The Kona Low storm in March left many residents on the North Shore of Oʻahu devastated, with catastrophic flooding in the Haleʻiwa and Waialua areas. Among the hardest-hit locations was Otake Farms, situated where the Kaukonahua River overflowed its banks, submerged homes and destroyed vital property. In the wake of this disaster, students from Honolulu Community College’s Diesel Mechanics (DISL) and Fire and Environmental Response (FIRE) programs stepped out of the classroom to provide a critical lifeline to the local community.

The ‘Cavalry’ arrives: Students restore vital equipment

For the seven family farmers at Otake Farms, restoring machinery was the top priority. The storm’s intensity had pushed muddy water above engine levels, severely damaging both mechanical and electronic systems.

Just weeks before graduation, Honolulu CC students applied their skills in a high-stakes “real-world exam,” repairing nine flooded tractors in a challenging field environment. Led by Associate Professor Bobby Salvatierra, the group mobilized twice in April to perform essential technical recovery steps:

• System inspections: Checking engines for structural integrity.
• Fluid remediation: Bleeding water from systems and replacing contaminated fuel and filters.
• Mechanical restoration: Cleaning intake systems and pulling injectors to resolve hydrostatic locked engines.
• Electrical recovery: Recharging batteries and testing damaged electrical systems.

“Today was an awesome day sharing our talent with people in need,” said Salvatierra.

The effort was a resounding success, resulting in the restoration of several major tractors.

“Before, I didn’t know what to do. The job was too big,” said Reun Ath Tab, a farmer. “But now I have my tractor. I feel good.”

First responders in training: The program’s community impact

While the students focused on machinery, students provided essential boots-on-the-ground support for residents near the Waialua River and Long Bridge area.

Transitioning from classroom theory to hands-on emergency response, the class received approval to assist families—including many first responders. Working alongside instructors, recruit training officers and the National Guard, the students tackled the grueling physical labor of recovery, including:

• Manual labor: Shoveling tons of mud from homes and properties.
• Resource support: Donating essential supplies, such as Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) bars and boots, to residents in need.
• Problem solving: Overcoming field challenges, such as equipment failures, to ensure the work continued.

For students Ryoma Sears and Evan Moon, the experience was more than just training; it was an opportunity to integrate with the community they will soon serve as professional firefighters.

Restoring hope, honing skills

These recovery initiatives were made possible through the support of the Honolulu CC administration and generous contributions from industry partners. Bacon International and Allied Machinery provided thousands of dollars in parts and technical assistance to ensure the tractors could return to the fields.

Through these collaborative efforts, Honolulu CC students have not only honed their professional skills but have also helped to restore hope to the North Shore, proving they are ready to meet the challenges of their future careers and their community.

The University of Hawaiʻi welcomed about 50 international diplomats to Maunakea and the ����Ӱҵ Hilo for a firsthand look at the university’s 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’s annual Defense Attaché Orientation Program, brought diplomats to Maunakea where they learned how ����Ӱҵ researchers and international partners are helping drive some of the world’s 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 ����Ӱҵ . “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 ����Ӱҵ’s NASA Infrared Telescope Facility guided diplomats through observatory facilities. Hawaiʻi astronomy consistently ranks number one in the world in science impact and output.

At Halepōhaku, located within Maunakea’s mid-level elevation, the group was welcomed with oli (chant) and cultural protocol led by staff from the ����Ӱҵ 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’s environmental and cultural significance, restoration projects and ongoing stewardship work. Diplomats learned about ����Ӱҵ’s 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 ����Ӱҵ �ᾱ����’s 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’s ����Ӱҵ News Images of the Week are ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� journalism graduates Grant Nakasone and Josslyn Rose, who many of the ����Ӱҵ ʻohana have seen in “What’s up this week?” and “����Ӱҵ News For You” social media reels. But before they proudly crossed the stage at ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�’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!

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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,” ����Ӱҵ 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 ����Ӱҵ law school faculty, the platform was officially launched to the community. Professor Brian Huffman, ����Ӱҵ law school’s 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 ����Ӱҵ law school. A ����Ӱҵ 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’s 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’re expecting one agent to have the expertise of three specialists.”

In celebration of 100 years of Summer Sessions at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�, the , an initiative of ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� Community Programs, presents (“To Be As One Lei Adorned”), a special restaging of this year’s Merrie Monarch Hōʻike by the EO LEI ʻILIAHI Foundation. The performance will take place on Friday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at John F. Kennedy Theatre.

“He Lei Hoʻokahi” serves as a stirring tribute to the late Kumu Hula Darrell Lupenui and celebrates a significant milestone—50 years of kāne hula at Merrie Monarch. The evening invites the community to experience the strength and artistry of kāne hula and the richness of moʻolelo (stories) that define Hawaiian cultural practice.

A legacy of culture and education

This concert represents more than a performance. It honors the enduring legacy carried forward by kumu, dancers and hālau, while celebrating a century of educational excellence at ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�. ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� embraces its kuleana—its responsibility and duty—to honor the host culture by serving as a vital space where Hawaiian cultural knowledge and practices are showcased, uplifted and perpetuated.

Through Outreach College’s Community Programs, ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� welcomes the broader community onto campus and extends its educational mission beyond traditional academic settings. Within this distinctive role, programs such as the Asia Pacific Dance Festival create spaces where cultural knowledge, artistic practice and community engagement come together in meaningful ways.

The event marks a significant convergence of institutional and cultural milestones, recognizing ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�’s commitment as a place of Hawaiian learning and its unique role in preserving and celebrating Hawaiian cultural heritage through extended education, community partnerships and outreach initiatives.

For more information and to view performance details, visit: .

An effort to clean up the Ala Wai Canal led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa celebrated two meaningful milestones in April. The reached 300,000 Genki Balls, and the City and County of Honolulu proclaimed April 2026 as “Genki Ball Month.” This bioremediation initiative involves Genki Balls—mud balls containing billions of Effective Microorganisms® (EM)—that are tossed into one of the state’s most polluted waterways where they sink to the bottom of the canal to help break down the sludge.

More than 150 students from Kamehameha Schools’ Kapālama elementary campus, Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf & Blind, Pearl City Elementary School, and Leilehua High School joined the Earth Day celebration at the Diamond Head end of the Ala Wai Canal.

The proclamation, signed by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and presented at the celebration, designated Genki Ball Month in “recognition of the many dedicated individuals and organizations collaborating on the Genki Ala Wai Project” and honored the “noble efforts to keep Honolulu’s waterways vibrant, safe and clean.”

7 years and 300,000 balls later

EM Technology has been successful in more than 100 countries worldwide over the past 30 years, inspiring Kenneth Kaneshiro, director of the Center for Conservation Research and Training in the at ����Ӱҵ Mānoa, and others to initiate this effort in 2019. Kaneshiro and his team determined that deploying Genki Balls was an approach that could engage community members and begin to enhance the water quality in the Ala Wai Canal.

The project has truly been a community-based effort, with more than 100 schools and organizations and 21,100 volunteers contributing over the past seven years. Students and community members helped make Genki Balls and tossed them into the canal, all while learning about the place where they live, work, and play.

“What is most gratifying for me is to see how the kids can be influenced by the project and be inspired to go into STEM fields,” said Kaneshiro. “In one instance, a student from ʻIolani School discovered a new species of bacteria which she named and described and published in a scientific journal. Another student built a drone using 3D printing technologies to be able to collect water samples from the Ala Wai to bring back to the lab for analyses of water quality.”

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This week’s ����Ӱҵ News Image of the Week is the National Championship Rainbow Warrior volleyball team and the fans in the stands. Congrats ‘Bows and shakas up!

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The University of Hawaiʻi Venture Competition returned for its 26th year this spring with the support of title sponsors Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) and Hawaiian Electric, bringing together student entrepreneurs from across the University of Hawaiʻi System to showcase innovative ventures addressing real-world challenges through technology, sustainability, health and culture./p>

Hosted by the PACE in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, the 2026 competition featured more than 40 students from more than 20 academic disciplines representing seven ����Ӱҵ System campuses.

“The ����Ӱҵ Venture Competition continues to highlight the incredible talent and innovation emerging from our students across the ����Ӱҵ System,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “Each year, we’re inspired by the creativity, passion and problem-solving mindset students bring to the competition, and we are deeply grateful to Hawaiian Electric and Hawaiian Electric Industries for their continued support in making this program possible and empowering student entrepreneurship across Hawaiʻi.”

At the finals held on May 9 at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center, Makai Aquatics earned first place and a $10,000 cash prize sponsored by HEI and Hawaiian Electric. The venture produces captive-bred Hawaiian reef fish through a distributed network of home aquariums, helping fill the supply vacuum created by Hawaiʻi’s wild reef fish collection ban.

The Makai Aquatics team includes Kent Glover, a PhD student in marine biology, Jonah Sheridan and Sarah Benimana, a PhD student in tropical plant and soil science.

Second place and a $5,000 cash prize went to Paniolo, a natural skincare brand. Founded by entrepreneurship major Jaidon Mathews and communications major Cameron Holt, the venture blends wellness and lifestyle branding with locally inspired values.

Third place and a $2,500 cash prize, sponsored by HiBEAM in honor of pioneer Billy Richardson, went to Hexcelerate, an AI-powered interview training platform designed to help workforce development programs improve job seeker confidence and interview readiness. Hexcelerate is founded by local students Lionel Derrick Roxas and Gabriel Dang, both computer science students.

In addition to the cash prizes, finalists received in-kind services such as marketing consultation from Pineapple Tweed, go-to-market strategy support from Blue Logic Labs, incorporation and financing legal services from Vantage Counsel LLC and a membership to access Hub Coworking spaces. Finalists also received mentorship, coaching and valuable feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals throughout the competition.

This year’s finals judges included Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up; Mateo Garcia, director of investor relations at HEI; Michael Bennett, founder of Honolulu Tech Week; and Ben Godsey, president and CEO of ProService Hawaiʻi.

Student Entrepreneur of the Year

At the event, PACE recognized Timothy Lum as the 2026 Student Entrepreneur of the Year, an award honoring a student whose leadership, service and engagement have made a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial community at ����Ӱҵ.

Throughout his time with PACE, Lum participated in nearly every major program, including PACE Leaders, Kalo Grants and the ����Ӱҵ Venture Competition. Beyond participation, he played a key role in strengthening maker-space collaborations and helping launch new AI-focused initiatives.

The University of Hawaiʻi is participating in the 2026 Prada Re-Nylon campaign, produced in collaboration with National Geographic CreativeWorks. Highlighting the “” episode, the campaign features local marine educators Joanna Philippoff, director of the in ����Ӱҵ ��ā�ԴDz�’s School of Life Sciences and Anuschka Faucci, Leeward Community College instructor, who facilitate the regional hub. This partnership showcases the impact of ocean literacy and the work being done within the Hawaiʻi Blue School Hui to connect students with their marine environment.

The campaign highlights the impact of the education activities of SEA BEYOND, a project by Prada Group conducted in partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO since 2019. “Stewards of the Ocean: Hawaiʻi,” showcases how the Hawaiʻi Blue School Hui supports teachers in integrating ocean learning into their curriculum and connects preK–12 students with local community partners. The is a regional group of the USA Blue Schools and the Blue School Global Network, which is coordinated by UNESCO.

The campaign features elementary students and teachers from and one of its Blue School partners, the , at its fishpond in Kāneʻohe.

“It is incredibly validating to have a global campaign, supported by major partners like Prada and National Geographic, recognize the profound importance of supporting schools in building ocean literacy through place-based action-projects that celebrate �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s unique marine biodiversity and rich cultural legacy,” Philippoff said.

Place-based learning

Philippoff and Faucci are supporting 10 schools over two years in developing curricula grounded in place-based learning and mālama ʻāina. They facilitate monthly teacher professional development workshops that showcase curricular resources and highlight current ocean science issues as related to �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s preK–12 students.

“Our partnership with community sites like Waikalua Loko Iʻa is an incredible example of how we aim to prepare the next generation for ocean stewardship and leadership and inspire, support, and cultivate a committed network of teachers, students, and community educators,” Faucci said.

The campaign’s coverage includes two articles published by National Geographic, one highlights , the other .

The Hawaiʻi Blue School Hui is led by ����Ӱҵ and , the local chapter of the with additional support from .

A new exhibit in the Bridge Gallery of Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� invites the public to play instruments repurposed from ʻō�貹���� (trash). Bike brake cables, SPAM cans, rice bags, and driftwood are just a few of the materials that make up the exhibit’s instruments.

Available through August 10, the “” exhibit by ethnomusicology lecturer Benjamin Fairfield combines ecomusicology with place-based learning and encourages examination of consumptive habits.

“The idea of accepting a label of trash as worthless primes us to see things as having no further utility and value,” said Fairfield. “This project is getting us to challenge those labels and think, ‘Is it really worthless? Can’t it still have a voice, a utility, be part of our song and part of our creative process?’”

Crafted in the classroom

Many of the pieces were crafted in Fairfield’s class, a sustainability-focused course initially supported by the (CSEAS), where students repurpose found objects into Thai musical instruments. CSEAS has also supported outreach workshops for Kani ka ʻŌ�貹����.

“The class is important as a course that uses an Indigenous approach to sustainable music-making by recycling found objects and promotes craftsmanship grounded in Southeast Asian studies,” said Teri Skillman, CSEAS associate director.

“I was thinking, how can we connect community and music in a participatory way that is also sustainability-oriented? That’s where MUS311(M) brought all of these things together,” said Fairfield. “When students take the class, I wanted to make sure that music isn’t this scary thing that you’re not allowed to do.”

Rooted in tradition and ʻ�徱�Բ� (land)

Fairfield’s project is largely inspired by his research as a graduate student and his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he lived in a village with the Indigenous Karen (Pgaz k’Nyau) people.

“There were these musical traditions that were very interactive, and everyone had a role to play, whether it was dancing and clapping or joining along in some sort of singing capacity. Music wasn’t a presentational sort of thing—it was more participatory,” said Fairfield.

Currently serving as affiliate faculty at the and CSEAS, Fairfield brings a sense of inclusivity and creativity into his teaching.

“We’re going to celebrate sustainability and connection to the āina, and also repurpose these things as is done in the tradition,” said Fairfield, “Working with these materials is a way to connect people on a personal level to these objects that we otherwise don’t give a second thought to.”

‘Everyone’s welcome’

The exhibit highlights community involvement every step of the way, from collaborative works with local elementary schools to musings from local poets and professors.

“We explore musicality in a way that’s fun, engaging, sustainable, and hands-on,” said Fairfield.

Instruments featured also include those from a previous exhibit displayed in Capital Modern: The Hawaiʻi State Art Museum as part of Fairfield’s selection for its . Fairfield’s illustrated children’s book, ties into the theme of the exhibit and is on display as well.

To learn more about the exhibit, visit the .

—By Josslyn Rose

This week’s ����Ӱҵ News Image of the Week is from ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�’s Patrick Williams, of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR).

Williams shared: “A team of researchers and students harvested rice at CTAHR‘s Waimānalo station as part of exploring if Hawaiʻi can grow rice again. Rice is a local tradition, but instead of growing it in the islands, we import more than 100 million pounds of it a year.”

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Native Hawaiian Student Services (NHSS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� hosted a May 1 campus event, held on a day widely recognized as “Lei Day” across Hawaiʻi, inviting students to look beyond the beauty of lei and reflect on its deeper cultural significance. The free event featured hands-on workshops and a first-ever lei panel, all centered on one message: lei is more than decoration.

“We want students to understand that lei is not surface level,” said Jordan Kalawaiʻa Nunies, NHSS Program and research assistant, and event organizer. “Lei is not purple orchids that could be bought at the grocery store. It’s a medium that connects people to ʻāina, akua, moʻomeheu.”

Hands-on learning

Throughout the day, students took part in a range of lei-making workshops designed for all experience levels.

Participants created lei from fresh plants, explored crochet techniques and tried their hand at the growing trend of “forever lei” which can be made from materials such as clay, paper and other creative mediums.

