Five University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa tennis student-athletes earned College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors for their achievements in competition, academics and community service.

For the , seniors Allaire Berl and Sophie Rachor, along with sophomore Makeilah Nepomuceno, received recognition. On the men鈥檚 side, sophomore Adriano Dzhenev and senior Timothy Li earned honors for the .

To qualify, student-athletes must compete in at least 75% of their team鈥檚 scheduled matches. All Academic All-District honorees are eligible for consideration for the CSC Academic All-America teams, which will be announced in June.

Berl, an interdisciplinary studies major and 东精影业 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president, earned Dean鈥檚 List honors throughout her 东精影业 Mānoa career and contributed extensively to community service initiatives. Rachor, pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in finance, also earned All-Big West doubles honors during her lone season at 东精影业 Mānoa. Nepomuceno, a travel industry management major, earned All-Big West honors in singles and doubles while posting one of the top GPAs on the women鈥檚 team.

For the Rainbow Warriors, Dzhenev earned All-Big West honorable mention recognition in doubles and was named Big West Player of the Week in April. Li, who is pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in natural resource environmental management, also earned All-Big West honorable mention honors in singles and contributed to several community-based environmental and agricultural projects across Oʻahu.

Visit 东精影业 Mānoa Athletics website for more on the and awardees.

At the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, excellence in teaching, service and innovation were recognized during the 2026 End of the Year Awards Celebration on May 13.

The annual event honored faculty and staff members whose work has made a lasting impact on students, the campus and the broader community. Retirees and employees celebrating years of service were also recognized.

Award recipients

• Kekoa Harman, associate professor of Hawaiian studies and Hawaiian language, 东精影业 System Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award and 东精影业 Hilo Pūlama ʻIke Award
• Elisabeth Gallant, assistant professor of geology, 东精影业 System Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
• Adriane Lewandowski, instructor of nursing, 东精影业 Hilo Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Luzviminda Miguel, associate professor of nursing, 东精影业 Hilo Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi Award for Excellence and Innovation
• Hollind Paiva, 东精影业 Hilo Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance Award
• Kathleen Hughes, 东精影业 Hilo Excellence in Service Award

The University of Hawaiʻi welcomed about 50 international diplomats to Maunakea and the 东精影业 Hilo for a firsthand look at the university鈥檚 leading role in world-class astronomy, scientific discoveries and cultural stewardship that have helped make Hawaiʻi a global center for space research.

The visit, coordinated through the U.S. Department of Defense鈥檚 annual Defense Attach茅 Orientation Program, brought diplomats to Maunakea where they learned how 东精影业 researchers and international partners are helping drive some of the world鈥檚 most important astronomical discoveries, from distant exoplanets and mysterious brown dwarfs to black holes, advanced robotic optics technology and some of the farthest known objects in the universe.

“Maunakea has become a model for how nations can work together in the pursuit of knowledge,” said Doug Simons, director of the 东精影业 . “The discoveries made here belong to all humanity.”

Summit science, stewardship

Atop the summit of Maunakea, teams from the such as W. M. Keck Observatory, Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope, Subaru Telescope and 东精影业鈥檚 NASA Infrared Telescope Facility guided diplomats through observatory facilities. Hawaiʻi astronomy consistently ranks number one in the world in science impact and output.

At Halep艒haku, located within Maunakea鈥檚 mid-level elevation, the group was welcomed with oli (chant) and cultural protocol led by staff from the 东精影业 Hilo (CMS). The welcome offered diplomats an introduction to the cultural significance of the mauna (mountain) before continuing their visit.

Staff also shared the mountain鈥檚 environmental and cultural significance, restoration projects and ongoing stewardship work. Diplomats learned about 东精影业鈥檚 continued efforts to responsibly decommission telescopes as part of its long-term stewardship commitments.

“Our responsibility is to care for this mauna thoughtfully and respectfully,” said Greg Chun, executive director of CMS. “Stewardship guides every part of the work happening on Maunakea, from protecting natural and cultural resources to supporting world-class science.”

Cultural connections

The visit also included a stop at ʻImiloa, where diplomats were welcomed with Hawaiian chant and lei. Staff and students led them through an engaging exploration of Polynesian wayfinding and navigation. Hands-on activities including traditional knot tying and an exploration of Hawaiian canoe, or waʻa.

For many in the group, it was their first encounter with the tradition of Polynesian navigation and the recognition of Hawaiians as among the world’s first astronomers, a story that clearly resonated as guests lingered over exhibits and engaged in lively conversation with staff.

