Three Hawaiʻi educators, including University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education (COE) alumni Kawika Gonzales and Leah Aiwohi, were named finalists in the Presidential AI Challenge for their work advancing responsible artificial intelligence (AI) education. As national finalists and winners of the regional competition, they received a monetary prize and access to web-based resources.

Empowering students through responsible AI

Along with colleague Chloe Sato, the educators were recognized in Washington, D.C., for Global Innovation Race Hawaiʻi, a statewide program that teaches high school students how to use AI responsibly while addressing real-world community challenges.

Gonzales, who earned a master of education in learning design and technology and a certificate in online learning and teaching from UH Mānoa, said the program encourages students to think beyond simply using AI tools.

“Teaching our students how to use AI is no longer enough,” Gonzales said. “We also need to teach them when to use it, why to use it, and whether it should be used at all.”

Aiwohi, who earned a bachelor of education and professional diploma in elementary education from the College of Education, said her preparation at UH continues to shape her teaching decades later.

“Although I graduated from the College of Education more than 36 years ago, the lessons that have stayed with me are not tied to specific textbooks or technologies; they are the enduring principles of effective teaching,” Aiwohi said.

The program connects students across Hawaiʻi to collaborate on community-based projects using design thinking and responsible AI, helping prepare the next generation of ethical technology leaders.

Read the full College of Education story.

For more on how Gonzales is inspiring his haumāna (students) on Molokaʻi, see this UH News story.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty member has received a $660,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award to study how fuel contamination can affect drinking water during the treatment process.

Emily Marron, an assistant specialist in the Water Resources Research Center and cooperating graduate faculty and instructor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, will lead the five-year project, which runs through June 2031.

The research focuses on what happens when chlorine—commonly used to disinfect drinking water—reacts with fuel that has entered water supplies after spills or leaks. While chlorine is regularly added to drinking water systems to help control bacterial growth and eliminate harmful pathogens, it can also react with fuel-related chemicals to create unintended byproducts that may pose health risks.

Marron and her research team will use advanced analytical chemistry techniques, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, to identify the compounds formed during these reactions, measure how quickly they develop and better understand how fuel changes over time affect water treatment. The findings could improve how contaminated drinking water systems are evaluated and treated following fuel releases.

Clean drinking water, complex contamination

“Clean drinking water is something every community depends on,” Marron said. “I hope this research gives scientists and water professionals better tools to understand complex contamination events and make informed decisions that help protect public health.”

The project could also provide new insight into the types of chemical compounds people might have been exposed to in drinking water following the Red Hill fuel contamination in 2021. Rather than recreating the specific conditions of the Red Hill incident, the research will use controlled laboratory experiments to build a scientific framework for studying fuel-contaminated water. The research could also help inform public health decisions and improve response strategies during contamination events.

In addition to the research, the project includes education and community outreach. Marron will develop an undergraduate teaching module in partnership with local water professionals, including the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, to give students hands-on learning opportunities in environmental chemistry and drinking water treatment.

The project will also establish a community-centered laboratory that expands access to low-cost drinking water testing. The effort is designed to help residents better understand water quality, environmental chemistry and the science behind keeping drinking water safe.

The NSF CAREER program is among the foundation’s most notable awards for early-career faculty, recognizing researchers who integrate innovative research with education and community engagement.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Patrick Williams of UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

Williams shared, “Students Samantha Iha (left) and Yanli He (right) in Assistant Professor Nan Jiang’s lab working with noni extracts.”

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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!

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Nalo

—Out of sight, hidden.

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

“Aʻole au i ʻike ka puka komo i ke ala hekehi, ua nalo (I did not see the entrance to the hiking path, it disappeared).”

—Kiki, he haumāna ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

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

This year’s University of Hawaiʻi foodbank drive raised $53,810 in monetary donations and 6,146 pounds of food for 2026. According to Hawaiʻi Foodbank, the university’s contribution equals more than 120,800 meals.

This year’s donations of 517,177 meals across the City, State and UH exceeded Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s goal of 510,000 meals, marking an outstanding accomplishment.

“The UH ʻohana showcased incredible compassion and generosity that will make a major impact on the community and those in need,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this happen.”

The issue of hunger continues to be a major challenge facing the community, affecting those most vulnerable. The contributions will provide vital support to those who need it most.

