The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi (JCCIH) recently presented Hawaiʻi Community College with a record-breaking $20,000 donation raised through its annual Taste of Hilo fundraiser. The gift provides expanded support for student scholarships and initiatives across the college.

This contribution is the largest annual donation JCCIH has made to Hawaiʻi CC through the event, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to higher education on Hawaiʻi Island. Last year, scholarships funded through the partnership supported more than 25 students in programs ranging from liberal arts and sciences to nursing, agriculture and information technology.

“We are incredibly grateful to JCCIH and everyone who supports Taste of Hilo year after year,” said Chancellor Susan Kazama. “This generosity helps reduce financial barriers for our students and reminds them that their community believes in their potential. Partnerships like this make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.”

Celebrating Hawaiʻi Island

Now in its 27th year, the event celebrates the island’s culinary talent, bringing together local chefs, restaurants, and producers. The 2025 fundraiser also featured the 2nd Annual Fuji Experience, a limited-seating showcase highlighting local ingredients.

“Taste of Hilo is a celebration of the people, businesses and culinary talent that make Hawaiʻi Island such a special place,” said JCCIH President Mitchell Dodo. “We’re honored that the event also helps open doors for Hawaiʻi Community College students. Supporting education is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in the future of our island.”

Over the past 26 years, JCCIH has contributed more than $250,000 to Hawaiʻi CC.

“One of the greatest strengths of Hawaiʻi Island is the way people come together to support one another,” Kazama said. “Taste of Hilo is a wonderful example of that spirit in action. We are grateful for JCCIH‘s continued partnership and for the many individuals and businesses whose support helps our students succeed.”

The 28th annual Taste of Hilo is scheduled for October 18, 2026. Tickets will be available in late July at www.tasteofhilo.org.

• Related story: ‘A Taste of Hilo&arsquo; celebrates local flavors, supports Hawaiʻi CC students, October 24, 2025

In a rapid response to one of the largest tectonic events to shake Hawaiʻi in decades, scientists from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Earth sciences have deployed a network of temporary seismic sensors across the west flank of Mauna Loa on Hawaiʻi Island.

“Capturing the aftershock sequence and seismic structure at close range offers a rare opportunity to better understand the fault geometry and seismic hazards across the Hawaiian Islands,” said Sin-Mei Wu, assistant professor in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), who leads the initiative.

The emergency mobilization followed a powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake near Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo on May 22. Striking at a depth of 22 kilometers, the fault movement triggered a large earthquake that has been followed by an ongoing sequence of aftershocks (including a magnitude 4.0). The initial quake prompted public engagement with more than 7,000 residents across the state submitting U.S. Geological Survey “Did You Feel It?” reports—the highest response counts on record for any Hawaiʻi earthquake.

Deploying from ma kai to ma uka

Unlike typical shallow earthquakes tied to the movement of volcanic magma, this deep event was driven by plate flexure—the sheer weight of the massive Hawaiian volcanoes bending the underlying oceanic Pacific Plate. While these flexure earthquakes represent a significant seismic hazard, they are notoriously difficult to study because they frequently originate offshore, far from land-based monitoring networks.

The May 22 event provided a rare opportunity to better understand these hazardous processes, as the epicenter was on land, enabling the deployment of a temporary seismic array to capture detailed aftershock activity. With funding from the SOEST Dean’s Office and sensors from the NSF EarthScope Consortium, Wu and Pablo Urra Tapia and Ian Wynn, two SOEST Earth sciences graduate students, rushed to Hawaiʻi Island for a three-day field campaign.

“It was definitely an all hands on deck to try to get this off the ground as quickly as possible,” said Helen Janiszewski, assistant professor of Earth sciences who supported planning and will focus on data collection and analysis for the project. Similarly, Thomas Lee, assistant professor in the UH Hilo Department of Geology helped to coordinate logistics, and will work with undergraduate students in comparing this event to the 2006 Kīholo Bay earthquake and other historical events.

The team also received essential assistance from Kamehameha Schools, Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge and Puʻuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.