“This is a place where Hawaiʻi’s culture and international scientific perspectives come together in ways that deepen and strengthen one another,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 ʻImiloa Center. “We wanted our guests to understand the profound cultural significance of Maunakea and the shared responsibility that comes with caring for a place of such importance.”

This week鈥檚 东精影业 News Images of the Week are 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 journalism graduates Grant Nakasone and Josslyn Rose, who many of the 东精影业 ʻohana have seen in “What’s up this week?” and “东精影业 News For You” social media reels. But before they proudly crossed the stage at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s spring morning commencement ceremony, before they were efficient, honest and incredible student workers of the Office of Communications, they were keiki with bright futures ahead of them. Hoʻomaikaʻi, Grant and Joss! Can’t wait to see where your paths take you!

Previous Images
Shakas up!
Got rice?
Everybody chill
J-Pop Demon Killaz
Bash splash
All Images of the Week

Send us your image!

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the 东精影业 ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next 东精影业 News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• .

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other 东精影业 connection. By submitting your image, you are giving 东精影业 News permission to publish your photo on the 东精影业 News website and 东精影业 social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa held two commencement ceremonies celebrating more than 2,800 graduates on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The ceremonies featured outstanding student speakers Diego Haʻaheo Ortiz and Erica-Skyler Malie Salvador Holokai, and inspirational words from guest speaker Walter A. Dods Jr., who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

In the morning, Diego Haʻaheo Ortiz spoke about Haʻaheo, his name, which means pride, dignity and self-respect earned through responsibility.

“What comes next may be exciting, uncertain or both. The main thing is that Haʻaheo reminds us that uncertainty is not weakness. It is an invitation to keep learning and to keep pushing forward.”

In the afternoon, Erica-Skyler Malie Salvador Holokai urged graduates to embrace their community and identity, and to find the unique opportunities that come with them.

“Look at the diversity community that surrounds us today. Claim your place. Claim your place in community. Claim your place in cultures, and claim your place in loving yourself.”

Dods, a longtime leader in Hawaiʻi’s business community, philanthropist and 东精影业 alumnus and supporter, encouraged the graduates at both the morning and afternoon ceremonies to consider all the opportunities their new degrees offer and find where they are needed the most.

“When you align your talents with the needs of others, work becomes more than a job. Success becomes more than personal achievement, and your life becomes part of something larger than yourself.”

• Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

Five players earned All-Big West honors, the conference announced May 19. Starting pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno and relief pitcher Tsubasa Tomii earned First Team All-Big West selections, while starter Hekili Robello was named to the Second Team, and position players Tate Shimao and Ben Zeigler-Namoa secured Honorable Mention recognition.

东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 representation reflects its elite pitching staff, which led the Big West and finished the regular season ranked third nationally with a 3.44 team ERA. Magdaleno, Tomii and Robello combined to account for 47.7% of the team鈥檚 innings pitched, while posting a 2.49 ERA over 206.0 innings of work.

Magdaleno firmly established himself as one of the best arms on the west coast, finishing the regular season ranked third nationally in hits allowed per nine innings and fourth in WHIP. A first-team All-Big West selection last year as a closer, he moved into the Friday night starter role and has thrived on the way to his dominant finishing stretch. Meanwhile, Tomii proved to be an invaluable weapon out of the bullpen, leading the team in appearances in his first year with the program.

Offensively, the Rainbow Warriors were paced by Shimao and Zeigler-Namoa, who provided clutch hitting and veteran leadership to earn Honorable Mention honors. 东精影业 Mānoa heated up significantly at the plate over the final month, batting .283 with runners in scoring position during conference games to consistently back up their elite pitching staff.

The Rainbow Warriors (27-22, 16-14 Big West) will open the Big West Championship on May 20 against Cal State Fullerton in a single-elimination game at 3 p.m. HST. With its late-season surge, 东精影业 Mānoa secured the No. 4 seed in the tournament, remaining the only program in the league to finish in the top five of the conference standings in each of the last five seasons.

.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) recently hosted its two-day “Aloha Begins with Us” symposium and open house, bringing together faculty, staff, students and community members to explore how Native Hawaiian values, wellbeing and resilience can be integrated into everyday work and learning.

The event highlighted several JABSOM initiatives focused on belonging, professionalism and wellness, while creating opportunities for collaboration across the 东精影业 System.

“Positive relationships and meaningful work are core to preventing burnout and improving learning and working environments so that everyone can thrive,” said JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker. “While JABSOM and the other health science units at 东精影业 have been collaborating through research and education, we will all serve our students and communities better by pursuing some strategic collaborative initiatives.”

“For me, ‘Aloha Begins with Us’ was an invitation to be inspired by the many ways that JABSOM is integrating Native Hawaiian Place of Learning across its curriculum and in collaboration with other parts of our campus, work that can be about providing space to recount the academic, professional and familial genealogies that shape us individually, or about how Hawaiian concepts can ground us as we create learning and work environments that promote rather than undermine the health of everything that lives on this ʻāina said Laura Lyons, interim vice provost for academic excellence.

The symposium also emphasized JABSOM‘s ongoing work to support the 东精影业’s goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.

Kaiwipunikauikaw膿kiu Punihei Lipe, director of 东精影业 Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao, noted that the symposium demonstrated how JABSOM has successfully integrated Native Hawaiian principles into their own action plans and mission.

Organizers said the event aimed to increase awareness of available wellbeing resources while encouraging participants to bring their “whole selves” into their work, teaching and learning.

The second day’s open house expanded those conversations to a broader audience, offering faculty, staff, students, residents and community members opportunities to learn more about programs and ways to get involved.

Read more at .

Dane Watanabe received honorable mention honors on the Big West鈥檚 All-Conference team.

The junior from Kāneʻohe led the team with a 72.97 scoring average and wrapped up the season with a career-low 5-under 211 at the Big West Championship, where he finished in sixth place. During the championship, Watanabe carded a career-low round of 7-under 65 in the second round. Throughout the season, Watanabe shot nine rounds of par or better and posted two top 10 finishes.

This year marked the fourth consecutive year a Rainbow Warrior was named to the all-conference team along with Josh Hayashida (honorable mention) last season, Blaze Akana (first team) in 2023–24 and (honorable mention) in 2022–23.

A University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu-produced documentary about Hawaiʻi labor leader and social activist Ah Quon McElrath will air on public television stations across the country. Ah Quon McElrath: The Struggle Never Ends! was initially released in 2024, and .

Produced by the (CLEAR) at 东精影业 West Oʻahu, the documentary will air on stations in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Oregon. Other PBS stations across the continent will broadcast the program later this year. Exact program schedules are determined by each station.

“We are excited that the AQ documentary will be run six times by WGBH Boston, and six times by Oregon Public Broadcasting,” said producer Chris Conybeare (professor emeritus). “It鈥檚 also been picked up by KQED San Francisco and by the WNET Group, which includes Channel 13 NYC, New Jersey Public Television, and Long Island Public TV.”

A force in Hawaiʻi labor

McElrath, a 东精影业 Mānoa alumna, earned her degree in sociology, helped found the at 东精影业 Mānoa, and served on the 东精影业 Board of Regents. In 2004, she was given the 东精影业 Founders Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership in advocating social change in education and improving social conditions throughout Hawaiʻi.

“AQ was a pivotal force in 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 labor movement and a champion for social justice,” said documentary director Joy Chong-Stannard. “Although she died in 2008, her legacy lives on in her contributions to healthcare, education, fair housing and civil and human rights, as well as to the labor movement.”

CLEAR was established by Act 202 in 1976, enabling 东精影业 to provide labor education to workers, unions, teachers and the public.

“As the clearinghouse for labor education matters in the State, we are thrilled and excited by the far-reaching interest in Hawaiʻi‘s labor history,” said Dion Dizon, CLEAR director. “CLEAR has enjoyed decades of producing meaningful labor media and journalism with Chris and Joy leading multiple projects. I am happy that this documentary preserves not only AQ‘s impact, but also CLEAR‘s legacy.”

Funding for the documentary came from private donations, including major support from at the .

“We are proud to co-sponsor this program about AQ鈥檚 life,” said Kathryn L. Braun, Barbara Cox Anthony Endowed Chair of Aging. “This important female leader not only helped democratize the state of Hawaiʻi, but also demonstrated a lifelong commitment to education.”

• Related story: PBS Hawaiʻi documentary features social activist 东精影业鈥檚 McElrath

For most of his life, Troy Branco-Liu never imagined leaving Lahaina. However, after the 2023 Maui wildfire upended his community, and a University of Hawaiʻi scholarship opened a door he never expected, the Lahainaluna High School graduate found himself starting over at Hawaiʻi Community College—pursuing an education that would ultimately change the course of his future.

“When I was in high school, I didn鈥檛 think about leaving,” Branco-Liu said. “I love the place I come from. I鈥檓 all about Lahaina. That鈥檚 always going to be home to me.”

Now a 2026 graduate of Hawaiʻi CC鈥檚 Diesel Mechanics program, Branco-Liu says the scholarship helped him discover new opportunities while strengthening his desire to one day bring his skills back home to help his community rebuild.

Making college possible

Following the wildfire that devastated Lahaina, the University of Hawaiʻi announced scholarships for every Lahainaluna High School senior in the Class of 2024 to attend any 东精影业 campus. The initiative was later expanded to cover two years at 东精影业 community colleges and four years at 东精影业 universities.

For Branco-Liu, the scholarship made college possible during a time of uncertainty for many Lahaina families displaced by the fire. As a first-generation college student, the opportunity helped him envision a future he had never seriously considered before.

“The scholarship was life-changing,” Branco-Liu said. “It gave me the chance to come here, get my education and do something better for my future.”

Originally, he planned to enter the workforce immediately after high school.

“At first I wanted to work right away because I wanted to make money,” he said. “But then I started thinking more about my future and decided college would help me get further.”

Building a better future

After researching programs through the 东精影业 system website, he chose Hawaiʻi CC鈥檚 , drawn to its hands-on learning environment and his longtime interest in mechanics.

Branco-Liu said one of the biggest influences during his time at Hawaiʻi CC was the encouragement he received from instructors and classmates within the close-knit diesel cohort, especially instructor Mitchell Soares.

“He really cared about us. He wanted you to succeed,” Branco-Liu said.

Now preparing to return home with a mechanic job already lined up and a baby boy on the way, Branco-Liu says graduating from Hawaiʻi CC represents something bigger than himself.

• Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

“I鈥檓 the first person in my family to graduate from college,” he said. “Hawaiʻi CC gave me the opportunity to prove to myself that I could do more and build a better future.”

—By Katie Young Yamanaka

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa introduced : a free, comprehensive call-for-papers (CFP) aggregator tailored for the legal academy. It offers real-time information on CFPs for conferences, symposia, workshops, law reviews and scholarly blogs. By leveraging a tiered system of artificial intelligence (AI) agents,

The Docket indexes more than 500 active sources—continuously discovering, classifying and triaging opportunities under expert human supervision. Legal scholars from around the world can now search the site, subscribe to filtered email digests, and export deadlines directly to their calendars.

“The Docket reflects the kind of work we strive to cultivate at Richardson,” 东精影业 law school Dean Camille Nelson said. “By expanding access to opportunities for legal scholars, this initiative strengthens the exchange of ideas that is essential to advancing justice.”

Law Professor Guy Rubinstein identified the need for a centralized legal CFP aggregator and initiated the project.

“There have never been more opportunities for law professors to present, share and publish their work,” said Rubinstein. “However, due to the abundance of listservs, blogs and social media platforms, it is becoming increasingly difficult for scholars to track every opportunity. I wanted to create a tool that would bridge that gap by bringing everything into one view.”

Institutional growth

After a successful trial period and feedback from 东精影业 law school faculty, the platform was officially launched to the community. Professor Brian Huffman, 东精影业 law school鈥檚 electronic services librarian and director of faculty development, sees the tool as a vital resource for institutional growth.

“The Docket uniquely supports faculty development and scholarship by spotlighting publishing and presentation opportunities, enabling faculty to engage quickly and strategically with the broader academic community,” said Huffman. “The library supports this project in its effort to help faculty research and promote their scholarship as well as improve professional development. Other peer institutions will also certainly benefit from The Docket as this site is free and open to all.”

Collaboration brings project to life

To bring the vision to life, Rubinstein collaborated with Benjamin Leider, the innovation fellow at the 东精影业 law school. A 东精影业 law school alumnus whose background bridges the gap between academic scholarship and technical development, Leider built the platform from the ground up.

“Surprisingly, getting AI to do real work was much more like management than dealing with technology,” Leider said. “AI agents need clearly defined jobs, and they need the right tools to do them. When they fail, it鈥檚 almost always because job expectations are unclear, or because the tools provide a bad user experience—a bad experience for the agents themselves—or because you鈥檙e expecting one agent to have the expertise of three specialists.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (NROTC) recognized excellence in leadership, academics and service during its 2026 Annual Awards Ceremony held April 28. The event honored outstanding midshipmen, civilian staff and active-duty personnel whose contributions supported the battalion鈥檚 success throughout the academic year.

Among the key honorees, Lt. Liam Gregory received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for exceptional instruction and mentorship as the unit鈥檚 Navy instructor.

Civilian staff Jaime Silva Velez and Alexander Mangiliman were recognized with Civilian Service Achievement Medals. Silva Velez was named Junior Civilian of the Year for his dedication to supporting a 100% commissioning rate, while Mangiliman earned Senior Civilian of the Year for overseeing supply and logistics operations supporting more than 100 midshipmen.

Midshipmen received a range of national and local awards recognizing leadership, academic excellence, military aptitude, community service and commitment to Navy and Marine Corps values. Top honors included the Chief of Naval Operations Distinguished Midshipman Graduate Award, presented to Midshipman Ethan Dome, and the Navy League Honolulu Council Midshipman of the Year Award, presented to Midshipman Megan Foreman along with a $1,500 scholarship.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from Commanding Officer Capt. P. V. Bandini and the traditional playing of “Anchors Aweigh” and the Marines’ Hymn.

When Dersel Bonai walked the stage to receive his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on May 16, he carried the pride of his ancestors. A Pacific Islander from West Papua, Bonai became the first person in his native tribe’s family lineage to earn a master鈥檚 degree.

“Being the first person in my Bonai family lineage within my tribe to earn a master鈥檚 degree means this achievement is not only for myself, but also for my ancestors, family, community, and future generations of my tribe,” Bonai said. “It reminds me that education can create new opportunities while still staying connected to my culture and identity.”

A humorous detour

Bonai鈥檚 journey to 东精影业 Mānoa featured a humorous detour. He originally earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Rhode Island, choosing the school partly because its name suggested an island environment similar to his home. Instead, he discovered freezing winters and a culture vastly different from West Papua. Seeking an environment closer to his Pacific Island heritage, Bonai, who was also active with and lived at the East-West Center, joined 东精影业 Mānoa’s School of Architecture in 2024. Hawaiʻi provided the familiar plants, landscape elements, and cultural traditions he had been missing.

Designing for healing

At 东精影业 Mānoa, Bonai focused on the intersections between land, culture, and community. His capstone project, “Designing for Healing—Cultural Revival, Ecological Restoration and Human Well-Being in West Papuan and Hawaiian Landscapes,” proposed a new design language rooted in collective well-being. Applying this to sites on Oʻahu and his home island of Yapen, West Papua, Bonai argued that healing landscapes are spaces to reconnect with traditions, land and people.

Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

“To me, healing means rebuilding relationships between people, land, culture and traditional knowledge,” Bonai said. “Healing can happen through simple everyday experiences, such as spending time outdoors, practicing traditions like hula in Hawaiʻi or the yospan in West Papua, working in the loʻi, or reconnecting with cultural knowledge or even just listening to the stories of our ancestral lands.”

Community connection

Since January 2025, Bonai served as a graduate student project assistant on Professor Judith Stilgenbauer鈥檚 design research team, contributing to the “Olowalu: The Road to Resilience” project with The Nature Conservancy. Engaging with the West Maui community reinforced his belief that community well-being is deeply tied to environmental health.

“Working with the community in West Maui helped me see that land is more than a physical place. It carries stories, identity, traditions, and memories,” Bonai said.

Looking ahead, Bonai plans to bring his Indigenous knowledge into his future work as a landscape architect, hoping to empower Indigenous communities and protect ecological systems across the Pacific and around the world.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students can now complete their general education course requirements fully online.

For students starting their first freshmen semester, as well as continuing students planning their schedules in anticipation of committing to their majors, 东精影业 Mānoa offers a guaranteed, fully asynchronous course schedule that accommodates completion of general education. These courses will be offered with at least 60 seats available in asynchronous format.

“We know today’s students are balancing academics with work, family responsibilities and many other commitments,” said Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos. “By guaranteeing that students can complete their general education requirements online, 东精影业 Mānoa is creating greater flexibility while maintaining the quality and rigor of a Mānoa education. This is about meeting students where they are and helping them stay on track to graduation.”

Students should check with their academic advisors to best plan for both general education and major courses. While in-person general education classes will still be available, the guaranteed ability to complete general education courses online allows students more flexibility and control over their education.

The online coordination of the general education classes is another step 东精影业 is taking to utilize technology to meet students where they are and support them in their academic journeys.

“General education courses help students build the critical thinking, communication and cultural understanding that are foundational to a 东精影业 Mānoa education,” said Paul McKimmy, 东精影业 Mānoa interim associate vice provost for academic excellence, whose office spearheaded the initiative. “Making these courses consistently available online ensures more students can access that experience in a way that fits their lives and helps them succeed.”

More on 东精影业 Mānoa’s general education curriculum

General Education at 东精影业 Mānoa involves flexible and diverse multi-disciplinary classes that students usually take during their first two years at 东精影业. Through these courses, students are exposed to different domains of knowledge and modes of scholarly inquiry.

Students develop skills in written and oral communication, ethical and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and information literacy that are transferable across the curriculum. The coursework also fosters a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, Hawaiian culture and history.

Among the thousands of family members and friends who packed the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony to celebrate the university鈥檚 2,800 graduates, one group stood out during the morning ceremony—the family and friends of graduate Cohen Ruport.

Ruport, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science, is known for his big, curly blond hair. To celebrate his milestone, 25 family members and friends from Alameda, California, showed up wearing wigs inspired by his signature voluminous corkscrew curls.

“I was not expecting it at all. It was crazy,” Ruport said after the ceremony. “Everyone kept asking, ‘Is that your family up there?’ It was really cool and very exciting to see them.”

• Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

Ruport said he is excited to graduate and grateful he chose 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 for college.

“It was really good and very different from home,” he said. “I love being in Hawaiʻi, and I love my professors. It was a great program, and I really enjoyed it.”

As for what comes next, Ruport鈥檚 family enthusiastically jumped in with the answer: a move to Lake Tahoe for rock climbing and skiing.

“And computer science,” Ruport added with a grin.

When University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduating senior Chia Yun “Mercy” Cheng first arrived in Hawaiʻi from Taiwan, she carried uncertainty alongside her ambition. Now graduating with a degree in marketing from the , Cheng said her experience at 东精影业 Mānoa transformed not only her education, but also her confidence.

“东精影业 Mānoa made me feel like it was home,” Cheng said. “It really shaped me into a more extroverted person.”

Today, Cheng said she can confidently introduce herself to new people and step into leadership roles—something she never imagined before coming to Hawaiʻi.

“I remember in the beginning, I was very timid to do small talk, even shake people鈥檚 hand, talk to people and look at their eyes,” she said. “But now, when I meet someone new, I can confidently go up to them, shake their hands and introduce myself.”

Taiwan to Mānoa

Born and raised in Pingtung, a small city in southeastern Taiwan, Cheng moved away from home at age 15 to attend a five-year junior college program in nearby Kaohsiung. The program combined high school and community college studies. Before attending 东精影业 Mānoa, Cheng said school often felt isolating.

“Because I never really liked school before I came to 东精影业 Mānoa—it could have been the education system in Taiwan, but it could also have been me—I felt like I could never fit in,” she said.

Finding her place in Hawaiʻi

Her connection to Hawaiʻi began during an internship at an Oʻahu auto dealership when she was 19. It was her first time traveling alone and visiting the U.S.

“Hawaiʻi really healed me in a lot of different ways,” Cheng said. “It鈥檚 the people here. It鈥檚 the culture, the weather and everything. And I really found peace here.”

Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

After returning to Taiwan, Cheng made the decision to continue her education at 东精影业 Mānoa. At first, she approached college with a narrow focus on academics.

“When I first came here, my freshman year, all I knew was to study because I was raised to get a good grade, be on top of the class,” she said. “So I didn鈥檛 know how to really do the work-life balance thing.”

Stepping outside her comfort zone

That began to change when she became a New Rainbow Warrior peer leader, helping incoming students transition to college life.

“I remember at that time I was like, ‘Oh, I feel like I鈥檓 so introverted, I don鈥檛 even know how to talk to people,’” she said. “‘Can I actually lead freshmen and then help them get used to life on campus?’”

But she took the opportunity鈥攁nd said it reshaped her experience at 东精影业 Mānoa.

“Being a peer leader really gave me a sense of community,” Cheng said. “The other peer leaders were really nice. I still stay in touch with them till this day.”

Cheng also became involved with the (PACE), serving as a for the Entrepreneurship Live program and later becoming its student director. What began as a search for scholarship opportunities turned into a broader experience in leadership and community.

“I applied thinking that, ‘OK, I want this scholarship,’” she said. “And then I realized that the program is not just about scholarship, it鈥檚 also about the community and the people there.”

A new sense of confidence

Now preparing to graduate, Cheng plans to remain in Hawaiʻi while pursuing a career in marketing. She is currently interviewing for positions and continuing her work as a marketing assistant with Sodexo.

Looking back, Cheng said 东精影业 Mānoa became more than a place of study—it became a place where she learned confidence and belonging.

“I wouldn鈥檛 be able to achieve everything I have today without 东精影业 Mānoa,” she said.

junior right-hander Isaiah Magdaleno has been named Big West Pitcher of the Week for the third consecutive week.

Magdaleno captured the conference honor after delivering his second complete-game, one-hit shutout in his last three starts, propelling the Rainbow Warriors to a 4-0 victory over CSUN on May 13 at Les Murakami Stadium. The Los Angeles native overpowered the Matadors, striking out 14 batters without issuing a single walk to secure his seventh win of the season.

In his last three outings, Magdaleno owns a 0.35 ERA with 39 strikeouts to just two walks over 26.0 innings, giving up a run on six hits. He is the first pitcher in program history to throw multiple one-hit shutouts in a single season and the first pitcher nationally since 2017 to have at least two nine-inning, one-hit shutouts in a year.

