Comprehensive data on Hawaiʻi’s social work workforce is essential to addressing staffing shortages and improving recruitment and retention efforts statewide. To fill this gap, the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s ’s launched a through its . The initiative seeks to identify where social workers are employed, the roles they fill, barriers to licensure, and the critical services they provide.

Having a clearer picture of Hawaiʻi‘s social work workforce is essential to addressing shortages and preparing future social workers…
—Wendy Lum

“The survey aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Hawaiʻi‘s social work workforce so educators, policymakers, employers and community organizations can better respond to workforce shortages and strengthen pathways into the profession,” said Kristl Nakamura, the workforce hub’s data coordinator.

Respondents are asked about the most rewarding aspects of their work, job search experiences, and the variety of settings in which they practice—from hospitals and shelters to schools and government agencies.

Anyone with a social work degree who is connected to the profession in Hawaiʻi is encouraged to .

“Helping students attain their bachelor’s or master’s in social work is only one part of growing the workforce,” said Wendy Lum, director of the Workforce Development Hub. “Having a clearer picture of Hawaiʻi‘s social work workforce is essential to addressing shortages and preparing future social workers to meet community needs.”

Data to address critical shortages

The need for stronger data comes as Hawaiʻi continues to face severe social worker shortages. In 2024, the reported a 17& vacancy rate in healthcare settings. Additionally, a noted that shortages remain critical in rural communities, including Maui, Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi.

“As we learned during the Maui fires, social workers provide critical mental health support to families and individuals in moments when they need it most,” said Aimee Chung, state advisor of the . “Without accurate workforce data, it becomes harder to advocate for the resources, funding and training needed to sustain our mental health workforce.”

The Department of Social Work and Workforce Hub will share survey results through summary reports and infographics to help guide workforce development efforts, advocacy and future strategies to strengthen and support social workers statewide.

An important pilot program is helping Hawaiʻi’s future public health professionals overcome financial barriers to completing required fieldwork. Based at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� , the program provides paid field experiences that are traditionally unpaid despite significant time and workload demands.

Through the , and supported by the (DOH), the project coordinates funding so students can be compensated for required fieldwork that was completed at DOH. The pilot aligns with broader efforts to close this gap and expand equitable access to education and training.

“This has been a team effort with many partners at ����Vlog�ٷ� and DOH and for that we are grateful,” said Becky Rodericks, a faculty member of the Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) and a key collaborator on this project across all pilot years.

Efforts started in summer of 2022 and expanded in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, the pilot supported 10 students completing their (APLE) and .

Students said the funding made it possible to complete their practicums while balancing work and family responsibilities. One student said the support allowed her to finish her practicum without taking several weeks off work. “As a single mother, I don’t have the flexibility to complete my practicum on a full-time basis,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunity that this program provided. Truly, it made it possible to get my practicum completed.”

The program also helped offset transportation and parking costs, easing additional financial pressure for students commuting to field sites.

Expanding access to hands-on learning

APLE and master’s-level practicums allow students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world public health and social work through interdisciplinary projects with community and government partners.

The paid placements allowed students to shift focus away from multiple jobs or other financial obligations and dedicate more time and energy to their practicum projects, strengthening hands-on learning experiences.

“We are honored and grateful to work with our partners at DOH and our fellow Department of Public Health Science and DSW faculty and staff on this important effort,” said Rodericks. “Our long-term and ongoing collaborations within ����Vlog�ٷ� and at DOH are vital to our program successes.”

Erica-Skyler Malie Salvador Holokai once described herself as a “bento box” to avoid explaining her mixed ethnic background. Now, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa commencement speaker for the afternoon ceremony on May 16 is transforming that childhood shorthand into a message about culture, connection and belonging for the graduating class of 2026.

Born and raised on Maui, Holokai said she often struggled to answer questions about her identity. With Native Hawaiian, Japanese, German, Korean and Filipino ancestry, she recalled feeling disconnected from her cultural background as a child. A high school project asking students to represent themselves culturally led her to compare herself to a local-style bento box filled with different sections and influences.

In her commencement speech, Holokai uses the metaphor to reflect Hawaiʻi’s plantation-era history, when immigrant workers from different cultures forged connections despite divisions in language, wages, and living conditions. She will tell graduates that the “bento box” represents unity and resilience found in diversity.

Holokai is looking to reflect on the success and achievement that has come to fruition for those who have worked so hard over their college career, while acknowledging all of the unseen efforts that go into this accomplishment. She wants to “take a second to actually celebrate that,” while embracing the fullness of layered identity.