“Their help allowed us to deploy 30 seismic sensors from ma kai to ma uka, covering mainshock and aftershock regions,” said Wu. “Our community partners are critical collaborators, as they have enabled us to receive permits and land-access so we could deploy the sensor in time to capture the aftershocks.”

Facing grueling off-road conditions across 80% of the terrain, the team successfully placed sensors at elevations ranging from just 100 feet near the coastline up to 7,500 feet into the high-altitude, old lava fields of Mauna Loa.

Hawaiʻi’s seismic hazards

Completed on June 5, the high-resolution array is now actively recording continuous ground vibrations. It has already caught a steady stream of active aftershocks between magnitudes 1 to 3, and the team expects the enhanced local network will catch hundreds of micro-earthquakes of magnitudes 0 to 1 that are invisible to standard infrastructure.

“The enhanced seismic network can detect and characterize those smaller earthquakes that carry equally important information about the earthquake source region,” said Wu. “This project exemplifies SOEST’s commitment to rapid hazard response and we expect to gather data that will benefit both scientific research and seismic hazard assessment in Hawaiʻi.”

The research team will collect the seismic data and then begin to analyze their trove of information in August.

As the nation invests $52.7 billion to strengthen domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing, research and workforce development, University of Hawaiʻi students are gaining a direct pathway into one of the country’s fastest-growing and most strategically important technology sectors.

UH Mānoa has joined the Pacific-Intermountain Network for Education in Semiconductors (PINES), a regional coalition of 30 universities and colleges, industry partners and workforce organizations working together to prepare students for careers in semiconductor design, manufacturing and research. PINES is led by the SEMI Foundation and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Semiconductors, often called the “brains” of modern electronics, power technologies used every day, including smartphones, computers and automobiles, as well as artificial intelligence, satellites, medical devices, renewable energy systems and national defense technologies.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering professors Boris Murmann, Jeff Weldon and Jennifer Ott led UH’s successful effort to become part of the network, which spans nine western states and Hawaiʻi. The initiative aims to better connect students with educational opportunities, hands-on training, internships and industry partnerships while aligning university programs with the needs of employers.

“This partnership gives our students the chance to receive training in technologies that are shaping the future while building careers in a rapidly expanding industry,” said UH Mānoa College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka. “By connecting Hawaiʻi with a broader regional ecosystem, we can help develop homegrown talent, strengthen innovation across the islands and ensure our graduates are prepared to make an impact wherever their careers take them.”

The effort comes as demand for skilled workers continues to outpace supply. A May 2026 analysis by the SEMI Foundation and McKinsey projected a shortage of between 127,000 and 157,000 semiconductor workers nationwide by 2030, highlighting the need for expanded education and workforce development programs.

UH’s participation builds on its growing leadership in microelectronics. In 2024, the university joined a Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley-led initiative that gives students experience with the complete chip development process, from circuit design to manufacturing and testing. For more on UH’s microelectronics internship, visit this website.

By joining PINES, UH students will have greater access to regional collaborations and career pathways while helping strengthen Hawaiʻi’s role in the nation’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem. The partnership will also give UH faculty access to shared curriculum, educational resources and best practices developed by universities and industry leaders across the network.

Related UH News stories:

• UH microelectronics program builds pipeline of homegrown talent, October 9, 2025
• $15.3M funding fuels microelectronics innovation, August 27, 2024
• UH professor aims to develop microchips for future, diversify economy, March 25, 2024

Tucked away at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa’s Komohana facility in Hilo, a small team of researchers from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) is building the clean seed pipeline that could help secure the future of the state’s sweetpotato industry. Clean seeds are vine cuttings that are free from harmful viruses.

The National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) Sweetpotato-Hawaiʻi Center is part of the USDA-supported NCPN-Sweetpotatoes program, a national network of clean plant centers, scientists, regulators, and growers. It is the only center in the network dedicated to Okinawan and Hawaiian heritage ʻuala (sweetpotatoes).

The center combines advanced tissue culture and diagnostics with strong partnerships among farmers, researchers, and cultural practitioners. Together, they are laying the groundwork for a reliable, local system for ʻuala and Okinawan sweetpotato health.