Students from across the country gathered to explore how generative artificial intelligence (AI) could make language learning more interactive during a national hackathon hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center (Tech Center).

The 2026 Hack the Language Flagship Hackathon, held at the University of Georgia April 10–11, brought together 45 students from 13 colleges and universities representing 15 Language Flagship programs. Participants worked in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese and Russian.

Led by UH Mānoa faculty members Molly Godwin-Jones and Richard Medina, students worked in multilingual teams to create AI-powered tools that build on InContext, a free educational app developed with support from the Tech Center to help language learners navigate cultural misunderstandings.

“This event gives students an opportunity to creatively and critically apply generative AI technology to authentic language learning challenges,” said Julio Rodriguez, director of the Tech Center and principal investigator of the national project. “By focusing on generative AI and intercultural communication, participants were able to imagine new ways of helping learners engage.”

Nine teams spent two days designing and testing ideas. Each team included at least one computer science student, while many participants also brought study abroad experience to the challenge.

Winning project: same language, different locations

The winning project, GeoNorm AI, transforms InContext language-learning scenarios into interactive AI conversations while helping learners understand how the same language is used differently across countries and regions.

Two additional teams earned honorable mention. A Day Abroad developed a game that challenges users to navigate real-world cultural situations. Study Abroad with a Cephalopod featured “Cece the Cephalopod,” a customizable octopus guide that helps students practice language and cultural skills through interactive study abroad simulations.

“We are always impressed with how far students go,” said project lead Godwin-Jones. “There’s really no predicting what they will come up with in response to challenges that they themselves have identified in their language learning journeys.”

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Assistant Professor Shiwen “Sherlock” Li of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health was appointed the next recipient of the Chin Sik and Hyun Sook Chung Endowed Chair, effective September 1, 2026. He succeeds Tetine Sentell, professor of public health and interim assistant vice provost for research and scholarship, who served as the inaugural chair.

An environmental epidemiologist in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Li investigates the impact of environmental contaminants on human health. His research centers on chemical pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

Li’s research on PFAS has garnered international attention and widespread media coverage. Currently, he is applying advanced data analysis, including geographic information systems to advance precision environmental health and exposome research.

“I plan on working with our faculty and students to build stronger interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance environmental health research and education,” said Li. “I also plan on hosting seminar series to bring internationally renowned environmental health experts to strengthen collaborations with other universities and inspire new research directions.”

Related UH News story: ‘Forever chemicals’ may triple risk of fatty liver disease in adolescents

The selection committee cited Li’s leadership in his field and his dedication to student mentorship as key reasons for his appointment.

“Environmental health is one of the Thompson School’s strategic areas of growth and investment,” said Alex Ortega, dean of the Thompson School. “We are proud to have a scholar of Li’s caliber on our faculty helping to advance this important work. His leadership and scholarship strengthen our mission to improve health and well-being in Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and beyond.”

More about the endowed chair

The endowed chair was established through the generosity of Chin Sik and Hyun Sook Chung to support the recruitment and retention of outstanding public health faculty, with an emphasis on environmental health research. The position provides resources that enable innovative research, student mentorship, program development and collaboration across disciplines.

The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center launched the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center on July 6, marking a new chapter in local cancer care as the state’s first facility dedicated to early-phase clinical trials.

More than 200 community leaders, partners and elected officials attended the grand opening ceremony in Kakaʻako.

The Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center will be a new source of hope for cancer patients in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
—Naoto Ueno

“The opening of the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center marks a major milestone for cancer care in Hawaiʻi,” said UH Cancer Center Director Naoto Ueno. “For the first time in state history, qualifying cancer patients will have the opportunity to access promising investigational therapies here in Hawaiʻi, without traveling thousands of miles to medical centers on the U.S. mainland.”

Ueno, a researcher, clinical trial leader and two-time cancer survivor, said keeping patients close to their families and communities is an important part of their care journey.

“These patients also will be making invaluable contributions to medical science, as early-phase clinical trials like these are how tomorrow’s standard cancer treatments are developed,” Ueno said. “The Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center will be a new source of hope for cancer patients in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.”

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in Hawaiʻi, with nearly 76,000 residents living with cancer. A recent UH Cancer Center study found that Hawaiʻi residents spent at least $230 million on out-of-state cancer care from 2021 to 2023, highlighting the need to expand advanced cancer care options in the islands.

