When Asher Griffith walks across the stage in May to receive his associate’s degree in from Kauaʻi Community College, he’ll be carrying much more than technical skills into his future.

Griffith said his true passion lies in voice acting. This fall, he plans to transfer to the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu to pursue a bachelor’s degree in general while continuing to explore creative opportunities in performance and entertainment.

His artistic interests grew through seven years in the Kauaʻi CC Jazz and Symphony Band and through involvement in theatre. But Griffith’s impact on campus extended far beyond the stage.

Leadership roles

He served in multiple leadership roles within the Student Government Association, including treasurer, president and, most recently, human resources director. As student body president, Griffith focused on rebuilding communication between students and the administration, and revitalizing student life following the pandemic.

Student activities regained momentum, and campus engagement grew once again. Some of the events that were reestablished include the Halloween Bash, Ping Pong Tournament, Valentine’s Day event, and International Education Week. Griffith also worked to help student clubs become active again across campus.

“My motto when I was president was and is to keep growing,” Griffith said. “t’s what I tried to do for Kauaʻi CC—to try to make it better and better—and I also tried to grow myself as well.”

Encouraging others

Griffith immersed himself in campus life, working as a student ambassador in the Student Life Center and serving as president of the gaming club. Through the club, he helped organize participation in an e-sports tournament on Oʻahu and encouraged students to get involved outside the classroom.

“A big highlight for me during my time here was all the friends I made, whether reconnected or new,” Griffith said. “Being able to be in a big community and to be able to develop my social skills was very impactful. I was really awkward in high school, and now I’m ‘Mr. Everybody Knows Me.’”

Other Kauaʻi opportunities

Although Griffith plans to move to Oʻahu to continue his education and pursue voice acting, he said the skills he learned in the electronics technology program will always provide opportunities should he return home to Kauaʻi. The program’s partnership with the Pacific Missile Range Facility provides internship opportunities.

Meet more amazing ����Vlog�ٷ� graduates

He also recently began working with former Kauaʻi CC professor Jameyia Shamia to help build customized light-up signs for a startup business and is working on sound and lighting at the Kauaʻi CC Performing Arts Center.

Griffith is grateful for the opportunities, friendships and lessons that shaped him into a more confident version of himself.

He said, “Everything that happens in your life can be used as a growing experience, something you can learn from.”

—By Caitlin B. Fowlkes

Kauaʻi Community College is combining high-tech innovation with cultural preservation, offering five students paid internships while supporting local nonprofit efforts to protect Indigenous data across the island.

These interdisciplinary projects allow students to gain specialized skills, earn academic credit and explore new career pathways through hands-on experience. They are part of the University of Hawaiʻi‘s Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, which has established several Indigenous Data Hubs (IDH).

In one vital project, students are partnering with the nonprofit I Ola Wailuanui to aid in the restoration of Malaehaʻakoa heiau. Using drone technology, interns created 3D models of the historical site, which are now being used to inform and guide restoration efforts.

“Building pilina (connection) with Malaehaʻakoa and listening to what its needs are for restoration and integration into modern-day functioning has been integral,” said Kauaʻi CC IDH Coordinator Kamalani Chock. “When we interact with the space, we treat the heiau as an ancestor that can help the community cultivate mana (power). What the process of mana cultivation means in the 21st century is what we’re meditating on.”

Digitizing artifacts

A second project involves students digitizing fragile artifacts at Kauaʻi CC’s Kikuchi Center. They are photographing from 360 degrees and transforming those images into a 3D model with an associated texture map, making them accessible for study and public engagement on the .

“I think it’s important to expand the scope of potential career pathways on the island,” Creative Media Program Coordinator Joseph Tremonti said.

“Projects like this allow students to develop skills that can be applied to cultural heritage work, archives, and museum studies—fields where access to fragile materials is often limited. This opens up exciting opportunities for our students.”

Chock, who also teaches agriculture and natural science courses through Nā Pua Noʻeau (a pre-K–college enrichment program), emphasized the importance of connecting education directly to community needs.

“I think the future of education must be holistic,” Chock said. “It can’t be siloed into singular disciplines. Instead, it should recognize how these fields intersect and work together in our communities—especially in ways that support community health and well-being.”

Hawaiʻi residents are invited to hone high-demand creative industry skills with two production courses set for spring 2026, offered through the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges’ initiative, in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division.

On-set safety, support for productions

Participants in foundational safety will learn specialized protocols, proficiencies and on-set practices for working with scaffolding, aerial lifts, forklifts and more—all key to supporting production needs and obtaining related unionized jobs in the industry. Space is limited, and for Level 1 training beginning January 12, 2026, at . Level 2 training will follow, after necessary Level 1 conditions are met.

Level 1 training will consist of five courses with 72 hours of instruction including scaffolding erection, fall protection, aerial lifts, OSHA 10 and CRP/First Aid/AED certifications. Once the first course bundle is successfully completed, an interview with a local entertainment industry partner will be scheduled.

If the participant is hired, union membership in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees commences after 30 days of employment and the employed individual will be funded to progress to Level 2 training, including scaffolding use and telehandler certification. Instruction is offered across a variety of days and times to maximize community accessibility to the courses. Fully trained and employed unionized workers can expect to earn between $50–150 per hour.

“Good Jobs Hawaiʻi is expanding real opportunities for residents to enter well-paying, in-demand careers, and these courses show how the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges can quickly respond to the evolving needs of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s creative sector,” said Della Teraoka, interim vice president for the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges. “By offering accessible training that leads to industry-recognized certifications and union eligibility, we’re helping local talent build long-term careers and supporting a stronger, more resilient economy for Hawaiʻi.”

Course dates for foundation safety Level 1 run January 12–February 7, 2026, with a tuition cost of $1,610. Level 2 tuition is $465. Eligible students can qualify to receive 100% tuition support. To apply and learn more, visit the or email questions to goodjobs@hawaii.edu.

