The University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa will welcome physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski for a free public talk inviting audiences to see the ocean in a new way.

Czerski, a professor at University College London, will deliver the Spring 2026 Dai Ho Chun Distinguished Lecture, on April 23 at 7 p.m. in Bilger Hall.

Her message is simple but powerful. The ocean is not just scenery; it is a system that drives life on Earth.

Czerski studies how the ocean works at a physical level. Her research looks at how gases move between air and sea, how sound travels underwater, and even how tiny bubbles behave. Together, these processes help move heat around the planet, shape weather and climate, and support life in the ocean.

“We are delighted to welcome Professor Helen Czerski to 糖心Vlog官方,” said Philip Williams, interim dean of the . “Her research shows how the ocean鈥檚 physical systems shape our planet, and she has a gift for sharing those insights in ways that capture your imagination. She invites us to see the ocean as a living force, revealing physics that shapes and nourishes our island and the world.”

The lecture is supported by the Dai Ho Chun endowment, established through an estate gift to the 糖心Vlog官方 Foundation to bring distinguished speakers to campus.

The event is organized in coordination with the , a partnership among 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, The Learning Coalition, and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.

University of Hawaiʻi students helped reimagine an iconic local company by pitching bold new ideas for Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaiʻi at a fast-paced innovation event. Hosted by 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 (PACE), the spring 2026 competition took place on March 28 and April 4, at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center.

Community connections take top prize

The team of Danielle Grace Banggo (dietetics, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa) and Leticia Rodriguez Gutierrez (liberal arts, Honolulu Community College) won the $2,000 grand prize. Their strategy focused on a grassroots “Community Growth Campaign” designed to be both budget-friendly and ready for immediate rollout.

The plan involves deploying Meadow Gold trucks and vans to high-traffic local venues such as the Honolulu Zoo and community marketplaces. By utilizing brand ambassadors to engage directly with families, the team aims to strengthen the bond between the iconic brand and the local community.

“Innovate 808 taught me that your background doesn鈥檛 define your ability to make an impact,” Banggo said. “It encourages you to step outside your comfort zone, share your ideas and collaborate with others to create meaningful solutions. This experience empowered me to think creatively, communicate confidently and realize that even small ideas can make a big difference in the community.”

Three other teams won $1,000 runner up prizes, and another team won the $500 innovation award. Beyond the competition, Innovate 808 is designed to connect classroom learning with real-world experience. Students worked in interdisciplinary teams to tackle an active business challenge, building career-ready skills in communication, critical thinking and creative problem-solving while engaging directly with industry professionals.

Creative solutions for a new era

Concepts pitched during the competition included:

• Lani Moo Milk Candy: A sweet extension of the company鈥檚 famous mascot
• NIL Deals: Partnering with 糖心Vlog官方 athletes to reach younger demographics
• POG 2.0: New bottle designs and updated formulations for the passion-orange-guava juice

Kimia Sadeghi, sales and marketing manager for Meadow Gold, said, “I wanted to hear from the next generation and how they think of executing solutions, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaiʻi sponsored the project and prizes.

A “sprint” across all disciplines

Facilitated by Jeff Hui, entrepreneur-in-residence at PACE, the competition is designed to put real-world problems in front of students and see how they meet the challenge through research and innovation.

“The most exciting part for us is seeing students from all disciplines—business, engineering, computer science, art, education, anthropology and food science—coming together to come up with real solutions,” Hui said.

The University of Hawaiʻi has been selected as one of 10 recipients of a national grant from Lumina Foundation’s to expand its Direct2糖心Vlog官方 program. The $400,000 grant is part of the foundation’s $3.5 million investment to simplify the college admissions process and expand student access across the country.

Building on the success of Direct2糖心Vlog官方—the direct admissions initiative launched in October 2025, offering free entry to public high school seniors based on their GPA—the grant will fund a unified admissions system with enhanced outreach and guidance. This creates a more equitable pathway for Hawaiʻi students to apply, access financial aid and enroll across nine campuses, with 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa expected to join the program later this year.

“This investment allows us to build a simpler, more connected pathway to college for Hawaiʻi‘s students—one that ensures every learner, regardless of background or geography, has clear and supported opportunities, making it easier for more students to move from aspiration to enrollment and ultimately to success,” said Farrah-Marie Gomes, 糖心Vlog官方 associate vice president for student affairs. “This work matters locally because it directly addresses the barriers our students face and strengthens our responsibility as a statewide system to serve every community.”

