When Gabby Jamain transferred back home to the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ after starting college out of state, she wasn’t sure if veterinary medicine was still the right path for her. She decided to give the field one last chance through an internship course at the (HKVC)—where she quickly found the encouragement she needed.

“Everyone was incredibly welcoming and committed to teaching me about what they do, why they do it, and how they do it,” Jamain said. “Their faith in me when I was feeling such uncertainty about my future motivated me to grow and reignited my desire to work in a veterinary setting.”

She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ in 2020 and enrolled in Windward Community College’s veterinary technician program. Choosing the hybrid track allowed her to balance coursework with hands-on clinic experience.

Hands-on learning

“The hybrid program was the perfect option for me to get my certification while also getting to work in the field. I am very much a hands-on learner, so being at work was a great opportunity for me to understand the coursework more deeply and master the skills I’m actively learning about,” she said.

Jamain earned a certificate of achievement in veterinary assisting in 2022. That preparation proved invaluable in 2023 when she flew to Maui to volunteer at a pop-up clinic in the wake of the Lahaina fires. The makeshift site served as a triage center for animals rescued from the burn zone and provided urgent care for pets in need.

She earned her associate’s degree in veterinary technology in 2024. Today, Jamain has come full circle. She is now the head technician at HKVC, mentoring the next generation of animal care professionals.

“The mentorship I received from UH alumni during my UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ internship was invaluable for me staying in this field, while my Windward CC grad coworkers not only shared their old textbooks, but amazing advice on what to expect at Windward,” Jamain said. “Now that I’m a UH alumni I hope to be that person for aspiring vet professionals.”

Students interested in becoming veterinary technicians or assistants are invited to attend free Zoom information sessions to learn about Windward Community College’s and the career opportunities it offers. The program boasts a strong track record of success, with 100% internship placement.

Each year, approximately 20 students earn their associate in science degree in Veterinary Technology from Windward CC, and nearly all who want to stay and work in Â鶹´«Ã½ find jobs in the field.

To register for information sessions in June and July, go to .

Perfect match

Many veterinary technology students are hired before graduation through initiatives such as the networking event, Perfect+Match.

Perfect+Match, held annually since 2022, brings together Windward CC students and representatives from top veterinary clinics and hospitals across Â鶹´«Ã½. The event has proven to be a highly effective pipeline to employment.

“Perfect+Match has paved the way for my future, leading me to succeed as a registered veterinary technician,” said Joleen Kekahuna, a graduate who now works at Pilina Vet. “Believe in yourself and your skills. In a world where animals can’t speak, you are their voice. Mahalo to the Windward CC Vet Tech program’s teachers and staff for putting on an event that has been so life changing.”

Potential employers

The most recent Perfect+Match was held on May 7. This meet-and-greet provided valuable networking opportunities and opened doors to job offers and internships.

“The Windward Community College Veterinary Technology Program has helped me gain experience in the veterinary industry while working full-time in school,” said student Caitlin-Nicole Evangelista. “I met Kenny, a manager at the Oahu Veterinary Clinic, at a Perfect+Match event. I currently intern there and interviewed and was offered a job. I am learning more and more each day, and I am excited to further my career working there.”

Windward CC offers the only American Veterinary Medical Association accredited program for veterinary paraprofessionals in Â鶹´«Ã½. It includes intensive on-campus or hybrid training with hands-on animal care experience. Students learn essential skills in areas such as pharmacology, anesthesiology, surgical assistance, radiology, exotic and large animal nursing, dentistry and veterinary office procedures. They also complete internships at more than 30 partnering clinics and shelters, gaining real-world experience and making connections that often lead to employment.

The are helping residents across the islands train and provide pathways for in-demand careers—and the nation is taking notice.

The UH Community Colleges has received top national honors: a gold 2024 Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR). The award for Best TV/Video Advertisement (Series),was announced at NCMPR’s 50th anniversary national conference in March. The UH Community Colleges campaign rose to the top, out of more than 1,570 entries from 210 colleges nationwide.

