Students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo agriculture college have started a medicinal garden on campus as an integral part of several sustainable gardens used as hands-on labs. The goal is to explore the medicinal plants of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region through the involvement of agriculture students, the university community and several community groups.

Led by Norman Arancon, professor of horticulture and the college’s director, the Medicinal Garden builds on years of hands-on learning in which students in his sustainable agriculture course have managed campus garden plots using sustainable growing practices.

“Our students [are] learning how to propagate and identify if some of our plants have some medical constituent compositions,” said Arancon. “It’s exciting. The students are not just learning from us. We also get some planting materials from the community and insights on what we can grow that they think will be to them.”

Lavender, thyme and learning

Arancon’s sustainable agriculture class (AG 230) developed three plots in the garden with medicinal plants such as thyme, ginger, tobacco, turmeric and lavender. Students in a weed science course (HORT 481) were challenged to identify plants commonly considered weeds and research their potential medicinal value.

As a culminating project, students transformed common weeds into medicinal products, including a tea made from invasive honohono grass traditionally used to support respiratory health.

Community and collaboration

The medicinal garden is a collaborative effort involving the agriculture college, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy and Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.

Pharmacy students examine the plants’ medicinal compounds, while the Hawaiian language college brings in community healers to share traditional knowledge of local and native plants.

“We hope healers from the community can also provide seminars on how to use the plants properly and prepare them for use at home,” Arancon said. “I’d love for more classes to be involved with the project in the future, such as introductory courses on horticulture or animal science, to learn about health benefits for farm animals or pets.”

—by Samantha Dane

For more go to UH Hilo Stories.

Local food entrepreneurs are getting a major boost to expand their products into large retail stores. A $25,000 grant from the Ulupono Fund at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation is lowering barriers for a dozen local businesses to use the state’s first commercial-scale high pressure processing (HPP) system.

The cutting-edge food preservation technology is housed at Leeward Community College’s Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC). It utilizes extremely high water pressure to eliminate harmful pathogens and spoilage microorganisms without heat, preservatives or additives. This unique process extends shelf life while fully preserving food freshness, flavor and nutritional quality.

The funding subsidizes up to $3,000 per company to offset the costly validation testing required to verify that HPP-treated products meet commercial food safety standards. These steep upfront costs often pose a significant barrier for small local producers looking to scale up production.

“Hawaiʻi’s long-term sustainability depends on strong local food systems and the entrepreneurs who drive them,” said Keith DeMello, senior vice president of communications and external affairs at Ulupono Initiative. “Programs like this help local producers transform Hawaiʻi-grown ingredients into value-added products that can reach more markets, creating new opportunities for farmers, food makers and our communities.”

• Interested food businesses can find more information online.

Boosting local food systems

The center celebrated this investment with a ceremony on June 5 honoring Da Tomato Guy, a local salsa company and the first business to complete the validation process using the grant.

“I’m grateful to the Ulupono Initiative for the support, which helps small businesses like mine grow beyond local markets and start reaching more customers,” said Danny Rudometkin, owner of Da Tomato Guy. “It’s exciting to think about our salsa being available in stores so more people across Hawaiʻi can enjoy it.”

The facility represents a collaborative investment bridging education, government and community resources.

“This support from the Ulupono Fund helps us expand access to specialized capabilities like HPP and strengthen the support system available to Hawaiʻi’s food producers,” said Carlos Peñaloza, chancellor of Leeward CC and interim chancellor of University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu.

Speakers at the celebration included Hawaiʻi State Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz; Dane Wicker, deputy director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Dana Okano, program director at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; and Chris Bailey, WVAPDC manager.

Honolulu Community College’s construction and trades programs received a $30,000 donation from Ward Village that will provide essential tool kits for students and updated educational resources. This contribution is part of a $120,000 charitable initiative the company announced on June 2, along with the grand opening of The Park Ward Village.

“We are deeply grateful for Ward Village’s investment in the future of our construction and trades students,” said Honolulu CC Chancellor Karen C. Lee. “Providing our learners with high-quality tools, equipment and educational resources is crucial to their education, and this support helps ensure they are well-prepared for successful careers in Hawaiʻi’s workforce.”

Other gift recipients included Residential Youth Services & Empowerment in support of its Beretania Street capital project, Aloha for Hawaiʻi for Kona low flood recovery assistance, and Re-Use Hawaiʻi for sustainability-focused reuse efforts serving Kakaʻako and Ward Village.

Adjacent to Victoria Ward Park, The Park Ward Village includes 546 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, as well as more than 30,000 square feet of new retail and dining. It is Ward Village’s ninth residential tower.

Spring 2026 graduates of the Global Environmental Science (GES) undergraduate program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa took with them a bachelor’s degree and real-world, hands-on experiences with research that benefits communities and ecosystems in Hawaiʻi and far beyond.

Through the GES program in the Department of Oceanography at the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), students including Makana Andrade and Micah Soriano, engaged in original research, wrote a senior thesis and presented their findings at a research symposium.

“I congratulate all our spring graduates on successfully completing their required faculty-mentored thesis experience,” said Michael Guidry, chair of the GES Program. “As with all our GES graduates and their thesis work, Makana’s and Micah’s findings demonstrate how the research efforts of UH Mānoa undergraduates provide new insights and solutions to important issues and train the next generation of problem solvers.”

Makana Andrade

Andrade was born and raised on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. During his second year of transfer to UH Mānoa, he started working on his thesis with his mentor, Travis Idol, associate professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management in the UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. His thesis focused on the response of Acacia koaia, a tree endemic to Hawaiʻi, to nursery practices done on similar species, specifically Acacia koa. Andrade’s study examined koaiʻa’s growth patterns from seed to seedling to determine its preferred soil type, nutrient uptake, and watering requirements, in an effort to ensure they are readily available for population revitalization.

After graduation, Andrade hopes to continue pursuing his passion for the conservation of Hawaiian endemic species and working in the wilderness.

Micah Soriano

As a GES student with a passion for chemistry, Soriano reached out to SOEST oceanography professor Nick Hawco and joined the Hawco Lab the summer after his sophomore year. Since then, Soriano has helped with various projects, gaining valuable experience. For his senior research thesis, Soriano explored how vitamin B12 availability in the Southern Ocean limits how effectively diatoms, a type of phytoplankton, can process and use essential metals for growth.

After graduation, he plans to work for a year or two before continuing his academic studies.

For more information, see SOEST’s website.

Beginning this fall, Hawaiʻi Community College’s Kō Education Center in Honokaʻa will offer a new pathway for North Hawaiʻi students to begin college close to home through the “First Year Here at Kō” program. Participating students will also have access to academic advising, tutoring, student support services, and small class sizes without the need for a long commute.

The program allows students to complete their first year of general education courses locally through face-to-face morning classes designed to assist students balancing academics, work, family and community commitments. The program also gives students an opportunity to explore future academic and career pathways while completing transferable general education coursework.

“The First Year Here at Kō provides students in this region the opportunity to begin their college journey close to home while saving time and money,” said Sandy Ott, Kō Education Center’s campus operations coordinator. “This program creates a supportive transition into college life while allowing students to stay connected to their families, community and local support systems.”

• Applications for the fall 2026 semester are due August 1.

Helping Hāmākua Coast residents

The initiative was developed in response to community conversations and the growing need for accessible higher education opportunities along the Hāmākua Coast. By offering full-time enrollment options locally, the program aims to help students build confidence, form meaningful relationships with classmates and instructors, and receive the support needed during the critical first year of college.

“First Year Here at Kō reflects our commitment to meeting students where they are geographically, academically and personally,” said Jace Saplan, Hawaiʻi CC dean of liberal arts and sciences. “This initiative allows students to begin with foundational general education courses that can move with them into many different majors, while also building relationships with faculty, counselors, staff and community partners.”

The pilot program is designed to serve up to 20 students during its first year. After completing their first year at Kō, students may continue their studies at Hawaiʻi CC’s Manono campus in Hilo or the Pālamanui campus in Kona, depending on their academic program and personal circumstances.

“My hope is that ‘First Year Here at Kō’ becomes a clear invitation for students to see Hawaiʻi Community College as part of their community, and to see their own education as something that can grow from these opportunities,” said Saplan.

To learn more about the program visit the Hawaiʻi CC website, or contact Ott by email cdott@hawaii.edu or phone (808) 775-8890.

As Hawaiʻi works to eliminate more than 83,000 cesspools by 2050, Hawaiʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College are preparing the workforce needed to help make it happen. The colleges launched the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Specialist Certificate, a one-year program preparing students for careers in cesspool conversion and sustainable wastewater installation.

The 23-credit certificate combines coursework in design, construction and sustainability with experiential learning. As demand grows, this program builds the local workforce vital for protecting Hawaiʻi’s environment and public health.

• Applications are open for the August 2026 cohort

“I really enjoy the mix of theoretical and practical information that the course provides. We’ve learned about how various wastewater treatment systems operate, and also have had many opportunities to learn from professionals in the field, and visit various facilities,” said student Marina Kukso. “I hope to join the wastewater industry after this program, so this certificate has been the perfect springboard to help me fulfill my goals.”

Flooding, aging infrastructure, need for professionals

Recent flooding events have highlighted the vulnerabilities of aging infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for skilled professionals to replace systems and meet the 2050 mandate.

“The cesspool issue is complex, and will require a multitude of different stakeholders working together to find solutions,” said Charlotte Cheek, project coordinator and Hawaiʻi CC instructor. “The certificate was created in response to the growing need for more wastewater professionals in our communities. The courses educate students about the issues and solutions and connect them with wastewater professionals all over Hawaiʻi.”

Financial assistance is available. For more details, email Cheek at cheekc@hawaii.edu or visit the Hawaiʻi CC website.

Three students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are spending one year focusing on critical marine policy issues in Washington, D.C. representing the UH Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) as 2026 Sea Grant Knauss Fellows.

Gabrielle Ellis

Ellis completed her PhD in biological oceanography in spring 2025, for which she received the Mirikitani Outstanding Dissertation Award. Her dissertation provides baseline ecological descriptions of remote and unexplored habitats of the deep sea, and considers how resilient these habitats are to natural variation and human-induced impacts.

“If I have learned anything through my research as a deep-sea scientist, it is the power of transparent, long-term data in elevating science and protecting important ecosystems,” said Ellis. “I am so excited to witness this through NOAA’s Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program, and I am honored to be working with the international and multistakeholder network of the Arctic Research Program.”

Jonathan Rosen

Rosen began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer as a coastal resource manager, and continued this work in Hawaiʻi supporting the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds and monitoring endangered species in the remote atolls of Papahānaumokuākea. He earned his master’s degree in marine biology as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow studying the impacts of marine heatwaves on fish physiology.

“To me, this feels like a once in lifetime opportunity to expand my experiences and expertise by working alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ecological Services Headquarters,” Rosen said. “Through this fellowship I hope to apply my experience in conservation, research and communication towards the implementation of legislation on national conservation priorities, including the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.”

Sarah Woo

Woo is currently a PhD candidate in the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Department at UH Mānoa focusing on collaborative community-based research, management and governance. Her graduate research is based in Kāneʻohe Bay, working alongside the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve and regional generational lawaiʻa (fishers), marine scientists who work in the Bay, and resource management agencies.

“I feel extremely grateful to have been selected to represent Hawaiʻi as a Knauss Legislative Fellow in Sen. Brian Schatz’s office focusing on topics such as oceans, climate, fisheries, and water, and assisting with appropriations and science legislation,” said Woo. “Growing up in the Pacific Northwest’s Washington, I never expected to live and work in Washington, D.C., but am excited for this new adventure to learn about the federal government so that I can come back home to Hawaiʻi after and apply what I have learned to support community needs.”

For more information, see Hawaiʻi Sea Grant’s website.

For Windward Community College veterinary technology students, job searching doesn’t come after earning a diploma. The path to employment is fast-tracked thanks to the annual Perfect+Match networking event, which connects first-year students with top clinics, often creating employment opportunities before they finish their studies.

The most recent event, held on May 5, did not disappoint. Class president Ashleigh Long met Kenny Lum, director of human resources and marketing at Veterinary Solutions, and walked away from the event with both an internship and a job offer.

This immediate employment success is a hallmark of Windward CC‘s AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program—the only one of its kind in Hawaiʻi. The program replaces uncertainty with expertise, ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one.

Real-world training

Students dive into intensive, real-world training, tackling everything from surgical assistance and radiology to specialized exotic animal nursing. It was a transformative journey for second-year student Maluhia MacPherson, who grew up loving animals on a farm.

MacPherson said, “I overcame my fear of placing an IV catheter with the support of my instructors, classmates and lots of hands-on experience.”

Windward CC graduates approximately 20 highly skilled veterinary paraprofessionals each year.

To learn more, attend the next information session on June 12.

&#8212By Carolynn Yamada

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Army ROTC Warrior Battalion honored outstanding cadets during its annual awards ceremony on May 7, recognizing achievement, leadership and dedication throughout the academic year.

About 20 cadets from the battalion’s 132 members received awards for demonstrating excellence in academics, military training, community service and leadership. The recognition reflects the program’s ongoing commitment to developing future Army officers and leaders.

“These awards celebrate more than individual achievements; they recognize the teamwork our cadets demonstrated over the past two semesters,” said Patrick Kelley, professor of military science. “I am proud of them and excited to witness them transform into the next generation of America’s leaders.”

UH President Wendy Hensel attended the ceremony and congratulated cadets for their leadership, discipline and commitment to service.

“I am incredibly proud of our UH Mānoa ROTC program and its 112-year legacy of developing generations of servant-minded cadets and officers,” Hensel said. “Keep leading the way. Ikaika Imua (Go forward with strength)!”

Warrior Battalion leaders expressed appreciation for cadre, families, alumni and supporters whose mentorship and encouragement help cadets succeed on campus and in military training.

View more photos of the awards ceremony.

The University of Hawaiʻi is extending UH Maui College’s successful Hoapili Teacher Pathways program statewide across all 10 UH campuses to combat the critical teacher shortage across the islands. This systemwide collaboration offers a clear and supported pathway for Hawaiʻi residents to earn their elementary education teacher license, including tuition-free courses.

The Hoapili program, launched in 2023, has already demonstrated its effectiveness by helping more than 60 students earn their teacher licensure and education fields. The initiative has served more than 360 students, attracting non-traditional students such as long-term substitute teachers, educational assistants, emergency hires, and parents in both Hawaiian and English educational contexts. UH is scaling this proven model statewide to “grow our own” kumu (teachers) on every island.

A dedicated program coordinator and campus counselors work one-on-one with students to build a tailored academic plan. To learn more or apply, visit UHKumu.org.

Eliminating financial barriers

Guided by the mission, “I ulu nō ka lālā i ke kumu”—Our keiki grow because of their kumu,” the pathways program is designed to eliminate common financial and geographical barriers. Core courses toward elementary education teacher licensure are offered tuition-free and delivered entirely online, with classes intentionally scheduled during after-work hours to accommodate full-time working adults balancing busy lifestyles.

Students can enroll full- or part-time, and there are no prerequisites required to join. The program also provides free substitute teaching certifications and free para-educator testing (ParaPro Assessment) for those seeking immediate entry into the workforce. Participants can start at any UH Community College and seamlessly transfer to a four-year UH campus”—including UH Hilo, UH Mānoa and UH West Oʻahu—to complete a bachelor of education degree in elementary education.

“The Hoapili program began as a way to provide a bridge to teacher licensure for individuals who are passionate about education but unable to attend college in the traditional sense,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for the UH Community Colleges. “Expanding this proven, Maui-born solution to all 10 campuses allows us to scale our efforts and build a robust, sustainable pipeline of local teachers for schools across the state.”

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Esports Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa delivered a keynote address at the 2026 Academic Esports Seminar (AES), one of the largest gatherings of esports researchers in the world, bringing international attention to Hawaiʻi’s expanding role in esports education, research and industry development.

Held over three days in May 2026 at the University of Agder in Grimstad, Norway, the conference brought together approximately 50 researchers, educators, industry leaders and practitioners from around the globe to explore esports’ connections to education, health, policy, innovation and digital society.

Hawaiʻi’s unique position in global esports collaboration

Kauweloa, who also participated in a panel on esports, multiculturalism and diplomacy, delivered a keynote presentation focused on how island communities such as Hawaiʻi can play a unique role in shaping the future of global esports by fostering collaboration, cultural exchange and innovation across international networks.

“Hawaiʻi and the University of Hawaiʻi are helping shape the future of esports on a global scale,” Kauweloa said. “The conversations taking place at AES show that esports is no longer viewed as a niche activity, but as an emerging industry and research field. UH is building partnerships, creating opportunities for students and contributing knowledge that is helping position Hawaiʻi as a leader in this space.”

The three-day seminar featured scholars and practitioners from countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with research sessions examining topics ranging from grassroots esports development and student learning to health, inclusion and international collaboration.

Organized by the Future Lab for Research in Academic Esports, AES 2026 included seven research sessions, three keynote presentations and three international panels focused on the future of esports and its impact on digitally connected communities.

UH Esports is one of the nation’s leading collegiate esports programs, with more than 100 student-athletes competing nationally and internationally. This academic year, UH Mānoa’s Rocket League team captured a national championship in its first season of competition.

Visit the UH esports team’s X and Discord pages. More stories on UH’s esports program.

A rare century-old collection of South Asian lithographs and manuscripts is now available online to researchers and the public through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hamilton Library, with the launch of its Hindu Gods and Goddesses Digital Image Collection.

Created in 1903 by Atul K. Basu, the collection includes 35 lithographic prints and three typed manuscripts documenting Hindu mythology and religious narratives. Twenty-nine of the lithographs feature Bengali text with handwritten pencil transliterations, adding another layer of historical significance.

Collaboration, technological advances

The digitization project brought together librarians, archivists, technologists and students across Hamilton Library.

“Working on this project was my first experience contributing to the creation of a digital collection and a meaningful opportunity to apply metadata and collaboration in practice,” library and information science intern Munju Kim said.

Kim helped digitize the collection and developed its descriptive materials under the mentorship of IT Specialist Alisa Kwok, who led the digitization effort.

Metadata Librarian Stasha Gardasevic said the project also explored new technological approaches for digital collections.

“This project served as an excellent testbed for exploring the use of AI in supporting digital collections discovery with the transcription of non-Latin scripts,” Gardasevic said. “Gemini Pro did an excellent job interpreting Bengali script.”

Web Developer and Digital Collections Manager Daniel Ishimitsu helped publish the collection online, while Monica Ghosh, chair of the Asia Collection and South Asia Studies librarian, contributed language expertise and subject knowledge throughout the project.

The digital collection is expected to support future research in Hindu mythology, South Asian religious traditions, art history and visual culture.

Explore more on the collection at Hamilton Library.

Column by University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana was published by The Maui News on May 28, 2026.

“E kaupē no i ka hoe a kō mai.” Every paddler—every member of any team—is likely familiar with this ʻolelo noʻeau (Hawaiian poetic saying) which translates literally to “Put forward the paddle and draw it back.” More generally, the beautiful mana’o expressed is, “Go on with the task that is started and finish it.”

This was the theme for our Spring 2026 Commencement held earlier this month. Six hundred and fifty certificates and degrees were conferred in disciplines ranging from automotive technology to nursing to creative media and everything in between. In attendance were families, friends, teachers, and counselors—the teammates who paddled with our graduates all along the way.

Commencement speaker Mayor Richard Bissen took up the theme during his inspiring address. “Paddling is not about one powerful stroke. It is about discipline, steady effort, consistency, and continuing forward even when you feel you have nothing left to give. And that sounds a lot like the journey many of you took to get here today.”

That description surely fit most of our graduates and none more so than Johrae Pumehana Park, who was awarded her Master’s Degree in Education. She overcame what seemed like insurmountable odds to reach her milestone.

Born and raised in Hāna, she had to cut short her college tenure on the Mainland to return home and help her family. She was soon the single mother of three children.

“Pūnana Leo (Hawaiian language immersion pre-school) was established in Hāna in 2016 and my daughter Kaia was in the first class,” says Pumehana. “I love my Hawaiian culture and grew up doing a lot of Hawaiian things, but not really learning and speaking the language. After volunteering at Pūnana Leo, I realized I wanted to speak my language and perpetuate my culture by teaching the next generation. I started taking Hawaiian language classes in Hāna through UH Maui College SkyBridge distance learning and never stopped. I enrolled at UHMC for Gen Ed classes online through Hoapili Pathway.” The Hoapili Teacher Pathway program helps those interested in becoming licensed teachers by providing free substitute certification, tuition-free coursework, academic advising, support, and professional development.

“It was all lining up! I took all the Hoapili classes I could. I learned about the BAM (Bachelors and Masters Degrees with Teaching License) and I went for it. I transferred to UH Mānoa and was so fortunate to be able to do all my classes online. This was a game changer for me. I could work, take care of my family, and still complete my education,” says Pumehana.

It may sound like pretty smooth sailing but here’s that first big obstacle. Four years ago, her then 13-year-old son was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, an illness she knew nothing about. Numerous tests on Maui and Oʻahu did not provide answers.

“We took a leap of faith and went to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford in California (they spent ten months there) where we learned my son needed a stem cell transplant. By the grace of God, his 10-year-old sister was his perfect match. She courageously gave her stem cells and with lots of prayers, he recovered! He has been healthy ever since,” says Pumehana.

But… “That same year we were told we needed to move out of the house where I lived my whole life,” says Pumehana. “With the help of ʻohana and the community we moved to a new place in Kula to be closer to doctors and my new job as a teacher at King Kekaulike High School. We’ve also established a farm with goats, pigs, rabbits, dogs and a cow, and we grow ʻuala, kalo, banana and my new hobby, succulents.”

Pumehana plans to spend part of the summer in Japan where she will teach hula to elementary school students in Kyoto and explore the country before returning to her first job as a licensed teacher. “I want to go back to school in a year or so to pursue my PhD in Hawaiian Studies. I love learning, I love experiencing new things and I know higher education is where I can get that.”

It seems Pumehana always has a smile on her face. Positivity surrounds her. “I want others to know that education is for everyone and it’s something no one can take from you. It’s yours and it’s what you make it. If you are curious or have always wanted to go back to school, old or young, DO IT! The things Iʻve learned and people Iʻve connected with are priceless and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” What better endorsement than that. And, apparently, absolutely no obstacle is truly insurmountable.

For information about the Hoapili Teacher Pathway Program, please visit https://sites.google.com/hawaii.edu/uhmc-teacher-pathway-program/tuition-free-coursework For complete information about UH Maui College, please visit https://maui.hawaii.edu/.

Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. Kaʻana Manaʻo, which means “sharing thoughts,” is scheduled to appear on the fourth Thursday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County with information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.

Maui residents can now pursue careers in respiratory therapy and radiologic technology without having to relocate to Oʻahu. Maui Health and the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges have partnered to launch two Maui-based degree programs.

The dedicated Maui cohort programs, offered through Kapiʻolani Community College, are designed to create accessible pathways to high-demand, living wage careers.

“Kapiʻolani Community College is proud to expand healthcare workforce opportunities by offering the respiratory care practitioner and radiologic technologist programs beginning fall of 2026,” said Karen Boyer, dean of health academic programs. “These programs will help address critical healthcare workforce shortages in Hawaiʻi while providing students with accessible pathways to high-demand, living wage healthcare careers.”

Students in both programs will complete a combination of online, in-person and hybrid coursework, including hands-on clinical training conducted at Maui Memorial Medical Center. To further remove financial obstacles, the Maui Health Foundation is offering scholarships that may cover 100% of direct education costs, including tuition, fees, books and supplies for the professional program.

Applications for the Maui cohort are available through the Kapiʻolani CC website, with a deadline of May 31. Scholarship applications are due June 20, 2026. Visit Maui Health’s website for more information, including links to program and scholarship applications.

‘Milestone moment’

“This is a milestone moment for Maui and an example of what can happen when community partners come together to invest in our people and our future,” said Wade Ebersole, interim CEO of Maui Health. “These programs open doors for local residents to pursue stable, well-paying healthcare careers, while also strengthening the pipeline of professionals who are committed to serving Maui’s community.”

Both pathways lead to a two-year associate in science degree. With minimal prerequisites often completed in one to two semesters, graduates can be prepared to enter the workforce in approximately 2.5 to 3 years. This rapid turnaround is essential to filling critical shortages in respiratory care and medical imaging roles across Maui. Graduates are positioned for strong earning potential, with starting wages for these roles exceeding $42 per hour.

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to strengthening Maui’s healthcare workforce and ensuring high-quality care for its residents.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo College of Business and Economics (CoBE) honored emeritus faculty member Benjamin Zenk at CoBE Business Night 2026 with the inaugural Marcia Sakai Excellence in Service Award. With more than three decades at UH Hilo, Sakai helped shape CoBE into a leading business school.

“We hold a distinction that places us in the top 6% of business schools globally,” said Todd Inouye, director at CoBE.

The standing comes through accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, considered the highest standard for business schools worldwide. Sakai led the effort to secure the accreditation in 2005, helping elevate CoBE onto the global stage. She served as the college’s first dean when CoBE was formally established in 2004 and later became interim chancellor of UH Hilo in 2017.

Future business leaders

What makes Business Night unique is that CoBE students don’t just attend—they lead. Seniors in the Strategy Capstone course spend the semester managing vendors, negotiating budgets and running the show.

Student organizer Hayate Moro, a finance major, saw the impact firsthand.

“Networking events like these help to slowly dissipate the invisible wall between classroom lectures and the real business world,” Moro said. “Sometimes a single conversation can open the door to a lifelong mentor or a career-changing internship.”

The event also highlights top-tier academic achievement through the Beta Gamma Sigma inductions, recognizing the top 10% of business students at UH Hilo.

For more go to Kūkala Nūhou.

The University of Hawaiʻi has launched the Next Step Scholarship to encourage UH Community College students who earned an associate degree during the 2025–26 academic year—or completed enough credits in an eligible pathway or major—to continue their education at one of the university’s four-year campuses. Eligible students from one of UH’s seven community colleges are already automatically accepted to a UH four-year school through a streamlined process that waives the application fee and eliminates the need to submit a new application.

Now, through the Next Step Scholarship, students enrolled full time (12 or more credits) during the fall 2026 semester at UH Hilo, UH Mānoa, UH Maui College or UH West Oʻahu will receive a $2,000 scholarship, while part-time students enrolled in 6 to 11 credits will receive $1,000.

“Transitioning to a four-year university is a significant milestone, and we are committed to making that next step as seamless and affordable as possible,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “These students have already demonstrated their commitment and academic readiness through their success at our community colleges. The Next Step Scholarship helps ensure finances do not stand in the way of completing their degrees and achieving their goals.”

Encouragement to continue education

All UH associate degree graduates who qualified for automatic admission were emailed information about the new scholarship on May 15. The scholarship has been automatically awarded to 438 students who had already begun the transfer process, while another 1,156 students are eligible.

“For students who were automatically admitted but have not yet committed to a UH four-year campus, we hope this scholarship provides an added incentive to continue their education,” said Hensel. “This scholarship is one example of the new strategies we are testing to expand access, increase enrollment, strengthen educational attainment and help build the workforce our state needs. It is good for our students and good for Hawaiʻi.”

All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), if they have not already done so. While FAFSA is not required to receive the Next Step Scholarship, it can unlock additional federal, state and institutional financial aid that may be combined with the scholarship.

Students with questions about their automatic admission or the enrollment process are encouraged to contact the admissions office at their chosen UH four-year campus.

• UH Hilo
• UH Mānoa
• UH Maui College
• UH West Oʻahu

Just days after celebrating 589 graduates at its spring 2026 commencement—including 506 bachelor’s degrees, nearly 200 first-generation college students and a class spanning ages 19 to 79—the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has been selected as one of 17 rural-serving public universities nationwide to join the inaugural Rural Student Success Network. UH Hilo is the only institution from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region named to the cohort.

The new initiative, led by Ithaka S+R in partnership with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, is aimed at helping more students from rural communities reach that graduation milestone. Funded by a two-year grant from the ECMC (Educational Credit Management Corporation) Foundation’s Rural Impact Initiative, the network brings together bachelor’s-degree-granting, rural-serving institutions from 12 states committed to strengthening student success and economic mobility in the communities they serve.

“Every graduate who crossed our stage this month is proof that rural-serving institutions change lives,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “This network gives us a powerful new chance to learn alongside peer institutions and make sure more of our students get the milestone the Class of 2026 just had.”

Focus on transfer students and workforce needs

Over the next 18 months, participating institutions will engage in peer learning, data-informed self-assessment and targeted technical assistance across the network’s three priority areas: helping community college transfer students complete their bachelor’s degrees, re-engaging adult learners and aligning academic programs with regional workforce needs.

UH Hilo will focus on the transfer and workforce tracks—work that naturally encompasses the adult learners returning to finish a degree they once started.

Aligning degrees with Hawaiʻi Island careers

Each campus receives a $15,000 subgrant from Ithaka S+R, plus customized analyses comparing academic offerings against local labor market demand. The network’s tailored analysis will examine how UH Hilo’s degree offerings align with employer demand across the island’s healthcare, education, agriculture and sustainability sectors.

“This is about strengthening the bridge between a student starting at a UH Community College and one walking across the UH Hilo stage with a bachelor’s degree,” Irwin said. “It’s about the working parent who left UH Hilo three years ago and is wondering whether they can come back. It’s about making sure the degree we offer is the one our island’s employers are actually hiring for. The work doesn’t change who we are—it sharpens it.”

A service dog who supported nursing students and faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo School of Nursing became an honorary member of the Class of 2026 at the school’s Spring Nursing Pinning Ceremony.

Liam, a service dog belonging to Assistant Professor Tracy Thornett, crossed the stage wearing a custom stole after spending the past two years attending lectures, labs and clinical rotations alongside students. The senior class voted to pin Liam during the ceremony in recognition of the comfort and support he brought to the cohort.

“He’s literally the best dog I’ve ever had,” said Thornett.

From reject to service dog

Born in Pāpaʻikou, Liam was unable to be registered with the American Kennel Club because of an overbite. Thornett originally planned for him to become a therapy dog, but those plans changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and a difficult period in her personal life as she cared for her mother during cancer treatment outside Hawaiʻi.

“I just felt myself unraveling,” Thornett said. With support from her doctor, Liam became her official service dog.

A classroom companion with lasting impact

Liam helped Thornett continue teaching while also becoming a familiar presence for nursing students. She introduced him to her junior nursing class in fall 2024 and openly shared how his companionship supported her mental health and well-being.

Liam later became a staple in nursing labs and classrooms, where students said he helped demonstrate the compassion and human connection central to healthcare.

“He reminds me how to do that over and over again,” Thornett said.

Read the full story at Kūkala Nūhou.

The Honolulu Community College student club, Hawaii Advanced Technology Society (HATS), placed fourth nationally in the 2026 National Cyber League Competition (NCL). They vied against more than 3,700 university teams from two-year and four-year institutions across the country.

“Working through real-world challenges alongside teammates teaches you things you can’t fully get from a classroom alone, how to trust each other, think under pressure, and grow as a team,” HATS President Nicholas Anich said. “I’m proud of how we performed, and even prouder of the community HATS has built: a group of students who genuinely show up for one another.”

The NCL Competition held in April challenged participants with cybersecurity scenarios, testing essential skills for the IT and cybersecurity workforce. The HATS team was composed of students from Honolulu CC’s Computing, Security & Networking Technologies (CSNT) program, along with CSNT alumni now attending the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oahu.

“NCL was a great competition to hone and apply the skills I’ve picked up both inside and outside of the classroom,” Anich said. “HATS, the club that competes in events like this, has truly been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Honolulu CC.”

Years of work

He credited mentors Gerome Catbagan, Jayson Hayworth and Bradley Ramos for their support. Former HATS president Jordan Yamaguchi said the placement was a result of years of effort.

“As the former HATS president, participating in this NCL competition felt like the culmination of all of our current and former HATS members’ hard work,” Yamaguchi said. “We spent several semesters together learning about the different categories in the competition and working out different techniques we could use to help us score higher, so placing fourth in the nation feels incredibly rewarding.”

In 2025, the team earned second place in the At-Large Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, part of the national Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) program. Through competitions such as NCL and CCDC, Honolulu CC students continue to gain hands-on experience while bringing recognition to the college on a national stage.

—By Amelia Oldham

A group of culinary arts students from Leeward Community College is preparing to travel to Lyon, France, next summer for an immersive educational experience in one of the world’s most celebrated culinary destinations.

The trip, scheduled for summer 2027, will allow eight students to experience French cuisine, culture and culinary traditions firsthand while learning from chefs and food professionals in what has been called the gastronomic capital of France.

“For me, when it comes to France, the number one thing I can think of is the pastries they have,” said culinary student Rhiannah Khimberlie Mae Ulit. “As someone interested in baking, I’m most excited to see and learn authentic and new techniques they have in that field.”

Student Ralf Adriane Bartolome said the opportunity represents more than just international travel.

“France has one of the most significant influences in the culinary world,” Bartolome said. “Traveling to France would give me the chance to learn more about their cuisine and other culinary techniques that they use.”

Advancing global culinary education

The France trip advances Leeward CC’s growing emphasis on global culinary education, following last year’s visit to Japan—the program’s first international learning opportunity for students. To build on that momentum, the department hosted a fundraiser in March to help cover expenses for the trip to France.

These opportunities complement the hands-on training students already receive, and expose students to experiences that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting.

“One of the strengths of our program is the variety of extracurricular activities we can provide to the students,” said Matt Egami, culinary arts program coordinator. “This gives them opportunities to experience the industry and the world in ways they may not have thought possible before.”

Egami added, “The inspiration and passion that this will unlock in our students will hopefully encourage them to believe in an expanded realm of possibilities for themselves.”

To support the student trip to France, donate to the Leeward Community College Food Service Enhancement Fund.

—by Devon Bedoya