More on Good Jobs Hawaiʻi

A variety of free and low-cost training classes are also available to explore across fields such as education, technology, skilled trades and healthcare, that can help open doors to jobs, paid internships and apprenticeships. More than 6,000 residents throughout the state have enrolled in specialized training classes since the Good Jobs Hawaiʻi program launched in 2023. Learn more at the .

The Art of Music Media Masterclass, recently hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, offered local creatives—including working professionals, hobbyists and students—an intensive, free workshop merging film production and music industries. The masterclass, held two days in October, aimed to grow skills through real-world experience.

Nearly two dozen participants joined the workshop, including students from ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, Honolulu Community College, and Kapiʻolani Community College. The goal was to build confidence and community through education.

Students learned technical skills, such as video lighting, shooting, editing and workflow, alongside professional aspects, such as backstage etiquette, ethics and professionalism. For the hands-on capstone, selected students shot content alongside real production teams during the Holo Holo Music Festival.

One student reflected, “Being part of a real working media team—whether in a studio setting or at a live concert—made the learning practical and unforgettable.”

Connected industry skills

Instructor Antonio J. Agosto, Visionize Media co-founder and a former ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu student, designed the program drawing on his 15 years of experience in concert and festival production.

Agosto explained the course focused on educating photographers, videographers and storytellers on how to work in live music environments while also giving musicians and performers the chance to understand how media plays a role in their careers.

“The Art of Music Media Masterclass was created to bring together two industries that are often connected but rarely taught side by side—film production and the music industry,” Agosto said.

Agosto also emphasized that the training was designed to foster local talent.

“It wasn’t just about teaching camera skills; it was about showing how creatives in Hawaiʻi can build sustainable careers without having to leave home,” he said. “This masterclass wasn’t just a class—it was a reminder that Hawaiʻi can lead in storytelling. We just need the right opportunities and a strong community to make it happen.”

The collaborative effort was launched by Visionize Media, and presented by International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN) in partnership with ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu, KS Kaiāulu, Zippy’s, Good Vibez Presents and Visionize Media.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

Aspiring filmmakers are invited to submit a short film pitch for the Sustainability Pitch and Media Competition 2025. Hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi System Office of Sustainability and the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� , this year’s theme is Local Food Production and Consumption.

The competition encourages filmmakers to turn their creativity into impact by using storytelling skills to pitch eye-catching short films that do good for the planet. Three pitches will be chosen. Winning pitches will earn $200 each. Those produced within the academic year will earn an additional $800.

online. Submissions are due November 20, at 11:55 p.m.

Application requirements

• Written pitch for a short film between 15 seconds and 2 minutes long.
• A written description of your idea (100–300 words max).
• A single PDF (4–8 images) showing your concept, visual style, and story progression.
• Pitches must be original (no overlap with class assignments).

Pitches will be judged by community professionals, and finished films will be shared with the ����Vlog�ٷ� community and beyond.

For more information, contact Associate Professor Laura Margulies at lmarguli@hawaii.edu.

Chris Lee, founder of the (ACM System), has been named emeritus faculty by University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel. Lee served as director of ACM for more than two decades. He led the ����Vlog�ٷ� ACM initiative, which spans all 10 campuses and continues to empower students to pursue careers in digital storytelling, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous narratives rooted in Hawaiʻi. Reflecting the state’s unique cultural diversity, ACM is the first majority Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander media school in the country.

Now, the Hollywood veteran is stepping down, leaving a legacy that expanded Hawaiʻi’s creative pipeline and opened doors for homegrown storytellers and creators.

Lee said, “There are so many people to mahalo for this honor. I am so grateful to the 2004 Board of Regents, which originally approved ACM as a system-wide initiative, key alumni like Roy and Hilda Takeyama who gave generously to both start and sustain us, legislators and governors who financially supported the build out of the program across the islands, the local production industry that has embraced our students, our exceptional faculty and, most of all, our talented graduates who are driving Hawaiʻi’s growing and vital creative economy.”

Under Lee’s leadership, the ACM System launched ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� ACM (now known as the ), , , and program. It also supported the creation of at ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu, ����Vlog�ٷ� Esports, and collaborated with ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s (ICS) department to develop . Lee enhanced existing media programs at , , Hawaiʻi CC, , and .

Many of them are earning a living doing what they love, right here in Hawaiʻi, telling their stories to the broadest possible audience. That was always the goal.
—Chris Lee

Uniquely, ACM fostered the first comprehensive articulation agreements between all seven community colleges and ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu, where Lee also led the development and funding of ACM’s state-of-the-art Student Production Center.

“Chris Lee’s foundational leadership and contributions have catalyzed creative media education across the ����Vlog�ٷ� System and elevated Hawaiʻi’s stories to a broader audience,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President Wendy Hensel. “Drawing from his groundbreaking career in Hollywood, he helped build a thriving creative pipeline here at home. We thank him for his decades of service and are proud to honor him with emeritus status for his lasting influence at ����Vlog�ٷ� and our state.”

• Tributes and reflections on Chris Lee and his legacy at ����Vlog�ٷ�

A systemwide vision

Raised in Hawaiʻi and an alumnus of ʻIolani School, Lee graduated from Yale University before starting a successful career as a motion picture executive and film and television producer. The first person of Asian ancestry to lead a major Hollywood studio, serving as President of Production at TriStar Pictures and Columbia Pictures, he oversaw iconic films such as Jerry Maguire, Philadelphia, As Good As It Gets and more.

After returning to Hawaiʻi in the early 2000s, Lee was invited to “start a film school” at ����Vlog�ٷ�. He imagined a cross-campus network that could elevate creative media education statewide.