Hawaiʻi’s sweetpotatoes

While programs on the U.S. continent work with orange-fleshed varieties, the Hawaiʻi center, led by CTAHR Extension Agent Sharon Wages, prioritizes purple-fleshed Okinawan types and traditional ʻuala that are central to local diets and markets.

“Hawaiʻi has the corner on Okinawan sweetpotato in the U.S.,” she said, noting that continental U.S. climates often cannot match the crop’s performance in Hawaiʻi’s tropical weather.

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a major crop in Hawaiʻi, with 6.2 million pounds grown here in 2025, according to the USDA. Nine out of 10 ʻuala are produced on Hawaiʻi Island, particularly along the Hāmākua Coast.

Establishing a virus-free foundation

Supported by researchers Achyut Adhikari and Elisa Urano Mow, a tissue culture specialist, the sweetpotato center uses meristem-tip tissue culture to clean infected plant lines for each kind of ʻulua and establish virus-free foundation material for growers. This clean stock can then be multiplied and distributed, giving farmers a healthier starting point for new plantings.

While all NCPN centers follow a standard virus testing protocol, CTAHR researcher Anna Halpin-McCormick has documented additional viruses in the state. The Hawaiʻi center is now incorporating two of these locally significant viruses into its regular diagnostics, strengthening protection against region-specific threats.

The center has 11 unique sweetpotato varieties. The staff works closely with local growers to advance lines that are both nutritious and marketable, including several Okinawan-type selections and important heritage ʻuala.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa received high marks in the 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, earning recognition for its international research excellence and academic performance.

UH Mānoa ranked in the top 2.6% internationally and top 3.3% nationally. UH Mānoa placed No. 84 in the nation (out of more than 2,600 4-year institutions) and No. 643 globally (out of more than 25,000 worldwide colleges and universities) in the rankings released on June 17 HST, June 18 BST.

QS measured performance across areas including academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, international engagement, sustainability, faculty-student ratio and employment outcomes. According to QS, UH Mānoa‘s strongest performance areas included its international research network, citations per faculty, international faculty and academic reputation.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our faculty, students and staff to advancing knowledge that serves Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and communities around the world,” incoming UH Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “At UH Mānoa, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to learn through discovery, tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningful solutions that make a difference locally and globally.”

Other recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026–27 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities rankings, June 16, 2026
• 2026 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 8, 2026
• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

When recent severe storms knocked out power and caused destructive flooding across Oʻahu, many community members were underprepared. Enter Watson Culley, an Oʻahu middle school student who spends most of his free time playing basketball. Inspired by a recent service-learning class that emphasized the power of being community-minded, Watson wanted to turn the classroom ideas into concrete action.

The spark fully ignited after he volunteered to help distribute Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency food rations to students at the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). Interacting with the students, he noticed how many people lacked the most basic supplies to be prepared for a crisis.

“In my service-learning class, we learned about the benefits of these kinds of projects,” Watson said. “We learned that if everyone helps just a little, it can make a big difference.”

Watson drafted a list of essential supplies, calculated expenses and developed a plan to make it happen. Included in the compact, waterproof kits would be a Mylar blanket, water purification tablets, matches, a whistle, granola bars, a basic first aid kit, an emergency contacts card, batteries and a headlamp.

“The name Give-and-Go Emergency Box was inspired by my love for basketball,” Watson said, referring to a classic basketball play wherein two teammates work together to make an open shot or layup.

Immediate impact

With the help of his family and monetary donations from his neighbors, Watson launched the “Give-and-Go” Emergency Box project. Thirty SOEST undergraduate and graduate students recently received the first round of Give-and-Go boxes at no cost. The impact was immediate for Watson and the student recipients.

For Watson, the project gave him experience in planning and executing his vision. It also helped him build community with the people in his neighborhood and at UH Mānoa. And, he shared, “it felt good to spread aloha.”

