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

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

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

Assessing sea level rise threats

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

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

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

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

Cultural pride and responsibility

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

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

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

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

–By Marcie Grabowski

Chiara Logli, assistant professor and institutional assessment specialist at Honolulu Community College, has won a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award in higher education for the 2026–27 academic year. Granted by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, the Fulbright award underscores Logli鈥檚 standing as a world-class educator.

As part of the award, she will teach courses on research design and conduct a study examining how universities in India balance local traditions with global perspectives in higher education. Hosted by JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research in Mysuru, India, the project will culminate in a comparative study of higher education systems in India, the U.S. and Indonesia.

This research stems from her deeper passion for exploring how universities are shaped by the communities and cultures around them. In particular, she is drawn to India鈥檚 dynamic higher education system, which reflects both deep traditions and rapid innovation.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Logli,” Chancellor Karen C. Lee said. “It is an immense honor to join the legacy of the Fulbright Program in promoting collaboration across borders. She will be able to share the unique strengths of higher education in Hawaiʻi with colleagues abroad and bring back her learnings about India to enrich our campus community.”

Logli holds an MA in political science and a PhD in education with a specialization in international cultural studies. In addition to the Fulbright award, Logli has received recognition and previous awards from the East-West Center, Rotary International, USAID, United States Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, United States-Indonesia Society and the European Union Leonardo da Vinci Program.

Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program is one of the world鈥檚 most respected international exchange programs, operating in more than 160 countries. Fulbright alumni include 46鈥痟eads of state or government,鈥�63鈥疦obel Laureates,鈥�93鈥疨ulitzer Prize winners,鈥�83鈥疢acArthur Fellows, and countless leaders across sectors鈥痑nd industries worldwide.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 researcher Claire Kendal-Wright from the (JABSOM) is leading an effort to transform maternal-fetal care in American Samoa, a region where physicians face severe resource limitations at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.

“There was one OB and a resident covering labor and delivery,” Kendal-Wright recalled. “I started asking questions about preterm birth and outcomes, and you realize very quickly how dedicated the health providers are despite how limited the resources are.”

Backed by a U.S. Department of Interior grant to the medical center, Kendal-Wright is working with local clinicians to strengthen care through sonography training, telehealth and improved access to specialists.

The effort targets high-risk pregnancies. According to a study in , American Samoa faces challenging maternal health conditions, including high rates of obesity, hypertension and diabetes, alongside limited diagnostic technology.

Overcoming resource and diagnostic barriers

“When this grant ends, we aim to put in place a care pipeline that has not been available to these mothers,” Kendal-Wright said. “This will enable more mothers to gain the vital information required to make important care decisions about the health of their babies. For the mothers of American Samoa, this is not possible right now.”

It鈥檚 incredibly rewarding work.
—Claire Kendal-Wright

During recent visits with collaborators Curtis Lowery (medical researcher), Larenda Casey (lead sonographer) and La-Tisha Frazier (MD/JABSOM fellow), Kendal-Wright saw clinicians improvise by sharing ultrasound images via cell phone photos for outside opinions.

“You’re dealing with a population where many women have significant risk factors during pregnancy,” she said. “Having the ability to identify complications earlier and make informed decisions is incredibly important.”

The project, started by Men-Jean Lee, JABSOM‘s former associate chair of research and innovation, reflects the school’s mission of bolstering Pacific health equity.

Kendall-Wright added, “It’s incredibly rewarding work. These collaborations help ensure that mothers and babies have access to the best care possible, no matter where they live.”

Deep cultural ties between Hawaiʻi and French Polynesia were highlighted during French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson鈥檚 visit to the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 on February 25.

While in Honolulu for , hosted by the East-West Center, Brotherson made time to connect with 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, including a visit to the library鈥檚 internationally recognized collections.

Pacific Collection librarians Eleanor Kleiber and Stu Dawrs, along with Hawaiian Collection Librarian and department chair Jodie Mattos, showcased rare and historic materials related to French Polynesia. Items included: 18th-century works from Captain Cook鈥檚 voyages, 1844 correspondence from the Queen of Tahiti to King Kamehameha III, signed editions of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 Story by Queen Liliʻuokalani, and two editions of Brotherson鈥檚 own novel, Le Roi absent (The Missing King).

“It was an honor to welcome President Brotherson, and a joy for us to share items from our collections that highlight the historical and cultural connections between Hawaiʻi and French Polynesia,” said Kleiber. “He seemed to appreciate seeing these items our library has curated to represent the strong connections between our islands.”

University Librarian Clem Guthro added, “Our collections are vast, global and contain a multitude of treasures that support research, scholarship and teaching. Welcoming visitors from abroad to our collections extends their global reach. 糖心Vlog官方ors like President Brotherson become our ambassadors; sharing their experiences with our library when they return home, and knowing we are a resource to them.”

Brotherson has served as president since 2023 and is known for promoting sustainable development, cultural preservation and regional cooperation across the Pacific.

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Prospective international students can now learn about the world-class education and unique opportunities at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 in their own language. New 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 microsites in Japanese, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese as well as an English site tailored for Indian audiences give interested students and their families clear, accessible information about the application process and highlight campus experiences and community.

The 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 developed the sites due to the additional complexity international students face when deciding to pursue their degree abroad including English proficiency expectations, visa processes and scholarship options. The new microsites provide clear communication, language access, and cultural context essential in helping them make informed decisions with confidence, from their first interaction with 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 through graduation. 糖心Vlog官方ors to the sites can also submit questions in their own language for more information.

“We want to emphasize that 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 offers more than a degree,” said 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Interim Provost Vassils Syrmos. “Students gain a world-class education, hands-on research opportunities, and a supportive campus community in one of the safest, most diverse and welcoming places in the world. Hawaiʻi is not only a destination but an environment where students can thrive academically and personally.”

Emily Liu, director of international admissions in the Office of Global Engagement, expressed that while 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 can be a transformational experience for international students, they in turn enhance the campus experience for everyone at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

“International students make 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 a stronger and more vibrant campus by bringing global perspectives, diverse academic backgrounds, and rich cultural traditions into our classrooms and community,” said Liu. “They enrich class discussions, contribute to research and student life, and broaden perspectives beyond Hawaiʻi while helping prepare students for success in today鈥檚 increasingly interconnected world. Their presence strengthens cross-cultural understanding and reflects 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 role as a global university in the heart of the Pacific.”

Encouraging success, future possibilities

Depending on recruitment priorities, student demand and available resources, the Office of Global Engagement may consider microsites in more languages.

“We are already seeing encouraging early engagement and positive feedback from international prospective students, their families and partners,” said Liu. “We look forward to tracking continued interest, inquiries and overall impact as outreach and promotion continue.”

As Mahina ʻ艑lelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month) draws attention to the growing vitality of ʻ艒lelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), a recently released mele Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian song) offers a compelling example of how the language is taking root far beyond the islands, this time through a rare partnership between a University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo PhD student and a young recording artist from Japan.

Award-winning Hawaiʻi musician and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo graduate student Nicholas Kealiʻi Lum composed Waikīkī, a mele recorded as a duet with Tom Noʻeau, a Japan-born musician and trained ʻ艒lapa hula (hula dancer). Collaborations like this remain uncommon in Hawaiian music, even as hula has flourished in Japan for decades, with an estimated two million dancers nationwide.

Modern mele Hawaiʻi

Lum developed Waikīkī through the , which supports his ongoing creative research following his 2023 debut album Pewa. Praised by listeners for its modern vibe and R&B-influenced sound, Pewa reimagines traditional mele Hawaiʻi in a contemporary context while centering cultural resilience and linguistic vitality, values that continue to shape Lum’s work.

Lum said the song the pair recorded in a Kalihi studio was shaped with intention toward visitors, particularly from Japan, Hawaiʻi’s largest international tourism market. “What would be so cool is when tourists come here that they don’t just go surfing and go to a lūʻau, but they actually have an educational piece, as well,” he said.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News: Mele Hawaiʻi Reimagined: 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo Makuakāne scholar bridges past and present, October 28, 2025

Learning deeply

For Noʻeau, the collaboration marked a meaningful step in a journey shaped by years of hula training. He grew up dancing in Japan under the guidance of Kahikina Ah Sing and his brother Kalani, who grew up in Kona and opened Ke Ala O Ke Ao Cultural Arts Studio, their hālau in Japan, more than 20 years ago. Through the hālau, Noʻeau has been learning 驶艒lelo Hawaiʻi, with a strong focus on accuracy and understanding.

“This song taught me a lot. I’m still learning Hawaiian language, and pronunciation is really hard, but it made me want to learn more,” Noʻeau said.

For Lum, that commitment to language was central to the collaboration. “If you pronounce everything wrong, there’s no meaning there anymore, especially in mele, where the poetry carries the story,” he said.

Ah Sing said watching his student step into Hawaiian music has gone far beyond what he once imagined. “I never thought that the younger generation in Japan would root themselves so deeply in our language and culture,” he said.

Noʻeau has also recorded with award-winning Hawaiian musicians Robert Uluwehi Cazimero and Kuana Torres Kahele, further grounding his work in Hawaiian musical tradition.

The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu visited the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 on January 23, for an official tour of the library鈥檚 , offering a close look at rare materials that illuminate centuries of Philippine history and global connections.

Led by Philippine Consul General Arman Talbo, who took office in March 2025, the delegation of 17 consulate staff members was guided by Philippine Studies Librarian Elena Clariza through selections from the Philippine Rare Collections. Highlights included rare maps of the Philippines dating from the 1500s to the 1700s, Philippine Revolutionary Papers from the Spanish colonial period in the 1800s, and a U.S. military photo album documenting Samar Island in the 1940s.

The Samar album is a joint acquisition of Hamilton Library鈥檚 Russian Collection and Philippine Collection. It documents daily life on the island and U.S. naval operations during World War II, while also reflecting Samar鈥檚 unexpected global ties. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the island later became a refuge for an estimated 6,000 White Russians—the deposed czar鈥檚 supporters who opposed the Red Soviets and fled Russia after World War II.

Talbo described the visit as “calm, inspiring, and quietly powerful,” noting the personal resonance of the materials. He shared that he may have identified a long-lost ancestor while viewing photographs in the Samar album.

The visit highlighted the international significance of Hamilton Library鈥檚 Philippine Collection and its role in preserving and providing access to historical materials that deepen understanding of Philippine history and its global intersections.

Read more at .

Georges Frem, a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 graduate from Lebanon, traded a career in engineering for a future dedicated to science and service, inspired by the deep cultural values he encountered in Hawaiʻi.

Frem will cross the stage in December 2025 to accept his bachelor of science in biology from the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 , marking the completion of an academic journey that started and ended on opposite sides of the globe. After finishing his first degree in mechanical engineering at the American University of Beirut, Frem made a life-changing decision to pursue his true passion for nature and animals at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

From classroom to independent research

Frem pointed to his experience with the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 (UROP) as the single most valuable part of his academic career. After taking a BIOL 305 course with Associate Professor Amber Wright in fall 2024, he reached out to her about a project.

“We brainstormed ideas and decided to apply for a UROP grant to conduct field collections to gain insights about trophic interactions among lizards on Oʻahu through stable isotope analysis,” Frem said. “I secured the money and managed to conduct my own personal research project from start to finish.”

Frem has remained a part of the Wright lab and is currently writing a manuscript based on his UROP work for potential publication. “This immersion in the scientific process has served as extremely valuable data for the deliberation of my future career choice,” Frem said. “Having had the privilege to execute science in this manner has definitely incited me to consider a career as a scientist a lot more seriously.”

Inspired by kuleana

Frem came to Hawaiʻi partly looking for cultural exposure, but he wasn’t prepared for the commitment he found within the 糖心Vlog官方 community. He was surprised by the university’s role as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, integrating place-based science into academics and the collective consciousness.

“The fierce passion expressed by members of the 糖心Vlog官方 community when talking about Hawaiian culture and place-based science was surprising to me,” Frem said. “I was saddened by the realization that we Lebanese, seldom exhibit that same awareness, pride, and responsibility when it comes to our own culture and nation, especially as it relates to our unique ecosystems.”

This realization inspired him to act. He joined community work days and got a firsthand taste of the community’s sense of kuleana (responsibility). These efforts included:

• Helping out at 糖心Vlog官方’s Ka Papa Loʻi Kanewai and planting kalo (taro) at the Waiman膩lo Research Station.
• Volunteering at Loko Ea fishpond to remove invasive grasses.
• Assisting the 惭腻苍辞补 Cliff Restoration Project to remove invasive ginger.

“I have been humbled by the deep sense of care fostered by 糖心Vlog官方 and the Hawaiian community in general, and am deeply inspired to promote those same values in my own ʻ腻颈苍补,” he said.

Returning home

As his undergraduate journey ends, Frem is focused on how he can be useful to his home country, Lebanon.

“I know I want to contribute to Lebanon and bring forth the best in it,” he stated. His future will involve science, although he is still weighing options—possibly as a researcher studying Lebanon’s native ecosystems, or starting science-based businesses to fund community initiatives.

One thing is certain: he is ready for the next step. “I am most likely going to be applying to grad school, and my time here has undoubtedly prepared me very well for that,” Frem said.

Seven students are studying abroad this semester with the help of scholarships that are expanding their academic and career paths in Japan, South Korea, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Each of them wrote to Carolina Lam, director of , to share how the experience is shaping their studies, goals and sense of possibility.

“It took the financial burden that I was worried about off my shoulders and in turn, allow[ed] me to focus on my studies,” said Linguistics major Mila Davis, studying in Japan. “I think studying abroad will be a beneficial experience to have for a lot of careers.”

Cassie Gault, majoring in tropical agroecology and studying in Australia, said the scholarship gives her room to focus on academics, extracurriculars and personal growth. When she returns, she hopes to mentor students who want to go abroad but feel overwhelmed by the process.

In Japan, Kensuke Panek is studying English and Japanese studies, building connections with students and faculty. He hopes to help strengthen ties between 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo and Meiji University.

Hawaiian studies and political science major Ku Quanan is studying abroad for the first time. She sees this step as a turning point for her confidence and hopes more local students will see global education as possible for them, too.

Business major Rachael Rush is immersed in life and coursework in Madrid, gaining skills she hopes to use in international business.

In Aotearoa (New Zealand), Kahiau Snyder is exploring the connections between ʻ艒lelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and te reo M膩ori (M膩ori language).

“This scholarship helped me study in Aotearoa and learn m膩tauranga (M膩ori knowledge) that I will carry with me throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies in ʻ艒lelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and linguistics.”

Royce Ken Yasutake, studying in Japan, plans to use his growing Japanese language skills in the tourism industry and share practical advice with future participants.

A big benefit of the study abroad program is that students pay 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo tuition when they are abroad and then come home with newfound knowledge and experience to finish their degree program.

For more go to .

—By Susan Enright

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Professor Kevin Nute traveled to Japan in November to present a series of six lectures based on his new book, Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan Revisited (London: World Scientific, 2025).

The series, which drew an audience of more than 300 students and professionals, covered venues across Japan. Nute presented at the French and Italian Schools of the Far East in Kyoto, Kyoto University, Hiroshima University and Mie University. He also lectured to the American Institute of Architects in Japan and was hosted by renowned Japanese architect Professor Kengo Kuma at the University of Tokyo. Kuma also penned the foreword to the new book.

“It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the last 30 years about Wright’s creative debt to Japanese culture with Japanese audiences,” said Nute. “They really seemed to appreciate it too.”

The lectures expanded on the arguments in his book, which re-examines Wright’s interpretations of traditional Japanese forms in the context of otherness, appropriation, abstraction and translation.

As a result of the lecture series, Nute is now in discussions regarding a Japanese translation of Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan Revisited, potentially making his work accessible to a wider audience.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Assistant Professor Ho Kyung Lee and Assistant Professor Erin Voss are the 2025–2026 recipients of the Elmer Botsai Professional Practice Fund. The fund supports faculty immersion in the culture and practice of architecture firms outside Hawaiʻi, allowing them to bring global knowledge back to the classroom.

Lee: Timber in tropical contexts

Lee will travel to Portland, Oregon, to be hosted by LEVER Architecture, a nationally recognized leader in mass timber innovation and sustainable material systems. Lee will study research and design, observe project workflows and fabrication processes, and meet with sustainability and fabrication teams to gain insight into how to adapt mass timber for tropical contexts.

“I am incredibly excited to collaborate with LEVER Architecture to understand how their expertise in mass timber can be adapted for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 unique environment,” said Lee. “Observing their integrated design process will provide invaluable, cutting-edge knowledge that I look forward to bringing directly back to our architecture students.”

Voss: M膩ori design principles

Voss will travel to T膩maki Makaurau-Auckland, Aotearoa-New Zealand, to be hosted by LandLAB, a design-led studio focused on sustainable landscape and urbanism projects. Her exchange will explore outreach methodologies for co-designing opportunities and incorporating M膩ori design principles to create a strong sense of place. Voss plans to shadow designers, meet with key mana whenua/iwi (local tribal groups), and visit built projects to develop case studies and methodologies to inform future 糖心Vlog官方 architecture courses.

“I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing how firms like LandLAB collaborate with local and Indigenous communities to create culturally and ecologically sustainable landscapes,” said Voss. “This is a great chance to learn how outreach and the co-design process is adapted with different M膩ori communities, which is a model students can engage with in their own projects as they think about place-based design in Hawaiʻi.”

Students from 35 nations attend the . That global spirit was on full display during 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo鈥檚 2025 United Nations Day celebration on October 22, with students proudly representing places ranging from Ecuador, Hawaiʻi and Iceland to Hungary, Italy, Palau and Turkmenistan. Colorful photos of students from around the world highlighted a day meant to commemorate the founding of the United Nations and focused on unity, culture and people-to-people connection.

Each year the campus鈥檚 International Student Association and host the event, which features a Parade of Nations, cultural performances and informational displays.

“At 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo, United Nations Day is a time when the university ʻohana demonstrates unity among different people and nations of the world,” said Jim Mellon, director of 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo International Student Services. “Our shared humanity during this time calls for us to stand in solidarity with those who are suffering. Acts of war, hate, and intolerance are in opposition to the values of 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo international students.”

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the organization. The theme, “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” guided the program. Mellon said the day invites the campus to reflect on the United Nations鈥� core values, global peace, cooperation, human rights and social progress, and how those ideals connect to everyday life.

Parade of nations

The celebration opened with Native Hawaiian traditions. Students representing the host nation of Hawaiʻi joined Pele Harman, 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo鈥檚 director of Native Hawaiian engagement, in welcoming the crowd with music and hula. Japanese taiko drummers followed, honoring the deep roots of Japanese culture in Hawaiʻi.

About 80 students took part in the Parade of Nations, each carrying symbols of home. On the Mookini Library l膩nai, 22 students hosted displays about their countries, student services and global issues. Inside the library, short videos created by students from about 15 language groups introduced viewers to their native languages.

Mellon said the day is about visibility, learning and connection.

“We are truly fortunate to be able to live, study and learn with such a diverse group of students.”

For more go to .

—By Susan Enright

As the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 celebrates International Education Week from November 17 to 21, a current 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 student and alumna are reflecting on how their have expanded their academic and cultural horizons across the globe.

