The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has partnered with Gachon University, part of a consortium of five South Korean universities, to advance research and collaboration on aging and population change. Led by the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 (COA) and the Humanities-Utmost-Sharing System (HUSS), a South Korean government initiative, the agreement fosters mutual learning and international exchange.

South Korea, one of the fastest-aging societies in the world, offers insights valuable to Hawaiʻi and the U.S.During an August visit, a 24-member HUSS delegation explored COA鈥檚 dementia-friendly Hoʻ艒la ʻ膧ina Pilipili garden and met with staff to learn about aging initiatives in Hawaiʻi.

“The memorandom of understanding (MOU) encourages the exchange of faculty, students, academic information and collaborative research and learning initiatives,” said Jinyoung “Jenny” Lee, COA assistant researcher. “These exchanges will enhance educational outcomes and promote mutual understanding, particularly around population aging, demographic shifts and inclusive community development.”

Hyejoong Kim of Gachon University described factors driving Korea鈥檚 population decline, including low birthrates, high housing costs, and the challenges of raising children.

“We now have become a super-aged society. Bolstering resilience and inclusion for diverse generations and environments is central to our vision,” Kim said. “Our aim is to train many students to be experts in population change.”

Kim added that visiting 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 Center on Aging was one of the highlights of the delegation鈥檚 trip. The dementia-friendly garden, with its active volunteer engagement, left a strong impression, as such initiatives are rarely found in Korea.

The collaboration aligns with COA鈥檚 mission to advance applied, translational and community-engaged research focused on Hawaiʻi and the Asia Pacific region. COA is housed in the .

Mary G. McDonald, who taught and later directed the (CJS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, has received one of Japan鈥檚 top honors for her decades of work advancing ties between the U.S. and Japan.

At a special ceremony on September 26 at the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu, McDonald received the . The award recognizes her decades of work advancing academic exchange, cultural understanding and international collaboration.

“This recognition is entirely due to the tireless dedication to strong community and educational ties,” said McDonald. “I thank the government and people of Japan and Hawaiʻi for the opportunities our 糖心Vlog官方 students and faculty have enjoyed in Japan. I thank the late Dr. Genshitsu Sen for his generosity to 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 students, emphasizing peace through The Way of Tea. 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 is truly an excellent place to study Japan, it has been a privilege to play a small part.”

Building bridges

McDonald served on the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 faculty for 26 years. She guided countless students and scholars through programs that deepened ties between Japan and Hawaiʻi. As director of CJS, she strengthened inter-university exchange programs and supported initiatives that brought Japanese culture and research into the heart of the university. She also served on the selection committee for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, also known as JET, helping many participants begin their journeys living and working in Japan.

Mark Levin, the current director of CJS, recalls how McDonald represented the perfect role model in directing the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Center for Japanese Studies.

“She engaged with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community in her soft-spoken but persuasive manner. Among the accomplishments of her term was overseeing the renovations of Jaku’an, the teahouse located on the 糖心Vlog官方 campus, smoothly overcoming a host of logistical challenges from start to finish,” Levin said.

Leadership honored

At the ceremony, Consul General Yoshinori Kodama praised McDonald鈥檚 leadership, especially in study abroad programs and her dedication to advancing Japanese studies in Hawaiʻi.

The celebration also featured a congratulatory message from Robert Huey, a professor emeritus of the and a kampai (cheers) toast by Jean Ariyoshi, former First Lady of Hawaiʻi.

is growing its international exchange program through a new agreement with in Korea. Starting in fall 2025, students will have the chance to study abroad while staying connected to their home institution.

“Our focus is developing pilina (relationships), and that鈥檚 what makes us special鈥攐ur focus on nurturing relationships with our partner schools,” said Coordinator Kyoko Ikeda.

Kauaʻi CC had already built strong ties with three Japanese universities, with more than 50 students participating in exchanges over the past decade. The decision to expand into Korea was driven by both personal connections and a desire to broaden cultural learning opportunities. Kauaʻi CC English Instructor Ashley Brady, who previously lived and taught in Jeju, helped establish the new partnership.

Through the exchange, students pay tuition at Kauaʻi CC but can study at Jeju National University, making it an affordable way to gain global experience. However, travel costs such as airfare remain a hurdle.