In a follow-up survey, 100% of student recipients rated the boxes as a 5 out of 5 for usefulness, noting that the kits made them feel significantly more prepared. Furthermore, 97.5% of respondents noted that the boxes would help safeguard others in their households.

For cash-strapped students, the kits filled critical gaps. One student shared that they didn’t have spare batteries or blankets before receiving the box. While another noted, “All of our appliances in our apartment are electric, and so when we first went through a series of blackouts we had no battery lights or candles. So the headlights that were included were so, so helpful!”

Find more information on SOEST’s website.

—By Marcie Grabowski

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Incoming Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos announced on June 17 that UH Mānoa is now soliciting nominations for the position of interim provost. Syrmos, who has served as interim provost since July 2025, will officially begin his tenure as chancellor on July 1 following the UH Board of Regents’ approval of his appointment during a special meeting on June 4.

The provost serves as the chief academic officer responsible for student success, academic excellence and enrollment management. Filling the provost position will allow the incoming chancellor to focus on shaping a compelling vision and strategic direction for the future of the campus while overseeing an enterprise with an annual budget exceeding $800 million and more than 5,000 employees.

“We hope to have someone in this role before the beginning of the fall semester to ensure continuity in academic leadership,” Syrmos said in a June 16 email to the campus. “If you are interested or know someone who would be a strong candidate, we invite you to submit nominations or self-nominate for this interim position.”

A national search for a permanent provost will be launched during the upcoming academic year. The individual selected to serve as interim provost will be eligible to apply for the permanent position.

Ideal candidates

Ideal candidates will have an affiliation with UH and significant leadership or administrative experience in higher education. They should demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting UH students, faculty and the broader campus community, along with an understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges facing UH Mānoa.

Self-nominations should include a brief statement of interest (one page or less) and a current curriculum vitae. Individuals who are nominated and determined to be qualified will be contacted to confirm their interest.

To submit a nomination, including self-nominations, please email manoa.chancellor@hawaii.edu by July 1.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from the Office of Communications.

A Hawaiian Monk seal and her pup play in the shallow water. These photos were taken at a distance, and UH News wants to remind everyone to respect our wildlife by giving them the space to thrive.

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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.

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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.

Manakuke

—Mongoose.

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

“Ua holo ka Manakuke ma luna o ke alanui (The Manakuke ran across the road).”

—Noel Mendoza, 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 article by Native Hawaiian Initiative Alakaʻi (coordinator) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Kamakanaokealoha Aquino was first published in Ka Wai Ola on June 1.

A new graduate certificate in Indigenous Planning will be offered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. A partnership between the Department of Urban and Regional Planning in the College of Social Sciences and the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies in the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, this graduate-level certificate offers students and professionals an in-depth understanding of Indigenous Peoples, processes, and practices to enrich urban and regional planning.

Through planning and several consultations over the past 2 years, Priyam Das, a professor in urban and regional planning, and Konia Freitas, a specialist in Hawaiian studies, developed a program that will prepare students to engage respectfully with Indigenous worldviews, knowledge systems, and methodologies; to apply Indigenous and Hawaiian-informed approaches to land use, sustainability, housing, and community development; and to center planning practices around core values such as pilina, kuleana, and aloha, with a focus on ethics, equity, and inclusion.

Students and professional planners will be equipped with culturally grounded tools to navigate complex land-use, social, and environmental challenges. This certificate requires the completion of six courses: one required course in the foundations of Indigenous planning; one capstone course on an individual project of analysis, plan preparation, policy, and program evaluation; and selection of four elective courses from planning, Hawaiian studies, geography, law, natural resource management, political science, or Pacific Island Studies.

This new graduate certificate is the latest collaboration between the urban and regional planning and Hawaiian studies departments, which began in 2017, when both departments signed a memorandum of agreement allowing urban and regional planning graduate students to enroll in designated Hawaiian studies courses with prerequisites waived.

Then, in Fall 2022, a bachelor’s-to-master’s degree pathway was established. Students can pursue a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies through a master’s degree in urban and regional planning within a shorter timeframe of 5 years by double-counting up to three courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. Students are able to save money and time to enter the workforce.

