Graduate and advanced undergraduate students from across the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ System and around the world gathered February 12–15, for the (IGSC) at the East-West Center, marking a milestone year for the long-running, student-led event.

Organized entirely by a graduate student team and supported by the , the 2026 conference centered on the theme, “Legacies Through Time: Rethinking the Past, Confronting the Present, Shaping the Future.” Over three days, approximately 140 participants representing more than 25 countries and regions across North America, the Asia-Pacific and Europe, representing more than 65 institutions, transformed the Â鶹´«Ã½ Imin International Conference Center into a hub of interdisciplinary exchange.

“Planning this conference reminded us that scholarship is not just about individual achievement—it’s about building relationships and creating spaces where emerging scholars feel seen, challenged and supported,” said Xiaoyun Neo, a master’s student in at UH Mānoa and one of the conference’s organizers. “Watching students step into that space with confidence and generosity was the most rewarding part of this milestone year.”

Neo added, “I also echo the sentiment expressed by IGSC co-chairs Tiến Nguyễn Minh (MA, ) and Oliver Lilford (MA, ) that as scholars, artists and practitioners, we do not simply inherit legacies—we negotiate, challenge and reshape them in the present, using them to reinterpret the past or set the course for different, more hopeful futures.”

Nearly 30 themed panels—including paper presentations, poster sessions, a roundtable discussion and an evening session featuring creative projects and films—highlighted the depth and diversity of student scholarship. Topics ranged from intergenerational memory and language preservation to environmental change and artistic expression, reflecting how legacies shape identities, institutions and futures.

For many presenters, the conference offered a first opportunity to share research in a supportive, peer-centered environment. Graduate student moderators guided discussions, facilitated questions and fostered dialogue across disciplines, creating space for feedback and collaborations.

“Besides the intensive three-day conference, this year’s IGSC also curated pre- and post-conference activities supported by our incredible partners and sponsors,” said Minh. “Our participants enjoyed a field trip to the Mānoa Heritage Center; a tour at the East-West Center Art Gallery; a keynote address in honor of the 25th IGSC by renowned scholar, also an alumna of UH Mānoa, Dr. Katerina Teaiwa, sponsored by the Asian American-Pacific Islander, Environmental Humanities and Environmental Justice Initiative; and a play about Joseph Kekuku and his steel guitar invention at the Honolulu Theatre for Youth. These activities not only fostered connections between our participants with local institutions, they also provided opportunities for us to introduce Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s own legacies through diverse and interactive approaches.”

Launched in 2002, the International Graduate Student Conference continues to serve as a meeting place for emerging scholars to test ideas, build networks and experience academic exchange beyond the classroom.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa welcomed Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Professor Biman Prasad on March 27, for a lively talanoa—or open conversation—about the future of the Pacific.

The event, hosted by the UH Mānoa (CPIS), opened with a sevusevu—a traditional kava ceremony of welcome. Woven mats lined the floor and kava, a drink made from a plant native to the Pacific islands, was shared.

The warm welcome set the stage for a thoughtful discussion about the Pacific’s place in a shifting global landscape. Prasad, a longtime academic turned political leader, spoke of the region’s many challenges—from climate change and economic uncertainty to issues of governance. But he also spoke of hope.

“We were extremely thankful that he and his wife took time out of their family holiday to share briefly about the government’s work, both in Fiji and the region,” said Ron Vave, an assistant professor at CPIS. “Also, on the proposed National Research Council by government to, amongst other things, systematize and possibly integrate scholarly research into informing and influencing decision making.”

Penitiko Taoi, a masters student of Fijian descent in UH Mānoa’s Pacific studies department also attended the event.

“I for one was thankful that we could register the concern that U.S. funded Fijian students face and learn of potential government assistance they could tap into,” said Taoi.

Unity: Island nations

Prasad also serves as Fiji’s Minister for Finance. Fiji, often seen as a regional leader, is no stranger to the pressures of climate change, rising costs, and political reform. Prasad called for greater unity among island nations and highlighted the importance of values like democracy, fairness, and cooperation.

Born into a rice farming family in Dreketi, Vanua Levu, Prasad rose to become one of Fiji’s most influential public figures. Before entering politics, he was an economics professor and earned his PhD from the University of Queensland. His life’s work has centered on social justice and inclusive growth.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ is expanding its (CAPA) initiative this fall, providing students with valuable skills and knowledge to pursue careers in government, education, business, and the nonprofit sector related to the Asia-Pacific region. Launched in October 2023 by the (SPAS), CAPA aims to bolster career readiness and professional development opportunities for UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ students.

• Related UH News story: New Asia-Pacific affairs career initiative in motion, October 10, 2023

This semester, CAPA is rolling out a new webinar speaker series, beginning with “International Education Careers: Nothing Adventured, Nothing Attained” on September 18 at 3 p.m. via Zoom. ()

“Our first CAPA talk of the fall series will feature UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ alumni who have teaching careers overseas,” said Teri Skillman, associate director at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ (CSEAS). “They will speak about their process of obtaining a job, the value of the UH degree, and the importance of their language skills in their education career.”

Strategic grant funding

The CAPA initiative complements the Indo-Pacific Affairs Initiative in SPAS, supported by Congressionally-directed funding from 2022–25, which aims to strengthen UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s expertise in Asia and the Pacific Islands. This funding supports various components, including the newly established Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs, paid internships, visiting experts, and enhanced educational and professional development opportunities.

A key component of CAPA is a $1.13 million grant from the International Foreign Language and Area Studies Office of the U.S. Department of Education, which designates CSEAS as a National Resource Center (NRC). This funding aims to enhance career readiness using Southeast Asian languages and area studies expertise.

“The absolute priorities for the grant align with the UH system career readiness priorities and with the state’s ,” said Miriam Stark, director at CSEAS. “This is an effort to enhance career readiness using Southeast Asian languages and area studies expertise to succeed in the workplace and meet national needs.”

Inaugural course

This fall, CAPA also introduced its first course, ASAN 305: Career Pathways in Asian Studies, which explores various careers related to and helps students develop the skills needed to translate academic success into meaningful careers.

“It’s a hands-on course that draws on our recent research on Asia-related workforce needs and alumni placements, putting those research results to practical use for our students,” said Cathryn Clayton, an associate professor and chair of Asian studies who developed and teaches the course.

CAPA’s upcoming events include workshops on civic engagement, funding opportunities, and publication writing, providing students with comprehensive resources to navigate Asia-Pacific related careers.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s (CSEAS) hopes to empower museum and heritage professionals who are at the forefront of preserving the culture, collections, and traditions across the Asia-Pacific Region thanks to a $429,872 grant. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Cultural Heritage Center (CHC), the award will support a two-year Asia-Pacific Museum Exchange Program.

“We hope this project can draw on local knowledge to forge closer linkages between Asia-Pacific neighbors that creates new synergies and strengthens museums and heritage organizations,” said Miriam Stark, director at CSEAS.

The program will provide professional development for mid-career professionals working in small to medium-size museums and cultural centers in islands of Southeast Asia and western Pacific islands.

CSEAS aims to guide participants to explore Indigenous knowledge in conservation, utilize digital tools to engage communities, and master advanced techniques in collections management. Applications for the program will be open November 4–22.

Virtual and in-person training

The training will begin in spring 2025 with a series of virtual workshops, followed by two intensive, in-person workshops in Honolulu, scheduled for July 2025 and July 2026. The workshops will provide hands-on experience, direct interaction with experts, and the chance to build lasting professional connections.

CSEAS is seeking applicants from across the Asia-Pacific, including the islands of Southeast Asia nations and Pacific Island territories such as the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Guam.

This program is made possible through the Â鶹´«Ã½-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, a partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s CHC, National Park Service and UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ CSEAS.

“Having this opportunity to work with the State Department and Park Service to enhance Asia-Pacific Museum networks is a real honor for our university and center, and we look forward to linking together colleagues across the region through these events,.” said Miriam Stark, director of CSEAS.

For more information, contact Teri Skillman at skillman@hawaii.edu or visit the .

A newly established award is paying tribute to prominent Pacific historian and former University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Professor Brij V. Lal who died in December 2021. Created to honor his significant contributions to the Pacific history field and scholarship, the will honor exceptional articles published in , a journal by the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ (CPIS).

“This award represents a wonderful testament to Brij’s scholarly legacy as the first editor of The Contemporary Pacific, as well as the generosity of the Lal family,” said Terence Wesley-Smith, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ emeritus professor and chair of the journal’s review committee.

The first awardee

The first awardee was Monica C. LaBriola, an assistant professor of history at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹. LaBriola received the recognition for her article, “Marshallese Women and Oral Traditions: Navigating a Future for Pacific History,” published in the journal’s fall and spring 2023 issues. Her work focuses on reevaluating the role of women in Marshallese history by analyzing oral and performative traditions.

“To say it is an honor to be the inaugural recipient of the Professor Brij V. Lal Award is an understatement—he was a true giant in the field of Pacific history. I hope Brij would approve,” said LaBriola.

Pioneering scholar

Professor Lal, known affectionately as Brij, was a pioneering scholar whose work greatly influenced the study of Pacific history, especially regarding Fiji and the Indian diaspora. In recognition of his impactful career, Lal’s family, CPIS and UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ established the annual award to honor a The Contemporary Pacific article that embodies the rigorous scholarship and depth of understanding Lal championed.

The Lal family shared their excitement about the award’s first recipient.

“We are delighted the winning article examines a nation’s history from the perspective of previously marginalised voices, and that it is written by an early career academic. I know Brij would also have wholeheartedly supported the award going to an article that reflects interdisciplinary historiography and embraces non-traditional sources of knowledge to provide a more nuanced understanding of a country’s history.”

This year’s award was based on articles published in 2023 and reviewed by Wesley-Smith, Emeritus Professor David Hanlon and Stu Dawrs, senior Pacific librarian.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa (CALL) is set to pioneer a venture into environmental justice within Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, thanks to a game-changing $1.25-million grant from the Mellon Foundation. This funding will propel the establishment of a cutting-edge interdisciplinary initiative, complete with two new faculty positions, a humanities lab to develop new teaching materials, and a dynamic forum for professional development and the exchange of ideas.

“We have every expectation that this project will have a transformational and lasting impact on UH Mānoa’s growing capacity to serve as an international leader in advancing the goal of environmental justice across the vast and interconnected regions of Asia, Oceania and America,” said CALL Dean Peter Arnade.

Eco-justice movement

Examples of environmental justice issues can range from unequal access to clean water, air pollution and climate change impacts. Asia and the Pacific Islands are home to more than 60% of the world’s surface area and human population, and are disproportionately affected by the ecological catastrophes of sea-level rise, marine pollution, coastal erosion and biodiversity loss. At the same time, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders are notably underrepresented in the environmental movement at the national level.

Throughout the next three years, the new initiative, housed in CALL’s (SPAS), aims to chart a new course forward by developing an approach to environmental justice that leans into the long-standing connections— of culture, kinship and shared histories—that link the diverse regions and populations of America, Oceania and Asia. The initiative will lay an educational foundation for a new generation of leaders who will be equipped with grounded and culturally-relevant knowledge, networks, and skills to empower themselves and their communities.

“UH Mānoa will be one of the first universities in the country with this kind of AAPI-based environmental humanities initiative,” said Cathryn Clayton, professor and chair of the . “We hope to spark new conversations, at the local, national and international level, about the intersections of environmental and social justice from AAPI perspectives. We also hope to provide an institutional platform that can help amplify the voices that are already out there in the community doing this vital work.”

Clayton and Alexander Mawyer, an associate professor and director of the UH Mānoa , authored the proposal.

New courses, professional development

New faculty in the Departments of Pacific Islands Studies and Asian Studies will develop and teach innovative interdisciplinary courses that explore how issues of environmental justice connect populations and cultures, pasts and futures, across the Pacific Islands, Asia and the U.S. The grant will also fund a series of activities aimed at establishing UH Mānoa as a hub for AAPI environmental humanities and environmental justice. A new pedagogical lab will invite faculty and students to collaborate with community groups to create multimedia resources such as e-books and videos to strengthen humanistic approaches to environmental justice studies.

UH Mānoa faculty and students will also have the opportunity to participate in an ongoing forum to share emerging research with colleagues, scholars and practitioners from the continental U.S., Asia and the Pacific Islands. The forum will serve as a generative space for new networks of knowledge and professional development that advance AAPI needs, voices and solutions in environmental justice through the humanities.

To prepare students for dynamic careers that require expertise in the Asia-Pacific region, the (SPAS) at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa has launched the Careers in Asia-Pacific Affairs (CAPA) initiative. CAPA is designed to increase students’ awareness of the diverse, exciting careers that they can pursue.

The collaborative initiative presents a significant step towards equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in Asia-Pacific related careers in government, education, business and the nonprofit sector. Key elements include the creation of a three-credit course in the Asian studies department that will enable students to explore the range of careers related to and develop the skills and materials that will position them to succeed in these fields. A speaker series is another critical component which aims to build bridges between students and future prospective employers.

“We believe that University of Â鶹´«Ã½ students have important contributions to make across many different fields, and we aim to support them by offering world-class education and training, connecting them with employers, and helping them to build their professional networks,” said Kristi Govella, director of the which is housed in the UH Mānoa .

CAPA speaker series

This fall, the School of Pacific and Asian Studies kicked off the CAPA initiative with two events. Students connected with guest speaker Larry Chun, a special agent in the Diplomatic Security Service at the U.S. Department of State. Chun talked about how growing up in Â鶹´«Ã½ has served him in a unique career field that encompasses international diplomacy and federal law enforcement. The series also featured Mireille Zieseniss, a public diplomacy advisor at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, who touched on the opportunity her career provides to tell America’s story, connect people, and shape foreign policy.

The CAPA speaker series continues with Think Tank Careers: Policy, Communications, and Project Management, October 25, 3–4 p.m. at Moore Hall 258 or . The event will feature Elina Noor (senior fellow in the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Keoni Williams (information and publications officer at the Pacific Islands Development Program) and Jesslyn Cheong (senior program manager at Pacific Forum).

The CAPA initiative complements the cross-center Indo-Pacific Affairs Initiative in SPAS, which is supported by Congressionally-directed funding during 2022–25 to bolster UH Mānoa’s strengths in Asia and the Pacific through the newly created Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs and other features such as a , visiting experts, and the expansion of educational and professional development opportunities.

Funded by Title VI through the U.S. Department of Education, the CAPA initiative is co-sponsored by the , the East Asia National Resource Center, the , the and the .

Construction of a new $70 million five-story building on the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ campus is scheduled to begin in 2024 on McCarthy Mall where Snyder Hall stood before it was demolished in 2021. The first two floors will be much-needed modern classroom and learning spaces and the top three floors will be the new homes of the (COE) and selected components of the (CALL).

COE and CALL faculty and staff participated in a series of co-creation workshops in spring 2023 by the (UHCDC), an interactive process to solicit feedback on potential designs of workspaces. The participants interacted with architectural models that included movable furniture and walls/partitions to better visualize and provide input on the designs to best suit their needs.

“These co-creation workshops give faculty and staff an opportunity to comment on design concepts right in the planning stages,” said UHCDC Principal Investigator Brian Strawn. “Receiving feedback before we hire an architect will help to ensure that the space is well designed and functional for the people who will be using it.”

The participants and organizers say the workshops are a great way to engage those who will ultimately work in the new building.

“By meeting with small groups, we can hear from them about their needs, and they can be involved as a part of the process,” said Gaye Chan, interim associate dean at CALL. “These meetings have given us opportunities to learn about what faculty and staff do in their work life, hear about needs that we would have never thought of, and also allowed us to clear up misunderstandings.”

UHCDC is a unit of the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ , and the workshops were also a great learning experience for architecture students. They helped staff the workshops and experienced firsthand what it is like to work with clients and receive feedback on design concepts during the planning stages.

“Participating in co-creation workshops as an architecture student has refined my abilities in physical modeling and client communication,” said Hunter Wells, an architecture student interning at UHCDC. “These workshops have not only taught me how to balance productivity and efficiency, but also emphasized the significance of observing client reactions for continuous improvement.”

The co-creation workshops were held on the third floor of the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½,” 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 Â鶹´«Ã½.”

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 Â鶹´«Ã½ and our Pacific ʻohana.”

For the last half century, the has taught thousands of students the art of the Japanese tea ceremony inside a traditional tea house. The structure sits under sprawling trees within the picturesque , where you can hear the faint sound of a bubbling koi pond. The zen-like atmosphere helps to put students into a meditative mindset before entering Jaku’an, the name of the Japanese tea house, which means the “hut of tranquility.”

Related: Hidden gem restored for future generations, February 2015

The time-honored structure was erected in 1972, after Genshitsu Sen, a 15th generation grand tea master, commissioned the building of a chashitsu (authentic tea ceremony house) in Â鶹´«Ã½. First constructed in Japan and reassembled in Â鶹´«Ã½, Sen donated the structure to UH in an effort to carry out his life’s mission of fostering peace through the teaching of tea ceremony.

“The tea house is tranquil and separates us from our busy daily life, which allows us to self-reflect,” said Akiko Ono, a UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ instructor who teaches the . “Through this beautiful art form, we learn to remain humble and be respectful to nature and one another.”

Way of Tea

The UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ has offered the way of tea ceremony courses since the 1970s, enabling students to study the deeply respected practice and its role in the history and culture of Japan. Ono worked alongside the late Urasenke tea ceremony instructor Yoshibumi Ogawa, who mentored UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ students inside the tatami (straw mat) lined structure for more than 40 years. Ono has since picked up the torch, passing down Ogawa’s knowledge and the deeply-layered tradition of Japanese tea.

“In tea gatherings, you see hospitality expressed in so many ways through so many things,” Ono explained. “I would like my students to take notice of the small things around them even if they seem insignificant at first, and learn to use their five senses thoroughly to appreciate what they experience every day.”

Gay Satsuma, associate director at the fondly recalls taking the campus’ Way of Tea in Japanese History and Culture course as an undergraduate student in the mid-1980’s.

“It was a wonderful experience to learn in an authentic tea house,” said Satsuma. “At that time, I had not yet visited Japan so that experience in Jaku’an was like a window into the culture.”

In 2015, Jaku’an celebrated a reopening after undergoing renovations funded by Sen.

CJS is part of the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ S in the .