Her belief is that in “paying homage to your little bento box or your community,” you honor the communities, places and ethnicities that make you, you. As a community advocate, she emphasizes that in remembering all that you are, from whichever corner you come from, you represent and build off of those places. She said, “the people who are your mental support or emotional support…these connections are what’s going to take us farther in life.”

• Meet more amazing ����Vlog�ٷ� graduates

Holokai, who is earning her bachelors of social work (BSW) from the , said public speaking once made her uncomfortable. While attending Baldwin High School, she pushed herself out of her comfort zone by announcing daily student bulletins. She then was inspired to audition for commencement speaker after watching her friend Cooper Salomon deliver the fall 2025 commencement address.

Aside from academics, Holokai worked at Student Housing Services as a resident assistant (RA) and served as the treasurer for the Bachelor of Social Work Organization. This coming fall, Holokai will continue her work as an RA as she furthers her studies in the advanced standing master of social work program, specializing in child and family services or gerontology.

Looking ahead, Holokai plans to return home to Maui, where she hopes to open a private practice alongside her mother and give back to the local community. She hopes to continue the work she has been committed to in serving disadvantaged communities, as she has with her BSW internship through Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi on Oʻahu.

“����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa has been a place of opportunity, learning, culture and community for me,” Holokai said. “I think for a lot of students, it’s a place where we can really grow into ourselves and connect with people who understand where we come from. I’ve seen students become more confident in who they are here, and I feel like I’ve experienced that too. ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa also creates so many opportunities for students, whether that’s internships, connections or just putting ourselves out there in new ways.”

Amalia Pangelinan will graduate in May 2026 with her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� , but in her final month of the program, Super Typhoon Sinlaku shifted her focus from academic preparation to disaster response in her home community of Saipan.

As the storm caused widespread damage across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), disrupting power, communication, transportation and access to services, Pangelinan balanced completing her culminating internship with immediate community needs unfolding around her.

The first Saipan-based student in the Thompson School Department of Social Workʻs distance education MSW pathway, Pangelinan had been completing her field placement at the Commonwealth Healthcare Center when the typhoon struck on April 14. In its aftermath, she adapted her internship to support disaster relief efforts with World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in emergency response settings worldwide. She supported food distribution efforts for residents across Saipan and nearby islands during the recovery efforts.

As social workers, we are taught to meet communities where they are.
—Amalia Pangelinan

“As social workers, we are taught to meet communities where they are,” Pangelinan said. “This experience reminded me that social work is not only about providing services—it is about showing up for your community when people need one another most.”

“Amalia’s ability to continue moving forward academically while simultaneously supporting disaster relief efforts in her own community reflects the resilience, leadership, and relational accountability that are foundational to social work practice across the Pacific,” said Theresa Kreif, director of the Pacific Partnerships and Workforce Development Initiatives. “Our students are often balancing family, community, work and cultural responsibilities while pursuing higher education. In moments of crisis, they do not step away from community—they step further into service.”

• Meet more amazing ����Vlog�ٷ� graduates

Critical need for locally rooted professionals

Pangelinan’s experience highlights the importance of locally rooted behavioral health and social service professionals across the Pacific region. Through the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� online MSW pathway, students in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands—including Guam, the CNMI, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands—can pursue graduate education while remaining embedded in their home communities.

That local presence is especially critical during disasters, when outside support may be delayed and culturally grounded responses are essential.

Despite the disruption, Pangelinan completed her degree requirements while continuing to serve her community, preparing to join the social work workforce grounded in place, culture and service.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) children remain significantly overrepresented in the U.S. child welfare system. A study from the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s highlights how kinship care—placement with relatives—and culturally responsive placements can improve stability.

Published in , the study analyzed 2020 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System data to examine placement stability and factors contributing to successful outcomes.

“Looking at kinship care specifically for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander children is critical because their experiences are often hidden within aggregated data, which glosses over both disparities and strengths within these communities,” said Meripa Godinet, lead author of the study and associate dean of the Thompson School. “By focusing on NHPI children, we can better understand how cultural values, extended family networks, and community ties uniquely support stability in foster care, and ensure that child welfare policies reflect and strengthen these culturally grounded systems of care.”

Key findings

NHPI children placed in kinship care were nearly twice as likely to experience stable placements compared to those in other foster care settings. Those placed with NHPI foster parents were also 1.5 times more likely to have stable placements.

“Research indicates that when children are placed in kinship care they are more likely to have improved well-being outcomes, to maintain sibling relationships, and stay connected to their cultures,” said Francie Julien-Chinn, co-author of the study and associate professor in the .

The findings underscore the need for culturally responsive child welfare policies that strengthen kinship care and prioritize culturally matched placements to reduce disparities and improve stability for NHPI children.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� 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 ����ԴDz� 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� ����ԴDz� 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.

