University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Esports Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa delivered a keynote address at the 2026 Academic Esports Seminar (AES), one of the largest gatherings of esports researchers in the world, bringing international attention to Hawaiʻi’s expanding role in esports education, research and industry development.

Held over three days in May 2026 at the University of Agder in Grimstad, Norway, the conference brought together approximately 50 researchers, educators, industry leaders and practitioners from around the globe to explore esports’ connections to education, health, policy, innovation and digital society.

Hawaiʻi’s unique position in global esports collaboration

Kauweloa, who also participated in a panel on esports, multiculturalism and diplomacy, delivered a keynote presentation focused on how island communities such as Hawaiʻi can play a unique role in shaping the future of global esports by fostering collaboration, cultural exchange and innovation across international networks.

“Hawaiʻi and the University of Hawaiʻi are helping shape the future of esports on a global scale,” Kauweloa said. “The conversations taking place at AES show that esports is no longer viewed as a niche activity, but as an emerging industry and research field. ����Vlog�ٷ� is building partnerships, creating opportunities for students and contributing knowledge that is helping position Hawaiʻi as a leader in this space.”

The three-day seminar featured scholars and practitioners from countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with research sessions examining topics ranging from grassroots esports development and student learning to health, inclusion and international collaboration.

Organized by the Future Lab for Research in Academic Esports, AES 2026 included seven research sessions, three keynote presentations and three international panels focused on the future of esports and its impact on digitally connected communities.

����Vlog�ٷ� Esports is one of the nation’s leading collegiate esports programs, with more than 100 student-athletes competing nationally and internationally. This academic year, ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa’s Rocket League team captured a national championship in its first season of competition.

����Vlog�ٷ� the ����Vlog�ٷ� esports team’s and pages. More stories on ����Vlog�ٷ�’s esports program.

The Honolulu Community College student club, Hawaii Advanced Technology Society (HATS), placed fourth nationally in the 2026 National Cyber League Competition (NCL). They vied against more than 3,700 university teams from two-year and four-year institutions across the country.

“Working through real-world challenges alongside teammates teaches you things you can’t fully get from a classroom alone, how to trust each other, think under pressure, and grow as a team,” HATS President Nicholas Anich said. “I’m proud of how we performed, and even prouder of the community HATS has built: a group of students who genuinely show up for one another.”

The NCL Competition held in April challenged participants with cybersecurity scenarios, testing essential skills for the IT and cybersecurity workforce. The HATS team was composed of students from Honolulu CC’s Computing, Security & Networking Technologies (CSNT) program, along with CSNT alumni now attending the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oahu.

“NCL was a great competition to hone and apply the skills I’ve picked up both inside and outside of the classroom,” Anich said. “HATS, the club that competes in events like this, has truly been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Honolulu CC.”

Years of work

He credited mentors Gerome Catbagan, Jayson Hayworth and Bradley Ramos for their support. Former HATS president Jordan Yamaguchi said the placement was a result of years of effort.

“As the former HATS president, participating in this NCL competition felt like the culmination of all of our current and former HATS members’ hard work,” Yamaguchi said. “We spent several semesters together learning about the different categories in the competition and working out different techniques we could use to help us score higher, so placing fourth in the nation feels incredibly rewarding.”

In 2025, the team earned second place in the At-Large Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, part of the national Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) program. Through competitions such as NCL and CCDC, Honolulu CC students continue to gain hands-on experience while bringing recognition to the college on a national stage.

—By Amelia Oldham

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Rocket League team captured a national championship in its first year of competition, completing an undefeated 10-0 spring 2026 season and sweeping the grand finals 4-0.

Rocket League is a competitive game that combines soccer and driving, with players controlling rocket-powered cars to score goals in fast-paced team matches. At the collegiate level, the game requires strategy, communication, teamwork and quick decision-making under pressure.

This win is the latest milestone for ����Vlog�ٷ� Esports, one of the country’s premier collegiate esports programs and widely recognized as one of the best collegiate esports programs in the nation. Formally launched in 2018–19, the program earned national acclaim in 2022 when it was named the best collegiate esports program in the U.S. It now includes more than 100 student-athletes competing year-round in the Mountain West Conference and in national tournaments across multiple games, including Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch and Valorant.

“This isn’t just students playing video games,” said Sky Kauweloa, ����Vlog�ٷ� Esports director. “Esports at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa is about leadership, teamwork and creating opportunities for students to represent their university at the highest level. What this team accomplished in its very first season shows the talent we have here in Hawaiʻi and the kind of community we’re building through this program.”

Freshman Logan Gregory, a Mililani High School graduate known in-game as “Sly,” helped lead the program as team captain. Gregory was already one of Hawaiʻi’s top high school Rocket League players and a state champion before coming to ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa. He played a key role in building the team from the ground up and shaping its competitive culture.

“Building the program for Rocket League in Hawaiʻi was an amazing opportunity to prove that Hawaiʻi can compete on a national level when leadership, teamwork and dedication are put together into one team,” Gregory said. “Coming in as my first year, I wanted to help create something special here at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa; a foundation for Rocket League that shows Hawaiʻi players belong in the national esports scene. In such a short amount of time, I am proud that we have accomplished something so great through the hours of the team’s commitment, trust, bonding and love for the game for the chance to prove ourselves that we are a championship level team.”

The team also added a major transfer in junior Jesse Hushower, known in competition as “Hoosh,” who came to ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa from Boise State University, one of the nation’s top collegiate Rocket League programs. His experience competing at a high level helped strengthen the roster during its championship run.

“Before transferring from Boise State University, I had the opportunity to tour ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa‘s campus and meet with the esports team,” Hushower said. “After I talked with several members in the esports program I realized how connected the people here seemed which was a large influence on why I chose to come to ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa. Coming from a school with a well established esports program, Rocket League in particular, I believe I was able to bring some of that experience with me and enhance the quickly growing ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa esports program. It has been an overall amazing experience.”

Junior Ahled Dame Domingo (“ad2littt”) and freshman Noah Vila (“nowuz”) rounded out the championship roster, contributing to the team’s depth and consistency throughout the season. The operator of the Rocket League tournament was PlayVs.

����Vlog�ٷ� the ����Vlog�ٷ� esports team’s and pages. More stories on ����Vlog�ٷ�’s esports program.

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation’s top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa’s (JABSOM) also placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa’s strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and Hawaiʻi can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these ����Vlog�ٷ� News stories on previous years’ rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the ����Vlog�ٷ� law school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation’s best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master’s and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in Hawaiʻi to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation’s top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation’s top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation’s best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation’s best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation’s best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges have earned a gold 2025 NCMPR Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR)—underscoring the quality and impact of the marketing work being done across the seven community colleges currently serving almost 24,000 students.

The award, in the Video Shorts Series category, recognizes the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges’ marketing team for showcasing the transformational journeys of Native Hawaiian students across the state. Centered on themes of resilience, identity, and opportunity, the E ʻauamo i kou: Fulfill Your Kuleana series features seven compelling student narratives—three of which were submitted for award consideration:

• —bridging traditional knowledge and modern science through sustainable practices rooted in caring for the land
• —overcoming doubt to pursue culinary arts while discovering confidence, cultural connection, and community
• —channeling her passion into respiratory therapy to address healthcare disparities and give back to Hawaiʻi

“These student stories reflect the transformative power of an Indigenous-serving education,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges. “We are deeply honored to receive this national recognition, as it speaks to the deep connections between education, culture and community that truly define our colleges.”

Transforming lives

The award-winning videos were produced in partnership with the Honolulu-based marketing agency Hyperspective Studios and are part of a broader institutional effort to highlight and share the compelling stories of ����Vlog�ٷ� Community College students.

The Paragon Awards are recognized as the only national competition of its kind, honoring excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges throughout the U.S. The 2025 competition drew 1,585 entries from 216 colleges across the country and was judged by 67 industry professionals.

NCMPR President Patrick Stone said, “This year’s winners stood out in an extraordinary field of entries, demonstrating that when community colleges invest in creativity and innovation, they amplify their mission and transform lives.”

Fourteen University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa academic subjects were ranked among the world’s best in the 2026 , released on March 25.

Four subjects placed in the top 22 in the nation and top 100 in the world. Leading the way was geology (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), geophysics (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), Earth and marine sciences (No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world) and linguistics (No. 22 in the U.S. and No. 61 in the world).

Ten additional subjects placed in the world’s top 2% (within top 500 in the world out of ):

• English language and literature: No. 28 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 30 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Anthropology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–200 world
• Modern languages: No. 41 U.S., No. 251–300 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 66 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 68 U.S., No. 251–275 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 70 U.S., No. 401–450 world
• Education: No. 78 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Medicine: No. 99 U.S., No. 451–500 world
• Biological sciences: No. 100 U.S., No. 451–500 world

“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “They showcase the university’s global standing and reinforce that ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa was ranked in three broad subject areas and 14 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs by asking academic experts to nominate universities based on their subject area of expertise), employer reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs among employers), research citations per paper (measures the impact and quality of the scientific work done by institutions, on average per publication), H-index (measures both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar) and international research network (measure of an institution’s success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations).

The 2026 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026
• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has recognized 20 degree programs for exemplary commitment to improving curriculum and student learning through a new faculty-led honor launched this academic year.

The Excellence in Assessment for Improvement: Hōpoe Assessment Award celebrates programs that demonstrate outstanding, collaborative assessment practices. “Hōpoe” describes the ʻōhiʻa lehua in its fullest, most vibrant bloom—a symbol of programs that have matured and flourished. The award was established in 2025 by the Mānoa Faculty Senate’s Committee on Educational Effectiveness (CEE).

“This award represents the maturity and beauty of programs that have truly blossomed through meaningful assessment,” said Justin Walguarnery, CEE committee chair. “It is a ‘for faculty, by faculty’ initiative that celebrates the hard work of using assessment to make an appreciable difference in the academic experience.”

The inaugural recipients include programs in:

• Anthropology (MA and PhD)
• Asian International Affairs (MA)
• Cinematic Arts (BA)
• Early Childhood Education (MEd)
• Education (PhD)
• Education: Teaching (MEdT)
• Educational Admin (MEd)
• Educational Psychology (MEd and PhD)
• Elementary Education (BEd)
• Library & Information Sciences (MLISC)
• Professional Educational Practice (EdD)
• Secondary Education (BEd)
• Social Work (BSW)
• Sociology (MA)
• Special Education (BEd and MEd)
• Theatre and Dance (BA and BFA)

Faculty-driven review process

Recipients were selected through a rigorous peer-review process led by the Assessment Report Review Committee (ARRC), a group of about 40 faculty members trained jointly by CEE and the ����Vlog�ٷ� Assessment and Curriculum Support Center (ACSC). Organizers describe the award as a fully faculty-owned effort that highlights collaboration and shared accountability.

This award represents the maturity and beauty of programs that have truly blossomed through meaningful assessment.
—Justin Walguarney

All ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa degree programs submit biennial assessment reports outlining student learning outcomes, curriculum development and benchmarks for achievement. These reports are required for accreditation and are publicly available on the ACSC website. From more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, 20 were recognized in the award’s inaugural year.

Beginning in fall 2026, every degree program will have the opportunity to self-evaluate using the award criteria, including student learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, evidence of learning, fair and reliable evaluation, use of results and culturally responsive assessment practices. Programs indicating “full bloom” will be automatically nominated for review.

By expanding both self- and peer-nomination pathways, organizers hope to spotlight the collaborative, reflective work strengthening education across campus.

CEE committee members that developed the award are Justin Walguarnery, Nicole Schlaack, Jamie Simpson Steele, Joseph Foukona, Alice Tse, Joanna Philippoff, Emile Loza de Siles, Dan Port, Maya Saffery, Jessica Gasiorek, Aimee Chung, Arby Barone, Ann Sakaguchi, Alohilani Okamura, Monica Esquivel and Yao Hill.

The 16th Annual Aʻo a Koa University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Rainbow Warriors Volleyball Fundraiser at the Stan Sheriff Center was a sell out in January with nearly 500 attendees. The event celebrated the 2026 Men’s Volleyball team as they embarked on the early part of their season.

Guests experienced both a silent and a live auction and bites from top local chefs and restaurants. Attendees also had the opportunity to interact with players and coaches. In addition to the massive turnout, the event also generated a record-breaking amount of funding for the program.

“The support from our community gives our team the foundation to compete at the highest level. Being able to share this evening with our fans, alumni and supporters means a great deal to our players and staff,” said Head Coach Charlie Wade.

This year, the event sold 49 tables, surpassing last year’s total of 44. According to ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue (AKA), the fundraising arm of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa athletics, it was an impressive showing of community support.

Outstanding alumnus

Former ����Vlog�ٷ� setter Victor Talamoa was honored as the recipient of the 2026 Pae Mākaukau Alumni Recognition Award. The award recognizes a former player for their contributions to the community, including leadership and service. Talamoa lettered twice 1992 and 1993 before graduating with a master of arts degree in 1996.

Currently, Talamoa is a colonel in the National Guard Bureau with nearly 40 years of military service. He was also active in the growth of boys volleyball in the National Capital Region (Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.) over the past 15 years. His efforts resulted in fully funded and sanctioned boys high school volleyball programs in 48 schools in the area.

For more, go to .

The University of Hawaiʻi at ��ā�ԴDz�’s was recognized in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings of the nation’s best online programs, released on January 27. ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa placed No. 62 out of the top 209 . ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa was the only nursing school in Hawaiʻi to be ranked for online education.

U.S. News and World Report assessed programs in student engagement (30%), faculty credentials and training (20%), peer assessment (20%), student services and technologies (20%) and student excellence (10%).

“This ranking underscores the strength of our online nursing program,” said Clementina D. Ceria-Ulep, dean of the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene. “It speaks to our focus on delivering rigorous, accessible education that equips nurses to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. It also reflects the dedication of our faculty and students to meeting the evolving needs of health care and higher education.”

More about the online program

The online is a distance-based online master’s degree for registered nurses who wish to practice in Hawaiʻi, in the continental U.S. or international setting.

The program focuses on population-level health, wellness, social determinants of health, health promotion and disease prevention. Coursework is completed online, and fieldwork is conducted in the student’s own local community.

The 30-credit program is designed to be completed in one year as a full-time student or in two years as a part-time student. Students complete a six-credit capstone project that includes 270 hours of fieldwork experience. The capstone project is designed to provide students with experience in the indirect care level of service at the aggregate population, organizational or systems level. There is an additional nine-credit thesis option.

The deadline to apply to the online APHN program is May 1. . There is a on February 18.

For information about graduate programs, visit the .

The is drawing early national attention heading into the 2026 college football season, with .

In its preliminary outlook released January 22, ESPN projected ����Vlog�ٷ� as the top-ranked Group of Six conference champion, a designation that would currently earn an automatic berth in the playoff field. The projection places the Rainbow Warriors in the No. 12 spot and among teams from the nation’s power conferences in the sport’s most high-profile postseason format.

“This is a nice acknowledgment for our players and the work they’ve put in, but we realize that it’s just a projection. It doesn’t change what we have to do day to day,” Head Coach Timmy Chang said. “We know there’s a lot of work ahead, and everything still has to be earned on the field.”

2025 breakthrough season

The early recognition follows a breakthrough 2025 campaign under Chang. ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa finished 9-4, earned a thrilling Hawaiʻi Bowl victory and posted wins against power-conference opponents, helping elevate the program’s national profile.

ESPN’s projection cited the Rainbow Warriors’ challenging schedule as a potential advantage in the Group of Six race. ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa is scheduled to face Stanford and Arizona State during the 2026 regular season, matchups that could bolster its postseason résumé against Power Four opponents while competing for a conference title in a reconfigured Mountain West Conference.

The playoff projection envisions ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa opening the postseason on the road against USC, a matchup that would pair the Rainbow Warriors with one of college football’s most recognizable brands. Final playoff selections remain subject to on-field results, conference championships and committee rankings.

“This kind of early attention brings visibility to our University and reflects the momentum we’re building,” Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “We understand there are still countless hours of preparation ahead of the team before a down is played next season, but it speaks to the growing excitement surrounding Hawaiʻi’s football program and ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Athletics overall.”

The Rainbow Warriors are scheduled to begin spring practice in February. ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa opens the 2026 season on the road at Stanford out of the Atlantic Coast Conference on August 29.

Five subject areas were placed in the world’s top 1%, and an additional four earned top 2% honors in the 2026 , released on January 21.

Education led the way, ranked in the No. 101–125 tier, followed by physical sciences at No. 126–150, arts and humanities at No. 151–175, and law and life sciences each at No. 201–250. To qualify in the world’s top 1%, rankings must be within the top 250 in the world () ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

“We are proud that ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa continues to be recognized globally, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, research and the student experience,” ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, who make ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa a truly exceptional place.”

All ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa rankings:

• Education studies: No. 101–125
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 151–175
• Law: No. 201–250
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Computer science: No. 501–600
• Engineering: No. 501–600

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 425–1,555 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

The University of Hawaiʻi at ��ā�ԴDz�’s (TIM School) will celebrate its in 2026, marking six decades since its founding in 1966. What began as a pioneering program in Hawaiʻi has grown into an internationally respected leader in hospitality, tourism and transportation education.

Since its inception, the TIM School has remained deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi’s unique sense of place—embracing its culture, spirit of aloha and diverse communities—while serving as a key gateway to the Asia-Pacific.

In 2019, the TIM School rejoined the , a strategic integration that has:

• Introduced more than $1.5 million in new student scholarships
• Nearly doubled the size of the faculty
• Created six new faculty endowed fellowships and professorships
• Increased rankings: No. 15 nationally and No. 46 globally among the 1,500 hospitality and tourism programs in the 2024 rankings; and No. 12 nationally and No. 32 globally among the 200 programs assessed by the 2025
• Increased undergraduate enrollment by 4.5% from 2024 to 2025
• Awarded more than $560,000 in scholarships during the 2025–26 academic year
• Enabled more than 90% of graduates to find employment or pursue graduate study within three months of graduation
• Established the TIM PhD program, which prepares students for careers in research, teaching and service, focused on travel industry management in Asia and the Pacific

“Future graduates have a deep understanding of the importance of Hawaiʻi’s culture and the environment,” said TIM Advisory Chair Keith Vieira (BBA ’79). “That awareness will be critical to shaping visitor experiences that positively impact our communities and sustain an industry we can proudly carry forward.”

A guiding force behind the school’s global prominence was long-time leader Chuck Yim Gee, who served as dean from 1976 to 1999. Under his visionary leadership, the TIM School forged deep partnerships with the visitor industry, expanded its global engagement—particularly in the Asia-Pacific region—and championed sustainable tourism long before it became a worldwide priority. His legacy continues to influence the school’s commitment to cultural understanding, global collaboration and academic excellence.

“This 60th anniversary is a meaningful milestone that reflects the dedication, vision and aloha that have shaped the TIM School since 1966,” said Shidler College Dean Vance Roley. “As we honor our past, we look ahead to shaping a future that continues to reflect Hawaiʻi’s lasting influence as a model for hospitality, leadership and excellence worldwide.”

60th anniversary celebration

To commemorate its 60th anniversary, the TIM School will host a series of events and initiatives throughout the year that will honor the students, faculty, alumni and industry partners whose dedication has sustained the school for over six decades, culminating with the event on March 31st at the ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. The event is the TIM School’s largest fundraiser of the year in support of student scholarships.

This year’s event will honor Elliot Mills (BBA ’93), CEO & managing partner, Hawaii Hospitality Group, as the 2026 Legacy in Tourism honoree; induct Kylie Matsuda-Lum (BS ’01), managing director, Kahuku Farms, into the TIM Alumni Hall of Honor; and present ClimbHI—a nonprofit organization that connects students with career pathways and workforce development opportunities to help them finish high school and successfully enter post-secondary education or employment—with the Distinguished Service Award. Alumni and friends are invited to join in celebrating the enduring spirit of ʻohana that defines the TIM community.

Giving opportunities

In recognition of the TIM School’s 60 years of impact, supporters are invited to invest in the next generation of hospitality, tourism and transportation leaders. Gifts of any size make a meaningful difference and will ensure that the TIM School will continue to serve as a premier resource for Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry and the international tourism community. To explore giving opportunities or contribute, visit the . Alumni may also submit their .

For more information, contact Director of Development Jennifer Lieu at Jennifer.Lieu@uhfoundation.org or (808) 956-3597.

The earned high marks in nearly 20 academic subjects in the , with , and leading the way among the highest-ranked programs.

Oceanography ranked No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 7 in the world, atmospheric science placed No. 8 nationally and No. 11 worldwide, and hospitality and tourism management ranked No. 12 in the U.S. and No. 32 in the world.

The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy and is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa also posted strong global and national placements across science, engineering, social science and other fields. tied for No. 17 in the U.S. and ranked No. 51–75 worldwide, while ecology and each tied for No. 24 nationally and placed No. 76–100 globally.

Additional ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa subjects recognized in the 2025 rankings include communication, education, political science, water resources, biological sciences, civil engineering, food science and technology, environmental science and engineering, agricultural sciences, economics, management and physics.

“These rankings reflect the depth and consistency of excellence at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa,” Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Our faculty are advancing research that matters locally and globally, while preparing students to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world.”

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa was evaluated alongside approximately 2,000 universities from more than 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 institutions. The rankings are based on measures such as world-class faculty, world-class research output, high-quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

Other recent rankings:

• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

—By Marc Arakaki

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library and Information Science (LIS) Program is marking 60 years of educating and shaping Hawaiʻi’s librarians, archivists and information specialists, celebrating its legacy and continued impact across the state and beyond. In recognition of this milestone, Gov. Josh Green proclaimed November 16–22 as ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Library and Information Science Program Week.

“Reaching our 60th anniversary is a testament to the strength and dedication of our entire LIS ʻohana,” LIS Professor and Program Director Rich Gazan said. “Our graduates serve communities across Hawaiʻi and around the world, and their work reflects the values that guide our program. As we look to the future, we remain committed to preparing compassionate, skilled information professionals who uplift and support the people and places they serve.”

The anniversary week opened with a gathering in Hamilton Library, where current students connected with alumni spanning more than half a century. Attendees shared stories and photo slideshows chronicling the program’s evolution since the 1960s.

Preparing leaders locally, internationally

Established in 1965 under founding dean Ralph R. Shaw, the LIS Program has maintained continuous accreditation from the American Library Association for six decades. Since its inception, the program has graduated 1,841 students who now work across public, school, academic and special libraries, as well as museums and archives in Hawaiʻi, on the continent and internationally. Alumni make up roughly two-thirds of Hawaiʻi’s professional workforce of librarians, archivists and other information specialists.

Its mission centers on preparing leaders for a wide range of information environments through research, teaching and service, with a strong focus on Hawaiʻi and the Asia-Pacific region. The program emphasizes values that guide the state and university, and continues to adapt its curriculum to prepare graduates to serve communities with compassion, effectiveness and cultural understanding.

In the proclamation, Green “encourage[s] all residents to join in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the University of Hawaiʻi ��ā�ԴDz�’s Library and Information Science Program. Mahalo to the faculty, staff, students and graduates for all you have and continue to do to bring the guiding principles of aloha, ʻohana and kuleana to the people of Hawaiʻi.”

The LIS program is part of the within the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa .

The in the University of Hawaiʻi at ��ā�ԴDz�’s is gaining international recognition for its growing influence in accounting research, highlighted by a steady rise in the .

Over the past decade, the School of Accountancy has moved steadily upward in the highly regarded rankings, climbing from No. 113 to No. 75 worldwide in the area of archival financial accounting research. This sustained momentum is built on the dedication, collaboration and intellectual vitality of its faculty, whose work appears in top peer-reviewed journals. Their insightful research explores how accounting information influences business decisions, investor behavior and public policy.

“Our steady rise in the BYU rankings reflects years of collective dedication to rigorous, high-impact research,” said Hamid Pourjalali, director of the School of Accountancy. “Our faculty are advancing the field of accounting while contributing to the global dialogue that shapes how research informs practice, policy and education.”

The rankings, compiled by the BYU School of Accountancy, are widely regarded as one of the most credible, data-driven measures of research productivity in the discipline. Unlike perception-based systems, BYU’s rankings evaluate verified publications in leading peer-reviewed journals and classify research by topic—such as financial, managerial, auditing and tax—and by methodology, including archival, analytical and experimental approaches. This framework provides a transparent and objective assessment of faculty productivity and institutional strength across the global accounting community.

����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa now stands among respected peers such as Boston College, the London School of Economics, Purdue University, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine—a reflection of the School of Accountancy’s alignment with Shidler College’s mission to advance thought leadership on a global scale.

For students, this recognition translates to a richer academic experience, where classroom learning is informed by cutting-edge, globally relevant research. The school’s faculty expertise spans areas such as financial reporting, corporate governance, international accounting, taxation and sustainability reporting, preparing graduates to navigate complex business environments and emerging issues in accounting and finance. At the institutional level, the school’s rising profile enhances opportunities for collaboration with leading researchers and universities worldwide.

“We’re proud of how far we’ve come—and even more excited about where we’re headed,” said Pourjalali. “Our progress in the BYU rankings reflects our faculty’s vision and drive to make lasting contributions to accounting scholarship and to prepare future leaders who think critically and globally.”

The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu (BIT) was named the Organization of the Year at the 40th annual TOP COP Hawaii awards luncheon, which honors the outstanding men and women of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s law-enforcement and private-security community who exemplify courage, leadership and selfless service in keeping our islands safe. The mission of BIT is to promote a safe and effective learning and working environment for current students and employees by assisting individuals who may be exhibiting concerning behaviors.

“The efforts and leadership of the ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu Behavior Intervention Team serves as the catalyst and model for threat assessment and management team efforts in Hawaiʻi—both in the public and private sectors—and has allowed the state to benefit from federal and state funding (over $3.2 million) to continue those efforts through necessary grants,” said nominator Ed Howard, owner and CEO of Pax Bello Security Solutions Hawaii, LLC.

At the awards ceremony on October 17, the ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu BIT was recognized for pioneering proactive behavioral-threat-assessment strategies and promoting campus safety statewide. This year’s celebration recognized organizations and individuals across �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s federal, state, county and private-security sectors, each nominated for acts of professionalism, bravery and dedication that go above and beyond the call of duty.

“The ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu BIT has been instrumental in paving the way for other threat assessment and management teams in the state since 2017,” said Bev Baligad, ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu director of compliance and manager/chair, Behavior Intervention Team. “While our BIT focuses primarily on violence prevention efforts within our campus, those efforts have provided positive ripple effects for communities within our state.”

Established in 1985, TOP COP Hawaii is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public safety by recognizing excellence in law enforcement and private security and by awarding scholarships to students pursuing criminal-justice studies.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa extension agent and the teen disaster program she leads have garnered national recognition. Nancy Ooki, from the (CTAHR), was honored by the Association of Public Land Grant Universities for the Preparing Our Neighbors and Ohana in Maui Nui (Maui County).

PONO has trained more than 530 teenage students from across the state with most of the teens based on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

“To have the national team recognize me was thrilling! I was not expecting that,” Ooki said.

Ooki was also named the winner of the 2025 Western Region Extension Directors Association Excellence in Extension Programming Award for an Individual.

PONO delivers the complete FEMA Community Emergency Response Team curriculum to keiki 13 to 19 years old through 30 hours of hands-on training. By incorporating youth development and leadership activities, Ooki ensures students learn how to become a team leader and have a voice in disaster situations.

She adapted FEMA’s courses for Hawaiʻi, addressing unique local challenges, such as the difficulty of buying 14-day emergency kits amid Hawaiʻi’s high food price and storing the kits in small homes.

“This training is timely everywhere,” said Ooki. “Wildfires are becoming a daily, weekly or monthly event in many areas of the country. Flooding is always a problem in the Midwest, and this is a set of skills that youth will need. I think the national leaders appreciate that PONO is mirroring FEMA with youth development activities.”

Ooki is now working to roll out PONO training programs on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi.

Thousands of patients, from divers stricken with “the bends” to cancer survivors coping with radiation injuries, have found lifesaving care at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (HTC). On September 27, nearly 100 people gathered at Kuakini Medical Center’s Hale Pulama Mau Auditorium to celebrate HTC’s 40th anniversary and honor its legacy of healing.

Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: Hyperbaric Treatment Center marks 40 years of life-saving care in Hawaiʻi

HTC, a clinical program of ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s (JABSOM) and operated by University Health Partners (����Vlog�ٷ�P) of Hawaiʻi, remains the Pacific’s only 24/7 public hyperbaric facility.

The celebration featured guided tours, historical displays, and a clinical information session spotlighting HTC’s evolution and achievements since its opening in 1983. Attendees included physicians, staff, community members and state lawmakers. The center was formally recognized with certificates from both the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and Honolulu City Council for its decades of service to the state.

Since its founding, HTC has treated more than 5,000 patients and is projected to surpass 40,000 individual treatments by the end of 2025. The center delivers hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 15 recognized conditions, including decompression sickness, diabetic ulcers, radiation-related injuries, sudden hearing loss, severe infections, and other non-healing wounds.

Beyond patient care, the Hyperbaric Treatment Center provides hands-on training opportunities for medical students, giving future physicians practical experience in hyperbaric medicine while strengthening care capacity across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

The David A. Ward chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s earned the for the 2024–25 academic year. This national award recognizes the chapter’s outstanding achievement and leadership in community engagement.

“We dedicated our time and effort to ensure that we upheld the highest standards set by PRSSA,” said Mailani Magbanua, chapter president and a in . “We can’t wait to see how our chapter will continue to flourish in the future.”

To earn the Star Chapter Award, PRSSA student chapters must meet at least eight of 11 rigorous requirements, which include strengthening relationships with a sponsoring professional chapter, addressing ethics in meetings, participating in community service, and engaging in national events and awards.

The ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa PRSSA students organized a variety of academic and professional events, including a speaker series, communication skills workshops, community service projects and fundraising efforts. The chapter also held semi-annual career day tours and, this past spring, offered members a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Hawaiʻi Business Magazine and Anthology Marketing Group.

“This award reflects our members’ passion and dedication to achieve the chapter’s goals,” said Ji Young Kim, faculty advisor and associate professor of communication. “This is the second time the chapter has earned this national recognition, and I am looking forward to their continued success.”

Added Amy Hennessey, the chapter’s professional advisor, “As an alumna, it gives me great pride to see how they’ve continued to build on the legacy of so many members before them. I continue to be inspired by the quality of our students and their contributions to the profession and our local PR community.”

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The School of Communication and Information is part of ����Vlog�ٷ� ��ā�ԴDz�’s .