Exploring Taiwan鈥檚 archives, culture

For PhD candidate Nakota DiFonzo, the Fulbright experience has taken him to Taiwan, where he鈥檚 conducting archival research for his dissertation on the history of American education in late Qing and Republican-era China. Based at Academia Sinica in Taipei, one of East Asia鈥檚 leading research centers, DiFonzo said the experience has been both academically productive and personally enriching.

“My experience in Taiwan has been great so far,” DiFonzo said. “I am in the company of a great cohort whose research ranges from history to furniture design to medicine. Everyone is supportive of one another, and I have made valuable connections with leaders and rising stars in various fields.”

Beyond research, DiFonzo has embraced local culture by joining a language exchange club in Taipei. Weekend potlucks and casual gatherings, he said, have helped him improve his Chinese language skills and better understand Taiwanese perspectives. He鈥檚 also started producing street interview videos to further engage with the community and refine his speaking skills.

Empowering Colombian students through English teaching

Recent 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 history graduate Kaia Colborne spent the past year in Bogot谩, Colombia, as a Fulbright English teaching assistant (ETA). Her work focused on teaching English to university students and leading conversation clubs to build confidence and fluency.

“Living in Bogot谩 has been a huge highlight,” Colborne said. “It鈥檚 a wonderful city with so much to explore, and having other ETAs here has created a great support network. I found meaning and growth in my time in Colombia.”

Colborne said her time in Colombia deepened her appreciation for international education and reaffirmed her desire to help students experience transformative learning abroad.

“The experience has strengthened my commitment to working in the international sphere (ideally in international higher ed) and helped me have a better insight into cross-cultural exchange,” she added.

Both scholars credit 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Fulbright Program Adviser Kristen Connors for her guidance during the application process—a common thread in their journeys toward global engagement.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program will host an information session for students interested in the program on November 17 at 11 a.m. HST. . The webinar will be followed by a brief breakout session by campus where Connors will review steps for applying through 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and how to start planning.

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.

Students and faculty from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 joined representatives from around the world at the 2025 , held July 6–13, in Seoul.

The week-long program brought together 84 students and 23 faculty members from 35 colleges across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the Pacific to develop action-based solutions to the world鈥檚 changing climate.

Representing 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 were students Kapuaonaona Mersberg and Edgardo Diaz Vega, and Assistant Professor Ketty Loeb from the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 .

“In an increasingly divided and tense global environment, the Seoul Climate Corps provided me with a space to learn from experts dedicated to addressing climate change while providing hands-on experience developing climate policy pitches and action plans,” said Diaz Vega, a graduate student and sea level rise policy research assistant with .

A large part of the conference focused on student crafted research pitches and policy proposals under the mentorship of faculty advisors.

Mersberg presented her team鈥檚 policy pitch, “Reviving Local Food and Biodiversity for a Thriving Pacific.” The proposal advocates for integrating indigenous knowledge into food systems in Fiji, Hawaiʻi and the Federated States of Micronesia to enhance food security and biodiversity. It calls for government-funded, community-led consultations to ensure that policy development is rooted in the lived experiences and Indigenous knowledge systems of Pacific Island communities.

Mersberg鈥檚 team, guided by faculty mentor Loeb, highlighted the importance of ancestral knowledge and collaboration between government and private sectors in building resilient food systems.

In addition to mentoring students, Loeb also presented her own research, “Moving the Dial on Sea Level Rise Adaptation Policy.”

A collaborative approach

The program鈥檚 2025 theme, “Cross-border Collaboration to Address the Climate Crisis,” emphasized the importance of international collaboration and cooperation.

“We need to work together and start holding ourselves and each other accountable for global climate impact,” said Mersberg, an interdisciplinary sustainability student at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补. “Especially with the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, it is now more important than ever to apply pressure on the climate targets set in those agreements.”

Participants also visited key sites in Seoul that demonstrate best practices in eco-friendly urban planning, renewable energy, and waste management, underscoring the importance of knowledge sharing and cross-border collaboration.

“My biggest takeaway is that we absolutely need global connection and engagement to combat the climate crisis,” Mersberg said.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa program is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a major milestone. Its latest Hawaiian language production, Puana, was invited to perform this June at the , an international Indigenously led performing arts festival in Aotearoa (New Zealand). The festival is a premier showcase of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous performing arts.

“Kia Mau is a call to hold steadfast. In a way, it鈥檚 like our [Hawaiian] word hoʻomau, to perpetuate, and in this circumstance it鈥檚 about perpetuating our storytelling,” said Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker, director and founder of the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Hawaiian Theatre program.

“Having Puana invited to this festival, elevates the work that we鈥檙e doing here, and it also puts us on an international stage speaking to the quality of the work that we鈥檙e creating, as well.”

Bringing Hawaiian moʻolelo to the world

Puana, which debuted at in September 2024, explores the deep spiritual connections between Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) and their kūpuna (ancestors) through the power of song. The production is performed primarily in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).

Two of the lead actors, Kaʻiukapu Baker and Ikaika Mendez, will travel with the production to perform. Mendez, who is from Maui, earned an undergraduate degree in and at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa and is now pursuing a graduate degree in Hawaiian theatre. He sees this opportunity as a way to share Native Hawaiian traditions with a global audience.

Related story: Hawaiian theatre returns: Premiere of Puana explores music, ancestral ties, August 2024

“A lot of times, our moʻolelo (stories) are seen as childhood tales, little songs. ‘Oh, that’s the hula,’” Mendez said. “But when you dig deep into moʻolelo and hana keaka (Hawaiian theatre), it鈥檚 really education at its highest form.”

For Kaʻiukapu Baker, performing at Kia Mau is more than just an opportunity—it鈥檚 an honor.

“I鈥檓 definitely bringing a little bit of nerves but I鈥檓 mostly bringing excitement with me to Aotearoa because I love being in their ʻāina (land) and to see the similarities of their land and their language to ours…it is a privilege,” she said.

Help bring Hawaiian theatre to Aotearoa

Taking a production overseas is no small feat. The twenty-member cast and crew need community support to raise $70,000 to cover travel expenses.

Donations can be made to the through the 糖心Vlog官方 Foundation.

Award-winning hana keaka

Since its founding in 2014, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 Hawaiian Theatre program has produced eight original hana keaka, all performed mainly in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. The program is dedicated to revitalizing the Hawaiian language and strengthening cultural identity through theatre.

Its work has earned both local and national recognition. In 2022, Baker was honored with the Kennedy Center Medallion of Excellence, a top award in theatre education, for her leadership in Indigenous arts.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 celebrated spring with a gift of sakura (cherry blossom) trees from Japan Airlines (JAL) with the Hawaii Sakura Foundation and the Hawaii Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce (HJJCC) in March at the Magoon Research Facility in 惭腻苍辞补 Valley.

The three sakura trees commemorate the continued partnership between 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and JAL and highlight 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 engagement with the global community. The event was also an opportunity for JAL to strengthen relations and ties to other community networks.

糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 partners included the Office of the Provost, campus arboretum and landscaping services. Representatives from JAL, Hawaii Sakura Foundation, HJJCC, the Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu, Cherry Blossom Festival and Gendai Haiku Association attended the ceremony.

“Sakura are globally iconic because of people鈥檚 connections to it,” said 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Campus Arboretum Curator N艒weo Kai. ”As demonstrated [at the planting], sakura has the power to bring a variety of folks together and reverently inviting all to connect with each other.”

This year marks 70 years of JAL驶s support of the HJJCC and Cherry Blossom Festival, in addition to their commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship.

A prominent philanthropist and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., shared insights on shifting national security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific during a presentation at Bachman Hall on March 25, at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补. Glen S. Fukushima, a former U.S. diplomat, highlighted a need for more policymakers from the islands who have knowledge of the political landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.