Hawaiʻi faces a persistent shortage of social workers, with a 17% vacancy rate reported in 2024, particularly affecting rural and neighbor island communities. To address this critical need, the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s is implementing innovative educational models to grow a sustainable local workforce, and shared these with ����Vlog�ٷ�’s Workforce Learning Community in January.

Distance education

A cornerstone of this effort is the expansion of distance education options, which evolved from a 1988 “traveling” program into sophisticated synchronous and asynchronous formats. These programs remove geographic barriers in Hawaiʻi and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Region, enabling residents of Hawaiʻi, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa to earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees while remaining in their home communities, with a master’s-only option on Guam.

Department Chair Rebecca Stotzer said, “We are humbled to collaborate with our community partners to grow pathways to social work education that are responsive, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of the communities we serve.”

This model is delivering tangible results. The school has graduated more than 100 students on Hawaiʻi Island and has dramatically increased the number of social workers on Molokaʻi. By removing geographic and financial barriers, the school has expanded its distance education capacity from 30 students per year to over 100.

Partnering for practicums

The school further innovated by launching the in August 2024. This hub serves as a resource to raise awareness of the profession, promote degree pathways, and expand partnerships to support post-graduation workforce success. Among the school’s resources for students, they partner with over 200 community organizations for practicum placements (internships).

“Our workforce development vision focuses on growing the social work workforce where it is needed most. Through experiential learning inside and outside the classroom. We prepare students with the skills, confidence and readiness to enter the workforce,” said Wendy Lum, Workforce Development Hub director.

Student support

According to Michael DeMattos, bachelor’s in social work program chair, approximately 80% of the students working toward a bachelorʻs degree in social work enter from the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community College system, highlighting a critical local talent pipeline. The average age is 30, and many are the first in their families to attend college.

To support Hawaiʻi-based students financially, the school offers targeted initiatives such as the , which provides stipends and guaranteed employment within state child welfare services upon graduation. Additionally, the helps graduates secure the supervised clinical hours required for advanced licensure.

By grounding its curriculum in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander values, the Thompson School Department of Social Work also is working to ensure the next generation of social workers is culturally responsive and deeply connected to Hawaiʻi, American Samoa and the Micronesian region.

“This work is ultimately about community-engaged practice,” said Theresa Kreif, director of . “By ensuring access to social work education across Hawaiʻi, American Samoa and Micronesia, we are cultivating a culturally grounded workforce that reflects, understands and is accountable to the communities it serves.”

The children’s storybook , which helps children understand Alzheimer’s disease, has been adapted into a . The story follows Pōmai, a young girl learning to support her Papa (grandfather) as he experiences memory loss, offering a gentle, culturally grounded way for families to start conversations about dementia. First released by the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� in 2019 and translated into ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in 2025, the story has reached keiki and caregivers across the islands.

Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: Dementia storybook released statewide

The animation was developed by Kalilinoe Detwiler, a ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� PhD candidate in English, with the , housed in the . It brings the storybook to life with vibrant visuals, expressive characters and narration voiced by Hā Kūpuna team members.

“We hope the book and video will open conversations between children, parents and kūpuna about dementia in a cultural and age-appropriate way,” said Detwiler, who is an , and co-principal investigator for the Symphony of Hawaiʻi Seas project. “I enjoy spending time with the characters, imagining their expressions and who they might sit beside in the setting. I also enjoy imagining visual representations to subtle changes in their emotions and understanding of dementia.”

The project began in January 2025 and included storyboarding, visual design, background art, voice recording, animation and editing.

“As we create resources for ʻōpio (youth) and caregivers, we recognize there are mediums that best suit the intergenerational households in Hawaiʻi,” added Detwiler. “Animation is one of those mediums. It opens possibilities for stories that can be challenging or heavy,”

“The purpose of Hā Kūpuna is to enhance understanding of kūpuna, celebrate their lives, and improve eldercare services,” said Shelley Muneoka, Hā Kūpuna program coordinator. “Storybooks and animation help extend this information to new audiences in a meaningful way.”

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A health tech startup improving how community health workers (CHW) document client visits took the $2,000 first place prize in the second annual , hosted by the (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s . The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa students that competed in the two-week challenge.

The competition was co-hosted by , a software platform led by a Shidler and PACE alumnus, that empowers community-based organizations to address the social drivers of health. It highlighted PACE’s mission to bridge academic learning with practical, work-based problem-solving.

“Innovate 808 shows how powerful interdisciplinary learning can be when we connect students to real community partners,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “The ideas generated this year show that innovation truly thrives in collaboration.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration

The students in this year’s challenge represented 10 ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa colleges and schools. The result was a dynamic combination of technical, social and entrepreneurial ideas to support Hawaiʻi’s community health workforce.

The winning team, Pear Lens, created a photo-based note capture and conversion tool that allows CHW to document client interactions more efficiently while maintaining data privacy. The team came together as four solo applicants met for the first time during the competition: Justin Paul Alejo (business), Jennifer Kawata (public administration), Biplav Paudel (business) and Ivy Vo (business).

“The competition brought together a diverse team of complete strangers to solve a complex challenge, but we quickly found our rhythm and collaborated seamlessly to propose a simple yet powerful idea,” Kawata said.

Kawehi Kea-Scott, a Pear Suite judge who used to work as a CHW, commended the team for “meeting CHWs where they are” by respecting existing workflows while introducing low-friction technology. “The fact that these students built a fully functioning prototype in just two weeks is remarkable,” Kea-Scott said.

Initially the competition was planned as a winner-takes-all prize structure, but the judges were so impressed by the presentations that three runner-up prizes were added. Each student from the following three teams won $350.

• Jayden Ronel Villanueva, Shannon Tai and Jaylyn-Kate Balon developed a tiered education and certification pathway with AI-generated feedback and mentoring for aspiring CHWs.
• Tate Goodman, Mau Tsujimura, Micah Tajiri and Lenox Covington created a machine-learning workflow tool that helps CHWs select the most effective resources for their clients.
• Logan Lee, Tristan Ta and Yeunggyun Kwon designed a referral platform that connects CHWs and clients based on shared experience and training, fostering stronger engagement.

Takeda invited the winning teams to present their solutions to his executive team and encouraged all participants to consider internships and employment at Pear Suite, as he shared that Pear Suite will be continuing its nationwide expansion after he recently raised $7.6 million in funding.

“Just try it, go out there and find problems to solve,” Takeda said. “Being able to test ideas, try new things and see what the feedback is from your customers is a great way to learn and grow.”

Teams were also mentored by Jeff Hui, PACE‘s entrepreneur in residence, who advised students to “take advantage of these real world experiences. These are the opportunities that open doors to new career paths and set you apart when you are interviewing for a job.”

As LGBTQ+ youth across the U.S. continue to face higher rates of mental health challenges and substance use, community-based organizations (CBOs) are playing an increasingly vital role in providing safe, supportive spaces. Yet, despite their growing importance, these organizations remain largely understudied.

A new study published in the is helping to change that. The research “Community Efforts to Support LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health: Programs Objectives, Development, and Delivery,” was a collaboration among the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�, the University of Maryland School of Public Health and the University of Connecticut.

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with staff from 16 CBOs across the nation that work with LGBTQ+ youth, identifying how these groups develop and deliver mental health services.

“At a time when LGBTQ+ youth face increased discrimination, stigma and health disparities compared to other groups, it is critical that they have access to supportive, affirming community spaces that celebrate their identities and foster inclusion, connection and well-being,” said co-author Danielle Phillips, assistant professor of social work at the at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�.

How community groups make a difference

The study found that CBOs support youth through four main strategies:

• Offering counseling and therapy
• Creating safe spaces and fostering community
• Providing case management services
• Delivering educational resources

Effective service delivery depended on strong planning and coordination, inclusive and intersectional practices, access to training and curriculum tools, and capacity-building resources.

Greater investment in CBOs needed

Despite their vital role, the study noted that many CBOs remain underfunded and overstretched. Researchers stress that with greater investment, these organizations could significantly expand their reach and impact.

“Community-based organizations that support LGBTQ+ youth consistently face a lack of funding, and it continues to be a serious concern that will directly impact the availability, delivery and quality of mental health services,” said Phillips. “We are at a pivotal moment in our collective experience, where it has never been more urgent to prioritize, support, and protect vulnerable youth. Securing sustainable funding is a crucial part of ensuring that communities can continue to offer safe and inclusive programs for youth who need it most.”

The first comprehensive guide for conducting qualitative interviews with Native Hawaiian elders (kūpuna) has been released, offering researchers a culturally grounded framework for building trust and reciprocity. Developed by the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s in partnership with , a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Native Hawaiian advancement, the guide aims to ensure research practices reflect Hawaiian values and benefit communities.

is a 48-page resource designed for students, faculty and community researchers. It provides practical tools for engaging kūpuna in ways that honor cultural traditions, strengthen relationships and share knowledge responsibly.

“There are many past examples of extractive or harmful research practices with Indigenous people,” said Shelley Muneoka, a lead researcher on the study. “This protocol flips the script by placing cultural values, reciprocity and community well-being at the center of the research process.”

The free guide was published alongside a peer-reviewed article in and draws on more than five years of collaboration with kūpuna across Hawaiʻi.

What the guide offers

The resource reflects principles of community-based participatory research and includes:

• Historical context on harmful research practices and the rise of Hawaiian-led approaches.
• Self-reflection tools for examining privilege, positionality and potential bias.
• Recommendations on entering communities, obtaining consent, conducting interviews and offering reciprocity through makana (gifts).
• Guidance on disseminating results in ways that return knowledge to participants and communities.
• Although rooted in Native Hawaiian experiences, the authors note the guide has broader relevance for research with Indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide.

“This qualitative protocol guide is about shifting historical research dynamics to recognize that Native Hawaiian elders carry the ʻike (knowledge) and values that should guide how research happens,” said Keilyn Kawakami, the article’s first author. “The guide is an important tool for students and faculty embarking on research with kūpuna.”

Hā Kūpuna, one of three National Resource Centers for Native Elders funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is housed in the .

A first–of–its–kind fellowship in Hawaiʻi is training the next generation of culturally grounded behavioral health providers, thanks to a new collaboration between the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) Department of Native Hawaiian Health and (HILT).

The program, called Mohala Liko Lehua, will host three post–doctoral psychology (PsyD) fellows and three post–master of social work (MSW) fellows, who will be trained and supervised by licensed psychologists and social workers at JABSOM. Fellows will partner with HILT to design and deliver behavioral health services on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island, strengthening community capacity and promoting wellbeing.

Hands-on training rooted in Hawaiian values

Throughout the one–year fellowship, participants will receive advanced training in trauma–informed, ʻ�徱�Բ� (land)– and culture–based care rooted in Hawaiian values. Their work will be integrated into HILT’s community preserves and existing educational programs. The fellows will also receive their clinical training at Queen’s Health Systems sites on Oʻahu and Maui, as well as the Ka Malu a Waʻahila Behavioral Health program for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�. Program goals include serving at least 4,000 youth, enhancing HILT staff capacity, and measuring community impact.

Robin Miyamoto, program director at JABSOM, said the program’s name draws from the ʻō������� noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb), Mōhala i ka wai, ka maka o ka pua, suggesting that flowers thrive when the environmental conditions are good.

This reminds us of our responsibility to protect and sustain our culture and the health of our people so that future generations can thrive.
—Robin Miyamoto

“This reminds us of our responsibility to protect and sustain our culture and the health of our people so that future generations can thrive,” she explained. “This program will enhance and expand our existing training efforts and will serve as a new pipeline for behavioral health clinicians. It is grounded in a foundation of cultural humility and safety, focusing on promoting resilience rather than solely addressing disparities.”

In addition to meeting immediate behavioral health needs, the program serves as a workforce development pipeline, preparing homegrown providers who can deliver culturally fluent care across Hawaiʻi.

“Mohala Liko Lehua is informed by and designed for underrepresented communities, especially Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations that have long faced systemic health disparities and underinvestment in behavioral health,” said ʻOlu Campbell, president and CEO of HILT. “Addressing these inequities requires solutions that are community–driven, rooted in ʻ�徱�Բ� and culture, and grounded in trust–based relationships.”

Supported by the Health Resources & Services Administration, Maui United Way, ����Vlog�ٷ�, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and other partners, JABSOM and HILT plan to continue Mohala Liko Lehua for at least four years, training a minimum of 24 fellows. Additional funding is still needed to sustain the program.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� joined Indigenous scholars, community leaders and practitioners from around the world at the 7th International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference in August at the in Alberta, Canada.

The gathering brought together students, researchers, policy advocates and cultural practitioners committed to advancing Indigenous approaches to social work. The program featured cultural learning, intergenerational dialogue and strategic discussions on justice and well-being, guided by the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy, iiʻtaaʻpohʻtoʻp (in the Blackfoot language, meaning “a place to rejuvenate and re-energize during a journey”).

Uplifting Pacific perspectives

For ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, the convening carried special significance. Nearly two decades ago, the Thompson School hosted the 2007 Indigenous Voices in Social Work conference in Mākaha, Oʻahu, a milestone in the growing international movement.

Indigenous social work is not just about practice, but about walking parallel paths of healing, justice, and community well-being.
—Aimee Chung

“This is more than a conference—it is a movement,” said Aimee Chung, junior specialist in the Department of Social Work. “It reminds us that Indigenous social work is not just about practice, but about walking parallel paths of healing, justice, and community well-being. Building pilina with colleagues from around the world strengthens our own commitment to social work practice in Hawaiʻi.”

Thompson School leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring Pacific experiences are part of global conversations.

“Engaging in this seventh convening reinforces our responsibility to uplift Pacific voices, share regional innovations, and bring back knowledge that supports our students and communities,“ said Theresa Kreif, director of Pacific Partnerships & Workforce Development Initiatives.

Chung and Kreif were joined by Loea Lynette Paglinawan. They presented their work Weaving Professional Social Work and Indigenous Kanaka Maoli Identities: A Pedagogical Genealogy of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, with appreciation to the many hands that helped draft and support the presentation.

Spiritual connections across place

Paglinawan noted the gathering highlighted spiritual and cultural resonances that connect Indigenous peoples across place. “Oiaʻio was with our group through the whole conference. On the plane ride home we were accompanied by a rainbow on a cirrus cloud for a good number of miles. It meant we would arrive in Honolulu safely. Mahalo to the Spiritual Powers for a safe journey.”

A new University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� study shows that while some health and social service local nonprofits had not yet seen federal funding losses in the first six months of 2025, the stress and uncertainty caused by policy shifts in 2025 are weighing heavily on leaders, staff and the communities they serve.

The community report, , was conducted by Wendy Lum, Rebecca Stotzer and Kristl Nakamura of ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s Department of Social Work in the . Between May and June 2025, Social Work faculty interviewed 24 nonprofit leaders from across the state to capture an early look at how organizations are being affected.

Pressure beyond funding cuts

At the time of the interviews, only a few health and social service agencies had lost direct funding since the administration’s changes took effect in January, affecting grants that ranged from $250,000 to multiple million dollar grants. However, the study found that the psychological toll has been widespread. Leaders described strain across their organizations, even as they remained committed to serving their communities.

“The responses of the nonprofit leaders make it clear that they remain committed to their communities and grounded in their agency’s mission and values to guide critical decisions for how to move forward in a changing federal landscape,” said Stotzer.

Many leaders also pointed to collaboration as key to surviving future challenges and uncertainty, especially as potential cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP threaten to strain services.

Community response

The study’s findings were presented on August 28, during a webinar hosted by the Department of Social Work’s . More than 40 representatives from nonprofits, state agencies, and community partners joined to share strategies and discuss ways to support one another.

“It is not surprising to those who attended the presentation that our findings showed the deep commitment of nonprofit leaders to their mission and values,” said Lum, director of the Social Work Workforce Development Hub. “But the study also confirmed and validated that all are experiencing the impact of the federal changes together—and that together will be the key to moving forward and finding actionable solutions.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� is expanding its social work curriculum to include psychedelic-assisted therapy, reflecting a growing national interest in innovative approaches to mental health care.

Beginning this fall, the , Department of Social Work will introduce class sessions on the therapeutic use of psychedelics, led by Michael DeMattos, chair of the Bachelor of Social Work program.

“Social workers provide the bulk of mental health services in the U.S.,” said DeMattos. “It is important that they effectively respond to those they serve using a full cadre of tools that are both evidence based and culturally informed. With safety measures in place, we are much better positioned to help those who are suffering most.”

Psychedelic-assisted therapy combines the controlled use of substances such as psilocybin, MDMA or ketamine with structured psychotherapy. Research has shown promise in treating depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and addiction, particularly in cases resistant to standard treatments.

Stigma, potential, opportunity

DeMattos recently participated in the , a national initiative hosted by the Usona Institute in Wisconsin. The program brought together more than 60 faculty from 30 universities to explore the science, ethics and social implications of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

“For the last thirty years, psychedelics have been stigmatized despite earlier research supporting their therapeutic use,” said DeMattos. “Now, amidst a new wave of research, we are starting to see their potential. I had the opportunity to learn directly from the researchers conducting the studies—it was a real insider’s look.”

This fall, DeMattos will incorporate psychedelic content into his advanced practice course, SW, and is working toward developing a dedicated course in the future. By integrating this emerging field into the curriculum, the Thompson School aims to prepare social work students, and those across helping professions, with knowledge and skills that reflect evolving practices in mental health care.

The power of intergenerational storytelling and Indigenous-centered research through the voices of Native Hawaiian kūpuna was spotlighted in a new University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� study.

The Kūpuna Interview Project, published in the , offers a 360-degree view of lived experiences shared by elders across Hawaiʻi. It was developed through a partnership between ����Vlog�ٷ�����ԴDz�’s , housed in the , and ALU LIKE, Inc., a non-profit that supports Native Hawaiians with programs that foster self-sufficiency, well-being and cultural values.

Adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project used three Zoom interviews per participant to foster deep pilina (relationships). These talk-story sessions revealed rich narratives on family traditions, cultural practices, childhood memories and encounters with the healthcare system. In total, 30 kūpuna participated in the study.

“This article format privileges the voices of participants in research and highlights how research can have a positive impact on participants as well as on researchers,” said first author Rachel Burrage, Thompson school associate professor.

In recognition of their contributions to the project, kūpuna received personalized video and print transcripts, along with a two-page story to pass on to their moʻopuna (grandchildren).

Emotional, cultural value of study

Community feedback underscored the emotional and cultural value of the project.

“I love telling stories, so having the memories of my stories living on for my moʻopuna (grandkids) really means a lot,” said Aunty Lovey (Leverne Toki). “More kūpuna deserve to have their stories heard, and more of our keiki deserve to connect with their culture.”

More kūpuna deserve to have their stories heard, and more of our keiki deserve to connect with their culture.
—Leverne Toki

Monique Ocampo, from Molokaʻi and raised in Kapaʻakea, added, “This interview process has the potential to be a medicine that can help others. The only criterion is that you make a difference in someone’s soul.”

For student researcher Keilyn Kawakami, the work was personally meaningful. “As a Hawaiian who did not grow up in Hawaiʻi, this project has been an opportunity to connect with my culture and deepen my understanding of Kanaka Maoli traditions.”

The Kūpuna Interview Project stands as a model for community-based research grounded in kuleana, pilina and the enduring power of story for future generations.

After experiencing houselessness and addiction, Gerry Crespo never imagined becoming a counselor. However, in May 2025, he earned his Certificate of Competence in Substance Use Disorders (COSUDS) Counseling at Leeward Community College’s Waiʻanae Moku education center—and now works full-time for Salvation Army Addiction Treatment Services.

“It’s one of the most rewarding professions,” said Crespo. “I feel extraordinarily fulfilled whenever I witness someone achieve recovery and transform their life.”

Crespo is one of 10 recent graduates of the COSUDS program, and among the eight who received an award and support from the Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute (HBHTI), which was created to support individuals from across the state seeking careers as substance use disorders counselors. Crespo’s grant helped to cover his rent and bill payments.

“This program enables you to transform lives, including your own,” he said.

“This program fills a vital gap in our community,” said Gwen Williams, co-principal investigator of HBHTI and coordinator of Leeward CC’s COSUDS Counseling program. “We’ve seen how tuition coverage and stipends make education possible for individuals who might otherwise never have this opportunity. If our grant is renewed, we hope to continue supporting those ready to serve Hawaiʻi in one of its most urgent workforce needs.”

Leveling up

HBHTI has included the Level 1 COSUDS program at Leeward CC and a Level 2 apprenticeship coordinated by the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, Department of Social Work. Apprentices work at state-registered treatment sites as they pursue certified substance abuse counselor (CSAC) credentials. A four-year grant from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration has helped to provide tuition assistance, stipends during fieldwork experiences, and stipends for apprenticeships. An award for tuition is expected to be available for one more year for qualified candidates.

Like Crespo, Edmond Pulu Jr. entered the program with a history of addiction—and a desire to change his life.

“HBHTI has been life-changing. Coming from addiction, incarceration and having to start over with nothing, the program gave me more than training—it gave me a second chance,” said Pulu Jr.

Now a CSAC at Kokua Support Services, he facilitates group sessions, mentors clients and supports Chuukese individuals in recovery. He earned degrees from Leeward CC and ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu and is completing his Master of Social Work at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�.

“What drives me is knowing every client I serve could’ve been me,” Pulu Jr. said.

For current ����Vlog�ٷ� students interested in enrolling in the COSUDS program, contact gwenw@hawaii.edu or HBHTI at .

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under 1 M01HP42453‐01‐00, Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute, totaling $2,216,000, with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa is hosting a free, semester-long online series centered on Native Hawaiian cultural perspectives in health and wellbeing, particularly ways of understanding and preventing intergenerational trauma.

The 15 Zoom sessions of Native Hawaiian Perspectives–A Cultural Context for Wellbeing: Hoʻomau & Preventing Generational Trauma will run from August 26 through December 9, 2025, and is open to students and community members. It will be led by Aunty Lynette Kahekili Kaopuiki Palignawan, a revered cultural practitioner, social work pioneer, Living Treasure of Hawaiʻi, and Thompson School alumna. She will be joined by haku Hoʻomau kākoʻo, Kate Kahoano.

“Aunty Lynette’s teachings are rooted in deep cultural wisdom, and her approach empowers us to connect across generations through shared values and practices of healing,” said Theresa Kreif, a faculty member in the Thompson School’s . “We are humbled to host this journey of learning and reconnection.”

The program builds on a successful community-engaged learning model previously used by Palignawan at , where students and community members participate as equal learners.

Community-focused, rooted in cultural knowledge

Sessions for the two-part series will take place Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. HST. No background in Hawaiian studies or social work is required.

While free and open to the public, participants are encouraged to commit to attending all 15 sessions. The program is especially inviting former haumāna (students) of Palignawan from the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu campuses and the Hawaiian Learning Program as well as students from the Ke Aʻo Mau Program, Native Hawaiian Interdisciplinary Health Program, and the school’s Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health Specialization.

The series is made possible through the support of the Thompson School’s Department of Social Work, its Pacific Partnerships & Workforce Development Initiatives and Workforce Hub, the ����Vlog�ٷ� Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity, and the Hawaiʻi Pacific Foundation.

For more information, contact Theresa Kreif at kreif@hawaii.edu.

To help meet Hawaiʻi’s critical shortage of social workers, the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s Department of Social Work has launched the . The initiative aims to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s social work workforce by raising awareness about the profession, preparing students for employment, and highlighting the meaningful contributions of social workers in our communities.

“Our bachelor’s and master’s programs in social work serve students statewide and in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Region, offering flexible learning options, including distance education or in-person instruction so students can pursue a social work degree no matter where they live,” said Department Chair Rebecca Stotzer. “Our Workforce Hub then helps prepare them for the field after they leave us.”

According to the , employment in social work is projected to grow by 17% in the state, reflecting an urgent need for professionals equipped to address mental health challenges, support children and families, and care for an aging population.

Professional development opportunities

Beginning in fall 2025, the hub will offer a series of virtual and in-person professional development opportunities. These will include résumé writing workshops, interview preparation sessions, and support for students taking the state licensure exam. The goal is to ensure graduates are ready to meet Hawaiʻi’s urgent need for qualified and compassionate social work professionals.

“When we help students find what they love about social work and give them real-world support and guidance, we’re also helping shape social workers who will lead with heart, compassion, and competence,” said Wendy Lum, director of the Workforce Development Hub.

In addition to student support, the hub is analyzing data on workforce trends, such as the movement of social workers within state agencies and identifying where social workers are employed across sectors. These efforts build on the department’s May 2022 report, which called for better data to address workforce gaps across the state, particularly on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui.

The Department of Social Work is housed in the .

Nearly 10 years ago, Renee Rivera traveled to Hawaiʻi Island looking for a fresh start. The Kauaʻi native had spent years drifting from state to state, unsure of her path. Today, the alumna is preparing to enter a doctoral program in fall 2026—proof of how far she’s come since finding a place to heal and grow.

“I was searching for a place to recover from trauma,” she said. “The trauma was considerable, stemming from a history of homelessness, sexual assault, domestic violence, substance addiction, drug trafficking and incarceration.”

While at a Head Start meeting for her son, Rivera learned about the Paneʻe Mua Project, a General Education Development or GED high school diploma equivalent program, based in Native Hawaiian practices. Rivera had been unable to complete high school, spending her teens mothering her three other children. She had tried several times to earn a GED, but had never been able to complete the program.

After completing her academic journey with the Paneʻe Mua Project and earning A’s across the board, she attended on a scholarship.

“They made me feel comfortable, made me believe that I was smart and important. They actually inspired me,” said Rivera.

At ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo she connected with sociology professors Marilyn Brown and Alton Okinaka who told Rivera to consider the campus’ sociology program.

Rivera earned her BA in sociology from ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo in 2020 and went on to complete a master’s in social work at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� in 2023.

Paying it forward

Along the way, Rivera never stopped thinking about the lack of support for women facing the challenges she once endured. She turned that concern into action. With support from a formerly incarcerated friend, Rivera launched her own nonprofit, He Hoʻomaka Hou Ana O Puna, which offers peer mentorship, voluntary support groups, and counseling services to women in need.

“In my past, I haven’t had anyone in my life that fought for me, so my passion is to fight for other people who are less likely to have that,” she said. “I think that’s the thing missing for a lot of people with addiction or mental health issues like me. They want to feel loved, supported, and believed in.”

Into the future with gratitude

Rivera now teaches human services, sociology and psychology at Hawaiʻi CC. She is now preparing for her next chapter: a doctorate in sociology at Purdue Global this fall. She credits ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo with giving her the foundation to believe in herself.

“The faculty at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo helped me ignite myself so I could ignite my community,” she said. “����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo and its faculty really set that foundation for me to be like let’s try it, let’s do it.”

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—By Sophia Kim-O’Sullivan