March is Womenā€™s History Month. But for Lisa M. Vallin, every month is Womenā€™s History Month. Thatā€™s because the full-time instructor and academic advisor in the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ at Mānoa ā€™ (WGSS) teaches one of the most in-demand courses at UH Mānoa, regularly drawing more than 700 registrants every semester.

Vallin leads WGSS 350 Sex Differences in the Life Cycle, which is cross-listed as BIOL 350. She credits a small but effective army of learning assistants, dedicated guest speakers, multiple internships and volunteer opportunities, and the ability to study sexuality in evidence-based, nuanced conversations that move beyond myths and binaries.

The courseā€™s popularity is partly because it fulfills a general education requirement; is listed as a DB (diversification of biological sciences) course for aspiring doctors and science majors; and has earned an E (ethics) focus. But thatā€™s not the only reason seats are snapped up as soon as registration opens. WGSS Chair Lani Teves said one of the departmentā€™s oldest courses is among its most popular because of the teaching ability, energy and enthusiasm of Vallin herself.

“Lisa is an invaluable member of our WGSS faculty and community. Students—both in person and online—regularly note that she is the best professor theyā€™ve ever had, describing her as open minded, knowledgeable and inspiring,” said Teves.

Global perspectives, human geography

Vallin was born and raised in Sweden and, as a youngster, dreamed of working for the United Nations. Driven by a deep interest in global cultures and social justice, she pursued higher education in the U.S., earning a bachelorā€™s degree in geography with an emphasis on the human environment.

After earning a masterā€™s in the field at San Francisco State University and with the intent of earning a PhD, Vallin moved to Ā鶹“«Ć½ to study with Michael Salzman, a UH Mānoa educational psychology professor whose specialty was cultural trauma. She became particularly interested in how cultural trauma and structural inequality helped shape sexual identities and lived experiences.

Then Vallin learned about a lecturer opening in WGSS, and successfully applied in 2011. Her first course, WGSS/BIOL 350, enrolled 45 students in a standard-size classroom. Over the years, student demand grew dramatically. In spring 2026, she is teaching two sections that meet twice a week, serving 533 students online and 201 students in person. Vallin estimates that, over the past 15 years, she has taught more than 10,000 students in a single course.

“Iā€™m incredibly proud of that large number,” said Vallin. “The fact that so many students have shown a shared interest in learning about the body and its diversity is deeply encouraging. It reminds me that these conversations matter.”

For the entire story, visit the .

The University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ at Mānoa celebrated the legacy of renowned alumna Alice Augusta Ball at the annual recognition ceremony on February 26. This yearā€™s event was especially meaningful, as her discovery dubbed the “Ball Method” treatment for Hansenā€™s disease has been designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Spearheaded by the UH Office of the President and the UH Mānoa Office of the Provost with support from various campus and community partners, the ceremony invited the campus community to the chaulmoogra tree on the ma uka side of Bachman Hall, where a plaque honors Ballā€™s legacy.

The event began with an oli led by the Ā鶹“«Ć½ Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilienceā€™s Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Coordinator.

Emcee LaJoya Shelly, a lecturer in ethnic studies and educational administration, led the event. UH President Wendy Hensel was among several distinguished speakers who commemorated Ball.

“Sheā€™s a true role model for all of us,” said Hensel, “Every year is exciting because sheā€™s such an incredible trailblazer, and to be able to recognize her repeatedly for those contributions is always really special.”

Hensel also read Gov. Josh Greenā€™s official proclamation declaring February 28, 2026, as Alice Augusta Ball Day.

Long-awaited official recognition

Katrina-Ann Kapā Oliveira, Interim Vice Provost for Student Success, presented the National Historic Chemical Landmark Designation on behalf of ACS President Rigoberto Hernandez.

“This landmark dedication reflects ACS‘s commitment to honoring chemists like Ball whose discoveries have improved countless lives,” read Oliveira. “The National Historic Chemical Landmarks program preserves and promotes these histories so that present and future generations can understand the transformative power of chemistry.”

In 2024, the American Chemical Society approved the nomination—submitted by David Lassner, UH president emeritus, and Paul Wermager, retired department head of science and technology at Hamilton Library—to award the National Historic Chemical Landmark designation to Ball for her technique of isolating ethyl esterification from the fatty acids of chaulmoogra oil so it could be effectively administered to Hansenā€™s disease patients by injection.

• Related Ā鶹“«Ć½News story: Sculpture honors pioneering scientist Alice Ball

This isolation technique, later called the “Ball Method,” was the first successful treatment for Hansenā€™s disease that was used on thousands of patients around the world until the introduction of sulfone drugs in the mid-1940s.

The Ball Method was used to treat patients in Kalaupapa, permitting them to return to their families after being banished to isolation facilities on the remote Molokaʻi peninsula. This treatment was the difference between a life of discomfort and isolation, and a life of fulfillment and connection with family and community.

Inspiring future generations of scientists

Ball was the first woman and first African-American to graduate from the College of Ā鶹“«Ć½—now known as the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ at Mānoa—with a masterā€™s degree in chemistry. Ball had also become the first African American female chemistry instructor and department head.

“What inspires me really, especially during Black History Month, is her being a black woman in STEM,” said Raven Kelley, the student speaker for the Black Student Association, “When we look at U.S. history, women in STEM, in general, rarely ever get the recognition that they truly deserve.”

Ball died on December 31, 1916, at the age of 24, before publishing her groundbreaking work. More than a century later, the university remains committed to honoring her legacy.

“As a black woman in STEM myself, it gives me a sense of pride and honor to see her truly recognized for her work,” said Kelley.

Other program speakers included Phillip Williams, interim dean and professor of chemistry at the UH Mānoa College of Natural Sciences; Diana Felton, chief of the Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division at the Ā鶹“«Ć½ State Department of Health; and DeGray Vanderbilt of Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa.

The ceremony was followed by the annual Alice Augusta Ball Remembrance Walk, led by Sister Circle at Mānoa and Native Hawaiian Student Services, which included a trip to Hamilton Library to see the life-sized bronze bust of Alice Ball. The walk ended at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services for a screening of The Ball Method film.

ā€”by Josslyn Rose

University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ at Mānoa alumna Lauryn Hansen can pinpoint the moment she realized she could turn her passion for the environment into a career, beginning a journey that would eventually lead her to dive deep into the intricate links between ocean and human health.

“My high school history teacher showed our class a clip of a late-night talk show where lobbyists in powerful positions chatted about their stance on climate regulation,” said Hansen. “It was the first time I really thought about how the world worked—and how often people making the biggest decisions may not act in the public’s best interest. That was an ‘aha’ moment for me: realizing that I could channel my deep care and interest in the environment into a career.”

That realization led Hansen, who grew up in California and the Pacific Northwest, to UH Mānoa. She enrolled in the (GES) bachelor’s degree program in the (SOEST).

For her GES senior thesis, Hansen worked with Robert Richmond at the Kewalo Marine Laboratory to investigate how exposure to PFAS, a type of “forever chemical,” influenced different phases of the coral life cycle. This project sparked a strong interest in toxicology and contamination, which ultimately steered her toward pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s (BAM) combined degree in public health at UH Mānoa.

“The transition to public health ended up being a really natural fit,” Hansen said.

Linking research and community

Now, as an with the UH Sea Grant College Program (Ā鶹“«Ć½ Sea Grant), Hansen is focusing on coastal marine resource management related to contaminants of emerging concern, such as forever chemicals, pesticides and microplastics. She collaborates with researchers, water quality managers and government agencies to improve local monitoring and management of these contaminants.

In addition to her research, Hansen contributes to UH Mānoa’s efforts to become a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. After completing Cohort Kaulua, a professional development program, she became a trained Pilina Circle co-facilitator to support spaces for reflection and connection among the campus community.

Looking ahead, Hansen plans to continue working in environmental health with a focus on outreach.

“What matters most to me is being in a role where I can take research beyond the ‘ivory tower’—working with people, shaping conversations, and helping create solutions that make a real difference,” Hansen said.

.

University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ at Mānoa alumna Kiana Yamat is back at her alma mater. This time, the graduate and Miss Ā鶹“«Ć½ USA 2022 is serving as a project engineer for the construction transformation at the heart of the Mānoa campus.

Yamat runs the office team for Hensel Phelps, the construction company in charge of the Mānoa Mini Master Plan.

She plays a key role managing contracts, ordering materials and handling finances in order to make these major upgrades to McCarthy Mall possible.

“It’s surreal and itā€™s an honor,” said Yamat. “Using the talent and experience gained from school, we are building something that impacts more than just the campus itself.”

Giving back for future generations

A major part of the project is the construction of a modern building for interdisciplinary learning, which will replace Snyder Hall as the home of the .

Being a part of this opportunity is especially meaningful to Yamat, whose mother is a retired public school teacher with a special education background.

“Knowing that there are people like my mom that will one day influence the whole community, thatŹ»s a big deal,” said Yamat.

Paving her path

During her time at UH Mānoa, Yamat was grateful for the many resources and partnering programs that the College of Engineering had to offer. It was through the , which she was president of, that Yamat landed her current engineering role.

When Hensel Phelps presented to ASCE at one of their club meetings, it opened her eyes to civil engineering, a path she had not previously considered. Yamat connected with UH alumni at Hensel Phelps, who encouraged her to join the team.

Now, Yamat is on the other end, inspiring future engineers. Her company continues to partner with the ASCE student chapter.

“I want students to realize that no job is too small to be impactful,” said Yamat. “From the interns that we have on site all the way to the higher-ups, all of us are a piece of shaping something the public gets to see.”

ā€”By Josslyn Rose

More than a dozen leaders with University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ ties were named to Honolulu Magazineā€™s inaugural , which recognize women across the state for their impactful contributions in fields ranging from education and health care to sports, business and the arts.

Chancellor Maenette Benham and Head Coach Laura Beeman were among the honorees at an event at Mariposa at Neiman Marcus on September 10.

A Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) scholar and educator, Benham became UH West Oʻahuā€™s chancellor in 2017 after serving as the first dean of . She began her teaching career in 1978 and has been recognized nationally and internationally for her work in leadership, education and community building. Benham has authored several books, served on major community boards, and continues to advance Native Hawaiian knowledge and collective leadership initiatives. Benham will step down from her role at the end of 2025. .

“E ola ka ʻāina, e ola ka naʻauao, e ola ke aloha. To be part of this inaugural cohort of Celebrating Wāhine honorees is both humbling and inspiring,” Benham said. “This is an extraordinary circle of women who are shaping Ā鶹“«Ć½ with brilliance, compassion and courage. This recognition reminds me that leadership is always shared—rooted in aloha, guided by kuleana and lived through service to community.”

Entering her 14th season at the helm of the program, Beeman is a four-time Big West Coach of the Year who has led the Rainbow Wāhine to three Big West Championship titles, four regular-season crowns, and nine postseason appearances, including three NCAA Tournaments. Under her leadership, UH womenā€™s basketball has reached historic milestones, including back-to-back NCAA berths and consecutive regular-season titles. Beeman is the second-winningest coach in program history and a driving force behind the sustained success of the ā€˜Bows.

“It is an honor to be recognized among so many remarkable leaders in our state,” Beeman said. “Thank you to AIO group, Pacific Business News and Honolulu Magazine for supporting women throughout the state and cultivating a continued environment of growth and positive leadership.”

More UH alumni honorees:

• Kimberly Agas—general manager, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
• Dani Aiu—executive vice president of consumer banking, American Savings Bank
• Tracy Camuso—principal, G70
• Erin Isa Donle—vice president and general manager, Neiman Marcus Honolulu
• Sherry Menor—president and chief executive officer, Chamber of Commerce Ā鶹“«Ć½
• Lisa Ontai—interim president and CEO, vice president of marketing and mission advancement, YMCA of Honolulu
• Teri Orton—general manager, Ā鶹“«Ć½ Convention Center
• Stefanie Park—vice president and chief medical officer, HMSA
• Monica Salter—vice president, global communications and social responsibility, Outrigger Hospitality Group
• Sydney Shibuya—associate program manager, risk factor control, American Heart Association
• Susan Soken—vice president of advertising, First Hawaiian Bank
• Claire Tong—vice president, marketing and communications, Ā鶹“«Ć½ Pacific Health
• Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu—Native Hawaiian community leader

Oʻahu native Erin Kanno Uehara, owner of Mānoa chocolate boutique always knew she wanted to study at the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½.

“I didnā€™t even apply anywhere else,” she said. “I loved my family, I loved my friends, and I just knew UH Mānoa was where I wanted to be.”

But while her college choice was clear, her career path took a few turns. Uehara earned her bachelorā€™s degree in education in 2006 and spent a few years teaching before deciding to return to school to study business. In 2013, she completed her master of business administration at the UH Mānoa .

“The MBA program challenged me in new ways,” she said. “It helped me figure out my strengths and realize I didnā€™t have to do everything alone. That teamwork mindset carried over into how I built Choco leʻa.”

Today, Uehara leads Choco leʻa rooted in community, creativity and collaboration.

“I always say chocolate is a universal language,” said Uehara. “People love it, they understand it, they crave it—and itā€™s been such a great way to connect with others. Some of the most special relationships in my life have been rekindled over sampling chocolate.”

A sweet partnership

Choco leʻa will return as an alumni vendor at the fourth annual UH Alumni Makersā€™ Market on August 6 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. This year, theyā€™ll debut a brand-new product, designed by students from the UH Mānoa College of Engineering.

“The story of how we got involved with the College of Engineering is over one piece of chocolate,” Uehara said. “There was this one guy that would come in, he would buy one chocolate covered Oreo, and he would leave. We called him the Oreo guy.”

Eventually, Uehara introduced herself and discovered that the “Oreo guy” was Tyler Ray, an assistant professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. That friendly interaction led to an impactful collaboration. Since 2022, UH engineering students have been working directly with Choco leʻa to design custom chocolate molds, applying classroom knowledge to a real-world business.

Support from the College of Engineering

Knowing that Choco leʻa and other engineering alumni-owned businesses would be featured at this yearā€™s Makersā€™ Market, UH Mānoa Dean Brennon Morioka was eager for the college to support as a sponsor.

“What we’re looking for this year at Maker’s Market is really the products that come out of collaborations with innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Morioka. “That’s one of the reasons why we’re so excited about our work with Choco leʻa, it really brings our experience with engineering education to life and getting a part of real world problems with real businesses.”

Morioka sees the Makersā€™ Market as more than just a celebration, itā€™s a reflection of the universityā€™s lasting impact.

“I’m super proud about being an alum from the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ because I understand what the university means to our community, our businesses, and the economic vitality here in Ā鶹“«Ć½. Go ā€˜Bows!”

UH Alumni Makersā€™ Market 2025 . General admission includes unlimited access to food and beverage stations.

Nearly 10 years ago, Renee Rivera traveled to Ā鶹“«Ć½ Island looking for a fresh start. The Kauaʻi native had spent years drifting from state to state, unsure of her path. Today, the alumna is preparing to enter a doctoral program in fall 2026—proof of how far sheā€™s come since finding a place to heal and grow.

“I was searching for a place to recover from trauma,” she said. “The trauma was considerable, stemming from a history of homelessness, sexual assault, domestic violence, substance addiction, drug trafficking and incarceration.”

While at a Head Start meeting for her son, Rivera learned about the Paneʻe Mua Project, a General Education Development or GED high school diploma equivalent program, based in Native Hawaiian practices. Rivera had been unable to complete high school, spending her teens mothering her three other children. She had tried several times to earn a GED, but had never been able to complete the program.

After completing her academic journey with the Paneʻe Mua Project and earning Aā€™s across the board, she attended on a scholarship.

“They made me feel comfortable, made me believe that I was smart and important. They actually inspired me,” said Rivera.

At UH Hilo she connected with sociology professors Marilyn Brown and Alton Okinaka who told Rivera to consider the campusā€™ sociology program.

Rivera earned her BA in sociology from UH Hilo in 2020 and went on to complete a masterā€™s in social work at UH Mānoa in 2023.

Paying it forward

Along the way, Rivera never stopped thinking about the lack of support for women facing the challenges she once endured. She turned that concern into action. With support from a formerly incarcerated friend, Rivera launched her own nonprofit, He Hoʻomaka Hou Ana O Puna, which offers peer mentorship, voluntary support groups, and counseling services to women in need.

“In my past, I havenā€™t had anyone in my life that fought for me, so my passion is to fight for other people who are less likely to have that,” she said. “I think thatā€™s the thing missing for a lot of people with addiction or mental health issues like me. They want to feel loved, supported, and believed in.”

Into the future with gratitude

Rivera now teaches human services, sociology and psychology at Ā鶹“«Ć½ CC. She is now preparing for her next chapter: a doctorate in sociology at Purdue Global this fall. She credits UH Hilo with giving her the foundation to believe in herself.

“The faculty at UH Hilo helped me ignite myself so I could ignite my community,” she said. “UH Hilo and its faculty really set that foundation for me to be like letā€™s try it, letā€™s do it.”

For more go to
—By Sophia Kim-Oā€™Sullivan

For University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ at Mānoa alumna Qynn Nguyen, the journey from earning her masterā€™s in business administration to now leading strategic initiatives at YouTube has been a story of adaptability, innovation and resilience.

As manager of video on demand for YouTube TV, Primetime Channels, FAST and NFL Sunday Ticket, Nguyenā€™s career showcases how core business skills and a passion for learning can propel success in dynamic industries. Nguyen says that earning her graduate degree with Shidlerā€™s Vietnam Executive MBA program was helpful in advancing her career.

After she graduated in 2012, she took her first steps into the tech world by joining Google in Silicon Valley. Nguyen then moved to Singapore and then back to California where she began leading a team of account managers for small and medium business AdWords advertisers. Two years into her time at Google, she transitioned to the Google Play Movies and TV team. The division was eventually rebranded to Google TV, to include 3rd party content services and providers such as Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu.

“We successfully transitioned from a mobile first to a living room centric viewing experience as a product and I am very proud of these achievements,” she said.

Nguyen spent a total of 10 years at Google, and during her time, she spearheaded the global expansion of transactional video services, growing the reach from 16 to 117 territories, all while the team was reduced from 30 to four. In 2023, Nguyen took on a new challenge at YouTube, leading operations for subscription and ad-supported video services across YouTube, YouTube TV and NFL Sunday Ticket. She says that joining YouTube has allowed her to bring her expertise in digital video distribution to tackle operational and technical challenges within the ecosystem.

“I am looking forward to growing our video on demand products across YouTube and leveraging the inbuilt reach of our user base,” she said.

Since joining YouTube and taking on a new role, sheā€™s leaned on the core business and operational skills acquired throughout her career, many of which were honed during her time at Shidler College. Reflecting on her journey from Shidler to YouTube, Nguyen holds that time of her life and friendships developed close to her heart.

“I always look back at my time in business school very fondly and admire the successes of my fellow classmates and alumni,” she said. “We still stay in contact and visit each other across the globe, including our professors.”

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

Noelle Fujii-Oride, a University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ at Mānoa alumna, has always been drawn to the impact journalism can have on a community. Now, as the editor of , sheā€™s at the helm of a nonprofit publication designed to inform, inspire and drive meaningful change across Ā鶹“«Ć½.

Fujii-Oride, who previously covered issues such as affordable housing, climate change and education at Ā鶹“«Ć½ Business Magazine, is no stranger to in-depth reporting. But with Overstory, sheā€™s leading a different kind of storytellingā€”one that moves beyond breaking news and instead highlights solutions to Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s most pressing challenges.

“Weā€™re not just looking at the problems or the challenges that Ā鶹“«Ć½ is facing,” Fujii-Oride said. “We really want to know how folks are responding to these issues.”

Under her leadership, Overstory aims to add depth and context to the conversation rather than contribute to the overwhelming flood of daily news.

“We look at responses to challenges, using data and evidence to see whatā€™s working and what can be replicated,” she explained.

UH impact on career

Fujii-Orideā€™s journey to this role began at UH Mānoa, where she earned a degree in in the . While in college, the Bay Area native gained hands-on experience writing for , the student newspaper, an opportunity she said was instrumental in shaping her career.

“Working at Ka Leo complemented what I learned in the classroom,” she said. “It teaches you to be brave, be curious and ask the important questions, all while learning how to build meaningful relationships with the community.”

After interning at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Honolulu Civil Beat, she joined Ā鶹“«Ć½ Business Magazine in 2017, where she became a key voice in coverage on social and economic issues. But after years in the industry, she saw the need for a different type of reportingā€”one that would connect communities with potential solutions to the issues that affect them.

At Overstory, Fujii-Oride is embracing that mission. The publication is an editorially independent program of , a nonprofit dedicated to increasing civic engagement. She believes the nonprofit model provides an advantage, allowing journalism to remain a public service rather than a business.

“With nonprofit journalism, it puts public service at the forefront of what we do,” she said. “It allows us to be intentional in our reporting and really focus on what the community needs.”

As Overstory grows, Fujii-Oride hopes to continue filling gaps in coverage, particularly in solutions-based reporting and neighbor island issues. Living on Kauaʻi, she understands firsthand how different the challenges can be outside of Oʻahu.

“Weā€™re not trying to replicate what other newsrooms are already doing,” she said. “We saw a gap for more solutions coverage and for neighbor island stories.”

For aspiring journalists, Fujii-Oride has one key piece of advice: explore new avenues and be willing to innovate.

“Itā€™s a really cool time to be a journalist,” she said. “There are so many new journalism organizations popping up, and it shows that we donā€™t have to do journalism the way itā€™s always been done.”

Taylor Ledgerwood, a 2023 University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ at Mānoa alumna, is a driving force behind regenerative tourism in Ā鶹“«Ć½ through her role as manager of the Kahala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture and the Arts (KISCA). Her work draws on environmental sustainability, cultural preservation and community engagement to create thoughtful, purposeful experiences for guests and residents.

Ledgerwood creates platforms via events and guest activities that showcase and celebrate Hawaiian cultural practitioners, non-profit partners, local and Native artists and restoration projects in the area.

Her first role centered around sustainability projects and environmental education. She also taught coral education pop-ups, microplastic keiki art classes and the Sunset Seminar speaker series. Transitioning to her current role as manager allowed her to shape KISCAā€™s direction more strategically, expanding its reach and impact.

Under her leadership, KISCA has introduced transformative programs such as tree-planting initiatives where guests can sponsor or plant trees themselves. These activities offer a hands-on way for visitors to connect with Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s environment while giving back to the land.

Additionally, partnerships with organizations such as Mālama Maunalua have allowed KISCA to play a vital role in the Restore with Resilience Project, which focuses on ecosystem restoration from mountain to sea. One of her proudest accomplishments has been bridging the gap between cultural authenticity and luxury hospitality.

“I see sustainability and cultural initiatives continuing to evolve and becoming even more essential in Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s hospitality industry,” she said. “Whatā€™s interesting, in my opinion, is that every property will likely develop its own unique ‘personality type’ when it comes to regenerative tourism.”

Sharing knowledge, encouraging persistence

Beyond her work at KISCA, Ledgerwood has shared her knowledge through returning to her alma mater to guest lecture and has given presentations at conferences on regenerative tourism. When asked for advice to current Shidler students, she emphasizes the importance of persistence and passion.

“Stay committed to what drives you, even if the path isnā€™t clear yet,” Ledgerwood said. “When I started, sustainable tourism wasnā€™t a widely recognized field, but I found ways to integrate my interests into my studies and career. Donā€™t be afraid to carve your own path—the opportunities will come.”

.