Fukushima鈥檚 talk, part of the 糖心Vlog官方 Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, emphasized how national security in the region has changed over the past decade. He outlined key challenges for the U.S. in ensuring security in Asia, such as in maintaining consistent policy over time, implementing a coherent strategy and coordinating effectively with allies. He also stressed the need for more voices from Hawaiʻi who have real-world experience in Asia.

“I really would like Hawaiʻi to be more represented in the Washington policy mix because what I find is that despite the importance of Asia, there are very few people in senior positions in the U.S. government who have had experience in Asia and who can speak and read Asian languages and have had real experience working in Asia,” Fukushima said.

Hawaiʻi, he noted, holds significant advantages in this area. “There鈥檚 just a lot that Hawaiʻi has in terms of the University of Hawaiʻi, the East-West Center, and others that are experts in Asia.”

Vast expertise

糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 has long been recognized for its excellence in Asian and Pacific Islands studies. The 糖心Vlog官方 Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs (CIPA), established in 2022 with congressional funding, serves as a think tank addressing security challenges and providing student development opportunities.

“When we did an inventory, we were surprised that in addition to our area experts, we have at our area centers are faculty across the campus, across disciplines with expertise in the Indo-Pacific,” said Petrice Flowers, director at CIPA.

Fukushima鈥檚 presentation was sponsored by the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Center for Japanese Studies, College of Social Sciences, Better Tomorrow Speaker Series and East-West Center.

More on Fukushima

Fukushima is vice chair of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and former Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for Japan and China.

Kauaʻi Community College students, Malia Hoʻokano and Sabrina Petroc, brought their creativity and skills to the global stage at the KOSEN Global Camp in Japan, in February. Held at Toba National College of Maritime Technology, the camp focused on “designing social systems and business models oriented towards a circular economy,” with an emphasis on sustainability.

Before the trip, students were tasked with inventing and building a seawater desalination device. Once at the camp, the Kauaʻi CC students collaborated in multicultural teams with peers from Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan. Despite coming from liberal arts and business backgrounds, rather than engineering like most of the other participants, the Kauaʻi CC students brought valuable skills to their teams.

Hoʻokano, a business major, led her team to victory in a contest where they pitched the idea of developing a sustainability kit blueprint that communities could use to build their own desalination devices.

“Our business model was more of a sustainable way to empower the community,” said Hoʻokano. “This experience was more confirmation of my resiliency and my leadership鈥攕omething that I can be proud of.”

Petroc, a liberal arts major, described the camp as “a multilingual innovative networking opportunity with the purpose of coming together for a common goal.” She noted that many participants lacked experience in cross-cultural communication, but she kept her team focused and communicating effectively.

A ‘global community’

Business Associate Professor Dirk Soma, who accompanied the students, praised their adaptability under pressure.

“There were not clear guidelines, and this was a multi-language, multi-age group,” Soma said. “The significance of this diverse experience is that we are a global community. If you can share ideas and ways of thought that can help solve the issue for one community and you can replicate that across the globe. That驶s what we驶re trying to teach the students.”

Kyoko Ikeda, Kauaʻi CC鈥檚 international program coordinator, said Toba students have visited Kauaʻi CC for 15 years, however, this was the first time Kauaʻi CC students were invited to Toba.

“That鈥檚 what鈥檚 unique about us as a community,” Ikeda said. “We do a really good job of nurturing partnerships. When they visit, the first day they are our guests, and the second day they are our family.”

This week鈥檚 糖心Vlog官方 News Image of the Week is from Jim Mellon, director of .

Mellon shared: “糖心Vlog官方 Hilo celebrated United Nations Day on campus on October 25, 2024. The event demonstrates unity among different peoples and nations around the world and promotes the ability of people-to-people exchange as a way to create a more peaceful and just world. The International Student Association, the organizer of the event, embraces the United Nations’ values of peace, dignity, and equality for all on a healthy planet.”

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