Aiwohi said.

The program connects students across �鶹��ý to collaborate on community-based projects using design thinking and responsible AI, helping prepare the next generation of ethical technology leaders.

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For more on how Gonzales is inspiring his haumāna (students) on Molokaʻi, see this UH News story.

The has received a $630,000 estate gift—the largest in the history of the —to establish the center’s first permanent endowment, ensuring long-term support for student writing services. The gift was directed by historian Lisa Olsen Tait in honor of her late aunt, LaRene Despain, an English professor who co-founded the Writing Center in the 1970s.

The endowment provides stable, ongoing funding to expand tutoring, outreach and support services, particularly for first-generation and international students. Writing centers are often among the most heavily used academic resources on campus, offering one-on-one guidance that helps students succeed across disciplines.

“This historic gift ensures the Writing Center will continue to be a vital resource, helping students from all backgrounds find their voices and strengthen their writing,” said Peter Arnade, dean of the .

A legacy of teaching and mentorship

Despain joined UH Mānoa in 1972 while completing her PhD at the University of Connecticut and became an early leader in the emerging field of composition studies. She advocated for a collaborative, student-centered approach to writing, emphasizing drafting, peer feedback and mentorship over rigid instruction.

“The ’70s and ’80s were a formative time in English studies, and LaRene was on the cutting edge of that movement,” Tait said. “Her work shaped how writing was taught, including her textbook Writing: A Workshop Approach, which I used in my own teaching.”

Beyond the classroom, Despain was known for her commitment to students and colleagues, particularly through her work at the Writing Center.

“The Writing Center became a really important place for LaRene,” Tait said. “She valued the opportunity to work one-on-one with students and to mentor both writers and tutors.”

Expanding impact for future students

Leaders say the new endowment will allow the Writing Center to grow its reach and deepen its impact across campus.

“This gift gives us the ability to build partnerships, expand outreach and create resources we’ve long envisioned,” said assistant professor of English Isaac Wang, who also serves as the director of the Writing Center. “It allows us to turn ideas into reality.”

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As the nation invests $52.7 billion to strengthen domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing, research and workforce development, University of �鶹��ý students are gaining a direct pathway into one of the country’s fastest-growing and most strategically important technology sectors.

UH Mānoa has joined the (PINES), a regional coalition of 30 universities and colleges, industry partners and workforce organizations working together to prepare students for careers in semiconductor design, manufacturing and research. PINES is led by the SEMI Foundation and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Semiconductors, often called the “brains” of modern electronics, power technologies used every day, including smartphones, computers and automobiles, as well as artificial intelligence, satellites, medical devices, renewable energy systems and national defense technologies.

professors Boris Murmann, Jeff Weldon and Jennifer Ott led UH’s successful effort to become part of the network, which spans nine western states and �鶹��ý. The initiative aims to better connect students with educational opportunities, hands-on training, internships and industry partnerships while aligning university programs with the needs of employers.

“This partnership gives our students the chance to receive training in technologies that are shaping the future while building careers in a rapidly expanding industry,” said UH Mānoa Dean Brennon Morioka. “By connecting �鶹��ý with a broader regional ecosystem, we can help develop homegrown talent, strengthen innovation across the islands and ensure our graduates are prepared to make an impact wherever their careers take them.”

The effort comes as demand for skilled workers continues to outpace supply. A May 2026 analysis by the SEMI Foundation and McKinsey projected a shortage of between 127,000 and 157,000 semiconductor workers nationwide by 2030, highlighting the need for expanded education and workforce development programs.

UH’s participation builds on its growing leadership in microelectronics. In 2024, the university joined a Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley-led initiative that gives students experience with the complete chip development process, from circuit design to manufacturing and testing. For more on UH’s microelectronics internship, .

By joining PINES, UH students will have greater access to regional collaborations and career pathways while helping strengthen �鶹��ý’s role in the nation’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem. The partnership will also give UH faculty access to shared curriculum, educational resources and best practices developed by universities and industry leaders across the network.

Related UH News stories:

• UH microelectronics program builds pipeline of homegrown talent, October 9, 2025
• $15.3M funding fuels microelectronics innovation, August 27, 2024
• UH professor aims to develop microchips for future, diversify economy, March 25, 2024

The received high marks in the , earning recognition for its international research excellence and academic performance.

UH Mānoa ranked in the top 2.6% internationally and top 3.3% nationally. UH Mānoa placed No. 84 in the nation () and No. 643 globally () in the rankings released on June 17 HST, June 18 BST.

QS measured performance across areas including academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, international engagement, sustainability, faculty-student ratio and employment outcomes. According to QS, UH Mānoa‘s strongest performance areas included its international research network, citations per faculty, international faculty and academic reputation.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our faculty, students and staff to advancing knowledge that serves �鶹��ý, the Pacific and communities around the world,” incoming UH Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “At UH Mānoa, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to learn through discovery, tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningful solutions that make a difference locally and globally.”

Other recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 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

The has been recognized among the world’s leading universities in the released on June 16, reflecting its strong research performance and academic reputation. In addition, two subjects at UH’s flagship campus placed in the world’s top 50 and another four were ranked in the world’s top 150.

Overall, UH Mānoa placed in the top 2% internationally and top 4.3% nationally. UH Mānoa came in at No. 110 in the nation () and No. 482 worldwide ().

Several disciplines were highly ranked in the best global universities subject rankings:

• No. 20—marine and freshwater biology
• No. 42—meteorology and atmospheric sciences
• No. 77 (tie)—space science
• No. 90—geosciences
• No. 140 (tie)—arts and humanities
• No. 144—ecology

The rankings assessed universities largely on research performance, global and regional reputation, publications and citations.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our faculty, students and staff to advancing knowledge that serves �鶹��ý, the Pacific and communities around the world,” incoming UH Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “At UH Mānoa, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to learn through discovery, tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningful solutions that make a difference locally and globally.”

The U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings are designed to help prospective students compare institutions worldwide while highlighting universities with strong research programs and global impact.

Other recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 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

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (ICS) students showcased innovative solutions to real-world challenges during their Spring 2026 Capstone Project Day in May 2026.

The event featured poster presentations and demonstrations from undergraduate and graduate students who spent the semester collaborating with government agencies, private industry, nonprofit organizations and UH departments on projects designed to address practical needs across �鶹��ý and beyond.

Projects ranged from integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools for legislative operations and developing cybersecurity training platforms for critical infrastructure systems to creating immersive educational experiences, analyzing environmental and fisheries data, tracking coffee provenance through blockchain technology and applying AI to agricultural research.

Capstone teams partnered with organizations including the �鶹��ý State House of Representatives, Department of Defense, MITRE, Business Solution Technologies, Pacific Economics, Kahuku Apps, Blockchain in Paradise and the Waikīkī Aquarium. Additional collaborations involved UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Shidler College of Business, College of Engineering and College of Natural Sciences.

“Technology evolves quickly, but curiosity, creativity and collaboration remain essential skills,” said ICS Department Chair Guylaine Poisson. “These projects give students an opportunity to explore emerging technologies while developing the judgment and leadership abilities that will help them make meaningful contributions throughout their careers.”

Classroom knowledge, professional workplaces

The gives students opportunities to work directly with clients, define project requirements, develop software solutions and present their results to stakeholders. The experience mirrors professional workplace environments while allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to meaningful community, industry and government challenges.

Project Day also featured presentations from the Naval Information Warfare Center internship program at Kapiʻolani Community College and video games developed by students in the department’s Video Game Design courses.

The capstone program continues to serve as a bridge between the university and industry partners, providing organizations with innovative solutions while helping students build technical, communication and project management skills through hands-on experience.

The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is housed in UH Mānoa .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa graduate students across a wide range of disciplines took their research beyond the classroom this spring, translating complex ideas into hands-on experiences for Oʻahu middle school students through the inaugural Graduate Research Outreach Workshop (GROW).

The three-week program in April brought together a cohort of 10 students to strengthen their ability to communicate research in clear, engaging ways for non-specialist audiences. Participants learned to summarize their work in jargon-free language, discuss its real-world importance and create interactive exhibits that make research accessible to the public.

The workshop culminated in a research outreach fair at Waipahu Intermediate School, where approximately 60 students in career and technical student organization programs explored exhibits led by the graduate students. Waipahu Intermediate faculty advisers and school administrators also attended the event, which highlighted higher education opportunities and showcased the diverse research taking place at UH.

“Research has the greatest impact when people can understand it and connect it to their own lives,” UH Mānoa Fellowships, Scholarships, and Professional Development Coordinator Kristen Connors said. “GROW gave our graduate students the opportunity to practice an essential professional skill while also building meaningful relationships with young learners who may one day pursue their own paths in higher education and research.”

The program was organized by the , and Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Student Academic Success Amy Hubbard, Hamilton Library and the .

Beyond developing communication skills, the program aimed to build stronger connections between the university and the community while encouraging younger students to see themselves as future researchers, innovators and problem-solvers.

A post-program evaluation found participants responded positively to the experience. All respondents said the workshop met their expectations and that they would recommend it to others. Most also reported feeling more prepared and confident explaining their research through writing, visuals and conversations with public audiences.

Five prominent �鶹��ý donors and organizations are making a transformative $5-million commitment to the via the to support name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes and help ensure the long-term success and national relevance of UH Mānoa Athletics.

The commitment will provide $1 million annually over the next five years for NIL support, helping UH Mānoa retain homegrown talent, recruit high-level student-athletes and provide equitable, Title IX-compliant opportunities across sports in an increasingly competitive Division I athletics environment. It will also strengthen a program that generates statewide pride, visibility and meaningful economic impact for �鶹��ý.

The five contributors, each committing $200,000 annually for five years, are Bank of �鶹��ý, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, and longtime UH supporters and community leaders Jack Tsui and Walter Dods.

“This extraordinary commitment reflects something that has always made �鶹��ý special: people who deeply believe in UH and understand the important role athletics plays in bringing our community together,” said UH Mānoa Director of Athletics Matt Elliott. “College athletics has changed, and our objective is to adapt in a way that reflects the values of this university and our state. Our goal is to build a stable, student-centered foundation that supports academic success, competitive excellence and responsible NIL opportunities while ensuring UH Mānoa remains ‘Our Team, �鶹��ý’s Team.’”

Changing college athletics landscape

As NIL compensation has become a standard component of Division I athletics nationwide, universities across the country—including every member of the Mountain West Conference, which UH Mānoa will officially join as a full member on July 1—have committed significant resources to support student-athletes. University leaders estimate UH Mānoa needs approximately $5 million annually in NIL support to remain competitive in the Mountain West and on the national stage.

UH Athletics has united �鶹��ý communities during moments of triumph in just the last year—from the men’s volleyball national championship and men’s basketball’s return to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big West title, to football’s thrilling �鶹��ý Bowl victory over Cal before a sold-out crowd at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex and a national television audience that peaked at 3 million viewers.

University leaders say those moments of shared pride underscore the broader value athletics brings to �鶹��ý: creating connection, visibility and economic impact beyond campus. A 2015 study by the UH Mānoa Shidler College of Business, based on a $35 million athletics budget at the time, found UH Athletics generated $66 million in direct spending, produced $128 million in statewide business sales, generated approximately $7 million in tax revenue and supported more than 860 jobs across �鶹��ý. An updated economic impact study evaluating the department’s current contribution to the state economy is nearing completion and expected by the end of August.

Beyond its statewide impact, athletics creates meaningful educational opportunities, with nearly 500 student-athletes participating in UH Mānoa programs and more than 170 degrees earned by student-athletes last year.

�鶹��ý leaders unite behind UH Athletics

The donors said they recognize college athletics has fundamentally changed and believe �鶹��ý must adapt to ensure local student-athletes can continue representing their home state at the highest levels. Several said broader support—from the private sector, community and eventually the state—will be needed to ensure UH remains competitive nationally.

Longtime UH Athletics partner Jim Polk, president and chief executive officer of Bank of �鶹��ý, said the new commitment builds on the bank’s longstanding support for UH student-athletes and the broader university community.

“Bank of �鶹��ý has proudly supported UH Athletics for many years because we believe in the important role it plays in developing student leaders and bringing our communities together,” Polk said. “This commitment builds on that longstanding partnership and helps ensure UH student-athletes have the resources to succeed in a changing collegiate athletics environment. UH student-athletes represent the best of �鶹��ý, and supporting them strengthens opportunities for young people while fostering pride across our state.”

Bob Harrison, chairman, president and chief executive officer of First Hawaiian Bank, said the university’s athletics program represents �鶹��ý in ways that extend far beyond wins and losses.

“First Hawaiian Bank has long supported the University of �鶹��ý because of the important role it plays in developing future leaders and strengthening our communities,” Harrison said. “Athletics is an important part of the university experience, creating opportunities for student-athletes while helping foster pride, engagement and visibility for the university. We are proud to support UH and invest in the success of its student-athletes, helping create opportunities for them to grow as leaders while representing our university and our state.”

Matt Cox, chairman and CEO of Matson, said creating a competitive NIL program at UH is needed to help keep local student athletes in �鶹��ý.

“University of �鶹��ý is a pillar of our community, and it’s critical that it remains competitive at the highest levels,” Cox said. “Today, that requires establishing a strong NIL foundation that will help UH attract and retain top local talent, and we need to start now.”

Jack Tsui, longtime UH supporter and chair of the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation and former First Hawaiian Bank president said that the private sector has an important role to play in assisting the UH athletics department to continue to be competitive.

“My wife Frances and I are honored to participate in the fundraising project for NIL,” said Tsui. “We hope that our commitment will encourage other donors, large and small, UH supporters, business and community leaders to stand up and be counted so that UH can continue to be competitive and thrive.”

Walter Dods, former chief executive officer of First Hawaiian Bank and one of the university’s most prolific philanthropic supporters, said the changing landscape of college athletics requires �鶹��ý to act.

“People can certainly have different opinions about whether college athletes should be compensated, but the reality is already here,” Dods said. “Every school we compete against is investing in NIL, and if we want �鶹��ý teams to remain competitive and our student-athletes to stay home, then we—the state, the private sector and the broader community—need to step up in some way. We understand the pressures on the Legislature and that everyone is asking for support. That is part of why the five of us decided to act now and help create a foundation others can build on.”

Building a foundation for the future

Without a stable NIL foundation, UH leaders say the university risks losing local talent, widening recruiting gaps and falling behind in a rapidly evolving Division I athletics landscape.

UH President Wendy Hensel said the $5-million commitment provides an important foundation for UH Mānoa Athletics, while emphasizing that broader support will ultimately be needed to sustain long-term success.

“We are deeply grateful to Bank of �鶹��ý, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Jack Tsui and Walter Dods for stepping forward with this extraordinary commitment to our student-athletes and the future of UH Mānoa Athletics,” Hensel said. “College athletics has fundamentally changed, and this investment helps ensure UH can continue to retain �鶹��ý student-athletes and remain competitive while creating benefits that extend well beyond campus—from student success and statewide pride to the significant economic impact for our state.”

Elliott said the commitment represents a strong start, but emphasized continued investment will be critical to building long-term success.

“I genuinely believe we are only scratching the surface of what UH Athletics can become,” Elliott said. “If we build this foundation the right way—with support from philanthropy, corporate partners and ultimately the state—we can retain local student-athletes, compete at a high level and continue creating opportunities for student-athletes who want to stay home, earn their degrees and represent �鶹��ý the right way.”

Elliott added that UH Mānoa Athletics plans to launch a new giving society later this year to honor the individuals and organizations helping strengthen opportunities for student-athletes and support the department’s long-term future.

“The five leadership commitments announced today serve as an inspiring foundation for the giving society and underscore the momentum building for Our Team, �鶹��ý’s Team.”

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa students and faculty traveled to Kohala High School on �鶹��ý Island, where they learned from and taught one another alongside high school students.

“We often tell our candidates to be teacher leaders, and this collaborative field trip gave them the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership,” said Associate Professor Vail Matsumoto. “They shared their expertise in AI with the Kohala students and faculty and then learned from the school in return. It was a win-win situation, and any time work is fun, it’s yet another win.”

Kohala students taught the College of Education secondary and elementary teacher candidates in (MEdT) about welding, construction, farming, and a variety of other Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The cohort, as part of the trip in April, worked with the Kohala yearbook class on AI tools and conducted two afterschool professional development sessions for faculty on AI tools.

Future focus

“Hearing student and teacher testimonies help me to picture what I can do in the future to support my students,” said Kaylie Hayashida who is earning her MEdT with a focus on secondary Japanese. “For high school students, I think this field trip gave them the opportunity to not only showcase the work they’re doing, but practice important life skills such as presentational speaking and interpersonal skills.”

Matsumoto was accompanied by Assistant Professor Stacy George, who helped organize the trip, as well as Assistant Professor Waynele Yu and MEdT Program Chair Stephanie Furuta. Two MEdT graduates, Dean Snelling and Jackie Meggs, partnered with the College of Education to make the joint venture possible. The collaboration was also supported by the UH Women’s Campus Club.

“As a future science teacher, I appreciate how Kohala High School integrates useful life skills with an education that encourages students to thrive in the directions that their choices take them,” said MEdT student Anna Karsin who attended high school on �鶹��ý Island. “Seeing the place-based learning and practical employment of community resources while hearing from the students as they shared their capstone senior projects was incredible.”

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Three students from the are spending one year focusing on critical marine policy issues in Washington, D.C. representing the (�鶹��ý Sea Grant) as 2026 .

Gabrielle Ellis

completed her PhD in biological oceanography in spring 2025, for which she received the Mirikitani Outstanding Dissertation Award. Her dissertation provides baseline ecological descriptions of remote and unexplored habitats of the deep sea, and considers how resilient these habitats are to natural variation and human-induced impacts.

“If I have learned anything through my research as a deep-sea scientist, it is the power of transparent, long-term data in elevating science and protecting important ecosystems,” said Ellis. “I am so excited to witness this through NOAA’s Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program, and I am honored to be working with the international and multistakeholder network of the Arctic Research Program.”

Jonathan Rosen

began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer as a coastal resource manager, and continued this work in �鶹��ý supporting the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds and monitoring endangered species in the remote atolls of Papahānaumokuākea. He earned his master’s degree in marine biology as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow studying the impacts of marine heatwaves on fish physiology.

“To me, this feels like a once in lifetime opportunity to expand my experiences and expertise by working alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ecological Services Headquarters,” Rosen said. “Through this fellowship I hope to apply my experience in conservation, research and communication towards the implementation of legislation on national conservation priorities, including the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.”

Sarah Woo

is currently a PhD candidate in the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Department at UH Mānoa focusing on collaborative community-based research, management and governance. Her graduate research is based in Kāneʻohe Bay, working alongside the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve and regional generational lawaiʻa (fishers), marine scientists who work in the Bay, and resource management agencies.

“I feel extremely grateful to have been selected to represent �鶹��ý as a Knauss Legislative Fellow in Sen. Brian Schatz’s office focusing on topics such as oceans, climate, fisheries, and water, and assisting with appropriations and science legislation,” said Woo. “Growing up in the Pacific Northwest’s Washington, I never expected to live and work in Washington, D.C., but am excited for this new adventure to learn about the federal government so that I can come back home to �鶹��ý after and apply what I have learned to support community needs.”

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