When University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa graduating senior Chia Yun “Mercy” Cheng first arrived in �鶹��ý from Taiwan, she carried uncertainty alongside her ambition. Now graduating with a degree in marketing from the , Cheng said her experience at UH Mānoa transformed not only her education, but also her confidence.

“UH Mānoa made me feel like it was home,” Cheng said. “It really shaped me into a more extroverted person.”

Today, Cheng said she can confidently introduce herself to new people and step into leadership roles—something she never imagined before coming to �鶹��ý.

“I remember in the beginning, I was very timid to do small talk, even shake people’s hand, talk to people and look at their eyes,” she said. “But now, when I meet someone new, I can confidently go up to them, shake their hands and introduce myself.”

Taiwan to Mānoa

Born and raised in Pingtung, a small city in southeastern Taiwan, Cheng moved away from home at age 15 to attend a five-year junior college program in nearby Kaohsiung. The program combined high school and community college studies. Before attending UH Mānoa, Cheng said school often felt isolating.

“Because I never really liked school before I came to UH Mānoa—it could have been the education system in Taiwan, but it could also have been me—I felt like I could never fit in,” she said.

Finding her place in �鶹��ý

Her connection to �鶹��ý began during an internship at an Oʻahu auto dealership when she was 19. It was her first time traveling alone and visiting the U.S.

“�鶹��ý really healed me in a lot of different ways,” Cheng said. “It’s the people here. It’s the culture, the weather and everything. And I really found peace here.”

Meet more amazing UH graduates

After returning to Taiwan, Cheng made the decision to continue her education at UH Mānoa. At first, she approached college with a narrow focus on academics.

“When I first came here, my freshman year, all I knew was to study because I was raised to get a good grade, be on top of the class,” she said. “So I didn’t know how to really do the work-life balance thing.”

Stepping outside her comfort zone

That began to change when she became a New Rainbow Warrior peer leader, helping incoming students transition to college life.

“I remember at that time I was like, ‘Oh, I feel like I’m so introverted, I don’t even know how to talk to people,’” she said. “‘Can I actually lead freshmen and then help them get used to life on campus?’”

But she took the opportunity—and said it reshaped her experience at UH Mānoa.

“Being a peer leader really gave me a sense of community,” Cheng said. “The other peer leaders were really nice. I still stay in touch with them till this day.”

Cheng also became involved with the (PACE), serving as a for the Entrepreneurship Live program and later becoming its student director. What began as a search for scholarship opportunities turned into a broader experience in leadership and community.

“I applied thinking that, ‘OK, I want this scholarship,’” she said. “And then I realized that the program is not just about scholarship, it’s also about the community and the people there.”

A new sense of confidence

Now preparing to graduate, Cheng plans to remain in �鶹��ý while pursuing a career in marketing. She is currently interviewing for positions and continuing her work as a marketing assistant with Sodexo.

Looking back, Cheng said UH Mānoa became more than a place of study—it became a place where she learned confidence and belonging.

“I wouldn’t be able to achieve everything I have today without UH Mānoa,” she said.

When Madison Nālei Kazue Fujitani takes to the podium at the University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu‘s commencement ceremony, she hopes to convey to the thousands in attendance, especially to Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), the importance of continuing their education—to go beyond just existing in the university system and use it as a place to practice the higher learning their kūpuna were accustomed to.

The Waiʻanae resident attributes this perspective of learning to a UH West Oʻahu mentor and her experiences throughout her undergraduate years.

Fujitani added that her experience as a Native Hawaiian student in college has helped her understand her purpose—realizing the need for Indigenous presence in the higher education system and how the power of knowledge can incite change and uplift communities.

“It is not all about career prospects or having a title to your name, but using education as a powerful tool of resistance,” Fujitani said. “It is about fulfilling our kuleana, which is both a responsibility and a privilege.”

This is a topic Fujitani is passionate about and will delve into as one of two student speakers at on Saturday, May 9.

Education as resistance

“As a student speaker, the main message I hope to convey is that the history of higher education and the college system is not one that is very pretty, especially for Indigenous peoples,” she said. “They were initially created as attempts to limit, contain, and control.”

Meet more amazing UH graduates

In Saturday’s ceremony, Fujitani will receive a bachelor of arts in business administration with a concentration in marketing, and with distinction.

“We fight by learning, reclaiming knowledge, and stepping into positions where we can transform these systems from within,” she said. “We should aim to prioritize being an Indigenous-serving institution, which benefits all people, shaping the way education is carried out.”

Read more at .

Before launching her local clothing and accessory brand, , Hilo native Tania Takashiba made the decision to continue her education at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�. She spent several years studying on the U.S. continent before attending the Shidler College of Business, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2002.

A member of the business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon, Takshiba said her time at Shidler played a pivotal role in shaping her professional network and lasting friendships.

“I think graduating from ”UH ����ԴDz� was the perfect transition into adulthood,” said Takashiba. “[I] did internships, I was able to get a job pretty easily, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the people I met.”

Those connections continue to play a role in her life today. Takashiba stays in touch with several friends from her Shidler years, including one who serves as her financial advisor.

Building a local business

Takashiba started MaruMaru Hawaii with her sister in 2015. She said it was hard to find local brands that offered clothes for kids, so they decided to create their own. The brand has taken off, and Takashiba has run into people at the airport and on vacation wearing her clothes.

“Our designs are super simple, but I think because they’re based on real things, it resonates with a lot of people,” said Takashiba.

Popular designs such as “Hilo Das Why” and “Hilo Love” reflect the brand’s commitment to represent Hilo and its people.

Rooted in Hilo

Despite the brand’s popularity, Takashiba has intentionally chosen to keep MaruMaru Hawaii rooted on the Big Island. She said she does not plan to expand through pop-ups on Oʻahu or other islands, even when opportunities arise.

“I think there’s something to be said about being able to give Hilo people something first,” said Takashiba. “There’s nothing like Hilo; it’s very special. The community here is amazing, you’re connected to everybody, and it’s just Hilo das why.”

For Janie-Maria Kikila, graduating from Leeward Community College this May is more than earning a degree—it’s a deeply personal milestone shaped by resilience, growth and determination. As a nontraditional student, mother and the first in her family to graduate from college, Kikila sees this moment as proof of perseverance.

“This shows me that if you keep going, you can finish what you started,” she said.

Raised in Whitmore Village, Kikila attended Leilehua High School before transferring to Waiʻanae High School. Her journey hasn’t been easy, but she’s remained focused on a bigger goal.

“I’ve gone through a lot—from not always feeling safe as a child to postpartum depression as an adult—but I made a decision not to let those things define me,” she said. “I want to break generational cycles, and I want to be someone my keiki can look up to.”

Finding support at Leeward CC

Kikila first enrolled at Leeward CC in 2013 but stepped away to build a career in management. That was disrupted when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

“It was hard going from being financially independent to needing help,” she said. “I knew if I was going to start over, I needed a clear direction.”

She returned to Leeward CC in 2023 to pursue a degree in business management. Back on campus, Kikila found support that helped her stay on track—not just academically, but personally. Through Leeward’s counseling services, she began working with mental health therapist Lori Lum.

“I’ve been seeing Lori for a little over a year, and she’s been amazing,” Kikila said.

• Meet more amazing UH graduates

Turning challenges into motivation

She also credits flexible student employment and mentors, such as business division faculty Tina Lee and Dag Faustino.

“Janie leads with intention and heart,” Lee said. “She’s someone who turns challenges into motivation.”

Kikila founded , Leeward’s first marketing club, open to students of all majors across the UH System. It brings students together to connect, collaborate and gain real-world experience.

“She saw a need and built something that brings students together in a meaningful way,” Faustino added. “That kind of initiative is what sets her apart.”

Kikila plans to transfer to UH West Oʻahu to continue her studies in business and marketing, with the goal of one day serving in a leadership role within the State of �鶹��ý.

By Tad Saiki

The ancestor spirit represents my deep appreciation to my ancestors, who I feel are always guiding me in life.
—King James Mangoba ()

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Hamilton Library’s and the Center for Philippine Studies at the UH ����ԴDz� opened , an exhibition linking 1500s colonial maps with tattoos as living archives of Filipino cultural memory, on view through February 2026.

Opening events, held October 15–17, drew more than 100 participants for workshops, talks and live tattoo demonstrations. Attendees explored how Filipinos have used body art and the written word to resist erasure—from rare 16th-century maps and letters from the Philippine Revolution to underground newspapers from the Marcos era, all part of Hamilton’s Philippine Collection.

Mapping identity through body and archive

Philippine Studies Librarian Elena Clariza opened the program with a presentation on early colonial maps, connecting “fragile maps on paper with living maps of the body—tattoos as archives of ancestral knowledge and cultural memory.”

Guest artists from California’s Spiritual Journey Tattoo Shop and members of Tatak ng Apat na Alon (Mark of the Four Waves) demonstrated traditional hand poke and tapping tattoo techniques, sharing their nearly 30-year effort to revive Indigenous Filipino tattoo practices.

“In the beginning it was just for us to find our identity, to represent the culture in some way,” said Elle Festin, tattoo artist at Spiritual Journey and a Datu (chief) of the Mark of the Four Waves tribe. “It’s important to get the tattoos to show the resistance and to revolt against the systematic colonial mentality.”

UH community connects to heritage

For King James Mangoba, a UH ����ԴDz� double major in communication & marketing and Hamilton Library social media content creator, the event was a personal and cultural milestone.

“The rice symbolizes my family’s livelihood of rice farming back in the Philippines. The ancestor spirit represents my deep appreciation to my ancestors, who I feel are always guiding me in life,” he said. “This tattoo is a permanent reminder of where I came from and my appreciation to my ancestors who came before me.”

Doctoral candidate Matthew Melendez, from the , participated in the tattoo sessions. “Receiving knowledge from the Tatak ng Apat na Alon tribe through our cultural portal of batok (tattooing) has profoundly transformed me from within,” he said.

The event was co-sponsored by UH ����ԴDz�’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies and Center for Philippine Studies, and Spiritual Journey Tattoo Shop. To support programs like this at Hamilton Library, visit the .

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Mark of the Four Waves members visit the Philippine Studies section at Hamilton Library.The post Exhibit links Filipino tattoos, maps across centuries first appeared on University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� System News.]]> 225411 /news/2025/08/26/cooking-up-change/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:20:24 +0000 /news/?p=220900 UH students helped a local meal delivery service double its reach with fresh marketing strategies and digital tools.

Reading time: 2 minutes

Students from the (PACE) at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa partnered with a �鶹��ý Island meal delivery service to boost its growth through a new marketing strategy. Their work has helped local entrepreneur Jasmine Silverstein expand her small business, .

The company—which focuses on providing locally sourced, gluten free, fully prepared meals to customers—had primarily relied on word-of-mouth marketing. Recognizing the potential for expansion, she saw an opportunity to work with PACE’s aspiring business leaders to develop a structured growth strategy.

“The students brought fresh ideas and practical solutions that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own,” said Silverstein. “Their expertise in digital marketing, customer engagement and data tracking has already helped me take key steps toward expanding my reach.”

Led by Roma Amor Malasarte (computer science), Hokumalie Serna (marketing), Candide Krieger (education) and Emma Hsu (history), the team tackled challenges such as enhancing website functionality and streamlining the customer checkout experience. Their marketing recommendations included the implementation of A/B testing for coupon codes (trying different coupons to see which works best), exploring strategic partnerships with local gyms and wellness businesses, and refining Meals in a HeartBeet’s social media presence.

“The hands-on experience of working with a real business has been invaluable,” said Malasarte. “We’ve been able to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to help a local entrepreneur grow her business, and that’s what PACE is all about.”

Silverstein refined her brand messaging and added extra protein options to better meet her customers’ needs. As a result, Meals in a HeartBeet has nearly doubled its meal deliveries, reaching new markets while maintaining its commitment to locally sourced, nutritious meals.

“This is a perfect example of how PACE equips students with the skills to be innovative problem-solvers and support �鶹��ý’s local businesses,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “We’re proud to see our students making a tangible impact.”

Central Pacific Bank’s (CPB) WE by Rising Tide initiative served as the catalyst for this collaboration. The initiative is designed to empower women entrepreneurs through mentorship and growth opportunities, and the PACE students are all recipients of the CPB Foundation Scholarship for Entrepreneurship. Through the initiative, the students connected with Silverstein, eager to apply their skills to a real-world business challenge.

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The post Cooking up change: UH students power local meal delivery startup expansion first appeared on University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� System News.]]>

The pageant title of Miss �鶹��ý 2025 was bestowed on University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu alumna Emalia Dalire, who graduated in fall 2024 with a bachelor of arts in with a concentration in .

The Kāneʻohe resident, 19, was crowned on May 31 at �鶹��ý Theatre by the , which provides women with the opportunity to promote platforms of community service, share their talents, intelligence, and positive values while serving as role models in our island communities, according to the organization’s website.

“Being crowned Miss �鶹��ý 2025 is an indescribable honor and a dream come true,” Dalire said in an interview with the morning after being crowned. “I feel overwhelmed with gratitude, knowing I get to represent the beauty, culture and mana (power) of our islands. This moment is not just mine. It belongs to every person who believed in me.”

Dalire competed as Miss Kāneʻohe and topped 12 other competitors, called “delegates,” and will move on to represent the state at the Miss America competition in September in Orlando, Fla.

Hula lineage

It may come as no surprise that the talent Dalire showcased at the Miss �鶹��ý competition was hula. She just competed and placed third in the category at the held in April in Hilo. Dalire dances for Keolalaulani Hālau ʻŌlapa O Laka under Nā Kumu Keolalaulani Dalire (her mother) and Regina Mākaʻikaʻi Igarashi Pascua.

Keep empowering yourself

The community service initiative that Dalire will focus on throughout her upcoming Miss �鶹��ý reign is, “K.E.Y. to Life: Keep Empowering Yourself.” It’s a platform she holds close to her heart and the same one she promoted when she was crowned in December 2023.

“’The K.E.Y. to Life: Keep Empowering Yourself’ is my message of empowerment to all youth, especially Indigenous people, to be who they are,” Dalire had said in a previous article after winning her Miss �鶹��ý Teen Volunteer title. “In the words of my mother, ‘The best person in life to be like is yourself,’ and learning about my Hawaiian culture and being proud of my Indigenous heritage, I gained the confidence and determination necessary to create my future, my story.”

Accelerated academic journey

As a freshman at Damien Memorial School, Dalire began attending Windward Community College, simultaneously taking high school and early college classes. The dual enrollment enabled her to graduate a year early from high school in 2022 at the age of 16, then in December of that year, receive two associate degrees from Windward CC in liberal arts and Hawaiian studies along with three certificates of completion.

For the third year in a row, the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� athletics marketing department earned national recognition from the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators, winning two gold awards in fundraising and game day experience.

The department took home top honors in fundraising for its “sUHrf City” women’s basketball uniform campaign, which featured a fan-submitted design contest that drew 140 entries from 26 states and five countries. The winning uniforms were auctioned off, raising $24,000 in net profit.

In game day experience, UH was honored for its “Mixed Plate Series,” a cultural celebration across multiple sports including volleyball and baseball. Promotions such as Pinoy Day, Chinese New Year and Banzai Weekend helped boost ticket sales by 21% and drew strong fan engagement.

“It’s great to receive recognition from our peers and for them to notice the hard work our entire department is putting in to be creatively different,” said Eric Mathews, the director of marketing and fan experience.

Read more about it at .

As a local kid at McKinley High School, Koa Webster experimented with graffiti, an outlet that often got him into trouble. It wasn’t until he enrolled at a University of �鶹��ý campus that he discovered how his passion for art could evolve into a meaningful and lasting career.

“I didn’t know much about colleges as a local kid, but the University of �鶹��ý was my entryway into higher education and so it was good for me to be exposed to a lot of things,” said Webster.

Webster earned a liberal arts degree from Kapiʻolani Community College in 2013. In 2016, he earned degrees in international business and marketing from the UH ����ԴDz� Shidler College of Business and a degree in Chinese from the College of Arts, Languages & Letters. He has since built a successful career in advertising, and is currently the senior art director for .

“Working in advertising in Chicago has been great and I get to do a lot of fun things for big national brands like Hidden Valley Ranch, Papa John’s Pizza, Porsche, TGL, Metro by T-Mobile,” Webster said. “The exposure is really cool to get to learn about how national brands operate.”

Problem solver

His Shidler business education has helped in the visionary world of advertising.

“Although I’m creative and I love to think of the most artsy, crazy commercial I can do, the thing I learned at Shidler is that these clients have real business problems and you can help them with a creative solution,” Webster said.

One of his most transformative UH experiences was studying abroad. Until then, Webster had not traveled outside of �鶹��ý much, or interisland.

“Through my scholarships, especially from the Freeman Foundation, I got to experience some things that I never thought I would,” he said. “The connections that I made through the programs were awesome.”

Important connections

He encourages students to immerse themselves in other cultures.

“All the connections through your experience abroad are sometimes those things that come back later on in life, and being able to put that on your resume is super valuable.”

Today, Webster stays connected with fellow UH alumni living in the windy city.

• Related UH News story: Bringing aloha to the Windy City: UH alumni celebrate in Chicago, April 3, 2025

“When I moved out to Chicago, UH alumni were some of the first people I tried to connect with,” Webster said. “They are professionals and those can be great connections, so it’s a perfect blend of having a community where you are and also professional support.”

Learn more about other outstanding .

Marketing Specialist Dayna Tamashiro and her team are revolutionizing the media landscape, proving that corporate branding can be innovative and engaging. Recently, the 2009 graduate led a collaboration with Disney for the world premiere of Moana 2.

“This one-of-a-kind experience allowed us to craft a ‘chocolate voyage’ where hundreds of guests filled their Moana 2 themed custom chocolate box, with our delicious treats from our curated chocolate bar.” she said.

“This project was not only a creative dream but also a career-defining moment that brought together storytelling, artistry and collaboration at the highest level.”

Like many college students, Yamashiro found her passion later in her academic journey. When she first started at UH ����ԴDz�, she thought she wanted to pursue fashion and enrolled in the Apparel Product Design and Merchandising Program.

“While I was passionate about fashion and creativity, I quickly realized that I didn’t have the technical skills, like sewing, and wasn’t entirely sure if it was the right path for me,” said Tamashiro. “That realization led me to switch to the business school, where I found a perfect balance in .”

Today, Tamashiro and Hawaiian Host Group are capturing corporate humor in a way that resonates with a broad audience. She said they bring “a playful, relatable energy to the content.”

While reflecting on her UH journey, she shared a few favorite memories.

“Sharing lunch, grabbing coffee or tea, and simply hanging out on campus together made those days unforgettable. It’s funny how the simplest moments become the ones you miss the most,” Tamashiro said.

University of �鶹��ý students from Kapiʻolani Community College, UH West Oʻahu and UH Maui College swept the held in May in Waikīkī. The Pele Awards is one of 15 National District Competitions for the American Advertising Awards (also known as the ADDYs) to recognize excellence in advertising and design.

The Best of Show award went to Kapiʻolani CC student Cat Daniels Rivero for in the illustration-campaign category. Rivero also received a $2,500 cash scholarship from the NMG Network and Eleven 17 Creative scholarship program.

“Winning Pele Awards has made me feel like I’m moving in the right direction and has further motivated me to keep working hard,” Rivero said. “That moment was especially heartening because I got to share it with my professors. Knowing how dedicated they are to us (students), when I walked up on stage, I really wanted to grab the mic and give them a big shout-out for all the office hours and weekend Zoom calls they’ve given me!”

Her classmate, Leighna-Ann Lariosa, won the Special Judges Award for her in the integrated brand identity campaign category.

UH West Oʻahu Creative Media student Ashley Macho won first place for the American Advertising Federation �鶹��ý Shining Star Scholarship ($2,000).

The Pele Gold winners in all national categories are sent to the National Finals of the American Advertising Awards Competition to represent District 13.

Melanie Denda, who graduated from UH West Oʻahu in December 2023, won two gold and one bronze Pele Award. One of Denda’s gold-winning projects also advanced to the 2024 American Advertising Awards, where her entry won a silver award.

Denda said she was shocked when she received the ADDY Award and messaged all of her family members and friends that she won.

“I was in disbelief and extremely happy,” Denda said. “It was an incredible and unexpected honor.”

Read more about UH West Oʻahu honorees at .

2024 Pele Award Winners

Gold

Cat Daniels Rivero (Pele Gold and Best of Show), Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Illustration – campaign
*Winner of a $2,500 Presenting Sponsors Cash Scholarship from NMG Network and Eleven 17 Creative

Leighna-Ann Lariosa (Pele Gold and Special Judges Award), Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Integrated brand identity campaign
*Second place winner of an $800 AAF �鶹��ý Shining Star Scholarship

Melanie Denda, UH West Oʻahu
Project:
Category: Interactive/online advertising & promotion campaign

Melanie Denda, UH West Oʻahu (also won a silver American Advertising Award)
Project:
Category: Logo Design

Cassandra Neri, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
2 Categories: Point of purchase, Logo design

Julz Calasicas, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Publication design – cover/editorial spread or feature – series

Mari Seymour, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Website (desktop or mobile)

Sua Lee, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: App (mobile or web-based)

Silver

Cassandra Neri, Kapiʻolani CC
Project: Serene Branding
Category: Packaging

Hanna Shibata, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Publication design – cover/editorial spread or feature – series

Leighna-Ann Lariosa, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: App (mobile or web-based)

Leighna-Ann Lariosa, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Logo design

Cat Daniels Riveros, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Logo design

Bronze

Faith Christy Soliven, UH Maui College
Project:
Category: Television advertising campaign

Melanie Denda, UH West Oʻahu
Project:
Category: Logo design

James God, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Illustration

Hanna Shibata, Kapiʻolani CC
Project:
Category: Animation or special effects

Other Pele Awards honorees included students of UH West Oʻahu Academy for Creative Media alumni Dexter Corpuz and Scott Alquisa, both of whom are now educators at Maui and Waipahu high schools, respectively.

SEO:
Photos: Can we also grab images from the winnerʻs links?

Gaining real-world experience running a digital marketing campaign was the goal of a spring 2024 project by University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� digital marketing students, under the guidance of Instructor Constancio Paranal III.

Inspired by the opening of Island Brew Coffeehouse in the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center, Haley Marie Torres, Wendy Sakuma, Kaycee Nakashima, Ocean Vuong and Sophia Lopez set their sights on increasing brand awareness across campus, increasing foot traffic, and boosting sales among students through their digital marketing campaign, “Student Sips.”

As the only store within the coffeehouse chain located on a university campus, the team found it fitting to cater their marketing efforts toward UH students. Being students themselves, they were at a unique advantage in understanding their target market.

Over the course of four weeks, the students worked with the shop’s owner, Rafael Baez, to manage its social media account, create and introduce a new and exclusive-to-UH beverage (Warrior Matcha) to the menu, as well as craft and distribute e-newsletters to nearly 14,000 recipients.

Prior to the team’s involvement, the shop did not have an online ordering system. However, through these students’ initiatives, the shop successfully integrated online ordering, resulting in increased traffic on the coffeehouse’s website and boosted online sales by 22.2%. Overall, the team managed to increase sales by 32.7%, which surpassed their initial goals.

“Being inside of a large building, we currently don’t have any signage outside and so the discovery phase is the biggest key,” Baez said. “The team’s marketing efforts not only brought in regulars from the coffeehouse’s other locations, but it has done a pretty good job of creating additional awareness within the campus community.”

Sakuma stated, “I learned how to grow a social media page from the early stages with new content and through different mediums. Being able to achieve real results in a short amount of time was so powerful.”

Drive to create

Nakashima attributes the team’s success to their motivation and “drive to create.”

“We were constantly drawing inspiration from one another and played to each of our unique and individual strengths. It was so rewarding for us to see our diligence and hard work come to fruition,” Nakashima said.

By immersing themselves in real-world scenarios, students not only acquire practical skills but also cultivate the mindset of creative thinkers and doers, according to Paranal III.

“The emphasis at Shidler is not just on theoretical knowledge but on the ability to apply that knowledge in innovative ways to solve real-world challenges,” Paranal III said.

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� has made a significant mark in the global arena of digital marketing. Out of approximately 200 undergraduate student teams competing in the , four teams placed in the top 13, including one among the top four finalists and one as an alternate into the finals.

The goal of the competition was to produce a digital marketing strategy for a selected client. This semester’s client is LuvSeats, an online event ticketing company. In the first round, teams produced an 8-minute video summary of the campaign that was judged by industry professionals based on several criteria, including market research, paid strategy, owned strategy and media evaluation. Four teams advanced to the finals on April 14 and will present their strategies directly to LuvSeats’ management and executive team.

The members of the Shidler college finalist team are Sebastian Kim, Lea Marie Navales, Jordan Paradis, Miyamora Rosenthal and team leader Kaya Ishimine.

“We are grateful to have made it to the final round of the Digital Marketing Competition knowing that the competition would be tough and that our entire class has been working toward this all semester,” Ishimine said. “Our team looks forward to giving it our all on April 14th to represent UH ����ԴDz� well. With all of us being seniors, it’ll be a great experience and a way to leave our mark.”

A Shidler college team led by Matthew Dufale finished as the first alternate into the finals, and teams led by Kaycee Nakashima and Lauren Nakashima finished 11th and 13th, respectively.

UH’s continued success in digital marketing

In spring 2023, Shidler college teams won first place in the undergraduate division and second place in the graduate division. If a Shidler college team wins again in 2024, it would mark the third time since 2020 that a UH ����ԴDz� undergraduate team has claimed the top spot in this competition, and fourth overall award. The UH ����ԴDz� teams have been under the supervision and coaching of Shidler college Instructor Constancio Paranal III.

“As the April 14 presentation date approaches, the entire University of �鶹��ý community eagerly anticipates the outcome, extending their best wishes to the talented students representing the institution on the global stage,” Paranal III said. “With their exceptional skills and dedication, these students exemplify the spirit of international excellence and innovation that defines the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� Shidler College of Business.”

The competition is hosted by Purdue University Northwest.

brought home gold and silver from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations () annual conference held in Seattle in March. The recognition for outstanding achievements in design and communication was significant, given the competition among more than 1,500 entries from 210 community and technical colleges across the country.

“This is big news for our campus, and the University of �鶹��ý Community College system!” said Bonnie J. Beatson, Windward CC marketing communications director, who accepted both awards.”I am so proud of the talent we have on our campus.”

The gold Paragon Award was in the social media post category for which was filmed and edited by alumnus Nakoa Camvel. Camvel, who is also a graduate of Academy for Creative Media, is a media specialist and teaches a social media class at Windward CC.

The silver Paragon Award was in the computer-generated illustration category for the “The Korean Triplets Stars” illustration for an online Imaginarium Star Show created by students Alex Daraban and Abby Worthley. (View a video on the making of this illustration: Ω

“When you tell your college’s story well, you ensure that students can find themselves, and the supports and services they need, at your institution,” said Jeff Julian, NCMPR’s 2023–24 president. “It’s evident in the winning entries that our members are committed to serving their students.”

The national winners were among four Windward CC projects that won gold NCMPR District 6 Medallion Awards in November.

students brought home several gold awards and one bronze from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) District 6 Medallion Awards in November.

The NCMPR Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication at community and technical colleges in NCMPR‘s seven districts. The are members of District 6, which also includes Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Territory of Guam.

The gold award winners were:

• Category: Social media post
  “” filmed and edited by Windward CC alumnus Nakoa Camvel.

• Category: Video shorts, single
  “” promoting Windward CC’s 50th anniversary by students Hunter Ryman (filmmaker) and Aulii Kahalepauʻole (actor). “I was very proud of us! This video was one of our first collaborations, and it solidified us as a creative team,” said Kahalepauʻole.

• Category: Computer-Generated Illustration
  “” illustration for online Imaginarium Star Show created by students Alex Daraban and Abby Worthley. (View a video on the making of this illustration: “”

• Category: Wild Card
  “” A fun interactive web game that orients students to the Windward CC campus and resources, created by students Alex Daraban, Abby Worthley, Alicia Daraban and Ari Cochran. “Yippee! I was really happy that all of our hard work was recognized by other people,” Cochran said.

The “Sophia Kaaawa-Aweau commencement speech” and “Korean Triplets” illustration are in contention for NCMPR national awards later this month.

The “,” featuring Windward CC students, won a District 6 bronze award.

The second year of the University of �鶹��ý statewide marketing campaign, “There’s a place for you” officially launched on October 11 for at least a five month run with ads on social media platforms and local television and radio stations. The goal is to remind all �鶹��ý residents that no matter where you are in your life journey, there is a place for you at UH to pursue your academic and career goals.

UH is �鶹��ý‘s sole provider of public higher education with 10 campuses and nine learning centers conveniently located across the state along with a number of online programs. There is a wide spectrum of educational opportunities from short-term workforce training, career technical education and non-credit programs to associate, undergraduate and advanced degree programs. Year two of the campaign features social media style ads with current UH students highlighting the different UH programs along with the importance of higher education.

“Data consistently shows that those with a college degree or training make significantly more money over the lifetime; live healthier, longer lives; are less likely to live in poverty and rely on government assistance, and the list of benefits goes on and on,” said Dan Meisenzahl, the director of the UH Office of Communications, which is responsible for the campaign. “Despite these facts, more than half of Americans no longer believe a college degree is worth the money, according to many recent surveys.”

The ad campaign encourages all prospective students, no matter their age or background, to visit . This year’s campaign features three different spots with multiple variations and is scheduled to run through March 2024. In the first year of the campaign, 1,528 TV 30 second ads and 10,542 radio 30 second ads aired statewide, and just over 6,100 link clicks were generated on social media.

• Related UH News story: UH launches ‘a place for you,’ statewide campaign, August 15, 2022

A cookbook, picture books and podcasts are some of the ways University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� business students are raising awareness about the global fight against climate change. The projects were part of Instructor Constancio Paranal III’s summer 2022 marketing course called “Imagination, Entrepreneurship” in the .

“It’s important to incorporate climate change into business and entrepreneurship classes as we are the generation that has the capacity to make changes.”
—Raina Casamina

“The need to incorporate this topic in any discipline, not just business and entrepreneurship, has never been more critical than ever,” Paranal said. “For current and future business leaders, climate change intelligence is key in developing sustainable and meaningful businesses. I do believe that education is the key towards advancing all causes and inspiring youthful civic engagement, and now is the time to act.”

Raina Casamina, a master of science in marketing management student, led the team that created a recipe-style cookbook on how to reduce our carbon footprint with daily activities. Like any recipe that counts calories, the Laulima Society recipe book counts an activity’s carbon footprint.

Some of the recipes include coffee for the workplace, roasted chickpea gyro and chocolate chip cookies. The book is not limited to food. It has other activities to lower one’s carbon footprint, including T-shirt upcycling to create a reusable bag and creating a zero-waste kit. The students also encourage others to come up with recipes of their own.

“It’s important to incorporate climate change into business and entrepreneurship classes as we are the generation that has the capacity to make changes,” Casamina said. “We just want to emphasize that there are so many things that people can do in our daily lives that can help fight climate change. Though these effects may seem minimal now, if we come together as a community, we can make a difference. It can be as simple as cutting electronic usage to supporting sustainable brands.”

• See the cookbook on

Other student teams created two children’s picture books featuring two siblings, Micah and Kalei, who are determined to save our ocean and their sea creature friends; and three podcast episodes featuring professionals, students and activists who spoke about how to promote and act on climate change.

—By Marc Arakaki

The launched a statewide marketing campaign on August 15, 2022. “There is a place for you” encourages residents—no matter their circumstances—to consider enrolling at a UH campus and pursue a higher education. The campaign also builds awareness about the 10-campus system and how it serves all of the people of �鶹��ý.

The first 30-second ad features UH students and highlights how access to affordable, quality higher education is available on every island through UH’s 10 campuses, nine learning centers and online programs. The key message is that no matter where you find yourself in your life journey—a recent high school graduate who finished top of their class, a GED recipient, or a parent looking for a career change and more financial security—there is a place for you at UH.

“UH offers an extraordinary range of programs across the state with our amazing seven community colleges that also provides workforce training programs, our two high-quality baccalaureate universities and one of the world’s great research universities,” said UH Vice President for Academic Strategy Debora Halbert. “The best way to open up new career opportunities and advancement is through higher education. �鶹��ý residents should be proud of the fact that they have one of the best higher-education systems in the country.”

The state benefits from a more educated citizenry as well. Individuals with higher levels of education earn more money, pay more taxes, are less likely to receive public benefits and are more likely to be employed, have health insurance and retirement plans according to years of data. They are also more likely to live a healthier lifestyle and be more involved in their children’s activities.

The campaign is scheduled to run through March 2023 on social media platforms, local television and radio stations statewide. Prospective students are encouraged to visit and start a fresh chapter in their life journey.