The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa ballroom dance team won its third consecutive national title at the (NCDC), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 27–29.

Competing against 37 colleges, UH Mānoa once again took first place for “highest point average,” as well as a close second place for the overall team championship, asserting its place among the nation’s top ballroom dance college teams. Winning top honors in the highest point average requires most team members to perform exceptionally well in all events.

The dancers of the Ballroom Dance Club @UHM—a registered independent organization at UH Mānoa—are trained and coached by Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti. Narayan and Sumukti also represented �鶹��ý in the senior age division placing 1st in several events.

“We are no longer the underdogs, so all the other colleges are looking at us as the team to beat,” said Narayan, who is also an adjunct faculty member in the UH Mānoa . “The bar is getting raised higher and higher each year, but we prevailed once again. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our dancers who put in many hours to prepare for this competition. We are grateful for the incredible support we have received from the entire ballroom community in the state of �鶹��ý.”

The Ballroom Dance Club @UHM was formed in September 2022, and the team took first place for “highest team average” in 2024 and 2025.

“Nationals was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me,” said Caleb Zerbe, who competed in the nationals for the first time. “Getting to see so many people dance and enjoy themselves on the floor made me realize how fun dancing can be, even at the highest stages. It was a moment that helped me build a lot of confidence, and one that I will never forget.”

Christopher Ramirez, who competed on all three victorious UH Mānoa teams, added, “Given the opportunity to compete at my third nationals, there is always something new to learn. Winning for the third year in a row has reminded me just how incredible it is to be a part of this team.”

Tough competition

NCDC is a grueling competition with events starting at 7 a.m. every morning. It consisted of multiple events based on proficiency (bronze, silver, gold, etc.). Each student danced in up to 32 different events at the bronze and silver skill levels. They competed in all four styles of ballroom dance including International Standard (waltz, tango, viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep), American Smooth (waltz, tango, foxtrot and viennese waltz), American Rhythm (chacha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo) and International Latin (samba, chacha, rumba, paso doble and jive).

Several students took individual first place awards in their respective divisions defeating up to 70 other competitors in some events. This trip was designed to give the team exposure to a collegiate competition, as �鶹��ý has no statewide collegiate ballroom competitions.

More about the Ballroom Dance Club

The Ballroom Dance Club offers beginner classes to all UH Mānoa students, faculty and staff in studio 2 in the athletics department from 6—7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. No dance experience is required. For more information, or visit their Instagram page @bdcuhm.

The team would like to thank the Department of Information and Computer Sciences, UH Mānoa Department of Athletics, Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Associated Students of the University of �鶹��ý, USA Dance Honolulu and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation for facility and financial support.

UH Mānoa 2026 nationals collegiate and adult team roster:

• Ravi Narayan, faculty (computer science), coach and alumnus
• Synthia Sumukti, coach and alumna
• ʻAulani Wagner, library science and American studies
• Alexander Picken, Earth science
• Amanda Kanthack, psychology and Japanese
• Caleb Zerbe, computer science
• Christopher Ramirez, linguistics
• Christopher Wright, electrical engineering
• Courtney Hisamoto, computer science
• D’Elle Martin, architecture
• Elijah Saloma, computer science
• Gregory Snyder, mechanical engineering
• Hannah Madiam, kinesiology
• Iris Calauan, pre-nursing
• Jonathan Bona, civil engineering
• Julietta Lopez, architecture
• Kanaru Ebi, psychology
• Karl Merritt, mechanical engineering
• Luis Hernandez, electrical and computer engineering
• Lyndsey Moku, political science
• Maya Ito, psychology
• Michaella Villanueva, computer science
• Noah Asano, computer science
• Samantha Reed, computer science
• Shaelyn Loo, computer science
• Tessa Heidkamp, journalism and political science
• Andrew Lin, computer science alumnus
• Sydney Kim, computer science alumna
• Jason Aguda, computer engineering alumnus
• Matthew Rummel, political science and business alumnus
• Ariel Ramos, cinematic arts animation alumna
• Yong-Sung Masuda, computer science alumnus
• Wilson Tran, computer science alumnus
• Florence Liu, faculty, mathematics

Luis Hernandez and Maya Ito dancing the American Cha-cha in the Collegiate Team Match where UH Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Elijah Saloma and Michaella Villanueva dancing the International Quickstep in the Collegiate Team Match where UH Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti dancing the Mambo in the Senior IV American Rhythm Championship final. (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

Students cheering for their coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� has recognized 20 degree programs for exemplary commitment to improving curriculum and student learning through a new faculty-led honor launched this academic year.

The Excellence in Assessment for Improvement: Hōpoe Assessment Award celebrates programs that demonstrate outstanding, collaborative assessment practices. “Hōpoe” describes the ʻōhiʻa lehua in its fullest, most vibrant bloom—a symbol of programs that have matured and flourished. The award was established in 2025 by the ����ԴDz� Faculty Senate’s Committee on Educational Effectiveness (CEE).

“This award represents the maturity and beauty of programs that have truly blossomed through meaningful assessment,” said Justin Walguarnery, CEE committee chair. “It is a ‘for faculty, by faculty’ initiative that celebrates the hard work of using assessment to make an appreciable difference in the academic experience.”

The inaugural recipients include programs in:

• Anthropology (MA and PhD)
• Asian International Affairs (MA)
• Cinematic Arts (BA)
• Early Childhood Education (MEd)
• Education (PhD)
• Education: Teaching (MEdT)
• Educational Admin (MEd)
• Educational Psychology (MEd and PhD)
• Elementary Education (BEd)
• Library & Information Sciences (MLISC)
• Professional Educational Practice (EdD)
• Secondary Education (BEd)
• Social Work (BSW)
• Sociology (MA)
• Special Education (BEd and MEd)
• Theatre and Dance (BA and BFA)

Faculty-driven review process

Recipients were selected through a rigorous peer-review process led by the Assessment Report Review Committee (ARRC), a group of about 40 faculty members trained jointly by CEE and the UH Assessment and Curriculum Support Center (ACSC). Organizers describe the award as a fully faculty-owned effort that highlights collaboration and shared accountability.

This award represents the maturity and beauty of programs that have truly blossomed through meaningful assessment.
—Justin Walguarney

All UH ����ԴDz� degree programs submit biennial assessment reports outlining student learning outcomes, curriculum development and benchmarks for achievement. These reports are required for accreditation and are publicly available on the ACSC website. From more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, 20 were recognized in the award’s inaugural year.

Beginning in fall 2026, every degree program will have the opportunity to self-evaluate using the award criteria, including student learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, evidence of learning, fair and reliable evaluation, use of results and culturally responsive assessment practices. Programs indicating “full bloom” will be automatically nominated for review.

By expanding both self- and peer-nomination pathways, organizers hope to spotlight the collaborative, reflective work strengthening education across campus.

CEE committee members that developed the award are Justin Walguarnery, Nicole Schlaack, Jamie Simpson Steele, Joseph Foukona, Alice Tse, Joanna Philippoff, Emile Loza de Siles, Dan Port, Maya Saffery, Jessica Gasiorek, Aimee Chung, Arby Barone, Ann Sakaguchi, Alohilani Okamura, Monica Esquivel and Yao Hill.

Voices, movement and moments of reflection filled at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� in early February as , a biennial conference brought together scholars, artists and community members for two days of exchange. Hosted by the (ANNO), the conference explored how Indigenous performance sustains knowledge, language and relationships across generations.

The second biennial conference featured panels, workshops and special events that emphasized learning through practice.

Participants took part in everything from hula workshops led by UH ����ԴDz� instructor and Kumu Hula Tracie Kaʻōnohilani Farias Lopes to kapa making, puppet making, carving and a movement-based session by Sami L.A. Akuna that invited reflection on storytelling and the body.

“We hope that the conference delegates engaged in the many offerings of the two-day event and see the importance of Indigenous performance as a site of knowledge production, cultural preservation, and collective imagination,” said Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker, who co-founded ANNO and is a director of UH ����ԴDz�’s award-winning .

One panel, Aloha ʻĀina Embodied: The Praxis of ʻAha, was conducted entirely in ʻōlelo �鶹��ý. The session featured several kumu, including Kaliko Baker, an associate professor at ; Kaipu Keala, an assistant professor at , Kaulu Luuwai, an attorney with at William S. Richardson School of Law, and Snowbird Bento, kumu hula of Ka Pā Hula O Ka Lei Lehua.

Panelists discussed how is expressed through performance and community practice, reflecting on the ways language and movement inform artistic and community-based work.

Celebration and story

The conference concluded with a hoʻolauleʻa, a celebration that combined conversation and creative sharing. Events included a film screening of , directed by Lisette Flanary, professor at UH ����ԴDz� and a preview of a new hana keaka (theatre work) by UH ����ԴDz� Hawaiian theatre graduate student Ikaika Mendez. The production, Lele Wale, reflects on community rebuilding after the Lahaina wildfires, honoring those who were lost, those who survived, and those continuing the work of rebuilding on Maui. Performances run March 4–8 at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at Kennedy Theatre.

• Related UH News story: Lahaina’s story lives in new hana keaka production, February 5, 2026

Established in 2022 through the UH ����ԴDz� Provost’s Strategic Investment Initiative, ANNO advances Hawaiian and Indigenous performance through scholarship, curriculum and outreach, supporting ongoing research and creative practice at UH ����ԴDz�.

Aspiring filmmakers are invited to submit a short film pitch for the Sustainability Pitch and Media Competition 2025. Hosted by the University of �鶹��ý System Office of Sustainability and the UH ����ԴDz� , this year’s theme is Local Food Production and Consumption.

The competition encourages filmmakers to turn their creativity into impact by using storytelling skills to pitch eye-catching short films that do good for the planet. Three pitches will be chosen. Winning pitches will earn $200 each. Those produced within the academic year will earn an additional $800.

online. Submissions are due November 20, at 11:55 p.m.

Application requirements

• Written pitch for a short film between 15 seconds and 2 minutes long.
• A written description of your idea (100–300 words max).
• A single PDF (4–8 images) showing your concept, visual style, and story progression.
• Pitches must be original (no overlap with class assignments).

Pitches will be judged by community professionals, and finished films will be shared with the UH community and beyond.

For more information, contact Associate Professor Laura Margulies at lmarguli@hawaii.edu.

A student film created at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa has earned international recognition at the . “Praying Mantis,” written and directed by UH Mānoa student Hulita Drake, was named among the winners of the 2025 festival in the zero budget category.

The film tells the story of a young woman who attends a college costume party dressed as a praying mantis, only to find herself out of place until a chance encounter changes the course of her night. What begins as a seemingly romantic connection unravels into disappointment, sparking a journey of obsession, prayer and unexpected action.

Drake collaborated with fellow UH students Lauren Piehler, who served as cinematographer, and AJ Taylor, who handled sound recording. The production also received support from other classmates, and community members Olivia Vela and Jase Andrews starred in leading roles.

Drake and members of the student team traveled to Auckland, New Zealand, for the festival’s October 7 celebration event. The trip marked an opportunity to showcase their work on an international stage while connecting with filmmakers from across the Pacific.

“Receiving this recognition at the South Pacific International Film Festival is an incredible honor,” said Drake, who earned a BA in and is working on a second bachelor’s degree in digital cinema from the UH Mānoa . “It’s a testament to the creativity, dedication and collaboration of our entire UH Mānoa student team. Being able to share ‘Praying Mantis’ on an international stage and connect with filmmakers from across the Pacific has been an inspiring experience that I will always cherish.”

“Praying Mantis” is currently screening on the film festival circuit and isn’t yet available to the public, but Drake hopes to release it on YouTube in the future.

The South Pacific International Film Festival highlights emerging and independent filmmakers from across the region. This year’s slate featured winners from the U.S., New Zealand, Indonesia and Fiji. “Praying Mantis” was one of three films from the U.S. selected for recognition.

In high school at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, aspiring filmmaker Kainoa Kaeha wasnʻt sure where to start when it came to choosing a college. His high school advisors pointed him toward mainland universities, but Kaeha felt that Leeward Community College was the right fit.

“I chose Leeward because it’s more affordable, as well as their digital media program was right up my alley,” Kaeha said. “I regret nothing.”

At Leeward CC, Kaeha thrived in smaller classes and the close-knit environment. He gained valuable skills by getting involved on campus. Kaeha joined the student-produced campus publication to develop his photo, video and graphic design skills. Eventually, he got involved with student government, serving as president for a year and a half.

“I was making connections with my friends and coworkers, especially when it comes to leadership. I was starting to learn how to communicate effectively,” said Kaeha.

Scholarship support opens doors

After earning an associate’s degree in liberal arts and multiple digital media certificates from Leeward CC in 2024, Kaeha turned his sights to UH ����ԴDz�. One concern was the cost of tuition. His plan was simple: apply for as many scholarships as possible.

The hard work paid off as he was awarded the UH ����ԴDz� Presidential Scholarship, granting him full tuition for the school year and a total of $4,000 in stipend and travel grants.

“I’m more comfortable, I’m not stressing out as much so I can do better in class and make more connections,” Kaeha said. “The easiest word is thank you, and appreciation and gratitude. To give others that power of financial stability or comfort in order to do better in school, it’s really amazing.”

Kaeha plans to graduate from the School of Cinematic Arts in spring 2026.

University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� students swept all 24 student awards at the annual Excellence in Journalism awards, hosted by the (SPJ), July 30.

Headlining the group were the following first-place winners:

• Student Investigative Journalism in Any Media—Lili Hurd ( major)
• Student Breaking News in Any Media—Emma Davidson (journalism major)
• Student Feature Journalism in Any Media—Flynn Hamlin (2024 journalism graduate)
• Student Sports Journalism in Any Media—Justin Gardner (2024 journalism graduate)
• Student Journalism Featuring Video—Lili Hurd
• Student Journalism Featuring Photography—Kiersten Morgan (exploratory major)
• Student Journalism Featuring Audio—Alyssa Francesca Salcedo (2025 journalism graduate)
• Student Editorial/Opinion Writing—Emma Caires (2025 journalism graduate)

Associate Professor Youjeong Kim from the in UH �Ѳ��ԴDz�’s and faculty sponsor of the UH ����ԴDz� SPJ Student Chapter, said, “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our students recognized for their hard work. They’re not just learning how to report the truth—they’re out there doing it, with heart and a strong sense of responsibility. Their work makes a real difference in �鶹��ý, and I’m proud to support them.”

Other students who won awards included majors in , and . Suah Cho, an incoming PhD student in the communication and information sciences program, won three awards for stories that were published in Civil Beat, where she interned in 2024. Many faculty members and alumni also earned awards in professional categories.

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Three student films are finalists in the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s inaugural Sustainability Media Competition that will be shown this spring. The competition is a collaboration by the with the .

Launched in 2024, the competition aims to foster creativity and raise environmental awareness by challenging students to create short films centered on sustainability. This year’s focus was on clean energy transformation, inspiring students to explore themes like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation.

The competition ran from October 24 to November 22 giving students a chance to develop their projects into full productions that will premiere in Spring 2025.

Finalists:

“Dear Keiki,”—Ryan Bodine and Hannah Parkus
A young girl, stuck in traffic, daydreams of a renewable energy-powered future. As her pinwheel spins, she envisions wind turbines, solar farms, tidal energy, and wave generators, all contributing to a cleaner world. The dream inspires her to take action for a sustainable future, and she gazes at real wind turbines, feeling hopeful and motivated.

Parkus is a senior majoring in the School of Cinematic Arts with a focus on Digital Cinema. Bodine is a fourth-year Cinematic Arts student.

“Sustain My Life!”—Matthew Iwamasa
In this two-minute fake movie trailer, Dexter Gear, an engineer, is targeted by oil companies after agreeing to help a town transition to clean energy. After a close call with an assassin, Dexter receives a letter from a child he’s helped, inspiring him to face the danger. The trailer ends with Dexter humorously trying to talk his way out of a perilous situation, combining humor and a message about sustainability.

Iwamasa is a freshman in SCA.

“The Clean Energy Prophecy”—Anne Di Martino, Aim Mizobe, Jay Shimabukuro and Brandi W.
In a world once powered by the harmony of four great spirits—Sun, Wind, Tide, and Earth—the Everflowing Breath kept the land thriving. But the Blacken Breath, a dark force of decay, threatened to destroy it. The spirits united to defeat it, restoring balance before fading into legend. Now, centuries later, the Blacken Breath returns, stronger than before. A new hero must rise, wielding the power of the spirits to save the world. Will the Everflowing Breath return, or will darkness consume all?

Di Martino and Shimabukuro are both seniors in UH Mānoa’s SCA Computer Animation program, while Brandi W. is an alumna of the same program.

Participants submitted pitches featuring a written concept description and images illustrating their visual storytelling approach.

A panel of esteemed judges, including professionals from animation, filmmaking and sustainability sectors, evaluated the submissions.