The winning video series shines a spotlight on non-traditional CTE programs that help Â鶹´«Ã½ residents launch rewarding careers while staying close to home. Featured programs include:

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Produced in partnership with Honolulu-based marketing agency Olomana Loomis, the videos are part of a larger effort to elevate the visibility of UH’s high-demand career pathways.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious NCMPR Paragon Award,” said Lesli Yogi, director of marketing and communications for the UH Community Colleges. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, creativity and dedication of our seven campuses’ marketing teams, whose talent and passion brought these student success stories to life.”

Credentials of value

From healthcare and welding to information technology and construction, UH Community Colleges offer a wide range of CTE programs that prepare students for high-growth careers right here in Â鶹´«Ã½. These programs provide credentials of value—meaning students graduate ready to work in fields that are hiring and paying competitive wages.

“Our members are doing the important work of ensuring both prospective and current students know of the potentially life-changing opportunities available at their institutions,” said Virginia Moreland, NCMPR president. “The winning entries demonstrated the incredible creativity, commitment and resourcefulness of community college marketing professionals throughout our organization, and we are so proud to recognize them with the Paragon Awards.”

NCMPR’s Paragon Awards are the only national competition honoring excellence in marketing and communications exclusively among two-year colleges. The organization supports more than 1,600 members from nearly 500 colleges in the U.S. and Canada.

Louise Pagotto’s story is one of following her heart, even when the path takes unexpected turns. Originally dreaming of becoming a veterinarian, Pagotto’s’s love for her home in Â鶹´«Ã½ led her to change her plans when she discovered there was no veterinary school in the islands.

Arriving in Â鶹´«Ã½ from Montreal, Canada in 1980, Pagotto pursued studies in linguistics at University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa, eventually earning her doctorate in 1987.

Her career took her on a fulfilling journey through the UH System, from teaching English at Leeward Community College to serving in various roles as an administrator at Kapiʻolani Community College, where she retired as chancellor in 2022.

But retirement didn’t mean slowing down for Pagotto. Inspired by her cat’s health struggles and her desire to be a volunteer at the Honolulu Zoo, she found a new calling: enrolling in the veterinary technology program at Windward Community College.

Describing the program as “rigorous and humbling,” Pagotto embraced the challenge with determination. Her goal? To excel and earn her certificate of achievement, which she received in May.

Check out more stories of our UH spring graduates

Drawing on her experience as an educator, Pagotto found herself on a different side of the classroom, learning from dedicated faculty who instilled in her values of integrity and professionalism within a medical context. “The depth of knowledge of technical skills taught is at a high level,” she said.

Yet, it was the support of her fellow classmates that truly made a difference. Despite initial challenges, Pagotto’s perseverance and newfound skills left her feeling empowered and accomplished.

Reflecting on her journey, Pagotto said, “I can do it!!” Her appreciation for the complexities of physiology and medical science has deepened, reminding her that there’s always more to learn.

“It’s not just about kittens and puppies; it’s about embracing the medical aspect with discipline and dedication,” said Pagotto.

As she prepares to embark on this new chapter, Pagotto encourages others to explore the veterinary technology program at Windward CC, emphasizing its selectivity and the supportive community it offers.

Pagotto’s story is a testament to the power of passion and resilience, reminding us that sometimes the most fulfilling journeys are the ones we never expected to take.

or email vettech@hawaii.edu.

—By Bonnie Beatson

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching is awarded by the Board of Regents as tribute to faculty members who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity and personal values that benefit students.

Carina Chernisky

Carina Chernisky is a UH West Oʻahu public services librarian who uses a variety of different methods and formats to foster a collaborative learning environment that ensures student success. She considers the library her “classroom,” which is more dynamic and adaptable than a traditional classroom environment. She cultivates it to be a safe in-person and virtual haven where individuals can go to seek help for research issues, participate in engaging events and learn critical-thinking skills.

Chernisky offers a variety of synchronous and asynchronous information literacy workshops that help students become self-directed learners who can access information, evaluate sources, and engage in lifelong learning in and beyond the confines of the classroom.

“Carina is always so informative and relates the topic of the workshop to relevant news of the week. It’s always a pleasure to attend her workshops,” said a student.In addition to her primary reference and instructional duties, Chernisky has served as the on-site library project manager/co-manager for traveling exhibitions, and is a champion of open educational resources at UH West Oʻahu and throughout the UH System.”

Sothy Eng

Sothy Eng is an associate professor of human development and family studies in the UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Eng observed from his required office visits with students how their education fits into their complex lives. From that, he enhanced his course requirements, and gained a heightened sense of empathy toward students and the families and communities from which they came.

The insights of educator Paulo Freire resonate with Eng: “The teacher is no longer merely the one-who-teaches but who is himself taught in dialogue with the students, who in turn while being taught, also teach…jointly responsible for a process in which we all grow.”

A student said, “Professor Eng and the students made it such an amazing class, a welcoming space” and “Little did I know his class would spark my future career goals of increasing the community’s access to food security and sovereignty.”

Colleagues praise him for inspiring students to be collaborative, creative and respectful, and consider him “a role model among his peers, ceaselessly energetic, professionally dynamic, and abundant in his aloha.”

Kerri Inglis

Kerri Inglis is a professor of history in UH Hilo’s College of Arts and Sciences and specializes in research and teaching in the history of health, disease and medicine, especially as it pertains to Â鶹´«Ã½ and the Pacific, within a global context.

Inglis has devoted her career to studying the history of leprosy in Â鶹´«Ã½ and has done extensive research on patients’ experiences on the Kalaupapa peninsula. Her award-winning 2013 publication, “Maʻi Lepera: Disease and Displacement in 19th Century Â鶹´«Ã½,” stands as a seminal work on the subject.

Affectionately known as “Kumu Kai” to her students, Inglis is celebrated not only for her scholarly contributions but also for her profound impact on education. According to graduate student David Freund, her endeavors have not only advanced her own professional growth but have also enriched the educational journey of her students, who have actively participated in her projects.

Freund said Inglis “goes beyond the rote delivery of information, striving to instill a deep understanding of concepts and principles, enabling students not only to acquire information and skills but also to think critically and apply their knowledge effectively.”

Kristiana Kahakauwila

Kristiana Kahakauwila is an associate professor of English in the UH Mānoa College of Arts, Languages & Letters. For Kahakauwila, a teaching philosophy rooted in choice is one rooted in kuleana—in responsibility, privilege and a sense of ownership.

Her teaching leans into analysis of how a work is shaped, and from where it takes its inspiration in the context of race, gender, sexuality, ability, Indigeneity and other lived experiences. Her students express an experience of being treated not “only as students but as writers and readers. She gives us a chance to grow and progress, first and foremost, as artists.”

Kahakauwila’s innovative pedagogical technique includes asking students to take up the mantle of instructor at least once each term. A former graduate student describes Kahakauwila as a “devoted, kind and brilliant teacher who challenged students in a way that was joyful and meaningful.”

Martina Kamaka

Martina Kamaka is a UH Mānoa associate professor in the John A. Burns School of Medicine’s Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence.

Colleagues credit her with being at the forefront of training medical students in patient-centered care and cultural competency well before these were goals of health care. A colleague speaks of her “dreaming, developing and delivering culturally relevant and sensitive education” for 23 years.

Kamaka recognizes learning as experiential and occurring in diverse settings and unexpected contexts. In her experience, learning is balanced between mind, body and spirit at the micro level, and between communities/families, environment and spiritual sources of strength at the macro level. She said that the “most important point is for students who are future physicians to be able to communicate with patients with our hearts and our naʻau (intuition).”

A student called Kamaka “a big part of my journey in influencing the way I see myself, my relationship to the community and to my profession.”

Jenny Kelly

Jenny Kelly is an associate professor of animal science, and veterinary technician program director at Windward Community College, where she helps students navigate ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s only veterinary technology program. She is also a doctor of veterinary medicine.

Kelly creates meaningful hands-on curricula that encourages student engagement with an innovative teaching method for her anesthesia and surgical assisting classes. One student said, “I loved how she was always frank and honest and very clear about her expectations. She isn’t afraid to ask questions to help you rearrange your thought process or lead you in the right direction….it was my favorite aspect of her teaching style. It has definitely helped me become more confident and efficient.”

Overcoming obstacles is one of her fortes. Kelly has extended support to students affected by the devastating fires on Maui, and has offered veterinary services in Lahaina to injured and burned animals.

A former student who is now an animal science lecturer said, “Dr. Kelly encourages me towards my goals, moving me forward to reach my full potential. Through her support she has equipped me with the strength to overcome any obstacle.”