“Many of our students could use financial support, and I really want our students to see the world and gain perspectives that you can only gain from leaving your home,” Ikeda said. “We want them to come back home with a renewed sense of the world. I want our students to have that understanding of interconnectedness.”

Community members can help support student travel by .

“We have so much to offer as an island community, and we have so much to learn from other island communities,” Ikeda said.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 and Japan鈥檚 Fukuoka Prefecture are advancing global health solutions through the “, which links human, animal and environmental well-being. Since 2022, this partnership has united experts, students, and institutions from both regions to promote collaborative research, education, and cultural exchanges, aiming to build a more resilient future for Hawaiʻi, Fukuoka, and beyond.

Traveling to Fukuoka was a valuable lifetime experience for me to promote One Health to others from another country.
—Jerissa Ching Choe

In October 2024, 糖心Vlog官方 representatives Sandra Chang, professor, and Jerissa Ching Choe, PhD student, traveled to Fukuoka to meet students and officials, exploring new initiatives and preparing for the Youth Development Program in December. This program will bring more Fukuoka students to Hawaiʻi, offering an immersive experience to deepen their understanding of health and sustainability in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 cultural context.

The collaboration was formalized in April 2023 with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (JABSOM), underscoring a commitment to bridging education, health and sustainability. Throughout 2023, officials developed joint activities, including a high school exchange program and proposed a One Health curriculum for Fukuoka universities. In December 2023, Fukuoka sponsored select high school students to visit Hawaiʻi, where they connected with local peers, met with JABSOM faculty, and explored the Hawaiian healing garden to gain new perspectives on global health.

“Traveling to Fukuoka was a valuable lifetime experience for me to promote One Health to others from another country,” said Ching Choe. “I felt empowered to share my knowledge about One Health from Hawaiʻi to communities in Fukuoka. This trip made me not only appreciate the importance of One Health, but it widened my perspective on what the One Health approach looks like around the world. I plan to use this experience to drive my career pathway in One Health.”

糖心Vlog官方 certificate program offered to Fukuoka students

In June 2024, 糖心Vlog官方 signed a second MOU with Japan鈥檚 Tsuzuki Education Group to expand its , enabling pharmacy students in Japan to participate through a blend of virtual and in-person learning. Created by 糖心Vlog官方 faculty across JABSOM, the Office of Public Health Studies, the , and the , this program prepares students to address complex health issues with a holistic perspective. Initial funding was provided by the Provost鈥檚 Strategic Investment Initiative in 2019.

To date, JABSOM has sent three medical students and one PhD student to Japan to share their One Health experiences. Together, 糖心Vlog官方 and Fukuoka are creating opportunities for future generations to address shared global challenges and foster interconnected, resilient communities.

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from the (UR) in Okinawa, Japan, honoring his impactful contributions to international exchange and commitment to advancing education and research. Lassner was presented with the award during an international symposium on interisland sustainability at UR on November 5.

UR President Mutsumi Nishida praised Lassner鈥檚 accomplishments, stating, “We believe that your exceptional achievements exemplify the spirit of excellence and dedication that we strive to embody at our institution. We believe that your acceptance of this honorary degree will not only inspire our graduating students but also serve as a testament to the values of scholarship, innovation, and leadership that we hold dear.”

Following the award presentation, Lassner delivered a keynote address on inter-island sustainability. He shared examples of 糖心Vlog官方‘s efforts to protect Hawaiʻi鈥檚 natural environment, including using technology to manage mosquito populations to preserve pollinating bird species and habitats.

“The wisdom of the islands can also be used to address global issues,” he said, highlighting the importance of blending traditional knowledge with modern science and technology.

Lassner also spoke about 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 role in revitalizing the Hawaiian language, noting that language programs have helped grow the community of Hawaiian speakers to nearly 20,000.

“The revival of culture and tradition also leads to the revival of the pride of the Indigenous people,”he said.

During his visit to Okinawa, Lassner also met with the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, highlighting the long-standing and meaningful bond between 糖心Vlog官方 and the region.

More on 糖心Vlog官方-UR partnership

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: 糖心Vlog官方 reaffirms partnership with Okinawan university

Since establishing a sister relationship in 1988, 糖心Vlog官方 and UR have built one of 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 most active partnerships. 糖心Vlog官方 helped guide the creation of UR鈥檚 law school in the early 2000s, leading to its opening in 2004. In 2006, UR sent 14 law students to 糖心Vlog官方 for a two-week program, which has since grown to 50 students annually. The two universities also have active exchanges in ocean research, tourism studies, medical research and one-year student exchanges.

The welcomed 19 students from Japan鈥檚 for the Aloha Law Program, an immersive two-week exchange introducing Japanese students to the U.S. legal and political systems, earlier this fall. Funded by the Hakuoh and Sueoka Foundations, the program featured lectures, legal site visits and cross-cultural exchanges.

“The Aloha Law Program reflects 糖心Vlog官方 Community Colleges鈥� commitment to fostering international collaboration and preparing students for a globally connected world,” said Della Teraoka, interim vice president of 糖心Vlog官方 Community Colleges.

Fourth-year Hakuoh student Ryusei Nagamori said, “As Japan continues to engage in trade with the U.S., a solid understanding of American law will be essential for navigating future business transactions.”

A highlight was a visit to the , where Justice Sabrina McKenna, who earned a law degree from the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 in 1982, shared her perspective on U.S. and Japanese legal systems, sparking insightful discussions on comparative judicial frameworks.

Lecturers included other distinguished alumni from 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 and covered a range of topics from constitutional law to business law.

糖心Vlog官方 alumni guest presenters included:

• Dara Nakagawa—U.S. Political and Court Systems
• Dawn Nakagawa—Common Law Principles and Contract Law
• Travis Kuwahara—U.S. Political and Court Systems
• Shimpei Oki—Business Law Overview
• Spencer Kimura—U.S. and Japan Legal System Overview
• Charles Crumpton—U.S. Political System History; Mediation and Arbitration
• Brandon Marc Higa—U.S. Constitutional Law Overview, Bill of Rights, Due Process

“It offers a rare opportunity for cross-cultural learning in a legal context,” said Deborah Nakagawa, former 糖心Vlog官方 Community Colleges executive director for international education. “It鈥檚 inspiring to witness our future leaders build bridges of understanding between two distinct legal traditions.”

Professor Hiroyuki Yuzuriha of Hakuoh University said, “Our students gained invaluable insights from the lectures and interactions with legal professionals in Hawaiʻi.”

—By Brandon Marc Higa

In an exciting step toward international collaboration, the welcomed a delegation from the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) in May as both universities prepare to implement a program for an accelerated pathway to a master鈥檚 degree for international students from undergraduate institutions abroad.

The initiative, with NTOU stems from agreements signed by the universities in November 2023 during a visit to Taiwan by 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner.

“We鈥檙e not only enhancing educational opportunities but also building bridges between cultures,” said Lassner. “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to advancing global understanding and academic excellence.”

The NTOU delegation was focused on research strengths shared by both universities during its visit to 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补. Those areas include ocean engineering, shipping management, food science, environmental biology and fisheries science.

NTOU representatives met with Dean Chip Fletcher and Dean Brennon Morioka to discuss ways to develop an expanded pathway for NTOU students to earn graduate degrees at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

More intercampus opportunities

Starting in the summer 2025, NTOU and 糖心Vlog官方 plan to open applications for 糖心Vlog官方 students to intern at the Taiwan university. The short-term program aims to enhance the 糖心Vlog官方 students’ understanding of life in Taiwan and research fields at NTOU.

Opportunities for studying abroad have also been extended to students in the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Chinese Flagship Program. A three-year capstone program, providing students the opportunity to pursue yearlong Chinese language study in Taiwan, was made possible through a donation by NTOU alumnus Chia-Pei Wang, facilitated by the Alice & JP Wang Foundation and the 糖心Vlog官方 Foundation.

The NTOU Chinese Language Center is also considering collaboration with 糖心Vlog官方 in Chinese language teaching.

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner delivered commencement addresses at Asahi University and Meikai University in Japan in March to about 1,700 graduates. Lassner praised the students for their academic achievements and highlighted the impactful ties between 糖心Vlog官方 and the two Japanese institutions over the years.

“I hope you feel great pride in all that you have accomplished, and are excited about new possibilities that are open to you as you enter into the next stage of your life,” said Lassner in his speeches. “I have every confidence looking at you today that the superb education you experienced here has prepared you with the knowledge, skills, and passion to grow as lifelong learners.”

In September 2023, Asahi and Meikai Universities contributed $20,000 toward 糖心Vlog官方 relief efforts to help students and employees impacted by the Maui wildfires.

Long-term partnerships

Since 2009, 140 students from Meikai’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management have enriched their education through 糖心Vlog官方 summer programs fostering camaraderie and cross-cultural understanding. 糖心Vlog官方 students in return have gone on short-term and semester-long exchange programs, which have provided them with valuable experiences in Japanese industry and culture.

The partnership with Asahi University has flourished since 2018, when students from the School of Health Science were hosted at the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. This collaboration has resulted in successful outcomes for students and faculty, with ongoing research focusing on enhancing the safety and fitness of senior citizens through new technologies.

“As our long-term relationship continues, the University of Hawaiʻi will be taking further steps toward building and sustaining our partnership,” said Lassner.

Strengthening ties

During his commencement address, Lassner shared a new initiative to explore the development of a “micro-campus” at Meikai University that will enable respective students to earn credits and degrees while studying at their home campuses.

“This has been successful at other universities, and I have every expectation that with our strong partnership, Meikai and 糖心Vlog官方 can make this work for our students as well,” Lassner said.

To further the exchange support between the institutions, later this year, students from Asahi and Meikai will participate in various short-term programs at 糖心Vlog官方, including disciplines such as health sciences, business administration, hospitality and tourism management, English and real estate sciences.

Scholarships provided by a generous donation from the Alice & JP Wang Foundation will help University of 贬补飞补颈驶颈 at 惭腻苍辞补 students with the costs of studying abroad in Taiwan as part of the in the (CALL).

The Alice & JP Wang Foundation Student Support Fund for Study in Taiwan will provide monetary assistance to help students with the cost of studying in Taiwan either over a summer or for their final year of the program.

Song Jiang, director of the Chinese Language Flagship Program, said the donation will help to cover students鈥� travel, tuition and living expenses.

“The ability of our flagship students to continue their studies in Taiwan is crucial as it affords them the opportunity to enhance their language capabilities through living in a Chinese-speaking society, and it provides them with the opportunity to gain a level of cultural competence otherwise not available to them,” Jiang said. “This very generous donation helps us to reach a greater number of students who want to further their studies in Taiwan to reach their academic and career goals.”

As part of the Chinese Language Flagship Program, students must spend eight weeks in a summer intensive Chinese language program, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 in Taiwan program, and then study in Taiwan during a mandatory capstone year.

The California-based Alice & JP Wang Foundation was established by JP Wang, founder of the information technology firm Golden Star Technology Inc., and his wife, Alice Wang. Their foundation has also supported more than 50 scholarships in California.

“I am grateful to the (Alice & JP Wang) Foundation for their support of our students鈥� language immersion training in Taiwan, an essential component of the Chinese Flagship program,” said CALL Dean Peter Arnade. “Their gift will make a tangible difference in our students鈥� ability to complete the Flagship program and achieve advanced proficiency in Mandarin.”

Founded in 2014, the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Chinese Language Flagship program is one of 13 in the U.S.

In a bid to foster cross-cultural learning, the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa (CSEAS) welcomed four scholars from Indonesia and Thailand for the spring 2024 semester as part of an exchange. The four-month program includes participation in the Hawaiʻi English Language Program, refining scientific writing skills, and active engagement with the East-West Center and CSEAS communities.

“We are excited to host early career colleagues from Indonesia and Thailand this semester and engage with them on shared research interests,” said Miriam Stark, director at CSEAS. “We look forward to a fruitful visit and are grateful to the Henry Luce Foundation for this valuable opportunity.”

Navigating exchange

糖心Vlog官方ing scholars Tansuda Jinai, Fatwa Faturachmat, Andi Vika Faradiba Muin and Khemrat Panpanich arrived at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 in January 2024.

For Fatwa Faturachmat, who holds a master鈥檚 degree from Hasanuddin University in Indonesia, the experience on the 惭腻苍辞补 campus has been eye-opening.

“The differences between my home country鈥檚 educational system and that of the United States are striking,” Faturachmat said. “Notably, the diversity among students in terms of race, background, and religion stands out. My decision to join this program is driven by a desire to enhance my skills as a research scholar, particularly in scientific writing for scholarly journals.”

Enriching cultural exchange

Last summer, eight 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 students traveled to Thailand and Indonesia with the LuceSEA Field School, a program that explores the dynamic socioeconomic and environmental shifts in rural Southeast Asian societies. The experience culminated in a workshop at the Center for Khmer Studies in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Building on this collaboration, CSEAS invited the Southeast Asian Scholars for cultural exchange at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

In collaboration with the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 , , Khon Kaen University and Universitas Hasanuddin, this initiative aims to create a vibrant and dynamic educational experience. It is part of the five-year “LuceSEA Transitions: Environment, Society, and Change” grant awarded to CSEAS. The grant enables the paradigm to shift to focus on collaboration between institutions and scholars in the region.

Additional opportunities for international research programs, labs, conferences, workshops and more will be available to University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty and students after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI) in January.

The MOU was signed between the (CTAHR) Associate Dean for Research Walter Bowen, Brent White of 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 Office of Global Engagement and Hyung-Hee Baek of KFRI.

“KFRI is only one of many government-affiliated research institutes in the food and agriculture sectors in Korea,” said Soojin Jun, a professor in CTAHR鈥檚 . “There are plenty of funding opportunities requiring international collaborations. With this MOU, we anticipate more exchanges of faculty, scholars, and students, academic publications, organizations of joint research programs such as on-site labs, and periodical joint conference meetings or workshops.”

After the signing ceremony, KFRI delegates and 糖心Vlog官方 faculty presented their own research projects and further discussed the potential for collaboration.

An agreement between the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) was officially signed by both schools in November. The partnership encourages faculty and staff collaboration, student exchange programs and the exchange of academic materials and publications.

The partnership has also agreed to establish a 3+2 program, under which students with bachelor’s degrees awarded by NTOU will have the opportunity for an early start in pursuing a master’s degree to be awarded by 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa.

Specific undergraduate programs at NTOU will be eligible to apply for an eligible master’s degree program at 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 (SOEST) through the 3+2 program.

Eligible NTOU undergraduate programs include: marine environmental informatics, aquaculture, environmental biology and fisheries science, and harbor and river engineering.

Eligible 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa master’s degree programs include: atmospheric sciences, Earth and planetary sciences, marine biology, and ocean and resource engineering.

This collaborative effort aims to promote internationalized education, cultural exchange and collaboration in areas of common interest and benefit to both institutions. It was established to enhance the research and educational landscapes of both institutions, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration for years to come.

The and the (OIST) have agreed to a new partnership that will allow students and faculty to participate in research and educational opportunities between the two institutions.

糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner and OIST President and CEO Karin Markides signed a memorandum of understanding on November 19, in Honolulu, that formalized the agreement between 糖心Vlog官方 and the leading Okinawan graduate university.

The collaboration has been lauded by top U.S. government officials.

“As we navigate the complexities of global environmental and energy challenges, collaborations like this epitomize the strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship. This partnership symbolizes our shared commitment to tackling global challenges and stands as a shining example of how cross-border cooperation can drive our understanding and solutions in critical fields,” said U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel.

Emanuel has been very supportive of partnerships between U.S. and Japanese educational institutions that address pressing issues of concern to both nations.

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno visited the OIST campus in January and began facilitating the collaboration. As globally ranked research universities located in island communities, both 糖心Vlog官方 and OIST are committed to conducting research that matters to those communities.

“We are very excited to partner with an institution that has grown into one of the top research universities in the world. I believe that the combination of our varied and shared strengths will provide lasting benefits to our students and faculty,” Bruno said. “We have identified key areas of collaboration that fit well in a natural way, including marine sciences, medicine, renewable energy and sustainability.”

Several of OIST鈥檚 faculty and staff have either spent time at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa or have existing collaborations with researchers at 糖心Vlog官方. OIST leaders have shown interest in several fields such as medicine, microbiome research and the ways in which 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa is fostering entrepreneurship among students and faculty.

“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in strengthening academic collaboration between our faculty and students, and public-private-university partnership between our complementary local clusters. By combining our strengths and resources with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, we aim to advance research, education, innovation and outreach to new heights,” said Markides. “We look forward to the exciting opportunities and breakthroughs that will emerge from this synergistic partnership.”

The University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu and Japan Aviation College Hokkaido (JAA) recently signed an agreement that allows Japanese students to seamlessly transfer and earn their bachelor’s degree in Hawaiʻi. This is the first in what is hoped to be many international partnerships for the Kapolei campus.

“We look forward to bringing JAA students to our campus to enhance their education with an Indigenous-grounded curriculum in our top-notch business program,” 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham said. “This valuable partnership will provide our own students with the chance to interact with an international community to expand their global knowledge and understanding.”

Students who complete an associate degree at JAA are guaranteed acceptance with sophomore standing to 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu in with a concentration in , or . The JAA students will have to meet international transfer student requirements, including passing an approved English proficiency exam.

The partnership promotes international education, cultural exchange and collaboration in areas of common interest and benefit to both institutions. Starting in 2025, qualifying JAA students will come to 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu for an in-person experience that will expose them to Indigenous culture, place-based learning and a robust academic curriculum within the Business Administration program.

“Japan and Hawaiʻi have a deep historical and cultural relationship,” JAA Chancellor Tadahiro Umezawa said. “In international resorts and commercial areas, there are opportunities for Japanese students to learn. This is extremely meaningful, and I hope that it will have a positive impact on the future of students.”

JAA鈥檚 International Aviation Business Department aims to train cabin attendants and ground staff who can succeed in the world with international knowledge and culture. Students study languages and Japanese culture to establish the foundation of understanding international cultural differences, learn etiquette and manners through practical manner training classes, and gain a high sense of hospitality.

–By Leila Wai Shimokawa

welcomed the governor of Japan鈥檚 Fukuoka Prefecture, Seitaro Hattori, to the campus in late April. The successes of an exchange partnership between Kapiʻolani CC鈥檚 program, and (NGU) to mutually broaden the academic and cultural experiences of students from both institutions piqued the interest of Fukuoka government officials and sparked enthusiasm for the visit.

“We believe that it will be wonderful if this exchange can lead to the development of professionals who can play an active role internationally and to the global dissemination of each other鈥檚 culture,” said Hattori. “Both Fukuoka andHawaiʻi share a common connection, and like here and your beautiful ocean, Fukuoka is also blessed with beautiful nature and seas that create the waters surrounding us. We, in Fukuoka, are blessed with abundant nature, agriculture, forestry and fish products from the sea and mountains. We hope that students from the University ofHawaiʻi will encounter many programs in Fukuoka.”

The collaboration also opens opportunities to have a profound long-term impact.

“We often learn about ourselves and our home by going abroad,” said Kapiʻolani CC Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi. “The transformation that we go through when we are exposed to completely new and foreign experiences has powerful life-long impacts. This is why the governments on both sides are committed to supporting the exchange between NGU and Kapiʻolani CC, and Fukuoka andHawaiʻi. My hope is that by expanding these opportunities, our students will nurture a strong identity and sense of kuleana (responsibiity) as global citizens and representatives ofHawaiʻi.”

Spring break in Fukuoka

Kapiʻolani CC culinary art students spent their spring break traveling and learning in Fukuoka. For many, it was their first time traveling internationally. Within a week, students experienced cultural activities, cooking demonstrations, culinary lectures and industry site visits.

“Having the opportunity to visit Fukuoka was an incredible experience,” said Kapiʻolani CC culinary student Sheena Llorico. “It was amazing getting to learn about the production of rice, and making our own mentaiko (salted cod roe). We even partook in classes taught by one of NGU‘s wonderful professors, where we learned about the variety of rice and the process to make one of Fukuoka’s known dishes, Motsunabe. What I’m most grateful for is being able to learn more about Japan’s culture and the friends I’ve made with the group I went up with, as well as the NGU students who were so kind to us.”

Kapiʻolani CC students will return to Fukuoka for another short-term study abroad experience in summer 2023 to gain new perspectives, learn new techniques in Fukuoka regional cuisine, and participate in culturally relevant opportunities that prepare them for their careers.

Dual degree at Kapiʻolani CC

Through the institutional partnership, students from NGU also have had the opportunity to enter a dual-degree program with Kapiʻolani CC since 2016.

Upon graduation, the students from Fukuoka receive a bachelor of arts or science degree from NGU and an associate of science degree from Kapiʻolani CC in culinary arts. The Fukuoka students graduating in spring 2023 experienced everything from voluntary work for the Sony OpenHawaiʻi banquet, paid internships with local restaurants, coffee sensory training, food innovation, product development and local farm and food manufacturer visits.

“The valuable experiences and the many people I met at Kapiʻolani CC broadened my horizons,” said Kapiʻolani CC culinary (and NGU) student Akari Takigawa. “In the future, I鈥檇 like to work in the food industry to connect Japan and overseas, especially to my hometown, Fukuoka.”

In an opportunity to discover architecture from a new perspective, five students and one faculty from the (NID) in Japan visited the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa as part of an international design exchange program from March 20–25.

The design exchange began with a careful analysis of sites on Oʻahu by 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa students, who selected Heʻeia State Park, the Lānaʻi Lookout and Diamond Head State Monument as potential sites with cultural significance and layered histories as locations for peace memorials.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Student travel to Japan enriches architecture exchange, March 7, 2023

After visiting the sites with NID students, and two intensive days of design workshops, three teams developed design installations that celebrated inner and outer peace, peace as something to maintain and peace as a journey.

“In Hawaiʻi, as designers, we are really accustomed to navigating cultural sensitivity in our designs, and it was really interesting to expand upon that in a new place,” said Sophia Collela, a second-year architecture student at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa. “In Japan, when we went, we learned about another culture, and specifically about a sensitive event within that culture, and then bringing the students here as well. Now we were not only participating in learning about cultural sensitivity, but teaching it as well, in a place they were also unfamiliar with.”

“It was a good opportunity to understand how big the differences are between people from different countries,” said Shiho Ohkochi, a second-year NID student. “I want to treasure this experience and remember this feeling. It is a reason to exchange, to understand our differences and try to understand each other.”

NID students were able to experience a typical week at 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 campus. They interacted with other students and faculty and learned about the city and island from 糖心Vlog官方 students’ perspective, offering a very different experience than they would have had as tourists.

“The design exchange offers students an opportunity to practice collaborating and cooperating in design teams, acknowledge strengths or weaknesses, and learn from their peers,” said Karla Sierralta, associate professor in the School of Architecture. “Students also gain new knowledge and a sense of responsibility as they present it to their guests, developing a new appreciation for local context and history. Overall, participants are exposed to diverse perspectives and the importance of mutual understanding.”

The Design Exchange Program is supported in part by the Hawaiʻi Architectural Foundation.

The are offering study abroad opportunities for current 糖心Vlog官方 community college students.

Programs include a nine-day study tour in Japan to a three-year program at a Japanese senshu-gakko (professional training school). Many of these programs may be partially funded through scholarships.

Interested students must submit a by March 13, 2023.

“The value of studying abroad can be life-changing,” said Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Della Teraoka. “In addition to making new friends and lasting memories, studying abroad will help students to gain foreign language skills and cross-cultural competence. They also learn initiative and adaptability, which can give them career advantages.”

Current international programs and scholarship opportunities include:

• Hakuoh University International Study Tour, June 5–13, 2023. Spend nine days in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
• Honda Study Abroad Scholarship, Students can receive a scholarship to study anywhere in the world through study abroad programs from 糖心Vlog官方, or other public or private organizations. This scholarship provides funding support to study overseas while incorporating an international educational experience into their academic program of study.
• Student Exchange Program, Choose to study for one semester or one year at a University in Japan, Taiwan or Canada. Program dates will vary depending on location.
• Monbukagakusho Scholarship, April 2024–March 2027. Study three years at a selected specialized training school in Japan.

For more information and to apply for these opportunities, visit: .