This latest accolade highlights one of the most dominant three-game pitching stretches in program history. Magdaleno began this recent streak on May 1 with a historic 16-strikeout, one-hit complete-game shutout against UC Riverside. He followed that up on May 8 by holding UC Davis to just one run on four hits while striking out nine over eight innings.

Magdaleno is the first Big West pitcher since 2018 to earn the weekly honor three weeks in a row. It鈥檚 also the fourth time overall this year that he has been named conference pitcher of the week, the first to accomplish that since 2019.

Magdaleno and the Rainbow Warriors will head into the Big West postseason as the No. 4-seed in the tournament. 东精影业 Mānoa will play in a single-elimination game May 20, at 3 p.m. HST in Irvine, California.

University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Nursing Instructor Mary Farmer has been named the 2026 recipient of the Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award.

The Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award, established by Tadashi and Elizabeth Kunimoto, honors the founders of Chikara Products, Inc., known for Hawaiʻi foods such as Aloha Tofu, Maui Natto and Chikara Konnyaku. Presented in alternate years to a faculty member or student, the award recognizes significant contributions to career and technical education within the 东精影业 Community Colleges.

Farmer has demonstrated exceptional commitment to career and technical education through her leadership of the Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) to Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Bridge Program, expanding access to nursing education for working professionals across Hawaiʻi. Once requiring career pauses, relocation or limited training options, the pathway from CNA to LPN has been reimagined—bringing training directly into communities statewide.

“Through innovation, partnership and an unwavering commitment to students, Mary Farmer has transformed how we prepare Hawaiʻi‘s healthcare workforce,” said Lui Hokoana, 东精影业 Maui College chancellor and interim vice president for 东精影业 Community Colleges. “Her leadership has expanded access across our islands and created meaningful pathways for career advancement.”

Bringing training to students

Farmer partnered with healthcare providers, including Hale Makua Health Services and ʻOhana Pacific Health, to deliver training within healthcare settings across Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island. She also led curriculum redesigns and adapted instruction to support working adults.

“Mary Farmer doesn’t just teach—she builds pathways that truly work for students,” said Laura Nagle, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at 东精影业 Maui College. “Working closely with our industry partners, she saw the barriers facing CNAs and responded with a program that brings education directly into their workplaces and communities. What makes her work so impactful is how it creates real opportunities for people to advance without leaving the islands they call home.”

Her commitment to equity and access is evident in the program’s statewide reach. In December 2025, the Molokaʻi cohort celebrated its successful graduation, marking a major milestone in extending healthcare training to rural and neighbor island communities. Building on that momentum, Farmer is now planning a Lānaʻi cohort, further strengthening opportunities for residents in underserved areas.

By aligning education with workforce needs—where LPN shortages remain critical—Farmer has created a scalable, industry-driven model that strengthens Hawaiʻi‘s healthcare workforce and communities statewide.

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for a faculty member and a graduate assistant recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for 19 years.

Elisabeth “Lis” Gallant

Elisabeth “Lis” Gallant is an assistant professor of geology at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo. She teaches volcanology the way Hawaiʻi demands it be taught—with one foot in science and the other firmly planted in the communities that live alongside active volcanoes.

Since joining 东精影业 Hilo in 2023, she has revamped 东精影业 Hilo’s volcanology course offerings, using everything from M&Ms to knit fabrics to bring magma chambers and rock textures to life. Her students practice translating vog forecasts for civil defense officials, Volcano Village kupuna, and first-time tourists—learning that good science means nothing if people can’t use it.

Drawing on her work co-leading the national GeoSPACE accessible field camp, Gallant has made 东精影业 Hilo’s field courses more inclusive, ensuring students of every ability can do real fieldwork. She mentors undergraduates into published research with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and leads community talks during Volcano Awareness Month.

Student Steven Hammes said Gallant is “easily in the highest tier” of the dozens of instructors he has had across multiple colleges and universities, with a special ability to bring students of diverse learning styles, backgrounds and challenges to the same high standards of content mastery.

Ariel Gruenthal-Rankin

Ariel Gruenthal-Rankin is an assistant professor of anthropology in the division of social sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, and serves as the director of the Applied Forensic Anthropology Certificate. Gruenthal-Rankin is a forensic anthropologist for the state of Hawaiʻi, whose research explores how forensics can better account for people often overlooked by medicolegal systems.