These programs will help build capacity in the planning workforce in Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific that centers Indigenous values, concepts, and methodologies in the field of planning.

Ten University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student-athletes have been named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic At-Large All-District Team, honoring their achievements in the classroom and in competition.

The CSC Academic At-Large All-District Team recognizes student-athletes who maintain at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA while serving as starters or key contributors for their teams.

The 2026 UH honorees are:

• Gabrielle Doyle, women’s water polo
• Quintin Greenidge, men’s volleyball
• Julia Lawrenz, women’s beach volleyball
• Daisy Logtens, women’s water polo
• Raha Peiravani, women’s water polo
• Roni Perlman, women’s water polo
• Sydney Miller, women’s beach volleyball
• Nathan Szpakowicz, men’s golf
• Dane Watanabe, men’s golf
• James Whitworth, men’s golf

Several of the student-athletes also earned conference and national recognition during the 2026 season, including All-America honors, All-Big West selections and NCAA championship appearances.

The CSC Academic All-District program recognizes student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically and advances eligible honorees to consideration for Academic All-America honors.

For more information, visit the UH Athletics website.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been recognized among the world’s leading universities in the 2026–27 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities rankings released on June 16, reflecting its strong research performance and academic reputation. In addition, two subjects at UH’s flagship campus placed in the world’s top 50 and another four were ranked in the world’s top 150.

Overall, UH Mānoa placed in the top 2% internationally and top 4.3% nationally. UH Mānoa came in at No. 110 in the nation (out of more than 2,600 4-year institutions) and No. 482 worldwide (out of more than 25,000 worldwide colleges and universities).

Several disciplines were highly ranked in the best global universities subject rankings:

• No. 20—marine and freshwater biology
• No. 42—meteorology and atmospheric sciences
• No. 77 (tie)—space science
• No. 90—geosciences
• No. 140 (tie)—arts and humanities
• No. 144—ecology

The rankings assessed universities largely on research performance, global and regional reputation, publications and citations.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our faculty, students and staff to advancing knowledge that serves Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and communities around the world,” incoming UH Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “At UH Mānoa, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to learn through discovery, tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningful solutions that make a difference locally and globally.”

The U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings are designed to help prospective students compare institutions worldwide while highlighting universities with strong research programs and global impact.

Other recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 8, 2026
• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

A lifetime of service to Hawaiʻi agriculture earned retired University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa professor and former Maui County administrator Harold Keyser the 2026 Maui Legacy Farmer award. The retired soil microbiologist with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) was recognized for his contributions to agricultural education and community partnerships.

The honor was presented on May 30, 2026, during the 17th annual Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair. Held at the War Memorial Special Events Field, the celebration kicked off at the beloved Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast.

“I appreciate the diversity of the agriculture industry,” Keyser said. “I’m grateful to have played a part in strengthening and perpetuating it during my career.”

Lifetime of service to Maui agriculture

After joining CTAHR in 2002 and serving as Maui County administrator, Keyser became a champion for the local farming community. He provided essential, science-based perspectives on complex community issues, ranging from water rights to agricultural biotechnology.

During a challenging period of declining institutional funding, Keyser led a county government funding partnership. This collaborative milestone brought together the Maui County Farm Bureau, CTAHR, and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, securing long-term funding for cooperative extension programs and experiment stations.

In retirement, he continues to volunteer with community programs, offering pesticide safety training and helping establish the Kula School Agricultural Science Program at Kēōkea.

Today, Keyser’s deep agricultural legacy is carried forward by his son, Jonathan, who co-founded Native Nursery LLC in Kula, a business focused on native plant restoration.

Students from Kapolei and Radford High Schools got a firsthand look at careers in public health and social work during a visit to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health.

The students toured campus, met with faculty and students, and learned about academic and career pathways. Organizers said the initiative helps address workforce shortages in public health and social work by introducing students to career pathways that are often less familiar than other health professions.

