The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ballroom dance team won its third consecutive national title at the (NCDC), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 27–29.

Competing against 37 colleges, 东精影业 Mānoa once again took first place for “highest point average,” as well as a close second place for the overall team championship, asserting its place among the nation鈥檚 top ballroom dance college teams. Winning top honors in the highest point average requires most team members to perform exceptionally well in all events.

The dancers of the Ballroom Dance Club @东精影业M—a registered independent organization at 东精影业 Mānoa—are trained and coached by Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti. Narayan and Sumukti also represented Hawaiʻi in the senior age division placing 1st in several events.

“We are no longer the underdogs, so all the other colleges are looking at us as the team to beat,” said Narayan, who is also an adjunct faculty member in the 东精影业 Mānoa . “The bar is getting raised higher and higher each year, but we prevailed once again. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our dancers who put in many hours to prepare for this competition. We are grateful for the incredible support we have received from the entire ballroom community in the state of Hawaiʻi.”

The Ballroom Dance Club @东精影业M was formed in September 2022, and the team took first place for “highest team average” in 2024 and 2025.

“Nationals was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me,” said Caleb Zerbe, who competed in the nationals for the first time. “Getting to see so many people dance and enjoy themselves on the floor made me realize how fun dancing can be, even at the highest stages. It was a moment that helped me build a lot of confidence, and one that I will never forget.”

Christopher Ramirez, who competed on all three victorious 东精影业 Mānoa teams, added, “Given the opportunity to compete at my third nationals, there is always something new to learn. Winning for the third year in a row has reminded me just how incredible it is to be a part of this team.”

Tough competition

NCDC is a grueling competition with events starting at 7 a.m. every morning. It consisted of multiple events based on proficiency (bronze, silver, gold, etc.). Each student danced in up to 32 different events at the bronze and silver skill levels. They competed in all four styles of ballroom dance including International Standard (waltz, tango, viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep), American Smooth (waltz, tango, foxtrot and viennese waltz), American Rhythm (chacha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo) and International Latin (samba, chacha, rumba, paso doble and jive).

Several students took individual first place awards in their respective divisions defeating up to 70 other competitors in some events. This trip was designed to give the team exposure to a collegiate competition, as Hawaiʻi has no statewide collegiate ballroom competitions.

More about the Ballroom Dance Club

The Ballroom Dance Club offers beginner classes to all 东精影业 Mānoa students, faculty and staff in studio 2 in the athletics department from 6—7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. No dance experience is required. For more information, or visit their Instagram page @bdcuhm.

The team would like to thank the Department of Information and Computer Sciences, 东精影业 Mānoa Department of Athletics, Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi, USA Dance Honolulu and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation for facility and financial support.

东精影业 Mānoa 2026 nationals collegiate and adult team roster:

• Ravi Narayan, faculty (computer science), coach and alumnus
• Synthia Sumukti, coach and alumna
• ʻAulani Wagner, library science and American studies
• Alexander Picken, Earth science
• Amanda Kanthack, psychology and Japanese
• Caleb Zerbe, computer science
• Christopher Ramirez, linguistics
• Christopher Wright, electrical engineering
• Courtney Hisamoto, computer science
• D’Elle Martin, architecture
• Elijah Saloma, computer science
• Gregory Snyder, mechanical engineering
• Hannah Madiam, kinesiology
• Iris Calauan, pre-nursing
• Jonathan Bona, civil engineering
• Julietta Lopez, architecture
• Kanaru Ebi, psychology
• Karl Merritt, mechanical engineering
• Luis Hernandez, electrical and computer engineering
• Lyndsey Moku, political science
• Maya Ito, psychology
• Michaella Villanueva, computer science
• Noah Asano, computer science
• Samantha Reed, computer science
• Shaelyn Loo, computer science
• Tessa Heidkamp, journalism and political science
• Andrew Lin, computer science alumnus
• Sydney Kim, computer science alumna
• Jason Aguda, computer engineering alumnus
• Matthew Rummel, political science and business alumnus
• Ariel Ramos, cinematic arts animation alumna
• Yong-Sung Masuda, computer science alumnus
• Wilson Tran, computer science alumnus
• Florence Liu, faculty, mathematics

Luis Hernandez and Maya Ito dancing the American Cha-cha in the Collegiate Team Match where 东精影业 Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Elijah Saloma and Michaella Villanueva dancing the International Quickstep in the Collegiate Team Match where 东精影业 Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti dancing the Mambo in the Senior IV American Rhythm Championship final. (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

Students cheering for their coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

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.

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Jennifer Ablan, a 1996 graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 and former editor of the student newspaper Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, has been hired as the new editor-in-chief of . Ablan returns to Hawaiʻi with 28 years of experience in business journalism to the role.

“I’m deeply honored to be joining Hawaii Business Magazine, which is the oldest regional business magazine in the country,” said Ablan in a news release. “I feel privileged to be from Hawaiʻi and excited to help elevate such a special publication of great storytelling.”

Ablan joins the magazine from Pensions & Investments, an international money management publication, where she served as editor-in-chief and chief content officer. Her prior roles include U.S. assistant managing editor at the Financial Times, U.S. investments editor at Reuters for more than a decade, and columnist at Barron鈥檚, where she penned the popular Current Yield column. Her journalism career began at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, where she credits her early inspiration and mentorship to journalism professor Ann Auman.

“I took Prof. Ann Auman鈥檚 classes and I worked hard to get my best stories in front of her,” said Ablan. “She recommended me to her husband, who was then an editor at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He gave me my first experience in a real newsroom. That changed the trajectory of my life.”

That editor was Steve Petranik, who was named Hawaii Business Magazine editor-in-chief in 2009. She now succeeds him following his retirement.

“It鈥檚 full circle for me,” said Ablan. “I always stayed in touch with Steve and Prof. Auman.”

A proud Radford High School alumna, Ablan said she is committed to continuing the magazine鈥檚 legacy of in-depth reporting on issues that matter to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 business community, including global developments like the U.S.-China tariff war that impact the local economy.

“For 70 years, Hawaii Business has been the resource for our local business community,” said Susan Eichor, aio CEO. Hawaii Business is owned by aio Media Group. “With Jennifer鈥檚 deep understanding of business reporting combined with her roots and ties to our islands, Hawaii Business will continue to play that role and work hard to maintain that trust with Hawaiʻi businesses. And we truly couldn鈥檛 be happier to bring a ‘local girl’ home after years of working on the continent.”

Hawaii Business Magazine has earned more than 100 national and state awards over the past five years, including recognition as the best regional business magazine in the country three times in that span.

For the third year in a row, Alyssa Navares Myers, a 2009 University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 graduate in the , has helped Sacred Hearts Academy students win the state鈥檚 top high school journalism program award.

Myers and her students were recognized on April 17, at the awards luncheon held at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Campus Center Ballroom. The program co-sponsors (Hawaiʻi Publishers Association, Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi and Honolulu Star-Advertiser) recognized 90 students and advisers from the 15 participating public and private high schools.

Myers, who has taught journalism at Sacred Hearts for 10 years, is one of several public and private school news program advisers who have earned degrees from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. Under her guidance, her students have won the Hawaiʻi High School Journalism Awards Best in State recognition in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The Best in State winner is determined by totaling each school鈥檚 top three scores in the writing division, and their top score in the photo, online and design divisions.

Myers is a Kamehameha Schools Kap膩lama 2005 alumna, where she was an editor of her student newspaper before matriculating to 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. She was a features editor and managing editor for Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, and her work there helped her earn the 2006 Carol Burnett Award for Ethics and Excellence in Journalism. Myers鈥� students also have worked for Ka Leo after graduation and others now work in the media industry professionally, including one who is a social media editor for the NFL. A current student, Keira Wheeler, will be doing an internship this summer with Vogue magazine.

“My time at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, especially as the features and managing editor at Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, was foundational in shaping not just my journalism skills but also my values as a mentor,” Myers said. “Now, advising Ka Leo at Sacred Hearts Academy feels serendipitous; it’s like I鈥檝e come full circle. Being able to guide young journalists and see them thrive, just as I was once encouraged to, is really rewarding. I鈥檓 proud to carry forward a legacy of meaningful storytelling and to share a deep love for news media with the next generation.”

More news program advisers with degrees from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补:

• Ray Anne Galzote, Waipahu High
• Bonnie Fujii, Farrington High
• Robin Kitsu, N膩n膩kuli High
• Jo Ann Mastin, Campbell High
• Daniella Reyes, Mililani High
• Cindy Reves, McKinley High
• Eric Stinton, Le Jardin Academy

Noelle Fujii-Oride, a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 alumna, has always been drawn to the impact journalism can have on a community. Now, as the editor of , she鈥檚 at the helm of a nonprofit publication designed to inform, inspire and drive meaningful change across Hawaiʻi.

Fujii-Oride, who previously covered issues such as affordable housing, climate change and education at Hawaiʻi Business Magazine, is no stranger to in-depth reporting. But with Overstory, she鈥檚 leading a different kind of storytelling鈥攐ne that moves beyond breaking news and instead highlights solutions to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most pressing challenges.

“We鈥檙e not just looking at the problems or the challenges that Hawaiʻi is facing,” Fujii-Oride said. “We really want to know how folks are responding to these issues.”

Under her leadership, Overstory aims to add depth and context to the conversation rather than contribute to the overwhelming flood of daily news.

“We look at responses to challenges, using data and evidence to see what鈥檚 working and what can be replicated,” she explained.

东精影业 impact on career

Fujii-Oride鈥檚 journey to this role began at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, where she earned a degree in in the . While in college, the Bay Area native gained hands-on experience writing for , the student newspaper, an opportunity she said was instrumental in shaping her career.

“Working at Ka Leo complemented what I learned in the classroom,” she said. “It teaches you to be brave, be curious and ask the important questions, all while learning how to build meaningful relationships with the community.”

After interning at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Honolulu Civil Beat, she joined Hawaiʻi Business Magazine in 2017, where she became a key voice in coverage on social and economic issues. But after years in the industry, she saw the need for a different type of reporting鈥攐ne that would connect communities with potential solutions to the issues that affect them.

At Overstory, Fujii-Oride is embracing that mission. The publication is an editorially independent program of , a nonprofit dedicated to increasing civic engagement. She believes the nonprofit model provides an advantage, allowing journalism to remain a public service rather than a business.

“With nonprofit journalism, it puts public service at the forefront of what we do,” she said. “It allows us to be intentional in our reporting and really focus on what the community needs.”

As Overstory grows, Fujii-Oride hopes to continue filling gaps in coverage, particularly in solutions-based reporting and neighbor island issues. Living on Kauaʻi, she understands firsthand how different the challenges can be outside of Oʻahu.

“We鈥檙e not trying to replicate what other newsrooms are already doing,” she said. “We saw a gap for more solutions coverage and for neighbor island stories.”

For aspiring journalists, Fujii-Oride has one key piece of advice: explore new avenues and be willing to innovate.

“It鈥檚 a really cool time to be a journalist,” she said. “There are so many new journalism organizations popping up, and it shows that we don鈥檛 have to do journalism the way it鈥檚 always been done.”

, the student-run newspaper at the , earned multiple awards, battling against a thousand other collegiate media outlets nationwide. The newspaper earned second place, two third-place finishes, and an honorable mention from , the nation鈥檚 largest organization dedicated to serving collegiate media. The awards were presented during the 2024鈥疉ssociated Collegiate Press/College Media Association Fall National College Media Convention from October 29 to November 2.

“I鈥檓 incredibly proud of our talented staff, and the best thing is, they鈥檙e using the contest as a learning opportunity to make their work even better,” said Nancy Cook Lauer, a longtime Hawaiʻi Island journalist who is now editorial advisor at Ke Kalahea. “I can鈥檛 wait to see what the team produces for next year鈥檚 contest.”

The winners

Editor-in-Chief Alesi Baldwin won second place for Best Coverage of Diversity and third place for Best Enterprise Coverage of Diversity, for articles from her ongoing feature,

Associate Editor Kealiʻi Rapozo in-depth article, won third place for Best Investigative Sports Story.

Copy Editor Lichen Forster earned an honorable mention for Best General News Story with their article,

Launchpad for budding journalists

Ke Kalahea is always interested in welcoming new talent enabling students to hone writing, art, photography, and management skills all while building their portfolio.

For more information visit the Ke Kalahea website.

