Volunteers make it possible for (FVH) to hold its monthly Food Drop at Campus Center, distributing about 8,000 pounds of food each second Wednesday of the academic year.Housed within the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s (SILD) unit, FVH continues to play a key role in assisting UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ students experiencing food insecurity.

Bonnyjean Manini, SILD director, said volunteers are critical to help receive, sort, and distribute food at monthly Food Drop events. The items are provided through partnerships with the Â鶹´«Ã½ Foodbank and the Â鶹´«Ã½ Health & Harm Reduction Center.

“They exemplify the qualities of empathy, responsiveness, commitment and are fearless of the physical labor involved with the work of helping provide food to those in need but often go unacknowledged,” she said. “Their unconditional assistance makes these events possible.”

Finding joy in helping others

Richard Bradshaw, one of FVH’s longest-serving volunteers and a former religion instructor, said he returns each month for a simple reason: helping others brings joy.

“I think helping others with an open heart and non-judgmentally enables me to doubly enjoy giving,” he said. “Making people happy is the best way to make yourself happy.”

His own experiences as a college student gives him perspective on the challenges many students face today. He recalled comforting a student he knew who felt embarrassed to see him at the Food Drop, an interaction that underscored how food insecurity can affect a student’s sense of dignity.

“I deeply understood how she felt and did everything I could to ease her feelings,” he said.

Connecting through food and knowledge

Lara Hackney is an instructor in the Food Science and Human Nutrition program in the .

She began volunteering with FVH in 2019 through her involvement with The Coalition to Stop Campus Hunger. After the pandemic, she returned and has volunteered consistently since.

“I hope they [students/UH community] feel that FVH is a safe place where they can find something that helps when times are challenging,” she said.

A new volunteer inspired to give back

For third-year physics major Stephen Wagner, volunteering began as part of his Mortar Board service project but quickly took on deeper meaning. With past experience at food banks on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, he recognized how essential FVH is—especially after learning that 84% of the 268 participants at a recent Food Drop identified as UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ students.

“Seeing the pallets of food empty as people came through made the impact very tangible,” he said. “I hope students feel secure and welcome when they come to the Food Drop.”

He encourages others to volunteer as well. “Community is especially important in these uncertain times, and lifting each other up makes for a strong community.”

How to support FVH

FVH will hold its next Food Drop on December 10, at the Campus Center Courtyard, beginning at noon while supplies last. Its Holiday Drive to help stock its pantry in Hemenway Hall runs through January 2, and the UH community is encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries at the SLD office in Campus Center Room 208, Monday—Friday, 9 a.m.—4 p.m. (except holidays and weekends).

Monetary donations to support Food Vault Â鶹´«Ã½ can be made through the . For updates, pantry information and volunteer opportunities, follow FVH on or email fvh@hawaii.edu.

UH Basic Needs Fund

If you’re a UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ student facing an unexpected hardship, the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Student Basic Needs fund offers one-time emergency grants to help you stay on track. Apply or give your support here.

What does the future hold for some of the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa’s most iconic spaces? Students recently had the chance to provide possible answers to that question, offering their creative ideas to help reimagine Legacy Path and Andrews Amphitheater.

The (CDL) hosted interactive design workshops on September 24 and October 2, inviting students to engage in discussions and creative activities. The goal was to gather direct feedback on how these key campus areas can better support student life, from daily commutes and study sessions to social gatherings and moments of relaxation.

“I wish this area could be improved to have more space for eating, studying, and hanging out. I’m always looking for a spot because there isn’t enough space to eat,” said Jayden Uowolo, a first year doctorate student at the .

These hands-on sessions are a cornerstone of the university’s approach to campus development, ensuring that the people who use the spaces every day are central to their evolution.

“Hearing directly from students is the most critical part of our design process,” said Brian Strawn, UH director of campus planning and spatial experience. “They are the experts on their own experience, and their ideas are what transform a simple path or an old amphitheater into a vibrant heart of campus life.”

Proven model for campus improvement

Engaging students in the design process has already proven successful across the UH Mānoa campus. Insights from previous workshops have been instrumental in shaping several major projects, including the ongoing McCarthy Mall renovation, the recently completed Aloha Towers student housing renovation, and the upcoming furniture improvement project for student housing.

During an activity, students selected from more than 50 cards—each representing a potential campus feature or amenity—and placed them on a large campus model to show where they’d like to see those ideas take shape in the future.

“I really enjoyed the workshop–the card exercise was a great way to visualize and see opportunities for this area,” said Jonathan Calvillo, a fourth year undergraduate student studying environmental design.

The feedback collected from the recent workshops on Legacy Path and Andrews Amphitheater will directly guide future design plans. These efforts are part of UH Mānoa’s broader master planning initiatives, which are aimed at creating more welcoming, functional and inspiring environments that enhance the overall student experience.

More than 4,000 haumāna (students), faculty and staff filled the campus on August 25, for the annual .

The afternoon event featured a resource fair spanning Legacy Path, Kuykendall Lawn and the Campus Center Courtyard. More than 50 campus departments and programs participated, sharing information on student resources, activities and giveaways. Haumāna explored opportunities ranging from academics to activities and employment, all while enjoying food, games and entertainment.

“Here at Mānoa it is all about the student experience,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos said. “This first day, Welina Mānoa brings all our students together here at Campus Center and on Legacy Path. We are excited to have our students back on campus. They’re gonna have an unbelievable experience.”

“It’s definitely valuable to know the resources the campus provides—all the different departments and all the important offices like financial aid,” said James Taylor, a UH Mānoa senior majoring in travel industry management. “There are so many different majors to potentially decide on. It will definitely help any new student or even returning students figure out what they want to do in the future.”

The event also included prize drawings and interactive activities designed to help students connect with campus resources and build community. Both new and returning Rainbow Warriors and Wahine took part in the festivities, marking the start of the fall 2025 semester.

Welina Mānoa served as the semester’s first major student engagement event. Next up is the free Welcome Back Bash on Friday, August 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Campus Center Courtyard. Visit the for more details.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ recently opened a new space in the Campus Center. The Place for Encouraging Awareness, Calmness, and Enlightenment Room was soft-launched in May and is located in the Campus Center cafeteria room 203 B/C.

The two rooms, which were formerly conference rooms, include chairs, yoga mats and empty areas for activities to promote mental, emotional and spiritual health.

“Before this, I had to use library Zoom rooms just to find a quiet and secure place to pray,” said Queenie Abarcar, a double major in biology and psychology. “The PEACE Room gives a safe space to reconnect and stay spiritually grounded throughout the day.”

The project was first proposed by Raiyan Rafid, a member of the . He said the campus lacked spaces that could be used for reflection, prayer and meditation. The PEACE Room will hopefully fill that gap.

“We’ve learned since COVID how essential mental health is to student success,” Rafid said. “This room is a small but meaningful step toward giving students the space to breathe, reset and care for themselves.”

Currently, the PEACE Room is open only to UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ students, faculty and staff. To access the room, students and faculty have to go to the at Campus Center room 209, where they will activate their ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ One Card for the semester.

In 2024, the space underwent renovations to transform it into a quiet, flexible environment designed for wellness and reflection.

“Our facilities team did an amazing job bringing this vision to life,” Rafid said. “They really transformed the space to create a peaceful, welcoming space that feels intentional.”

A moment to pause and reflect

Rafid said its location at the heart of Campus Center works to the room’s advantage.

“A lot of students and faculty pass through after lunch, and having a quiet space nearby gives them a chance to pause, reflect or simply reset before heading back to class or work,” Rafid said.

“Providing a dedicated space for reflection and prayer honors the diverse spiritual needs of our students, staff and faculty,” said Arif Rahman, an affiliate graduate faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineering. “It’s encouraging to see our campus becoming more inclusive and welcoming for all.”

During the three-year pilot phase, Rafid and campus stakeholders will be able to collect usage data, assess patterns of engagement, and evaluate the room’s effectiveness. These insights will help determine the long-term viability of the space upon completion of the pilot phase.

Learn more about the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ .

—By Grant Nakasone

Leaving her home in India to attend the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa was a leap into the unknown for Ritu Krishna Raju. Having never traveled alone, the move came with excitement, but also the weight of being thousands of miles from her family.

Raju recounted her initial excitement mixed with the challenges of living far from her loved ones.

“When I first arrived in Â鶹´«Ã½, I was overwhelmed—excited, but also carrying the weight of being so far from home,” she shares in her commencement speech to be delivered at the fall 2024 ceremony.

Raju quickly discovered that the warmth of aloha extended beyond a word. She found a community and formed lifelong friendships with people who shared her values and passion. These friendships became her anchor, providing encouragement and laughter through the challenges of her journey. Surrounded by good friends, she learned the true meaning of ʻohana—family that extends beyond blood—and it deepened her connection to the islands and their people.

Marine biology attracts Raju to Â鶹´«Ã½

Drawn to UH Mānoa for its world-renowned marine biology program, Raju’s passion for the environment deepened during her studies. She interned with the at the , analyzing the vocal repertoire of endangered Hawaiian monk seals, gaining invaluable experience in marine mammal conservation. Raju also volunteered at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, where she educated visitors about marine life and the importance of protecting coral reefs, sharing her love for the ocean with countless tourists.

Her time at Mānoa was enriched by more than academics. She stretched her creative wings through dance performances and involvement at Kennedy Theatre, while also creating cherished memories with friends—whether hanging out in the courtyard near the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building or engaging with her peers as a Natural Sciences Ambassador.

Growing up, breaking through

More than three years later, she can look back and reflect on how much her experience at her journey at UH Mānoa has shaped her as a person.

“Growth often comes when you least expect it, and I’ve found that stepping out of my comfort zone has revealed more about who I am than I ever imagined. I’ve grown beyond the shy, unsure person I once was into someone who can navigate challenges with purpose and a deep respect for the world around me,” Raju said. “I am thankful for my family giving me their unwavering support that got me to where I am.”

As Raju wraps up this chapter of her educational journey she is considering graduate school to specialize in marine mammal biology with hopes to raise awareness about marine conservation back home in India. She will go knowing she has found and created a second home on the other side of the world with a community Raju can call her own.

More than 3,000 people are expected to attend on October 26, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa. The free event is for prospective students and their families along with the general public so they can see firsthand why UH Mānoa is considered one of the best universities in the country. Organizers say current students and employees are also welcome.

“We are thrilled to provide this opportunity for prospective students and the community to learn more about UH Mānoa and find why we are consistently ranked among the best universities in the world,” said Provost Michael Bruno. “It is also a chance to speak and interact with current students, faculty and staff, the people who make this university great.”

Booths, displays and hands-on workshops featuring more than 100 academic departments will line iconic McCarty Mall, Legacy Path and the Campus Center courtyard. There will also be campus tours, including special tours of the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene’s Translational Health Science Simulation Center, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resource’s Certified Kitchen and the Esports Lab.

Visitors can also explore interactive exhibits and activities that cover a range of topics, from education to oceanography and medicine. The Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Success and Hamilton Library will also be open to visitors.

“UH Mānoa has so much to offer academically and there are so many services available to help our students on their journey,” said UH Mānoa Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Nikki Chun, who is responsible for Discover UH Mānoa. “We want everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about our campus, even if you are not a prospective student, because UH Mānoa is something everyone can take pride in.”

Each attendee will receive a UH Mānoa tote bag, event/program map, bookstore coupon and a coupon for $2 off retail dining options, including Starbucks, Ding Tea, Food Trucks and Sodexo Concessions. Attendees will also have the chance to win prizes throughout the day.

