University of Hawaiʻi students helped reimagine an iconic local company by pitching bold new ideas for Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaiʻi at a fast-paced innovation event. Hosted by ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa’s (PACE), the spring 2026 competition took place on March 28 and April 4, at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center.

Community connections take top prize

The team of Danielle Grace Banggo (dietetics, ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa) and Leticia Rodriguez Gutierrez (liberal arts, Honolulu Community College) won the $2,000 grand prize. Their strategy focused on a grassroots “Community Growth Campaign” designed to be both budget-friendly and ready for immediate rollout.

The plan involves deploying Meadow Gold trucks and vans to high-traffic local venues such as the Honolulu Zoo and community marketplaces. By utilizing brand ambassadors to engage directly with families, the team aims to strengthen the bond between the iconic brand and the local community.

“Innovate 808 taught me that your background doesn’t define your ability to make an impact,” Banggo said. “It encourages you to step outside your comfort zone, share your ideas and collaborate with others to create meaningful solutions. This experience empowered me to think creatively, communicate confidently and realize that even small ideas can make a big difference in the community.”

Three other teams won $1,000 runner up prizes, and another team won the $500 innovation award. Beyond the competition, Innovate 808 is designed to connect classroom learning with real-world experience. Students worked in interdisciplinary teams to tackle an active business challenge, building career-ready skills in communication, critical thinking and creative problem-solving while engaging directly with industry professionals.

Creative solutions for a new era

Concepts pitched during the competition included:

• Lani Moo Milk Candy: A sweet extension of the company’s famous mascot
• NIL Deals: Partnering with ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ athletes to reach younger demographics
• POG 2.0: New bottle designs and updated formulations for the passion-orange-guava juice

Kimia Sadeghi, sales and marketing manager for Meadow Gold, said, “I wanted to hear from the next generation and how they think of executing solutions, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaiʻi sponsored the project and prizes.

A “sprint” across all disciplines

Facilitated by Jeff Hui, entrepreneur-in-residence at PACE, the competition is designed to put real-world problems in front of students and see how they meet the challenge through research and innovation.

“The most exciting part for us is seeing students from all disciplines—business, engineering, computer science, art, education, anthropology and food science—coming together to come up with real solutions,” Hui said.

While they were freshmen in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ’ Direct Admit Program, alumnae Amber Abara (BBA ’22, MS ’24) and Morgan “Birdy” Cobb (BBA ’22, MS ’24) crossed paths and quickly became best friends. What they didn’t know then was that their friendship would later spark a business—one inspired by a vivid dream Abara had during their master of science in marketing management program.

In the dream, she saw a soap bar shaped like a gua sha (smooth tool used to massage and stimulate the skin). When she shared it with Cobb, expecting a laugh, Cobb immediately responded, “Let’s do it.” That moment became the spark for a skincare company built around a farm-to-face philosophy.

Abara and Cobb source many of their ingredients from Hawaiʻi farmers they know and trust, rooting their brand in community and sustainability. They also embrace the phrase “confidence from within,” which for them means feeling grounded in who you are the moment you wake up.

Their idea was deeply personal. Both struggled with acne for years and grew exhausted by the constant stream of advice, products and online trends promising perfect skin. They wanted something simpler—clean ingredients they understood, such as coconut oil, shea butter, turmeric, coffee and honey.

“The media details every trick, product and solution for your skin,” Cobb said. “What you eat, what pillowcases you sleep on, what oils, cleansers and tools you need to fix everything. I grew exhausted trying to sort through the advice of every influencer and article on the internet. I needed a product that made my life a little simpler, with ingredients I understood.”

Using sustainable, organic and local ingredients was equally important. Abara, raised in Kāneʻohe, grew up surrounded by lush landscapes and a strong culture of eating local, while Cobb—who moved from Colorado to Oʻahu at 17—quickly embraced Hawaiʻi’s deep connection between land and community. Those values, particularly transparency and environmental care, now guide their brand called .

They took their idea further when a professor encouraged them to enter a (PACE) competition. Preparing for it pushed them to refine their branding, target market and overall vision. Although they didn’t advance, the experience confirmed that their dream had real potential. Later, they applied for and won a Kalo grant through PACE, giving them the seed funding needed to launch.

“I realized that my dream of a gua sha-shaped soap bar could actually become a real business when we won the Kalo grant,” Abara said.

With their entrepreneurial spark ignited—and support from Shidler’s programs—Abara and Cobb created the product they once needed.

For the entire story and more alumni stories, see the .