Kapolei students Alina Follante-Makekau and Faith Madison Antonio, members of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi Student Advisory Board, helped organize the visit through their school’s Career and Technical Education pathway and the chamber’s workforce development program, with support from Sophia Wibholm, the chamber’s associate director of education.

“This event was so fun and can definitely serve as a model for how we regularly engage our local high school students,” said Yuka Polovina, a faculty member in the Department of Public Health Sciences. “I was so impressed with the organization and professionalism of the students—they came prepared with insightful questions about what it’s like to be in public health and social work.”

“These opportunities to engage high school students with college opportunities ground us in why we became educators—to broaden perspectives and help students see themselves in careers they may not have considered,” said Courtney Suma, Kapolei High School Career Academy Coordinator. “More importantly, in collaboration with our Chamber of Commerce partner and the UH, they support our community’s need for a strong, prepared workforce in public health and social work.”

Expanding opportunities

The program is expected to expand to additional schools, with another visit planned in fall 2026. Educators interested in organizing a tour may contact Wendy Lum at swhub@hawaii.edu.

Native Hawaiian adults experience mobility limitations—including challenges with agility, gait, balance and fall risk—at significantly higher rates and at younger ages than other major racial and ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi, according to new research from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hā Kūpuna National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders.

The study, published in the CDC’s Preventing Chronic Disease, analyzed mobility and functional limitations among adults aged 55 and older using data from the Hawaiʻi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System collected between 2019 and 2021.

Led by Miquela Ibrao, associate director of Hā Kūpuna and assistant professor in the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, the study found that 28% of Native Hawaiian adults ages 55 and older reported mobility limitations. In contrast, rates for White, Filipino and Japanese adults ranged from 17% to 19%. These disparities were evident even among those aged 55 to 64, suggesting that mobility challenges begin earlier than typically expected for Native Hawaiians.

“This study points to the need to assess mobility changes earlier than age 65,” said Ibrao. “Staying mobile is critical to living independently and maintaining social connections.”

Addressing health equity

The research team, which included Hā Kūpuna researchers Yan Yan Wu and Kathryn Braun, investigated how social determinants of health—such as income, education, health insurance access and neighborhood walkability—influence mobility.

For both Native Hawaiian and White adults, higher income was linked to lower rates of mobility limitations, underscoring the critical role economic factors play in healthy aging.

“We need more culturally grounded, community-based programs for Native Hawaiian adults,” added Ibrao. “These initiatives are essential to address social determinants of health and help kūpuna age with dignity, connection and independence in the communities they call home.”

Hā Kūpuna researchers hope the findings will inform policies and programs aimed at reducing health disparities and improving quality of life for Native Hawaiian older adults across the state.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will host a special public lecture by renowned minister and scholar Lawrence Edward Carter Sr.: “Moral Courage and Nonviolent Transformation.”

The event, sponsored by Sokka Gakai International–USA and the Tony Group Foundation, is free and open to the community. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, in the Architecture Auditorium on the UH Mānoa campus. Seats can be reserved online.

Interfaith dialogue, nonviolent conflict resolution

Carter, who served as the dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and a professor of religion at Morehouse College, will retire on June 30. His work has spanned decades, focusing on the intersection of religion, ethics and nonviolence.

At Morehouse, Carter founded the Gandhi King Ikeda Institute for Ethics and Reconciliation, which facilitates interfaith dialogue; nonviolent conflict resolution based on the philosophies of Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Buddhist peacebuilder Daisaku Ikeda; and the International Hall of Honor, a gallery featuring more than 300 portraits of global leaders dedicated to civil and human rights. He is also an acclaimed author, with works including A Baptist Preacher’s Buddhist Teacher and Global Ethical Options: In the Tradition of Gandhi, King, and Ikeda.

“It is an honor for us to welcome Dr. Carter to the UH Mānoa campus at the conclusion of his storied 40-plus year career in teaching, mentoring and global engagement,” said incoming UH Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis. L. Syrmos. “His lifelong commitment to foster global peace education and human rights is truly remarkable.”

