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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other rankings

东精影业 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

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

What if Homo erectus (H. erectus), the direct ancestor of modern humans, arrived in China much earlier than we thought? on February 18, may rewrite our understanding of early human dispersal in that area.

A study by a team of geoscientists and anthropologists, including corresponding author Christopher J. Bae from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 in the , confirms that H. erectus appeared in Yunxian, China 1.7 million years ago, about 600,000 years earlier than previous studies indicated.

Prior to this study, which was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the U.S. National Science Foundation, the oldest Yunxian H. erectus fossils were reported to be about 1.1 million years old. The revised timeline reshapes one of the earliest chapters of human history, suggesting our ancestors spread across continents earlier—and possibly more successfully—than scientists once believed.

“While Homo erectus, our distant ancestor, is widely recognized to have originated in Africa before dispersing into Eurasia, the precise timeline of its arrival in eastern Asia was unknown,” said Bae. “Using the combination of the Yunxian H. erectus fossils and burial dating data, we have now been able to recreate a fairly robust dating reconstruction of when these hominins appeared in eastern Asia.”

Calculating burial data

The researchers used Aluminum-26 (Al-26) and Beryllium-10 (Be-10) burial dating to determine the age of the Yunxian fossils. Hua Tu, lead author, describes the method as using aluminum and beryllium isotopes in sediment from the same stratigraphic level as the fossils to determine when it was first buried and shielded from cosmic radiation.

“Al-26 and Be-10 isotopes are produced when cosmic rays hit quartz minerals. Once buried deeply underground, isotope production stops and radioactive decay takes over. By using aluminum鈥檚 and beryllium鈥檚 known decay rates, and comparing the ratio of the two types of atoms left in sediment samples surrounding a fossil, researchers can calculate how long a fossil has been buried. This is key as traditional Carbon-14 dating is limited to the last 50,000 years while the Al-26/Be-10 method allows researchers to accurately date materials as far back as 5 million years ago,” said Tu, from the Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University and College of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing Normal University.

Related story: Possible new ancient human species uncovered by UH scientist, November 2024

Bae added, “These findings challenge long-held assumptions regarding when the earliest hominins are thought to have moved out of Africa and into Asia. While these results are significant, the mystery of exactly when H. erectus first appeared and last appeared in the region remains. If H. erectus was not the earliest occupant to reach Asia, alternative species must be considered. The updated chronology for Yunxian is a critical step toward resolving these debates.”

In addition to Bae and Tu, other team members include:

• Xiaobo Feng: School of History and Culture, Shanxi University
• Lan Luo: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue Rare Isotope Measurement Laboratory, Purdue University
• Zhongping Lai: Institute of Marine Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University and Alpine Paleoecology and Human Adaptation Group (ALPHA), State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Darryl Granger: Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University
• Guanjun Shen: College of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing Normal University and Institute of Marine Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 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: H艒poe Assessment Award celebrates programs that demonstrate outstanding, collaborative assessment practices. “H艒poe” describes the 驶艒hi驶a lehua in its fullest, most vibrant bloom—a symbol of programs that have matured and flourished. The award was established in 2025 by the 惭腻苍辞补 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 东精影业 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 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 degree programs submit biennial assessment reports outlining student learning outcomes, curriculum development and benchmarks for achievement. These reports are required for accreditation and are publicly available on the ACSC website. From more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, 20 were recognized in the award’s inaugural year.

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

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

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

The (CAS) has bestowed its highest honor, the Fellows Medal, to Professor Patrick V. Kirch of the (CSS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. This award recognizes Kirch鈥檚 contributions to the natural sciences by illuminating the “evolution of complex societies, preindustrial agricultural systems, and the dynamic interactions between human populations and their ecosystems.”

“I am deeply honored to receive the Fellows Medal from the California Academy of Sciences because it underscores the critical importance of island studies in understanding global human-environmental dynamics,” said Kirch. “I am proud to work alongside colleagues and communities, and contribute to the scientific dialogue from our unique island perspective.”

Kirch utilizes islands as “model systems” for understanding cultural evolution and the complex relationships between people and their environment. His decades of archaeological and extensive ethnographic fieldwork span the Hawaiian Islands, Mussau Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Futuna, the Cook Islands, Society Islands and Mangareva Islands.

Kirch has published 25 books and monographs and more than 300 articles and chapters on the results of his research. He has been elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Kirch is also a Living Treasure of Hawaiʻi, an honor bestowed in 2022 by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi.

“The Fellows Medal is a pinnacle achievement, and Professor Kirch鈥檚 recognition reflects the caliber of scholarship the College of Social Sciences is proud to champion,” said CSS Dean Denise Eby Konan. “His pioneering research as an archeologist and anthropologist across the Pacific, including his extensive fieldwork in Hawaiʻi, Fiji, Tonga and French Polynesia, has provided critical insights into Polynesian settlement, cultural evolution and ecological adaptation. This recognition underscores the global impact of his work.”

Kirch received the Fellows Medal at the CAS annual meeting in October. The is a governing body of more than 500 distinguished scientists and leaders recognized for their significant achievements in scientific research, education and communication. The medal is presented to prominent scientists who have made outstanding contributions to their specific scientific fields and exemplifies the power of “weaving science, education and collaboration to have a positive impact for the planet and people.”

Two University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduates are making a difference at the (DPAA), where they work to identify the remains of U.S. service members who never returned home from past conflicts.

Forensic anthropologists Ashley Atkins and Stephanie Medrano both credit 东精影业 with preparing them for meaningful careers at DPAA, which operates the world鈥檚 largest forensic anthropology laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Korean War project

Atkins earned her PhD in in 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 in May 2025 after moving to Hawaiʻi in 2017 to pursue her dissertation research on human remains in Japan. She works on DPAA鈥檚 Korean War project, which involves identifying soldiers鈥� remains disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as Punchbowl.

“Every other week we鈥檙e doing disinterments at Punchbowl, so we get eight sets of new remains and we go through those and go through the identification process using anthropological methods,” Atkins said. “It鈥檚 just such a nice and meaningful job to have, and you always feel like you鈥檙e doing something important.”

Atkins said 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 anthropology department and the played a critical role in her development.

“东精影业 really shaped me into a more polished anthropologist,” she said. “My advisor (Professor Christopher Bae) was so knowledgeable and helpful to me, and as a whole 东精影业 has been great for me. The Center for Japanese Studies was one of my funding outlets so I wouldn’t have been able to do my research without their funding. I also got a lot of experience at the John A. Burns School of Medicine鈥檚 Willed Body Program.”

She continues to give back as a lecturer in forensic anthropology at 东精影业 Mānoa.

Tarawa and Solomon Islands projects

Medrano, who graduated from 东精影业 Mānoa with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in anthropology in 2011 and with a certificate in forensic anthropology in 2017, works on DPAA鈥檚 Tarawa and Solomon Islands projects. She analyzes both complete and fragmentary remains to help bring families answers after decades of uncertainty.

“It definitely is a privilege to work here to try to provide families with closure,” Medrano said. “These individuals have been looking for their family members, some going on 80 years because we deal with World War II individuals as well. It’s a really awesome feeling to be able to give that to family members.”

Medrano said 东精影业 provided the mentorship and opportunities that led her into the field.

“When I first started there, I had really good mentors. Dr. (Miriam) Stark was really integral in my education, and Dr. (Christopher) Bae was also really important too,” she said. “Luckily, 东精影业 West Oʻahu had the forensic anthropology certificate program, and part of their curriculum was to do an internship here at DPAA. So it all kind of ties together.”

‘Dream job’

The graduates鈥� work comes as 东精影业 and DPAA strengthen ties through a new five-year Education Partnership Agreement signed in August 2025. The agreement aims to expand research collaborations, student opportunities and scientific innovation to advance DPAA鈥檚 humanitarian mission.

“I think for forensic anthropologists as a whole, working at the DPAA is where you would like to end up—a lot of people鈥檚 dream jobs,” Atkins said. “I would like for anthropologists and just anyone in any field to know that you can get to your ultimate dream goal for a job.”

“I came in as a 3rd-year undergraduate at 东精影业 and I was still trying to find my path. It was the professors that worked at 东精影业 Mānoa and then the professors that worked at 东精影业 West Oʻahu that really helped me,” Medrano said. “For students, if you apply yourself, network and utilize the resources that are at 东精影业—because there’s a lot—you’ll be able to, let’s say if you did want to be a forensic anthropologist, you could end up here and/or whatever it is that you wanted to do.”

The University of Hawaiʻi System and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) have officially entered into a new Education Partnership Agreement aimed at enhancing science and technology education while advancing DPAA鈥檚 critical mission of accounting for missing U.S. personnel from past conflicts.

The five-year agreement, signed on August 19, by 东精影业 President Wendy Hensel and DPAA Director Kelly K. McKeague, creates a formal framework for collaborative research, educational enrichment and workforce development. Under the agreement, 东精影业 students and faculty will gain access to DPAA鈥檚 scientific expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, data collections and assignment opportunities, while DPAA will benefit from 东精影业鈥檚 innovation initiatives, academic resources, and talented staff and students.

“This partnership exemplifies how state and federal institutions can work together to inspire and nurture the next generation of researchers and public servants,” said Hensel. “Through hands-on experience and direct mentorship from DPAA experts, our students will be uniquely positioned to contribute to a mission rooted in honor, science and service.”