Early-phase clinical trials, also known as Phase I and II trials, test new cancer treatments to evaluate safety, dosing and potential effectiveness. The trials follow strict safety protocols, with patients closely monitored by specially trained clinical research teams.

“This facility is a powerful reminder of what can happen when government, health care, industry, and the university work together to impact our community,” said UH President Wendy Hensel.

Expanding access to care

The Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center includes dedicated patient treatment areas, specialized clinical research space, a certified pharmacy and a team trained to conduct complex early-phase studies. A pilot Phase I clinical trial is already underway, with one patient enrolled, demonstrating the center’s readiness to support a growing portfolio of clinical trials.

The goal is to have 30 active early-phase clinical trials at Hoʻōla EPCRC by 2031.

“By establishing the specialized clinical research infrastructure needed to conduct early-phase studies in Hawaiʻi, the UH Cancer Center will provide opportunities for patients to participate in innovative Phase I and II clinical trials, while strengthening the state’s role in developing tomorrow’s cancer therapies,” Ueno said.

The 7,500-square-foot center was supported by $19.5 million in funding, including over $1 million from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. It is operated by University Health Partners in collaboration with members of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium and statewide health care partners.

“Our goal is not only to provide access to promising therapies to patients, but to ensure that discoveries and treatments are informed by the rich variety of Hawaiʻi’s unique people, so that future cancer treatments work better for everyone in Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and worldwide,” Ueno said.

Read more at the UH Cancer Center.

A cohort from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) was recognized out of 16 schools by the Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA) and agInnovation-West for leadership in education, research, and Cooperative extension.

“At CTAHR, we are building a movement rooted in collaborative innovation,” said CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal. “These honors reflect our commitment to bringing out the best in our students and faculty as they lead the way in creating solutions that support families and communities, food producers, and the natural environment.”

WEDA presented its Award of Excellence in Programming for a Team to the Organic Sweetpotato Integrated Pest Management and Soil Health Management Team. Led by Koon-Hui Wang of the Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences, the Hawaiʻi team includes Amjad Ahmad, Thao Le and Brent Sipes, along with collaborators from Auburn University’s College of Agriculture.

The combined team has secured more than $1 million in competitive funding and developed tools for pest management and soil health, on-farm research trials, and educational resources that strengthen organic farming systems.

The 2026 Excellence in Agricultural Research Innovation Award – Lifetime was presented to Professor Rachel Novotny of CTAHR’s Department of Human Nutrition, Food & Animal Science.

Novotny has dedicated her career to building scientific evidence and policies to improve the nutrition of underserved communities throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Her signature achievement is establishing the college’s Children’s Healthy Living Center in 2011. This initiative has played a major role in helping thousands of children and families lead healthier, more active lives.

The Western region’s land-grant network awarded the 2026 Western Region New Teaching Award to Professor Andy Reilly.

Reilly is a professor in CTAHR‘s Fashion Design and Merchandising program whose academic research explores the historic and cultural aspects of the fashion industry in Hawaiʻi. He has authored seven books and 40 academic papers, and is now writing a comprehensive book on fashion in Hawaiʻi.

The awards were presented at the 2026 Western Region Joint Summer Meeting, hosted by CTAHR in Hilo, from June 22 to 25.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduate candidate Ernest Bethe IV has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship for the 2026–27 academic year. After completing his master of urban and regional planning degree from the College of Social Sciences this August, Bethe will embark on a 10-month research initiative in Ecuador. Based in Puerto Ayora—the fastest-growing town in the Galápagos Islands—he will investigate how overlooked urban spaces can be leveraged for ecological resilience (ability of ecosystems to adapt to environmental change).

Rethinking ‘informal’ green spaces

As tourism and development exert heavy pressure on the limited land resources of island ecosystems, Bethe’s research will look at cost-effective frameworks for sustainable growth. His project will focus on “informal green spaces”—such as vacant lots, roadside vegetation and unmanaged patches of land—and will examine their potential to:

• Support vital habitats for native bird species.
• Reduce localized flooding and mitigate the urban heat island effect (where built-up areas trap more heat than natural surroundings).
• Develop sustainable growth that balances tourism and development needs with limited land resources.

In Ecuador, Bethe will be hosted by the Charles Darwin Foundation, with a secondary academic affiliation at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.