Two shuttle routes will be available for attendees interested in visiting student housing, and the Music Building Complex.

Free parking will be available in Zone 20 until 1:30p.m. For more information, visit .

Pāʻina on the Path and homecoming football

Following the open house, UH Mānoa will host Pāʻina on the Path, a free homecoming celebration from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This Homecoming Edition on Legacy Pathway will feature a UH Alumni Maker’s Market, Hawaiʻs Finest DJ & Kickoff Concert Series featuringPeniDean, food vendors, a beer garden, keiki zone with inflatables and football-themed games, and more.

The Rainbow Warrior football team will then take on Nevada in this seasonʻs homecoming game. Kick off at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex is at 6 p.m.

In an effort to reduce waste from single-use containers, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa’s dining halls—Gateway Café and Hale Aloha Café—are introducing a sustainable Reusable Take-Out Container Program, with Sodexo Â鶹´«Ã½. For an annual fee of $5, students can purchase a durable, microwavable three-compartment container at one of the dining halls.

Students can buy these reusable containers using meal points, dining dollars, cash or card at the dining halls. Currently, more than 1,400 boxes have already been purchased. Given that single-use containers cost 50 cents each time, the reusable option is a more cost-effective solution for students who frequently opt for take-out.

“Anyone who plans on doing any kind of take out more than once should go for the green one [reusable container]”, said Amelie Kitakis, an exploratory student living in student housing.

Once purchased, students are able to fill their reusable containers with as much food as they want, as long as the attached lid can be securely closed. The program operates on a swap system so they do not have to always wash the container themselves. When a student returns for another take-out meal, they will return their used container and receive a clean container in exchange. If students opt to dine-in, they can exchange their used container for a clean one for future take-out, or receive a token that can be redeemed for a cleaner container on their next take-out visit.

“These containers are so much more practical than the disposable ones. The students love that there’s three compartments so their food doesn’t touch, said Sodexo ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s Marketing Specialist Marcie Moribe, “Students can pop it in the microwave and our dining halls will clean it for them.”

“Overall our students have really understood the rationale behind it, looking at sustainability, being environmentally conscious,” said Kenny Lopez, associate director of residence life. “I think our students have really appreciated this model and have embraced it and have been taking advantage of it.”

If students lose a container, they will have to pay another $5 to replace it. Cutlery and cups are available upon request.

—By McKenzie Kurosu

More than 4,000 students, faculty and staff attended the postponed Welina Mānoa welcome back to campus event on September 4 at the .

“I can feel a lot of excitement from the students here just like looking at the different clubs and stuff. And especially as a freshman looking at the different clubs they have over here is really good,” freshman Presley Okimoto said.

More than 100 booths stretching from Campus Center through Legacy Path featured resources and information from a variety of service offices, schools and colleges, clubs and food.

“I think there’s a lot of information about the stuff that I didn’t know there was and then like, the research stuff. I wasn’t like, if I didn’t go here then I wouldn’t know about it at all,” freshman Noah Castro said.

“So this is a chance for not just for students to explore what we offer, but also for other offices and departments to promote and get themselves out there because we have amazing resources out there,” Welina Mānoa organizer Allyson Lagatuz said.

The UH Band, UH Cheerleaders and Rainbow Dancers performed and spent time helping the crowd learn the football fight song.

The event was originally scheduled for the first day of classes on August 26, but was rescheduled because of the threat of heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Hone.

Haley Taylor is a shining example of a student who found her passion at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹. And for the past few years, the spring 2024 graduate and student has been paying it forward to the community through her service in Alohathon, a UH Manoa-based non-profit organization, and to future Rainbow Warriors as a tour guide with the .

Discovering academic interests

Taylor began her academic journey at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ in the midst of the pandemic, unsure of what the university would have to offer and what major to pursue. After enrolling in a few courses in the ’ , she found that these classes resonated with her interests.

“I’ve met some really amazing faculty who really wanted me to thrive,” Taylor said. “They taught me things about new emerging social media and media connections and how vital communications is in the world we live in now.”

Inspiring future ‘Bows

Taylor was born in Tennessee and went to high school in Las Vegas, but in between spent four years residing in Â鶹´«Ã½ Kai, so she wasn’t new to living on Oʻahu. While Taylor lived on campus during her freshman year, most of her classes were online due to the pandemic. She recalled that when her parents visited, she couldn’t tell them what most of the buildings were. This is what inspired her to apply to be a campus tour guide during her sophomore year.

“By luck they hired me and I’ve loved it ever since I started—just being able to talk to prospective students and tell them what I’ve learned, what I’ve gained from it and hopefully allow them to see what kind of amazing opportunities they might not be thinking about, and how it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get your education in a place like this,” Taylor said. “It really is unlike any other.”

She continued working as a tour guide through her senior year and also became a leader to welcome and connect new students and their families with the campus.

“At orientation, they’d come up to me like, ‘Hey, you’re my tour guide. I heard you talk about this. I knew I wanted to be a part of it when I came to the school.’ And that’s just a feeling you can’t really describe,” Taylor said. “It’s just like, ‘Wow, I made an impact on someone’s major life decision.’ It’s not solely because of me. It’s because of how amazing the university is.”

Giving back

Becoming a part of the UH Manoa ʻohana inspired Taylor to look for ways to give back to her campus community. In her sophomore year, she called it her “proudest moment” when she led an organization called Alohathon at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹. They helped raise more than $27,000 for Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children.

Stepping toward the future

Taylor is headed to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, to pursue a master’s degree in communications, with a focus on artificial intelligence. While she’ll be leaving the islands, at least for now, a piece of her legacy will remain at the place it all started—the admissions office. Inspired by the impact UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ had on their daughter’s academic career, Taylor’s parents made a generous contribution to revamp the welcome center in the Office of Admissions—the place many prospective students see when they first step foot on campus and where Taylor spent many memorable hours.

“To revamp this and to get this to be a fresh new happening place for prospective students to come in and see, it’s a good first look for the university,” Taylor said. “In however many years when I have a family, I can come back and show them not only the place that I love, the island that I love, but the place I spent so much of my undergraduate time in.”

Check out more stories of our UH spring graduates

When asked about what UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ has meant to her, Taylor concluded, “UH has meant everything. This has been the best four years that I could have ever imagined. I can’t imagine going to a different undergraduate program.”

—By Marc Arakaki

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ is deeply committed to the right to free speech and the protections of the first amendment of the U.S. constitution. Peaceful protests and demonstrations are part of the rich history of UH and universities around the country. It is absolutely essential that all who wish to share their views can do so and conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful to others.

Many in our UH ʻohana are personally touched by specific events. But as others have said, our hearts must be big enough to mourn the loss of lives and suffering in both Israel and Gaza. Minimizing the suffering of civilians and hostages, wherever and whoever they are, is not who we are at UH. Nor are we a place that can tolerate either anti-semitism or Islamophobia. And we cannot make our points heard by trying to silence the voices of others. These tactics tarnish the message of anyone who wants to express their views on world events. These tactics do not show aloha.

Diverse perspectives held on local and global conflicts and controversies have always flourished at UH. Higher education is where our students must learn to coexist with others who hold different views—as we must all do in life. Being able to share views and to listen with respect and appreciation of others is essential to a healthy and thriving campus and community. It is the only path to solutions. It is a way to show aloha.

Nonetheless, we know that some protected speech can be extremely hurtful to others. At the onset of the events of October 7, in Israel and the subsequent actions in Gaza, UH reached out directly to students with offers of assistance. We continue to extend that support to students who are impacted. We take great pride in the fact that our UH campuses are among the most diverse higher education institutions in the nation and UH stands strongly committed to non-discrimination and working together to overcome intolerance. We all benefit when our entire community feels safe and secure and heard.

—UH President David Lassner and UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Provost Michael Bruno