The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa introduced : a free, comprehensive call-for-papers (CFP) aggregator tailored for the legal academy. It offers real-time information on CFPs for conferences, symposia, workshops, law reviews and scholarly blogs. By leveraging a tiered system of artificial intelligence (AI) agents,

The Docket indexes more than 500 active sources—continuously discovering, classifying and triaging opportunities under expert human supervision. Legal scholars from around the world can now search the site, subscribe to filtered email digests, and export deadlines directly to their calendars.

“The Docket reflects the kind of work we strive to cultivate at Richardson,” UH law school Dean Camille Nelson said. “By expanding access to opportunities for legal scholars, this initiative strengthens the exchange of ideas that is essential to advancing justice.”

Law Professor Guy Rubinstein identified the need for a centralized legal CFP aggregator and initiated the project.

“There have never been more opportunities for law professors to present, share and publish their work,” said Rubinstein. “However, due to the abundance of listservs, blogs and social media platforms, it is becoming increasingly difficult for scholars to track every opportunity. I wanted to create a tool that would bridge that gap by bringing everything into one view.”

Institutional growth

After a successful trial period and feedback from UH law school faculty, the platform was officially launched to the community. Professor Brian Huffman, UH law school’s electronic services librarian and director of faculty development, sees the tool as a vital resource for institutional growth.

“The Docket uniquely supports faculty development and scholarship by spotlighting publishing and presentation opportunities, enabling faculty to engage quickly and strategically with the broader academic community,” said Huffman. “The library supports this project in its effort to help faculty research and promote their scholarship as well as improve professional development. Other peer institutions will also certainly benefit from The Docket as this site is free and open to all.”

Collaboration brings project to life

To bring the vision to life, Rubinstein collaborated with Benjamin Leider, the innovation fellow at the UH law school. A UH law school alumnus whose background bridges the gap between academic scholarship and technical development, Leider built the platform from the ground up.

“Surprisingly, getting AI to do real work was much more like management than dealing with technology,” Leider said. “AI agents need clearly defined jobs, and they need the right tools to do them. When they fail, it’s almost always because job expectations are unclear, or because the tools provide a bad user experience—a bad experience for the agents themselves—or because you’re expecting one agent to have the expertise of three specialists.”

Lexie Tilton came to University of �鶹��ý at Hilo from Oʻahu‘s ʻIolani School on a softball scholarship—and somewhere between the diamond and the dean’s list, she found her real fight. This spring 2026, she graduates with a and a , headed to UH’s law school with one clear mission: helping local families afford to stay in �鶹��ý.

Initially drawn to UH Hilo for the opportunity to play Division II softball on scholarship, Tilton quickly fell in love with the island’s welcoming environment.

“I love the community here. They say this campus is the most diverse in the world, and it has always felt very inviting and supportive, especially for the athletic community,” shared Tilton, UH �ᾱ����’s #4 outfielder and 2025 PacWest Conference Co-Defender of the Year.

The transition from a structured high school to the freedom of a university setting allowed Tilton, who has repeatedly earned recognition for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher as a student-athlete, to flourish.

Tilton holds great pride in the world-class education she received. She emphasizes the prestige of the , which is accredited by the AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the highest standard for business schools worldwide.

Tilton reflected on the close-knit but powerful nature of the entire university.

“We’re small, but we’re feisty, and we get it done,” she said.

Tilton shared that her academic trajectory was profoundly shaped by UH �ᾱ����’s dedicated faculty. These academic connections proved vital for Tilton, who is already a licensed real estate agent. Inspired by her mother, a first-generation college graduate and realtor, she has sights set on an incredibly noble goal.

This fall, she will attend the to become a real estate attorney. Her mission is to combat the state’s soaring housing prices.

“We want to be able to empower locals to become homeowners by creating more affordable housing so they’re able to stay here,” Tilton explained, citing sobering statistics of how many �鶹��ý natives are forced to move away to make ends meet.

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Before the University of �鶹��ý at ��ā�ԴDz�’s became a fixture of the state’s legal landscape, it began as an experiment in the early 1970s. As the school prepares to graduate its 50th class on May 17, the UH community is looking back at the trailblazing students who built the foundation of legal education in the islands.

Founded in 1973, the law school’s first class of 53 students famously attended lessons in old wooden buildings in the Quarry at UH Mānoa. Prior to the school’s opening, �鶹��ý residents seeking a law degree were forced to travel to the continental U.S., a barrier that often made legal training inaccessible for many.

Chief Justice William S. Richardson, the school’s namesake and a primary advocate for its founding, told the inaugural class in 1973 that they represented “no less than the realization of a dream.” The mission was clear: to produce lawyers equipped to handle the unique legal needs of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s communities and to serve as a source of independent leadership within the state government.

Innovation through necessity

The inaugural class, which included future leaders such as former �鶹��ý Gov. John D. Waiheʻe, navigated their education with resourcefulness. Alumni recall learning from “photocopied tomes” and using card catalogs for research in an era long before digital databases.

“We started with nothing,” said UH alumnus Allen Hoe. “We had no textbooks and everything we did or had was provided via Xerox.”

This “analog” environment fostered a culture of cooperation rather than competition. Class members emphasize that their success was rooted in supporting one another, a trait that has become a hallmark of the “Richardson” experience over the last five decades.

A lasting legacy

The Class of 1976 didn’t just graduate; they went on to reshape the state. From environmental advocacy to the establishment of the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, the first graduates set a precedent for public service and community responsibility.

As the school celebrates its 50th graduating class, the legacy of that first group remains the heartbeat of the institution.

Read the full story on .

A common emergency room issue—objects stuck in children’s ears—is driving innovation through the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (MIND) �鶹��ý competition.

(JABSOM) pediatric emergency physician Travis Hong said the problem is more frequent than many expect.

“You’d be surprised how often kids come in with things stuck in their ears—beads, food, small toy parts,” Hong said. “I see these cases at least every couple of weeks, if not more.”

Removing those objects safely can be challenging and sometimes requires improvisation.

“A lot of ER care involves figuring out what works in the moment,” Hong said. “In some cases, we use a small amount of medical-grade adhesive on a cotton swab to try to extract the object—but it requires precision, and the child has to stay very still.”

Student-driven solution

That challenge inspired this year’s winning team in the MIND �鶹��ý competition.

“We wanted to create something safer, more controlled and designed specifically for this problem,” said Aileen Ferrer, a JABSOM student and leader of the StickieEars team.

The team developed a hybrid suction-adhesive device to improve safety and control during removal.

“It’s a common issue, but there isn’t a standardized tool,” Ferrer said. “We saw an opportunity to improve that.”

Developing the prototype required collaboration across disciplines—central to MIND’s mission. The annual competition brings together students from across campus, including JABSOM, the , the and the , to tackle real-world healthcare challenges.

Working with students and mentors from different backgrounds changed how we approached the problem.
—Aileen Ferrer

“Working with students and mentors from different backgrounds changed how we approached the problem,” Ferrer said. “That collaboration was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.”

“Students are addressing real clinical needs, and the level of innovation in these projects is exciting to see,” said faculty advisor Peter Di Rocco, clinical assistant professor at JABSOM.

Ferrer hopes StickieEars will eventually reach clinical use.

“I think this could have a real impact in everyday practice and make a difference for patients,” she said.

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Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation’s top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

UH Mānoa’s (JABSOM) also placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and UH �ᾱ����’s ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked UH Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“UH Mānoa’s strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and �鶹��ý can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these UH News stories on previous years’ rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the �鶹��ýlaw school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation’s best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master’s and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in �鶹��ý to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation’s top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation’s top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation’s best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation’s best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation’s best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

UH Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea appointed University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Professor as the Ambassador for South Korea to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), recognizing his decades-long leadership in human rights scholarship, international law and public service.

“I am delighted to bring the insights I have developed during my tenure as a professor at the , to the OECD, in my commitment to serving the global community,” Baik said.

International human rights, comparative law

Baik, a globally respected scholar of international human rights and comparative law, has been a member of the UH law school since 2011. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the UH law school and underscores the global impact of its faculty.

“Professor Baik’s appointment as an ambassador is a tremendous honor for him and for our entire community,” UH law school’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Troy J.H. Andrade said. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and democratic governance. His expertise and moral leadership will serve the people of Korea and the international community well.”

Before joining UH, Baik taught at the University of British Columbia and served as director of the Korean Legal Studies Program. At the UH law school, he has taught courses in international human rights law, international criminal law, comparative law and Korean law, while mentoring students interested in global justice and public service. He also served as the director of UH’s Center for Korean Studies.

Baik is recognized for his work on transitional justice, human rights systems in Asia and international accountability mechanisms. From 2015 to 2022, he served as an independent expert with the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, where he held leadership roles as vice-chair and later chair-rapporteur. In that capacity, he worked with governments, civil society organizations, and families of victims to investigate and address cases of enforced disappearance worldwide.

Internationally acclaimed poet and Marshall Islands climate envoy Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, who is serving as the Spring 2026 Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�, will deliver a keynote lecture and poetry performance on April 1 at Orvis Auditorium. The free, public event invites the campus and broader community to hear directly from one of the Pacific’s leading voices on climate and justice.

As this year’s Inouye Chair, Jetñil-Kijiner is engaging the community on urgent issues shaping democratic life. Her lecture explores how the climate crisis in the Marshall Islands is inseparable from histories of colonialism, nuclear testing and displacement, offering a powerful, Pacific-centered perspective that connects lived experience to global climate conversations.

“As a writer, performer and diplomat, she moves across disciplines while creating art that brings people together,” said Peter Arnade, dean of the . “She offers a vital Pacific voice against the violence of the past and present. She reminds us what poetry can do, and why the humanities matter in a dehumanizing age.”

Jetñil-Kijiner currently serves as a climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, where she works on international climate diplomacy and national adaptation policy.

“Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner is a force in culture and climate diplomacy,” said Joyce Mariano, chair of the . “She has ignited audiences with poetry and performance from Majuro to Suva, Brisbane to Bonn. Her work will resonate deeply in �鶹��ý, and we are thrilled to have her in residence.”

Jetñil-Kijiner is co-teaching a class at UH ����ԴDz� and holding regular workshops with students. She will also headline a community arts event at Native Books �鶹��ý on April 17 at 6 p.m.

Inouye chair

The Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals, established by the late Senator Daniel Inouye and his wife, is jointly administered by UH ����ԴDz�’s and the .

This event is produced in collaboration with �鶹��ý Contemporary and in partnership with the UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, a joint venture of UH ����ԴDz�, �鶹��ý Community Foundation, Kamehameha Schools and UH Foundation. For more information or contact btss@hawaii.edu.

The University of �鶹��ý community mourns the loss of distinguished alumna and trailblazing political leader Colleen Hanabusa, who passed away in March.

Born and raised on the Leeward Coast in Waiʻanae, Hanabusa was a proud three-time graduate of UH Mānoa. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university before receiving her law degree from the in 1977, which launched her early career as a labor attorney.

Her dedication to the university and its students continued later in her career. In December 2015, the UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences announced Hanabusa’s selection as Lecturer and Daniel K. Inouye Visiting Scholar. Taking on a joint appointment between the public policy center and the political science department, she taught a spring 2016 course focused on civil liberties in times of crisis.

Hanabusa’s statewide legacy in public service is historic. She served in the �鶹��ý State Senate from 1999 to 2010, representing her home community on the Waiʻanae Coast. During this time, she made history as the first woman to serve as president of the �鶹��ý State Senate, known for wielding her power collaboratively to support her community. She then represented �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015, and again from 2016 to 2019.

Hanabusa is remembered for her effectiveness in strengthening national defense, preserving natural resources, advancing Native Hawaiians, and protecting civil rights. After her time in Congress, she continued her public service as chair of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board.

To honor her decades of dedicated service, Gov. Josh Green ordered U.S. and �鶹��ý state flags to be flown at half-staff statewide.

As �鶹��ý faces rising sea levels, housing pressures and growing calls for the return of to community stewardship, the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� will host a day of bold conversations focused on solutions. On March 4, the annual at 8 a.m. at East West Center will gather leaders, scholars and community advocates to examine how land, law and justice intersect and what that means for �鶹��ý’s future.

Now in its fifth year, the summit carries the theme ʻĀinahoʻi: Land, Law and Justice. ʻĀinahoʻi means “indeed that which feeds us.” The phrase is both reminder and call to action that the future of �鶹��ý is tied to how we care for the ʻ�徱�Բ� that sustains us.

“We established the Piʻo Summits to advance ancestral knowledge and courageous leadership to address the cascading challenges of our times,” said Kamanamaikalani Beamer, professor at UH ����ԴDz� and the . “�鶹��ý deserves the best and the Piʻo Summits bring critical issues to the head of our table and we sit with the community to find ways to carve out a better future.”

Voices for ʻ�徱�Բ�

This year’s summit begins with music from two-time Grammy nominee Raiatea Helm and a keynote from Justice Joe Williams of Aotearoa, a respected Māori jurist known for advancing Indigenous rights within modern legal systems.

Throughout the day, panels will feature leaders from �鶹��ý’s largest landholders serving Native Hawaiian communities, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) advocates will join scholars and professors from UH ����ԴDz�’s and departments, as well as the William S. Richardson School of Law, to explore the future of ʻ�徱�Բ� stewardship and justice in �鶹��ý.

“This year’s summit will highlight the collective effort for ʻĀinahoʻi across the ,” Beamer said. “We will be exploring how communities are navigating and challenging existing systems through legal methods, land trusts, and grassroots action to restore , strengthen relationships to ʻ�徱�Բ�, and advance self-determined governance grounded in ancestral innovation and courageousness.”

Ancestral innovation

The summit is organized by Pōʻai Ke Aloha ʻĀina, a UH-based lab that works to solve modern challenges using ʻike �鶹��ý (ancestral Hawaiian knowledge). The lab is helping build a new center focused on an ancestral circular economy, a model rooted in regeneration and long-term stewardship.

Christian de Quevedo, a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa alumnus, founded Lēʻahi Landscaping after identifying a disconnect between the importance of �鶹��ý’s built environments and the standards of the industry serving them. Landscapes shape some of the state’s most visible and valuable spaces, yet the work behind them is often noisy, emissions-heavy and unreliable.

In �鶹��ý’s unique setting, Lēʻahi takes a site-specific approach to sustainability and land stewardship at residential and commercial sites. Using drone mapping and environmental modeling, the team evaluates sun exposure, wind, drainage and soil conditions before design begins. This leads to smarter decisions and fewer unnecessary inputs. As climate pressures and wildfire risks increase, resilience guides the work—prioritizing landscapes that are environmentally appropriate, safer over time and that deliver value to property owners.

“I couldn’t find a service that matched the standards expected in other professional sectors, so I set out to build one,” said de Quevedo, who graduated from the JD/MBA program in 2021.

A defining principle of de Quevedo’s entrepreneurial journey has been adaptation. He believes �鶹��ý businesses can no longer rely on geographic isolation or outdated practices. He said local companies are now measured against national and global standards.

He credited his law degree from the with shaping his analytical approach and his MBA program with giving him the tools to act, scale and execute, and said that his Shidler experience reinforced systems thinking, disciplined operations and long-term value creation.

He also emphasized that none of Lēʻahi’s success would be possible without Kaimalu Stanich, his business partner, close friend and a graduate of UH Mānoa’s , or without the Lēʻahi team. Since founding the company, he said all profits have been reinvested into growth, systems and employees, reflecting a belief that long-term success begins with investing in people.

For the entire story and more stories like this, see the .

A pioneer in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) who strengthened women’s health education in �鶹��ý is being honored with a new endowed professorship at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (JABSOM).

Established through a gift from UH ����ԴDz� Professor of Law Emeritus Linda Krieger in honor of her father, John Krieger, the professorship recognizes his lasting impact on OBGYN training in the state in the 1960s.

John Krieger moved to �鶹��ý in 1963, when the state faced a shortage of OBGYNs. Although already in practice, he returned to residency training to meet local licensing requirements.

“My father had been in practice for about six or seven years, but you couldn’t get a medical license here for a year if you moved here, so he went back to being a resident,” said Linda Krieger, a nationally respected law scholar and civil rights advocate. “That experience got him very interested in working on medical education, especially at the residency level.”

Krieger helped build OBGYN residency education at what was called The Queen’s Hospital at the time and later led residency training when JABSOM expanded to a four-year program.

“This was their whole life,” Linda said of her parents’ connection to �鶹��ý. “My father really loved the multiculturalism here and the diversity of people and cultures. He felt very committed to that kind of community.”

First recipient carries legacy forward

The inaugural John A. Krieger Endowed Professorship was awarded to Lynne Saito-Tom, professor in the Department of OBGYN and Women’s Health at JABSOM. To Saito-Tom, the honor reflects her family’s deep commitment to education.

Her grandparents were unable to attend school beyond elementary level but believed strongly in higher education, ensuring their children went to college. Growing up in Wahiawā, her parents sacrificed daily—waking before sunrise and commuting long hours—so she could pursue her goals.

“Thanks to their sacrifices, I was able to pursue my educational goals of becoming a physician, the first in my family,” Saito-Tom said.

She added, “Dr. John Krieger, the first resident program director of our department, developed a strong curriculum for residency training, and I plan to utilize this endowment to advance medical education, including creating innovative curriculum, supporting trainees and enhancing faculty development.”

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—Turning point, a time of change.

All ʻŌlelo of the Week

“Huliau speaks to those pivotal moments when life turns and invites transformation. Like the shifting winds and changing seasons, these transitions call us to reflect, recalibrate and move forward with renewed purpose. While change can bring uncertainty, it also creates space for growth, deeper understanding and new possibility. Huliau reminds us that change is not an ending, but a continuation—shaping who we are and guiding the path ahead.”

—Jaime Kanani Green, First Lady of �鶹��ý and proud graduate of the UH William S. Richardson School of Law.

Check back for more ʻōlelo �鶹��ý.

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

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�.

Human rights lawyer and University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� alumnus Julian Aguon is one of four changemakers around the world who have won the Swedish Right Livelihood Foundation’s annual award in 2025.

“I am deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of my entire team at Blue Ocean Law,” said Aguon. “I could not have done this work without each and every one of them, starting with my erudite co-lead, Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, and the incredible team we assembled to take on this case.”

‘Carrying the call for climate justice to the world’s highest court’

The Right Livelihood Foundation cited Aguon for “carrying the call for climate justice to the world’s highest court.” Aguon, together with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, was selected by an international jury for their collective efforts to secure a unanimous advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice.

The opinion, delivered in July 2025, found that countries have binding obligations under international law to protect the climate system for present and future generations. In its historic decision, the Court recognized the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, declaring it essential to the realization of all other rights.

In Aguon’s case, the jury also recognized his longstanding advocacy on behalf of the Chamorro people of Guam, who continue to struggle under U.S. colonization.

“I proudly accept this award on behalf of my people, the Chamorro people, and indeed all of us in Micronesia, who continue to resist the militarization of our homelands, who continue to insist upon our right to live in the world on our own terms and our children’s right to do the same.”

Established in 1980 to “honour and support courageous people solving global problems,” the Right Livelihood Award has become widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize.’ Past winners from the U.S. include civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson, award-winning journalist Amy Goodman, and famed whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg. There are now 203 Laureates from more than 80 countries.

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To address the holistic needs of University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� students, including food insecurity, mental and emotional health and practical skill-building, an inaugural gift from the Class of 1985 launched the Professor Calvin G. C. Pang Student Wellness and Benevolence Fund. The fund honors the legacy of Pang, a celebrated mentor and classmate known for his compassion and service to the UH community. This new resource integrates health and professional development directly into the educational experience at the UH law school.

“We are grateful to the Class of 1985 for their profound recognition that true academic excellence and the growth of future lawyers are nurtured when health, wellness and professionalism are placed at the heart of the educational journey,” said UH law school Dean Camille Nelson.

Besides supporting initiatives that promote student well-being and address essential needs, the fund will provide resources for workshops and training in areas such as budgeting, time management, exam preparation, networking and other professional skills that support student success.

Student food pantry, emergency situations

In addition, the fund will support a discreet student food pantry offering nutritious options such as fresh produce, meal kits and frozen meals, along with the equipment and facilities needed to store and prepare food safely. Resources may also be used to assist students facing urgent or emergency situations and to support community meal opportunities that foster connection and belonging.

Establishing this fund addresses clear and growing needs among law students. Surveys of UH law students across all class years and programs show that many face significant financial and wellness challenges, including food insecurity and stress that directly affect their ability to focus and succeed academically.

UH law students facing food insecurity or other needs can email lawadss@hawaii.edu for more information.

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Five subject areas were placed in the world’s top 1%, and an additional four earned top 2% honors in the 2026 , released on January 21.

Education led the way, ranked in the No. 101–125 tier, followed by physical sciences at No. 126–150, arts and humanities at No. 151–175, and law and life sciences each at No. 201–250. To qualify in the world’s top 1%, rankings must be within the top 250 in the world () UH Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

“We are proud that UH Mānoa continues to be recognized globally, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, research and the student experience,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, who make UH Mānoa a truly exceptional place.”

All UH Mānoa rankings:

• Education studies: No. 101–125
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 151–175
• Law: No. 201–250
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Computer science: No. 501–600
• Engineering: No. 501–600

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 425–1,555 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

This article by Native Hawaiian Initiative Alakaʻi (Coordinator) at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� Kamakanaokealoha Aquino was first published in .

As we begin this new year, let us take a moment to reflect on 2025. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the University of �鶹��ý awarded 2,086 degrees and certificates to Native Hawaiians. As of fall 2025, there are 12,618 Native Hawaiians enrolled.

There are so many accomplishments by students, faculty, staff, and administrators, to programs, community outreach, and engagement to highlight. Here are a few:

• Hear from Native Hawaiian community college students fulfilling their kuleana: Cathryn Krueger, �鶹��ý CC; Kamananui Anderson, Honolulu CC; Melanie Camat, Kapiʻolani CC; Hiʻilani Cremer, Kauaʻi CC; Stevie Puna, Leeward CC; ʻAleʻa Kimokeo, UH Maui College; Kauakaweli Haili-Nakamoto, Windward CC.
• UH Hilo honored Mary Kawena Pukui with a panel that coincided with Women’s History Month and her posthumous selection as a 2025 honoree for the U.S. Mint’s Native American $1 coin.
• The Hawaiian collection at the UH Hilo Edwin H. Moʻokini Library was named the Edith Kanakaʻole Hawaiian Collection.
• UH West Oʻahu hosted a two-day ʻAha Hoʻoponopono with 300 haku hoʻoponopono, social sector professionals, aloha ʻ�徱�Բ� practitioners, and community members.
• UH ����ԴDz�’s Hawaiian Theatre program celebrated its 10th anniversary with its latest Hawaiian language production Puana, and an invitation to perform at the Kia Mau international Indigenous-led performing arts festival in Aotearoa.
• Windward CC extended its Hawaiian studies program to paʻahao incarcerated at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona, with 25 students enrolled in their first course.
• Haʻina Ko Wehi: Celebrating West Maui in Mele a project by students from UH Maui College’s Institute of Hawaiian Music was named Compilation Album of the Year at the 2025 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.
• Honolulu Community College hosted a two-day Indigenous education symposium ʻAha Kūkalahale 2025, uplifting Hawaiian knowledge funded by the Kūkalahale Title III Grant and in partnership with Kanaeokana and Pacific Rim Concepts.
• UH ����ԴDz� Native Hawaiian Student Services’ Hawaiian Youths Abroad program Japan took a cohort of 13 students and 6 faculty/staff to explore Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, while retracing connections between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Japan.
• Kuiokalani L. Gapero succeeded Ernie Kaʻaumoana Wilson Jr. to the UH Board of Regents for a 5-year term.
• Winners of the Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching included: Mapuana Antonio (public health associate professor, UH ����ԴDz�); Ashlee Kalauli (math instructor, �鶹��ý CC); Tracie Kuʻuipo Losch (Hawaiian studies professor, Leeward CC); Mehana Kaʻiama Makaʻinaʻi (Hawaiian studies instructor, UH ����ԴDz�); Peter Kalawaiʻa Moore (Hawaiian studies professor, Windward CC); and Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio (political science associate professor, UH ����ԴDz�).
• Kenny Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan received the UH ����ԴDz� Pākela Award for being an outstanding academic advisor.
• Shayla Spotkaeff, a business management major and undergraduate research assistant at the Center for Oral History received the UH ����ԴDz� Student Employee of the Year Award.
• Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law at UH ����ԴDz� William S. Richardson School of Law celebrated 20 years.

The is celebrating two decades of education, scholarship, and community advocacy on issues affecting Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Indigenous peoples. The center is part of the at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa.

In recognition of this milestone, Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina, on behalf of the Honolulu City Council, presented an honorary certificate to Ka Huli Ao at Honolulu Hale. The presentation honored the center’s enduring contributions to Native Hawaiian legal education and community engagement.

“Ka Huli Ao is grateful to the Honolulu City Council for this tremendous honor, which is a reflection on Chief Justice William S. Richardson’s enduring legal legacy to �鶹��ý and our people,” said Kapuaʻala Sproat, director of Ka Huli Ao and professor of law. “Ua Ao �鶹��ý! In Ka Huli Ao’s 20th year, this guiding theme reminds us that even in our most challenging moments, the path forward is illuminated by �鶹��ý’s enduring legal foundations, grounded in loina (customs, principles, laws) and ʻike kuʻuna (ancestral knowledge), which continue to guide us toward the light of tomorrow.”

Founded in 2005 by Professor Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie through a Native Hawaiian Education Act grant, Ka Huli Ao has become a cornerstone of Native Hawaiian law. The center established the first–ever Native Hawaiian Law Certificate program, published Native Hawaiian Law: A Treatise, provides training to the community and decision makers, operates a post–JD legal fellows program, shapes future leaders and leads the Native Hawaiian Law Clinic that provides direct legal services to our neighbor island communities.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Dean Camille A. Nelson has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Alice A. Huffman “Hats Off” Award of Excellence by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People .

Nelson was honored at the 38th Annual State Convention’s Women in the NAACP (WIN) “Hats Off” Luncheon on October 24. The award celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing social justice and equality, continuing the legacy of Huffman, civil–rights icon and former NAACP state conference president.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Dr. Alice A. Huffman ‘Hats Off’ Award of Excellence,” said Nelson. “Having my work recognized with an award bearing Dr. Huffman’s name, a phenomenal woman whose unwavering commitment to equity touched law, education, and community, is a tremendous honor, one that fills me with humility and profound gratitude.”

More on Nelson

A nationally respected legal scholar and administrator, Nelson has served as dean at three law schools, each time as the first woman of color to hold the role. Her scholarship focuses on health law, criminal law and procedure, comparative law, and leadership through the lens of cultural studies and critical race theory. Nelson’s influence extends beyond academia through her commitment to equity, education and community empowerment.

In 2025, Nelson also received the and was named . These recognitions underscore her wide–reaching impact on access to justice, leadership and gender equality in law.

NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, dedicated to ensuring political, educational, social, and economic equality for all. The California–�鶹��ý State Conference represents this mission across the region, advancing justice and equity through advocacy, education and community partnerships.

A leading voice for Indigenous rights in Aotearoa (New Zealand) will visit the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� on Thursday, October 30, to discuss the future of Indigenous governance and solidarity across the Pacific.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori and a member of New Zealand’s Parliament, will appear in an onstage conversation with Noelani Goodyear-����ʻō��ܲ�, a professor at UH ����ԴDz�. The free public event at the art auditorium is hosted by the UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series and begins at 6:30 p.m. ()

“We are deeply honored to host the Honorable Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, whose leadership embodies the courage and clarity our times demand,” said Goodyear-����ʻō��ܲ�. “Grounded in the tino rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty) of her people and a visionary in her pursuit of thriving futures for Aotearoa and Oceania, she is not only a parliamentarian but a protector. This dialogue is a rare opportunity to learn from her experience and to strengthen the ties between our nations, connected by our great ocean.”

Standing for justice

Ngarewa-Packer has spent decades defending Māori lands and waters. Before entering Parliament, she led her iwi (people), Ngāti Ruanui, in successful campaigns to block seabed mining off the South Taranaki coast. Those battles continue to guide her work in national efforts for environmental protection, poverty reduction and equity for Māori communities.

The Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, which is organizing the event, is a joint venture of UH ����ԴDz�, The Learning Coalition and the �鶹��ý Community Foundation, with support from the UH Foundation.

This event is made possible through the sponsorship of Kaiāulu by Kamehameha Schools, and with additional support from the College of Arts, Languages & Letters, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and William S. Richardson School of Law.