Kapiʻolani Community College’s 2026 , held May 4–6, brought together more than 750 attendees. SURF 2026 featured 350 students delivering more than 230 presentations across disciplines such as healthcare, Native Hawaiian studies, sustainability and STEM, highlighting undergraduate research and creative works.
“Presenting at SURF gave me the opportunity to show others how research broadens your perspective and helps you build your own framework for approaching complex problems,” said Kapiʻolani CC Natural Science major Sophia Kihei. “I was able to socialize and connect with others from different disciplines and gain insights I wouldn’t have developed without this event.”
She added that SURF helped her to earn scholarships and led her to present at national conferences.
Developing kuleana
According to Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi, SURF also reflects Kapiʻolani CC’s strength as a Hawaiian place of learning.
“We are proud to see students across disciplines developing the confidence, critical thinking and sense of kuleana (responsibility) needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities, Hawaiʻi, and the world,” Takabayashi said. “As we establish the Māunulau Office of Experiential Learning and Workforce Development, Kapiʻolani CC is also intentionally strengthening the connection between experiential learning and workforce preparation, ensuring students can translate these meaningful academic experiences into future career and community impact.”
The research fair has become one of Kapiʻolani CC’s signature academic events, helping students build professional skills while opening pathways to internships, scholarships, transfer opportunities and conference presentations.
“SURF demonstrates that undergraduate research can happen across every discipline and at every stage of a student’s academic journey,” said Director of Undergraduate Research Experiences Li-Anne Delavega. “Students gain confidence in their ideas, strengthen communication and critical thinking skills, and discover their values and strengths and how they want to contribute to their communities.”