Emily Moody

Emily G.A. Moody is an assistant professor of graphic design in the new media arts program at Kapiʻolani Community College. She teaches six courses including graphic design, typography, graphic symbolism, corporate identity, interface design studio and design portfolio.

Moody’s deeply rooted passion for design is shared with unabashed enthusiasm. She hopes that expressing her love for design and its applications will inspire the students to see the wonder of design and pave their pathway within the discipline. Each course is designed to provide students with a structured framework for experimentation and the cultivation of their unique approach to visual communication.

“You can tell Emily truly cares about her students and holds them to very high standards,” shared a nominator. “This in turn pushes students to reach their highest potential. She is passionate about design, teaching, and the success of her students. She creates an environment where we feel comfortable to share, fail, learn, and grow. Plus, she’s just a great person with a great sense of humor, which always makes it fun to learn!”

Steven Nakata

Chef Steven Nakata is an assistant professor and chair of the culinary department of Kauaʻi Community College

Nakata puts his students first, and always tries to connect with each of them. He provides his personal cell number so they can reach him when needed, demonstrating a great level of dedication and commitment.

He brings a vast wealth of knowledge and experience from his past appointments as an executive chef and general manager. Service and cuisine are “in his blood.”

He has traveled internationally to parts of Europe, South America and the Caribbean and shares many learnings and adventures with his students. He is solid and accomplished with cooking methods, baking, sanitation and front-of-the-house training. He teaches with an openness and caring, a sense of humor and a strict, strong hand.

Nakata was overwhelmingly nominated by his students and colleagues. There are many successful students who have come out of the culinary program and Nakata was a big part of their growth, skill and confidence.

Michael T. Oishi

Michael T. Oishi is an associate professor of English literature at Leeward Community College. Students respect Oishi for his clear and thoughtful instruction and his ability to make them feel heard and appreciated. Perhaps most notable is Oishi’s ability to get his students to appreciate and excel at what can be complex themes and material, whether it be tackling difficult moral dilemmas such as what it means to be human or an “outsider,” to exploring ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s painful political past.

One student expressed, “He has left a truly remarkable impression on me… through his course I was able to deeply strengthen my connection to Hawaiian roots, cultivate pride where there once was shame, understand the world around me with a greatly altered state of awareness. There are incredible professors here at Leeward CC… Professor Oishi stands apart in distinction.”

Susan Lum, professor of English literature and Arts and Humanities Division chair, at Leeward CC, states, “Michael embodies many of the qualities one hopes to see in a leader: diligence, humility, hard work, attention to detail and an eagerness to embrace challenges for the betterment of others.”

Over the years, Michael’s willingness to take on difficult tasks and his commitment to improving the work of the college and its employees has earned him not only a reputation as someone who is dependable, creative and efficient but also someone who cares deeply about people.

Mitchell Okamura

Mitchell Okamura is an assistant professor of speech at Honolulu Community College.

Through encouraging an active, experiential approach to classroom learning, Okamura embodies the principle of Ma ka hana ka ʻike (in doing, one learns). He penned a quote that he often shares with his students, “To be something you have never been, you have to do things you have never done.” He focuses on getting students to do different things via activity-based learning everyday and building pilina (relationships) with each other, the course content and the instructor.

“After the pandemic, I had no motivation to attend any in-person classes that weren’t specifically related to my major,” said a student. “On my first day of speech class, I was so nervous. However, after experiencing Speech 151 with Mr. Okamura, my outlook changed. I felt motivated for the first time in a long time and actually had faith that I would pass the class and have fun while doing it.”

Okamura earned hisBA in speech and MA in communicology from UH Mānoa. He started his career in education in 2004, and has taught in the UH system as a graduate assistant, lecturer, instructor and assistant professor.

Nicole Reyes

Nicole Reyes is an associate professor of educational administration in the UH Mānoa College of Education. She shares the vision of UH Mānoa’s strategic plan: “the education of students is the core mission of the University; it is the reason we exist.”

To be a faculty at home on Oʻahu means she is serving those who represent the potential and future of what our institutions of higher education could be. Her students respect that her teaching is grounded in social justice, saying that “her deep passion for education has shaped my future research.”

A graduate student said Reyes was not only an “expert on qualitative research, but genuinely invested in fostering a collective and communal learning environment.”

Students said Reyes’ mentoring practices of inviting them into co-presenting and co-authoring with her, provide an experience of “what it means to be a serious faculty mentor and researcher,” inspiring students “to emulate the radical care with their own future students.”

A student said, “She turned my PhD experience from black and white into color.”

Stephanie Teves

Stephanie Teves is an associate professor in the department of women, gender and sexuality studies in the UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences. Teves connects with local students through a shared sense of place and welcomes students new to Â鶹´«Ã½ by applauding their sense of adventure.

“Under her guidance, I became a haumāna (student) who did not simply complete coursework but became enthralled with researching and received a scholarship for a project with Dr. Teves as my project mentor,” said a student.

Teves encourages students to learn from one another and explore who they are in a global sense. Her teaching has included the development of an undergraduate certificate in queer studies.

Another student said, “All of her students were treated with utmost respect and given the space to learn enthusiastically, while being sensitive to the differences that exist among us.”

A colleague said, “A beloved teacher, mentor and kumu, a visionary thinker, Lani has pursued undertakings that have transformed the educational landscape of the university.”

Richard Wallsgrove

Richard Wallsgrove is an associate professor in the William S. Richardson School of Law. An alumnus of the school, he attributes his approaches to teaching to those from whom he learned.

He is described by colleagues as being on the cutting edge of clean energy law. He believes in and aligns his teaching with the mission of UH Mānoa as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, with respect for ʻāina (land) and engaging students in understanding how atmospheric dynamics is explained and rationalized in Hawaiian and other Indigenous cultures.

Students describe him as embodying principles of empathy, rigor, passion and respect, saying “he makes us better.” Colleagues speak to how “In these polarized times where schools, colleges, and law school campuses alike are struggling with polarization, Rich’s thoughtful brilliance stands out.” As a teacher, mentor and colleague, he is, “a teacher’s teacher in every sense,” and respectful and sensitive to the needs of students from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Aubrey Weston

Aubrey Weston is an instructor and coordinator for UH Maui College’s accounting program. Her commitment to teaching is evident in the numerous nominations she received for the award for teaching excellence.

Students praise Weston for her willingness to go above and beyond to support their learning journey. A student said, “Her enthusiasm for teaching shines through as she acts not only as a professor but also as a mentor, guiding students through complex concepts with clarity and patience.”

Weston’s organizational skills and professionalism create a conducive learning environment, where students can easily navigate course materials and assignments. Her creativity makes learning enjoyable and engaging for her students.

A student said, “I can say that I love taking accounting, and this is 100% thanks to Aubrey.”

The Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award was established by Tadashi and Elizabeth Kunimoto to honor the founders of Chikara Products, Inc., specializing in Â鶹´«Ã½ foods such as Aloha Tofu, Maui Natto and Chikara Konnyaku. This award is given in alternate years: on even years to a faculty member, and on odd years to a student, who makes a significant contribution to career and technical education in the .

Jenny Kelly, veterinary technology program director and assistant professor at Windward Community College, is the recipient of the 2024 Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award.

Since 2015, Kelly has led Windward CC’s high-demand career and technical education (CTE) training program for veterinary assistants and veterinary technicians. Kelly’s passion for veterinary medicine translates into classroom instruction focused on realistic clinical procedures rather than a traditional scientific lab. She uses multiple forms of feedback from her students to evaluate and adjust her instruction. Kelly also works with local vendors to create professional development opportunities for students and faculty.

She monitors the veterinary industry and workforce trends in Â鶹´«Ã½ to continually adapt and improve the program to meet industry needs and prepare skilled graduates to fill employment vacancies. In 2018, Kelly expanded the program to serve students statewide with neighbor island cohorts. She launched the online hybrid program during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The number of courses offered and student semester hours have increased by 36% and 20%, respectively, and the number of distance education classes has increased eightfold. As a result, the number of program majors grew 29% between 2017 and 2022, and program completion has remained strong. In 2023, there were 60 graduates.

Kelly works collaboratively with faculty to improve the curriculum and quality of graduates. She encourages students to conduct research in veterinary technology by embedding internship opportunities in animal science courses. She has developed industry partnerships with more than 30 veterinary clinics, animal rescues and shelters, exotic (birds, lab animals and marine life) and large animal settings, including farms and ranches.

Since joining Windward CC, she has been awarded 16 grants totaling $1,188,818. In 2024, the Good Jobs Â鶹´«Ã½ grant supported students in their final program year, including tuition and fees, books, certification fee and license as well as travel expenses for 10 neighbor island hybrid students to attend in-person labs.

Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg said, “Dr. Jenny Kelly is innovative, caring and hardworking. Through her visionary leadership, Windward CC’s vet tech program has grown to serve our entire pae ʻāina (archipelago), supporting students to achieve excellence on national exams and in their communities.”

Kelly has contributed significantly to CTE as a veterinarian, educator and program director. Her caring nature was evident when she arranged a one-on-one animal experience for a Make-A-Wish recipient. Throughout the years, Kelly has proved to be a tremendous asset to UH and the state as she has elevated the quality of veterinary care in Â鶹´«Ã½.

Students from across the state can now pursue a certificate of achievement in veterinary assisting and an associate in science in veterinary technology at through a that combines online instruction and hands-on experience with live animals in a clinical setting.

Windward CC has the only for veterinary healthcare paraprofessionals in Â鶹´«Ã½. The new hybrid program has also been accredited by the AVMA.

“Students who live on Kauaʻi, Maui, ³¢Äå²Ô²¹ʻ¾±, Molokaʻi and the Big Island will now have access to this specialized education,” said Veterinary Technology Program Director Jenny Kelly. “Our mission is to increase the quality of veterinary care in Â鶹´«Ã½ by providing students with essential skills and knowledge that will enable them to obtain rewarding, living-wage jobs in the animal care field.”

Training includes pharmacology, radiology, anesthesiology, surgical assisting, dentistry, nutrition, exotic and large animal nursing, and veterinary office procedures. Students intern at two of more than 30 independent clinics and shelters, working alongside industry professionals and networking for future employment opportunities.

“The program opens doors for animal care on Molokaʻi and gives me the opportunity to give back to my community,” said Angel Visoria, a current Windward CC student from Molokaʻi. “I am grateful for this amazing opportunity to be with my family and not uproot my entire life. I can stay with my family and still fulfill my dreams.”

For prospective students living on neighbor islands who wish to become veterinary technicians, relocating to Oʻahu may not be possible due to family, work and other obligations. Demand for the hybrid format has also increased from veterinary assistants currently working in veterinary clinics on Oʻahu who want to pursue an associate’s degree in veterinary technology but cannot afford to become a full-time student.

• Related UH News story: Major milestone for Windward veterinary program, January 31, 2014

How the hybrid program works

The eight-semester, three-year program is designed to help students persist and graduate with their AS degree in veterinary technology. Students will receive rigorous coursework in a more relaxed schedule to allow time for work and family.

Lecture classes will be offered in an online format and hands-on laboratory classes in a hybrid format. The hands-on AVMA-Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities essential skills will be completed in labs either at the Windward CC campus or at partner clinical facilities.

Neighbor island students will attend fast-track labs a minimum of three times during a semester. Oʻahu students will attend weekly face-to-face labs. Students enrolled in the hybrid program will work or volunteer part-time under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Enrollment is limited to 12 neighbor island students and 12 Oʻahu students for the Veterinary Assisting certificate, and eight neighbor island students and eight Oʻahu students for the Veterinary Technology AS degree. Students interested in enrolling in the fall are encouraged to attend an information session on June 25 or July 27, via Zoom to learn more about the program and career opportunities. To register for the free information sessions, email vettech@hawaii.edu.

When whales and dolphins are discovered stranded in distress on Â鶹´«Ã½ beaches, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ Marine Mammal Stranding Lab is part of the team of first responders that spring into action. The lab is part of the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s and is the only entity in Â鶹´«Ã½ authorized by to research cause of death in marine mammals.

“Our lab’s role is to be the science providers behind the information we need to best manage marine mammal populations,” said lab director Kristi West. “We are responsible for the cause of death investigations and for a number of different areas of research that help us better understand the conservation threats that face Â鶹´«Ã½‘s dolphins and whales.”

The UH lab performs necropsies, autopsies on animals, to look for signs of human impacts like ship strikes, entanglements, marine debris ingestion and acoustic trauma, which it does extensive research on. Lab researchers also look for evidence of diseases and is credited with, among other things, identifying the diseases morbillivirus, circovirus and Cryptococcus for the first time in Hawaiian marine mammals.

It is also the only lab of its kind in the Pacific Ocean region that processes and archives whale and dolphin tissues for numerous avenues of research. Critical to the lab’s work is the involvement of students from and , who in turn receive invaluable, hands-on experience.

“We have a huge contingent of graduate students that are involved in all aspects of this work,” said West. “We have a number of undergraduate students spread across different departments of the university that have been trained and are able to assist in multiple areas, and then we have the Windward Community College students through the college’s veterinary technician program.”

The UH Marine Mammal Stranding Lab works closely with the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office and other related organizations and community volunteers. West said these combined efforts are necessary to better understand the overall health of the ocean.

“Conservation efforts for Â鶹´«Ã½‘s marine mammals are an ideal representation of what we really need to do to preserve our oceans and the habitat that these animals depend on and we work closely with federal partners, state partners and others,” said West. “Students not only get hands on experience in the laboratory and the field, but they get a chance to network and meet all of these other important players. It really is going to take an incredible team effort to tackle the problems that we face today.”

That team was activated in August and September of 2019, during two separate strandings on Maui involving Pygmy killer whales. Seven of the whales died and were immediately rushed to the UH Marine Mammal Stranding Lab to determine the cause of death in hopes to prevent more deaths in the future.

“The work that we do takes an army, so it is absolutely necessary to have the help of all of our students in so many different ways,” said West.

The Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award was established by Tadashi and Elizabeth Kunimoto to honor the founders of Chikara Products, Inc., specializing in Â鶹´«Ã½ foods such as Aloha Tofu, Maui Natto and Chikara Konnyaku. This award is given on alternate years: on even years to a faculty member, and on odd years to a student, who makes a significant contribution to career and technical education in the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ Community Colleges.

Antje Martin is a 2019 graduate of the veterinary technology program at Windward Community College. She understands the rigor and challenges of the veterinary field and how rewarding it is to help animals in need.

Initially, Martin did not make it into the second year of the program, which motivated her to work harder and come back stronger, demonstrating perseverance and determination to be the best student she can be. She asked pertinent questions, provided helpful information to her classmates, engaged in her studies and got along with everyone.

Martin’s professors believe she has a bright future in the veterinary field. They say she is “reliable and dependable, and possesses excellent client communication skills, calming anxious pet owners in the lab, and consistently volunteers at community events to educate and assist the public with their pets and pet care.” Martin is proof the path to completion does not have to be perfect, and is a wonderful example of how hard work and resolve can get you where you need to be, even if it is the second time around.

is preparing more graduates to enter Â鶹´«Ã½’s veterinary workforce by expanding its to the Big Island of Â鶹´«Ã½. The Windward CC veterinary assisting program will begin at in August 2017.

The certificate of achievement in veterinary assisting on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island—offered from August 2017 through May 2018—is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to perform effectively as an assistant in a veterinarian’s office, animal shelter or animal research facility. The 2-semester, 31-credit hybrid program includes online coursework in the life sciences, as well as hands-on experience through labs and internships at local veterinary clinics.

“Historically, 80 to 90 percent of students get jobs right away, and some students in the program are getting hired by clinics even before they graduate,” said Windward CC Chancellor .

“We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College to bring Windward Community College’s veterinary assisting program to students on the Big Island,” said , Windward’s vet tech program director. “This is the only program of its kind in the state. By expanding to the neighbor islands, we hope to provide essential training to veterinary staff and increase the standard of animal care throughout Â鶹´«Ã½.”

Completion of the certificate is required for admission to the veterinary technology associate in science degree—accredited by the (AVMA)—at Windward CC.



Free informational session

• 
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.

The information sessions will be held at 
Â鶹´«Ã½ CC–Pālamanui, Room 102
. Students will learn about the curriculum and requirements.

More information 
can be found on the Windward Vet or email program coordinator at vetadec@hawaii.edu

Read the for more information.

—By Bonnie Beatson