The (PACE) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is launching its inaugural sustainability series, a semester-long lineup of workshops, funding opportunities and industry events focused on climate, environmental and community-based innovation.

The series is presented in collaboration with the Student Sustainability Council at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ, Elemental Impact and the Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum, and brings together students, founders and professionals working across sustainability-focused sectors.

The began in February with a hands-on kokedama workshop in partnership with Hoʻilina Arrangements, introducing students to plant-based design and environmental stewardship. On March 4, PACE will host “Profit With Purpose: Building Brands That Actually Matter,” a workshop examining how companies integrate sustainability into marketing, product development and brand strategy.

Direct access to career pathways

At the center of the series is a March 10 networking event at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center. The event will connect students with founders from Elemental Impact’s network. Structured networking rotations will allow students to meet each professional in small groups, followed by open networking. The format is designed to provide direct access to career pathways in climate technology, environmental innovation and mission-driven business. .

“Sustainability touches every industry,” said PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama. “By bringing industry professionals and students into the same room, we are helping students see how their academic backgrounds can translate into impact-driven careers.”

Later in March, PACE will open a sustainability-focused round of its Kalo Grant program. , with a live pitch event scheduled for April 16. The grant round will prioritize ventures addressing environmental and social challenges.

The series will conclude April 21, with an Entrepreneurship Live panel in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum, featuring professionals whose work centers on sustainability and community leadership.

PACE, housed in the , serves students across the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ System through experiential entrepreneurship programs, mentorship and applied learning opportunities.

Two University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ students, Amelie Berg and Skylar Conley, have each been awarded a from the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE).

Berg’s project, Well Within, will be a subscription app and platform focused on helping users sustain a healthy mental and physical lifestyle. The platform will connect users and offer access to fitness classes and community events, in one easy-to-use application.

She was inspired by her experience using ClassPass in Australia, where she noticed more options, including beauty services, were available compared to the U.S. She aims for Well Within to collaborate with creators who may not have a large audience, offering activities that are free or more cost-efficient.

Conley’s project, Da Rack, is a mobile retail store that will curate and sell secondhand items, operating via pop-up events. She was inspired to create a mobile concept because many good secondhand shopping locations are not easy to get to without a car. Her goal is to “come to you,” traveling into neighborhoods, shopping malls and other areas not typically located in Honolulu. Conley also plans to source products from local small businesses that align with her brand and vision.

The two were students in the Entrepreneurship in Retail class taught by Mark Odanasan. The Fashion, Design, and Merchandising program is housed in the .

The Kalo Grant Program is a key initiative of PACE, and housed in the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ . It is designed to empower student entrepreneurs across the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ System by providing seed funding to develop and launch new business ventures.

Nearly 60 attendees gathered on October 29, in the Flex Space at RISE at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ for “The Human Connection: Communication Skills for Professional & Personal Success,” an event designed to foster engagement between students and industry professionals. The program featured interactive activities and a lively panel discussion focused on cultivating essential workforce skills.

Professor Hye-ryeon Lee, chair of the , highlighted the importance of proactively developing these capacities.

“Students entering college need to understand that it takes some planning to cultivate and refine these essential skills. And, to those who seek it out, the university offers many wonderful opportunities for improving these skills,” she said.

Get out and connect

The career advice resonated with students preparing to enter the workforce. Exploratory Business major Gervase Ngo was inspired by the discussion on critical thinking, passion and purpose. Senior Aerospace Engineering student Savannah Dubois felt the immediate impact of the panel’s emphasis on connection.

“Something that really hit me was creating that connection with the interviewer or with the person you’re going to be working with,” Dubois said. “I want to be able to show my passion and drive for the work I’m doing.”

For pre-nursing major Triston Chavez, the most memorable piece of advice centered on practical preparation.

“Practice, practice, practice,” he said. “Get out there, talk to more people. Don’t feel afraid to talk in front of crowds.”

Authenticity on paper

Panelists—including Jeff Hui, founder and CEO of Jumpstart AI, Lori Lum of Anthology Marketing Group FINN Partners, and Lisa Park, RN and current doctor of nursing practice student—stressed the crucial role of authenticity in professional communication.

“Empathetic listening is really important,” Park advised.

Lum added, “Do you have an authentic voice and an authentic sense of ‘This is who I am, this is the way I think.’ I want to see that. I want to see that smile come through the paper. I want to be able to see that passion come through the paper.”

Hui encouraged students to use AI to “pressure test” their communication rather than communicate for them.