This agreement will also allow DPAA to continue to work with 东精影业 on joint efforts to develop new methods and technologies to support DPAA鈥檚 personnel recovery operations. Since 2021, DPAA partnered with the 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 to develop Cambodia’s archaeological capacity through the Cambodian Completion Initiative, which enables Cambodian archaeologists to potentially lead investigative and recovery-type accounting operations in their home country.

More recently, DPAA also worked with the 东精影业 Mānoa 鈥檚 Willed Body Program to develop a database of isotopic signatures of Hawaiʻi-based individuals to establish comparisons with continental U.S. American and Asian populations to help in DPAA鈥檚 efforts to distinguish Asian American personnel missing from World War II and the Korean War.

“The Daniel K. Inouye Center of Excellence, located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, is the preeminent forensic science laboratory in the world,” said McKeague. “Through this strategic partnership with 东精影业, DPAA is able to leverage their cutting-edge academic research and technological innovation to advance our humanitarian mission. This collaboration also provides unique educational and professional development opportunities for students and researchers who are passionate about public service and science.”

The 东精影业 and DPAA Education Partnership Agreement connects academic talent with real-world challenges, and fosters an environment where academic discovery and national service go hand in hand.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo professor is collaborating on a groundbreaking study into the heart of Marshallese seafaring and the human brain.

This August, 东精影业 Hilo anthropology professor Joseph Genz and an international crew of scientists will study Indigenous sailors who will set sail aboard a trimaran. Researchers will analyze the documentary-filmed voyage to examine how traditional wave-piloting techniques can deepen our understanding of spatial awareness and possibly neurological disease.

“The most exciting aspect of this project for me is the applied nature of research on traditional navigation to the medical field鈥攎ariners鈥� knowledge of Marshallese seascapes, geographies of the coral atolls of the Marshall Islands, and orientation during inter-island voyaging has the potential to provide culture-specific insights into detection of early onset Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease,” said Genz.

How navigators move, see, think

The project brings together experts in physics, neuroscience, philosophy, oceanography, anthropology and computer science. At its core: two master navigators from the Marshall Islands who rely on feel and sight to read ocean swells, allowing them to sense islands beyond the visible horizon.

Genz, whose work has long focused on the revival of Marshallese navigation, said the research could lead to earlier detection of Alzheimer鈥檚, a disease that affects spatial orientation. He first connected to Marshallese voyaging 20 years ago through a canoe-building program. He never imagined that journey would one day link to neuroscience research.

Fellow researcher and 东精影业 Hilo alumna Jerolynn Myazoe, a Marshallese anthropologist, studied under Genz and is a key partner in the project.

The team will use mobile eye-tracking and 360-degree motion capture to document how navigators move, see and think while sailing. The results could not only preserve these ancient skills, but help heal a community deeply impacted by U.S. nuclear testing and displacement in the mid-1900s.

“[This] invokes a model of knowledge co-production and empowers the Marshallese community,” Genz said.

The collaborative project brings together researchers from 东精影业 Hilo, University of Stirling in Scotland, University College London and Harvard University.

—by Susan Enright

For more go to .

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 students swept all 24 student awards at the annual Excellence in Journalism awards, hosted by the (SPJ), July 30.

Headlining the group were the following first-place winners:

• Student Investigative Journalism in Any Media—Lili Hurd ( major)
• Student Breaking News in Any Media—Emma Davidson (journalism major)
• Student Feature Journalism in Any Media—Flynn Hamlin (2024 journalism graduate)
• Student Sports Journalism in Any Media—Justin Gardner (2024 journalism graduate)
• Student Journalism Featuring Video—Lili Hurd
• Student Journalism Featuring Photography—Kiersten Morgan (exploratory major)
• Student Journalism Featuring Audio—Alyssa Francesca Salcedo (2025 journalism graduate)
• Student Editorial/Opinion Writing—Emma Caires (2025 journalism graduate)

Associate Professor Youjeong Kim from the in 东精影业 惭补苍辞补鈥檚 and faculty sponsor of the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 SPJ Student Chapter, said, “It鈥檚 incredibly rewarding to see our students recognized for their hard work. They鈥檙e not just learning how to report the truth鈥攖hey鈥檙e out there doing it, with heart and a strong sense of responsibility. Their work makes a real difference in Hawaiʻi, and I鈥檓 proud to support them.”

Other students who won awards included majors in , and . Suah Cho, an incoming PhD student in the communication and information sciences program, won three awards for stories that were published in Civil Beat, where she interned in 2024. Many faculty members and alumni also earned awards in professional categories.

.

John D鈥橝mato and Kristina Inn, two alumni from the in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 , have established a $1 million endowment to honor two of their former professors: Jacob “Jack” Bilmes and Alice Dewey.

“Both Jack and Alice were kind, generous and devoted to their students,” said D鈥橝mato (PhD 鈥�86, MA 鈥�77 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补), a retired benefits lawyer and partner at D’Amato & Maloney, LLP. “I feel an obligation to honor their legacy and their contributions to anthropological academia.”

Jacob “Jack” Bilmes Endowed Professorship in Cultural Anthropology

The Jacob “Jack” Bilmes Endowed Professorship in Cultural Anthropology will support the research and education goals of a faculty member whose work is concerned with the study of human societies and cultures, and their development. A prolific writer, Bilmes was the author of Discourse and Behavior and The Structure of Meaning in Talk: Explorations in Category Analysis.

Bilmes also published various scholarly articles on a range of subjects, including microanalysis of verbal interaction, ethnomethodology, narrative, public policy, social theory, Thai social organization and discourse, and “occasioned semantics,” focusing on structures of meaning in actual, interactive talk.

“We are deeply honored by this extraordinary gift, the largest single donation in the Department of Anthropology’s history,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 College of Social Sciences Dean Denise Eby Konan. “It celebrates the remarkable contributions of our esteemed faculty, Jacob Bilmes and Alice Dewey, who have profoundly impacted the lives of their students.”

Graduate Student Endowment, in honor of Alice Dewey

The Graduate Student Endowment, in honor of Alice Dewey, will help defray a student鈥檚 costs associated with attendance, including tuition, books, fees and travel for research on cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and/or archeology.

Dewey was an economic anthropologist who studied peasant societies, and social structures and change. A compassionate and empathetic mentor, she opened her 惭腻苍辞补 home rent-free to graduate students with one stipulation: they had to prepare one meal per week for the household.

“This gift not only recognizes the excellence of our faculty, but also addresses the vital needs of our graduate students,” Konan said. “It stands as a powerful testament to the importance of our programs and the lasting influence they have on our community. We are profoundly grateful for this generous investment, which will support our faculty and students for generations to come and leave a lasting legacy of inspiration and opportunity.”

Twenty two academic subjects at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 earned high marks in the 2025 , released on March 12.

Leading the way was linguistics, which earned a No. 11 ranking in the U.S. and No. 40 ranking in the world. Library and information management (No. 17 U.S., No. 51–100 world) and Earth and marine sciences (No. 20 U.S., No. 51–100 world) also placed within the top 100 in the world.

Eleven additional subjects placed in the world鈥檚 top 1% (within top 250 in the world out of ):

• Geophysics: No. 30 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Geology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Anthropology: No. 35 U.S., No. 101–170 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 34 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• English language and literature: No. 40 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Philosophy: No. 42 U.S., No. 201–225 world
• Geography: No. 34 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• History: No. 42 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• Politics: No. 43 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 45 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 57 U.S., No. 201–250 world

“These rankings reflect the outstanding scholarship and dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno said. “They reaffirm our university鈥檚 reputation for excellence and innovation, not just in Hawaiʻi, but on a global scale. For the communities we serve and the students considering 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, these rankings are a powerful endorsement of the exceptional education and opportunities we provide.”

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 was ranked in four broad subject areas and 22 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (survey responses from academics), employer reputation (survey responses from graduate employers worldwide), research citations per paper (citations data sourced from鈥疎lsevier Scopus), H-index (measures most cited papers and the number of citations) and international research network (reflects ability to diversify the geography of their international research network).

The 2025 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 also received these notable rankings:

• 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 earns highest national research designation, February 20, 2025
• 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 23, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best Colleges rankings, September 24, 2024

A University of Hawaiʻi researcher says he may have found a new human species called Homo juluensis, which includes mysterious groups like the Denisovans鈥攁ncient human relatives whose histories are still being uncovered.

Professor Christopher J. Bae from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 in the has been studying human ancestors across Asia for more than 30 years. His recent research, , helps clear up some of the confusion about the different types of ancient human-like species that co-existed in the region during the late Middle and early Late Pleistocene, a period roughly 300,000 to 50,000 years ago.

Homo juluensis lived approximately 300,000 years ago in eastern Asia, hunted wild horses in small groups, and made stone tools and possibly processed animal hides for survival before disappearing around 50,000 years ago. Importantly, it was proposed that the new species include the enigmatic Denisovans, a population known primarily through DNA evidence from a few physical remains found in Siberia, and a few fossils found in Tibet and Laos. More research is clearly needed to test this relationship, which is primarily based on similarities between jaw and teeth fossils from these different sites.

Organization breakthrough

Bae credits a new way of organizing fossil evidence for the breakthrough. Some may think of it as organizing an old family photo album where some pictures are blurry or hard to identify. Bae and his research team have essentially created a clearer system for sorting and understanding these ancient human fossils from China, Korea, Japan and southeast Asia.

“This study clarifies a hominin fossil record that has tended to include anything that cannot easily be assigned to Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis or Homo sapiens,” Bae said. “Although we started this project several years ago, we did not expect being able to propose a new hominin (human ancestor) species and then to be able to organize the hominin fossils from Asia into different groups. Ultimately, this should help with science communication.”

This work is important because it helps scientists—and the rest of us—better understand the complex story of human evolution in Asia, filling in some of the gaps in our understanding of our ancient relatives.

叠补别鈥檚 Nature Communications co-author is Xiujie Wu, a senior professor from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Beijing, China, and lead author on the taxonomic assignment and description of Homo juluensis.

Bae also talks about Homo juluensis in his book, “,” published in September 2024 by 东精影业 Press.

Bae also currently serves as director of the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 in the .

A geographer at the who specializes in high-tech aerial imagery will survey five coastal parks across the state to assist with climate change adaptation planning and resilience modeling.

Ryan Perroy, a 东精影业 Hilo professor, and Seth Quintus, associate professor of at 东精影业 Mānoa, are co-principal investigators on the project. The researchers received a $1.15 million grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to .

“Sea level rise, storm frequency, flooding and erosion are the main threats of concern to cultural resources,” said Perroy.

The 东精影业 researchers will partner with the NPS to build on prior documentation and research by piloting high-resolution digital documentation to identify cultural resources in: Haleakal膩 National Park on Maui; Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Molokaʻi; and Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Puʻukoholā National Historical Park, and Puʻukoholā Heiau on Hawaiʻi Island.

Efficient data collection

The researchers will use remote sensing to survey expansive land areas more accurately and efficiently than ever before. They will collect data located in near shore areas and adjacent to flood prone stream corridors using high resolution digital technologies such as helicopter and drone-mounted imaging.

“Data will be used for the development of condition assessment and monitoring protocols by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Anthropology,” explained Perroy.

Perroy鈥檚 expertise is in remote sensing, high-resolution mapping, geospatial data analysis and aerial robotics. He oversees a spatial data analysis and visualization lab, housed in 东精影业 Hilo鈥檚 geography and environmental science department, which utilizes geospatial tools to local environmental problems in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.

Hands-on training

The project will provide funding and training for students, two from 东精影业 Hilo and two from 东精影业 Mānoa. The students will gain experience in advanced remote sensing techniques and gain skills in the collection, post-processing, and analysis of remotely sensed data.

—By Susan Enright

On November 1, Sanrio鈥檚 beloved character Hello Kitty celebrates her 50th anniversary. To mark this milestone, Christine Yano, professor emerita of at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, offered her insights into the character’s lasting appeal and significant role in shaping kawaii (cute) culture worldwide. Known for her expertise in cultural anthropology and Japanese popular culture, Yano authored , which explores the icon’s journey as both a commercial phenomenon and a cultural symbol.

What sparked your interest in studying Hello Kitty?

In 1997, while teaching a course on Japanese popular culture at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, I casually included a lecture on Hello Kitty. The students loved it, but it was a conversation with our department secretary, Elaine, a huge fan, that made me realize how deeply Hello Kitty resonated with everyday people. That curiosity led me to research Hello Kitty further鈥攂oth the corporate side and the fanbase.

What contributed to Hello Kitty鈥檚 global popularity?

Hello Kitty’s enduring appeal lies in her simplicity and adaptability. Her minimalist design, with no mouth, allows fans to project their own emotions onto her, making her a personal and emotional icon for people from all walks of life. Since her debut in 1974, she has crossed cultural boundaries, with Sanrio keeping her relevant through subtle design updates and innovative products like Hello Kitty wine. This balance of familiarity and innovation keeps fans engaged. Unlike Barbie, Hello Kitty remains a comforting and non-threatening symbol of sweetness and nostalgia, ensuring her lasting presence.

Is there anything during your research that surprised you?

I was surprised by many things, but the one that made global headlines was the revelation that Hello Kitty is not a cat. This came up during my work on the 2014 exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum. While writing labels, I referred to her as a feline, but Sanrio asked me to change it to “a friend” or “a girl.” When I mentioned this to a reporter, it became a viral story, shocking fans worldwide. A decade later, that headline is still making news, especially with Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary.

How does Hello Kitty’s popularity in Hawaiʻi differ from other places?

In Hawaiʻi, she鈥檚 part of everyday life, woven into the cultural landscape. We don鈥檛 need her to symbolize minority identity like Japanese Americans in California might. One fun example: Sanrio released a version of Hello Kitty that “tans” as the summer progresses, which was a huge hit with Japanese tourists!

As an anthropologist, what鈥檚 your final take on Hello Kitty鈥檚 significance?

As an academic, I鈥檓 trained to be critical. But in today鈥檚 world, Hello Kitty brings joy and empathy, and I think there鈥檚 value in that. It鈥檚 comforting to see something so simple evoke such positive emotions.

Editor’s note: The federal government withdrew grant funding for this research in 2025.

A groundbreaking project by University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 researchers to document the cultural heritage of Cambodia鈥檚 Kuy communities has been supported by a new three-year, $126,265 grant from the .

Professor and Director Miriam Stark and National Chengchi University Associate Professor Courtney Work (also a 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 graduate affiliate faculty member in anthropology) are co-directing the project “Of Water, Crocodiles, and Kings: Co-producing Kuy history in the Prey Lang Forest, Cambodia.” Responding to the Kuy communities鈥� request, the project will train local community residents in documenting culturally important sites. This collaborative approach seeks to decolonize knowledge production by ensuring Kuy perspectives shape the research process.

The Kuy people have maintained their cultural practices through significant historical periods, including the Khmer Empire, French colonialism, and the Khmer Rouge era. However, they now face challenges from rapid economic development and deforestation.

“This project resonates with Hawaiʻi鈥檚 efforts to preserve Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage, highlighting the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 commitment to supporting Indigenous communities locally and globally,” Stark said.

Starting January 2025, the team will conduct ethnographic and archaeological fieldwork in five Kuy communities. The project brings together specialists from multiple fields to help preserve oral traditions and sacred places, largely under Work鈥檚 direction. Stark will lead the archaeological documentation and training program component.

By combining Indigenous and academic skills and knowledge, the initiative aims to provide new insights into how oral traditions, documented histories, and pre-Angkorian material remains interact in living landscapes. The findings will contribute to K–12 history lessons and provincial museum exhibits, supporting local knowledge production and grassroots historical perspectives.

The Department of Anthropology is housed in 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is housed in 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

Kikuchi Center, which honors the late archaeologist and Emeritus Professor William “Pila” Kikuchi, is inviting the public to the center鈥檚 first artist showcase. Carol Araki Wyban, will present her book and artwork Tide and Current: Fishponds of Hawaiʻi at 4 p.m. on September 19 in the Learning Resource Center.

The Kikuchi Center鈥檚 opening event will showcase efforts to preserve the legacy of Kikuchi鈥檚 work with fishponds. The art inspired by Kikuchi鈥檚 research has been exhibited at the Bishop Museum and the Volcano Art Center and will now find a permanent home at the Kikuchi Center.

The Kikuchi Collection

Kikuchi鈥檚 career in archaeology and anthropology spanned five decades. Kauaʻi CC Archivist Jason Ford has been leading the efforts to archive and digitize the Kikuchi Collection since 2022. The collection is now partially available online at . These include copies of Kikuchi鈥檚 Archeology on Kauaʻi newsletter and fishpond notes. Ford said his team has been prioritizing materials that are most beneficial to local and Pacific Region researchers, and materials with digital display quality.

“With the Kikuchi Collection containing a variety of multimedia materials, there remains a lot of items to be digitized for inclusion in the online repository,” Ford said. “We have made great progress in getting some of Kikuchi鈥檚 famous and lesser known research online, thus, making the online repository available to the public sooner rather than later. I know the community has been waiting on the repository, in some cases for decades, and so we are excited to be able to offer this now at this time.”

Inspired by Kikuchi

Wyban鈥檚 art highlights the importance of Hawaiian fishponds, which she describes as a vital link to ancient Hawaiian practices of sustainable land and water use. She has worked at maintaining and reviving ancient fishponds across the state, using Kikuchi鈥檚 research as a guidebook.

“Fishponds are a window into ancient Hawaiʻi and how the Hawaiians developed the land and water in a conscious, sustainable manner,” Wyban said. “They are a resource for the future because they can still be revived and used for food production, education and to teach people the importance of working with nature.”

The opening of the Kikuchi Center marks a significant step in making Kikuchi’s work accessible to the public and promoting ongoing education and research on Hawaiian fishponds.

Renowned forensic anthropologist Robert Mann of the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa (JABSOM) has examined more than 15,000 ancient and modern human skeletons throughout his career. This summer, he was invited to analyze human remains from a newly unearthed area in ancient Pompeii, marking one of the most fascinating investigations of his career.

A frequent visitor to Italy, Mann teaches annually at the LABANOF Summer Bone Camp in Pontestura, affiliated with the State University of Milan. This year, he taught 36 students, including medical doctors, archaeologists and biologists. During his trip, he was invited to visit Pompeii, the of a city frozen in time after being buried under volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

“The volcanic eruption presents a unique situation and a challenge as the remains encased in volcanic ash are nearly 2,000 years old and can be extremely fragile to excavate and examine,” said Mann, a professor of anatomy and pathology at JABSOM.

Mann collaborated with a team of expert archaeologists, contributing his extensive knowledge to the ongoing research.

“I can’t really speak about the Pompeii remains as the examination and excavation are underway as we speak. I can say that my trip to ancient Pompeii was perhaps the most interesting and exciting site in my career,” he said. “It was an honor and privilege to visit the site. I hope to return there again next year to assist however I can.”

Beyond Pompeii

Mann’s summer was filled with teaching and research beyond Pompeii. He conducted examinations, delivered lectures and led forensic anthropology workshops in Thailand, Scotland and Germany. His work included studying a newly assembled osteological collection in Bangkok and analyzing the remains of a prisoner guillotined in early 19th-century Germany.

“I’m going to Thailand to teach a three-day forensic anthropology workshop on skeletal trauma in Chiang Mai,” he said. “As always, I see and learn something new every year. Forensic anthropology never ceases to amaze me!”

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University of Hawaiʻi alumna Jocelyn “Josie” Howard received the Health Equity Champion Partner Advocate Award on behalf of (WAO) at the (APIAHF) Annual Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Howard is CEO of WAO, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Micronesian and Pacific Islander communities in Hawaiʻi, which was honored for its impactful work in connecting communities to accessible health insurance and vital services.

Howard, a co-founder of WAO, worked to establish the organization to meet the Micronesian community’s need for a dedicated resource center in Hawaiʻi. During the pandemic, WAO became a crucial support hub, serving not only Micronesian families but others in the community.

“It is truly an honor to receive We Are Oceania鈥檚 Award for the work we do in helping not just Micronesians, but everyone in Hawaiʻi access health insurance,” said Howard. “Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our Micronesian communities; the Chuukese, Kosraeans, Marshallese, Pohnpeians, Palauans and Yapese; for your trust and willingness to allow us to serve you. This is truly a privilege. This award is for you.”

Howard holds multiple degrees from 东精影业, including her masters of social work (MSW) from the and a certificate in from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in from 东精影业 Hilo. Maintaining strong ties to her alma mater, Howard serves as a field instructor for WAO, a field placement for Thompson School bachelor and master’s-level students in social work. She also sits on the advisory board of the 东精影业 Pacific Partnerships & Workforce Development Initiatives.

Also attending the APIAHF ceremony was fellow Thompson School MSW alumna Halaevalu Fonongavaʻinga Ofahengaue Vakalahi. Vakalahi currently leads the Council on Social Work Education as president and chief executive officer. Her presence highlighted the shared mission among social work professionals dedicated to advancing health equity and supporting diverse communities.

“Representation matters! And championing equity in that representation is a collective responsibility,” said Vakalahi. “This award was not only an incredible way to represent the Pacific community, but all of our communities. Thank you Josie Howard and WAO!”

WAO continues to make strides in partnering with communities and organizations to provide pathways to access vital services and opportunities to further foster empowerment.

—By Maria Pou

Five University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 faculty members earned Fulbright U.S. Scholar fellowships for the 2024–25 academic year. scholars are expected to engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing research collaborations started abroad and laying the groundwork for future partnerships between institutions.

“These Fulbright fellowships awarded to our 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 faculty members are a testament to their exceptional scholarship and dedication to global collaboration,” 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno said. “Their groundbreaking research will not only advance their fields but also strengthen international academic partnerships.”

Fulbright U.S. Scholars from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 in 2024–25

• Jan Brunson, an associate professor of in the , will study cesarean sections in Nepal. Collaborating with Suman Raj Tamrakar, head of obstetrics and gynecology at Dhulikhel Hospital, Brunson aims to understand the social, economic and systemic factors influencing c-sections. Her research focuses on balancing the life-saving potential and risks of c-sections by examining the experiences of women and healthcare practitioners. Brunson hopes to enhance reproductive knowledge and agency among women, ultimately improving maternal health outcomes.
• Peter Fuleky, a professor of economics and research economist with the in the College of Social Sciences, will head to Budapest, Hungary to develop forecasting infrastructure for large-scale econometric models in the R statistical computing environment. In a user guide, he will describe best practices for time series data manipulation. He also plans to quantify the economic impacts of extreme weather events and use simulations to predict the impacts of climate change on economic conditions in the future. Fuleky hopes that his research will inform decision makers about the cost of taking no action, a baseline against which planned interventions can be evaluated.
• Bruce Howe, a professor in the in the , will head to Portugal to advance the SMART seafloor cable system linking Portugal with the Madeira and Azores archipelagoes. SMART systems integrate sensors into telecommunications cables to monitor climate change, earthquakes and tsunamis. In addition to the Portuguese Atlantic CAM, he will work on the New-Caledonia-Vanuatu Tamtam SMART cable system, and collaborate with UN agencies and global partners to develop similar systems. His efforts aim to enhance disaster risk reduction and support sustainable coastal infrastructure, ultimately saving lives.
• Monica Smith, an associate professor in the , will work as a visiting scholar at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, supporting faculty in primary and secondary education. Smith will collaborate with Chilean scholar Malba Barahona Dur谩n on a study examining pedagogies and lesson feedback in multilingual classrooms. She will also co-teach courses on teaching English to primary students and guiding doctoral research. This opportunity will enhance her understanding of promoting multilingualism and allow her to build a professional network between Hawaiʻi and Chile.
• Joseph Tanke, a professor of in the , will travel to Budapest, Hungary to work on his fellowship “The American Scholar in the Age of AI,” which studies artificial intelligence from the vantage point of critical social philosophy and involves teaching American philosophy and art at Károli Gáspár University. Inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “The American Scholar,” the project aims to explore how technologies like ChatGPT impact human thought and action, emphasizing the significance of philosophical inquiry for understanding AI‘s role in today’s world.

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Notable Fulbrighters include 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, 41 heads of state or government, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and non-profit sectors. Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government.

The Fulbright Scholar Program is supported at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 through Fulbright program advisors William Chapman, interim dean of the ; Kristen Connors, fellowships, scholarships and professional development coordinator; and Betsy Gilliland, Department of Second Language Studies associate professor. For more information about the Fulbright Program at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, visit the .

Jan Brunson, associate professor of at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award for research in Nepal for the 2024–25 academic year involving the cesarean section—a crucial but often debated aspect of obstetric care. She will collaborate with Suman Raj Tamrakar, head of obstetrics and gynecology at Dhulikhel Hospital, a leading rural hospital in Nepal.

The global push toward respectful maternity care, which emphasizes practices that recognize women’s needs and preferences and ensures that they can make informed choices, has prompted medical practitioners worldwide to reassess their obstetric practices, particularly regarding cesarean sections (c-sections). While c-sections can be life-saving in situations such as fetal distress or placenta previa, they also pose risks for both mother and child. The procedure is the subject of continuing debate as the medical profession aims to strike a delicate balance in determining the best timing and circumstances for performing c-sections to avoid both underuse and overuse.

“My research aims to understand this balance by exploring the social, economic and systemic factors influencing cesarean sections in Nepal,” said Brunson. “This project is not just about the numbers or statistics. It鈥檚 about gaining deeper insights about the experiences of women and medical practitioners, and improving maternal health care through respectful and informed practices through a better understanding of the model set by Dhulikhel Hospital, a facility committed to providing affordable, quality care and where profit motives are minimized.”

‘Near misses’ with maternal mortality

Brunson鈥檚 research is guided by her years of documenting Nepali women鈥檚 stories of ‘near misses’ with maternal mortality due to prolonged labor during home births, in contrast to different narratives encountered in Kathmandu where urban families expressed growing concerns about the increasing frequency of c-sections in an area where access is abundant.

Our goal is to ensure that women and families have greater reproductive knowledge and agency, ultimately improving maternal health outcomes.
— Brunson

As Brunson reflects on the broader impact of her work, she stated, “By sharing our findings, we hope to support physicians, midwives and public health practitioners in their efforts to achieve respectful maternity care. Our goal is to ensure that women and families have greater reproductive knowledge and agency, ultimately improving maternal health outcomes.”

Brunson, who joined 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 in 2011, is a specializing in women鈥檚 health and population. She has spent more than a decade conducting ethnographic research in Nepal, exploring reproductive health and family planning in challenging environments, particularly in resource-poor and disaster settings.

Since 1946, the has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. government.

The Department of Anthropology is housed in the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 .

A University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 expert in Cambodian anthropology and archaeology has earned a Fulbright fellowship to use her decades of research to provide academic and research assistance for the Southeast Asian nation.

Professor and Director Miriam Stark will spend two weeks from late April to mid May 2024 at the Royal University of Phnom Penh to complete an academic capacity-building and program evaluation project for the faculty of social sciences and humanities. Stark will provide professional development workshops for early career faculty who are on track for a PhD, as well as review the Khmer studies (Cambodian studies) MA and PhD programs and curriculum that are offered at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

Her project builds on previous collaborations with the university, and meets the Fulbright mission to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions and communities both in the U.S. and overseas.

“My goal is to help give back to Cambodia,” Stark said. “I’ve had the honor of working in Cambodia since 1996 as one of a small handful of U.S.-based faculty who perform research in Cambodia. I have worked since 1996 with Royal University of Fine Arts, and am supporting the Royal University of Phnom Penh as part of my directorship of the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Center for Southeast Asian Studies, which is a Federal Title VI National Resource Center.”

Stark joined 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 in 1995 as a Southeast Asian archaeologist. She specializes in Southeast Asian archaeology, particularly Cambodia鈥檚 deep history, to explore questions surrounding the emergence of cities, the role of religion in state formation, and points of fragility and resilience in long-term histories.

She has garnered numerous teaching awards and professional accolades, including service on national professional boards, a 2011 Fulbright award to Taiwan and an appointment by President Joe Biden to serve in one of the three archaeologist positions on the 11-member U.S. Cultural Property Advisory Committee in the U.S. Department of State.

Stark will join more than 400 U.S. citizens who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the each year. Recipients of these awards are selected based on her academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad.

The Department of Anthropology is housed in the and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is housed in the .