The University of Hawaiʻi celebrated the accomplishments of spring 2012 graduates at commencement ceremonies that took place systemwide.

Spring Commencement 2012

Anxious and eager Maui College graduates examine the commencement program, waiting for their names to be called

Spring Commencement 2012

Happy graduates at Maui College´s commencement ceremony on May 13

Spring Commencement 2012

Maui College celebrated commencement on May 13

Spring Commencement 2012

A bird´s-eye view of UH Manoa´s undergraduate class of 2012 during commencement on May 12

Spring Commencement 2012

Leeward CC celebrated commencement on Friday, May 11

Spring Commencement 2012

A bird´s-eye view of UH Manoa´s commencement ceremony for candidates with advanced degrees

Spring Commencement 2012

UH Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw is presented with a gift during Manoa´s commencement ceremony from the campus´ deans and directors for her service to the university

Spring Commencement 2012

A Leeward CC graduate is on top of the world

Spring Commencement 2012

Leeward CC celebrated commencement on Friday, May 11

Spring Commencement 2012

A proud UH Hilo pharmacy graduate

Spring Commencement 2012

A joyous Honolulu CC graduate

Spring Commencement 2012

Honolulu CC´s commencement was held at the Waikiki Shell and was themed "Seize Your Destiny"

Spring Commencement 2012

Honolulu CC graduate shares a laugh with a friend

Spring Commencement 2012

Windward CC students Pu´u Zablan, Kaulana McCabe and Hawaiian language instructor Kalani Kuloloia perform a salute to the graduates (photo by Bonnie Beatson)

Spring Commencement 2012

Windward CC Chancellor Douglas Dykstra congratulates Hannah Carroll, one of the campus´ 207 graduates (photo by Bonnie Beatson)

Spring Commencement 2012

Friends and family congratulate this UH West O´ahu graduate following commencement exercises on May 12

Spring Commencement 2012

Happy UH West O´ahu graduates celebrate after commencement on May 12

Spring Commencement 2012

The Windward CC Hawaiian language class presents an oli ka´i na haumana during their spring 2012 commencement ceremony (photo by Mikki O´Phelan)

Spring Commencement 2012

A happy UH West O´ahu graduate with family following commencement exercises on May 12

Spring Commencement 2012

‪UH Manoa´s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology‬ graduates celebrated at spring commencement on May 12

Spring Commencement 2012

UH Manoa´s ‪School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology‬ graduates celebrated at spring commencement on May 12

Spring Commencement 2012

UH Hilo School of Pharmacy´s commencement ceremony on May 12 at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium

Spring Commencement 2012

UH Hilo School of Pharmacy´s commencement ceremony on May 12 at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium

Spring Commencement 2012

The UH Manoa nursing undergraduate class of 2012

Spring Commencement 2012

The UH Manoa nursing masters and PhD class of 2012

Spring Commencement 2012

The UH Manoa dental hygiene undergraduate class of 2012

Spring Commencement 2012

The UH Manoa dental hygiene class officers with Instructor Julee Omori, Dean Mary Bolan and Assistant Professor Patsy Fujimoto

Spring Commencement 2012

The UH Manoa nursing undergraduate class officers with Dean Mary Bolan and Department Chair and Associate Professor Clementia Ceria-Ulep

Spring Commencement 2012

Graduates from UH Manoa´s information and computer science department.

Spring Commencement 2012

The spring commencement ceremony for Kaua´i Community College was held on Friday, May 11

Spring Commencement 2012

UH Manoa students receive their master´s of library and information science

Spring Commencement 2012

The faculty and staff of Kaua´i CC participate in the commencement ceremony held on Friday, May 11

Spring Commencement 2012

Graduating students in UH Manoa´s library and information science program celebrated with their own ceremony

Spring Commencement 2012

America the Beautiful in a place called Kapi´olani Community College

Spring Commencement 2012

A trio of beaming Kapi´olani Community College graduates

Spring Commencement 2012

A moment of reflection for Kapi´olani Community College honor graduates

Spring Commencement 2012

Kaua´i Community College´s Debbie Ponce and Ruben "Yoshi" Nonaka at the campus´ commencement ceremony on May 11.

Spring Commencement 2012

Aaron Karlen with his dad and grandfather and School of Medicine Dean Jerris Hedges at the school´s convocation ceremony on May 13 (Aaron and his sister Naomi are the first brother and sister to graduate in the same JABSOM class)

Spring Commencement 2012

A birds-eye view of UH Hilo´s graduating class of 2012 as they participate in their spring 2012 commencement ceremony on May 12

Spring Commencement 2012

Three proud graduates of UH Hilo celebrate on Saturday, May 12

Spring Commencement 2012

Medical school graduate with mother, grandmother and UH Manoa School of Medicine Dean Jerris Hedges at the school´s convocation ceremony on May 13

Spring Commencement 2012

The commencement ceremony for the UH Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine Class of 2012 on Sunday, May 13 at Kennedy Theatre

Spring Commencement 2012

Hawaii Community College held their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 11 at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium

Spring Commencement 2012

Hawaii Community College held their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 11 at the Edith Kanaka´ole Multi-Purpose Stadium

Spring Commencement 2012

Hawaii Community College held their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 11 at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium

Spring Commencement 2012

Hawaii Community College held their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 11 at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium

Spring Commencement 2012

UH Manoa´s College of Education held a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 4

Spring Commencement 2012

UH Manoa´s College of Education held a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 4

Spring Commencement 2012

UH Manoa´s senior athletes celebrated the end of their collegiate careers during Manoa´s spring 2012 commencement ceremony on May 12

Adults and children can explore the Waikiki Aquarium at night at the Aquarium After Dark class.

Summer is just around the corner and the Waikīkī Aquarium is ready!

Adults and children can attend three unique classes throughout the summer. They can choose between learning all about local marine life, meeting an endangered Hawaiian Monk seal or walking amongst the fishes at night.

The Waikīkī Aquarium’s exhibits, programs and research focuses on the aquatic life of Hawaiʻi and the tropical Pacific. There are more than 3,500 marine animals in the aquarium’s exhibits, which represent more than 500 species of aquatic animals and plants.

To learn more about these and other happenings visit the Waikīkī Aquarium’s website.

Aquarium After Dark

• Tuesday, June 12, 7–9 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 26, 7–9 p.m.
• Friday, July 13, 7–9 p.m.

The Aquarium opens its doors to anyone who’s ever wondered where the fish go at night. On an after-dark flashlight tour of the aquarium, visitors will learn where the red-toothed triggerfish and rock-mover wrasse sleep and discover what color the yellow tang becomes at night. Minimum age 5 years; youngsters must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $10/adult, $7/child ($14/10 for non-members). Registration required.

Beginning Fish Watching

• Wednesday, June 13, 3–3:45 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 26, 3–3:45 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 10, 3–3:45 p.m.

Enjoy a review of the common fish and invertebrates seen in shallow water along the south shore of Oʻahu. A great learning experience for visitors and a good review for residents. For snorkelers of all ages (that can sit through a 45-minute class). $2/person (plus admission into the aquarium). Registration required.

Monk Seal Mania

• Thursday, July 12, 3–3:45 p.m.
• Thursday, July 19, 3–3:45 p.m.
• Thursday, July 26, 3–3:45 p.m.

With the arrival of Hōʻailona to Waikīkī Aquarium, it’s time to learn more about Hawaiian Monk seals. What do seals eat? How long do they hold their breath? How many are there? What can I do to help? Designed for audiences age 7 and up. $2/person (plus admission to the aquarium). Registration required.

Neva Rego

Windward Community College’s Hawaiʻi Music Institute is offering music workshops for students to polish their slack key and steel guitar skills with guitar masters Ron Loo and Bobby Ingano, and study with Hawaiʻi’s voice coach to the stars, Neva Rego.

The cost for each workshop is $20. To register, call (808) 235-7433 or go in person to Windward’s Office of Career and Community Education, Hale Kuhina building.

The music workshops are sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Music Institute and Ke Kumu Pali.

Steel Guitar with Bobby Ingano

Wednesday, May 16, 6–8 p.m., Hale Pālanakila 104

This workshop will focus on comping, mental framework, techniques on holding the bar and C6 tuning. Steel Guitar Master Bobby Ingano will use the sight and sound technique to share his steel guitar artistry.

Slack Key Guitar with Ron and Pomaikaʻi Loo

Thursday, May 17, 6–8 p.m., Hale Pālanakila 104

This workshop will focus on the open G tuning and the chords and lyrics of a traditional song using the tablature method.

Voice with Neva Rego

Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.–Noon, Hale Pālanakila 104

This workshop will focus on vocal techniques—breathing, placement, pitch and the legato line.

Visit the Hawaiʻi Music Institute website for more information.

Browe the large selection of ferns, heliconias, gingers, anthuriums and more at the Lyon Arboretum plant sale

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Lyon Arboretum welcomes spring with its biggest plant sale of the year on Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. It’s free and open to the public, and proceeds go to benefit the arboretum.

On sale will be Native Hawaiian plants, Hawaiian ferns, heliconias, gingers, anthuriums, orchids, tillandsias and other bromeliads, UH variety vegetable seeds and many other plants for the home and garden.

Also featured is a worm composting demonstration, with starter kits available, and arboretum volunteers from Hui Hana Hawai’i will be selling fresh haku lei, jams, jellies and Hawaiian honey.

A free shuttle service to the Lyon Arboretum will operate from pickup points on Mānoa Road at Poʻelua Street and at Nipo Street.

Lyon Arboretum, at 3860 Manoa Road, is open Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and state holidays. A $5 donation per person is encouraged.

For more information, call (808) 988-0456 or visit the Lyon Arboretum website.

Eisa drum performances featured at Kapiʻolani Community College (photo courtesy of Kapiʻolani Community College)

Kapiʻolani Community College hosts the 2nd Eisa Drum Festival on Saturday, May 12, 5 p.m. on the Great Lawn. Eisa is a form of dance and drumming unique to Okinawa. The Eisa Drum Festival celebrates this little known form of drumming in Hawaiʻi.

The festival will feature the largest gathering of Eisa drummers in Hawaiʻi, all uniting for a spectacular grand finale. There will be a gathering of the Shisa (Okinawan lion dogs).

Festival performers include the acclaimed artist, choreographer and director Daiichi Hirata, Chinagu Eisa Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Eisa Shinyuu Kai, Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko and the Young Okinawans of Hawaiʻi with Paranku Clubs of Hawaiʻi, Taiko Center of the Pacific and Urizun Minyo Group.

The event is free and open to the public. Food sales will begin at 5 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and jackets. Parking is free. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.

Go online for up-to-date information on program, schedule, parking, maps and food items on sale.

See videos and photos from the 1st Eisa Drum Festival.

For more information, contact Shari Y. Tamashiro at (808) 734-9562.

The University of Hawaii Maui College’s Institute of Hawaiian Music (photo courtesy of UH Maui College)

Enjoy a night of ʻukulele, guitar, keyboard and vocal performances from the next generation of Hawaiian music performers at Kani Ka Pila, presented by the UH Maui College Institute of Hawaiian Music, on Thursday, May 10, 7:30 p.m. at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, McCoy Studio Theater.

This special performance is an important step towards the students’ goal of becoming professional musicians and continuing the Hawaiian music tradition.

“This concert is the world premiere of the IHM students, and the first of many we𔄁ll enjoy in the years ahead,” said Maui College music professor Robert D. Wehrman. “The students have been learning together for only one semester and already we can see that our dream to preserve and promote Hawaiian music is alive and well.”

Institute of Hawaiian Music

The UH Maui College program is a two-year course of study dedicated to the perpetuation and preservation of Hawaiian music through mentor relationships with successful Hawaiian musicians. The program coordinator is four time Grammy winner George Kahumoku, Jr.

“I’m really proud of all the hard work the students have put into rehearsing this show,” said IHM Kahumoku. “They’ve all grown so much as musicians and I’m excited to see them perform Hawaiian music in front of a large audience.”

Ticket information

Tickets are available at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center boxoffice, by phone at (808) 242-7469, or on the MACC website. General admisison is $20 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Children 12 and under are free but they must have a ticket.

Mark Hamasaki showing his photographs in Conjoined at Windward Community College’s Gallery ʻIolani

The third part of a photo trilogy featuring three master artists is on view at the Gallery ʻIolani at Windward Community College through May 12. Conjoined, the exhibit of photographs by Mark Hamasaki, is free and open to the public.

Hamasaki is a Windward art professor and has taught the traditional process of wet-lab photography since 1984. His work documenting the construction of H-3 freeway has been recognized and shown at the Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly Honolulu Academy of Arts) and Hawaiʻi State Art Museum.

Conjoined’s show statement

Hamasaki’s intimate study honoring his parents reads as a personal essay about life, aging and the power of photography to document, as well as to slow, direct and sharpen perception. The series of photographs register this love and support, along with the senses in which, in composing a portrait of one’s parents, one discovers one’s own likeness and history embedded within larger historical frames. Hamasaki poses the question of how photography can help us to reflect on life’s meaning.

For more information, visit the Gallery ʻIolani website, or call Toni Martin at (808) 236-9155.

Grade schoolers participate in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources popular Gene-ius Day workshops.

The Biotechnology Outreach Program of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is offering a special Saturday version of its popular Gene-ius Day workshop to children on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, grades 1 through 6.

The workshop offers fun hands-on activities for children (and accompanying parents) to learn about DNA, genetics, molecular structure and the function of genes and other biological functions. Students will extract DNA from fruit, make a DNA model and use DNA to solve an “out of this world” crime.

“The Gene-ius Day Program was created to teach the concepts of genetics in a fun, easy-to-remember way,” said project leader Ania Wieczorek. “Each Gene-ius event is packed with hands-on experiments and activities that let students experience and enjoy science.”

Oʻahu Saturday Gene-ius Day

Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Time: 9–11:30 a.m.
Where: UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, St. John Plant Science Building (exact location to be determined)
Cost: $15 per child and $15 per chaperone (mandatory for grades 1–3)
Registration deadline: April 27, 2012

Kauaʻi Saturday Gene-ius Day

Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Time: Section A (9–11:30 a.m.), Section B (2–4:30 p.m.)
Where: Kauaʻi Community College, exact location to be determined
Cost: $20 per child and $20 per chaperone (mandatory for grades 1–3)
Registration deadline: May 11, 2012

Reservations are required. Please visit the Gene-ius Day website to download the registration forms.

Combining ocean science literacy and local knowledge is one of COSEE-IE’s top priorities ( photo by C. Wiener)

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, have begun a new program to make scientists and their research more accessible to educators and the community.

Since 2002, the National Science Foundation Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence network has grown to 14 thematic and regional centers located around the United States, and the newest addition to the COSEE family has arrived in Hawaiʻi, COSEE Island Earth.

COSEE-IE is a partnership among several UH institutions, including the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, Maui College, UH Sea Grant and the Mānoa College of Education.

COSEE-IE plans to work closely with science and community partners to develop and distribute programs that support ocean science literacy and stewardship across the Hawaiian Islands.

“Our goal is to help build productive, synergistic, long-lasting collaborations between scientists, educators and the community that respect and honor the cultural landscape of Hawaiʻi,” said Judith Lemus, HIMB associate specialist and principal investigator for the COSEE-IE program.

Windward Community College’s Hōkūlani Imaginarium

The Hōkūlani Imaginarium at Windward Community College presents its current children’s show, Magic Tree House Space Mission on Friday, April 27, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and May 18, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Based on the popular children’s book series, Magic Tree House, the story follows Jack and Annie on a special mission to uncover the mysteries of space.

The Hōkūlani Imaginarium is a high tech planetarium and multimedia facility. Its 360-degree environment makes viewers feel as if they are part of the unfolding scene.

For reservations call (808) 235-7433. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under and $6 for UH students, military or seniors over 65. For more information, contact Mary Beth Laychak at (808) 235-7350.