A model for island cities

The upcoming fieldwork builds directly on Bethe’s capstone project at UH Mānoa, which focused on ecological urban design. A core outcome of his Fulbright project will be a bilingual planning toolkit designed for local officials and community stakeholders in Ecuador. However, the implications of his work extend far beyond the Galápagos.

“Islands everywhere are dealing with the same issue: how do you grow without paving over the very thing that makes the place worth living in?” said Bethe. “If we can highlight how the green spaces we usually overlook are actually cooling our streets, soaking up stormwater, and giving our native birds somewhere to land, that’s a low-cost tool that any island city—including Honolulu—can put to work.”

Ashok Das, urban and regional planning professor and department chair, said, “Ernest’s winning the Fulbright award is a matter of great pride for our department, college and university. It is a testimony to his ability to apply multiple concepts in creative ways to advance a core mission of urban planning—sustainable development.”

“It also underscores his commitment to making vulnerable island communities more resilient. Having grown up in Indonesia and studied in Hawaiʻi have definitely shaped his worldview. He is multilingual, loves experiencing new cultures and thrives in multicultural settings. He will be a wonderful ambassador of the Fulbright program and UH Mānoa.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State and is one of the nation’s most prestigious international exchange initiatives. It aims to expand perspectives through academic and cultural exchange in partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide.

Unexpectedly low calf numbers within the spinner dolphin population off Hawaiʻi Island were revealed in a study led by scientists with the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa along with national and international collaborators. Their research, published in Endangered Species Research, determined that calves make up only about 9% of the population, a stark contrast to the 17% expected in a healthy, stable population, raising urgent concerns about the long-term survival of this isolated population.

Viewing spinner dolphins is an attraction of the tourism industry in Hawaiʻi, however, those activities put pressure on the marine species. Previous research has shown that this population of dolphins experiences the highest levels of disturbance exposure recorded for dolphins worldwide.

“The evidence suggests chronic human disturbance—especially tourism and recreational-related interactions during critical dolphin resting periods—as a likely contributing factor affecting reproductive success and calf survival,” said lead author Fabien Vivier, who was a doctoral student at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the time of this work. “The findings support stronger conservation actions, such as time-area closures for human activities, alongside continued long-term monitoring—actions that have long been called for.”

Drone surveys reveal population trends

To reach these conclusions, scientists utilized drone photography to measure the body length of free-swimming dolphins. By combining these aerial measurements with age-length data from stranded spinner dolphins collected by Kristi West, study co-author and researcher with the UH Health and Stranding Lab at the UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, the team created the first age-length growth curve for this specific population. This allowed them to accurately categorize individuals into calves (under 2 years), juveniles (2–9 years), and adults (over 9 years).

Age structure is an early indicator of population health and long-term viability. The documented low proportion of calves suggests the spinner dolphin population off Hawaiʻi Island may not be replacing itself fast enough, which could lead to future population decline.

Highly valuable and vulnerable population

In Hawaiʻi, spinner dolphins are culturally, ecologically and economically important. Research from 2013 estimated that each individual dolphin is valued at more than $3.3 million over its lifetime and collectively, dolphin tourism generates more than $100 million annually for the state’s economy.

With spinner dolphins following a predictable daily cycle—foraging offshore at night and returning to shallow coastal bays during the day to rest and socialize—they are especially vulnerable to tourism activities in these nearshore habitats.

“This study provides one of the first population-level demographic signals suggesting those long-term disturbances may now be affecting reproduction and calf survival,” said Professor Lars Bejder, co-author on the study and MMRP director.

A call for stronger protections

While a 2021 federal rule requires people and vessels to remain at least 50 yards away from the dolphins, experts from the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and the Pacific Scientific Review Group have argued that this measure is insufficient. The study authors are calling for stronger conservation actions, specifically time-area closures that would restrict human access to critical resting bays during the day.

“Understanding these impacts is critical for protecting an isolated local population before declines become irreversible,” Randall Wells, study co-author and director of Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program. “We hope this work provides the science-based evidence needed to develop effective protections for spinner dolphins while helping balance marine tourism, cultural stewardship, and long-term ecosystem health in Hawaiʻi.”

Future research and monitoring will depend on available funding, with scientists aiming to track long-term changes in age structure, reproduction, and population and further refine non-invasive drone-based methods.

Eight members of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa swimming and diving teams earned recognition on the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America’s (CSCAA) Scholar-America Team for the 2025–26 season.

Two Rainbow Wahine earned First Team honors, and five earned Second Team honors. One Rainbow Warrior earned Second Team honors.

Rainbow Wahine honorees:

• Lovisa Gustavsson (First Team)
• Holly Nelson (First Team)
• Keira Chandler (Second Team)
• Avery Coates (Second Team)
• Macie Wheeler (Second Team)
• Carlotta Ingernerf (Second Team)
• Ruby Pickron (Second Team)

Rainbow Warrior honoree:

• Oliver Wignall (Second Team)

To qualify for First-Team Scholar All-America, student-athletes must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and participate in their national championship. Second-team selections also must have a 3.5 GPA and meet specific time standards for the national championship, or qualify for the zone qualification meet.

Read more at Hawaiiathletics.com.

At least $230 million was spent on cancer care delivered outside Hawaiʻi between 2021 and 2023, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. Geographic isolation requires many Hawaiʻi patients to seek advanced cancer therapeutics and clinical trials on the mainland.

Researchers analyzed de-identified commercial insurance claims from the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA) for residents receiving cancer treatment. The data showed that patients with complex cancers, such as leukemia and brain tumors, were most likely to require out-of-state care, highlighting a need to expand local subspecialty capacity.

“Patients who must leave the islands for specialized cancer care bear enormous burdens: On top of medical bills, they may face travel expenses, time away from work, and the emotional challenge of receiving treatment far from home and the support of their loved ones. For some patients, the enormous cost of out-of-state treatment puts that care out of reach,” said Hideko Yamauchi, director of clinical affairs at the UH Cancer Center, and the principal investigator for the study.

Analyzing data on why patients seek treatment out-of-state helps the center identify gaps in local services, allowing them to expand specialized care and keep patients closer to their support networks.

‘Financial toxicity’ places strain on patients

The study found that out-of-state cancer care expenditures totaled approximately $58 million in 2021, rose to $94 million in 2022, and reached nearly $79 million in 2023. Total spending exceeded $230 million during the three-year period.

Patients who must leave the islands for specialized cancer care bear enormous burdens.
—Hideko Yamauchi

Breast cancer accounted for the largest total amount spent on out-of-state care at $59.5 million, due to its high prevalence, researchers said. It was followed by leukemia ($46.4 million), lymphoma ($21.5 million), prostate cancer ($14.9 million), and pulmonary cancer ($14 million).

However, leukemia exhibited the highest proportion of out-of-state spending for treatment, at 39%, followed by lymphoma (29%), central nervous system tumors (27%), multiple myeloma (21%) and breast cancer (21%).

The study analyzed direct medical costs paid via HMSA, excluding out-of-pocket expenses like travel, lodging, and lost income—factors that exacerbate “financial toxicity” for patients.

“A concern raised by these findings is that the patients we can see in the data are only the ones who successfully traveled,” Yamauchi said. “The patients we worry about are the ones we cannot see in this data—those who did not travel and faced barriers to accessing specialized care. Understanding that hidden burden is an important next step for research and policy.”

Expansion of Hawaiʻi cancer care

Increased investment in high-demand specialty services, advanced diagnostics, and tele-oncology could reduce the need for travel.

“The UH Cancer Center deeply appreciates HMSA, a member of our Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium, for collaborating on this crucial research. This study demonstrates why continuing to expand cancer care in Hawaiʻi is so important,” said Naoto T. Ueno, director of the UH Cancer Center and study co-author.

Initiatives such as the Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center (opening July 6) and the Ka ʻUmeke Lama program are now expanding local access to Phase I trials.

Co-authors also included Deborah Taira, professor, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, UH Hilo; Mark M. Mugiishi, chief executive officer, HMSA; and Jeffrey Tom, clinical systems director for corporate strategy, HMSA.

Read more at the UH Cancer Center.

Owning a home remains out of reach for many Americans, but a new analysis from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) suggests the housing affordability crisis may have reached its peak.

The analysis by UHERO Professor Byron Gangnes finds that housing affordability deteriorated sharply across the country beginning in 2021 as home prices surged and mortgage interest rates climbed. While affordability has improved modestly over the past two years because of rising incomes, slower home price growth and slightly lower mortgage rates, many housing markets remain unaffordable—especially Honolulu.

Using a measure based on what a median-income household can reasonably afford while spending no more than 30% of its income on housing costs, the analysis found Honolulu to be among the nation’s least affordable housing markets. In 2024, the median home price in Honolulu was about twice what a median-income household could afford.

Comparing Hawaiʻi to other U.S. areas

The report also found that cities once considered relatively affordable, including Charlotte, Atlanta and Dallas, have seen steep declines in affordability since the pandemic because home prices have risen much faster than incomes.

Nationally, affordability has improved since its recent low point as wage growth has helped households keep pace with housing costs and mortgage rates have eased from their highs. Even so, the report said many moderate-income families, particularly those earning below the median income, continue to face significant barriers to homeownership.

Gangnes noted that affordability can continue to improve over time as incomes rise and borrowing costs decline, but said policy changes will also be needed. The report points to strategies such as increasing housing construction, streamlining permitting, encouraging smaller homes and expanding assistance with down payments and mortgage costs to help make homeownership more attainable.

Read the entire insights post on UHERO’s website.

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

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa women’s swimming and diving team was recognized as a Spring 2026 Scholar All-America Team by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America.

The Rainbow Wahine were one of 171 NCAA Division I teams to be recognized for its outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester. As a team, UH Mānoa recorded a 3.66 GPA for spring 2026. The ‘Bows were one of 92 women’s DI teams to post a team GPA over 3.60. Teams were required to achieve a team GPA of 3.00 or higher to earn Scholar All-America recognition.

Collectively, 16,680 student-athletes from 714 teams representing 418 institutions were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement.

Read more at Hawaiiathletics.com.

The UH Board of Regents (BOR) elected Lauren Akitake as chair for the 2026–27 academic year and welcomed five new members during a special meeting on July 2 at UH Mānoa. Akitake was elected by a vote of seven to four.

Akitake was appointed to the board in 2023 and represents Maui County. The BOR governs the UH 10-campus system and is responsible for policy direction, financial oversight and long-term strategic planning. As chair, she will preside over board meetings and work closely with UH President Wendy Hensel and fellow regents to help guide the university’s strategic priorities.

“This is more than an honor. It is a responsibility to serve the University of Hawaiʻi system—our students, faculty, staff and the communities we are entrusted to serve across Hawaiʻi and beyond,” said Akitake (the complete statement is included below). “At the center of our work must be our students—their experience and their success—while supporting their academic and life journey.”

The board also elected former Chair Gabriel Lee as first vice chair and newly appointed Regent Keith Amemiya as second vice chair. Both will serve one-year terms during the 2026–27 academic year.

Five new regents begin service

The new leadership takes office alongside five newly appointed regents, making this one of the board’s largest transitions in recent years.

Joining the 11-member governing board are Keith Amemiya, Marie Laderta, Makai Freitas, Keola Robert Whittaker and student Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee. Together, the new regents bring expertise in higher education, business, finance, law, labor, public service and student leadership.

Amemiya, a UH Mānoa graduate and senior vice president at Central Pacific Bank, previously served as BOR executive administrator and secretary.

Laderta has nearly three decades of public service experience, including leadership roles with the state Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Taxation and the Department of the Attorney General.

Freitas is a Hawaiʻi Island labor leader with more than two decades of experience with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, where he has led workforce development initiatives and labor negotiations. He also serves as the West Hawaiʻi representative on the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Whittaker is a Maui-based land use attorney with experience in environmental and regulatory law and a longtime community volunteer.

Gee, an honors student at UH Mānoa majoring in international business and finance, has served in state and county youth leadership roles and will represent students across the UH system.

The 11-member board is composed of volunteer regents representing every county in Hawaiʻi, including five members from the City and County of Honolulu, two each from Hawaiʻi and Maui counties, one from Kauaʻi County and one student regent.

Akitake’s statement after being elected BOR chair

“To say this is an honor is an understatement. I was born and raised in Waiehu, on Maui, and I was shaped by my community, my public school teachers, and the values I learned at home. I carry that foundation with me, and it is what brought me to this seat today.

This is more than an honor. It is a responsibility to serve the University of Hawaiʻi system—our students, faculty, staff, and the communities we are entrusted to serve across Hawaiʻi and beyond.

I often ask a simple question: Where are we going? My hope is that, as a board, we continue to answer that question together—clearly, consistently and with purpose—so that our decisions are connected, not piecemeal, and that we are moving in one direction. I am grateful to be doing this work with five new regents who bring experience and fresh perspectives, and I look forward to working with all of you.