The event was organized by the School of Communication and Information and co-sponsored by the , and the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ System Office of Workforce Development.

Workforce development is one of the core pillars of the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ System’s Strategic Plan.

A health tech startup improving how community health workers (CHW) document client visits took the $2,000 first place prize in the second annual , hosted by the (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s . The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa students that competed in the two-week challenge.

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

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

Interdisciplinary collaboration

The students in this year’s challenge represented 10 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa colleges and schools. The result was a dynamic combination of technical, social and entrepreneurial ideas to support Hawaiʻi’s community health workforce.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa launched a free artificial intelligence (AI) and data science public lecture series on September 15, with a talk by Eliane Ubalijoro, chief executive officer of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry. Ubalijoro, based in Nairobi, Kenya, spoke on AI governance policies and ethics for managing land, biodiversity and fire.

The event, hosted at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center, was organized by the (ICS) in partnership with the (PACE). It kicked off a four-part series designed to share industry and government perspectives on emerging issues in AI and data science.

“Dr. Ubalijoro’s presentation provided exciting insights on the application of AI as tools in agriculture and agroforestry happening today,” said Loreto Coloma, student in the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ graduate certificate in applied computing and associate director of admissions in the William S. Richardson School of Law. “When these tools draw upon traditional and indigenous knowledge, it guides our decision-making in ways that better align with the values of the people they affect while supporting longer-term goals. And we are also reminded that ethical data practices and community trust are paramount in being able to effectively receive and use this expert knowledge.”

All lectures are open to students, professionals and community members, providing another avenue for the public to engage with ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s new graduate certificate and professional master’s program in AI and data science. The series is tied to ICS 601, the Applied Computing Industry Seminar, which connects students to real-world applications of AI.

“This series opens the door for our students and community to learn directly from leaders shaping the future of AI and data science,” said Department of Information and Computer Sciences Chair and Professor Guylaine Poisson.

PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama added, “By bringing these talks into the public sphere, we’re strengthening the bridge between ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa, industry sectors and Hawaiʻi’s innovation community.”

Three additional talks are scheduled this fall:

• September 22, 12–1:15 p.m.: Rebecca Cai, chief data officer for the State of Hawaiʻi, will discuss government data and AI use cases.
• October 13, 12–1:15 p.m.: Shovit Bhari of IBM will share industry lessons on machine learning.
• November 10, 12–1:15 p.m.: Peter Dooher, senior vice president at Digital Service Pacific Inc., will cover designing end-to-end AI systems.

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ICS is housed in ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s and PACE is housed in ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s .

Students from the (PACE) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa partnered with a Hawaiʻi Island meal delivery service to boost its growth through a new marketing strategy. Their work has helped local entrepreneur Jasmine Silverstein expand her small business, .

The company—which focuses on providing locally sourced, gluten free, fully prepared meals to customers—had primarily relied on word-of-mouth marketing. Recognizing the potential for expansion, she saw an opportunity to work with PACE’s aspiring business leaders to develop a structured growth strategy.

“The students brought fresh ideas and practical solutions that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own,” said Silverstein. “Their expertise in digital marketing, customer engagement and data tracking has already helped me take key steps toward expanding my reach.”

Led by Roma Amor Malasarte (computer science), Hokumalie Serna (marketing), Candide Krieger (education) and Emma Hsu (history), the team tackled challenges such as enhancing website functionality and streamlining the customer checkout experience. Their marketing recommendations included the implementation of A/B testing for coupon codes (trying different coupons to see which works best), exploring strategic partnerships with local gyms and wellness businesses, and refining Meals in a HeartBeet’s social media presence.

“The hands-on experience of working with a real business has been invaluable,” said Malasarte. “We’ve been able to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to help a local entrepreneur grow her business, and that’s what PACE is all about.”

Silverstein refined her brand messaging and added extra protein options to better meet her customers’ needs. As a result, Meals in a HeartBeet has nearly doubled its meal deliveries, reaching new markets while maintaining its commitment to locally sourced, nutritious meals.

“This is a perfect example of how PACE equips students with the skills to be innovative problem-solvers and support Hawaiʻi’s local businesses,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “We’re proud to see our students making a tangible impact.”

Central Pacific Bank’s (CPB) WE by Rising Tide initiative served as the catalyst for this collaboration. The initiative is designed to empower women entrepreneurs through mentorship and growth opportunities, and the PACE students are all recipients of the CPB Foundation Scholarship for Entrepreneurship. Through the initiative, the students connected with Silverstein, eager to apply their skills to a real-world business challenge.

