This article by Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence Director at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 John A. Burns School of Medicine Kelsea Kanohokuahiwi Hosoda was first published in .

With deep federal budget cuts looming, many Native Hawaiian education programs at the University of Hawaiʻi are at risk of losing critical funding. These programs have never been just academic initiatives—they are lifelines.

As someone who walked the halls of 糖心Vlog官方 as a student, and now as a faculty member, I can personally attest to the transformative power of these programs. They were the foundation that held me through some of the most grueling years of my academic journey, earning a bachelor鈥檚 in biology, a master鈥檚 in molecular biosciences and bioengineering, and a PhD in communication and information sciences.

The coursework was hard: physics, calculus, and organic chemistry challenged me. What got me through wasn鈥檛 just determination, it was community. It was the Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program which provided tutors, peer mentors, and a support network that helped me succeed. At the time, that program was funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Today, those kinds of programs face an uncertain future.

Now, as an assistant professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine and the director of the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence, I鈥檓 on the other side of the system, trying to secure funding to support the next generation of Native Hawaiian scholars pursuing careers in medicine and research.

And let me tell you: the funding landscape is tough. We鈥檙e navigating a time of financial scarcity, yes, but also one of rising disillusionment. Many students and families are questioning the value of higher education. Rightfully so. A college degree no longer guarantees a stable job or livable income, and the weight of educational debt feels unbearable for many.

This is exactly why we must invest in Native Hawaiian participation in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) at 糖心Vlog官方. The path forward lies not in abandoning STEMM, but in reclaiming it as a tool for l膩hui advancement.

STEMM is still one of the most powerful tools we have, not just for upward mobility, but for sovereignty, resilience, and cultural perpetuation. Especially with the rise of generative AI and rapid technological change, we need more Native Hawaiians who can lead in these spaces 鈥� not just participate in them.

Our ancestors already did this. They were keen observers, data collectors, and innovators. Whether it was navigating using the stars, cultivating diverse food systems, or healing through ancestral knowledge they practiced science grounded in purpose and place. That legacy is in us. We must awaken it.

STEMM is not just about labs and equations. It鈥檚 about ensuring that our people can analyze, adapt, and act in the face of any challenge. It鈥檚 about building capacity for our l膩hui through Native Hawaiian leadership in science, technology, and medicine. It鈥檚 about perpetuating ʻike k奴puna in the modern world while training future doctors, engineers, policy-makers, and scientists who will serve our communities first.

If we lose these programs, we lose more than funding. We lose access and innovation.

But if we fight for them—and if we cultivate Native Hawaiian brilliance in STEMM at 糖心Vlog官方—we won鈥檛 just weather the storm. We will lead the way forward.

For Kelsea Kanoho Hosoda, receiving the American Indian Science and Engineering Society鈥檚 (AISES) Blazing Flame Professional Award marks a full-circle moment in her mission to uplift Indigenous students in STEM. The national honor recognizes her decades of work expanding opportunities for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.

“I鈥檝e been a part of AISES since I was an undergraduate, and they really helped me flourish—from undergrad to graduate school and now in my professional career,” said Hosoda, director of the at the University of awaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (JABSOM). “So this award, to me, is more than just recognition from a national organization—it also means a lot for Hawaiʻi.”

At JABSOM, Hosoda leads initiatives that improve Native Hawaiian health through education, research & community engagement, encouraging students to pursue careers in medicine and other health professions.

Bridging communities through mentorship

Hosoda鈥檚 involvement with 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Native Hawaiian Science & Engineering Mentorship Program (NHSEMP) inspired her to co-found the university鈥檚 first AISES student chapter with her husband, creating a bridge between local and national Indigenous STEM communities. She later helped revise AISES policies to expand eligibility for scholarships and internships to all Indigenous students.

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Advancing the science of mentorships

Over the past 12 years, Hosoda has mentored more than 100 students—many now working in research and medicine. Through programs such as Kauhale Medical Scholars, she continues to guide pre-med students from Hawaiʻi鈥檚 neighbor islands and public schools.

“Being part of AISES taught me to bring my whole self to work,” Hosoda said. “That sense of balance and authenticity is something I try to pass on to my students.”

A proud 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 alumna, she earned her bachelor鈥檚 in biology and Hawaiian language, a master鈥檚 in molecular biosciences and bioengineering, and a PhD in communication and information sciences—experiences that deepened her integration of ʻIke Hawaiʻi and STEM.

Hosoda will receive the Blazing Flame Professional Award at the AISES National Conference in Minneapolis this October.

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A new study highlights the importance of kindness in academic workplaces, especially as many health professionals face increasing levels of burnout. Kanoho Hosoda, director of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 at the (JABSOM), led the research, which was recently published in .

I want to see growth in kindness from students, faculty and staff, ultimately impacting society in Hawaiʻi.
—Kanoho Hosada

The study found that receiving kindness boosts well-being, reduces stress, and strengthens institutional identity, while giving kindness has less impact. Key elements of kindness, such as feeling safe and acknowledged, promote positivity and inclusion in higher education.

Hosoda鈥檚 study advances the science of kindness by showing that academics who receive kindness have stronger institutional identity, better well-being and less stress. These individuals are also more likely to perform acts of kindness themselves. It also demonstrates that kindness鈥攂oth given and received鈥攃an be reliably measured in students and faculty.

“We wanted to develop measures of kindness,” Hosoda explained. “When I say ‘let’s be kind to each other,’ we want tangible, specific actions we can implement.”

Surveying higher education experiences

The study defines kindness as actions that affirm dignity and social inclusion, based on 10 dignity-affirming metrics, including trust, autonomy, understanding, inclusion, fair treatment, acknowledgment, safety, and acceptance of identity. To gather insights, Hosoda surveyed 182 higher education members about their experiences with these elements. She hopes these findings will encourage the JABSOM community to foster a kinder environment.

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Advancing science of mentorships, inclusion goal for 糖心Vlog官方 alumna

Hosoda acknowledged that JABSOM is already on a positive trajectory, thanks to faculty members such as Martina Kamaka, Dee-Ann Carpenter, and Vanessa Wong, who create safe spaces for students through Learning Communities, providing support within the rigorous curriculum.

As the principal investigator of a two-year NIH grant, Hosoda understands the challenges of navigating higher education and believes in the importance of community.

“Sometimes you feel like a lone wolf going through your PhD,” she said. “JABSOM has created communities that promote these dignity elements.”

Connecting kindness to Hawaiian values

Hosoda connects her research to the Hawaiian value of ALOHA, which includes kindness (Akahai), unity (L艒kahi), and humility (Ha驶aha驶a). She believes that if kindness is nurtured in medical education, it will extend into clinical practice, benefiting the broader community.

“I want to see growth in kindness from students, faculty and staff, ultimately impacting society in Hawaiʻi,” she said.

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The only Center of Excellence in the nation that is focused on increasing the representation of Native Hawaiian students in medicine and other health professions has been awarded a $3.4-million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration to continue helping Native Hawaiians pursue these careers through education, research and community initiatives.

The (NHCOE) based at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) has been supporting the advancement of Native Hawaiian students and faculty in medicine for 30 years. The center provides the inspiration, tools and financial assistance it takes to achieve the dream many students have of being able to serve the people of Hawaiʻi as doctors.

“Our Native Hawaiian students are the future leaders that we need to ensure that the communities of Hawaiʻi receive the quality health care services that they deserve,” said Winona Lee, NHCOE principal investigator.

Equity for Native Hawaiian students

Medical school can be daunting for anyone. Factoring in obstacles outside one鈥檚 control, like socioeconomic health disparities, can be even more challenging for students. Programs like NHCOE emphasize equity and offer students such as Bree Kaneakua, a Native Hawaiian from Hilo, an opportunity at leveling the playing field.

As a Native Hawaiian, it鈥檚 so easy to feel like you don鈥檛 belong in the field of medicine.
—Bree Kaneakua, JABSOM student

“As a Native Hawaiian, it鈥檚 so easy to feel like you don鈥檛 belong in the field of medicine,” said Kaneakua, who is a fourth-year medical student at JABSOM. “It鈥檚 such an intimidating field for anyone. It鈥檚 challenging. So to feel like you don鈥檛 belong in 99% of the rooms you鈥檙e in comes with the territory.”

Kaneakua added, “To have this metaphorical ‘room’ at JABSOM, where I feel like I fit in and belong, it means a lot. It shows Native Hawaiian students that we belong in this field. There鈥檚 a place for us.”

When 2022 JABSOM graduate Dillon Tacdol entered medical school, he leaned on NHCOE for help with the application process.

“The Native Hawaiian Pathway to Medicine program was instrumental in helping me get into medical school,” he said. “When I was applying to medical school, the MCAT was transitioning to a new system where they were integrating social sciences into the test. The test had changed. I was able to get books to study for it. The NHPM program also prepared me for medical school interviews and assisted with writing personal statements.”

The Native Hawaiian Student Pathway to Medicine program led Tacdol to the program, which paved the way for him to get into medical school by preparing him in basic sciences and understanding Problem Based Learning framework.

Both Tacdol and Kaneakua found the skills they learned in ʻImi Hoʻōla would serve as a source they鈥檇 tap into for years to come.

“It set me up for success once I got into medical school. Now, in my fourth year, as I start to prepare applications to residency, I鈥檓 still pulling from the knowledge I got from NHCOE,” Kaneakua said.

Tacdol added, “NHCOE helped find mentors and other colleagues who provided insight and could relate to what I was going through as I navigated medical school and residency. Without NHCOE, I think it would have taken a lot longer to get to medical school. I鈥檓 very grateful to this program for helping me get to where I am today.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) bid a fond aloha to two of its long-time leaders in the (DNHH) who retired at the end of December 2021. Stephen “Kalani” Brady, director of faculty affairs and continuing medical education, and Mele Look, director of community engagement, have dedicated decades of service to the medical school, 糖心Vlog官方 and the local community through their meaningful work to better the health and welfare of the people of Hawaiʻi.

“The medical school celebrates the collective works of these legends of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health. Both Dr. Kalani Brady and Mele Look have held essential roles in the department (and medical school). Their presence will be sorely missed,” said Dean Jerris Hedges.

Kalani Brady, trusted physician and professor

Brady has been with JABSOM for 35 years, 18 of them within DNHH. At age three, Brady said he already knew his calling was to become a physician. “Much like a priest that helps people with their spiritual health, doctors help people with their overall health,” he said.

After graduating from Saint Louis School, he attended Harvard University where he graduated with honors in engineering and applied physics. He then enrolled at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and earned a master鈥檚 degree in public health, and a master鈥檚 and doctorate in biostatistics and epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. He returned to Hawaiʻi for residency training in internal medicine.

Brady began his career at JABSOM in 1986, where he has served as director of faculty affairs and continuing medical education and associate professor in DNHH. He has been recognized with a long list of awards throughout his career, including “Physician of the Year” by multiple organizations.

Brady’s medical background and understanding of the local culture in Hawaiʻi opened the door for him as the beloved featured physician on the weekly “Ask A Doctor” segment on the KHON2 morning news for the past 26 years.

He also held a trusted and valued relationship with the Hawaiian residents of Kalaupapa who he began treating for Hansen鈥檚 disease in 2003. Today, there are only a handful of patients who are now in their 90鈥檚. Brady still travels to see them every month and continues to advocate for them.

The “retirement to-do” list for Brady includes babysitting his three grandchildren, traveling with his wife, Jun, and focusing on his health.

Mele Look, dedicated Native Hawaiian health advocate

For the past 45 years, Look has dedicated most of her life to Native Hawaiian health disparities as a researcher, health program developer and community advocate. She has worked with Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities to develop, implement and evaluate health education and intervention programs, all of which include elders.

When Look joined JABSOM, she was only the third employee for DNHH and has been essential in building the foundation of the department. Today, the department has grown to house two divisions related to Native Hawaiian health and welfare—the and the .

For the past 21 years, Look has served as the director of community engagement. She established and facilitated a community health coalition, the Ulu Network, which has grown to include 38 organizations, with 80+ sites across Hawaiʻi including all 19 federally qualified health clinics and all five federally established Native Hawaiian Healthcare Systems.

The ongoing studies with hula as a health intervention has been the culmination of her work in Hawaiian health for more than 40 years. Look has been a cultural practitioner of hula for nearly 50 years, with 20+ years of formal traditional training.

Out of all her many accomplishments, Look said her greatest legacy has been mentoring her students. “My research assistants, my graduate assistants, to have them going forward鈥搕hey鈥檙e the flowers that are now blossoming for the next generation.”

Read more about and 驶s accomplished careers.

A version of this story was originally published on July 30, 2020 in , the monthly newspaper of the Office Hawaiian Affairs.

Community health programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) were hit hard by COVID-19 as many of them involved first-year medical students going into local communities to conduct service-learning activities. However, medical students enrolled in “Native Hawaiian Health Past, Present, Future” in the spring turned it into an opportunity and in both English and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).

Instead of putting together an in-person health lesson plan for their annual visit to Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M. Kamakau, a Hawaiian language immersion public charter school, students in the JABSOM course created relevant health education videos.

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• General COVID-19 Overview
• Proper Handwashing
• Masking and Social Distancing
• Staying Active at Home, an exercise video that includes a yoga session

The videos were completed using the English language and translated into Hawaiian for students at Kamakau, thanks to volunteer translators contributing many hours to k艒kua and truly making the project a community effort.

Supporters at Kamakau, 膧nuenue Public Charter School and 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 recruited family and friends to help. The end result is a collection of four videos, each with two different versions: one in English and the other with either Hawaiian voice-overs or Hawaiian subtitles.

The nine students enrolled in the course were: Kamuela Andrade, Abigail Bautista, Alyssa Becker, Amelia Hummel, James DeJesus IV, Elliot Koshi, Jason Lee, Jenna Maligro and Trevor McCracken. Maligro, a medical student, and LeShay Keliʻiholokai, JABSOM Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence research assistant, were editors for the project.

While the videos involved a lot of hard work and creativity, the project was a worthwhile endeavor. “The video project was a great opportunity for me to do something fun with my own keiki while teaching them a little about the current pandemic,” said Andrade. “And when the final touches were made by our editors and the great young ʻōlelo speakers, the videos came out even better than we expected. It was really a team collaboration all the way around and my family and I were just happy to be a part of it.”

“The process of making educational videos for the keiki about COVID-19 was fun, yet challenging,” added Maligro. “I enjoyed the creative process and figuring out entertaining ways to present relevant information. During this pandemic, our responsibility as medical students is to provide knowledge and education to our community. This project gave us an opportunity to play a role in educating our keiki about COVID-19, while having fun along the way.”

Faculty and students at JABSOM are excited to release the educational videos to schools as the new school year begins, and are proud to offer ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi versions, as well.

The videos are being shared with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Department of Education, the COVID-19 Joint Information Center, Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency and other entities.

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—By Martina L. Kamaka

Despite the underrepresentation of both Native Hawaiian and Filipinos in higher education, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 had a record-year in graduating minority medical students. The 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) graduated 12 Native Hawaiian and 12 Filipino medical doctors. These individuals participated in cultural recognition commencement ceremonies.

K墨hei ceremony

The newest kauka opio (young doctors) of Native Hawaiian ancestry were each presented with a ceremonial cloak or k墨hei, which the young doctors previously designed using traditional Native Hawaiian techniques, sponsored by and the at JABSOM. This year, there was a highly visible uniting theme on each k墨hei: a rusty red color, made from the leaves and fruit of the ʻaʻaliʻi bush.

“Most importantly, we chose the ʻaʻaliʻi as our theme for its known strength and resilience. Despite wind, rain and the elements, ʻaʻaliʻi wood is said to be naturally termite resistant and can withstand extreme droughts, making it the hardiest of plants,” said Jayden Galamgam.

Galamgam explained that like the ʻaʻaliʻi bush, his class will continue to be resilient as the challenges of medical residency await them.

In addition to the dark red hems, each k墨hei was printed with unique designs to parallel the separate journeys of each doctor into medicine.

“These 12 rows don鈥檛 just represent the Native Hawaiian students graduating but also symbolize 12 years directly serving the fire department in my community and the colors black and red symbolize the lava on the Big Island,” said Michael Brigoli of Hawaiʻi Island.

3rd annual Filgrad

Both Brigoli and Galamgam are also Filipino and, shortly after the k墨hei ceremony at the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Kakaʻako campus, they rushed over to represent the other half of their cultural identities at the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 3rd Annual Filgrad.

From 24 participants at the inaugural Filipino graduation recognition ceremony in 2017, the 糖心Vlog官方 Filgrad more than tripled this year with 84 participants.

JABSOM medical students of Filipino ancestry wore stoles that were designed to imitate the flag of the Philippines, draped over their shoulders as they proudly walked into the East-West Center, followed by their fellow graduates from 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

Celina Macadangdang Hayashi was one of the graduate speakers and spoke about the importance of remembering one鈥檚 roots. Hayashi had tears in her eyes as she thought of her late grandparents, who emigrated from Ilocos Norte in the Philippines to Maui in 1946.

“My grandparents are my reason why I鈥檓 able to stand before you today as a doctor,” she said. “They will continue to help me become an effective family physician as they have taught me the importance of treating everyone I encounter with compassion.” Hayashi said.

All students received a certificate onstage. The Filgrad is a student-led event made possible through the collaboration of various 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Filipino organizations and with community support.

—By Deborah Manog Dimaya

Six new kauka ʻopio (young physicians) of Native Hawaiian ancestry recently entered the medical community as graduates of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补’s (JABSOM) Class of 2018.

The honored JABSOM‘s six newest Native Hawaiian doctors: David Bailey, Nina Beckwith, Leimomi Kanagusuku, Nohea Leatherman-Arkus, Monika Young and former Kahuku Red Raider and New Mexico State football player Quinlinn Adolpho.

The at JABSOM and ʻAhahui o n膩 Kauka sponsor the annual ceremony, when Native Hawaiian doctors are honored and cloaked with a k墨hei, a Hawaiian garment worn over one shoulder. Each k墨hei, adorned by using traditional Hawaiian techniques, displays the prints and colors unique to each graduate’s individual journey into medicine.

JABSOM continues to be the nation’s only accredited medical school with a clinical department dedicated to the health of an indigenous people of the U.S.

—By Deborah Manog Dimaya