Conversation: nonviolent transformation, moral courage of leadership

Following Carter’s presentation, the event will transition to a panel discussion moderated by Maya Soetoro of the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace. The panelists joining them are Brien Hallett of the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, Ann Hartman of East-West Center and Adin Strauss of Soka Gakkai International–USA. The conversation will touch upon the practical applications of nonviolent transformation in contemporary society and the role of moral courage in leadership.

After the discussion, Carter will be able to sign copies of A Baptist Preacher’s Buddhist Teacher, which will be available for purchase at the event. Furthermore, those in attendance will have the chance to secure one of five complimentary copies through a special drawing provided by the UH Bookstore.

The lecture is presented by the UH Mānoa Office of the Chancellor in coordination with the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, with support from the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, East-West Center, UH Mānoa College of Education, United Nations Association–Honolulu Chapter and Peacebuilding LLC.

As the economy rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence (AI), the Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training (PCATT) is bolstering local workforce readiness. The University of Hawaiʻi Community College consortium hosted the PCATT AI Summit 2026: AI for Action and Impact at the Ala Moana Hotel June 4–5, bringing together industry leaders, educators and UH professionals to tackle the evolving technological landscape.

Celebrating PCATT‘s 25th anniversary, the summit focused on four core pillars: Trust in AI, AI & The Future of Work, Public/Social Interest in AI, and The Mechanics of AI. The event emphasized the necessity of collaboration between local businesses and schools to advance AI literacy and create stable economic pathways in the islands.

UH System Senior Advisor to the President Kim Siegenthaler opened the gathering, emphasizing how artificial intelligence is actively reshaping Hawaiʻi‘s economy and workforce alignment.

Keynote speakers included Chris Barton, creator of Shazam (a breakthrough music recognition mobile application), and Dave Free of the Cisco Networking Academy, who offered strategies for innovation and adapting education training to rapid technological change.

Building a resilient workforce

“I was inspired by the discussions on finding the balance between leveraging AI‘s power while maintaining ethical standards and human connection,” said attendee Alexi Drouin. “As AI continues to change how we learn and work, it’s clear that our adaptability and human insights are more valuable than ever.”

For industry experts, the summit highlighted the necessity of bridging the gap between classroom training and real-world application.

“Attending the PCATT AI Summit was an incredible opportunity to engage with Hawaiʻi‘s tech educators and industry leaders,” noted Branden Baker of Intech Hawaiʻi. “Discussing how we can safely leverage AI to build a resilient workforce and diversify Hawaiʻi‘s economy is vital to our collective future.”

Lakshanya Krishnarajan, a healthcare IT professional, added, “The sessions provided deep insights into how AI is transforming education, cybersecurity and workforce development. From learning about trust in AI models to seeing real-world demos of how we can build practical digital prototypes, this summit provided actionable steps to bring back to our community.”

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) students showcased innovative solutions to real-world challenges during their Spring 2026 Capstone Project Day in May 2026.

The event featured poster presentations and demonstrations from undergraduate and graduate students who spent the semester collaborating with government agencies, private industry, nonprofit organizations and UH departments on projects designed to address practical needs across Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Projects ranged from integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools for legislative operations and developing cybersecurity training platforms for critical infrastructure systems to creating immersive educational experiences, analyzing environmental and fisheries data, tracking coffee provenance through blockchain technology and applying AI to agricultural research.

Capstone teams partnered with organizations including the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, Department of Defense, MITRE, Business Solution Technologies, Pacific Economics, Kahuku Apps, Blockchain in Paradise and the Waikīkī Aquarium. Additional collaborations involved UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Shidler College of Business, College of Engineering and College of Natural Sciences.

“Technology evolves quickly, but curiosity, creativity and collaboration remain essential skills,” said ICS Department Chair Guylaine Poisson. “These projects give students an opportunity to explore emerging technologies while developing the judgment and leadership abilities that will help them make meaningful contributions throughout their careers.”

Classroom knowledge, professional workplaces

The capstone program gives students opportunities to work directly with clients, define project requirements, develop software solutions and present their results to stakeholders. The experience mirrors professional workplace environments while allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to meaningful community, industry and government challenges.