The 2024 judging panel

• Gavin Arucan—is a Filipino and Japanese-American artist from �鶹��ý. He graduated from UH Mānoa with a BA in animation. Gavin is currently a storyboard artist for the animated shows Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss.
• GB Hajim—For the past 30 years, GB has been producing, directing, shooting, and editing Hawaiian language dramas and educational programs. His directorial feature debut, the animated sci-fi lesbian musical Strange Frame, attracted an all-star team including Tim Curry, Academy Award winner Gary Rizzo and Pink Floyd. His most recent film, the psychological drama steeped in magical realism Mermaids’ Lament was nominated for Best Feature at Dances with Films in Los Angeles and won Best Feature at the UN-sponsored Big Syn Festival in London.
• Philip Johnson—Philip Johnson is a retired professor of Information and Computer Sciences at UH ����ԴDz�. He was an active member of the UH Sustainability Council and has participated in many sustainability initiatives over the past 20 years.

Keiko Sugihara, an alumna of the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� School for Cinematic Arts (SCA), is making waves in the entertainment industry. Her latest achievement: co-writing an episode for the new hit TV show Rescue: HI Surf, which airs on FOX and streams on Hulu.

Sugihara and fellow writer Ryan Martinez penned the surf drama series’ episode 12, “Surge,” which aired on February 3. The episode follows North Shore lifeguards responding to a tsunami advisory while their captain searches for his missing daughter. It’s a high-stakes story that showcases Sugihara’s talent for crafting suspense and emotion.

“I feel very grateful for this opportunity, and I hope viewers enjoy the episode! It was a labor of love,” Sugihara shared.

Her success adds to the growing list of UH ����ԴDz� alumni making an impact in the film and television industry. Earlier this year, fellow SCA alumna Erin Lau also directed an episode of the �鶹��ý-based series.

• Related UH News story: ����ԴDz� alumni films shine on streaming service, February 20, 2024

From UH ����ԴDz� to Hawaii Five-0

Sugihara, a Chicago native, discovered her passion for filmmaking at UH ����ԴDz�, where she pursued a degree in film production in SCA. That decision led to real-world industry experience, including an internship on Hawaii Five-0 during her final semester, where she worked as a production assistant.

“SCA emphasizes creativity and professionalism, the fact that Keiko Sugihara is credited as a co-writer on this episode speaks to her talent and dedication as an artist,” said Christine Acham, a professor and chair at SCA.

SCA Professor Lisette Flanary mentored Sugihara while she was at UH ����ԴDz�.

“[She’s] a very talented writer who always produced awesome screenplays and was willing to push the boundaries in her storytelling,” Flanary said.

From Hawaii Five-0, Sugihara moved to Los Angeles to work in a writers’ room. She later joined Marvel’s Helstrom as a writers’ assistant and won first place in the 2020 Branches Interactive Script Contest for her original pilot, Nikkei Curse of Yokai. She also wrote, directed and starred in her short film, Vampire American.

The (UROP) at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� is offering its first-ever funding opportunity specifically for undergraduate students to perform research or creative work projects abroad.

UH ����ԴDz� was selected as one of 12 institutions nationwide to apply and receive up to $20,000 in private funding to support international research from the Tyler Center for Global Studies. According to the center, the awarded institutions “have articulated the significance of inquiry, cross-cultural engagement and experiential learning in undergraduate research.”

“While UROP has always provided financial support for students to conduct research abroad, we anticipate that this new funding opportunity specifically geared for international experiences will inspire even more students to pursue their scholarship goals around the world,” UROP Director Creighton Litton said. “The Tyler Fellowship is much more than an academic opportunity—it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact on the global stage, and then bring that newly acquired knowledge back home to �鶹��ý.”

While the deadline to apply for summer 2025 has passed, Litton hopes UROP will continue to offer this fellowship in the years to come.

Angel Sanchez, a UH ����ԴDz� student majoring in , conducted research in Venice, Italy in summer 2024 and was supported through funding from UROP. Her project was about comparing European and international cinema at the Venice International Film Festival. Sanchez encourages UH ����ԴDz� students to take advantage of this new funding opportunity.

“Curiosity and understanding of international culture allows for future collaboration, meeting different people, learning from each other, creating something new and sharing things you create to a wider audience,” Sanchez said. “Overall, international research gives you an opportunity to expand your worldview knowledge and reflect about your own lifestyle and culture as you try to apply what you learned to yourself and from there, create something new.”

This new funding opportunity is possible via a collaboration among UROP, UH Foundation and the Study Abroad Center that provides a funding mechanism and student/mentor international travel training.

Each year, UROP awards more than $500,000 in merit-based scholarships directly to students to support mentored undergraduate research and creative work projects and presentations. An additional $125,000 is awarded directly to mentors to support undergraduate research and creative work during the summer via the .

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