Thousands of travelers pass through Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport every day, but few may realize the vibrant mural in Lobby Four welcoming them was created by a recent University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� graduate balancing double majors, cheerleading and a dream project years in the making.

Just weeks after graduating with degrees in and , (CALL) graduate Rachel Radona is already leaving her mark on Hawaiʻi through a large-scale mural installation celebrating aloha, community and island life.

“It was definitely an ‘oh my gosh’ moment,” Radona said. “This is crazy.”

The opportunity came after Radona completed one of her early mural projects at the ����Vlog�ٷ� Federal Credit Union branch in Kapolei. Soon after, she received a call about a possible airport mural project from people who had been following her work.

Although several artists were considered through a selective process, Radona’s vision stood out. Her mural centers around plumeria flowers, symbolizing Hawaiʻi’s welcoming spirit and lei-giving tradition.

“The whole lobby theme was about flowers and aloha,” she said. “People associate plumeria with giving and receiving lei, and that’s what the airport is all about.”

Aloha through art

Known for her graffiti-style art, Radona adapted her style to fit the project’s vibrant Hawaiian aesthetic while still bringing her own creative vision to life.

“I really wanted to embrace the feeling of getting a fresh lei,” she said. “The flowers are just so bright, and you can vividly smell everything and feel all of the aloha and mālama (care) that was put into making it.”

While completing the mural, Radona balanced the project alongside two majors and ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� cheerleading. Still, she said the experience never felt like work.

“It honestly wasn’t that challenging when you love what you’re doing,” she said.

Now, as thousands of travelers pass through the airport, Radona hopes the mural reminds people that Hawaiʻi’s true beauty comes from its people.

— by Willow Hutchison

University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) faculty member Paris Stowers has been honored for her efforts in helping medical students find their voice in obstetrics and gynecology.

Stowers, an assistant professor of , received the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Medical Student Recruitment Award. She was recognized for developing a student leadership and mentorship model within the organization’s District VIII, which includes Hawaiʻi and several western states.

The initiative was designed to engage medical students in the OBGYN field early by giving them a real seat at the table.

“There was an interest in developing a medical student advisory council so medical students could have a leadership role in the organization,” Stowers said.

As the council’s first faculty advisor, Stowers helped build a program that connected students across Hawaiʻi and several western states through virtual meetings, mentorship, advocacy work and national conferences.

Strengthening student advocacy, recruitment

“We ask them what kinds of things they want to work on,” Stowers said. “It’s more successful if it’s student-driven.”

Students engaged in various health education and advocacy projects and attended national advocacy meetings in Washington, D.C., where they met with lawmakers alongside practicing OBGYN physicians. The program emphasized professional development skills, such as networking at conferences and maximizing mentorship opportunities.

The model has also helped strengthen recruitment in regions historically struggling to retain OBGYN physicians, including rural states facing physician shortages. JABSOM students Brandi Mikami and Paige Harakuni served on the council this year.

“I cannot think of someone more deserving of this award than Dr. Stowers,” said Harakuni. “She has a remarkable ability to bring students into the conversation and make us feel like valued members of the organization.”

Stowers hopes the experience shows future physicians they can help shape healthcare systems and policy. “You can make a change in your medical school, but also at the national level,” she said.

Taren Bouwman and Landon Wong, researchers in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR), have been named 2026 ARCS Scholars by the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation’s Honolulu chapter. This award honors outstanding U.S. citizens pursuing higher education in STEM fields.

Green energy, climate solutions

Bouwman is exploring ways to create a microscopic net that traps algae in the sea and harvests them for energy. His work earned him the H. Keith and Sue Ernst ARCS Award.

In CTAHR’s Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, Bouwman looks into the relationships between marine algae and earth-bound fungi to overcome a roadblock in the green energy sector: the steep cost of harvesting biofuels, a promising energy source.

“More than half of the cost of biofuel from algae comes from trying to filter the algae out of the water,” Bouwman said. “Fungi can act as a cheap bio-filter to capture the algae so we can extract them together as an energy-rich fuel source.”

Protecting �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s coffee industry

In CTAHR’s Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, Wong was awarded the Helen Jones Farrar ARCS award in Tropical Plant Pathology and the Dr. Jacqueline Maly ARCS Scholar of the Year award for his research on the taxonomy of coffee root-knot nematodes. This tiny, destructive pest is devastating coffee production across Hawaiʻi Island, Central and South America.

Wong’s project clarified the true identity of the Kona coffee root-knot nematode (tiny pest) (Meloidogyne konaensis) by incorporating genetic, physical and protein-based testing. Wong’s work determined Meloidogyne konaensis is widely distributed across the coffee-growing regions of Central and South America.

“Traditional diagnostic procedures could take over two months,” Wong said. “This research has facilitated a faster identification method to protect local coffee growers from this pest and allow regulators to accurately screen and identify the nematode pest at ports of entry and in field samples in under a day using a simple genetic test.”

He also discovered a new species of root-knot nematode in Brazil, Meloidogyne pseudokonaensis, named for its similarity and previously mistaken identity as Meloidogyne konaensis.

Growing up on Rapa Nui, Noah Paoa spent his summers camping by the shore, bodyboarding, and exploring the island’s landscape with his family. A pivotal moment occurred in 2010 when, at 15 years old, a massive earthquake in Chile triggered a tsunami warning for the island. Paoa watched the shoreline recede so far it seemed as if the ocean had never been there. This experience highlighted how closely life on an island is tied to the forces of the sea, eventually guiding him toward a historic academic milestone.

Graduating with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in May, Paoa earned a landmark achievement as the first Rapa Nui person to go through the Rapa Nui school system and earn a doctoral degree. While he is careful to honor those who paved the way, Paoa’s degree in from the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa (SOEST) is significant personally and for his community.

“Earning this degree is an honor for me, but it is also the reflection of all the work that Rapa Nui people have done so that Rapa Nui students would have the tools to pursue advanced studies,” Paoa said. “I see myself as a testament and example for future Rapa Nui students and perhaps for students of other small island communities.”

Assessing sea level rise threats

Chip Fletcher, professor and dean of SOEST, served as Paoa’s advisor for both his master’s and doctoral degrees. Fletcher said Paoa brought an extraordinary combination of determination, discipline and insight to his graduate work.

“Noah has an incredible work ethic and a rare intuition for coastal science,” Fletcher said. “He has the ability to see both the physical processes shaping island shorelines and the deeper cultural meaning of what is at stake. His research reflects years of hard work, careful thinking, and a deep commitment to serving Rapa Nui and other island communities.”

His doctoral research addresses the , such as ceremonial sites, ancestral landscapes and sacred places.

“Most climate research focuses on impacts to infrastructure and ecosystems, but I wanted to show that coastal cultural heritage is just as vulnerable, and that losing these sites would be more than an archaeological loss, it could result in disruption to cultural identity and continuity,” Paoa said.

Cultural pride and responsibility

Growing up with a Rapa Nui father and a German mother who dedicated part of her life to preserving the Rapa Nui language, Paoa grew up surrounded by both cultural pride and a recognition of the responsibility that comes with preserving language, knowledge and identity. He felt a frustration with the island’s extractive academic past, where outside researchers often benefited their own careers without providing tangible benefits to the local people.

“My research provides new modeling tools and regional datasets to support heritage preservation and climate adaptation planning, but I’ve tried to be clear that what I have produced is to inform management and planning, and that decisions must ultimately be guided by descendant communities and grounded in their own cultural protocols,” Paoa shared.

By pursuing earth sciences, beginning as an undergraduate student at the University of Oregon, Paoa found a way to link geological processes to issues that affect his home island.

“I hope this work inspires future generations of Rapa Nui to pursue scientific paths of their own, helping ensure that research on our island increasingly reflects our own voices, perspectives, and priorities,” said Paoa. “This degree isn’t only mine, it belongs to everyone who made the path possible, and my responsibility now is to carry what I’ve learned back home and put it to use for Rapa Nui.”

–By Marcie Grabowski

University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� Associate Professor Mapuana Antonio of the received two national awards from the (APHA) for her impact on Native Hawaiian health and climate justice.

Antonio’s leadership reflects her commitment to integrating Indigenous knowledge into public health education, research and practice. She mentors students in ethical Indigenous research and ensures her work connects ʻ�徱�Բ� (land) and culture to Native Hawaiian health, fully integrating Indigenous perspectives into the field.

“Receiving these awards from APHA is truly an honor and reflects the collective work of our students and communities,” said Antonio, who serves as associate chair in the . “Indigenous knowledge continues to guide solutions for health, wellbeing, and climate justice, and I’m inspired by our students who carry this work forward intentionally with cultural grounding and with a deep sense of responsibility to our communities.”

Honoring ancestral knowledge, health equity

As the Queen Liliʻuokalani Endowed Professor in Native Hawaiian Culture, Antonio earned the APHA’s Emerging Leaders Award from the (ICTHP) section for her dedication to health equity.

“She exemplifies the heart of Native Hawaiian Indigenous health,” nominators said. “Her commitment to health equity has made a lasting impact with, for, and by Native Hawaiian communities and Indigenous peoples worldwide, and her work embodies the holistic approach that is at the core of ICTHP, by honoring ancestral knowledge with contemporary scientific research to restore health, resilience and wellbeing.”

Antonio also received the Student Champions for Climate Justice Award for guiding a multidisciplinary student team, including Melissa Kahili-Heede, Caleb Rivera, Camille McComas, Kiʻilaweau Aweau and Mākoa Miura, in organizing the Climate Justice Through Indigenous Knowledge Symposium in October 2025. The event served as a platform for scholars to address environmental sustainability through traditional practices.

A University of Hawaiʻi (IfA) alumnus has been recognized for helping tackle one of the biggest mysteries in modern astronomy.

Gagandeep Anand, a senior staff scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, was named the 2026 Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) by the Maryland Science Center during its annual STEM awards ceremony on April 29. The award honors rising professionals making major contributions in science, education and research.

Examining a Hubble mystery

Anand earned both his master’s degree and PhD in astronomy from IfA. He studies nearby galaxies to better understand how the universe has evolved throughout time. Much of his work focuses on the “Hubble tension,” an ongoing scientific mystery involving conflicting measurements of how fast the universe is expanding.

Doug Simons, director of IfA, said Anand’s achievement reflects the institute’s broader mission.

“Gagandeep’s recognition speaks directly to the mission of the Institute for Astronomy, to advance world-leading research while training the next generation of scientists,” Simons said. “We are proud to see one of our alumni making important contributions to understanding the universe.”

Honoring emerging STEM leaders

The OYS award honors academic professionals age 35 or younger. Honorees are selected by members of the Maryland Science Center’s Scientific and Education Advisory Council.

“The Maryland Science Center inspires curiosity and exploration, and shares the process and joys of the scientific process,” said Mark J. Potter, president and CEO of the Maryland Science Center. “Anand is well deserving of this prestigious award and serves as a role model for others pursuing work, education, and careers in science.”

University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� public health and nursing alumna Aime Le has been crowned the 74th Cherry Blossom Festival Queen, one of Hawaiʻi’s longest-running ethnic festivals hosted annually by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. Her fellow contestants also voted her Miss Congeniality in recognition of her compassion, professionalism and interpersonal leadership.

“As queen, I serve as a cultural ambassador representing Hawaiʻi through community service, educational outreach and cultural exchange programs locally and internationally,” said Le.

Le earned dual bachelor’s degrees in and in 2020 and a bachelor of science in nursing in 2022. She was also inducted into the Japanese National Honor Society–College Chapter for academic excellence in Japanese language studies.

During her time at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, Le participated in student leadership and service organizations including Mortar Board National Honor Society, Hui Ola Pono Public Health Club, HOSA-Future Health Professionals and Atherton YMCA community programs. She also took part in medical mission and service-learning trips to the Philippines and Kauaʻi and completed a rural clinical rotation in Yap, Micronesia.

“My time in Yap further strengthened my appreciation for community-centered healthcare and cross-cultural connection,” Le said.

Supporting kūpuna through community care

Now a nurse practitioner, Le earned her degree in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track from the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� in spring 2025. In fall 2025 and spring 2026, Le volunteered with the Memory Café at the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Center on Aging, a free monthly garden-based program for people living with memory loss and their care partners.

“At the Memory Café, I can help support dementia-friendly spaces for kūpuna and caregivers through nature-based activities, social connection and community engagement,” she said.

Le hopes to continue bridging healthcare, culture and community service throughout her career while advocating for compassionate, inclusive care across generations.

“We are so privileged to have someone like Aime be a part of the Memory Café,” said Christy Nishita, a gerontologist with the Center on Aging. “The combination of her personal qualities and professional training has made her the ideal volunteer. She has helped to nurture not only our garden but also the growth of human relationships among students, staff and community participants. I know she will make a superb Cherry Blossom Festival Queen.”

Three members of the 2026 Cherry Blossom Court also have ����Vlog�ٷ� ties: Princess Lauren Sayuri Katayama and First Princess Jacqueline Kiemi Osumi are ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� alumnae, while Princess Kiʻilaweau Kakie Aweau is a current public health PhD student.

The Honolulu City Council honored Windward Community College Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg on May 14 for her leadership in expanding educational opportunities across Koʻolaupoko (the area from Kualoa to Waimanalo) and all of Hawaiʻi.

During the presentation at Honolulu Hale, Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina praised Eschenberg for strengthening Windward CC’s community connections and advancing educational pathways. Since 2019, Eschenberg has expanded Early College, strengthened ties with Hawaiian immersion schools, and increased access for first-generation, Native Hawaiian and underserved students.

“This is such an unexpected honor,” said Eschenberg. “I’m thankful to Councilwoman Kiaʻāina for this kind recognition and incredibly thankful for our entire community that makes this work possible. Each accomplishment noted was made possible by an entire community coming together—our students, staff and faculty, our legislators, federal grantors, the Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, high schools, business groups, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, so many individuals and organizations in our community make things happen.”

Prison education, performing arts, more

Key Windward CC achievements included establishing Hānaiaulu, the University of Hawaiʻi System’s only Hawaiian immersion childcare center. Kiaʻāina also recognized the college’s efforts for incarcerated students through the Puʻuhonua program, which launched the associate in Hawaiian studies degree at Halawa Correctional Facility. Windward CC further serves the community through academic programs such as veterinary technology and the Conservatory of Performing Arts.

Eschenberg is actively involved in the Windward community, participating in neighborhood board meetings and fostering partnerships with local schools and businesses. She has also been recognized as the Kāneʻohe Neighborhood Board’s 2025 Person of the Year.

“Being able to serve the Koʻolau community is itself an honor,” Eschenberg said.

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates June 2026 faculty and staff anniversaries.

40 years

Domingo, Eunice M
Administrative Assistant, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

30 years

Hironaka, Tom M
Financial Aid Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Richman, Nurney H
IT Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

20 years

Carbone, Michele
Researcher, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Dodo-Aguilar, Sherrie
Videographer, ����Vlog�ٷ� System

Hino, Candice N
Fiscal Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Hottenstein, Crystalyn L
Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Inouye, Mary E
Administrative and Fiscal Support Specialist, Kapiʻolani CC

Lam, Carolina G
Assistant Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo

Nacis, Marissa C
Account Clerk, Hawaiʻi CC

Nariyoshi, Janine Y
Administrative and Fiscal Support Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� System

Soares, Princess K
Institutional/Policy Analyst, Leeward CC

Velasco, Rouel G
Junior Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu

10 years

Burns, Vincent H
Program Manager, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Carlos, Brandon M
Student Services Specialist, Leeward CC

Christensen, Ma Felicitas M
Human Resources Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu

Dang, Chayne K
Media Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Isawa, Jenine M
Fiscal Specialist, Leeward CC

Kolish, Dustin W
University Security Officer, ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo

Mandryk, Carole A
Program Manager, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Osorio, Jamaica H
Associate Professor, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Pouliquen, Yan F M
University Security Officer, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Renio, Linda A K
Human Resources Specialist, Kapiʻolani CC

Sakamoto, Sharon S
Administrative and Fiscal Support Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Sales, Todd H
Air Conditioning Mechanic, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Siegman, William D
Instructor, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Toda, Nelson M
Safety/Security Specialist, Leeward CC

Topping, Miles Q
Director of Energy Management, ����Vlog�ٷ� System

Tsukida, Gary M
Environmental and Health Safety Specialist, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�

Wang, Xinyan
Administrative Officer, ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo

University of Hawaiʻi students received top honors for their creative excellence at the 2026 Pele Awards, a statewide competition hosted by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Hawaiʻi to celebrate outstanding achievement in advertising and design.

Students from Kapiʻolani Community College and the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� earned awards across multiple categories this year, including packaging, special event materials, interactive media, logo design and animation.

Best of Show

Among this year’s honorees, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� graduate Chloe Lavigne received College Best of Show, the top award in the college division, for her “Deconstruct Exhibition Campaign.” Lavigne also earned a Gold award in the Cross Platform Campaign category and another Gold for her “Deconstruct App.”

Students from Kapiʻolani CC also secured top awards, taking home multiple Pele Golds in Elements of Advertising.

“The ‘Istanbul City Logo’ project reinforced my belief that strong design is rooted in empathy and thoughtful exploration,” said Kapiʻolani CC New Media Arts student Vivian Bui, who won a Gold award for her “Istanbul City Logo” project. “I also realized that human-centered design is different from AI because it is shaped by real curiosity, feelings, and understanding, not just quick output. For me, design is not just about making something look good, but about telling a meaningful story that connects with people.”

2026 Pele Award student recipients

• Chloe Lavigne (Best of Show and Gold for Cross Platform Campaign) Project: , ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�
• Chloe Lavigne (Gold for Online/Interactive App) Project: , ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�
• Vivian Bui (Gold for Elements of Advertising, Logo Design) Project: , Kapiʻolani CC
• Lucas Stevens (Gold for Elements of Advertising, Digital Creative Technology) Project: , Kapiʻolani CC
• Alysha Cayabyab (Silver for Sales Promotion, Packaging) Project: , Kapiʻolani CC
• Vivian Bui (Silver for Online/Interactive, Website (Desktop or Mobile)) Project: , Kapiʻolani CC
• Chloe Lavigne and Rachel Wong (Bronze for Sales Promotion, Special Event Materials) Project: , ����Vlog�ٷ�t ����ԴDz�
• Lucas Stevens (Bronze for Elements of Advertising, Animation or Special Effects) Project: , Kapiʻolani CC

Award-winning video

Kapiʻolani CC‘s campus marketing video, Kūlia I Ka Nuʻu, also won in the professional category of “Elements of Advertising.” The vibrant montage produced by Kinetic Productions earned silver for video editing and bronze for copywriting.

• Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� design graduates win top honors at Pele Awards, May 29, 2026

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Recent University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� graduates Chloe Lavigne and Rachel Wong earned multiple honors at the 2026 Pele Awards, one of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s top advertising and design competitions.

Lavigne’s “Deconstruct Exhibition Campaign” received Best of Show–College and a Gold Pele in the integrated advertising campaign category. Her “Deconstruct App” also earned a Gold Pele. Lavigne and Wong additionally received a Bronze Pele for their “Synergy BFA Showcase Invitation.”

“My time in the BFA program taught me to think and produce like a designer through design history, concept development, and hands-on technical skills, pushing me to make research-driven, intentional decisions rather than choices based purely on aesthetics,” Lavigne said.

Visual storytelling

Lavigne grew up in Vermont, where she was surrounded by small local businesses and first became interested in visual storytelling through scrapbooking in middle school.

“I was instantly drawn to documenting lived experiences and experimenting with how different photos, materials, colors and compositions could shape a story,” Lavigne said.

Her award-winning “Deconstruct” project imagined a fictional exhibition for street artist Shepard Fairey at the Honolulu Museum of Art. The campaign included posters, invitations, exhibition materials, a mobile app and even a branded skateboard.

The project encouraged viewers to think critically about media, persuasion and power while creating a more interactive museum experience.

Industry success

Chae Ho Lee, a design professor in ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s , said the students’ commitment and openness to feedback helped make the projects successful.

“Both students worked tirelessly on several design drafts and were very open to constructive feedback,” Lee said.

Lee said ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� students continue to perform strongly in the highly competitive Pele Awards.

“With an 86% career placement rate, the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� graphic design program prepares students for the competitive design industry,” Lee said. “The curriculum merges historical and theoretical foundations with hands-on, industry-aligned training.”

The Department of Art and Art History is housed in the .

First-year University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� medical student Eugene Santos II is sharing his experience with Tourette Syndrome, a neurological condition marked by involuntary movements called tics and affecting about 1.4 million people in the U.S.

Santos was diagnosed in elementary school after stress from his parents’ divorce and frequent travel between Guam and Hawaiʻi contributed to his symptoms. A neurologist later confirmed the diagnosis.

“My intent was to pursue some sort of writing career, whether that was music or poetry,” he said. “One way or another though, I found myself questioning if there was space for me in medicine. I’d always been interested in it. But because of my Tourette’s, I had an idea of what I could and could not do. And, what I could do, and what I could not do included helping others with their health.”

From diagnosis to medical school

A caregiver experience during college helped reshape his outlook after a patient encouraged him to pursue healthcare despite his tics.

“I remember I was getting her into bed, and she said, ‘You have such good bedside manner. Why don’t you go into healthcare?’ Despite the fact that my tics were really active that day, she saw something in me that was more than that.”

At the , Santos connected with Johnathan Kim, who graduated in May and also lives with Tourette Syndrome. The two bonded over shared experiences and career paths.

Kim is transitioning to an internal medicine residency at the University of California, Irvine, and expressed gratitude for the support of family, friends, classmates and mentors who helped him persevere with Tourette Syndrome.

“To me, that was so cool,” Kim said. “I felt like someone could actually understand what I felt.”

Santos said that connection has been meaningful as he continues medical training.

“We always say representation is important, in whatever field it is,” he said. “Being able to talk with someone about some of my insecurities and someone who has Tourette’s has been really helpful.”

Santos hopes his story encourages others not to be limited by their condition.

“You may have this thing, but you are not defined by it,” he said.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s selected four graduate students as recipients of the , which support original research and creative projects using the library’s archival and special collections.

This year’s scholars represent the fields of linguistics, natural resources and environmental management and history. Their projects explore topics including Micronesian languages, trans-Pacific ethnobiological knowledge, public health in modern China and the early development of Japanese aviation.

The 2026 scholarship recipients are:

• Kelsey Bialo, a linguistics doctoral student, for the project “Exploring Minor Syllables and Sesquisyllabicity in Micronesian languages”
• Kelsie Kuniyoshi, a natural resources and environmental management doctoral student, for the project “Pilina Inoa: An Exploration of Trans-Pacific Ethnobiological Knowledge Through the Samuel Elbert Collection”
• SeungHyeon Pyo, a history doctoral student, for the project “Hijacking the Invisible Hand: The Language of Markets and Corporate Incubation of Early Japanese Aviation”
• Sijian Wang, a history doctoral student, for the project “Living with Toxicity: Chemical Disinfectants in China, 1910–1950”

Open to students from any discipline and level of study, the Library Treasures program encourages the use of archival materials, rare collections, maps, manuscripts, government documents, audiovisual resources and digital collections housed at Hamilton Library.

have examined topics connected to Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, Asia and global history and culture using collections such as the Hawaiʻi Sugar Plantation Archives, Tahitian newspapers and Okinawan magazines.

Scholarship recipients will present their work during a public event in the fall.

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A Waiākea High School graduate is now a physician after completing his medical training in May at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM), a journey shaped by his Hawaiʻi Island roots, early classroom curiosity, and a commitment to returning home to serve.

Duke Escobar has been described by teachers and peers as approachable, trustworthy and easy to connect with.

“You wish you had a full class of Dukes,” one educator said, noting his friendliness and ability to relate to both younger and older people.

Despite his accomplishments, Escobar often returns to a phrase that reflects his perspective growing up: “just a kid from Waiākea.” The sentiment speaks to his humility as a first-generation college student raised in a close-knit Hawaiʻi Island community.

Early inspiration

His interest in medicine began at Waiākea High School, where a health academy course introduced him to medical problem-solving through activities such as diagnosing cases from the television show House. A teacher recalled his curiosity and enthusiasm in class.

Escobar went on to study cell and molecular biology at before completing research gap years at Stanford University and the University of Washington. He was later accepted to JABSOM after years of preparation and persistence.

At medical school, he joined the School Health Education Program, helping bring medical learning into local classrooms. He said working with students came naturally.

“Maybe it’s like the same level of maturity, but we get along quite well,” he said.

Serving his community

Escobar also discovered his interest in pediatrics, drawn to working with children and building connections through humor and trust. He matched into a pediatrics residency and will continue training in Hawaiʻi.

“I always kind of felt like I needed more of a human connection, and I felt like being a physician is where I could find that,” he said.

Escobar plans to return to Hilo to serve the community that raised him and hopes to inspire Hawaiʻi Island students to pursue careers in medicine.

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University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� graduate student Emily Heintzelman is using lessons learned as a Division I beach volleyball student–athlete to shape her future in public health.

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Heintzelman is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree in the while completing her final collegiate athletic season. Her volleyball career has taken her around the world, including competitions in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand and Germany.

“Being an athlete has taught me discipline, resilience, and how to work within a team,” said Heintzelman. “These skills don’t apply just to sports, but are also just as important when tackling complex public health challenges.”

Heintzelman earned her bachelor’s degree in in spring 2025, with minors in public health and health and wellness. She now specializes in Health Policy and Management, focusing on health equity, access to care.

From athletics to advocacy

“As an athlete, I’ve seen firsthand how access to care, communication within healthcare systems, and advocacy can impact outcomes,” she said. “Those experiences have reinforced my interest in pursuing policy work that improves access and ensures that individuals feel heard and supported within healthcare systems.”

In fall 2025, Heintzelman was one of only two student–athletes selected to represent ����Vlog�ٷ� at the American Volleyball Coaches Association Collegiate Beach Pairs National Championship.

“You’re not just playing for yourself—you’re representing your teammates, your coaches and the whole university,” she said.

Heintzelman hopes to use data and policy to expand healthcare access, particularly in womenʻs health.

“Being a student–athlete has taught me that success is rarely about individual performance, it’s about teamwork, communication, and showing up consistently, even when it’s hard,” she said. “In public health, those same principles apply. You’re working with diverse groups of people, often across disciplines, to solve complex problems. The ability to listen, adapt and stay committed to a shared goal is critical.”

Heintzelman said she is grateful for the support she has received along the way.

“My teammates have become like family, along with the coaches who have believed in me, my parents and sister who have supported me at each step along my journey, and for the opportunities sport has given me,” she said. “Volleyball has shaped who I am in so many ways, and I carry those lessons with me as I move forward into a career in public health.”

When Leiya Margareth Torrano crossed the stage at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 2026 Spring Commencement on May 16, she carried more than a diploma. The Honokaʻa-raised daughter of Filipino immigrants became the first in her family to graduate from college—and spent four years helping other local students see higher education as a possibility for themselves.

Torrano earned a degree in with a concentration in healthcare management, a minor in philosophy and a pre-law certificate. She said earning her diploma represented the sacrifices and support of her family.

“I’m representing them—all of their investments, all of their energy—will be coming on stage with me,” Torrano said. “This is for them and for me.”

Creating pathways for local students

While navigating college as a first-generation student, Torrano focused on helping other local students access higher education opportunities. As a and member of the team, she helped launch ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo’s inaugural Thrive and Shine: First Generation Day celebration.

She also developed Kūlia i ka Nuʻu, meaning “strive for the highest,” a college-preparation program connecting local high school students with campus resources, mentorship and college guidance. Torrano said the program aims to “debunk the myths and barriers” that discourage some students from pursuing college.

“We’re navigating and eliminating the fear of what steps to take,” she said.

Leadership beyond the classroom

During her time at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, Torrano served as Health Occupation Students of America President and studied abroad at the University of Birmingham in England. She credited the Bonner Program with helping her become a more confident leader.

Torrano encouraged local students to recognize the opportunities available close to home.

“People think they have to leave, but there is so much you can accomplish here,” she said.

After graduation, Torrano will begin working as a service supervisor for The Arc of Kona, supporting elderly individuals and people with disabilities.

For Liliana Okimoto, a year away for college in Washington State provided a realization that no school in the continental U.S. can offer what the can: a deep sense of community and purpose. That was the focus of her winning #TakeMeToMānoa social media contest video hosted by .

In her minute-long entry, Okimoto said, “Hawaiʻi is where my heart is and under the guidance of the amazing faculty and staff at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa, I know I can grow into the person I want to become—someone who devotes themselves to learning in order to better serve their community, so take me home. Take me to Mānoa.”

As the winner out of nearly 60 entries, Okimoto won a free year of tuition at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa, courtesy of (����Vlog�ٷ�FCU). The online contest, which was open to incoming fall 2026 Hawaiʻi freshmen and transfer students, asked entrants to explain why ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa is the right place for them or how a year of free tuition would impact their future.

Billy V from Hawaiʻi News Now made the surprise announcement to Okimoto live on Sunrise on May 22, in front of cheering ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� employees and students at the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Bookstore.

“I was just in shock and I was so happy,” Okimoto said. “I didn’t realize what it was and then I saw the check. I was like, ‘oh my goodness.’”

Okimoto grew up in Waiʻanae and attended Island Pacific Academy before graduating from ʻIolani School in 2025. At ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa, Okimoto will pursue a degree in in the , and is also considering a pre-health track. She is also passionate about art and is considering medical school to become a psychiatrist, with a possible goal of one day leading a medical practice that offers psychological care and creative therapies such as art therapy.

“I had gone to school on the mainland and I could tell that I don’t know if this is what’s right for me and I always just kept thinking about coming home, being back here,” Okimoto said. “And so I was really looking at ����Vlog�ٷ� and what programs are here and what they have to offer. I really think that being back at home and being at ����Vlog�ٷ� specifically is what’s best for me.”

This will be a full circle moment for Okimoto, who will attend ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa at the same time as her mother, Michelle, who is in the graduate program for library and information science. Michelle is a librarian at ʻIolani.

“It’s really exciting,” Michelle said. “I wish that I had completed all of the education I wanted to do when I was younger, so I’m definitely gonna encourage her to do that, but I think it’s really cool that we’re gonna go to the same school, go to the same events and maybe even carpool sometimes. I’m just so glad to have her home. It’s icing on the cake that we get to be students together. I’m looking forward to studying together and cheering each other on!”

The contest ran from April 6 to May 3. Now in its eighth year, the contest continues to spotlight the dreams, creativity and determination of Hawaiʻi’s students.

“I am delighted to congratulate Liliana, the winner of this year’s #TakeMetoMānoa contest,” said Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “As our first transfer student to receive this honor, she is a shining example of a student returning home from the continent for whom finding the right fit is of utmost importance, and we are glad to be that destination of choice for her. We are proud to welcome her to our ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa ʻohana and look forward to the impact she will have on our community.”

“We’re very proud of being able to support the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and also the students here and bringing her back home,” said ����Vlog�ٷ�FCU AVP of Member Experience Sean Parsa. “We’re proud of her and we’re proud of being part of the University of Hawaiʻi.”

Meet the previous #TakeMeToMānoa winners.

Honolulu Community College’s Ganesan Srinivasan was recognized with the 2026 Outstanding Alumnus Award at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (CTAHR) annual awards banquet held in May.

Srinivasan, who serves as dean of communication and services programs, holds a PhD in agronomy and soil science from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�. He was honored for his 40 years of leadership in agriculture, education and international research.

Over the course of his career, Srinivasan has contributed to global agricultural research and training, working with maize production systems across Asia, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. He has mentored more than 1,000 researchers from more than 40 countries and authored more than 180 publications. He is a fellow of both the Crop Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy.

“This recognition means a great deal to me because CTAHR is where my journey in Hawaiʻi truly began—as an East-West Center grantee and ����Vlog�ٷ� graduate student, as a researcher, and as someone learning what it means to serve this community with humility and purpose,” Srinivasan said.

Foundation built at CTAHR

He currently oversees Honolulu CC’s career technical education programs. Srinivasan has also held senior academic leadership roles at institutions in California and served as principal scientist and associate director at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico.

Srinivasan credited his experience at CTAHR as the foundation for his knowledge of agriculture beyond the classroom.

“CTAHR shaped my understanding of agriculture not just as a discipline, but as a responsibility—to our ʻāina (land), to our local industries, and to the students and families who depend on strong educational pathways,” he said.

He also shared advice with current CTAHR students.

“You are receiving a world-class education in tropical agriculture from some of the best faculty in this field. Apply this knowledge to real-world conditions to develop diversified, resilient and sustainable agriculture systems for Hawaiʻi and beyond,” Srinivasan said.The post CTAHR honors Honolulu CC dean with Outstanding Alumnus Award first appeared on University of Hawaiʻi System News.]]> 234871 /news/2026/05/22/voyaging-experience-to-classroom/ Fri, 22 May 2026 19:55:54 +0000 /news/?p=234862 Connecting ancestral sailing to community inspires Leeward CC and ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� graduate.

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instructor Ian Kekaimalu Isami Lee has sailed far and wide aboard the vessel Hōkūleʻa. Now, the and alumnus uses the experiences gained on open waters in his class on the basic principles and theories of modern non-instrument navigation, the same navigation used on the Hōkūleʻa.

“It brings a lot of context for my students because when we talk about things or when I try to explain things to them,” Lee said. “I tell them stories of things that I have personally experienced. That brings it to life for them, and it makes it easier for them to understand the concepts.”

After graduating from Leeward CC with an associate’s degree in liberal arts in 2011, Lee enrolled at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�. In 2014 Lee sailed from Samoa to Aotearoa and in 2017 from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi aboard Hōkūleʻa.

His master’s thesis revolved around voyaging and canoe culture. The journeys were instrumental in his growth as a person and navigator, allowing him to share experiences with his ancestors who crossed the sea thousands of years prior. Lee earned bachelor’s (2014) and masterʻs (2017) degrees in Hawaiian studies.

Community on campus

It was not always smooth sailing. After spending his first semester skipping classes, Lee says he found community at Leeward CC. This inspired him to engage more in his studies and take advantage of free tutoring and other support.

“I just found myself having a blast and learning along the way,” said Lee. “It was the community that I surrounded myself with. We had the program Hālau ʻIke O Puʻuloa, which is now known as Kīpuka, Native Hawaiian Student Services. There were so many people who created a very comfortable environment. That made me not want to leave.”

Lee remembers being greeted with a smile and treated with aloha on campus, which felt like a home away from home. Now, he tries to encourage his students to build community.

“My students do their course in groups, they do everything as a group,” Lee said. “I try to shift their thinking to a broader, global thinking that all of our actions are interconnected and affect each other. If we all thought that way, I think this world would be a much better place.”

The post ����Vlog�ٷ� alumnus brings voyaging experience to the classroom first appeared on University of Hawaiʻi System News.]]>

University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) physician-scientist Dominic Chow has been selected for the 2026 Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Forum at the National Academy of Medicine.

The invitation-only program brings together emerging leaders in health care, research and policy from across the country.

“It’s a real honor,” Chow said. “To be able to interact with members of the National Academy of Medicine and contribute to discussions that help guide health policy is something I don’t take lightly.”

Chow’s career spans global public health, including training at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and work in Guyana, where he helped lead a yellow fever outbreak investigation.

At JABSOM, he has advanced HIV research through the Hawaiʻi Center for AIDS and serves as program director of Ola HAWAII, an NIH-funded initiative expanding clinical research access in underserved communities and supporting studies including Long COVID.

“I think bringing clinical trials to various populations across Hawaiʻi helps create more equity,” Chow said.

The forum connects participants to address major health challenges and inform national policy. Chow said he hopes to ensure Hawaiʻi’s health needs are represented.

“We have a responsibility to address health disparities here in Hawaiʻi and beyond,” he said.

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