“Aloha from Puʻunui!” “Joining from Alaska.” “Tagio tumas, Wantok!”

These greetings reflected the global reach of a recent interdisciplinary webinar hosted in part by the (DPHS) at the , bringing together more than 115 participants to explore how sport and culture support health across Pacific communities.

The virtual event, “Activating Ties Across the Tides,” connected professionals and students in public health, social work and community programs from places including Papua New Guinea, Guam and the continental U.S.

Culturally grounded approaches

The discussion centered on culturally grounded sport and movement programs, with presenters sharing research, youth initiatives and lived experiences from Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Chuukese communities in Guam. Speakers included athletes, educators and public health practitioners working across the region.

The event was co-hosted by the Public Health Resonance Project, in collaboration with the Thompson School , the and the . DPHS graduate students in the spring 2026 course also helped to host the event, strengthening knowledge and leadership skills.

“It is great to see how communities are using sports/functional movement to support their communities to be healthier or find healthier ways to interact and to live,” said one participant.

“Integrating culture and physical activity is an innovative way to create intersections between culture and health and a great way to strengthen communities socially and in health and wellbeing, thank you all for sharing what you do!” said another participant.

Organizers announced a related call for papers through the �鶹��ý Journal of Health & Social Welfare, with , to further expand scholarship in this area.

“Having worked collaboratively across the Pacific for more than 20 years to engage Pacific communities through social work and interdisciplinary public health initiatives at UH ����ԴDz�, it was incredibly meaningful to see this interdisciplinary scholarly forum highlight efforts that center community and individual well-being through sport,” said Theresa Kreif, faculty director of .

amplifies the unique attributes and deep connections across regionally and culturally relevant physical activities for health promotion. This was the second collaborative webinar supported by the Chin Sik & Hyun Sook Chung Endowed Chair in Public Health Studies and Tetine Sentell, Professor in DPHS, in collaboration with local and international experts and partners.

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Deep cultural ties between �鶹��ý and French Polynesia were highlighted during French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson’s visit to the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s on February 25.

While in Honolulu for , hosted by the East-West Center, Brotherson made time to connect with UH ����ԴDz�, including a visit to the library’s internationally recognized collections.

Pacific Collection librarians Eleanor Kleiber and Stu Dawrs, along with Hawaiian Collection Librarian and department chair Jodie Mattos, showcased rare and historic materials related to French Polynesia. Items included: 18th-century works from Captain Cook’s voyages, 1844 correspondence from the Queen of Tahiti to King Kamehameha III, signed editions of �鶹��ý’s Story by Queen Liliʻuokalani, and two editions of Brotherson’s own novel, Le Roi absent (The Missing King).

“It was an honor to welcome President Brotherson, and a joy for us to share items from our collections that highlight the historical and cultural connections between �鶹��ý and French Polynesia,” said Kleiber. “He seemed to appreciate seeing these items our library has curated to represent the strong connections between our islands.”

University Librarian Clem Guthro added, “Our collections are vast, global and contain a multitude of treasures that support research, scholarship and teaching. Welcoming visitors from abroad to our collections extends their global reach. Visitors like President Brotherson become our ambassadors; sharing their experiences with our library when they return home, and knowing we are a resource to them.”

Brotherson has served as president since 2023 and is known for promoting sustainable development, cultural preservation and regional cooperation across the Pacific.

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More than 200 high school students of Pacific Islander heritage gathered at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo on October 18, for the annual Pacific Youth Empowerment for Success (PacYES) conference, a day devoted to motivate, inspire, and prepare the teenagers for college and career opportunities while fostering cultural connections within their own communities.

Themed Interweaving Generations, Connecting Skills and Heritage, this year’s event encouraged students to dream big while staying rooted in who they are. From hands-on workshops to cultural ceremonies, PacYES 2025 offered a glimpse of higher education grounded in community.

“We pride ourselves on being one of the most diverse campuses in the country,” UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin said during opening remarks. “Today you will hear about the rich array of opportunities before you. Listen with intention…you have teams of people ready and waiting to help you realize those dreams.”

Special guest Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands, delivered a keynote that mixed in Gen Z slang to challenge students to recognize that leadership and impact often begin with small, intentional steps.

“Big moves start with small moves, no cap!” she told the crowd, encouraging students to take meaningful steps rooted in purpose and culture.

Workshops and resource fair

Workshops throughout the day blended career readiness with cultural grounding. In one session, participants planted coconut and breadfruit saplings on campus under the guidance of UH Hilo alumnus Jermy Uowolo, vice president of Micronesians United—Big Island.

A lively resource fair followed, connecting students with mentors, colleges, and community organizations ready to support their journeys.

Student reflections

The day ended with a student reflection panel and closing remarks from former �鶹��ý County Mayor Mitch Roth, who has supported PacYES since its start in 2010. Each student wrote their dream on a star and placed it on a banner, symbolizing the Pacific Islander tradition of navigating by the sea and the stars.

—By Neilynn Domnick/PacYes

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The University of �鶹��ý received two privately funded grants totaling more than $1.5 million from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to tackle pressing health disparities across rural �鶹��ý and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands. Through community-centered health care and policy research, the projects aim to improve access, quality and coordination of care in some of the most medically underserved areas in the country and Pacific Islands.

“The Helmsley Charitable Trust is committed to ensuring that people in rural and remote communities can access the care they need and deserve,” said Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “These grants reflect that commitment by supporting the University of �鶹��ý’s efforts to conduct rigorous, community-informed research that leads to practical, culturally responsive solutions. We are proud to support the University of �鶹��ý to help strengthen health care systems across �鶹��ý and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands, where the need is great and the opportunity for impact is profound.”

Assessing health care delivery

The first grant of $1.15 million will support a two-year, in-depth health policy and health care delivery system assessment in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Led by UH’s , (RHRPC), and at the (JABSOM), the initiative will work closely with territorial health leaders and community stakeholders to map systemic gaps, develop culturally relevant solutions, and produce technical reports and policy briefs for action at the local, national and philanthropic levels.

From strengthening emergency medical services and interisland transport to improving cancer care, telehealth and workforce development, the project will uncover new opportunities to address long-standing inequities and build more resilient systems of care throughout the Pacific.

“The cross-university team that came together in this proposal, including Co-Principal Investigators Aimee Grace (RHRPC), Neal Palafox and Lee Buenconsejo-Lum (JABSOM), is seeking to model next generation transdisciplinary opportunities to advance health and wellbeing research in Pacific Islands communities and honor UH’s continuing kuleana (responsibility) to the Pacific Islands region in which we are located,” said Principal Investigator Alexander Mawyer, director of the Center for Pacific Islands Studies.

Recommendations for rural health

The second grant—$383,844 over two years—focuses on opportunities to improve health in �鶹��ý through policy changes. It will enable RHRPC to examine the state’s health care and emergency response systems, particularly in underserved communities across the islands, and identify barriers to optimal health and health care. Areas of focus will include cardiac care, telehealth, cancer care, emergency medical services, and more. The team will engage key stakeholders through site visits and compile policy options to address identified barriers at multiple levels, including federal, state, local, community and philanthropy.

“This generous grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust represents a pivotal opportunity to focus on the policy drivers of health across our state,” said Grace, RHRPC principal investigator and UH Strategic Health Initiatives director. “By focusing on the unique challenges faced by �鶹��ý’s rural populations, we aim to develop targeted and impactful policy recommendations that will ultimately strengthen the health and well-being of all �鶹��ý residents.”

Together, the two projects demonstrate UH’s growing impact as a regional leader in rural health innovation and its deep commitment to uplifting community-driven policy solutions that create lasting change for the people of �鶹��ý and the Pacific Islands.

“We are grateful to the Helmsley Charitable Trust for enabling us to assist key policymakers with important research that will go towards improving health care access in our state and Pacific Island communities,” said Interim UH Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad Walton. “Private investments like these further validate the quality and trust in the UH research enterprise, and help to keep us on course in this challenging federal funding environment.”

The ’s nearly 20-year involvement in a national effort to support underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has come to an end, following the termination of federal funding for the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program.

Since 2006, UH Hilo has led the Islands of Opportunity Alliance, using LSAMP support to provide mentorship, research stipends and academic pathways for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and first-generation college students.

Over the years, LSAMP empowered nearly 400 UH Hilo students—and more than 1,300 across the region—through transformative experiences that propelled many into graduate programs and leadership positions in �鶹��ý‘s STEM workforce. Until its recent termination, the grant also supported students at UH ����ԴDz�, UH West Oʻahu, Chaminade, �鶹��ý Pacific University, the University of Guam and numerous community colleges throughout the Pacific.

“LSAMP helped me connect my cultural identity to scientific research,” said Shania Tamagyongfal, a Yapese student who earned both her undergraduate degree in anthropology and master’s in heritage management at UH Hilo. “It gave me the confidence to lead, collaborate, and pursue work that matters to my community. Losing this program is a real setback for students like me.”

Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin noted that LSAMP “embodied our commitment to creating pathways for historically underserved students in higher education. It not only supported academic success but also helped our students see themselves as scientists, researchers and leaders. Its legacy will remain part of how we move forward.”

Keaholoa STEM Scholars Program also impacted

The termination also affects the Keaholoa STEM Scholars Program, a UH Hilo initiative that blends Hawaiian values with scientific education, offering students a culturally grounded space to explore STEM.

“Programs like Keaholoa and LSAMP help our students see that science can reflect their culture, language and values,” said Keaholoa Program Manager Keala Campbell. “That connection empowers them, not just to succeed academically, but to lead in ways that honor who they are. We’re committed to finding ways to keep that momentum going.”

Next steps

UH Hilo leadership remains committed to building on the foundation LSAMP and Keaholoa established—finding new ways to support students, advance equity in STEM, and honor the programs’ enduring impact.

“The community we’ve built around these programs is strong,” said LSAMP Program Director Joseph Genz, “and we’re doing everything we can to keep that momentum going.”

‘Not in alignment with current NSF Priorities’

On May 2, 2025, UH Hilo received official notice from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that LSAMP funding would be terminated, effective immediately, representing a loss of nearly $2.3 million in support over the next five years. The NSF offered the following justification for its decision: “termination of certain awards is necessary because they are not in alignment with current NSF Priorities.”

LSAMP joins a growing list of federally funded programs across the UH system affected by evolving national grant priorities—more than 80 programs have been impacted to date.

The University of �鶹��ý is part of a new Pacific initiative focused on regional collaboration among emerging leaders in the Pacific in vital areas including natural resource economics and management, climate resilience, sustainable food systems, renewable energy development, water security, waste management, and more.

The University of the South Pacific was awarded a $5 million grant from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs to establish a resilience and adaptation fellowship program with UH and other partner institutions. President Joe Biden officially announced the grant as part of the .

A UH delegation met with a group from the University of the South Pacific in June 2024 to help launch this new initiative. The UH delegation included UH President David Lassner, UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno, UH ����ԴDz� Interim Christopher Sabine, and UH ����ԴDz� (CTAHR) Climate and Agroforestry Extension Specialist Ashley McGuigan, who also serves as the �鶹��ý U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands Coordinator for the .

“This collaboration represents a pivotal step in nurturing the next generation of Pacific leaders equipped to tackle climate challenges,” Lassner said. “Weʻre sharing knowledge, ideas and experience across the Pacific to create a more sustainable and resilient future for our region.”

Bruno added, “The Pacific Islands are on the frontlines of climate change, and this partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to actionable solutions. Through this program, we’re investing in the human capital that will drive sustainable development and ensure the long-term prosperity of Pacific communities.”