She is particularly passionate about the integration of critical social theory and community-facing work in forensic anthropology. Gruenthal-Rankin honed her teaching and mentorship pedagogy over 14 years of teaching in STEM, both in classrooms and in field environments. Her philosophy emphasizes sharing mutual respect, harnessing the excitement of learning, and allowing students to have a say in how classes are shaped.

According to the 东精影业 West Oʻahu Teaching Awards Committee, students describe Gruenthal-Rankin as kind, thoughtful and highly engaging, with many highlighting her positive, enjoyable learning environment. Committee members noted that Gruenthal-Rankin’s “qualities reflect a sustained and exceptional commitment to effective, inclusive, and impactful teaching.”

Lolita Pérez-Ayala

Lolita Pérez-Ayala is a PhD candidate in the communication and information sciences interdisciplinary program in the College of Social Sciences at 东精影业 Mānoa. Committed to connecting theory to real-world contexts and fostering inclusive participation, she integrates sociotechnical research with organizational and business examples to promote applied learning and student agency.

Her courses examine the design and effects of information technologies and explore organizational and cross-cultural communication through real-world analysis. She gathers student feedback early and engages students in collaborative activities that apply course concepts to organizational cases. These practices encourage problem solving and move students beyond content mastery toward applied, reflective learning.

A nominator said, “Lolita possesses a remarkable ability to translate her expertise into meaningful learning experiences. She demonstrates exceptional skill in engaging students and fostering deep learning. Her courses are well organized and integrate a number of innovative tools to engage students. Lolita fosters critical thinking and bridges the gap between theories and real world experiences.”

Pérez-Ayala emphasizes student agency in selecting organizations or causes aligned with their interests, resulting in engagement with a wide range of local nonprofits, cultural institutions and businesses.

Shawn Sumiki

Shawn Sumiki is the culinary arts coordinator at Hawaiʻi Community College. He was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, and is a 1996 graduate of the Hawaiʻi CC culinary arts program. After gaining experience in the culinary industry, he returned to his alma mater in 2006 as a lecturer, bringing a strong commitment to both his craft and his students.

In his current role, he mentors and guides students as they develop the skills and discipline needed for successful careers in the culinary field.

“Chef Shawn is truly in love with what he does, and it shows in every aspect of his work,” said student Amanda Klunk. “His passion for cooking, his dedication to feeding people, and his commitment to taking care of others are truly inspiring.”

Sumiki’s dedication to teaching and service has been recognized with the Outstanding Lecturer Award (2012–13), the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Service (2019), and the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching (2022–23).

Student Casey Chow said he looks forward to the week more than the weekend due to the nurturing environment and Sumiki’s encouragement.

Lisa M. Vallin

Lisa Vallin is an instructor in the Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in the College of Social Sciences at 东精影业 Mānoa. Her work centers on creating inclusive, engaging and socially relevant learning environments in sexuality studies.

With more than 15 years of teaching experience, she brings a research-informed and intentional approach, emphasizing critical thinking, cultural awareness and student-centered learning. Her classroom fosters a strong sense of community where students feel seen, affirmed and supported in exploring complex and often sensitive topics with curiosity and respect.

Through innovative assignments, community partnerships and guest speakers, students connect theory to practice and engage issues such as reproductive justice and HIV advocacy. Vallin is known for her approachable teaching style and commitment to equity and inclusion, helping students become informed and engaged community members.

“Lisa Vallin is a phenomenal professor. Every day, she had us all in the palm of her hand, completely enveloped in her presentations,” said a student. “I wish I could take a class of hers every semester. I have recommended her classes to everyone I can because everyone can benefit from learning from her and exploring the topics taught in her courses.”

Brian Yamamoto

Brian Yamamoto is a professor of natural sciences at Kauaʻi Community College. For more than 40 years, he has embodied the spirit of Frances Davis, an inspired teacher dedicated to sharing knowledge with undergraduates in natural sciences. Throughout his decades of service at Kauaʻi CC, his passion has never waned—whether in the lab, the field, meeting with a student or teaching at high schools.

His commitment to undergraduate excellence is evidenced by the robust success of the Academic Subject Certificate (ASC) in Hawaiian Botany. Through Yamamoto’s leadership, 46 early college students have successfully earned their ASC in Hawaiian Botany since 2022. He has a unique ability to connect botany to students’ lived experiences, such as helping Native Hawaiian students apply botanical knowledge directly to their own lōʻi (taro patch).

Yamamoto has said, “One must be willing to get dirty, feel the wind at your back, and explore with your senses wide open. Let nature be the teacher. Nature will always present the truth, we just need to interpret it correctly.”

A former student said, “His classes were the highlight of my college experience.” That student now aspires to become a teacher, because Yamamoto made learning so engaging.