“Rather than just focusing on one campus at ����ԴDz�, I visited every campus in the ����Vlog�ٷ� System,” Lee said. “I met with faculty, staff and students and saw what already existed, including the animation program at Kapiʻolani CC and the TV studios at Leeward CC, and thought, ‘What if we built something that connected all of them?’”

In January, 2004, the ����Vlog�ٷ� Board of Regents formally established ACM, and Lee became its Founding Director. Over time, the initiative grew into a coordinated system offering specialized pathways in creative media, animation, gaming and digital content creation.

Empowering students and communities

At ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu, now the flagship for ACM, students can now pursue degrees in creative media, game design, communications and more. ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s School of Cinematic Arts focuses on narrative filmmaking, animation and Indigenous storytelling. The community colleges and ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo offer strong foundations in production, media theory and animation.

“What made this possible was the advent of affordable digital technology,” Lee said. “Thanks to early support from donors and ����Vlog�ٷ� alumni, including Roy and Hilda Takayama and Jay Shidler, we gave students a ‘Digital Toolbelt’—Macs with editing software, cameras and sound equipment. It let them tell stories that were true to themselves and shareable with the world through online platforms.”

Creating an industry pathway

From the start, Lee emphasized that ACM wasn’t just about making films. “It was about preparing a workforce that could thrive in the future digital economy, in storytelling, animation, games, immersive media and beyond,” he said. Today ACM graduates from every ����Vlog�ٷ� campus are driving Hawaiʻiʻs growing creative economy.

Many of those early students have gone on to make significant contributions to film and television, including Daniel Ledoux Miller, co-director and co-writer of Moana 2; Bryson Kainoa Chun, a writer for Moana 2 and Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., who, along with fellow ����Vlog�ٷ� alumnus Alika Tengan, was named to the inaugural Indigenous List recognizing top Native screenwriters.

ACM graduates work for Pixar, Disney, HBO, NBC and Netflix, but most have stayed in Hawaiʻi to build production companies or lead communications teams in sectors far beyond entertainment.

“Every business now wants an in-house videographer and social media content,” Lee said. “While graduates from ����Vlog�ٷ� �Ѳ��ԴDz�’s ACM like Christopher Makoto Yogi and Alika Tengan debuted their features at the Sundance Film Festival, students coming out of ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu are making TikTok capstones and going on to run campaigns for companies like BMW/Mini and even Honolulu City Hall.”

A hub for the future

The $37-million ACM Student Production Center at ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu opened in 2022 and has already become a hub for content creation, film and student collaboration. Adjacent to the facility is the proposed site of a state-of-the-art motion picture and television studio, currently under development.

The project, spearheaded by the Island Film Group team in partnership with ����Vlog�ٷ�, will include modern sound stages, production facilities, and a town square with live-work, retail, dining and lodging. The studio is envisioned as a transformative center for the West Oʻahu region and the state’s growing media industry.

“This is the natural next step in ACM’s evolution,” Lee said. “Combined with the ����Vlog�ٷ�WO Student Production Center, this complex will help elevate ACM to a global level. One of the project requirements is integration with ACM, which means our local students will have real opportunities—paid internships, mentorship and jobs with living wages.”

Driving innovation across the ����Vlog�ٷ�

Even as he steps back, Lee is helping guide ACM’s evolution through new initiatives. Most recently, he has been actively involved with the Aloha AI Institute, a proposed ����Vlog�ٷ� initiative that, like ACM System, aims to unite all 10 ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses. The project will equip students with the tools and opportunities to explore AI’s role in creative fields, particularly in integrating Indigenous knowledge and cultural narratives.

Lee also helped create a new computational creative media degree at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� ICS, launched in fall 2024, which prepares students to use AI tools in video games, animation and digital content. His push into esports led to Hawaiʻi’s largest tournament in 2024, the Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational, hosted at ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu. The event brought together six ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses, out-of-state universities such as Michigan State, and local high schools, showcasing how ACM initiatives are preparing students for future careers while supporting economic diversification.

A lasting impact

ACM’s transformation into a nationally recognized, culturally grounded media school stands as part of Lee’s enduring legacy—one that elevates Hawaiʻi’s stories and storytellers on the global stage.

“Everybody hopes they leave someplace better than how they found it,” Lee said. “Now we have hundreds of ACM graduates. Many of them are earning a living doing what they love, right here in Hawaiʻi, telling their stories to the broadest possible audience. That was always the goal.”

Reflections on Chris Lee

More than 900 people attended the , March 22 and 23 at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Academy for Creative Media (ACM) Facility. The esports event brought together collegiate teams from the continental U.S. and Hawaiʻi, including six ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses.

The Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational welcomed players from Boise State University and Michigan State University, who battled against local teams from ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� and ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu; Kapiʻolani, Kauaʻi and Leeward Community Colleges; Chaminade University; and Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Players competed in “Valorant,” a tactical shooter game, and “Super Smash Bros.,” a platform fighter game.

The event was organized by Vanta, an inclusive youth esports platform and league that educates and inspires future esports leaders. High schools also competed, bringing out their “Valorant” teams to showcase their skills in front of potential scouts.

“The turnout far exceeded previous years, with players, families, and friends coming together from across the United States to celebrate esports in Hawaiʻi,” said Paul Todkill, Vanta director of marketing.

Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational overall winners:

• High school “Valorant” champions: McKinley High School
• Collegiate “Valorant” champions: Boise State University
• Open “Super Smash Bros.” competition: Rydra – Michigan State University
• Collegiate “Super Smash Bros.” crews battle: Michigan State University

����Vlog�ٷ� Esports Systems Leadership and Student Summit

����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� came in second place in the collegiate “Super Smash Bros.” crews battle and third in “Valorant.” In addition to the tournament, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Esports Program Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa highlighted the first-ever ����Vlog�ٷ� Esports Systems Leadership and Student Summit, which was hosted on March 21. The purpose of the summit was to share ideas, stories and histories of each club/team on the individual campuses. According to Kauweloa, the goal was to forge greater collaboration among ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses. The group also discussed a long-term plan for the ����Vlog�ٷ� Esports system as a whole, which included seeking more advisory support and rotating the ����Vlog�ٷ� Esports System tournament to other campuses.

Create(x), LAVA

The Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational utilized ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu’s Create(x) lab, which features immersive visualization environments such as a projection system that projects onto three walls and the floor for various augmented virtual environments. Create(x) and ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s Laboratory for Advanced Visualization and Applications, also known as LAVA, are some of the resources for students in the new and the . These programs are specifically designed to equip students with the skills to merge creative media with computing, preparing them for careers in fields such as video game development, movie special effects, digital media installations, museum exhibits, theme park design and digital marketing.

From yoga in outer space to interactive star-gazing, University of Hawaiʻi students created innovative and fun new virtual and augmented reality experiences through a class collaboration between the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s (ICS) Department and the ����Vlog�ٷ� (ACM System).

The Creative Computational Media course allowed students to develop interactive and immersive experiences showcased in global exhibits such as Beyond Van Gogh, Beyond Monet, Disney Immersive and TeamLab Borderless.

“Even though these immersive experiences might seem like entertainment—which is a thriving industry—they teach valuable techniques for communicating complex data or ideas to broad audiences,” said ICS Professor Jason Leigh, who co-developed the course. “This is crucial for success as a scientist or engineer, as these experiences convey information in a visceral way, making it deeply felt and believed. In fact, we’re currently collaborating on projects with the Waikīkī Aquarium, NASA and the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office.”

More than 30 undergraduate and graduate students from multiple ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses joined the semester-long course taught at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� and ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu’s state-of-the-art ACM Create(x) Lab—the only place in the state where students can access the necessary cutting-edge equipment, expertise and hands-on training in developing augmented reality (AR) applications, virtual reality (VR) environments and interactive projection-mapped experiences.

In about a month, student teams conceptualized ideas, and designed and developed prototypes for their immersive experiences. Projects included:

• Stargaze: A stunning and technically complex immersive projection experience tracing constellations across different cultures, including Native Hawaiian, Inuit, Japanese and Korean perspectives.
• Yoga in space: A pioneering project exploring the potential for immersive environments to new environments to support and enhance yoga practices.
• Fit the wall: A simple but dynamic video game where players must physically move their bodies to fit through holes in oncoming walls.
• Fantasy wonderland: A whimsical, interactive experience transporting users to a magical world of fantasy and wonder.
• Sparkles: A fantasy flower garden experience where users can interact with sparkles through movement.

“This was the first computer class that was more art and creative driven,” said Katelyn Sung, a junior creative computational media major. “It was interesting and fun. It opens up a lot of different aspects of what you can do in the computer science field other than just being a software engineer.”

Paving the way to the future

The class has not only allowed students to experiment with new technologies but also paved the way for future projects and collaborations. The Waikīkī Aquarium has already tapped into this innovative field by commissioning past students’ work to create immersive exhibits for their own visitors.

“This course highlights the importance of interdisciplinary learning, the relevance of combining creativity with technical skills, and is a shining example of the University of Hawaiʻi’s commitment to preparing students for the future in emerging technologies like AI and digital media,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos, ����Vlog�ٷ� System vice president for research and innovation.

This course is part of a new Creative Computational Media concentration within the ICS �ٱ�貹���ٳ���Գ�’s BS/BA degree program. This program is specifically designed to equip students with the skills to merge creative media with computing, preparing them for careers in fields such as video game development, movie special effects, digital media installations, museum exhibits, theme park design and digital marketing. For more information about the concentration and department, .

A professor at the at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is gaining international recognition for his critically-acclaimed screenwriting. Marc Moody has recently made waves in some of the most prestigious competitions worldwide, showcasing both his talent and the strength of the university’s cinematic arts program.

In a major accomplishment, Moody was a quarterfinalist in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Nicholl Fellowship International Screenwriting Competition. Considered the top global contest for emerging screenwriters, the Nicholl Fellowship received more than 5,500 entries this year, with Moody’s screenplay standing out as one of just 354 to advance.

“Marc is a great example of what we are so happy to have at SCA, faculty who are professionals in the field and continue to practice their craft,” said Christine Acham, a professor and chair at SCA.

Moody also proved his versatility and consistency in other renowned competitions. At Screencraft’s Best Feature International Screenwriting Contest, all four of his submitted screenplays reached the quarterfinals, with one advancing to the semifinals. In the Best Action and Adventure category, another of Moody’s scripts also made it to the quarterfinals.

Moody’s screenwriting talents was further validated at the Richmond International Film Festival, where Moody was named a finalist—no small feat in one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest and most competitive festivals. Additionally, he was recognized as a finalist in Final Draft’s Big Break International Screenwriting Contest. The grand prize announcement is slated for this December. His success also extends to the WEScreenplay Diverse Voices competition, where he secured a semifinalist position.

This fall, Moody is teaching screenwriting and film history at The International College of Seville in Spain, part of the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa . He will return to the Mānoa campus to teach screenwriting at SCA in spring 2025.

The School of Cinematic Arts is housed in the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa .

The (SCA) at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� is celebrating the impressive achievements of its faculty, alumni, and students at the 44th (HIFF). This year, their creative works earned prestigious awards, nominations, and widespread recognition, highlighting ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s influence on Hawaiʻi’s cinematic landscape.

“The faculty of SCA have done an amazing job throughout the years mentoring these talented students, so it is quite gratifying to see the success of the alumni and the level of talent in the upcoming group of students and recent graduates,” said Christine Acham, a professor and chair at SCA.