Project Day also featured presentations from the Naval Information Warfare Center internship program at Kapiʻolani Community College and video games developed by students in the department’s Video Game Design courses.

The capstone program continues to serve as a bridge between the university and industry partners, providing organizations with innovative solutions while helping students build technical, communication and project management skills through hands-on experience.

The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is housed in UH Mānoa College of Natural Sciences.

Windward Community College gave artist Shar Tuiʻasoa a foundation, offering the accessibility and community support, which helped her define her path as a world-class illustrator. For Tuiʻasoa, of Punky Aloha Studio, Windward CC was more than just a school—it felt like a second home or “warm blanket.”

The college was also a hub of creativity that proved pivotal in her artistic journey. Since earning her art certificate in 2024, she has created vibrant work for global giants including Apple, Disney, Pixar and more.

“Community college gave me a place to land. It was a chance for me to try a few different things without having to fully commit, and really learning to enjoy that part of academia,” Tuiʻasoa said. “Having college outreach and the professors on campus really being involved and encouraging us, that was something I just wasn’t used to.”

The foundation formed at Windward CC continues to fuel her professional work, as she practices with her paints, exploring color theory.

“All of that really stems from that deeper understanding that Professor Snowden Hodges gave to us that he really instilled in us,” she said. “You’re surrounded by other people who are creative, like-minded people, and we kind of just gathered together and made a family.”

5th annual UH Alumni Makers’ Market

In 2026 Tuiʻasoa is bringing that connection to the 5th Annual UH Alumni Makers’ Market—an event dedicated to showcasing food, drinks and products from alumni-owned and -led businesses. Her design features the official colors of all 10 campuses and aims to capture a sense of place and of home.

“I’m so proud to have gone to Windward CC to be a part of the UH system. Just being able to continue being a part of that family, being in community with fellow alum, it just feels like a very full circle moment,” Tuiʻasoa said.

The 5th Annual UH Alumni Makers’ Market is set for Wednesday, July 29 at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikīkī. Tickets are still available, and include unlimited access to food and drink stations, and the opportunity to purchase merchandise.

Presented by the UH Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with the UH Alumni Association, a portion of the proceeds will go toward addressing current UH student needs statewide. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, email contact@uhalumni.org.

After more than three decades leading the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa sailing program, Andy Johnson has retired following a career that helped establish UH as a national contender in collegiate sailing while impacting generations of students on and off the water.

Johnson concluded his 36-year tenure as head coach in May after guiding the Rainbow Wahine to the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association Women’s Fleet Race National Championship Western Semifinals. He was also recently honored with the Campbell Family Award for Lifetime Service, recognizing his dedication and volunteerism in college sailing.

A former UH student-athlete who transferred to UH Mānoa in 1980, Johnson became head coach in 1990 after serving as a volunteer assistant. During his tenure, UH Mānoa captured two national championships—the women’s title in 2001 and the coed championship in 2004—while winning 21 Pacific Coast Collegiate Sailing Conference championships.

Johnson also spent decades working in UH Mānoa Student Recreation Services, where he helped shape the student experience beyond athletics. He oversaw programs that served nearly 1,000 students annually, managed recreational offerings including surfing and sailing lessons, and organized campus activities and events that encouraged student engagement.

“The job with the sailing team and with all the students that have worked for me these years has really been gratifying,” Johnson said. “It’s been a pretty cool ride.”

On the competitive side, Johnson guided UH Mānoa to 23 appearances at the women’s national championships, 20 coed fleet championship appearances, 13 singlehanded appearances and 12 team race appearances. He coached 18 All-Americans, with four former student-athletes advancing to the Olympic Games.

Johnson also played a key role in developing UH’s Marine Education and Training Center at Sand Island, which opened in 1995 and has hosted multiple national championship events.

“He gave me a love for not just the sport of college sailing, but the environment that it provided for us,” said Jesse Andrews, a former UH Mānoa All-American and now an assistant coach for the last 29 years. “I think that his biggest quality is just being able to get the team to grow together and support each other.”

Read the entire story on the UH Mānoa Athletics website.