At the center of our work must be our students—their experience and their success—while supporting their academic and life journey. I look forward to working with you to strengthen this university—not only as a place of learning, but as a destination for world-class research, academics, athletics, innovation and service to our communities. Thank you for this honor. I will not take it lightly, and I look forward to the work ahead.”

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) honored four departing members in resolutions recognizing their service to the university during a special meeting on July 2.

Regents Joshua Faumuina, William “Bill” Haning III, Wayne Higaki and Diane Paloma were honored for their leadership and contributions to the during their time on the board.

Joshua Faumuina

Appointed as student regent in 2024, Faumuina became the first student regent elected as a board officer, serving as second vice chair. A graduate of Kapiʻolani Community College, UH Mānoa and the William S. Richardson School of Law, he also mentored STEM students, supported community college initiatives and provided pro bono legal assistance.

William “Bill” Haning III

An Oʻahu regent appointed in 2021, Haning brought decades of experience in medicine, education and military service. An emeritus professor of psychiatry at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, he chaired the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee and served as vice chair of the Research and Innovation and Student Success committees.

Wayne Higaki

Higaki concluded one of the board’s longest tenures after first being appointed in 2014 to represent Hawaiʻi Island. He served two terms as board vice chair and chaired both the Budget and Finance and Independent Audit committees.

Diane Paloma

Appointed in 2021, Paloma brought extensive healthcare and nonprofit leadership experience to the board. She chaired the Budget and Finance and Kuleana committees and served as vice chair of the Planning and Facilities Committee.

The resolutions express the Board of Regents’ gratitude for each regent’s dedicated service and lasting contributions to the university and the state.

Read the full BOR resolutions honoring Joshua Faumuina, William “Bill” Haning III, Wayne Higaki and Diane Paloma.

The University of Hawaiʻi is taking another significant step toward reducing the number of telescopes on Maunakea, announcing July 1, 2026 that science operations at UKIRT will conclude on September 15. Aging facilities and funding challenges, especially given the expiration of the UH master lease in 2033, in addition to the obligations contained in the UH Master Plan, led to the decision to end science operations. The U.S. Naval Observatory has sponsored scientific research at UKIRT for many years, supporting decades of discovery through the telescope.

UKIRT will become the third Maunakea telescope to be decommissioned. In 2025, the UH Institute for Astronomy (IfA) announced plans to remove the observatory following the conclusion of its science mission. Current planning targets completion of the decommissioning process by 2030.

“UKIRT has had an extraordinary run and has been one of the most prolific telescopes on the planet,” said Doug Simons, director of IfA. “For nearly five decades it has expanded our understanding of the universe, helped train generations of astronomers and strengthened Hawaiʻi‘s reputation as one of the world’s premier locations for astronomical discovery.”

Decades of discovery

IfA assumed ownership of UKIRT in 2014 after the United Kingdom ended funding for the facility. The telescopes on Maunakea rank among the world’s most scientifically productive collections of observatories, and UKIRT has been an important contributor to that legacy. Since opening in 1979, it has helped scientists understand how stars and planets form, map vast regions of the Milky Way and study distant galaxies.

Eight full-time employees currently support UKIRT operations and will continue to have the opportunity to support operations through the September 15 closure date.

Proven decommissioning process

The decommissioning of the first two Maunakea telescopes, the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and the UH Hilo Hōkū Keʻa Observatory, was completed in 2024. Under the UH-developed Maunakea Master Plan and Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP), the university committed to reducing the number of observatories on Maunakea while continuing world-class astronomy and responsible stewardship.

Guided by the CMP‘s Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories, the UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship (CMS) oversaw the first two decommissioning projects. This fall, UH will hire a consultant to develop a detailed cost estimate, project schedule and permitting plan for the UKIRT decommissioning.The construction company selected for the project will coordinate closely with CMS, IfA, and other UH offices, building on the practices established during the previous decommissioning projects. Those practices include cultural training for construction crews and the integration of Native Hawaiian protocol into every stage of the work, from deconstruction through site restoration.

“Decommissioning is about honoring our commitment to care for Maunakea,” said Greg Chun, CMS executive director. “Every decommissioning project is an opportunity to demonstrate that our commitment extends beyond astronomy to restoring these sites with care, respect and purpose.”

Management responsibilities for Maunakea are transitioning from CMS to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA), established by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 2022. Throughout the UKIRT planning, permitting and decommissioning process, CMS will continue working closely with MKSOA while engaging the Hawaiʻi Island community.

Coral reef decline driven by climate change could cost Hawaiʻi residents between $1.8 billion and $3 billion in lost reef-related activities by 2100, according to a new study published in Ecological Economics. The research projects these burdens will not fall equally, with lower-income and disadvantaged communities in the state facing disproportionate impacts.

The study was led by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), alongside scientists from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and the University of Trento. It is one of the first studies to combine detailed ecological models with community-level economic data across the state.

“Coral reefs are foundational to life in Hawaiʻi culturally, ecologically and economically,” said lead author Ashley Lowe Mackenzie, an affiliated faculty member in the CTAHR Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM). “Our work makes visible something that is often invisible in policy conversations by valuing real welfare losses that residents will experience as these ecosystems degrade.”

Mapping future losses

The research team used a sophisticated biophysical simulation called the Atlantis ecosystem model to project how coral cover will change across nearshore reef systems through the year 2100. They tested three different climate pathways representing low, mid-range and high global emissions scenarios.

By connecting these ecological shifts with a recreation demand model, they mapped potential economic losses for residents at a precise 1-kilometer resolution. Because the figures only capture local recreational use—such as swimming, snorkeling and diving—the authors emphasize that the $1.8 billion to $3 billion estimate represents a lower end of total economic damage.

Key findings include:

• The earliest and most severe losses are projected along the leeward (west and south) coasts of Hawaiʻi Island and Maui.
• Recreational losses are expected to spread northward to Oʻahu by mid-century.
• Under a high-emissions climate scenario, nearshore reefs face a near-total collapse by 2100. Under a low-emissions scenario, some windward (east and north) coastlines show signs of partial recovery late in the century.

Disproportionate impacts on local communities

Using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental justice tool (EJScreen), the researchers discovered that disadvantaged communities often face higher per-person welfare losses. Traditional economic methods usually project lower monetary losses for lower-income groups, making this finding particularly striking. The data indicate that vulnerable communities are disproportionately exposed to the specific areas experiencing the steepest reef declines.

“This study puts numbers to what our communities have long understood—that losing our reefs means losing the recreational opportunities, cultural practices, and quality of life that define what it means to live in Hawaiʻi,” said Brian Neilson, administrator of the Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources. “Reef-based recreation is deeply tied to traditions of fishing, gathering, and caring for our nearshore waters.”

A call for local action

The findings connect directly to local state-led efforts such as Hawaiʻi’s Holomua Marine Initiative, which works with communities and Indigenous knowledge holders to design site-specific reef management.

“The magnitude of those potential losses should be a wake-up call to take action now to protect our nearshore environment,” said senior author Kirsten L.L. Oleson, NREM professor. “Our lab’s research suggests that a lot can be accomplished through local action, particularly by reducing land-based pollution and over-harvesting.”

The research was supported by NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program.

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates July 2026 faculty and staff anniversaries.

30 years

Akiu, Debora A U
Supervising Library Technician, Honolulu CC

Libarios, Laurie T
Associate Professor, Leeward CC

Ricci, Kori L
Educational Specialist, UH Mānoa

Tamanaha, Janice T
Administrative Officer, UH Mānoa

More anniversaries
June 2026
May 2026
April 2026
More anniversary lists

20 years

Barkhoff, Harald
Vice Chancellor, UH West Oʻahu

Ching, Kelly J
Academic Support Specialist, UH Mānoa

Dunn, Liloa
Research Associate, UH Mānoa

Huang, Vicky X
Fiscal Specialist, UH System

Luke, Amy M
Chief of Staff, UH System

Sears, Heejoon R
Research Associate, UH Mānoa

Serrano, Susan K
Professor, Law, UH Mānoa

Yrizarry, Lisa A
Associate Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

10 years

Andrade, Troy J H
Associate Dean, UH Mānoa

Cepeda, Julian A
Residence Life Specialist, UH Mānoa

Escobar, Louis Y
IT Specialist, UH Maui College

Gordon, Emmanuel M
IT Specialist, UH System

Lips, Sarah A
Student Services Specialist, UH Hilo

Muraoka, Kerri H
Office Assistant, Kauaʻi CC

Segeral, Nathalie
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Sutter, Shelley R
Dean, Kauaʻi CC

Young, Heather A
Administrative Officer, UH Mānoa