SCA alumni awards

SCA alumnus Alika Tengan made a remarkable impact at HIFF44 with his feature film Molokaʻi Bound, winning the coveted Made In Hawaiʻi award for Best Narrative Feature. Tengan’s work, which explores themes of family and redemption, also earned him the prestigious Kau Ka Hōkū award for Best Emerging Filmmaker.

SCA alumna Erin Lau was also honored with the Made In Hawaiʻi award for Best Documentary Feature for producing the powerful film Standing Above the Clouds. The documentary captures the resilience of Native Hawaiian women fighting to protect Maunakea.

SCA alumni Arsenio Salvante also earned a nomination for HIFF’s Made in Hawaiʻi Best Short for his film Victoria. The 12-minute Korean drama showcases a woman’s journey back home to Hawaiʻi to sell her late-father’s home. The film was co-written by SCA alumna Keana Alea, with fellow alumnus Vincent Bercasio as director of photography.

SCA alumnus Alexander Bocchieri also directed feature length documentary Shaka and SCA alumna Shaneika Aguilar directed a segment of Real Wāhine of Hawaiʻi (season 5) which also premiered at the festival.

Students make their mark

SCA student Alexander Cleary earned the HIFFxBMW Hawaiʻi Driven Student Filmmaker Award for his short film Stitches, securing a $3,000 cash scholarship.

Two more students, Steven Loya-Montoya and Josiah Castillo, received honorable mentions for their films Where Do Butterflies Go When They Die? and Anxious.

In total, seven short films from SCA were selected for HIFF’s University Showcase: Anxious (Castillo), Ikiryo (Ty Everheart), James (Anne Di Martino), Once in a Life Time (Rickey Brunty), Stitches (Cleary), The ʻĀina Within (Marcus Goh) and Where Do Butterflies Go When They Die? (Loya-Montoya).

Faculty excellence

SCA Professor Vilsoni Hereniko’s short film Woven made its world premiere at HIFF and was nominated for the Made In Hawaiʻi award for Best Short.

Student-developed Indigenous data visualization projects took center stage at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu on September 27. The Indigenous Data Hub Fellows ��ōʻ�����, hosted by the (OIKI), showcased innovative works blending ancestral knowledge with modern data visualization.

Five students from and participated in the inaugural “Indigenous Data Hub Fellows” program, where they learned an equitable community-centered co-design practice, collaborated on place-based data visualization projects relevant to the Hawaiian community, and took advantage of the high-tech resources in the Create(x) lab housed in the Academy for Creative Media Building. The lab features immersive visualization environments such as a projection system that projects onto three walls and the floor for various augmented virtual environments.

“As a Native Hawaiian studying in the data science track at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, this experience has allowed me to integrate the practices of my culture as kānaka ʻō���ɾ� with the knowledge and skill set of a computer scientist, nurturing two critical parts of my identity,” said undergraduate student Shaelyn Loo. “It has been a transformative journey that has shaped my personal and professional growth in ways I never expected.”

OIKI Director Kamuela Enos said the Indigenous data hub’s goal is to provide contemporary data visualization technology to community practitioners to allow them to show the impact of their work, while training youth that live in their community the fundamentals of both ancestral and contemporary sciences.

“Our intention with this project is to equitably engage with both regional community organizations and students in pairing the ancestral sciences and technologies that have allowed our ancestors to be self-sufficient for millennia with contemporary technologies,” Enos said. “The Indigenous data hub model focuses on four key components: a named geography, the ancestral practices that still exist within that geography, the community organizations that are still holding on to these practices in that geography, and the next generation learners that live within that geography.”

Mapping, sailing, restoring

The students worked on three projects:

• Moʻolelo Mapper—An immersive visualization project intended to augment a classroom with illustrations to weave together place, story and ways to investigate lessons passed on from ancestors. This is in collaboration with Kumu Uʻi Keliʻikuli from Leeward CC.
• Hoʻokele Table—An augmented visualization table intended to supplement the curriculum around designing sail plans for non-instrumental navigation. The simulation allows for students to become familiar with the natural phenomena that need to be taken into account while navigation on the open ocean. This is in collaboration with Kumu Kekai Lee from Leeward CC.
• Kipuka o Kahinahina—An augmented visualization table intended to share the story of the restoration of kālua mahi (sinkholes) in Kalaeloa. These kālua mahi were originally used for agriculture, and archaeologist and kumu hula Ulukoa Duhaylonsod along with other community volunteers are restoring this practice to propagate and preserve endangered endemic species of plants such as ʻEwa Hinahina. The table visualizes observation data from the site over time.

“Working with these talented students has been incredibly rewarding,” said Create(x) Director Kari Noe. “Learning how to equitably co-design data science tools, visualization software, and any technology with community partners and faculty is a critical skill and practice, but it is challenging. These students have a passion to learn these skills to be able to create projects that will bring a positive impact to their communities. I’m happy we are able to give them the space to.”

Students also learned skills from mentors such as ��ū��ʻ�� Zane, Solomon Enos and Mikiʻala Lidstone who advised the fellows and taught them about Indigenous design, creative practice and community-centered design, respectively.

Along with Loo, other students who participated include Austin Cataluna (Leeward CC, engineering), Halaʻi Napulehua (Leeward CC, computer sciences), Leilehua Kila (Leeward CC, Hawaiian studies) and Kieren McKee (����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, digital media).

The intention of the Indigenous Data Hub project is to expand its network to other locations around the state to provide access to this kind of programming to local students, starting with Leeward CC. The Indigenous Data Hub project was funded in part by the National Science Foundation EPSCoR award 2149133, the Academy for Creative Media System and Abundant Intelligences.

The limited edition Moore Aloha Surfboard tin and decal—designed by University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu student Harper Okamoto—are now available for purchase, with 100% of net proceeds being donated to the and the Moore Aloha Foundation. The art was inspired by pro surfer and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore’s .

The products launched in September with a celebration at Honolulu Cookie Company’s Hyatt Regency Waikiki location. The special signing event featured both Okamoto—a spring 2024 graduate who earned her bachelor of arts in creative media with a concentration in design and media—and Moore—surfing’s first Olympic gold medalist and five-time world surfing champion. The cookie tin and decal can be found in or .

“I was inspired by the bright colors that are associated with Carissa’s brand and I wanted to incorporate some of those because they are so fun and friendly,” Okamoto said. “For Honolulu Cookie Company, I used simple shapes to represent their message to warmly welcome anyone that comes to the islands and buys their product. I wanted to use something that gave the impression of the aloha spirit, but in a way that would get the message across to anyone even if they don’t speak the languages here.”

Okamoto’s winning design was the result of Honolulu Cookie Company teaming up with the ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu Creative Media program for a student packaging design contest.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

The at the University of Hawaii–West Oʻahu (ACMWO) has created a plan to use creative media as a gateway to engage underrepresented students in STEM concepts—a significant step toward supporting the National Science Foundation’s initiative.

The plan was developed by Sharla Hanaoka, ACMWO director, and Brad Ashburn, associate professor of chemistry with the mathematics, natural and health sciences division at ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu.

Next steps

����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu will offer a new Math 100 course, Generative Art and Science, dedicated to the merge of art and math that supports the BPC plan welcoming all students with basic programming proficiency in spring 2025.

“By merging art into STEM fields, we’re not only breaking down barriers that often prevent students from our communities from pursuing computer science, but we’re also fostering creativity and unconventional thinking, preparing a new generation of problem-solvers equipped with both technical know-how and artistic vision for a future where technology and creativity are increasingly intertwined,” Hanaoka said. “This could lead to a more diverse, inclusive and innovative creative technology industry overall.”

Making art with science

Students Dylan Blue and Aina Kodaira—both pursuing a degree in creative media with a concentration in video game design and development—worked with Ashburn as a mentor on a summer research project that Ashburn will talk about in his upcoming course.

Blue and Kodaira presented their project, “Exploring Emergence with Cellular Automata,” at the ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu Student Research Experience Summer Symposium on August 9 at the Campus Center multi-purpose room. The project challenged them to combine software engineering, science, and design to build a highly interactive web application that generates complex patterns.

“We created an algorithm that creates different patterns; that’s how we blended technology with art,” Blue said. “This is significant because we don’t really see that happening too much, right? There’s always a distinct line between the field of science and creative media. …Being in a place where we havenʻt been before is pretty exciting.”

Both students plan this fall semester to take Ashburn’s new Generative Art and Science class, in which students will level up their creativity through hands-on computer programming, design and engineering projects.

“Many approaches to integrating the arts in STEM involve making art about science, but our approach is to make art with science,” Ashburn said.

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

Read more on .

Hawaiʻi residents are invited to sharpen high-demand creative industry skills through free courses by the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges’ Good Jobs Hawaiʻi initiative in collaboration with Hawaiʻi State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)’s Creative Industries Division.

“We are so happy to partner with DBEDT and our industry partners to provide free training in these high demand areas that will lead to better paying jobs and possible lifelong careers for the participants,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� Vice President of Community Colleges Erika Lacro. “Thousands of Hawaiʻi residents have received free training through our workforce programs that the ����Vlog�ٷ� community colleges have been offering since the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The free classes start in August 2024, and participants can learn to utilize advanced real-time 3D creation tools, design accessible user-friendly websites, get an introduction to the opportunities in esports through the ����Vlog�ٷ�’s award-winning collegiate esports program and develop an understanding of the unique accounting aspects involved in film and television production. Class sizes will be limited for specialized instruction, with registration now open at .

“By bringing together jobseekers, employers and educators, Good Jobs Hawaiʻi is maximizing learning opportunities and real-world workforce readiness in the community,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka.

The newest creative industries classes and course dates include:

• Stage 32 Accounting for Media Production (asynchronous online class, August 7–September 17, 2024)
• Unreal Engine for Filmmakers (synchronous statewide virtual class, August 15–October 17, 2024)
• Introduction to UX/UI Design and ADA Essentials with AI (synchronous statewide virtual class, August 20–October 10, 2024)
• Intro to Esports Careers (synchronous statewide virtual class, August 26, 2024–August 6, 2025)

Industry need

Kenneth Burke, producer of Magnum P.I., said that at any given time, a TV series might require as many as eight accountants, just one example that underscores industry need.

“The preference would be to hire locally for these openings, but with only one or two specialized accountants for this work here in Hawaiʻi, there are at least six opportunities per show that end up being outsourced,” Burke said.

Helping thousands of residents

Read more about Good Jobs Hawaiʻi at ����Vlog�ٷ� News

Since the launch of Good Jobs Hawaiʻi in 2023, more than 4,000 residents throughout the state have enrolled in various free training programs across core industry sectors—healthcare, technology, clean energy/skilled trades, and creative industries. Eligible applicants receive tuition assistance for courses and other training costs, such as industry certification exam fees when applicable. In addition to the free tuition, each participant is also supported by a Good Jobs Hawaiʻi Navigator, who provides one-on-one guidance to ensure a student’s success. Their services include offering college and career advising, referring to community partners for support services, facilitating connections to employers, and providing various forms of financial assistance. To apply online for current trainings or to learn more about the initiative, visit .

Financial support is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Economic Development Administration, and City and County of Honolulu. Grants from the Ascendium Education Group, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation support the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges’ coordination with industry partners in targeted sectors identified as recession-resilient in Hawaiʻi‘s Talent Roadmap to Recovery, issued by the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative.

Free summer training classes are now available for sign up through University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges’ Good Jobs Hawaiʻi initiative. These training programs offer individuals the chance to upskill and attain industry certifications, opening doors to employment opportunities, paid internships, and apprenticeship pathways. Registration is now open for a variety of online and in-person classes with varying durations though goodjobshawaii.org.

Trainings that will be offered starting in May 2024 include:

• Creative Industry jobs: Intro to esports careers and digital art fundamentals
• Technology jobs: Help desk technician prep, CompTIA A+, AI in the workplace and AWS cloud certifications
• Clean Energy and Skilled Trade jobs: Carpenter pre-apprenticeship, renewable energy and commercial driver’s license
• Healthcare jobs: Certified personal trainer, certified nurse aide and medical assisting
• City & County of Honolulu jobs: Police Academy prep, certification in court interpreter training,
• Microsoft Office and plant propagation for nursery workers

Since the launch of Good Jobs Hawaiʻi in 2023, more than 4,000 residents throughout the state have enrolled in free training offered through the program.

“The Good Jobs Hawaiʻi initiative is focused on ensuring our state’s economic future has a skilled and local workforce ready to meet the demands of our high-growth industries,” said Erika Lacro, vice president for ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges. “These free training classes being offered to Hawaiʻi residents provide an invaluable opportunity to upskill, paving the way for a successful future filled with promising career prospects.”

Free for most participants

More than $3 million in funding is available from various funding sources for tuition. Eligible applicants receive tuition assistance for courses and other training costs such as industry certification exam fees. The Good Jobs Hawaiʻi program is free for most eligible participants, since many of the trainings provide a 100% tuition subsidy to cover all costs.

In addition to the free tuition, each participant is also supported by a Good Jobs Hawaiʻi navigator, who provides one-on-one support to ensure a student’s success. Their services include offering college and career advising, referring to community partners for support services, facilitating connections to employers, and providing various forms of financial assistance.

To apply online for current training or to learn more visit Good Jobs Hawaiʻi.

Esports, digital creative industries

In the creative industries sector, an exciting esports experiential learning pathway is set to start in fall of 2024 for students from all ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses.

“We encourage interested applicants to apply now as seats are limited. The training will provide an unprecedented experience of academic instruction, industry mentorship, and esports internships in Hawaiʻi. The ����Vlog�ٷ� Esports program is a three-time nominated collegiate program of the year and winner of the 2022 national award,” said Nyle Sky Kauweloa, director of ����Vlog�ٷ� Esports.

The new online digital art fundamentals course prepares students for jobs in the rapidly evolving creative industries sector.

“This course offers a blend of introductory theory and practical skills essential for a digital media landscape that affects everything from education to digital marketing, telehealth to e-commerce, social media to esports,” said Associate Professor Adam Moura, coordinator for the New Media Arts Program at Kapiʻolani Community College.

Healthcare sector training

In the healthcare sector, a new personal trainer program hosted online for statewide participants by University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo in collaboration with ����Vlog�ٷ� Maui College offers the opportunity to attain the industry recognized ACE (American Council of Exercise) Industry Certification.

“The training provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills required to pursue an actual personal trainer certification from an accredited organization. It equips them with the educational groundwork needed to design safe and effective exercise programs, increasing their credibility and marketability in Hawaiʻi‘s vibrant fitness industry,” said Ozan Atalağ, department chair in kinesiology and exercise sciences at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Technology fields

In the technology sector, a new help desk technician prep course leading to an internship with local managed service providers (MSPs) for Oʻahu residents will begin in May.

“The value of this training isn’t just about fixing computers, it’s about building the confidence to tackle any problem that may come your way,” said Branden Baker of InTech, one of the MSPs offering paid internships.

Financial support provided by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Economic Development Administration, and City and County of Honolulu. Grants from the Ascendium Education Group, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation support the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges’ coordination with industry partners in targeted sectors identified as recession-resilient in , issued by the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative.

This spring, students from the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (SCA) embarked on an unforgettable journey, shadowing crew members of the hit TV show NCIS. They went behind the scenes with NCIS: Hawaiʻi director Larry Teng who hosted workshops on the CBS series’ soundstage at Diamond Head Studios.

Teng shared special techniques related to camera movement, blocking and visual storytelling.

“Being able to hear and see the creative process of a veteran filmmaker like Larry Teng up close was invaluable for me,” said Tony Dia, a senior at SCA. “I learned a great deal from him having us direct his scenes, then telling us what he liked and how to improve our craft. A lot of what I took away from the workshop I have been applying to my current film project.”

SCA senior Steven Loya Montoya was equally captivated by the advice Teng shared with students, and witnessing the transformation from set to screen.

“It’s always a great experience to get out of the classroom and get some real hands-on experience on a real professional set,” said Montoya.

SCA is committed to providing students a glimpse into the real-world workings of the film industry and equipping them with practical skills and insights that can help shape their future careers.

“Having professional directors in this case, take their time to share their knowledge with students allows them to understand what a professional working set looks like and what they need to do if they want to enter that world,” said Christine Acham, SCA chair and professor. “Classes are obviously important, but these opportunities will always stay with the students.”

In February, 10 SCA students also had the chance to shadow the NCIS crew while they filmed on location at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�. The film school strives to provide students workshops and internships. So far, SCA has facilitated connections for students to intern at various studios such as Disney, Apple +TV, Warner-Discovery and 20th Century Fox.

Science and art collide in ’s newest creative media course—a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) class—among the first in the ����Vlog�ٷ� system.

In fall 2023, ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu Associate Professor of Chemistry Brad Ashburn began teaching Creative Media 108 (CM 108): Creative process in the physical sciences, a unique collaboration between the creative media and the mathematics, natural, and health sciences departments.