Living tradition

A highlight of the event was the inaugural lei panel, featuring three ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� students recognized as loea in their respective practices, specializing in lei made from lāʻau (plants), hulu (feathers) and pūpū (shells).

Among them was Kekai Paracuelles, a graduate student in Hawaiian studies, whose journey with lei pūpū began on the shores of Waialua.

Raised on ��ʻ�����’s North Shore, Paracuelles grew up doing many activities at the beach with his ʻohana, which included gathering shells. His deeper interest took hold in high school after noticing what he thought was a flower lei on a Nā Palapalai album cover, only to realize it was intricately crafted from shells.

That moment led him to research Niʻihau-style lei pūpū and eventually connect with master practitioners, including ʻAwapuhi Kahale. Over time, those connections deepened. He would then meet members of the Kanahele ʻohana, including the grandchildren of the late lei master and Niʻihau matriarch Mama Ane, who shared their lei knowledge. He now refers to them as his hānai ʻohana Niʻihau (Niʻihau family).

For Paracuelles, learning lei pūpū became less about the craft and more about the relationships it created.

“It’s really that strong pilina now that I have with the ʻohana… it’s not even most of the time about pūpū, it’s just spending time together,” Paracuelles said. “There’s so much aloha I have for them, I would do anything for them.”

Student impact

Hope Matsumoto, a ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� graduate student in English, said the lei panel featuring Paracuelles, Uluwehi Ah Choy and Tehina Kahikina left a lasting impression. Hearing directly from the student practitioners gave her a deeper appreciation for the connection between people and environment.

“I appreciated their ability to really kilo their environments and to build these relationships with their ʻāina,” Matsumoto said. “It showed me how much intention it takes to rebuild that pilina with our environments.”

For students, the event offered more than new lei making skills, it deepened their understanding of place and practice.

High school seniors from across the Koʻolaupoko and Koʻolauloa regions visited on April 17 for Senior Bash 2026, an event designed to help students explore college pathways, connect with campus resources and experience student life before graduation.

Hosted by Windward CC‘s outreach team and supported by Hawaiʻi P–20 Partnerships for Education, the annual event brought prospective students to campus for a day of workshops, program showcases and community-building activities.

Students engaged with faculty, staff and current students while learning about academic pathways including veterinary technology, marine biology and natural resources, theatre, transfer opportunities, student employment and new student orientation.

“Senior Bash celebrates seniors’ achievements while inspiring their next steps,” said Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg. “Many of us do not grow up seeing college as the natural next step after high school. Senior Bash welcomes everyone to campus and lets students know they belong here at Windward CC. Welcome to our ʻohana.”

“Senior Bash is a meaningful opportunity to showcase the faculty, staff and programs that make Windward Community College special,” said Outreach Coordinator Makana Tani. “We want every student to leave knowing they belong here.”

College within reach

For many students, visiting campus helps make college feel more within reach.

“Senior Bash is important because it gives our haumāna (students) the chance to meet faculty, staff and current students and see that college isn’t this big, intimidating place,” said First Year Experience Counselor Alysa Tomasa. “Many of us were the first in our families to attend college and come from these same communities—we’re here to support them and want them to succeed.”

“This year focused on building pilina and giving students time to connect with others from Koʻolaupoko and Koʻolauloa,” Tomasa added. “It felt like a true celebration of the Class of 2026—and hopefully future students at Windward CC.”

For some students, the event also highlighted immediate opportunities to take the next step.

Kalāheo High School senior Lucca Blood attended Senior Bash with a clear goal in mind and applied to Windward CC while beginning to set up his class schedule during the event.

“I came to Senior Bash to learn more about Windward CC and take advantage of the Hoʻolei scholarship,” Blood said. “Knowing that support is there makes it feel more possible to come here.”

The provides one year of free tuition for graduating DOE high school seniors from Windward district schools, helping reduce financial barriers for students transitioning into college.

Hundreds of students, families and community members filled ’s Manono campus on April 25 for Hawaiʻi CC Day, a high-energy event featuring classic cars, live demonstrations and hands-on opportunities across campus.

The Auto Show & Shine, hosted by the college’s Auto Body Repair and Painting program in celebration of its 60th anniversary, was a major draw. Classic cars, lifted trucks and custom builds lined the campus, while the emcee kept the crowd engaged with a series of live events including a car limbo contest, sound-off competition and articulation ramp demonstrations.

“The turnout this year was incredible. The car show is always one of the main attractions at Hawaiʻi CC Day, and you could really feel that energy all day,” said Garrett Fujioka, Auto Body Repair and Painting program coordinator. “Celebrating 60 years of the program made it even more special—not just for us, but for the alumni, students and community members who’ve been part of it along the way.”

Across campus, activity was nonstop. The Culinary Arts program saw a steady line throughout the day as attendees waited for fresh, ʻono dishes prepared by students and faculty, alongside live cooking demonstrations that showcased the program in action. The Agriculture Program’s produce sale was a hit, selling out of locally grown items early in the event.

Visitors also explored academic and technical programs through hands-on activities and connected directly with instructors and students. A large career fair brought together local employers and workforce partners, offering attendees a chance to explore job opportunities and build connections for the future.

“Hawaiʻi CC Day is about opening our doors and showing the community what’s possible here,” said Hawaiʻi CC Chancellor Susan S. Kazama. “Whether you’re thinking about college, changing careers or just curious, this is a chance to see our programs in action and connect with people who are here to support your goals.”

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Hawaiʻi Community College’s Manono campus is located at 1175 Manono Street in Hilo. For more information, .

At the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�, students are leading efforts to address period poverty—the inability to afford menstrual products and limited access to menstrual education and care—recognized as both a public health and equity issue in Hawaiʻi.

A found 43% of ����Ӱҵ students who menstruate have experienced period poverty, about three times the national average. Those affected are more likely to face food insecurity, severe depression and academic disruption.

Student-led drives expand campus support

Graduate student Jenny Brown and undergraduate student Lovely Molina, both from a College of Engineering , organized “Flow Forward” period product drives in October 2025 and February 2026, collecting 2,679 pads and tampons for the campus . They also hosted kit-making events to support distribution and awareness.

“These efforts aim to institutionalize this as a permanent budget priority, providing equitable and sustainable access to basic hygiene is a strategic investment in student success and retention—and what’s needed now is senior leadership to champion it to the finish line,” said Brown.

Overlapping needs

The Food Vault was chosen because period poverty often overlaps with food and housing insecurity, allowing one access point to meet multiple needs. Brown and Molina also coordinate with student groups, alumni, nonprofits and faculty advisors Yuka Polovina of the Department of Public Health Sciences and Teresa Bill of Womenʻs Center/SEED program.

“I’m so proud of our students who demonstrate this level of passion and initiative to address this critical public health issue,” said Polovina. “And at the same time, it concerns me that they shoulder this burden as students.”

In 2023, the State Senate passed Senate Resolution 23 urging the ����Ӱҵ System to provide free menstrual products across campuses. Implementation remains limited due to infrastructure and funding challenges.

“Implementing an ‘unfunded resolution’ is challenging on a campus with more than 300 Women’s and All Gender restrooms, controlled by three different entities,” said Bill. “Selecting new locations will take into account ‘high traffic’ areas as well as product ‘deserts,’ but this is a long-term project.”

While systemwide efforts continue, students remain the primary drivers of immediate support through donation drives, nonprofit partnerships like , and advocacy.

“Providing period products for students should not be another student’s responsibility,” said Molina. “We started this drive without high expectations of getting many donations and seeing my peers raise this much product blows my mind.”

An evening of culinary excellence and community connection marked the launch of Hawaiʻi Community College’s inaugural E ʻImi Pono fundraiser, drawing more than 100 supporters to the Manono campus on April 18.

Held at the I Ola Nō Ke Kino Dining Room, the event highlighted the college’s role in preparing Hawaiʻi Island’s workforce, bringing together alumni, community leaders, donors and industry partners. The evening centered on student learning and real-world training, with Hawaiʻi CC culinary students and faculty collaborating alongside featured chef Ryan Brannigan, executive chef of Hilo Benioff Medical Center.

Guests enjoyed a menu blending innovation and local flavors, including A5 Kagoshima Wagyu, fresh seafood and student-prepared dishes such as hamachi with ponzu, Korean pork lettuce wraps and lilikoi butter tarts.

“It’s an honor to be part of the very first E ʻImi Pono,” said Chef Ryan Brannigan. “Food brings people together, but what makes this event special is the impact Hawaiʻi Community College has across the island. From workforce training to career pathways, the college is shaping our community in ways many people don’t always see—and it’s meaningful to be part of that.”

The event also showcased collaboration across programs, with contributions from culinary arts, agriculture, welding, electrical installation and maintenance, and carpentry—demonstrating the college’s hands-on, interdisciplinary approach.

“E ʻImi Pono represents the spirit of Hawaiʻi Community College—collaboration, innovation and commitment to our students,” says Hawaiʻi CC Chancellor Susan S. Kazama. “We are deeply grateful for the support that helps us continue building pathways to meaningful careers and stronger communities.”

Proceeds will support scholarships, equipment and expanded training opportunities for students, helping strengthen career pathways and meet Hawaiʻi Island’s workforce needs.

Read more about the fundraiser on the .

This week’s ����Ӱҵ News Image of the Week is from Honolulu Community College’s Shannon Fritz.

Fritz shares: Everybody chill. Students in the Honolulu CC Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Program get hands-on experience with a water-cooled chiller system after attending the Hawaii Buildings, Facilities, & Property Management Expo. Clockwise from far left: Jeremy Jennings, Professor Steven Chow, Joe Grummon, Pohaku Kaye, Awa Yerhot, D’Sean Watson, and Sage Le Akina.”

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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 ����Ӱҵ ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next ����Ӱҵ 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.

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

—West; Western Maui.

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

“Kaulana nui loa ʻo Mokuʻula i Maui Komohana i kona kapu loa. (Mokuʻula Western Maui is very famous due to its sacredness.)”

—Melelani Seiki, he haumāna ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu a me Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Maui (Honolulu Community College and UH Maui College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the ����Ӱҵ Hilo .

The University of Hawaiʻi community gathered for a virtual keynote exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) on April 27. The event drew interest across the system, hosting nearly 500 attendees online.

Microsoft’s AI Innovation Officer Michael J. Jabbour led the session, focusing on human-centered organizational transformation and the intersection of human and AI in education and healthcare.

����Ӱҵ President Wendy Hensel opened the webinar stating: “At the University of Hawaiʻi, we recognize the question is not whether we will embrace AI, but how we will do so. As you know, we’ve been setting up a systemwide AI initiative and conversation that we launched last year that we will scale significantly in the year ahead to educate our community on AI. As an example of this you may know we recently launched artificial intelligence for Hawaiʻi course which is a free 12-chapter interactive course accessible through the .”

A central theme of Jabbour’s presentation was the importance of maintaining human direction as AI capabilities rapidly expand. He warned that while AI can generate an infinite amount of output, humans must stay driven by actual outcomes. To foster critical thinking, especially among students, Jabbour shared how he encourages his own children to interact with AI models by instructing them to “teach me, don’t tell me,” ensuring that users maintain active agency.

“The only thing I ask you to consider, whether it’s with an AI or it’s with a human, is to think before you ask,” Jabbour said. “Because if you’re throwing ideas out there and asking the AI before you’ve thought, the AI‘s thinking now becomes your thinking and you don’t get a choice.”

Looking ahead, Jabbour noted that up to 70% of every hour worked could soon be automated, and that models are quickly matching human intelligence in specific tasks. With more than 60% of employers indicating they will not hire individuals lacking AI skills, he stated that educational institutions must adapt to avoid a big skills gap in training the up and coming workforce.

When asked how students can prepare for a workforce heavily impacted by AI, Jabbour highlighted adaptability, curiosity and human connection. He advised that the future of work will rely less on manual tasks and more on the human ability to clearly express goals and direct outcomes alongside AI.

The recording will be linked here when it’s available online.