A $50,000 donation to will enable the student-driven and community-centered online newsroom at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 to hire its first paid student and professional staff members. Prior to this, all the student contributions to The Mirror have been voluntary, supported by 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 professors.

The donation was made by , a national initiative that aims to address long standing inequalities in journalism coverage and practice in the U.S. by supporting small, local newsrooms that provide original reporting in underserved communities.

“The rapid loss of local media sources in the United States is a huge threat to democracy,” said Hye-ryeon Lee, chair of the (SCI), which houses the journalism program. “The award from Press Forward will strengthen The 惭腻苍辞补 Mirror so that we can better contribute to expanding the news ecosystem in Hawaiʻi and also serve as an important resource to train our students to become conscientious and trustworthy journalists necessary for democracy.”

Founded in 2023 within the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 journalism program, The Mirror aims to teach journalism students how to create impactful local journalism. The free, online and mobile-accessible program enables students to write about a variety of stories that before The Mirror likely would have gone untold, and collaborate with professional media organizations to enhance the quality of local news coverage.

“Support for The Mirror signifies our belief that college news services can provide a vital source of information for communities,” said Marika Lynch, a spokesperson for Press Forward. “We鈥檝e seen this across the country. In areas rural and urban, where few news sources exist, colleges and universities can play an essential role in meeting local information needs. We鈥檙e thrilled The 惭腻苍辞补 Mirror can help fulfill this role in Hawaiʻi.”

SCI is housed in 东精影业 惭补苍辞补鈥檚 .

(EWC) President Suzanne Vares-Lum announced that she will be leaving the center at the end of this year to accept a Department of Defense appointment to head the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) located in Waik墨k墨.

Former EWC Board of Governors Chair and longtime president of Punahou School James Scott will serve as the center鈥檚 interim president while the board undertakes a search for a permanent successor, a process that is expected to take approximately six months. The board has retained the executive search firm of Isaacson, Miller to assist with the search.

“It is with a heavy heart that I will be moving on from the East-West Center, whose amazing staff and community have made my time here some of the most professionally and personally rewarding of my life,” Vares-Lum, a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 alumna, wrote in a message to the center鈥檚 staff and community. “Making the decision to depart this great institution was very difficult, but ultimately I believe this new appointment is the best opportunity for me to draw on my cumulative experiences toward making a positive impact on our region.”

During Vares-Lum鈥檚 three-year tenure at EWC, she oversaw the center鈥檚 recovery from pandemic lockdowns and worked closely with the institution鈥檚 board, staff, and stakeholders to implement EWC鈥檚 first new formal strategic plan in nearly two decades. Both government and private funding have also increased, and enrollment in EWC鈥檚 programs have reached some of the highest levels in several decades.

“While the EWC Board of Governors is pained by President Vares-Lum鈥檚 decision to step down, we certainly respect her reasons for doing so in the interests of serving our country and our region,” EWC Board Chairman and former Hawaiʻi Gov. John Waiheʻe said. “We are thankful to Jim Scott for agreeing to step in as interim president, and grateful for the remarkable energy Suzy has brought to her service at the Center, restoring its vitality in the wake of the pandemic and setting it on a steady course for the future.”

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green, who is an ex officio member of the EWC鈥檚 board and is responsible for appointing five of its other members, added, “Suzy鈥檚 remarkable tenure as the first woman and first Native Hawaiian President of the East-West Center has been a reflection of her inspiring vision, energy, and aloha. Thanks to her leadership, the Center has enjoyed an upwelling of support in recent years, and she leaves it well-positioned as a stronger, more vital institution. Although she will surely be missed at the Center, we are fortunate that she will remain a pillar of our state鈥檚 foreign policy community in her new role at APCSS.”

In 2021, Vares-Lum became the first woman and first Native Hawaiian to lead EWC. Born and raised in Wahiaw膩, Vares-Lum earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism and a master of education in teaching from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, and a master of strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. In 2019, she became a National Security Fellow of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and she is also an alumna of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies.

As a major general in the U.S. Army, Vares-Lum advised the most senior officials at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, where she maintained key relationships among nations within the Asia Pacific Region. She retired from the military in April 2021, after 34 years of service.

Local television, news and public relations professionals engaged with students from the University of Hawaiʻi at for an evening of networking in September. Students were able to meet and share resumes with more than 30 communications industry professionals, many of whom were 东精影业 alumni.

“This event was such a great experience! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with current students, alumni and learn more about the industry and potential career paths,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 student Julia Welch.

A panel discussion featured Dillon Ancheta (BA 鈥�17, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补) “This is Now” anchor and producer, Hawaii News Now; Shere鈥榚 Quitevis (BA 鈥�10, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补) associate vice president of public relations, Anthology Marketing Group; and Filip Humler (BBA 鈥�22, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补) area marketing manager, Outrigger Hospitality Group. It was facilitated by 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 senior Crystal Castille.

“The Post-Grad Communication and Journalism Internship Meet and Greet was a fruitful experience for both students and alumni,” said Castille. “This effort to promote the alumni-student connection strengthens the communications field and provides students with a stable footing in the professional world. The networking and story talk shared throughout the night are conversations I will hold close and will construct my future career path.”

The 东精影业 Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy (OVPAS) recently launched the Post-Grad Success Initiative, which aims to provide internship opportunities to current 东精影业 students through the 东精影业 alumni network.

“东精影业 students are clearly hungry for more opportunities to learn about available internships, and well aware of their importance in developing the soft skills and professional connections they’ll need to ensure post-graduate success,” said Christine Beaule, OVPAS director of workforce development. “We look forward to working with our partners at the 东精影业 Foundation to provide more of these opportunities for students.”

Summer Steinsrud was born in Norway and, as a child, was shy but curious. Lili Hurd, originally from Denver, Colorado, sought a college major focusing on the creative strengths of storytelling. Emma Caires from Sunnyvale, California, appreciates the First Amendment right of freedom of expression. And Alyssa Salcedo, born in the Philippines and raised in Waipahu, is passionate about covering diverse communities.

Different but alike. Unique but on the same career pathway. And all equally inspired as University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (CSS) majors who attended this summer鈥檚 2024 East-West Center International Media Conference (IMC) in Manila, Philippines. Held every two years in a major regional media hub, this year鈥檚 IMC conference was themed, “The Future of Facts,” with a focus on climate change, regional geopolitics and elections.

It was a working trip for the student group from , who wrote daily stories and published them in The 惭腻苍辞补 Mirror news website and its page.

“东精影业ing the conference left me awe-struck,” said Salcedo. “It gave me a glimpse into the challenges faced by journalists around the world, and I was able to contribute by participating in a panel discussion with other young journalists. The connections made and lessons learned are all-important and will be lifelong.”

Gaining experience as a foreign correspondent

The students were accompanied by two CSS adjunct instructors, Annalisa Burgos, Hawaiʻi News Now (HNN) weekend anchor, and David Usborne, a founding member of The Independent British online newspaper.

“This was the first time 东精影业 journalism students had the opportunity to experience reporting in the field as foreign correspondent,” said Burgos, who was an Asia-based journalist before joining HNN.

The students were grateful to go abroad to cover the event, and said the life-changing trip cemented their interest in journalism.

“Never in a million years would I have imagined that I鈥檇 be reporting from Manila as a student,” said Steinsrud, who is interning at HNN this summer.

Never in a million years would I have imagined that I鈥檇 be reporting from Manila as a student.
— Summer Steinsrud

Hurd said what she loves most about journalism is being able to tell different stories through multiple platforms such as photography, video and podcasts.

“What makes my department unique compared to other programs is we鈥檙e encouraged to go out and do things in the field instead of just listening in a classroom,” said Hurd. “There鈥檚 a lot of opportunities to practice our craft and see amazing places like the Philippines. You are traveling and engaging with Indigenous communities in the islands and beyond.”

Added Caires, who hopes to pursue a career abroad after graduation in 2025, “I enjoy the freedom of expression that journalism allows. It鈥檚 not just writing hard news—it鈥檚 intricate storytelling, comic strips, tear-jerking photography, detailed video, carefully chosen words. Within each of these things comes the freedom and encouragement to use your own unique voice, experiences and background to make things matter to people.”

Journalism is a program in the (SCI). Other SCI programs are , , , and .

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