“Usually when I think of science, I think of numbers and lab reports and rigid experiments that the professor already knows the answer to. But CM 108 uses design and science together,” creative media student Ashley Macho said. “I get to do artsy stuff whilst also learning science. And since it’s design, everything the groups in my class make will be different. There is no correct answer.”

In the course, students explore problems of the physical sciences, create and test hypotheses, interpret results, and iterate designs. Mechanical and electronic devices are designed and built using physical science and computational reasoning and calculation. The creative process of science is emphasized and practiced throughout the course.

“CM 108 sparks creativity and curiosity about the natural world and teaches our students to view science through an artistic lens,” said Sharla Hanoaka, director of ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu’s Academy for Creative Media. “Problem-solving processes differ across disciplines. This course exposes them to new ways of breaking down challenges and finding solutions in a creative way.”

CM 108 students use Swift, a powerful, modern and safe programming language used by software developers to build applications for Apple iPhone, iPad, Macs and more. It is also approachable and fun for beginners to learn to code.

“The goal of this collaboration is to broaden participation in computing at ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu with a hands-on, project-based approach to learning science that allows for students to flex their creativity,” Ashburn said.

For more visit .
—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

A state-of-the-art film studio at the that will transform the campus and have a major impact on the film and television industry in the state took a significant step closer to becoming a reality. ����Vlog�ٷ� has selected the Island Film Group team, a diverse group with local and national experience in film studio and commercial development and operations, as the project developer.

The Island Film Group team envisions a multi-purpose entertainment campus for studio employees and the ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu (����Vlog�ٷ�WO) community consisting of a public-serving town square with live-work, retail, dining, lodging, and office space, along with a private, secured film studio that would include modern sound stages and other support facilities.

“This project is not only important for the local film industry and the state’s economy, it will also support our educational mission by providing our students direct workforce experience with industry professionals for mentoring, networking, internship, and career development opportunities,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President David Lassner. “This initial step paves the way to unprecedented opportunity for (ACM) students at ����Vlog�ٷ�WO and all our ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses as well as for the West Oʻahu region and the entire state of Hawaiʻi.”

The development team includes Island Film Group, SHM Partners, Hawaii Media Inc., and CR50 Production Ventures.

“We are excited to be a part of this next chapter in the growth of the Hawaiʻi film and television industry,” said Island Film Group co-founder Ricardo Galindez. “The new studio, along with our incredible local crew base, will allow Hawaiʻi to compete directly with production locations all around the world.”

The 34-acre undeveloped site is adjacent to the new Keoneʻae rail station, bus transit, and park-and-ride facilities. The studio location is bound by Farrington Highway to the north, Kualakaʻi Parkway to the east, the ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu campus to the south, and the Hawaiʻi Tokai International College campus to the west.

With this first step in the process, ����Vlog�ٷ� will now begin negotiating the terms of a development agreement and long-term ground lease that must be reviewed and approved by the ����Vlog�ٷ� Board of Regents. As part of the expected agreement, the Island Film Group team will design, build, finance, operate, manage, and maintain the project for the life of the long-term lease. Ownership would revert back to ����Vlog�ٷ� when the ground lease expires. The Island Film Group team was selected based on their response to the Invitation to Submit Proposals ����Vlog�ٷ� issued in June 2023.

“On top of the academic opportunities for our students, this project will dramatically change life at ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu, with the public square, retail and dining options, our campus will increasingly become a hub of activity,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham. “We will look to build on the energy it creates and continue to grow as our community grows.”

“This is the natural next step in the evolution of the ����Vlog�ٷ� Academy for Creative Media,” said ACM Founder and Director Chris Lee. “Combined with our adjacent $37 million ACM Student Production Center at ����Vlog�ٷ�WO, this state-of-the-art studio complex will propel ACM to the top ranks of media schools globally. Because one of the requirements of this partnership is integration with ACM, our local students will have enormous career opportunities to stay in the islands with living wage jobs as talent both above and below the line. This combination will strengthen our vital production industry through workforce development and diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy away from an over-reliance on tourism.”

“This project is a game-changer for the creative media industry and film productions in Hawaiʻi,” said Lassner. “It will be one of the most significant steps in the state to create large numbers of high-quality jobs that will enable our students to thrive here in Hawaiʻi.”

The and Philippines-based have established a partnership that gives Enderun students an opportunity to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree at ����Vlog�ٷ�.

Starting in 2026, qualifying Enderun Colleges students can articulate to ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu for a two-year, in-person experience at the Kapolei campus that will expose them to Indigenous culture, place-based learning and a robust academic curriculum.

The two institutions established a “2+2 Transfer and Articulation Program,” which allows Enderun Colleges students who fulfill a prescribed two-year course study guaranteed acceptance with junior standing to ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu’s program (to earn a bachelor of arts in business administration with a concentration in ), or the creative media program (to earn a bachelor of arts in creative media with a concentration in ).

“We are delighted to be partnering with Enderun Colleges,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham. “Their exceptional work in international hospitality management, specializing in hotel administration or culinary arts, aligns with our BA (bachelor of arts) and BAS (bachelor of applied science) degrees. The additional pathway into creative media will provide students with professional skills that will lead to bright career opportunities.”

The partnership promotes international education, cultural exchange and collaboration in areas of common interest and benefit to both institutions. Enderun Colleges Chief Operations Officer Daniel Perez and Dean of the College of Architecture and Design Nikki Tayag visited ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu on November 24. The visit included a tour of the campus, followed by a signing ceremony in which Perez, Benham and ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harald Barkhoff officially signed the transfer and articulation agreement.

“This collaboration represents a significant step in global education, offering students the unparalleled opportunity to study in two different countries and at two esteemed institutions,” said Perez.

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“We look forward to welcoming our new ʻohana members from the Philippines,” Benham said.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman