Former Hawaiʻi Gov. George R. Ariyoshi died on April 19, 2026, at the age of 100. As Hawaiʻi’s third and longest-serving governor (1973–1986), and the first Asian-American elected to a governorship in U.S. history, Ariyoshi left an indelible mark on both the nation, state and the University of Hawaiʻi.

Ariyoshi’s connection to ����Vlog�ٷ� began early in his academic journey—he attended ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� before transferring to Michigan State University. In 2009, he was named a distinguished ����Vlog�ٷ� alumnus. He received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� in 1986. Throughout his remarkable career in public service, his leadership continually intersected with and championed the university’s research and educational missions.

‘Quietly and effectively’

His campaign slogan touted him as working “quietly and effectively” for Hawaiʻi. During his time in office, Ariyoshi played a pivotal role in advancing critical health research at ����Vlog�ٷ�. He notably signed the legislation that created the , working alongside former director Lawrence Piette. This foundational legislative support helped the grow into the world-class, NCI-designated research institution it is today.

Ariyoshi’s visionary approach to international relations laid the groundwork for expanding ����Vlog�ٷ�‘s global academic footprint. Drawing on his family’s roots, he spearheaded the creation of the Hawaiʻi-Fukuoka sister-state relationship more than three decades ago—Hawaiʻi’s first sister-state international relationship. This enduring diplomatic tie directly paved the way for system-wide international agreements between ����Vlog�ٷ� and the Fukuoka-based Tsuzuki Education Group, enriching student exchange and collaborative research in fields such as sustainability, traditional medicine and disaster resilience.

Reflecting on Ariyoshi’s monumental impact, Gov. Josh Green said in a statement: “Governor Ariyoshi devoted his life to Hawaiʻi with humility, discipline and an unwavering sense of responsibility to the people he served. He led our state during a pivotal moment with quiet strength and integrity, and his legacy as a trailblazer and public servant will endure for generations. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones.”

Pacific connections

Ariyoshi also played (EWC). In 1975, he worked with the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to establish the center as an independent educational nonprofit corporation. He served as a member of its Board of Governors from 1995 to 2003, including six years as chair.

EWC Board of Governors Chair John Waiheʻe served as Hawaiʻi’s lieutenant governor under Ariyoshi from 1982 to 1986 before succeeding him as governor.

“George Ariyoshi was a leader of deep integrity and vision who understood the importance of Hawaiʻi’s connections across the Pacific,” Waiheʻe said in a statement. “His support for the East-West Center and the Pacific Islands Development Program reflected his lifelong commitment to bringing people together in pursuit of shared progress.”

Ariyoshi is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Lynn, and sons Ryozo and Donn.

Franklin Kuo, a pioneering engineer whose work helped lay the foundation for modern wireless communications, died April 14. He was 91.

Kuo, a professor emeritus in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, co-developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s with colleague Norman Abramson. The system, launched in 1971, was the world’s first wireless packet network and introduced protocols that underpin technologies such as ethernet and wi-fi.

Educated in electrical engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Kuo began his career at Bell Laboratories in the early 1960s, conducting research in computer communications. He joined ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa in 1966 as a full professor, where his work on ALOHAnet helped place the university on the global map in networking innovation.

“This is a profound loss for our college and the global engineering community,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said. “Frank’s vision and leadership helped establish a culture of bold, boundary-pushing research at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa that continues to inspire our faculty and students today. His legacy lives on in the spirit of innovation that defines who we are. Both Frank and his wife Dora have been valuable members of our Engineering ʻohana.”

Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News stories on ALOHAnet:

• 50 years of ALOHAnet honored, new endowed scholarship announced, June 16, 2021
• Pioneering wireless technology ALOHAnet honored as engineering milestone, October 13, 2020

Kuo also authored some of the earliest books in the field, including one of the first texts on computer communication networks published in 1972. Beyond academia, Kuo served as director of information systems at the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the late 1970s. He later led networking and information systems projects at SRI International, contributing to early architecture for the National Science Foundation’s network, a precursor to today’s internet infrastructure.

He was a member of national advisory efforts on high-performance computing and consulted for federal science and technology initiatives. In 1994, he co-founded a wireless communications company focused on mobile messaging technologies. Kuo was an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers fellow and a recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Award.

A celebration of life is expected in May.

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Larry Price, a celebrated University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa scholar-athlete, coach and longtime supporter of the university, is remembered for a life that bridged athletics, education and service to the community. Price died March 27, at the age of 91.

Price distinguished himself as a leader on the football field at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa, becoming the only player in program history to be elected team captain three consecutive years from 1962 to 1964. He later earned recognition as one of the greatest players in school history, including selection to the program’s all-time team and designation as “Rainbow of the Decade” for the 1960s. He also played in three Hula Bowl games and signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Rams.

Price’s impact at ����Vlog�ٷ� extended well beyond his playing days. After earning his bachelor’s degree in recreation leadership in 1967 and a master’s degree in educational administration in 1971 from the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa College of Education, he returned to campus to mentor the next generation. He served as head men’s volleyball coach from 1969 to 1972, resident manager of the athletic dormitory and later head football coach from 1974 to 1976. During his tenure as head coach, ����Vlog�ٷ� became an NCAA Division I member, changed its nickname to the Rainbow Warriors, introduced the “Hula-T” formation, and on September 13, 1975, christened the newly-built 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium against Texas A&I.

“I’ve considered all of the people I went to school with my friends forever,” Price said in a . “The faculty took particularly good care of me,” he added, specifically pointing to his “favorite faculty member,” Harold St. John, from whom he took a botany course.

In the classroom and across campus, Price was equally dedicated. He went on to earn a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California and completed postdoctoral work at Stanford University, while also serving as an assistant professor at Chaminade University of Honolulu. At ����Vlog�ٷ�, he later led the Small Business Management Program, continuing his commitment to education and professional development.

His legacy includes a lasting connection to the broader Hawaiʻi community. Price built a distinguished career in media, joining KSSK Radio and becoming a familiar voice to generations of listeners. As a television journalist with KITV4, he earned national recognition for his documentary work. Price was also known for his sports commentary and his signature “katoosh!” call.

Throughout his life, Price remained closely tied to ����Vlog�ٷ�. He was a , and 1989 ����Vlog�ٷ� Distinguished Alumni Award honoree. Price was also a life member of the ����Vlog�ٷ� Alumni Association with the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Letterwinners Club and College of Education Alumni Association.

—By Marc Arakaki

The University of Hawaiʻi community mourns the loss of distinguished alumna and trailblazing political leader Colleen Hanabusa, who passed away in March.

Born and raised on the Leeward Coast in Waiʻanae, Hanabusa was a proud three-time graduate of ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university before receiving her law degree from the in 1977, which launched her early career as a labor attorney.

Her dedication to the university and its students continued later in her career. In December 2015, the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa College of Social Sciences announced Hanabusa’s selection as Lecturer and Daniel K. Inouye ����Vlog�ٷ�ing Scholar. Taking on a joint appointment between the public policy center and the political science department, she taught a spring 2016 course focused on civil liberties in times of crisis.

Hanabusa’s statewide legacy in public service is historic. She served in the Hawaiʻi State Senate from 1999 to 2010, representing her home community on the Waiʻanae Coast. During this time, she made history as the first woman to serve as president of the Hawaiʻi State Senate, known for wielding her power collaboratively to support her community. She then represented �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015, and again from 2016 to 2019.

Hanabusa is remembered for her effectiveness in strengthening national defense, preserving natural resources, advancing Native Hawaiians, and protecting civil rights. After her time in Congress, she continued her public service as chair of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board.

To honor her decades of dedicated service, Gov. Josh Green ordered U.S. and Hawaiʻi state flags to be flown at half-staff statewide.

Visionary architect Francis S. Oda, a University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� distinguished alumnus who played a key role in shaping the ����Vlog�ٷ� School of Architecture, died on February 14, 2026.

Oda was instrumental in developing the Doctor of Architecture program at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�. His contributions included his service as an adjunct associate professor of the ����Vlog�ٷ� School of Architecture and as a ����ԴDz� Forum Fellow. He also helped with the ����Vlog�ٷ� Long Range Development Program.

“Francis was such a monument in the field. A one-time architect for the University, he oversaw the development of many of the institution’s now seminal buildings. With G70, he extended Hawaiʻi’s influence worldwide,” said Professor Bill Chapman, former dean of the School of Architecture. “He was a true gentleman, who embraced his responsibilities to the wider community.”

Oda was a co-founder of Hawaiʻi design firm G70, where he guided the company for more than 50 years. His work and mentoring of generations of professionals helped shape Hawaiʻi’s built environment, reflecting his deep respect for culture, community and place.

“Francis was more than one of our founders—he was a mentor, spiritual father and source of inspiration for everyone who had the privilege of working with him,” said Linda Miki, CEO of G70. “His legacy lives on in our G70 ʻOhana, our projects and our commitment to serving Hawaiʻi and beyond with integrity and care.”

A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Oda received numerous accolades, including the Gordon Bradley Humanitarian Award and induction into the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame. His award-winning projects include the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, Hanauma Bay Nature Center, and master plans for the City of Kapolei.

Internationally, he designed projects such as Bora Bora Resort, French Polynesia, Roches Noires Smart City, Mauritius and Place Jacques Chirac, Papeete, French Polynesia, and Heaven’s Gate, Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. Oda was also a senior pastor and board chair of New Life Church Honolulu.

He is survived by wife Caroline and children, Reid and Nalani. A celebration of life service will be held on April 25, 2026, at the First Assembly of God – Red Hill, Moanalua. as it becomes available.

Walton K.T. Shim, Hawaiʻi’s first pediatric surgeon and a longtime professor of surgery and pediatrics at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM), died in November 2025 at his family home in Montana. He was 94.

Over the span of his long career, he trained residents, mentored future surgeons and helped raise the standard of pediatric care statewide.

Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Shim attended Dartmouth College and Columbia University School of Medicine before completing surgical training in Chicago. Shim returned to Hawaiʻi in 1967 determined to build pediatric surgery as a specialty so children could receive complex care without leaving the islands. For many years, he was the only pediatric surgeon statewide.

In addition to his faculty role at JABSOM, Shim held multiple leadership positions at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, including division chief of pediatric surgery and chief of staff. He was also a founding member of the Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons.

A doctor who never delayed

“There’s all sorts of ways you can delay seeing patients,” said his wife, Vicki Shim. “He never did that. In other words, if somebody came into the ER or someone like Dr. Boychuk called him, he was there, right away.”

That dedication was felt at home as well. “I remember them calling him late at night on the phone,” said daughter Jennifer Shim. “He actually had his own telephone line installed just for emergencies…I realize it now as an adult.”

Shim is survived by his wife, four children, six grandchildren and generations of patients whose lives he helped save.

“Dr. Shim was a pioneer in pediatric surgery whose contributions to the field left a lasting impact,” said Russell Woo, professor of surgery at JABSOM and associate dean for clinical programs at Hawaiʻi Pacific Health. “His legacy of caring, skill and dedication to the children of Hawaiʻi is a high bar for all of us who follow in his footsteps.”

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The University of Hawaiʻi is mourning the death of Faith ��������Ծ� Kanakaʻole, a revered kumu hula, cultural leader and ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo alumna who also served as a former faculty member at Hawaiʻi Community College, and whose life’s work profoundly shaped Hawaiian cultural practice and Indigenous education across Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Born on March 19, 1946, and raised in Hilo, Kanakaʻole died peacefully at her home on January 3, surrounded by family. She leaves behind a legacy deeply rooted in ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), artistic excellence and an unwavering commitment to ensuring Hawaiian culture remains a living, evolving practice.

Kanakaʻole was part of an extraordinary lineage. The daughter of Luka and the legendary kumu hula and educator Edith Kanakaʻole, she stood in the fifth iteration of a direct line of kumu hula within a family whose traditions span eight generations. As the youngest of six siblings, she was part of an ʻohana whose influence on Hawaiian studies and cultural preservation is unparalleled.

She stepped into the kuleana (responsibility) as kumu of Hālau o Kekuhi alongside her sister, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, and later with her niece, Huihui Kanahele-Mossman. A guardian of the ancient ʻai haʻa (hula danced with bended knees) style, Kanakaʻole helped elevate hula as a classical art form while grounding it firmly in , genealogy and ceremony.

Hilo roots

A graduate of ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, Kanakaʻole studied art history in the early 1970s during the same period her mother was pioneering Hawaiian studies courses on campus.

Together with her husband, Sig Zane, Kanakaʻole co-founded Sig Zane Designs in 1985, helping build a globally recognized brand rooted in Hawaiian values and cultural integrity.

After years devoted to family and co-founding one of Hawaiʻi’s most recognized fashion lines, she returned to ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo and earned her bachelor’s degree in art in 2001.

“��������Ծ� was an extraordinary cultural leader and ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo alumna whose dedication to perpetuating Hawaiian knowledge touched countless lives,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. “Her work elevating hula and Hawaiian cultural practices helped shape the broader movement toward indigenous education — a movement that has profoundly influenced our university’s mission.”

Merrie Monarch icon

Kanakaʻole’s leadership extended far beyond campus. In 1993, she and her sister were named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment for the Arts, the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. She was also deeply connected to the Merrie Monarch Festival, serving as a respected judge for more than two decades.

“It’s a sad day for hula,” said Luana Kawelu, Merrie Monarch Festival president and ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo alumna. “She was reviewing plans for this year’s presentation just three days before she passed. That’s how committed she was to hula and to Merrie Monarch.”

Kanakaʻole

The Kanakaʻole family legacy is visible throughout ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, from Edith Kanakaʻole Hall and its iconic mural to the Hale Kanakaʻole Fund, established with the ����Vlog�ٷ� Foundation to support Native Hawaiian students across the ����Vlog�ٷ� System.

• Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: Hundreds celebrate Edith Kanakaʻole at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, May 9, 2023

“Our ʻohana has lost a treasured kumu and cultural icon,” said ʻohana member and Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Lei Kapono. “Through generations of haumāna—many of them ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo students—Aunty ��������Ծ� ensured that traditional knowledge thrives as lived practice, not merely performance.”

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Note: Doug Dykstra’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Windward Community College, in Hale ʻAkoakoa 101–105.

Douglas Dykstra, former chancellor of Windward Community College, died on September 20, 2025. He was 77. Known for his warmth, humor and deep compassion, Dykstra led Windward CC from 2009 until his retirement in 2018, shaping the campus into a vibrant college serving the Windward region and beyond.

“Doug was an incredibly kind man; his kindness walked in front of him into every room,” current Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg shared in a message to the campus community. “His leadership style was gentle and compassionate, but still decisive. Doug worked hard to be transparent and understanding. … He really knew us. He took the time, cared and had insight into humanity.”

• More on Dykstra: New Childcare Center breaks ground at Windward CC, April 11, 2017

According to an article published when he retired, Dykstra was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and raised in New York. He was deeply influenced by his father, a Columbia University linguistics professor whose career brought the family to Kabul, Afghanistan, and eventually to Hawaiʻi. After earning a master’s degree in history from Kent State University and later a second master’s degree in education from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, Dykstra began teaching history at ����Vlog�ٷ� community colleges, most notably at Leeward CC, where he later became an administrator. In 2004, he was appointed vice chancellor for academic affairs at Hawaiʻi CC, a role that prepared him for the chancellorship at Windward.

A ‘gentleman giant’

At 6 feet 4 inches tall, with a trademark broad smile, Dykstra quickly became a familiar presence at Windward CC. Students, faculty and staff fondly remembered his mix of humor, humility and fierce advocacy for the college. According to the article, during the 2012 accreditation process, Dykstra personally authored a 20-plus page response that turned a sanction into a commendation.

• More on Dykstra: Windward chancellor shaves head for the hungry, April 29, 2013

Colleagues often described him as a “gentleman giant,” one who could be both a soft-hearted listener and a strong, decisive leader when needed. He was known to show up at countless campus events, always asking after students and colleagues, making sure they felt seen and supported.

Eschenberg, who succeeded him as chancellor, called Dykstra an inspiring mentor when he retired. “Doug is unafraid. He bases decisions on what best serves our college and promotes student success, never on what is easiest. … Doug is a leader. He has made each of us better by working together.”

Dykstra retired in 2018 to spend more time swimming, traveling and reading, and to be with his wife, Elitte. He is survived by Elitte and their son, Nathan.

“Doug made an outsized impact through his caring and love,” Eschenberg said. “As those who knew him and benefitted from his leadership, we carry on that legacy of caring and compassion.”

Kevin Michael Kelly, 66, passed away peacefully at home in Kailua, Oʻahu on July 30, 2025 after a long battle against cancer. Kelly was an integral part of the University of Hawaiʻi for more than three decades, contributing his vision, leadership and good humor to marine technology, maritime security and research administration.

Kelly attended SMU in Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982 with a bachelor of science in geology. He went on to study oceanography at San Diego State University. Then, in a move that would determine the course of Kelly’s life, one of his professors recommended him to a colleague at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa. Kelly accepted the offer in Hawaiʻi, earning a master of science in oceanography in 1988.

Over the next three decades Kelly transitioned into a highly successful career at ����Vlog�ٷ�, including as the managing director of the . Kelly’s wide-ranging work included business development for marine technology, maritime security, the administration and management of large scientific grants, and liaising with legislative bodies and government agencies.

“Many of us knew Kevin not only for his professional excellence but also for his warmth, curiosity, and kindness,” said (SOEST) Dean Chip Fletcher. “He inspired and connected people wherever he went—whether in the field, at a meeting, or over a shared laugh.”

After retiring from the university in 2020, Kelly devoted himself to the North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, continuing his lifelong commitment to innovation and community. He recognized the need to help area residents to become more significant in the state’s economy. The North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership is a non-profit dedicated to promoting economic growth from within the region using community-driven solutions. Today it is a thriving organization, leading the effort to document and improve the region’s entire food system to maintain agriculture as an economic pillar in the region’s economy.

His impact was as wide-ranging as it was lasting, and he will be deeply missed by many, including his wife, family and many friends.

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John Morton, whose innovative and strategic leadership and nearly five decades of service transformed the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges and left a profound impact on higher education across the islands, died on August 15, 2025. He was 78.

Morton’s career at ����Vlog�ٷ� began in 1970, when a chance visit to Leeward Community College led to an unexpected job offer. He started as a faculty member teaching chemistry and political science and quickly found his life’s calling in the mission of community colleges.

Over the next 49 years, Morton rose through the ranks—serving as provost of Kapiʻolani Community College for two decades, leading the planning and construction of the Diamond Head campus, and later becoming vice president for ����Vlog�ٷ�’s seven community colleges, serving up to 34,000 students annually. He oversaw major capital projects such as the Hawaiʻi CC Pālamanui campus and the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, while spearheading initiatives to expand financial aid, increase student success and strengthen workforce development.

• Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: Mahalo John Morton for almost 50 years of service, May 23, 2019

“John was a remarkable thinker, leader and human being,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President Emeritus David Lassner. “His positive impact on �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s community colleges, ����Vlog�ٷ� System and the entire state is immeasurable. I am incredibly fortunate that this truly wise man was my colleague and my friend.”

Morton championed educational access and equity, especially for underrepresented communities. He played a key role in supporting the Hawaiʻi Promise scholarship program and the HINET workforce and education support initiative. Native Hawaiian enrollment and graduation rates doubled under his leadership.

“John was not only a brilliant mind, but also a visionary and inspiring leader,” said Michael Unebasami, emeritus ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges associate vice president for administrative affairs. “As the vice president for the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges, his forward-thinking ideas reshaped the way we teach and learn, leaving a legacy that will continue to guide our community colleges for years to come.”

Commencement ceremonies were highlights for Morton. When he retired in 2019, he recalled one Molokaʻi Education Center celebration where three generations of a single family graduated together.

“To have that kind of an impact on a family across multiple generations…really captures what community colleges are about and what they do to contribute to the state and its people,” he said.

Inspirational leader, generous mentor

Morton often described his career as grounded in social justice, committed to the principle that higher education should be available to all.

“The idea that the benefits of higher education should accrue to all Hawaiʻi citizens was a radical notion when we were created in 1964,” he wrote in his retirement message. “But we have demonstrated that given the opportunity and the right support our students, who historically had been largely excluded, both desired to attend college and could succeed when given the chance.”

Colleagues across the ����Vlog�ٷ� system remembered Morton with admiration and gratitude.

“John Morton was a visionary leader for the ����Vlog�ٷ� community colleges, relentlessly championing their vital role in providing a college education for all Hawaiʻi residents,” said Honolulu CC Chancellor Karen Lee. “But he was also a brilliant, kind and generous mentor, who will be dearly missed. His passing is not only a loss for ����Vlog�ٷ� but also a loss for Hawaiʻi.”

����Vlog�ٷ� Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana said, “John was a staunch advocate for the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges and their open admissions philosophy. I personally witnessed the power of this vision firsthand—when colleges exist in every community throughout Hawaiʻi, they open doors of opportunity for countless people. John also recognized the gap in financial aid access and challenged us to expand opportunities for students. Under his leadership, financial aid access grew exponentially, and barriers for underrepresented populations, including Native Hawaiians, were addressed and remedied. John was a true visionary, and Hawaiʻi is a better place because of his work, leadership and service.”

Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Susan Kazama, who was hired by Morton at Kapiʻolani CC in 2001, said “John was an exceptional leader for the community colleges, leaving a lasting legacy through his initiatives to enhance educational programs for all children in Hawaiʻi. He truly embodied the spirit of ‘Kūlia i ka nuʻu,’ striving for the highest for the betterment of everyone in our islands. His commitment to education has made a significant impact on our community and will continue to inspire future generations.”

Morton is survived by his wife Willow, daughter Kimi, and grandchildren Indiana and Sawyer.

Mahalo John Morton for almost 50 years of service

Popular and loved University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� head cashier Aunty Eloise Luzader died on February 15, at 96. Luzader is remembered for her warm and welcoming personality as she greeted students and customers at the ������é for nearly 30 years.

Luzader retired from Gateway House ������é at 95-years-old and stated that the students her favorite part of her job. She viewed them as her grandbabies, effortlessly remembering the names of thousands of them and making them feel her care and aloha. In addition to her cashiering duties, she also served as an unofficial matchmaker of ����ԴDz�, bringing together three successful couples.

To return Luzader’s love, students would bring her gifts and lei, take and share photos with her, and most importantly, spend time with her even after they graduated from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�.

“She always put a smile on my face, always said hello, always hugged me. She’s pretty much family to me now,” said alumna Taylor Hiraga at Luzader’s retirement celebration. “Here at Gateway Café, Aunty Eloise is a staple—she’s the face of Gateway Café and she’s always been for the last 30 years.”

An adventure-filled life

Luzader’s son, Gary, compiled photo galleries of her well-documented life in a . He shared major moments, from her growing up in Hilo, to journeying to New York, to her return to Hawaiʻi while she ultimately discovered the activities she loved most.

“She was funny, she was generous, and she was loving,” wrote Gary. “She drove me nuts like no other person could, and she also loved me like no other person could…that’s what ‘moms’ do I guess. When I look back at her life through the photos, Mom’s life was incredible.”

Luzader spent much of her life exploring the world and different job opportunities that allowed her to interact with others. She touched ground in countries in almost every continent and touched the hearts of those she met while doing sales work. Aside from family and friends, her main constant was dancing.

“Mom had a passion for dancing…any kind of dancing,” Gary wrote. “Mom danced well into her 90s. Even in her final days when she couldn’t even walk, Mom would talk about dancing one day again… She will…”

Former President Donna M. Howard died on May 1. Howard led the organization from 1994 to 1999, during a pivotal period that shaped its long-term success.

With vision, collaboration and a deep belief in the power of education, Howard transformed the ����Vlog�ٷ� Foundation.

“Donna will be remembered by many for all she did for ����Vlog�ٷ� leading our foundation at a critical time when we were becoming serious about creating a culture supportive of philanthropy,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President Emeritus David Lassner. “She continued to be a great supporter of ����Vlog�ٷ� even after she retired. When I was appointed president, she was one of the first people to open her home to introduce me to community members who could help, and she continued to be there for us whenever we needed assistance.”

Howard believed philanthropy was about trust and relationships. She listened to donors, understood their motivations and connected them with meaningful opportunities. She also energized alumni and business partnerships, while championing transparency and accountability. Her leadership boosted donor confidence and the foundation’s community profile.

Giving back to ����Vlog�ٷ�

Her work translated into lasting benefits for ����Vlog�ٷ� students, faculty and research. She later established the Howard-Carhart Scholarship Endowment for Maui students, citing her appreciation for the university’s role in her family’s lives.

“My daughter and I both earned our master’s degrees from ����Vlog�ٷ�,” she said. “The university has given us much, and we are grateful.”

Colleagues remember Howard as warm, strategic and inspiring.

“Donna had a leadership style that made everyone feel valued,” said Jere Nakamura, director of gift processing at ����Vlog�ٷ� Foundation. “She led with a smile and made us feel part of something meaningful.”

When she left to lead the Kapiʻolani Health Foundation in 1999, the ����Vlog�ٷ� Foundation was a more resilient organization, ready to support the university for generations. Her legacy continues in the strengthened culture of philanthropy she helped create.

Former University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo head coach Garrett Estrin, 48, died on April 17, in California after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer.

Estrin was named the program’s eighth head coach in May 2022 and helped the Vulcans soccer programs begin a new era by leading the men’s team to a season-opening 2-1 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt on the brand-new turf Vulcan Soccer Field.

Estrin coached soccer at various levels for nearly 20 years. He spent his collegiate playing days at Cal State Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) where he was a three-time team captain as goalkeeper, helping the Toros claim the 2000 NCAA Division II National Championship with five saves in a four-overtime victory. He received the 2000–01 Dr. Richard Butwell Senior Award, given in recognition for dedication to CSUDH, community service and academic commitment.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Garrett, who I have known for more than 25 years,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen, who served as CSUDH director of sports information during the Toros’ national championship run. “My heart goes out to his beautiful wife Helen and his two children. G was truly an amazing person, first and foremost, a great husband and a wonderful father. He lived and loved life and was admired by all those who came in contact with him. While only here at Hawaiʻi Hilo for one year, he made a tremendous impact on the lives of his players and is greatly missed. May he rest in love and aloha.”

Funeral services are scheduled for April 17, at the Forest Lawn Memorial in Glendale, California.

For more on Estrin, go to

In the waters surrounding Pohnpei, a young researcher set out to protect the coastline he called home. Bryan Tonga, a former major and graduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, led the first island-wide study of nearshore water quality in Pohnpei, part of the Federated States of Micronesia. His work was recently published—nearly four years after his death.

Tonga died in a hiking accident in August 2020, just one class and a completed thesis away from earning his graduate degree in the . He was awarded that degree posthumously in 2021. His professors and a classmate at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo completed Tonga’s study in his honor. Coauthors include fellow student Devon Aguiar, now working in Hilo on coral reef protection, and marine science faculty Tracy Wiegner, Karla McDermid and Steven Colbert.

“Since 2020, we’ve been working on and off to complete his manuscript,” said Wiegner, a marine science professor.

Establishing baseline water conditions

Tonga’s research focused on identifying sewage pollution along Pohnpei’s coastline. He spent two summers collecting water and algae samples from 31 stations around the island.

In a 2020 interview with , Tonga explained, “In order to figure out if the macroalgae are getting nutrients from sewage pollution in the water, we’re taking readings of Nitrogen-15, which has very specific values for human sewage.”

Tonga’s work now serves as a baseline for Pohnpei and other Pacific islands facing climate change.

“In Pohnpei, like here on the island of Hawaiʻi, a lot of houses use cesspools,” Wiegner said. “With rising sea levels, they can become inundated with sea water and sewage can flow out to the nearshore reefs.”

Tonga’s samples were analyzed at ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s , where he worked as a student assistant for six years.

Invaluable legacy

His research contributes not only to Pohnpei’s future but to the broader Pacific region’s efforts to protect reefs and manage pollution. Wiegner called his work “cutting edge.”

“He was so happy to see how much he had accomplished,” noted Wiegner. “He was in a good, happy place!”

—By Susan Enright

Bobby Curran, longtime radio voice of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa football and men’s basketball for more than three decades, died on March 9, at the age of 69.

Inducted into the ����Vlog�ٷ� Sports Circle of Honor in 2023, Curran called more than 400 football broadcasts during his career. He began in radio at KT����Vlog�ٷ� while attending ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1987. He started calling high school sports before joining the television broadcasts for ����Vlog�ٷ� football as sideline reporter and color analyst. Later he became a lead play-by-play announcer for KGU Radio.

Curran also called multiple bowl games, NCAA Tournament appearances, and ����Vlog�ٷ� baseball, volleyball, and women’s basketball games. He hosted the “Bobby Curran Show” on KKEA and was named Hawaiʻi Sportscaster of the Year six times.

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Don Robbs, the “Voice of Rainbow Baseball” for more than 40 years, died on January 23 at the age of 88.

Recognized as a pioneer in college baseball broadcasting, Robbs called more than 2,000 games during his legendary career. He will be remembered for bringing to life some of the program’s greatest moments, including the 1980 College World Series and all 13 of ����Vlog�ٷ�‘s NCAA Tournament runs.

A 2015 inductee into the , Robbs was the general manager of KKEA 1420AM, and helped develop a radio partnership with ����Vlog�ٷ� Athletics.

Born in 1937 in Minnesota, Robbs moved to Hawaiʻi in the 1960s after serving in the U.S. Army and began working at various TV and radio stations in Honolulu. While working as a broadcaster for KHVH radio in the 1970s, he hosted ����Vlog�ٷ� coaches shows and was the play-by-play announcer for the first-ever statewide Rainbow Wahine volleyball broadcast. He emceed many ����Vlog�ٷ� athletic banquets and was the host of the ����Vlog�ٷ� Sports Circle of Honor induction ceremony.

Robbs began broadcasting Hawaiʻi baseball games in the 1970s and was on the call throughout the program’s rise to national prominence under head coach Les Murakami. He called his final baseball game in 2016, and on March 28, 2024, the Les Murakami Stadium press box was renamed the Robbs Leahey Press Box in honor of him and long-time TV broadcaster Jim Leahey.

Statement from ����Vlog�ٷ� Athletics

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Don Robbs, the ‘Voice of Rainbow Baseball’ for over 40 years. You can’t tell the story of Hawaiʻi baseball without talking about Don, who brought the program’s greatest moments to life. Don was more than just a baseball broadcaster, he was a true pioneer who had the vision to bring Rainbow baseball and volleyball to the airwaves and helped connect generations of Hawaiʻi fans with their teams. He was an icon not only at ����Vlog�ٷ�, but in the Hawaiʻi sports community as a whole, and has passed the torch to his son, Scott, who continues his legacy today. Our hearts are with the entire Robbs ʻohana at this difficult time.”

The University of Hawaiʻi community mourns the loss of alumnus Jeffrey Fiala, a firefighter who tragically lost his life on January 6, 2025, during a search and rescue operation at a two-story apartment fire in McCully. He is remembered for his bravery and dedication to service, and was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend and colleague with a passion for fishing, photography and nature. He was 25 years old.

Fiala took classes at before earning a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� in December 2021. Fiala’s journey was also where he met his wife, Fiona, on freshman move-in day. The couple married in 2023.

While attending the university from 2017 to 2021, he worked on the ����Vlog�ٷ� Campus Center’s landscaping team. His coworkers remember his infectious smile and positive attitude.

Reid Tollefsen, a landscape and building maintenance worker at Campus Center who helps supervise the student employees in the landscaping department, reflected on Fiala’s work ethic and camaraderie.

“Jeff was an outstanding worker and a great addition to the landscape team. He was always lending a helping hand.” Tollefsen shared. “We are very grateful to have met such an amazing person like Jeff and thank him for his dedicated service.”

Tollefsen fondly remembered their mutual love of fishing. “Some of us are fishermen, so when we found out Jeff loved fishing, we’d talk about it any chance we had. We even had a fishing trip to Laie Point. We didn’t catch much, but the memories we created are unforgettable,” he said.

Rochelle Willis, a former staff member who oversaw the ����Vlog�ٷ� Campus Center landscaping team, worked closely with Fiala. In a Facebook tribute, she wrote: “Jeffrey Fiala was and always will be one of our own. Your mana is embedded into the grounds surrounding us. Rest in paradise knowing you made a huge difference in all our lives.”

Dedication to service, community

Fiala’s passion for service led him to join the Honolulu Fire Department’s 115th Firefighter Recruit Class in July 2023, and become a firefighter in March 2024. In his brief time as firefighter, he made a profound impact, quickly earning a reputation for his enthusiasm and kindness.

On January 8, HFD led a solemn procession to honor Fiala. Mayor Rick Blangiardi paid tribute, saying, “He died a hero while fighting a fire in McCully. This young man’s service and bravery will never be forgotten.”

Fiala is survived by his wife Fiona, his parents Michael and Kristine, and his extended family and friends. A has been set up to support Fiala’s family throughout this unexpected tragedy.

Services will be held at the HFD kakaʻako Headquarters, located at 636 South Street, on January 25. ����Vlog�ٷ�ation is at 10:15 a.m., with the program beginning at 11:30 a.m. Formal procession at 2 p.m. with a private burial to follow.

John Casken, chair and associate specialist of nursing and former director of international health at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, died in October 2024 at the age of 84. Casken also served as a member of the ����Vlog�ٷ� Professional Assembly (����Vlog�ٷ�PA) Board of Directors five different times over the course of 27 years.

Throughout his career, Casken made numerous contributions to higher education and the larger community in Hawaiʻi. He was also the former chair of the Council on Study Abroad and former chair of the ����ԴDz� Faculty Senate. Additionally, he was a board member of the Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center and its past president. In 2000, Casken was awarded the ����Vlog�ٷ� Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching.

Prior to his appointment to the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, Casken was a faculty member in the ����Vlog�ٷ� School of Public Health, where he taught classes, headed the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Health Careers Opportunity Program, and recruited Native Hawaiians, American Indians and Alaska Natives for the Master of Public Health program.

Casken will be remembered for his commitment to improving community health by influencing health policy and addressing health and social disparities in the state, particularly for rural communities across the islands and for Native Hawaiians.

He was remembered warmly by:

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• the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Faculty Senate

Richard Parsons, a University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� alumnus who became one of America’s most prominent Black corporate executives, died December 26 at the age of 76. Parsons, who led both Time Warner and Citigroup during critical periods, died from complications related to multiple myeloma, according to media reports.

The Brooklyn, New York native’s path to corporate leadership began at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, where he enrolled at age 16 and studied from 1964 to 1968.

“I grew up on that campus (����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�) and it was a gorgeous place to go to college,” Parsons told ����Vlog�ٷ�’s ������������������� magazine in 2003. “After Brooklyn, Hawaiʻi was paradise on earth. The people were friendly, and the weather was always accommodating.”

After attending ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� alongside his future wife, Laura Bush Parsons, he enrolled at Albany Law School, where he ranked first in his class in 1971. His career trajectory included serving as a White House aide during the Ford administration before entering corporate leadership.

As Time Warner’s CEO from 2002 to 2007, Parsons navigated the company through the troubled aftermath of its merger with AOL. He later helped restore stability at Citigroup as chairman from 2009 to 2012, steering the bank through its recovery from the 2008 financial crisis. Parsons often credited his time in Hawaiʻi with helping to shape his approach to managing complex organizations.

• Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: Richard Parsons, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� alumnus, named CBS interim chairman of the board, September 26, 2018

“As an African-American, I was struck by the ethnic diversity I saw all around me. At Hawaiʻi, we studied and socialized among all the different shapes, sizes, religions and races of the world,” Parsons said. “It was East meets West, and it was a terrific place to begin discovering how other people think. I learned a lot of lessons there about how to interact with people of different backgrounds, and those lessons would stand me in good stead during my later career as a manager. You can’t motivate or inspire employees—and we have 90,000 employees at AOL Time Warner—if you don’t understand where they’re coming from and how they think.”

Parsons maintained strong ties to ����Vlog�ٷ� throughout his career. He returned to ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� as a commencement speaker in 2003 and served as the Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals in 2009, delivering lectures on the global financial crisis. He was also awarded a ����Vlog�ٷ� Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997 and a ����Vlog�ٷ� Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2003.

He is survived by his wife Laura and their family.