As higher education evolves, the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa is actively adapting to the rising demand for skill-based learning and flexible academic pathways. In fall 2026, UH Mānoa will officially launch its to support modern learners. Offered through UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s , micro-credentials provide a vital alternative and complement for degree and non-degree seeking students.

“The expansion of our micro-credentials reflects our deep commitment to meeting learners where they are,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “By providing flexible, skill-based pathways, we are empowering current students to gain the in-demand competencies they need to thrive in �鶹��ý’s dynamic workforce.”

Building skills, advancing careers

Designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and workforce demands, UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s micro-credentials are short, career-focused programs. Each credential consists of two to four courses specifically tailored to build immediate, in-demand skills aligned with workforce needs. These micro-credentials will be offered both online and in-person.

Current UH Mānoa micro-credentials include: AI for business, innovative problem solving, applied economics & statistics, remote sensing, criminology and criminal justice, mixed-methods educational research and philosophy for children �鶹��ý. Up to 10 additional micro-credentials are planned for release by fall 2026, with more to come.

Upon completing a micro-credential, students receive a shareable digital badge. This tool can be added to résumés, online professional profiles and shared directly with prospective employers to verify specialized competencies. The initiative reflects a growing national trend, as institutions across the U.S. are increasingly adopting these verified credentials to meet employer preference for skill-based certifications.

These programs are built on a flexible, “stackable” framework. This means that while each micro-credential provides standalone value to help professionals advance their careers, they can also count toward achievement of a higher certificate or degree. Students can start small, earning individual micro-credentials, and use their earned credits toward higher credentials or larger goals over time.

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The University of �鶹��ý marked the success of a first-of-its-kind pilot program designed to strengthen the next generation of conservation leaders in �鶹��ý by blending academic training with hands-on professional development.

The inaugural Conservation Program Management Intensive over two weeks in August 2025, collaboratively offered by the UH Mānoa and ’s (NREM), with support from the UH System and , brought together 22 participants: seven UH Mānoa conservation-focused graduate students and 15 conservation professionals, many from the �鶹��ý Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Divisions of Aquatic Resources and Forestry and Wildlife, one from The Nature Conservancy and several from across the UH System. Students represented all four counties in �鶹��ý.

Participants learned directly from more than two dozen expert instructors and professionals representing agencies and organizations across the �鶹��ý conservation landscape, including UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, UH Hilo, UH Mānoa NREM, Hālau ʻŌhiʻa, Heʻeia Ahupuaʻa Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, Paepae o Heʻeia and National Estuarine Research Reserve, The Nature Conservancy, DLNR Chair’s Office and the Divisions of Aquatic Resources, Forestry and Wildlife, and Conservation and Resources Enforcement, the �鶹��ý Attorney General’s Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Congressman Ed Case, Kupu, and UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s Lyon Arboretum, among others.

The course covered a wide range of topics essential to conservation program leadership and management, including:

• Cohort building, ʻāina-based learning and Hawaiian life pathways
• Community engagement and co-stewardship management
• Strategic planning and decision analysis
• Administrative procedure and state/federal government functions
• Human resource management, budgeting, grant writing and management
• Public meeting facilitation, environmental law and congressional processes
• Project management, communications and leadership development

“This course was created to directly address needs expressed by statewide public and non-profit organizations working in conservation,” said UH Director of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures Director and Course Co-instructor Suzanne Case. “While early-career professionals often bring strong disciplinary expertise, many organizations identified a critical need for training in program administration and leadership. It looks like the course hit this need spot-on.”

Co-instructor Linden Schneider reflected on the real, lasting impact, saying, “This program not only delivered practical knowledge, but also created a powerful cohort-based learning community where participants shared their own challenges and created solutions, collaboratively, in real time.”

Alan Hunley of the UH Outreach College praised the program’s collaborative design.

“Our goal was to make this course accessible and impactful for both students and working professionals,” Hunley said. “We were thrilled to see the energy and dedication of the participants, and the positive feedback confirms this model is working.”

Participants also expressed high praise:

• “Such a great course, filled with knowledge from many knowledgeable speakers, very informative and fun excursions to actually go to different entities and see their facilities and hear from their work experiences. I would recommend this class and take it again every five years to revitalize and remember why I love my job.”
• “I feel incredibly grateful for the relationships I built with the kumu, fellow students and presenters throughout this experience. The thoughtful balance between classroom learning and site visits made the program truly unique.”

Encouraged by the pilot’s success, Case and Schneider anticipate offering the course again in summer 2026 to a mix of graduate students and early-career professionals in conservation-related fields. Tuition is expected to be $1,000 for 80 hours of instruction, with applications opening in early spring 2026. Applicants will be selected based on their ability to immediately apply the course content to their work. For more information about the course, .

After completing an intensive kabuki workshop at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� this summer, students stepped into the spotlight on Monday, August 18 at the Earle Ernst Laboratory Theatre. Their performance brought to life the movement, music and artistry passed down to them by a world-renowned, eighth-generation kabuki master.

This August, Ichikawa Monnosuke VIII led a kabuki masterclass at UH ����ԴDz�, offering rare, hands-on training in this vibrant classical Japanese art form.

“This opportunity to train in kabuki with a professional is truly unique,” said UH ����ԴDz� theatre professor Julie Iezzi. “Nowhere else in the world, not even in Japan, can those outside of the tradition train under a kabuki actor.”

Spirit of kabuki

The two-week workshop, offered Mondays through Fridays through UH ����ԴDz�’s and , was filled with students, alumni and community members, and focuses on kabuki movement and vocal training.

“In thinking about the future, I feel that this is a really good opportunity to help spread knowledge about kabuki to more and more people around the world,” Monnosuke said through a translator.

Among the students who studied under Monnosuke is Karese Kaw-uh, who earned an MFA in at UH ����ԴDz� and starred in the university’s kabuki production in 2024.

“What I love about kabuki is that you have to hear the rhythm and the sound. And so the pieces that we’re working on really deal with music and movement. So we have to listen to cues and say the words in a rhythmic pattern,” Kaw-UH said.

For 19-year-old Zumi Guillermo-Togawa, a student at Kapiʻolani Community College, the best part was exploring the different ways kabuki characters can move and express themselves.

“My most favorite part is learning about the different characteristics and personality for just the walks, not even just the voices, the walks, the mie and how it differs depending on the character and character type,” said Guillermo-Togawa.

Eighth-generation master

Monnosuke, whose family’s kabuki lineage dates back to 1713, is no stranger to UH. In spring 2024, he and his apprentices trained student actors for UH ����ԴDz�’s English-language kabuki production, The Maiden Benten and the Bandits of the White Waves. That production not only sold out performances but also received a first-ever invitation to perform in Japan, where it was enthusiastically received.

Kabuki has deep roots in �鶹��ý. In fact, the university staged the first known English-language kabuki production in the islands 100 years ago. Today, UH ����ԴDz� is helping keep that legacy alive.

Kabuki legacy

With guidance from Iezzi, UH ����ԴDz�’s Department of Theatre and Dance is breathing new life into English-language kabuki, an art form that flourished on the Kennedy Theatre stage under the leadership of late UH ����ԴDz� Professor James R. Brandon and master kabuki actor Nakamura Matagorō II, with vital support from community artists Onoe Kikunobu (dance), Yamada Chie (music) and Joji Wago (wigs and makeup).

Monnosuke and his wife, Yukika, first met Iezzi in 2016, already aware of the university’s rich kabuki traditions and eager to support its continuation.

“They were wondering about future plans for kabuki, and actually came at the perfect time, since I, too, was searching for artists interested in helping to rebuild the complex infrastructure of knowledge necessary to continue doing kabuki productions,” Iezzi said.

Hamilton: Honoring kabuki

This fall, will open a new exhibit in the Asia Reading Room honoring kabuki. Crafted by Japan’s Shōchiku Company and gifted to UH in 1939, the intricate kabuki theatre model has been in storage for nearly 90 years in different places. In partnership with the theatre and dance department, a new exhibit case will allow the model to be permanently displayed, alongside other performing and exploring kabuki at UH ����ԴDz� exhibits.

A world-renowned kabuki actor is bringing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to �鶹��ý this summer. Ichikawa Monnosuke VIII, an eighth-generation kabuki master, will lead an intensive workshop at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� August 1–18, offering rare, hands-on training in this vibrant classical Japanese art form.

“This opportunity to train in kabuki with a professional is truly unique,” said UH ����ԴDz� theatre professor Julie Iezzi. “Nowhere else in the world, not even in Japan, can those outside of the tradition train under a kabuki actor.”

Spirit of kabuki

The two-week workshop, offered Mondays through Fridays through UH ����ԴDz�’s and Department of , is open to students, alumni, and community members, and will focus on Kabuki movement and vocal training. Two course tracks, credit and non-credit, are available for and for $1,350 (non-credit) and $1,500 (credit). The program ends with a recital showcasing students’ work on August 18th at 4 p.m. in the Earle Ernst Laboratory Theatre.

“Different from the realism of Western theatre, I hope students will learn the unique performance techniques of kabuki, which express the spirit of a character while also valuing the beauty of form,” Monnosuke said.

Eighth-generation master

Monnosuke, whose family’s kabuki lineage dates back to 1713, is no stranger to UH. In 2024, he and his apprentices trained student actors for UH ����ԴDz�’s English-language kabuki production, The Maiden Benten and the Bandits of the White Waves. That production not only sold out performances but also received a first-ever invitation to perform in Japan, where it was enthusiastically received.

Kabuki has deep roots in �鶹��ý. In fact, the university staged the first known English-language kabuki production in the islands 100 years ago. Today, UH ����ԴDz� is helping keep that legacy alive.

• Related UH News story: 100 years of �鶹��ý Kabuki in English: Masters from Japan train UH actors, December 10, 2023

Kabuki legacy

With guidance from Iezzi, UH ����ԴDz�’s theatre and dance department is breathing new life into English-language kabuki, an art form that flourished on the Kennedy Theatre stage under the leadership of late UH ����ԴDz� Professor James R. Brandon and master kabuki actor Nakamura Matagorō II, with vital support from community artists Onoe Kikunobu (dance) Yamada Chie (music) and Joji Wago (wigs and makeup).

Monnosuke and his wife, Yukika, first met Iezzi in 2016, already aware of the university’s rich kabuki traditions and eager to support its continuation.

“They were wondering about future plans for kabuki, and actually
came at the perfect time, since I, too, was searching for artists interested in helping to rebuild the complex infrastructure of knowledge necessary to continue doing kabuki productions,” Iezzi said.

, or contact iezzi@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-4377.

The (APDF) is moving ahead—despite a last-minute loss of major funding. Just two weeks before its May 19 return to the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�, the National Endowment for the Arts withdrew its $25,000 grant to support the festival’s programming.

“While this loss poses a significant challenge, the APDF team remains committed to delivering an inspiring celebration of dance, culture and connection, and this only strengthens our resolve,” said SheenRu Yong, associate director of APDF. “We’re not canceling—we’re coming together. The show will go on. If anything, this challenge is a call to gather for what matters, so come through.”

Hosted by UH ����ԴDz�’s , the festival runs through June 1, and brings together artists and dance traditions from across Asia, the Pacific and �鶹��ý. Participants can take part in immersive workshops, attend performances and explore the cultural roots behind each movement.

The festival happens every two years and offers a deep, hands-on dive into storytelling through dance.

or by phone (808) 956-8246.

Festival highlights

Residents Artists

, under the direction of Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine

from India/Canada, directed by Deepti Gupta

from Rotuma, Fiji, led by Letila Mitchell

Living the Art of Hula
Hālau Kilipohe Nā Lei Lehua
Thursday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Local Motion!: A Tribute to H. Wayne Mendoza
A celebration of traditional Filipino dance by Mendoza’s former apprentices
Sunday, May 25 at 2 p.m.

ʻIke Hana I & II
Two dynamic performances showcasing different works by this year’s resident artists
Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m.

“The public is warmly encouraged to attend this year’s performances, share the festival with others,” said Yong. “Every ticket, every social share, and every gesture of support helps sustain this work.”

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The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� has launched two new graduate-level programs to prepare students and working professionals for high-demand careers in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science:

Both programs offer flexible formats to meet the needs of working professionals and students across the UH System.

“Our goal is to make computing education more accessible, especially for those who need flexibility to upskill, or may have never seen themselves in this field before,” said (ICS) Chair and Professor Guylaine Poisson. “These programs respond directly to the growing demand for tech-literate professionals in �鶹��ý and beyond.”

Both programs are administered through UH ����ԴDz�’s and taught by faculty in the ICS department housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s .

“These programs provide much-needed pathways for students of all skill levels to deepen their AI knowledge and gain industry experience at a time when this technology is rapidly transforming every sector of our economy and society,” said College of Natural Sciences Acting Dean Philip Williams. “We have seen tremendous interest from our community and industry partners, who recognize the essential role that AI expertise will play in the future of �鶹��ý. These new offerings are a direct response to that need, and we are proud to help prepare �鶹��ý‘s students and workforce for the opportunities ahead.”

“These new graduate programs are a powerful example of how UH is preparing �鶹��ý’s workforce for the future,” UH President Wendy Hensel said. “Artificial intelligence and data science are transforming every field, and we’re committed to ensuring our students and working professionals have the skills to lead in this rapidly evolving landscape.”

Graduate Certificate in Applied Computing: Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Track

The GCERT is the first in the state and is designed for students from non-computer science backgrounds. The 15-credit certificate is offered in an online-first format, can be completed in one year, and equips students with practical, career-focused AI and data science skills. Courses emphasize real-world applications, including local case studies that address �鶹��ý’s unique challenges in healthcare, environmental science, digital marketing and cybersecurity.

The GCERT is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree and working professionals seeking to upskill or transition into tech roles. Students who excel in the GCERT program may apply to the new PMCS degree, with applicable credits transferring upon admission. To be eligible for the GCERT, applicants must demonstrate foundational programming experience in a primary modern programming language such as Python or Java. Students should have successfully completed an introductory programming course in Python or Java at an accredited two or four-year college or university, or have at least three years of work or project experience that reflects competency in Python or Java.

Professional Master’s in Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Track

The professional master’s in computer science builds on the graduate certificate in applied computing foundation and offers a deeper dive into AI and data science. Designed for those with a background in computer science or those who have completed the GCERT with strong academic performance, the two-year PMCS provides advanced technical training and the opportunity to build a competitive portfolio. The program’s hybrid, flexible design supports students balancing careers and other commitments. The UH Board of Regents Committee on Student Success on April 17 approved the provisional status for this professional master’s in computer science.

Career outcomes for graduates of either program include roles as AI specialists and data scientists. Students will also have access to a strong network of local employers and internship opportunities supporting pathways into remote and �鶹��ý-based tech careers.

“By offering multiple entry points and stackable credentials, we’re expanding educational access beyond traditional pathways,” said Outreach College Interim Dean Timothy Slaughter. “These programs create new bridges between the university and the broader community.”

Applications for both programs are now open, with the first classes beginning in fall 2025. The application deadline is August 1, 2025.

Learn more and apply at the .

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� summer sessions are . Summer sessions includes three terms for undergraduate and graduate students to choose from:

• Summer 1: May 27–July 3
• Summer 2: July 7–August 14
• Midsummer: June 16–July 25

“Our Summer sessions are a wonderful opportunity for students to further their education on a condensed time frame,” said Nikki Chun, vice provost for enrollment management. “The flexibility of the sessions means students can work toward graduating on time alongside jobs, internships, travel or other summer activities.”

UH ����ԴDz�’s Summer sessions annually attract students and faculty worldwide and offer more than 900 courses in 100 subject areas. More than 650 online courses are offered in various schedules during the 12-week summer term.

All students pay resident tuition, and for current UH ����ԴDz� students.

The 2025 (APDF) is set to return to the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa from May 19 to June 1, offering a rare opportunity to experience the rich dance traditions of Asia and the Pacific.

The immersive two-week experience offers workshop participants and performance attendees a deep dive into movement, music, history, language and cultural traditions.

Festival highlights

• Residents Artists:
1. Hālau Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima, under the direction of Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine
2. Arzoo Dance Theatre from India/Canada, directed by Deepti Gupta
3. Rako Pasefika from Rotuma, Fiji, led by Letila Mitchell
• Special Tribute: A Filipino dance performance honoring the legacy of the late H. Wayne Mendoza
• Hālau Kilipohe Nā Lei Lehua, featured in a full-length evening concert

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently awarded APDF a $25,000 grant, recognizing its role in preserving and sharing these dynamic traditions.

“We are honored to receive support from the NEA for the Asia Pacific Dance Festival,” said Tim Slaughter, interim dean of UH Mānoa . “This grant acknowledges the festival’s significant impact on the dance culture of Asia and the Pacific, as well as its role in fostering cultural exchange.”

The NEA grant will directly support the artists performing at the festival.

For more go to the .

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� has completed a full relocation back to the ����ԴDz� campus—a strategic move to enhance accessibility for students and the wider community. This academic unit offers various paths to pursue a degree, along with professional development initiatives and outreach programs spanning fields such as business, social work, nursing and medicine.

The recent relocation places Outreach College in the Biomedical Sciences, Keller, and Bilger buildings on the UH ����ԴDz� campus.

“Since all of our courses are offered in conjunction with one of ����ԴDz�’s academic departments, being on campus allows us to have a better relationship with these departments,” said Tim Slaughter, interim dean of the college. “Outreach provides an array of summer classes that can help students get ahead and graduate faster or explore areas they may not have time to during the regular school year.”

The college’s programs include online courses, non-credit courses, workshops, flexible degree programs, conferences and various educational activities.

Outreach College Programs

“For our degree completion programs, many are career professionals looking to improve their credentials or obtain an advanced degree,” said Slaughter.

Outreach College is a result of the 1998 merger of the campus Summer Sessions and the College of Continuing Education and Community Services. The move back to the UH ����ԴDz� campus aims to create a central hub for diverse educational opportunities, strengthening ties with academic departments and fostering collaboration for both students and the community.

For more go to the website.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Janice Yonamine, like many, was working from home and found her 15-year career as a state auditor was no longer fulfilling—she needed to make a change.

Through her job search, she discovered a position for a clinical trials support specialist at the . Although she did not have clinical research or medical experience, Yonamine decided to take a chance—she applied and got the job.

To train and supplement her transition into the position, her hiring manager recommended she register for the inaugural , which provides foundational clinical trial knowledge, including oncology clinical trial coordination, basic statistical and epidemiologic methods, ethical and regulatory aspects of human subjects research and protocol development. Yonamine was part of the first cohort of this program in 2020.

The field of clinical research is thriving in �鶹��ý. In fact, upon the successful completion of the three-month certificate program, students enter one of the fastest growing fields in the U.S. (currently 14% annually).

“The certificate program is the perfect starting point for anyone, whether you already have some background or experience, or if you’re brand new to the field,” said Yonamine. “Clinical research is so dynamic and you will never go stagnant. There’s always something new to learn and the science and research is always evolving and advancing. It is an exciting and meaningful career and you will never stop learning.”

Yonamine was promoted to a clinical research associate (CRA) in 2022 and served as a course instructor for the program last fall, teaching data management and cooperative group registration. She now sees patients at The Queen’s Medical Center, the Cancer Center of Hawaii and �鶹��ý Cancer Care.

The certificate program is designed to train those interested in becoming a CRA at the UH Cancer Center, its affiliated hospitals or at other academic centers in support of clinical trials.

Enroll in the program

The program is offered online by the UH ����ԴDz� Outreach College. The accelerated three-month program runs from August 23 to November 15, 2023. The deadline to apply is August 21, 2023.

Learn more and register for the Clinical Research Professional Certificate Program on the .