The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has secured a $4,368,000 federal grant to help 840 students from rural Hawaiʻi Island communities prepare for college, pursue career opportunities and succeed in higher education.

The seven-year Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Hawaiʻi Island Partnership Project will run through 2032, supporting students from seven target schools in Kohala, Honokaʻa, Keaʻau, Kaʻū and Pāhoa. The highly competitive federal program awarded only 19 partnership grants this year.

The initiative is designed to address educational barriers facing students in communities where poverty and geographic isolation can limit access to academic support and postsecondary opportunities. It will provide a continuum of services beginning in seventh grade and extending through students’ transition to college and into their first year of higher education.

“This grant is an investment in the potential of Hawaiʻi Island students. By connecting students with academic support, college credits, career experiences and ongoing guidance, we can help them see a path to higher education and give them the tools and support to pursue it,” said Anna Ah Sam, principal investigator for the project and the coordinator of grant writing, evaluation and assessment in the UH Mānoa SEED Office.

Opportunities for students

Project activities will include a yearlong student success class for students in grades seven through 12, in-person and online tutoring, summer credit recovery, standardized test preparation, financial literacy workshops and assistance completing college and financial aid applications.

Students will also have opportunities to earn college credits through Early College programs, participate in high school and college bridge programs, explore career pathways through internships and apprenticeships, and visit college campuses. Academic advising and college counseling will continue as students transition to higher education, including support for GEAR UP alumni during their seventh year in the program.

The project brings together 23 partners, including 11 UH Mānoa programs and offices, the seven target schools, and five additional educational and community organizations.

“This partnership is about helping students recognize their potential and giving them the support to turn their dreams and aspirations into opportunities,” UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “By building connections between schools, the university and community partners, we can help more Hawaiʻi Island students take meaningful steps toward not just attending college, but graduating and moving on to a successful career.”

The project will measure progress through five key outcomes:

• Increasing the number of students who pass Algebra I or its equivalent
• Graduation from high school in four years
• Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid during their senior year
• Enrollment in college
• Persisting through their first year of college

The Hawaiʻi Island initiative marks the sixth GEAR UP partnership grant awarded to UH since the federal program began 26 years ago. Together, the six partnership grants have served more than 5,000 students.

GEAR UP is a federal program that supports early college awareness and preparation, particularly for students from underserved communities. Through sustained academic support and exposure to postsecondary education and careers, the program aims to help more students make the transition from high school to college and complete their degrees.

The UH System currently administers three concurrent GEAR UP grants: one statewide grant facilitated by Hawaiʻi P–20 and two partnership cohort grants, one led by UH Mānoa and the other by UH West Oʻahu.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa football team (2-6 overall, 1-4 Mountain West) displayed total dominance on both sides of the ball in a 56-21 rout at Northern Illinois (0-7 overall, 0-3 Mountain West), October 24, to snap a four-game losing streak.

In the furthest conference game in FBS history, UH Mānoa travelled more than 4,200 miles for a historic Mountain West (MW) victory, tying the program record for most points in a MW game in its second-largest MW road victory ever.

UH Mānoa’s offensive prowess was on full display from the opening whistle. The Rainbow Warriors racked up a season-high 504 yards of total offense and the 56 points was their highest scoring output under Head Coach Timmy Chang.

UH Mānoa stormed out scoring 35 first half points, which surpassed the team’s highest point total all season. A major key to this success was the team’s ability to strike downfield quickly. The offense was fueled by explosive plays, racking up five chunk plays of 30 or more yards.

Quarterback Micah Alejado had a stellar performance, connecting on four pass plays of 40+ yards, finishing with 323 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. Among those downfield strikes was a 62-yard catch-and-run by running back Cam Barfield, marking UH‘s longest play from scrimmage this year. Receiver Audric Harris also hauled in two passes of over 40 yards, while Josiah Fetui scored his first career touchdown on a 44-yard bomb.

UH‘s rushing game was a highlight in its own right. The Rainbow Warriors amassed 175 yards on the ground and punched in five rushing touchdowns, their most in a single game since 2020. Running back DeVon Rice led all rushers with 71 yards and three touchdowns. His 33-yard scoring sprint in the second quarter was UH’s longest rushing play of the season so far.

On the other side of the ball, the Rainbow Warrior defense stifled the Huskies, holding them to just 266 total yards and forcing five turnovers. Defensive back Jeremiah Hughes grabbed his third interception in the last two games and nickelback Elijah Palmer recorded a career-high eight tackles to lead the defense.

The Rainbow Warriors will have a bye week before a road game at UTEP, November 7 in El Paso, Texas.

Read more at the UH Mānoa Athletics website.

Meet University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business alumnus Colby Takeda, who is the CEO and cofounder of Pear Suite, an AI-enabled healthcare company supporting community health workers, doulas and community-based organizations. He oversees operations, marketing, sales, health plan partnerships and national expansion efforts.

Prior to his current position, Takeda worked at Blue Zones Project and The Plaza Assisted Living. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Shidler College, as well as a master’s degree in public health from the University of California, Berkeley, and his bachelor’s degree from Willamette University.

Tell us about a day at the office.

“In the early days, we had only a few employees. I was doing everything from onboarding new customers to providing direct services to community members in need. Today, we have over 60 employees, so I’m focused on building great teams, driving the company’s vision and working on creative ideas that could reshape how community-based healthcare is delivered and scaled. At the same time, there are still some tactical things that I still like to do, such as designing new marketing campaigns, mentoring student interns and attending industry conferences.”

What did Shidler teach you?

“Shidler’s MBA program and opportunities through PACE (Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship) gave me exposure to nearly every aspect of building and leading an organization. Shidler also gave me the confidence to think bigger. Growing up in Hawaiʻi, it can sometimes feel like transformative innovation only happens elsewhere, but Shidler reinforced that it’s possible to build ambitious, nationally impactful companies while staying deeply connected to your community and values.”

What made Shidler memorable?

“Entering the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship’s Venture Competition. Our company was called Pear at the time, and we had already started gaining traction with customers, funding and strong outcomes, so we were convinced we’d do well. Instead, we didn’t even qualify for the finals. It was the first major rejection we faced, and it became an important lesson in resilience. Since then, we’ve faced countless setbacks, but our ability to adapt, iterate and keep moving forward has been one of the biggest drivers of our growth.”

What should students know?

“I’d encourage students to say yes to opportunities, even when they feel uncertain or unconventional. Some of the most impactful experiences in my career came from taking chances on things that didn’t fit a traditional path. It’s also important to invest in relationships early. Hawaiʻi is an incredibly connected community, and the people you meet through Shidler, internships, jobs and professional organizations can become lifelong mentors, collaborators and friends.”

For the entire Q&A and more alumni stories like this, see the spring/summer 2026 edition of Shidler Business.

When we took you to Molokai Farm last year, we introduced you to new Farm Manager ʻŌlelo Schonely Spencer and described our multi-year plan to revitalize the farm into a thriving educational, agricultural, cultural and community hub. We’re going back to share what’s been accomplished, specifically cultivation projects involving two essential ancestral plants—niu (coconut) and kalo (taro)—and the establishment of a new Agricultural Entrepreneurship program.

“Through its niu project, the farm partnered with many community organizations to collect and propagate 1,200 niu from across the Island,” explains ʻŌlelo. “Each was documented according to its collection location and known characteristics to help preserve the diversity of Molokaʻi’s niu. As the seedlings mature, they’ll be distributed throughout the community to support the restoration of ulu niu and the long-term perpetuation of niu as an important cultural, ecological, and food resource.”

The farm’s kalo project strengthens students’ connections to ʻāina, culture, and community as they receive hands-on instruction in dryland kalo cultivation, propagation, and soil care while practicing traditional values such as kuleana, laulima, and aloha ʻāina.

“The farm is currently cultivating more than 50 varieties of kalo,” says ʻŌlelo. “The huli (cuttings suitable for planting) will be shared with the community and planted during future farm cycles to help perpetuate the crop’s rich diversity. The project supports Molokaʻi’s food sovereignty while strengthening the intergenerational transmission of ʻāina-based knowledge and practices.

Last month, the Molokai community celebrated both these plants. The Niu & Kalo Festival weekend began with a “ Celebrating Kalo” event held in partnership with Sustainable Molokai, featuring kuʻi kalo (poi pounding), huli exchange, kalo tasting, keiki activities, music, and a kalo poke demonstration by Chef Sam Choy.

About 200 community members, cultural practitioners, students, educators, and partner organizations attended the Saturday event. “It was a day dedicated to celebrating the history, cultural significance, use, protection, and perpetuation of these two important ancestral plants,” explains ʻŌlelo, “with something for everyone from keiki to kūpuna.”

The new Agriculture Entrepreneurship program launched this fall, combines hands-on agricultural training with business and entrepreneurship education. Students gain practical experience in sustainable crop production, greenhouse and nursery management, irrigation, equipment operation, food safety, and internships while developing the skills needed to start or support a farm-based enterprise. The program is helping to build the next generation of local farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs while strengthening Molokai’s food system, food security, and agricultural resilience.

Kurt Go is one of the students in the first cohort. His association with our Molokai Education Center goes back to 2021 when he attended an open house for the construction technology program. In 2025, he was one of only three adult students who graduated with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Technology. Which came in handy when, as empty nesters, he and his wife Kelly decided to revive their home garden and remodel their old greenhouse.
“The rising prices of groceries and shipping costs have prompted my wife and I to consider growing our own produce,” explains Kurt as the impetus to join the cohort. “We have friends who started growing fruits and vegetables in their yards, who have inspired us to do the same. This cohort will provide me with the necessary knowledge and skills to start a home garden and possibly a small business.”

Kanoe Dudoit is also a member of the new cohort. “Being raised off grid on Molokai, my ʻohana often relied on producing our own food. Hunting, fishing and growing fruits or vegetables were always part of everyday life. I’ve always been passionate about living a sustainable lifestyle and now being on Hawaiian Homestead, I would love to make that a reality. Its health benefits can last for generations,” she says. “When I saw the AG Entrepreneurship cohort, I felt it would be the perfect fit and boost I needed to finally break ground.”

Kanoe also has a long association with our Molokai Education Center. “As someone who learns best through hands-on experience, I am fortunate to have built a relationship with the Molokai Education Center, CTAHR, and Molokai Farm. Each offered real-time, life skills experience through countless workshops, courses, webinars, farm visits, cohorts, and internships,” she says.

“The Center has opened doors for me to accept my first scholarship, multiple degrees, and future career opportunities. With CTAHR, I’ve made connections from the Harvest 2 Market cohort that continues to meet each week, helping each other get one step closer to growing something at our own locations. At the Molokai Farm, I learned about the static hydroponic method, got to take home a mini greenhouse with a container of plant nutrients, and harvested more lettuce than I could have imagined from such a simple setup! All inspiring and providing me with the action steps towards my ultimate goal!” That ultimate goal is to utilize much of her homestead to contribute to a thriving lifestyle…for her family AND for her Island.

To learn more about Molokai Education Center, please visit https://maui.hawaii.edu/molokai

A conversation about Hawaiʻi’s physician shortage led University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) students to invite state lawmakers to campus for a firsthand look at how future physicians are trained.

Five legislators—state Sen. Troy Hashimoto and Reps. Jackson Sayama, Greg Illagan, Gregg Takeyama, and Adrian Tam—visited campus in October for a student-led tour highlighting medical education, clinical training, and JABSOM’s efforts to address Hawaiʻi’s healthcare needs.

Policy and education

Students guided lawmakers through campus, sharing their experiences and demonstrating how JABSOM prepares future physicians. At the SimTiki Simulation Center, legislators participated in a simulated medical case to experience how students develop clinical skills and decision-making abilities.

Lawmakers also met with JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Lee Buenconsejo-Lum.

“I’m incredibly proud of our students for taking the initiative to organize this visit,” Shomaker said. “We can tell legislators about our curriculum, our programs and the work we do across Hawaiʻi, but there’s something especially valuable about hearing it directly from the students who experience it every day.”

Takeyama said one of his biggest takeaways was JABSOM’s connection to the communities its students will serve, particularly through clinical rotations at community hospitals and the H.O.M.E. Project, which provides healthcare to people experiencing homelessness across Oʻahu.

“To have students instilled at the very beginning of their educational experience, learning to interact with policymakers, I think that’s truly important and will serve our community long into the future,” Takeyama said.

Read more at JABSOM.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa baseball legend and 11-year Major League Baseball veteran Kolten Wong has been named special advisor to UH Mānoa Athletics.

In this role, Wong will serve as a trusted advisor, ambassador and resource for both the athletics department and the Rainbow Warrior baseball program. He will work directly with Athletics Director Matt Elliott and the department’s senior leadership team on special projects, while also serving as a key asset for baseball head coach Rich Hill’s program in the areas of recruiting, player development and community outreach.

“Kolten Wong embodies everything that makes Hawaiʻi Athletics special,” Elliott said. “Few individuals understand the privilege and responsibility of wearing Hawaiʻi across their chest like Kolten does. His big-league pedigree, character and genuine love for this community will make an immediate impact on our student-athletes as they strive for excellence both on and off the field.”

Wong’s appointment brings one of the most decorated figures in Hawaiʻi sports history back to UH Mānoa. A member of the UH Sports Circle of Honor Class of 2025, Wong’s extensive experience at the highest level of professional baseball will provide invaluable guidance for current student-athletes, prospective recruits and administrative leadership.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the University of Hawaiʻi and a baseball program that means so much to me,” Wong said. “I want to use the knowledge, experience and relationships I’ve built throughout my career to help our players develop, both on and off the field.”

All-American, 1st-round draft pick

During his collegiate career with the Rainbow Warriors from 2009 to 2011, Wong established himself as one of the greatest players in program history. The Hilo native was a first-team All-American in 2011 and a Freshman All-American in 2009, earning three consecutive all-conference and all-region honors while guiding UH Mānoa to back-to-back Western Athletic Conference titles in 2010 and 2011.

Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Wong went on to an outstanding 11-year Major League career with the Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Read the entire story on the UH Mānoa Athletics website.

Enrollment across the University of Hawaiʻi‘s 10-campus system stands at 50,617 students in fall 2026, marking the third consecutive year above 50,000. Enrollment decreased 2% from fall 2025, a decline of 795 students.

Fall 2026 UH enrollment by campus

• UH 10-campus system: 50,617 (-2% from fall 2025)
• UH Mānoa: 20,061 (-2%)
• UH Hilo: 2,619 (-1%)
• UH West Oʻahu: 2,892 (essentially unchanged)
• UH Community Colleges: 25,045 (-2%)
• Hawaiʻi CC: 2,426 (-3%)
• Honolulu CC: 3,642 (essentially unchanged)
• Kapiʻolani CC: 5,447 (-5%)
• Kauaʻi CC: 1,338 (+1%)
• Leeward CC: 6,231 (essentially unchanged)
• UH Maui College: 2,890 (-4%)
• Windward CC: 3,071 (-1%)

“Our focus is on expanding access to higher education while strengthening support for current students to help them succeed and complete their degrees and certificates on time,” UH President Wendy Hensel said. “We are taking a more coordinated approach across our 10 campuses to create more opportunities and clearer pathways to higher education for Hawaiʻi‘s high school graduates, transfer students, working adults and others who can benefit from a UH education.”

Enrollment trends

Continuing enrollment increased 1% to 28,191 students systemwide, while enrollment among students ages 18–24 remained essentially unchanged. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of UH students are taking at least one online course, cross-campus enrollment has increased 22% over five years to 6,282 students, and early admits—high school students taking college courses—have increased 18% to 4,289.

First-time freshman enrollment totaled 7,279 students, down 3%; however, first-time freshman enrollment at the seven community colleges remained essentially unchanged. While entering transfer enrollment declined 9% overall, UH Hilo and UH Maui College recorded graduate and undergraduate transfer enrollment increases of 19% and 22%, respectively. UH is strengthening transfer pathways across its campuses, supported by initiatives such as the NEXT STEP Scholarship program, which awarded $586,000 to 331 students as of September 14.

Enrollment across the UH system has grown 5% since fall 2022, when 48,373 students were enrolled. Leading that growth were Windward Community College (+29%), Honolulu CC (+19%), UH Maui College (+17%) and Hawaiʻi CC (+14%).

Community colleges serve thousands beyond credit enrollment

The official enrollment count does not capture the full reach of the UH Community Colleges, which served 11,417 non-credit students in fiscal year 2026, a 4% increase from fiscal year 2022. Career and technical education enrollment totaled 6,038 students this fall.

From July through October, nearly 5,000 unique students enrolled in non-credit courses, accounting for 7,708 course registrations. Approximately 63% participated in workforce training programs that help residents develop skills and prepare for employment and career advancement. Non-credit students are not included in the official fall enrollment count.

Expanding access and student success

UH is taking a more coordinated approach to enrollment across its 10 campuses, including plans to hire a senior advisor to oversee systemwide enrollment management and expanded use of Salesforce technology to strengthen recruitment and marketing.

Direct2UH, which provides proactive admission to eligible Hawaiʻi public high school seniors, generated approximately 2,100 enrolled students during the 2026 recruitment cycle, according to preliminary estimates. The program has expanded to include UH Mānoa and 13 public charter schools, bringing all 10 campuses into the initiative. UH also launched ApplyHawaiʻi in October, providing a single undergraduate application for all 10 campuses.

Other priorities include expanding online degree programs and shorter, stackable credentials, improving transfer pathways, and strengthening advising and student support through EAB Navigate360 and a Common Standard of Care. These efforts are supported by $123 million in one-time strategic investments across all 10 campuses.

The fall enrollment figures are based on UH‘s official enrollment count 35 days after the first day of instruction. Detailed fall 2026 enrollment reports are available at data.hawaii.edu.

Plastic water jugs become a lion’s head. Old VHS tapes, balloons and cutlery become colorful costumes. At the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Kennedy Theatre, students are learning to turn everyday trash into theatrical magic.

The creative work is part of the The Wizard of Oz musical running October 23–31. Reimagined by director and master of fine arts candidate Jack Romans, the beloved classic is set in a world inspired by a landfill. The production follows Dorothy’s journey home, with familiar songs, imaginative costumes and puppets made from discarded materials.

Learning through creativity

Led by UH Mānoa costume design professor Maile Speetjens, students are discovering that working with unusual materials requires more than sewing. They’re learning to solve problems and find creative ways to make costumes wearable and durable.

“It has been an extremely exciting and rewarding experience watching students in the costume shop problem-solve their way through these unconventional materials!” Speetjens said.

Puppets made from everyday objects

UH Mānoa alumna and puppet designer Jill Jackson is bringing familiar characters to life using unexpected materials. The Cowardly Lion features a head made from plastic water jugs, toenails made from hangers and a body built from discarded packaging.

Toto, Dorothy’s beloved dog, has a skeleton made from plastic pipes and bolts, with foam and fabric scraps giving him shape. His floppy ears are one of Jackson’s favorite details.

“I just love when something as simple as hot gluing fabric onto foam can have an adorably profound impact on the believability of a puppet,” Jackson said.

The hands-on experience shows how creativity can transform even the simplest materials into something extraordinary.

“You don’t have to have a lot of specific tools and training for this,” Jackson said. “Puppets can be made with items found around your house and your own imagination! You just have to be willing to see things in a different way.”

Ticket information is available through Kennedy Theatre.

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel highlighted her annual campus visits, the proposed tuition schedule, UH Mānoa Homecoming and recent university achievements during her October 22 report to the UH Board of Regents (BOR) at Honolulu Community College.

Hensel shared that she has completed seven of her 10 annual campus visits, meeting directly with students, faculty, staff and Native Hawaiian representatives alongside members of her leadership team. She also provided an update on the proposed tuition schedule, which is expected to return to the Board for consideration on November 19.

Hensel celebrated the return of a full week of UH Mānoa Homecoming festivities, highlighted recent national recognition for UH campuses and praised Kapiʻolani CC for preparing and delivering meals to Kauaʻi CC students recovering from Hurricane Lowell.

• Campus visits update (video)
• Proposed tuition schedule (video)
• UH Mānoa Homecoming and Athletics Giving Week (video)
• UH News highlights
  • JABSOM national recognition (video)
  • University rankings (video)
  • UH ʻohana supports Kauaʻi CC following Hurricane Lowell (video)

Stay connected with President Wendy Hensel by following her on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn

The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center has received a $2.5 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to expand cancer care, clinical research and specialist training across Hawaiʻi through Ka ʻUmeke Lama.

Launched in 2024 in partnership with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, the statewide initiative aims to reduce geographic barriers to cancer treatment, particularly for neighbor island and rural residents. The award follows a previous $1.2 million Helmsley grant supporting the launch of the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center.

“This transformative support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust underscores UH Mānoa’s commitment as an R1 flagship institution to serving the health and well-being of our entire state,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassillis Symros.

A UH Cancer Center study found that Hawaiʻi residents spent at least $230 million on out-of-state cancer care from 2021 to 2023, highlighting challenges in accessing specialized treatment locally.

Specialized in-state training, access

Ka ʻUmeke Lama will establish Hawaiʻi’s first medical oncology fellowship, allowing physicians to pursue specialized training without leaving the state. It will also expand the Cancer Care Access Program to improve patient navigation, referrals and clinical trial participation statewide.

“This support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust allows us to address systemic barriers to care across Hawaiʻi,” said UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno.

The initiative will also strengthen precision oncology infrastructure, support genomic research focused on Hawaiʻi’s diverse populations and expand multidisciplinary tumor registries to inform cancer care.

“Every cancer patient, regardless of what island they call home, deserves access to world-class, timely care,” said Walter Panzirer, Helmsley Charitable Trust trustee.

The UH Cancer Center is Hawaiʻi and the Pacific’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, focusing on research, education and reducing cancer health disparities.

For more, read the UH news release.

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is helping support U.S. economic growth, but a recession would still be unlikely without it, according to a new analysis from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO).

In a UHERO Insights article published October 21, UHERO Professor Emeritus Byron Gangnes examined how AI-related investments and rising stock market wealth are influencing the economy. He estimated that without these factors, U.S. economic growth over the past year would have been more than half a percentage point to just over 1 percentage point weaker.

AI development has fueled spending on data centers, computer equipment and software, while rising stock values have increased household wealth and helped support consumer spending. Gangnes estimated that AI-related stock market gains have contributed $255 billion to $509 billion in additional consumer spending since late 2022.

However, much of the investment in computer equipment goes toward imported products, limiting its contribution to U.S. economic output. AI investment may also be displacing other construction and business investment.

While Gangnes concluded that the U.S. economy would probably not be in a recession without the AI boom, he warned that a sudden decline in AI-related stock values poses a risk going forward. A sharp stock correction could reduce consumer spending, disrupt planned investments and potentially push the economy into recession.

Read the entire UHERO Insights.

UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s College of Social Sciences.

The findings and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or official positions of UHERO, UH, or any funding or supporting organization.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics is leading the Mountain West Conference in streaming subscriptions and ranks No. 1 in the conference for women’s volleyball and women’s soccer viewership on MW+, the league’s streaming platform.

In its first season as a full member of the Mountain West, UH has emerged as the conference’s strongest-performing institution for both annual and monthly MW+ subscriptions, according to the conference. UH football ranks second in viewership among league programs.

Specific viewership figures are not publicly released, but the Mountain West confirmed that UH has generated strong fan engagement across its fall sports.

“MW+ was created to bring our fans closer to the programs and student-athletes they care about, and the engagement around Hawaiʻi is a great example of that vision coming to life,” said Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “We’re encouraged by the response and excited about the opportunity MW+ gives our campuses and student-athletes to grow their audiences, share their stories and build their brands on a platform they can call their own.”

MW+ gives fans worldwide another way to stay connected to UH Athletics through original programming and live and on-demand events. Every subscription supports Hawaiʻi Athletics, with the majority of subscription revenue attributed to Hawaiʻi returning directly to UH.

“Our fans continue to show up for the Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wahine, and it’s affirming to see that passion reflected in the strong engagement UH is generating on MW+,” said UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott. “Leading the conference in subscriptions and women’s volleyball and soccer viewership speaks to the pride our community has in our student-athletes and programs. MW+ gives fans near and far another way to stay connected while directly supporting UH Athletics.”

In addition, UH‘s broadcast partnership with Hawaii News Now brings at least 110 home sporting events per year to free, statewide television on K5. The four-year agreement, which began July 1, expands access to Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine games without requiring a paid cable or pay-per-view subscription.

Subscribe to the MW+ app.

Leeward Community College is helping local food entrepreneurs turn homegrown products into global business opportunities.

For Tatsuyoshi Omura, founder of ReBran, the journey began with granola made from upcycled rice bran. Just one year after launching, his products are sold at Foodland and Down to Earth. He also participated in his first Made in Hawaiʻi Festival and pitched international buyers at the Tokyo International Gift Show alongside fellow Leeward CC ʻĀina to Mākeke alumni.

“Leeward CC and the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC) have really opened up a world that I did not know much about before starting this business,” Omura said. “Selling ReBran in Japan no longer feels like just an idea. I came away with a stronger sense of how we can continue growing”

Building businesses beyond Hawaiʻi

Omura was among entrepreneurs supported by Leeward CC and state partners during a series of trade shows. At the Daniel K. Akaka American Logistics Association Hawaiʻi Show, 11 WVAPDC-supported brands pitched to military buyers, while 20 program alumni exhibited at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival.

Pierre Daguzan, founder of Daguzan Charcuterie, received feedback from military buyers about bringing his products into commissaries. At the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, he joined KTA Super Stores President Derek Kurisu for a live demonstration featuring venison pâté musubi.

“These events are not only about making sales for a few days; they introduce the brand to new customers who can continue supporting us afterward,” Daguzan said. “For a small company with ambitions to grow, having that ecosystem of support is extremely valuable.”

Hawaiʻi Grown to Global

Building on that momentum, Leeward CC and the Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance are launching Hawaiʻi Grown to Global on December 1. The 12-week export readiness program covers international regulations, labeling and logistics, culminating at FOODEX Japan.

“Entrepreneurs need stronger systems and reliable partnerships to meet the expectations of larger buyers without losing the quality and identity that made them successful,” said WVAPDC Manager Chris Bailey. “Our goal is to help Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, not simply launch products.”

– by Devon Bedoya

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Kapiʻolani Community College’s Instagram.

“Today’s food distribution was a wonderful reminder of the care and connection that make our Kapiʻolani CC community so special.

We’re grateful to our students, faculty, and staff, who worked together to help provide food, support, and aloha to our students and community.”

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Paniolo
EPIC dance
Niu & Kalo Festival
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A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• Send your image using a UH email address.

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa brought together thousands of students, alumni, faculty, and the broader UH Mānoa ʻohana for a dynamic, weeklong Homecoming 2026 celebration from October 12–17. Designed around daily, themed events that honored campus identity, health, environmental stewardship, Hawaiian culture, and community traditions, the week built steady momentum toward Friday’s signature Homecoming Concert & Makers’ Market and Saturday’s gridiron showdown.

“Homecoming 2026 was a powerful reflection of what makes UH Mānoa a premier global public flagship,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos. “Bringing back cherished traditions like the Homecoming Concert on Bachman Lawn for the first time in 15 years was an important initiative to celebrate our heritage, elevate our campus environment, and give our students, faculty, staff, and alumni memory-making experiences they will carry for a lifetime.”

The weeklong schedule offered diverse opportunities for the campus community to connect, give back, and show off their Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine pride, including Monday’s Kick Off, a gathering at the Campus Center Courtyard complete with custom button-making, spirit fan decorating, and campus trivia. Tuesday featured a Wellness Day that started with Sunrise Yoga on the Hawaiʻi Hall Lawn in partnership with Lululemon, a Health & Wellness Fair, and an ʻOri Tahiti workshop to close out the day.

Wednesday was Mālama Day to emphasize environmental stewardship and community care through a campus beautification project hosted by our Campus Arboretum, and an opportunity to save lives and donate blood through the Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi. Thursday’s Ka Papa Loʻi o Kānewai Work Day gave students a chance for service learning at the loʻi, and Student Housing Services hosted live music, games, and bag customization at the Hale Aloha Courtyard.

The centerpiece of the week’s festivities took place on Friday, October 16, as John Henry Wise Field (Bachman Lawn) transformed into a bustling hub of music, food, and alumni-owned and -led businesses for the annual Homecoming Concert & Alumni Makers’ Market. About 3,000 people attended and celebrated the return of the signature event for the first time in 15 years, with headliners Rebel Souljahz and Natural Vibrations, and opening act ChristianLive, Osnizzle and KTUH.

As part of the Homecoming festivities, the campus on Friday also celebrated the inductees into the University of Hawaiʻi Sports Circle of Honor during the Green & White Celebration at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, honoring their remarkable achievements and lasting contributions of UH athletics legends.

The week culminated at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex as the Rainbow Warriors took on the New Mexico Lobos. Prior to kickoff, fans gathered at Rooftop Pāʻina, featuring local vendors, live music, a beer garden, and panoramic stadium views. The UH Mānoa Award and the Sports Circle of Honor winners were also honored during the game as part of a long-standing tradition of celebrating the tremendous accomplishments of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

By blending cultural connection, wellness, service, local entrepreneurship, and athletic pride, UH Mānoa Homecoming 2026 provided a memorable week that reaffirmed and reconnected the deep bonds shared between university ʻohana, community and alumni.

After nearly four decades of uncovering historic mysteries of the Pacific Ocean, the deep-sea submersible Pisces V is embarking on a new journey on land. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa donated the legendary three-person research vessel to the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, ensuring that its legacy of deep-ocean exploration, volcanic research and historic maritime discoveries will be preserved for generations to come.

“The donation ensures the submersible’s storied past will be celebrated and shared with museum visitors from Hawaiʻi and around the world,” said Chip Fletcher, dean of the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), home of the Hawaiʻi Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL).

HURL operated Pisces V along with its sister submersible, Pisces IV, for decades. However, after years in storage with no prospect of federal funding for refurbishment or redeployment, UH made the decision to entrust the historic craft to the museum.

Unmatched discoveries across the Pacific

In 1985, UH acquired Pisces V, anchoring HURL’s growing undersea capabilities. Its unique maneuverability, size and depth range, operating at depths up to 6,500 feet, made it the ideal platform for navigating complex terrain and gracefully exploring delicate ecosystems.

“Operating as the only United States (U.S.) deep submergence facility based in the Pacific Rim, HURL’s work with Pisces V revolutionized oceanography across several fronts,” said Terry Kerby, veteran Pisces V pilot and HURL operations director. “The submersibles were fine-tuned to adapt to the demands of operating effectively in the wide range of terrain and conditions of undersea volcanoes, seamounts in Papahānaumokuākea and beyond, maritime heritage site surveys, salvage operations of lost instruments and vehicles, and decades of pipeline support for the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority cold water pipe systems. It is exciting to see the Pisces V and this legacy preserved at the Bishop Museum.”

Close to home, Pisces V, enabled unprecedented exploration of the seamounts and coral reefs of the Main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The submersible made more dives on Hawaiʻi’s active underwater volcano, Kamaʻehuakanaloa (previously known as Lōʻihi Seamount), than any other submersible. HURL submersibles also pioneered research on mesophotic and deep-sea coral reefs off Maui and throughout the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, conducting vital impact assessments on commercial fishing damage.

Throughout the Pacific basin, the submersible ferried teams of researchers on voyages of discovery to places no human had seen before. In 2005, Pisces V embarked on a five-month expedition across the Pacific, exploring active submarine volcanoes along the Kermadec Arc near New Zealand.

“Each of these dives were unique, each different,” Kerby shared. “We discovered multiple new species and by combining submersible operations with human divers, we explored deep-sea coral ecosystems in a new way.”

For more information, see SOEST’s website.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa celebrated its 2026 UH Mānoa Award winners during the Rainbow Warriors homecoming football game against New Mexico on October 17 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

The annual awards recognize outstanding faculty, staff and students for their contributions to teaching, research, service and the university’s mission of excellence. Ten of this year’s 33 recipients took the field during halftime in what has become a university tradition.

“Recognizing this year’s award winners in front of a sold-out crowd is a wonderful way to bring academics and athletics together,” UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “It was an opportunity for our entire UH ʻohana to celebrate the outstanding faculty, staff and students whose work makes UH Mānoa one of the world’s leading universities.”

For Dhvanil Desai, a doctoral candidate at the UH Mānoa Institute for Astronomy and recipient of the Student Excellence in Research Award, the halftime ceremony was especially meaningful as he prepares to graduate in spring 2027.

“It feels special to be recognized on the field for all the work that students do, and all of us put into making our work special and advancing research at UH Mānoa,” Desai said. “UH Mānoa is a special place, especially for astronomy. We get to do amazing research at a lovely place.“

The 2026 award recipients were previously honored at a ceremony in May at Kennedy Theatre. Learn more about the honorees and their achievements in the 2026 UH Mānoa Awards story.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo women’s volleyball senior LC Nakagawa was named the Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week after totaling 32 digs in sweeps of Westmont and Hawaiʻi Pacific (HPU), October 12 and 16.

Nakagawa kept balls in play over and over. The Oʻahu native had 11 digs in three sets against Westmont and added 21 more in the win over HPU.

The 21 digs is her second highest total of the year, and she has had double-figure totals in 21 of her 22 matches this fall. This is the second all-time Defender of the Week award for Nakagawa, who was also honored in 2025.

The Vulcans (17–5, 9–2 Pac West) head on the road to California for a trio of matches, beginning with Westmont on October 20.

Read more at HiloAthletics.com.

Two University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo seniors beat out hundreds of global competitors—including corporate research teams—to win a $50,000 national NASA award by proving ancient Hawaiian farming holds the key to feeding astronauts on Mars.

Out of more than 100 final competitors in NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge: Mars to Table, ʻOhā Kanu—created by Leilani Jensen and Raven Kromer—was selected as one of five winning designs nationwide. Their design adapts the ancient Hawaiian ahupuaʻa land management system into a modern, multi-zone space agricultural framework. By integrating hydroponics, aquaculture, field crops, and orchards, the zero-waste system creates a self-sustaining ecosystem that eliminates reliance on resupply from Earth.

“One of the jokes we made was, ‘Ancient Hawaiians were the first space explorers,’” said Kromer, an astronomy and English major who publishes research under the name Raven Daegmorgan.

Ancient wisdom meets deep space tech

The project name, ʻOhā Kanu, references the young taro offshoot (ʻohā) and the act of planting (kanu). Unlike standard agricultural models that maximize short-term yield, ʻOhā Kanu focuses on long-term resilience and complete nutrient cycling.

“We drew upon traditional and Indigenous perspectives for how to produce food,” explained Jensen, a tropical agroecology and environmental science double major. “It was not about designing for maximized productivity. It was designed so that there’s always food on the table, no matter what happens.”

Read Kūkala Nūhou to discover how Hawaiian farming inspired a Mars food system.

Celebrating 251 years of naval heritage, the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen Association at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa hosted its inaugural Navy Birthday Ball on October 8, highlighting leadership, service and camaraderie.

Held at the Campus Center Ballroom, the event drew approximately 150 attendees. It marked a key milestone for the association, which was established in August 2020 and hopes to make the celebration an annual tradition.

The ball brought together midshipmen, officer candidates, Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Program participants, active-duty personnel, families and supporters to commemorate the Navy’s founding on October 13, 1775.

Students organized and executed the formal military event, gaining hands-on leadership experience while honoring naval customs. The evening featured ceremonial toasts, a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action remembrance and a traditional cake-cutting ceremony.

“Planning our first Navy Birthday Ball gave us the opportunity to put our leadership skills into practice while honoring the traditions of the Navy,” said Noah Gaida, 1/C Midshipman. “From organizing the ceremony to bringing together our military community, it was a meaningful experience that we hope to build on as an annual tradition.”

Capt. Todd Duez, commanding officer and association advisor, emphasized how naval traditions prepare students for leadership.

“It isn’t just about learning history; it is about the active application and mastering of the art and science of leadership,” Duez said. “Tonight is a reflection on our past as we remain focused on the future that lies ahead. It is about committing to our craft so that we can lead with honor throughout our careers.”