The delegations discussed ways to implement the interdisciplinary program, including helping to facilitate PhD students from the University of the South Pacific and its 12 member countries (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) to come to UH to be co-supervised by UH faculty to help develop capacity related to climate adaption, mitigation and resilience in the Pacific. This program is also intended to help support the exchange of UH faculty to the University of the South Pacific.

The University of the South Pacific has also received funding from Aotearoa, New Zealand, a significant contributor to climate change research and action, to establish a center that will contribute to improved institutional capability and evidence-based decision-making in the Pacific region, fostering climate resilience and driving ambitious and innovative action on climate change. UH and the University of the South Pacific also discussed ways both institutions can collaborate and partner under this new center, including via a developing climate partnership with the USDA and CTAHR.

More opportunities related to this project will be announced at a later date.

Kathlina Martin, an alumna of the at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�, is helping to bring Micronesian culture to global audiences through her involvement with , a traveling theatre company.

Martin’s connection to theater emerged from her desire to preserve Micronesian cultural narratives. Inspired by TeAda Productions’ mission to amplify marginalized voices, she found their community-driven storytelling approach reminiscent of the sipai (skits) she performed growing up. TeAda produces plays that address health, education and social justice issues.

Born on the island of Piis Paneu in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia, Martin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Guam and later earned her master of social work from UH ����ԴDz� in 2011. She taught high school for three years before moving to �鶹��ý, and currently works with immigrant communities as a migrant education specialist for Pacific Resources for Education and Learning. Her work helps connect migrant families to community resources such as resource fairs, job fairs and food banks.

Dual roles bridge past and present for Pacific Islanders

After attending a community engagement workshop for TeAda Productions’ play Nothing Micro About Micronesia, Martin was invited to join the cast. She plays Tinana, the grandmother, and Mama Kiwin, who uses magic to control the elements. The play has been performed in several cities and is scheduled for upcoming showings, including at the Pacific Youth Empowerment for Success conference on �鶹��ý Island in October.

“There’s nothing micro about Micronesia. Just look at it. You have almost over two hundred thousand people throughout and a large ocean that they use as their highway, even today,” Martin said. “There are big moments of our [geographic region of Micronesia] history that most everyone knows about too, whether it’s the bombing of the Marshall Islands or the famous navigators with their advanced charts.”

Theresa Kreif, director of Pacific Pathways & Workforce Development Initiatives at the Thompson school, praised Martin’s innovative approach to advocacy.

“Kathy’s investment in showcasing the cultural strengths of Micronesia-connected communities through theater increases the visibility of their numerous contributions and ensures a space where culture is celebrated,” she said.

Through her work as a social worker and her volunteerism in community theater, Martin aspires to highlight the wisdom, strength and resiliency of Micronesia, fostering a sense of familial unity akin to her island upbringing.

—By Maria Pou

The and UH ����ԴDz� played significant roles in the 13th (FestPAC), the largest gathering celebrating Indigenous Pacific Islanders worldwide that was held in �鶹��ý in June 2024.

The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the Stan Sheriff Center at UH ����ԴDz�. Both events buzzed with vibrant energy as more than 2,000 delegates from 27 Pacific Island nations, including �鶹��ý offered song, chants and dances to officially begin and end the event.

“Our university is honored to have served as a base, marking the beginning and end of such an anticipated event that is put on across the Pacific in an effort to preserve traditional practices and rich heritage of Indigenous arts,” said UH President David Lassner. “The diversity and creativity showcased by each participating nation throughout FestPAC has been truly inspiring.”

Throughout the 10-day islandwide festival, the UH ����ԴDz� campus served as a home base for 1,527 delegates who stayed in student housing facilities. During FestPAC, UH ����ԴDz� and UH West Oʻahu hosted a series of events, including performances and symposia open to the public. On June 10 and 11, Lassner spearheaded a two-day Pacific Higher Education Summit at the East-West Center. Leaders from more than 20 universities across the Pacific gathered to discuss mutual concerns regarding education access, broadband connectivity, and universities’ roles in addressing climate change and sustainability.

At UH West Oʻahu’s Campus Courtyard, audiences were treated to free performances showcasing traditional music and dances from Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Taiwan, French Polynesia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Guam, and Wallis and Futuna.

The Marine Education Training Center at also hosted traditional waʻa (canoes) that carried in representatives from various Pacific nations.

Hoʻoulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania

Organizers selected this year’s festival theme, Hoʻoulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania. In ʻōlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language), Hoʻoulu lāhui means “to grow the nation.” FestPAC’s mission is to revive and sustain traditional practices and knowledge.

Originating in 1972, the festival rotates its host nation every four years and has grown into the largest of its kind, attracting participants from nations across the Pasifika (Pacific) such as American Samoa, Cook Islands, Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

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The University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu will feature cultural performances from various Pacific nations as one of the venues for the (FestPAC), the world’s largest celebration of Indigenous Pacific Islanders taking place at multiple venues across Oʻahu. The FestPAC opening and closing ceremonies will be held at UH ����ԴDz� in the Stan Sheriff Center.

The events at UH West Oʻahu will be held 3–8 p.m. on Monday, June 10, and Thursday, June 13, and will showcase performers from nations including Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Taiwan, French Polynesia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Guam, and Wallis and Futuna.

“We’re looking forward to having the UH West Oʻahu campus serve as one of our performance venues for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture,” said FestPAC director Aaron J. Salā, who is also a program director at UH West Oʻahu. “We encourage the public to attend these free events, and we hope to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for residents and visitors to celebrate and immerse themselves in this important celebration of culture and arts.”

UH West Oʻahu guests are invited to bring mats and small beach/lawn chairs, and spread out across the Campus Courtyard (between buildings C, D and E). Da Spot will be open for food, and snacks and drinks will also be sold at the Outdoor Learning Space. No coolers or alcohol, please.

Tentative schedule of UH West Oʻahu performances

Monday, June 10
3 p.m.—�鶹��ý: UH West Oʻahu Welcome
3:30 p.m.—Australia
4:30 p.m.—The Federated States of Micronesia
5:30 p.m.—Taiwan
6:30 p.m.—Wallis and Futuna

Thursday, June 13
3 p.m.—�鶹��ý: UH West Oʻahu Welcome
3:30 p.m.—French Polynesia
4:30 p.m.—Niue
5:30 p.m.—Norfolk Island
6:30 p.m.—Guam

FestPAC events at UH ����ԴDz�

The FestPAC opening ceremony will be held at the Stan Sheriff Center on June 6 from 4 to 9 p.m. The Sheriff Center will also host the ecumenical service on Sunday, June 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and the closing ceremony on Sunday, June 16 from 3 to 5 p.m.

UH ����ԴDz� is also providing on campus housing for about 1,600 FestPAC delegates during the festival, and UH President David Lassner is hosting a Pacific Higher Education Summit on June 10 and 11 at the East-West Center.

Hoʻoulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania

The theme selected for the 13th FestPAC is Hoʻoulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania. Hoʻoulu lāhui means “to grow the nation.”

The 10-day islandwide festival will bring together more than 2,500 delegates—artists, cultural practitioners, scholars and officials—from 28 Pacific nations, such as American Samoa, Cook Islands, Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

More than 50 programs and events, including a Festival Village and Marketplace at the �鶹��ý Convention Center, conferences and symposia, live performances, cultural workshops, hands-on demonstrations, films, storytelling and more, will promote cultural exchange, appreciation and celebration.

For more information about FestPAC, visit . Learn more about FestPAC events at .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CPIS is housed in the UH ����ԴDz� .

A new for the Territory of American Samoa was released to the public, enabling the community to visualize how the shoreline is likely to change from coastal flooding, sea-level rise, hurricane storm surge and high tides.

The visualization tool will be an essential component in future planning to assess the short and long-term impacts of rising seas and to minimize the risks to coastal communities, infrastructure and the environment.

A partnership of organizations at the University of �鶹��ý developed the American Samoa Sea Level Rise Viewer over the course of two years, with the (PacIOOS) preparing the platform for the (UHSLC) using funding from the (PI-CASC) and local extension facilitation from (�鶹��ý Sea Grant).

While there are other sea-level rise viewers throughout the continental U.S. and �鶹��ý, this mapping tool is of particular importance to American Samoa. Local sea levels have been rising from climate change effects at rates 2.8 times faster than the global average. Beyond that, ever since a devastating 2009 earthquake and tsunami, American Samoa has been actively sinking. This sinking, called subsidence, contributes even more relative change in water levels, with estimates suggesting roughly twice as much total sea-level rise, for these islands, by 2060 than what is predicted from climate effects alone.

Kelley Anderson Tagarino, �鶹��ý Sea Grant extension agent based at the , along with local colleagues began to notice a distinct increase of sea levels in tide gauge data, beginning at the time of the 2009 earthquake. She ultimately created a partnership to develop an interactive tool demonstrating sea-level rise projections, engaging Phil Thompson, director of UHSLC, and his PI-CASC graduate scholar Carla Baizeau and the PacIOOS team.

Tagarino said, “I sought funding for a sea-level rise viewer to empower our community to plan for our future. Now, everyone can use the viewer to zoom in to specific areas and even individual homes, which is critical to developing resilience plans at the village level.”

The sea-level rise viewer is already being used to inform the design of the new Pago Pago airport terminal buildings.

Threatening natural, cultural resources

Beyond critical infrastructure, the high rates of sea-level rise also threaten natural and cultural resources, agriculture, water resources, critical habitat and much more.

Alphina Liusamoa, a turtle biologist with the , is thrilled to find areas with important ecological zones included, like sea turtle nesting beaches on outer islands. “This is incredibly valuable as it allows us to comprehensively assess the risk of rising sea levels to these important nesting habitats. The tool’s interactive nature provides a valuable opportunity for education and outreach, and it can assist us in implementing conservation measures to protect these fragile ecosystems.”

Baizeau traveled from �鶹��ý to join Tagarino and present the sea-level rise viewer to community leaders and other officials throughout the territory, and at Amerika Samoa’s 2nd Annual Disaster Resilience Summit in September.

“I was lucky enough to go to American Samoa and meet with the village chiefs and students,” said Baizeau. “Everyone was very interested in learning how to use the viewer so they can start planning for their future. It has been really gratifying to be part of this project, and I hope to continue to improve on the work we’ve started.”

Future plans for the tool include adding the effects of wind and wave activity.

For more information, contact: Kelley Anderson Tagarino (kelleyat@hawaii.edu); Cindy Knapman (lknapman@hawaii.edu); Rachel Lentz (rlentz@hawaii.edu) or info@PacIOOS.org.

Twenty-four students from the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) earned their master’s in education this summer through the in the at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�. The new graduates are the third cohort from the RMI since 2017. PACMED supports Pacific Island educators in solving problems by providing a place-based, culturally responsive curriculum in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

PACMED Director Deborah Zuercher, PACMED Operations Director Ivy Yeung, instructors and UH ����ԴDz� Vice Provost for Academic Excellence Laura Lyons attended the graduation ceremony on July 29 at the University of South Pacific.

“Like the coconut tree, this third PACMED RMI cohort swayed in strong winds but was not broken,” said Zuercher. “They endured the strong winds of Covid, online teaching and learning, medical emergencies, health challenges and the loss of beloved family members.”

Bridging traditional wisdom with 21st century tools

The PACMED master’s degree in the Department of Curriculum Studies is a five-semester, 30-credit leadership program designed for Pacific Island educators and community leaders. Courses are delivered in a live online classroom using Zoom and Google Classroom Suite so participants are equipped to share these distance learning technologies in their Pacific regions.

Place-based Indigenous scholars partner with online instructors to ensure that the curriculum is relevant, engaging and culturally sustaining. PACMED strives to bridge precious traditional Pasifika wisdom with 21st century technology, knowledge and skills.

Topics have included marine science, food security, organic gardening, climate change, computer applications, robotics, design engineering, ethnomathematics and traditional cultural practices, such as weaving, fishing, canoe building and navigation.

Expanded access of digital courses

Since 2017, PACMED’s digital delivery of courses has expanded access to include more than 250 graduate students from across the Hawaiian Islands, American Sāmoa, RMI, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau.

Related �鶹��ýNews story: First Marshall Island education cohort graduates

In 2019, the program graduated its first cohort of 17 Marshallese students. In 2022, there were 23 master’s degree graduates from RMI in PACMED’s second cohort.

Zuercher said, “There are now a total of 64 PACMED Marshallese master’s degree recipients to serve as beacons of light and hope in the Republic of Marshall Islands. We call them, ‘Agents of Change’ and are excited to see the positive difference they will make in their families, communities and nation.”

Over half of those who earned their PACMED degrees were either promoted or changed positions as a result of their new educational qualifications.

“PACMED is an outstanding model of how we can work together to meet educational needs in the Pacific,” said UH President David Lassner, who visited the Republic of Marshall Islands this past spring to meet with PACMED candidates and its public school system leadership.

A new cohort of 18 educators from RMI is currently enrolled to begin the program this fall. At the July 2023 graduation ceremony, leaders in RMI requested access to a UH ����ԴDz� doctoral degree program and noted their desire to hire more place-based Marshallese instructors/consultants.

For more information about PACMED, go to the .

Chosen based on their academic achievements and service to the campus and community, student marshals at University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s commencement ceremony wear distinctive silver stoles, and direct graduates and members of the stage party to their seats. Being a student marshal is considered a high honor.

Among the spring 2023 student marshals will be Anamalia Anusaga Suʻesuʻe, 29, who is earning her master’s in and excited to be on track for a PhD in the program. You can’t miss the representative: She is 6 feet tall; has long, wavy hair; and wears a blindingly bright smile embodying excitement on her way to a doctorate.

“I’d like to be in a position to help develop and implement services needed for our Pacific Islander communities to be healthy and well,” said Suʻesuʻe. “Projects I’ve worked on before, and potential dissertation topics, include Samoan language maintenance and preservation, health and cancer disparities among Pacific Islanders, and culturally responsive alternative justice models for incarceration.”

UH spring 2023 commencement schedule

Suʻesuʻe was born in Wailuku, Maui, but grew up on Oʻahu and the east side of �鶹��ý Island. She attended Keaʻau High School, where she played volleyball and basketball, took advanced placement classes, was in the National Honor Society, and served as class president in her sophomore, junior and senior years. After graduating from high school in 2012, Suʻesuʻe and her family moved to Texas to live with her grandparents due to �鶹��ý’s high cost of living.

But when Suʻesuʻe got married and became pregnant with the couple’s first child, the newlyweds moved back to Oʻahu, where her parents and younger sister had already returned.

“I knew early in my life that I wanted to raise my children with my family in �鶹��ý,” said Suʻesuʻe.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Chaminade University, and then started thinking about graduate school.

Sign me up!

I wanted to be where brilliant Pacific Islander minds came together to teach and learn.
—Suʻesuʻe

“UH ����ԴDz� has always had a special place in my heart. Both of my parents attended UH ����ԴDz�, and I wanted to be where brilliant Pacific Islander minds came together to teach and learn,” said Suʻesuʻe. “The UH psychology had many different areas of research, but what really locked me in was the study of community and culture. The attention to context in human development, the role that culture plays in our thinking and emotions, the call for action as a part of research—wow, sign me up!”

Since enrolling, Suʻesuʻe has collected several awards and honors. Two of her most recent: an achievement award as part of the inaugural Women in Pacific Studies Graduate Student Cohort, and her selection as a summer CDC and ChangeLab Solutions Public Health Law Fellow to learn how law and policy can promote better health for Indigenous communities. She is especially grateful to psychology faculty—including graduate advisor Ashley Maynard, thesis committee members like Joni Sasaki and department chair Charlene Baker—for their unyielding guidance and encouragement.

Impact of a caring teacher

As Suʻesuʻe looks forward to her doctorate, she also remembers to look back. Under her leadership, the Keaʻau High School Class of 2012 reunion committee is in the early stages of setting up a college scholarship fund. She reflects often on how her husband, Bryan, and children Moana and Moeaputia, have supported and believed in her. And she appreciates how much of a positive influence her parents have been, especially her father, Suʻesuʻe Suʻesuʻe, who died in 2020.

“Before his passing, he was a teacher at Nānākuli High School and, before that, at Pāhoa High School on �鶹��ý Island. I saw the impact that he had on students and the difference that a caring teacher can make,” said Suʻesuʻe. “So I hope, one day, to become a professor, and continue his legacy of service and support for the next generation. Learning and education are such valuable gifts.”

After five years of planning and preparations for the Moananuiākea Voyage, the (PVS) announced that it will launch the circumnavigation of the Pacific upon arrival in Juneau, Alaska on June 10, 2023. During the four-year expedition, the voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa, Hikianalia and about 400 crew members will sail an estimated 43,000 nautical miles, visiting 36 countries and archipelagoes, nearly 100 Indigenous territories and more than 300 ports.

The University of �鶹��ý is one of the partners contributing to PVS’ educational mission and connecting classrooms to the Moananuiākea Voyage.

The goal of the voyage is to ignite a movement of 10 million “planetary navigators” by developing young leaders and engaging communities around the world to take part in navigating the Earth toward a healthy, thriving future. The voyage itself is a global educational campaign that will amplify the vital importance of oceans and Indigenous knowledge through education and storytelling shared via a virtual “Third Canoe” called , meaning a canoe for the Earth. PVS and its educational partners are creating stories, and lessons for all ages with the goal of inspiring people to care for and make better choices for the Earth.

“This is about not just the oceans, but this is about taking discovery and moving it toward the choices that will take action that we believe is going to help build a future that is good enough for our kids,” said Nainoa Thompson, PVS CEO.

��ō��ū����ʻ��’s journey to Alaska will begin on April 16. Hōkūleʻa, her escort boat and gear and supplies will be transported to Juneau, Alaska via Matson and Alaska Marine Lines.

“Seeing the jubilation of the amazing crowd as we came into Magic Island for homecoming from the [worldwide voyage in 2017], it became clear to me that the Hōkūleʻa now represents the greatest source of pride—not only for Hawaiians but for all of us for whom �鶹��ý is home,” said UH President David Lassner. “��ō��ū����ʻ��—i�ٲ� history and its accomplishments—brings all of us together like nothing else in �鶹��ý.”

Journey across the Pacific

Hōkūleʻa will first journey to Yakutat, Alaska to begin a pre-voyage “Heritage Sail” along the Southeast region to pay homage to Native Alaskan leaders and the places that played a part in building the longstanding relationship between �鶹��ý and Alaska.

On June 10, Hōkūleʻa is scheduled to arrive in Juneau and will be welcomed at Auke Bay, the traditional lands of the A’akw Kwáan. The canoe and crew will remain in Juneau for a week of community and educational engagements. On June 15, Hōkūleʻa will depart Juneau after a celebratory ceremony launching the start of the circumnavigation of the Pacific.

“We begin with a 31-year relationship with the native people of southeast Alaska. And I think Alaska is the appropriate place to begin because in the end this is about family—the family of the Earth. And so we go from one family to another, building relationships grounded in respect and trust—a crucial pathway for peace,” said Thompson.

��ō��ū����ʻ��’s sister canoe Hikianalia will join the voyage in Seattle, Washington in August 2023.

Regional sail plan (subject to change):

• June–September 2023: Alaska, British Columbia, Seattle
• September–November 2023: West Coast of the United States
• January–February 2024: Mexico, Central America, South America
• March–December 2024: Polynesia
• December 2024–May 2025: Aotearoa
• May–March 2026: Melanesia, Micronesia and Palau
• March–September 2026: West Pacific, ending in Japan
• September–December 2026: Shipping from Japan to Los Angeles then sailing home to �鶹��ý
• Spring 2027: Tahiti

Additional partners connecting classrooms to the Moananuiākea Voyage include: �鶹��ý Department of Education, Arizona State University and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary. Nakupuna Foundation is designing and maintaining the Waʻa Honua website.

The $1.7-trillion federal government omnibus funding bill for fiscal year 2023 includes millions of dollars to help the University of �鶹��ý serve the people of our islands thanks to the committed and effective support of �鶹��ý’s congressional delegation—U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Kai Kahele.

Some of the funds appropriated specifically for UH programs include:

• $6.5 million for the UH Cancer Center for the construction of the new Early Phase Clinical Trial Research Center that will provide individuals with cancer access to Phase I clinical trials, which is currently only available in the continental U.S. Learn more
• $2.25 million to UH ����ԴDz�, to establish the Shoreline Equity and Adaptation Hub to support the development of predictive sea-level rise models, economic and policy models for decision making, outreach and community engagement, and resilient landscape and community designs.
• $1 million to support planning and infrastructure for the UH Office of Indigenous Innovation to establish an Indigenous Data Science Hub with a living laboratory that could incubate up to 10 community-based innovation pilots in support of global resilience.
• $500,000 to the UH Sea Grant College Program to facilitate public planning and engagement to identify green and nature-based infrastructure approaches for resilience in the Waikīkī watershed.

One of the provisions that will directly benefit �鶹��ý college students is the increase of $24.6 billion for federal student aid programs, which includes increasing the maximum Pell Grant award by $500 to $7,395 for the 2023–24 academic year.

Through the regular (non-earmark) process, the appropriations bill also funds a number of high-priority programs through which UH advances statewide and national interests, including:

• $30 million for U.S. Navy Alternative Energy Research, an increase of $2.5 million, which supports renewable energy activities at UH ����ԴDz� through the �鶹��ý Natural Energy Institute as well as sea-level rise research through the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.
• $5 million for a new Center for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islander (NHPIUSAPI) Health to focus on research, data collection and practice improvement to better serve NHPIUSAPI veterans, in partnership with UH.
• $9 million for the Resilient Innovative Sustainable Economies via University Partnerships program (RISE-UP Initiative), which supports UH, the University of Alaska, and the University of Rhode Island.
• $25 million for the Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program, an increase of $3 million, that will support tutoring, mentorships, internships, faculty development and other activities to support Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students at the collegiate level.
• $19 million for the Strengthening Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program, an increase of $8 million.
• $302 million, an increase for the High Performance Computing Modernization Program in the Department of Defense, which supports the UH-managed Maui High Performance Computing Center.
• $101 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which includes the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center at UH ����ԴDz�.
• $80 million for the Sea Grant Program, which supports coastal and Great Lakes communities through research, extension and education, including the UH Sea Grant College Program.
• $83 million for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers, which includes the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center based out of UH ����ԴDz�. These Centers provide regionally relevant scientific information, tools and techniques to resource managers and communities in �鶹��ý in response to our changing climate.
• $38 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program, which provides continuing support to the UH Hilo Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes.
• $2 million in new funding for Medical-Legal Partnerships, which provide value to underserved communities by combining health and legal services at a single site of care.
• $4 million to support unmanned vehicle research in partnership with the U.S. Navy.
• $2 million increase for the National Mesonet Program, with language encouraging expansion in non-contiguous areas.
• $9.5 billion for the National Science Foundation, an increase of $700 million. NSF support of UH research helped the university set a record in extramural funding last fiscal year.
• $470 million for Advanced Research Projects—Energy and High Energy Physics, which supports groundbreaking research at UH aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies to address the nation’s critical economic, environmental and energy security challenges.

The bill also instructs the U.S. Department of State to consider increasing the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at UH.

“This appropriations bill will give our state funding to grow our local economy, improve roads and public transit, protect our environment, and strengthen housing, education, and health care programs,” said Schatz in a news release after the Senate passed the bipartisan bill.

“From protecting our environment, to strengthening our state’s emergency management capabilities, to supporting community health organizations and more, these projects will benefit people and communities across our state,” said Hirono in a news release.

“This funding measure continues to showcase a very productive partnership between our �鶹��ý congressional delegation and UH, our flagship institution of higher education and engine of our economy, with its excellent record of attracting hundreds of millions in research funding,” said Case in a news release.

“We are thrilled with the amazing support we get from our congressional delegation individually and collectively in the federal appropriations process,” said UH President David Lassner. “It is truly an honor and a pleasure to work together to advance critical priorities for �鶹��ý and our nation.”

The University of �鶹��ý hosted U.S Representative Ed Case on November 22 to highlight UH’s Indo-Pacific programs and initiatives and discuss expansion of federal funding opportunities. Case met for the afternoon with about two dozen UH Indo-Pacific experts, alumni, students and leaders including UH President David Lassner and UH Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis Syrmos.

“It was an incredible opportunity for me to just sit here with so many incredible professionals in the UH ʻohana and just dig into the opportunities that are available for the next couple of decades as our country and our world focus much more on the Indo-Pacific,” said Case after the event.

A wide range of topics were covered starting with UH’s Indo-Pacific academic programs, including the and the new Strategic Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs through the . Other areas discussed included the new Oceania Initiative to bring together System-wide efforts in health, climate, education and more; alignment between UH and the for students from the Pacific Islands; a recently created academic program for careers in intelligence through the ; and a roundtable where students and alumni shared their backgrounds and current work.

Rep. Case has been a leader in Congress to expand U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific. He is the co-chair of the bipartisan Pacific Islands Caucus, sponsor of the Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific (BLUE Pacific) Act and has visited multiple Pacific Islands.

“There is a ton of existing capacity here and the challenge is to really get it as coordinated as possible with all the other institutions and expertise in �鶹��ý,” said Case, who also acknowledged that continued federal funding is key to the coordination. “If we can do all that, we’re going to take this to a whole other level in terms of the capacity of the University of �鶹��ý.”

After the event, Lassner commended Case for his support and commitment to the region.

“We were honored to have the opportunity to share with Rep. Case the remarkable expertise and work of our faculty,” said Lassner. “His leadership in Congress on matters relating to Oceania has been exemplary, and we look forward to working with him and our entire delegation to strengthen ties between �鶹��ý and our Pacific ʻohana.”

Column by University of �鶹��ý Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana was published by the on October 24, 2022.

The conferring of a PhD is a thrilling experience for any candidate. It marks the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice and is possible to achieve only with the support of family, friends, and colleagues. Our newest PhD scholars have each just had that experience as part of a graduation ceremony unique in the world. It took place at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in Whakatāne, Aotearoa, the only educational institution offering Doctorates in indigenous studies.

Dr. ʻŌhai Daniels (Administration of Justice Program Coordinator), Dr. Lei Ishikawa (Internship Coordinator of Ka Hikina o Ka Lā and Coordinator of Kahōkūala), and Dr. Shavonn Matsuda (Head Librarian) were three of thirteen graduates who received their Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies degrees. Dr. Daniels also received the special award: the Emeritus Professor Roger Green ONZM Award for Top Thesis and Dr. Ishikawa also received the special award: Te Iwi Taketake Award for Outstanding Indigenous Research.

Two graduates were from First Nations of Washington State; the rest from Aotearoa. The cohort is believed to be the largest of such graduates in the world, ever. It was also a celebration of the Wānanga’s 30th graduation. “To be in that space, to be part of a very indigenous-focused celebration, surrounded by indigenous people was amazing,” says ʻŌhai. The other scholars agree.

Each scholar focused on a unique area of Hawaiian cultural practice, one that is personally meaningful to each of them. ʻŌhai studied koko puʻupuʻu, a knot used to make carrying nets found in �鶹��ý and nowhere else on earth. Lei, who has been making kapa for many years, researched the reclaiming of cultural identity and mauli ola (well-being) through kapa making. Shavonn sought to improve intellectual access to ʻike and better represent Hawaiian knowledge in libraries by examining Hawaiian epistemologies. More broadly and, perhaps more importantly, their studies were aimed squarely at the reclamation, perpetuation, preservation, and the organization of Hawaiian wisdom through these practices.

For Shavonn, indigenous research methodologies are hugely important. “It’s crucial for Kanaka to participate in and lead research ‘by us, for us.‘ Throughout my undergraduate and Master’s studies, I faced many barriers to doing genealogy and land research in ‘traditional‘ libraries. We had to learn a Western system to access our own knowledge. I wanted to become part of the solution and meaningfully improve access to Hawaiian knowledge—to work together with our communities to identify pathways to reclaim and put that knowledge into practice,” she explains.

The importance of scholars’ support systems was powerfully on view in every aspect of their studies and their graduation. Professor Mera Penehira, the head of the School of Indigenous Graduate Studies, provided invaluable support as the cohort’s advisor starting the journey with them from the beginning in the summer of 2017. She met virtually with the scholars on a regular basis—at least once a week in most cases—guiding them to the successful completion of their projects.

The scholars’ families were the hearts of their support systems. “We first brought our families in 2017 when we started the program,” explains Lei, “so they could learn what we would be going through, so they could support us in this effort.” All their family members were invited and embraced throughout their graduation visit.

And the entire community of Whakatāne embraces the Wānanga. “The community owns it,” says ʻŌhai. The community comes out in force to support it, from local businesses to elementary school children. Everyone is a part of the greater whole.

Another of our PhD scholars, Dr. Hōkūlani Holt accompanied the scholars as our college’s representative. “Being at the doctoral graduation of three UH Maui College colleagues was quite moving indeed,” she says. “They were given the highest honor possible from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and represented Maui and �鶹��ý exceptionally well. As they walked up to receive their doctorate degrees, they brought with them their ʻohana, their ʻāina aloha, the wisdom and knowledge of generations of kūpuna, and the pride of being kānaka ʻōiwi.”

Now, the beneficiaries of their experience, research, and wisdom are our college, our community, our �鶹��ý. As Lei says, “We are all practitioners. Now we’re practitioners recognized by the academic world, and most importantly, by our lāhui in our cultural practices. We’re telling our own story.”

And there’s something else they want you to know. If you want to embark on a similar journey, they are here for you. They will encourage you, inspire you, and help you. Hoʻomaikaʻi to Dr. Daniels, Dr. Ishikawa, and Dr. Matsuda. We are so proud of you!

A three-year $1-million grant will launch a new Indo-Pacific Affairs Initiative and establish a Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs within the at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�. The federal funding was secured by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono to provide education, training and professional development opportunities for students and U.S. government personnel to better meet national security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

The UH ����ԴDz� Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs will be one of the first academic institutions in the world to focus specifically on the Indo-Pacific region. Changing strategic dynamics have recently led policymakers to expand their thinking beyond traditional definitions of “East Asia” to consider a much more expansive “Indo-Pacific” that stretches from the west coast of the U.S. to the west coast of India. Throughout the past several years, many countries, including the U.S., have released Indo-Pacific strategies that reflect their recognition of the importance of this region.

“The expertise about the Indo-Pacific region that already exists at the university and across Oʻahu is virtually unparalleled. And, as an integral part of that region, UH is uniquely positioned to educate our future leaders in the kinds of historically-grounded, culturally-aware perspectives that can help ensure that U.S. policies and personnel contribute to the peace and well-being of the entire region,” said Cathryn Clayton, chair of the .

The Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs will be the institutional hub of the broader Indo-Pacific Initiative, which will help to bring together experts and opportunities from the and across the ����ԴDz� campus. Other goals include the expansion of course offerings, research and Indo-Pacific affairs co-curricular programming, including strengthening the program that was launched by the Asian studies department in 2019. Professional development opportunities will also be made available to students at the BA and MA levels.

Kristi Govella, an assistant professor in the Asian studies department who will be the director of the new center said, “Through this new Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs, we will help to bridge the gap between the best scholarly research and timely policy-relevant analysis, while also providing transformative opportunities for students to engage with regional affairs.”

The funding will also provide for professional skills workshops, a visiting experts program, online outreach and help to enhance the visibility of the work UH ����ԴDz� students and scholars are already engaged in the field.

“Importantly, this initiative will enable UH ����ԴDz� to initiate a pilot program that will provide financial support for our students who are engaged in unpaid internships at organizations with a focus on Indo-Pacific issues,” said UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno.

UH ����ԴDz� has long been recognized as a leading university for Asian Studies and . The launch of the UH Indo-Pacific Affairs Initiative comes on the heels of news in August that UH ����ԴDz� was awarded seven Title VI International Education grants totaling $7 million over a four-year grant cycle from the U.S. Department of Education to support language instruction, teacher training, curriculum development, outreach and library collections related to Asia and the Pacific.

The University of �鶹��ý and the are hosting leaders from Pacific nations September 12–14 for the “Puʻuhonua: The Pacific Way Forward.”

The program is hosted by the at the East-West Center and the UH Mānoa .

UH President David Lassner hosted a gathering for Gov. David Ige and American Sāmoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The leaders tackled topics including climate change, islander resilience during the pandemic, sustainability and the Pacific diasporas as part of the meetings.

The East-West Center welcomed the first cohort of graduate degree fellows from the Pacific Islands to begin advanced studies in finance and law at the University of �鶹��ý. The fellows join an international community of more than several hundred graduate students from around 40 countries and more than 50 fields of study who are in residence at the center.

The initiative’s title stands for “Promoting Just, Engaged, Civic-minded and Transparent Governance in the Pacific.” The next round of applications for the PROJECT Governance scholarship will begin later this fall.

“We are delighted to welcome our first three PROJECT Governance graduate degree fellows to �鶹��ý, all of whom are already accomplished professionals in promoting financial governance and accountability,” said East-West Center Chief Communications Officer and project lead Jake Hamstra. “Thanks to our funders and partners, this scholarship program is an important means to help foster young leaders who are working to strengthen democratic institutions and support open and responsive governance throughout the Pacific.”

The inaugural PROJECT Governance graduate degree fellows are:

• Moia Afoa, from Sāmoa. Afoa is a principal financial management officer of the Agriculture Sector Coordination Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. She is pursuing a master of science in finance, and hopes to learn skills and best practices to help “ensure grants and loans received by the government are well managed and avoid risk that may hinder Sāmoa’s economy.”
• Alice Areori, from Papua New Guinea (PNG). Previously employed as project lead for Transparency International’s Building Elections Integrity through Partnerships Project, Areori is now pursuing a master of laws. She plans to put the degree to use in instating greater transparency, integrity, and voting access in PNG elections, and to “promote human rights in the electoral processes, like creating separate lines for women to vote freely.”
• Charles Olovikabo, from the Solomon Islands. Olovikabo is a senior legal officer at the Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission. He is pursuing a master of laws, and hopes to help establish a regional legal framework to combat corruption, and to enhance his “capacity to address issues broadly and progressively…to achieve social and economic development of the Solomon Islands.”