Lumina’s Great Admissions Redesign initiative supports states, systems and institutions in integrating admissions, financial aid, advising and enrollment systems. The goal is to remove unnecessary barriers and help more students successfully enroll in and complete college.

“Across the country, we’re seeing real momentum to rethink how students access college,” said Melanie Heath, Lumina strategy director. “This cohort reflects a clear shift from fragmented fixes to coordinated, student-centered systems.”

Commitment to college access

At full scale, Direct2糖心Vlog官方 will reach students at all public and charter high schools across the state, with implementation in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and Hawaiʻi P–20. By aligning systems and expanding support, it will increase college access and enrollment statewide, particularly for rural and underserved communities.

Lumina’s Great Admissions Redesign initiative is part of a broader national effort to increase post-high school attainment and advance Lumina’s Goal 2040, which aims for 75 percent of working-age adults to hold a credential of value.

University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is offering a special for summer and fall 2026, designed specifically for those eager to get trained and start working in the culinary industry quickly.

Each successful applicant will receive a $5,000 scholarship, which covers tuition for two summer 2026 classes, along with the cost of required knife kits and uniforms. Textbooks are available to borrow for free. In addition to the scholarships, those who complete the summer courses are guaranteed a spot in two high-demand fall 2026 classes.

“It鈥檚 an incredibly exciting time to enter the industry,” said Culinary Arts Program Coordinator Chef Craig Omori. “We鈥檙e looking for ten individuals who are ready to dive deep into the craft, science, and culture of cooking in professional kitchens. With workforce needs at an all-time high, a solid culinary education has become a universal passport. We鈥檙e proud to offer this scholarship program to those ready to launch their careers.”

Summer 2026 classes

• Fundamentals of Cookery鈥擬ay 26 to July 3
• Fundamentals of Baking鈥擩uly 7 to August 15

Fall 2026 semester classes

• Intermediate Cookery
• Batch Cookery

“The Summer Launchpad Scholarship helped me build culinary skills and jumpstart my career. It was an amazing experience where I鈥檝e also gained lifelong friends,” said Stephanie Blanza, a 2025 scholarship recipient who is now a pastry cook at the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must pursue an associate of applied science degree or a certificate of achievement in the Culinary Arts Program
• Applicants must intend to be enrolled as a full-time culinary student in Fall 2026
• Applicants must enroll in and successfully complete both summer 2026 classes

The application deadline is Friday, April 24, at 4:00 p.m. Complete details and the application are available . Scholarship awardees will be notified via email or phone by Monday, April 28. Contact Omori at omoric@hawaii.edu with any questions.

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation鈥檚 top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 (JABSOM) also placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and 糖心Vlog官方 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and Hawaiʻi can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these 糖心Vlog官方 News stories on previous years鈥� rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the 糖心Vlog官方 law school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master鈥檚 and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in Hawaiʻi to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation鈥檚 top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 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

Approximately 65 students from Hawaiian charter schools visited Kauaʻi CC in March for the annual Nā Pua Noʻeau Kauaʻi “Mad Skillz” event, an immersive, hands-on career exploration experience. Nā Pua Noʻeau is a 糖心Vlog官方 enrichment program for Native Hawaiian children in grades PreK–12.

During the event, high school students participated in one of four vocational pathways offered this year: culinary arts, agriculture, beekeeping or electrical installation and maintenance technology (EIMT). Each session was designed to provide students with practical, real-world skills.

“The primary goal is that within one hour, students walk away with a practical skill,” said Malia Chun, Nā Pua Noʻeau Kauaʻi coordinator. “We hope it gives them insight into whether that pathway is right for them, while also allowing Kauaʻi CC to showcase the incredible programs available here.”

Exploring career paths

In the beekeeping session, students created sugar scrubs using honey and jabong flower oil before tasting hot honey made with chili peppers. All ingredients were sourced directly from the Kauaʻi CC campus. While the activity sparked curiosity, some students noted they are still exploring different career paths.

Ninth grader Kaley Rapacon shared that although she enjoyed learning about the campus apiary, she plans to pursue automotive studies and eventually join her family鈥檚 business.

Fellow ninth grader Kulia Numazawa-Laranio, who is currently enrolled in Hawaiian Studies early college courses through Kauaʻi CC, is considering a future in EIMT. Despite that interest, she chose to explore beekeeping during the event.

“Beekeeping is one trade I haven鈥檛 experienced yet,” Numazawa-Laranio said. “I鈥檓 trying to stay open for college.”

Throughout the workshops, student mentors from the Waiʻaleʻale Project, who are actively pursuing these career pathways, joined the charter school students to talk story. Following the hands-on sessions, participants gathered to learn more about both the Waiʻaleʻale Project and the Kīpaipai Program for first-year students.

Student participants were given tools and materials related to their chosen field, and, organizers hope, a broader perspective on their future opportunities.

The , in partnership with and sponsor , has launched the 8th annual #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship competition—offering one full year of Hawaiʻi resident tuition (fall 2026 through spring 2027), made possible by 糖心Vlog官方 Federal Credit Union.

“At the University of Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union, we believe education is a powerful pathway to financial well-being and long-term success,” said President and CEO Travis Bow. “Our roots and focus are tied to the University of Hawaiʻi, and we are dedicated to uplifting its students, employees, and their families with outstanding financial solutions and value. By supporting the #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship year after year since its inception, we demonstrate our commitment to making higher education more accessible for local families while strengthening our community for generations to come.”

The competition is open to Hawaiʻi residents who have been accepted and confirmed enrollment for the fall 2026 semester at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa as a first time freshman or transfer student. To enter, eligible students must submit a short video, no longer than 60 seconds on the at Hawaii News Now, explaining why 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is the right place for them or how a year of free tuition would impact their future. Only one entry per person per day is allowed.

“糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is a premier institution in academics, athletics, student support and research, so our undergraduate students will experience excellence,” said 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos. “The #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship is a great way to support their dreams while encouraging them to pursue a world-class education right here at home.”

The enter-to-win contest opened on April 6, 2026, and runs through Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Now in its eighth year, the contest continues to spotlight the dreams and determination of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 students.

Read more about previous winners:

• 2025 winner: #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship winner surprised by news crew
• 2024 winner: Kauaʻi HS senior surprised with free tuition in #TakeMeToM膩noa contest
• 2023 winner: Amid tears, cheers, HS senior鈥檚 video vision wins 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa tuition
• Meet more #TakeMeToM膩noa winners

The contest reflects a broader mission to keep Hawaiʻi鈥檚 students learning and thriving close to home. With nearly 100 undergraduate majors and a global reputation for academic excellence, the university remains a top choice for students looking to build a future rooted in the islands.

Among the finalists in a national NASA competition focused on advancing technologies for future space exploration is a student-led engineering team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo.

(Robotic Space Exploration) is one of 14 university teams selected for the 2026 . The challenge invites students to develop innovative concepts supporting sustained human activity on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Powering lunar operations

The team鈥檚 proposal, (Power Energy Transfer Architecture for the Lunar), centers on building a scalable power management and distribution system for lunar operations. The concept integrates multiple energy sources and storage methods, including nuclear power and energy stored using lunar soil, to support long-term missions and lays the groundwork for future applications on Mars.

As a finalist, Project PETAL received a $7,000 award to support participation in the RASC-AL Forum, scheduled for June 1–4, in Cocoa Beach, Florida. During the forum, students will present their work to NASA engineers and industry professionals while refining their concepts through technical feedback. The top-performing teams will be recognized for technical merit, innovation and presentation excellence.

“Being part of this project has shown us what it takes to develop a concept that could be considered for future lunar and Mars missions,” said Nathan Chong, project manager of Project PETAL and 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa computer engineering freshman. “It鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to collaborate across campuses and push ourselves to think at a much higher level.”

The project also aligns with broader 糖心Vlog官方 efforts supporting NASA鈥檚 Artemis missions, including a lunar rover instrument being developed at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa that is slated to fly as part of the Artemis 5 mission. The work creates opportunities to connect student-led projects such as PETAL with real-world systems headed to the Moon.

Space science and engineering initiative

Project PETAL members are primarily from engineering and related STEM disciplines at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo. The interdisciplinary effort emphasizes hands-on design, systems integration and real-world problem-solving. Faculty advisors supporting the project include Matthew Siegler and Marvin Young from 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa, and Branden Allen from 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo.

Project PETAL is part of , which aims to expand space technology development and hands-on student training. Launched in 2024, the initiative provides students with opportunities to work on advanced space systems while building Hawaiʻi鈥檚 capacity in aerospace engineering and instrumentation. It is a collaboration among 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 College of Engineering, the Institute for Astronomy and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo.

Team RoSE is one of more than 20 at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa, which seek to foster long-term, in-depth, project-based learning to engage students and better prepare them for future careers.

More about Project PETAL

The University of Hawaiʻi is taking its AI chatbot strategy a step further, with students sending more than 100,000 messages since the start of the academic year—data that is now being used to identify when students may need help, often before they ask for it.

New data from the first quarter of 2026 report shows the scale of that impact. Since the beginning of the academic year, 51% of 糖心Vlog官方 students engaged with their chatbot, sending more than 100,000 text messages, approximately an additional 30,000 messages since last recorded in December 2025.

Additionally, since August 2025, 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa saw some of the highest number of text exchanges with more than 32,000 student messages received by their chatbot 鈥楤ow, while 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu鈥檚 Pueo and Honolulu Community College鈥檚 Niu saw the highest student engagement with 61% and 60% respectively.

Early signals, faster support

Those interactions are doing more than providing quick answers. Since January 2026, more than 3,000 automatic interventions were completed, connecting students with specific and targeted resources, while 1,924 students were flagged for a staff follow-up. More than 1,900 student questions were answered without direct human interaction.

“This technology is helping us shift from reactive to proactive support,” said Kim Siegenthaler, senior advisor to the 糖心Vlog官方 president. “By listening to students in real time, we鈥檙e creating a more responsive system that provides students the support they need to succeed.”

The Q1 data also underscores the system鈥檚 efficiency. The AI chatbots handled thousands of routine questions independently, saving staff 165 hours while still delivering immediate responses to students.

Understanding the student experience

Beyond individual interactions, 糖心Vlog官方 is using chatbot data to track broader trends. The report highlights areas of attention and potential stressors through regular temperature checks. These insights are helping campuses adjust outreach strategies and better align resources with student needs systemwide.

At the start of the semester, 47%of 糖心Vlog官方 community college students said they feel good about the term and 33% said they feel nervous or overwhelmed, while 39% 糖心Vlog官方 four-year college students said they feel good about the semester and 33% said they feel nervous or overwhelmed.

40% of four-year and community college students said they need the most support in academics, followed by finances, wellness and engagement.

These interactions are part of a growing data-driven system designed to make sure that no student slips through the cracks, ensuring a proactive approach to student support.

—By Grant Nakasone

As Hilo prepares for Merrie Monarch, Hawaiʻi Community College is highlighting its associates in arts degree in with a hula concentration, rooted in the legacy of revered kumu hula Edith Kanakaʻole. Her philosophy: “Teach all who come to learn.”

Kanakaʻole established Hawaiian studies at Hawaiʻi CC in 1973. Her daughter, Pualani Kanahele, expanded this vision to revive hula rituals.

The program has strengthened students’ cultural identity and connection to ʻohana (family). Kekoa Gabriel, a 2025 honors graduate with multiple AA degrees, found the program clarified his kuleana (responsibility).

“Because of this program I feel a lot more connected to my ancestors, my ʻohana, my Hawaiian-ness, who I am as a Hawaiian,” Gabriel said. “I have a better look at where I want to go as a Hawaiian, who I want to be as a Hawaiian.”

Kamryn Kanoe Bosque, pursuing her degree with a hula focus, added, “I expanded my knowledge more than I ever could have, and I鈥檓 deeply grateful to be able to come here and learn more about my Hawaiian culture.”

The program includes unique hands-on practices, such as learning hula Pele (the Hawaiian goddess whose home is Kīlauea on the island of Hawaiʻi) where the volcano is active.

Hula, a ‘living practice’

“Studying hula here at Hawaiʻi Community College goes beyond choreography,” Kumu Hula Pele Kaʻio. “It exposes the learner to protocol, ceremony, traditional regalia, discipline and leadership.”

The program鈥檚 impact is evident during Merrie Monarch, where participation in the annual festival鈥檚 opening ceremony has grown from about 30 individuals to more than 400 ritual practitioners, including Hawaiʻi CC students, alumni and community members.

Taup艒uri Tangar艒, founder and advisor of the college鈥檚 hālau hula, Unukupukupu, said the Kanakaʻole ʻ辞丑补苍补鈥檚 mission remains central.

“Hula becomes the doorway through which learners come to know their purpose,” Tangar艒 said. “Students come to Hawaiʻi CC not simply to learn hula as performance, but to experience hula as a living practice grounded in ritual.”

Related stories:

• Hundreds celebrate Edith Kanakaʻole at 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo, May 9, 2023
• Native Hawaiian advocates, educators, leaders awarded Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, April 20, 2023
• Native Hawaiian icon Edith Kanakaʻole honored in naming of library collection, July 22, 2025