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Fifteen high school students from a STEM-focused girls’ school in Tokyo traveled to Hawaiʻi not just to learn—but to help tackle some of the islands’ toughest social and environmental issues, from reef-safe sunscreen to houselessness.

In July 2025, the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ (PACE) collaborated with Very50, a Japan-based social enterprise accelerator, to bring the group of students from Toshimagaoka Girls’ School to Oʻahu. The partnership provided a cross-cultural and problem-solving learning experience for both the students from Japan, as well as students from ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ.

The week-long, rigorous PACE X Very50 collaboration encouraged students to use STEM skills to solve social and climate issues in Hawaiʻi. Three student teams tackled:

• Testing strips that indicate if sunscreens brought into Hawaiʻi are reef-safe
• A card game to encourage players to create personas to reduce prejudice around houseless individuals
• An app for individuals, such as hikers, who are interested in native and endemic species

To develop their solutions, students interviewed residents and tourists in English to gather information and insights. After her second field day of conducting interviews, Miu Nagase said, “We were able to interview many people on topics such as homelessness and interesting things about the cultures of those we met. I noticed my growth in opening up to talking to people.”

A ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ experience

While on campus, the visiting students worked on their projects at the Walter Dods Jr., RISE Center’s coworking and maker spaces, and were treated to a visit and demonstration of marine bioacoustic equipment at Professor Camille Pagniello’s Marine Innovation Lab for Leading-edge Oceanography.

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ students (Kai Higuchi, art; Timothy Lum, computer science; Landon Momohara, marketing; Kensho Munakata, economics; Kaitlyn Tokunaga, accounting/management information systems and Japanese) assisted by identifying and pointing the students to people and places to conduct interviews; and guiding the teams through prototyping tangible representations of their solutions. On the final day, students presented their projects with demonstrations of their proposed solutions to PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama.

“This collaboration helped students develop an innovative problem-solving mindset,” Fujiyama said. “They brought fresh perspectives to Hawaiʻi’s challenges, and their impressive projects offer tangible steps toward meaningful local impact.”

Ryoh Sugitani from Very50 added, “The project turned out great and I am thankful to the Toshimagaoka and ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ students who participated in this project! Very50 is looking forward to working with ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ again in the future.”

• Related ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ News story: ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ innovation students mentor Japanese students in solving complex Hawaiʻi issues, March 27, 2024

Honolulu’s streetwear scene is about much more than what people wear, it’s a reflection of identity, history and community. A new study by University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ fashion scholars shows how local street style blends surf influences, homegrown brands, and Native Hawaiian culture tell a deeper story about place and belonging in Hawaiʻi.

“Our research shows that Honolulu streetwear is not just a copy of mainland trends; it’s a unique blend rooted in our island’s diverse culture,” said Mark Oandasan, study co-author and (CTAHR) graduate who majored in fashion and design and is a ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ lecturer on the topic. He dove deep into the roots of the state’s street wear along with CTAHR Professor Andy Reilly in “Honolulu Streetwear: A Look into Aesthetics, Style, and Culture,” recently published in .

The team’s research offers a comprehensive look at how Hawaiʻi residents express themselves through contemporary dress, moving beyond the prevalent focus on aloha wear.

The researchers call this expression ‘Moke style,’ which they define as a powerful visual language born from the islands’ blend of outdoor living, a strong sense of community, and an understated pride in Native Hawaiian heritage.

“The emergence of ‘Moke’ style highlights how local identity, including Native Hawaiian culture, shapes what people wear on our streets,” said Oandasan, who grew up in Hawaiʻi. “It’s a tangible representation of ‘local boy’ identity, reflecting a connection to the land, community and the unpretentious spirit of island life, subtly weaving in threads of Native Hawaiian cultural values like respect for the ʻāina (land) and the importance of ʻohana (family).”

Bridging the gap

The study assessed the challenges posed by Honolulu’s geographic isolation. While this distance can hinder the rapid influx of new fashion styles, social media has emerged as a crucial tool for local streetwear brands. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok allow these brands to increase their accessibility and awareness among consumers, bridging the gap created by their remote location.

Expanding fashion research

Oandasan and Reilly hope their research highlights the value of understanding the cultural roots and diverse identities shaping Honolulu’s evolving streetwear scene. They also encourage continued exploration of the vibrant fashion movement in Hawaiʻi.

Oandasan continues to explore local style and culture through a collaborative fashion and design entrepreneur series with the at the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ .