In the Hawaiian language, haʻaheo means pride, dignity and self-respect earned through responsibility. For the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa spring 2026 commencement student speaker, it’s also his middle name—and the focus of his message.

Diego Haʻaheo Ortiz will earn his bachelor’s degree in and from the and address graduates and guests at the morning ceremony on May 16.

“The main thing that I want people to take away is the idea that you don’t have to expect people to be proud of you,” Ortiz said. “As a person that has always wanted to make my parents proud, my mom teaches me and reminds me every day that Haʻaheo is a reminder that they’ll be proud of me no matter what.”

“I always want people to know that whatever they go through in life—the good and the bad—you will always have your support with the people that uplift you.”

Ortiz said he is constantly working with speech coach and PhD student Sanoe Burgess to improve his address.

“I’m very excited,” Ortiz said. “There isn’t a day that has gone by where I haven’t been like, ‘oh, I’m so ready for this.’”

Ortiz also credited his girlfriend, Sam, with inspiring him to focus his message on his middle name.

“She told me that I should write about something that really is a part of me,” Ortiz said.

Balancing school and service

Aside from academics, Ortiz is a legislative aide to State Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz. A 2022 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Ortiz began working at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol through a Hele Imua internship, a state-funded program that places students in public sector roles.

Originally from Kailua, Ortiz balances his work at the legislature with his studies as he prepares to graduate and pursue law school. He has expressed interest in gaining additional experience through an internship with the state attorney general’s office.

At ����Ӱҵ Mānoa, Ortiz credits the College of Social Sciences with helping shape his academic and career path, and describes the university as a “second home” that supported his personal growth.

Meet more amazing ����Ӱҵ graduates

“The thing that really stuck with me was the friends that I got to make, especially during my first year when I was in student housing,” Ortiz said. “I got super lucky because my roommate was my high school friend. Both of us getting away from home, getting to branch out and meet new people, I feel like that really provided us with an environment that gave us the opportunity to learn and grow as people.”

For prospective students thinking about attending college, Ortiz encourages them to “give ����Ӱҵ Mānoa a chance.”

“It’s a good environment to step yourself into the collegiate life, whether that be finding a program that you like, staying in student housing or even participating in athletics,” Ortiz said. “I feel like a lot of kids in Hawaiʻi often overlook ����Ӱҵ Mānoa, and it should be known that it’s a very good university for people to step into their next aspect of their life.”

—By Marc Arakaki

Melissa Mayo’s path to graduation is one of profound resilience, love and the power of perseverance. This spring, as she crosses the stage at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with her bachelor’s degree in , a minor in , and a , she represents a statistical triumph. Less than four percent of youth who experience the foster care system go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.

“I would say proud, excited, nervous, surreal, but grateful,” Mayo shared when asked what words describe how she feels about her upcoming graduation. “I’m proud to be that person for my family.”

Mayo entered the foster care system at age 13. After graduating from Hilo High in 2017, she immediately enrolled at ����Ӱҵ Hilo. However, life soon demanded more of her. At just 20, she adopted her 7-year-old niece. Shortly after, she took in two older nieces who had also entered the foster care system.

• Meet more amazing ����Ӱҵ graduates

Priorities, goals

Balancing full-time advocacy work with the profound responsibility of raising her family, Mayo had to put school on hold in 2022.

“I knew school was important. I knew that finishing my degree was going to get me to where I wanted to be,” she explained. “But I also had to take care of my family at the same time.”

Mayo’s professional work is as inspiring as her personal life. Working two jobs, she serves as a lived-experience advocate at the Children’s Law Project of Hawaiʻi, collaborating with guardians ad litem to determine the best interests of youth in care.

She also works as a Pilina Circle Specialist at EPIC ʻOhana, facilitating crucial peer support and family meetings for foster youth.

These experiences clarified her ultimate dream: to become an attorney to advocate for children in the foster care system.

“I have witnessed first-hand how legal advocacy really makes a difference in kids’ lives, in parents’ lives, and in families’ lives,” Mayo said.

When Mayo returned to ����Ӱҵ Hilo to finish her degree, she found an academic home that embraced her journey without judgment. She credits the unwavering support of the political science department, specifically professors Su-Mi Lee and Sarah Marusek, for helping her navigate her return.

For more, go to .

For nearly 20 years, Rachel Hualani Loo has graced the Merrie Monarch stage on ��ōʻ����� night as an ʻō�����貹, or dancer, with Hālau o Kekuhi. This year, she returned to the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium in a profoundly different role: as the 2026 ��ōʻī Wahine (Queen) of the Merrie Monarch Royal Court.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo alumna and the director of the , Loo has spent over a decade supporting Hawaiian students on their educational journeys. But when the Merrie Monarch Festival committee asked her to serve in this role, the weight of carrying this kuleana (responsibility) for her community felt different.

“Just to be included in all of this—not just the honor on an individual and personal level, but the real honor is continuing to be part of this community in a different capacity,” Loo expressed.

One of the most special things about being in Hilo during Merrie Monarch week is the opportunity to witness the community’s hospitality and ability to hoʻokipa, to host. Whether welcoming family, friends, or hālau hula, Hilo’s community shows up year after year to graciously welcome everyone. Growing up in Hilo and being part of the Merrie Monarch in different capacities has shaped Loo’s own commitment to this practice.

What the Merrie Monarch Festival and its stage represent isn’t lost on her. Loo recalled the words of her Kumu Hula Nālani Kanakaʻole Zane, whose legacy continues to permeate the festival: “She would remind us that this is the biggest stage for hula: an opportunity to share our language, culture, and dance in excellence. It’s an example of Hawaiian excellence at its highest level.”

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A recent public talk at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� shed light on the decades-long fight for justice by Filipino veterans of World War II and the role of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye in advocating for their rights.

On February 27, Colin Moore, associate professor in the College of Social Sciences, presented “Soldiers of a Forgotten Empire: Filipino Veterans and the Politics of Denial,” exploring how more than 200,000 Filipino veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces were denied promised benefits under the Rescission Act of 1946.

His talk examined the plight of Filipino veterans within the broader context of U.S. imperialism and the Cold War, while tracing Inouye’s decades-long efforts to secure justice. Letters written by veterans to Inouye reveal their frustration, anger and disappointment.

Moore’s work draws from extensive archival research, including visits to the National Archives and Records Administration, the Clinton Presidential Library, and the Daniel K. Inouye Papers housed in Hamilton Library’s .

The presentation was followed by a discussion among in-person and Zoom attendees, many of whom had personal connections to Filipino veterans who struggled to access promised benefits.

Neil Abercrombie, ����Ӱҵ Regent and former governor, shared his perspective on advocating for Inouye’s redress legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. are also available to researchers at Hamilton Library.

The hybrid event was organized by the and co-sponsored by ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� and the Daniel K. Inouye Institute (DKI). Moore’s research is part of the , supported by the Inouye Institute.

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The earned high marks in nearly 20 academic subjects in the , with , and leading the way among the highest-ranked programs.

Oceanography ranked No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 7 in the world, atmospheric science placed No. 8 nationally and No. 11 worldwide, and hospitality and tourism management ranked No. 12 in the U.S. and No. 32 in the world.

The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy and is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.

����Ӱҵ Mānoa also posted strong global and national placements across science, engineering, social science and other fields. tied for No. 17 in the U.S. and ranked No. 51–75 worldwide, while ecology and each tied for No. 24 nationally and placed No. 76–100 globally.

Additional ����Ӱҵ Mānoa subjects recognized in the 2025 rankings include communication, education, political science, water resources, biological sciences, civil engineering, food science and technology, environmental science and engineering, agricultural sciences, economics, management and physics.

“These rankings reflect the depth and consistency of excellence at ����Ӱҵ Mānoa,” Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Our faculty are advancing research that matters locally and globally, while preparing students to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world.”

����Ӱҵ Mānoa was evaluated alongside approximately 2,000 universities from more than 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 institutions. The rankings are based on measures such as world-class faculty, world-class research output, high-quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

Other recent rankings:

• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

—By Marc Arakaki

A sophomore has returned from Antarctica after serving as the only participant from Hawaiʻi and the United States on a global expedition focused on protecting the continent beyond 2041.

“It’s one of those places that genuinely shows that we don’t need to go in, and we don’t need to find and exploit things for everything that they have.” — Eric Gee

Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee, an and major in the , with a minor in in the , was one of two Villars Institute Fellows selected for the , a two-week mission that took place in December 2025. The expedition brought young leaders, educators and scientists to Union Glacier Camp, a research and logistics hub deep within Antarctica.

“Antarctica serves as a symbol of hope,” Gee said. “That’s the way I’ve started to see it because in Antarctica, no one has any claim over any territory there. Everyone on Earth owns it. It’s one of those places that genuinely shows that we don’t need to go in, and we don’t need to find and exploit things for everything that they have.”

Led by polar explorer Robert Swan, the expedition centered on strengthening global awareness of Antarctica’s importance to Earth’s climate system. According to the Villars Institute, the continent holds roughly 70% of the world’s freshwater in its ice sheets and plays a critical role in regulating global temperatures, ocean circulation and sea levels.

For Gee, one of the most striking observations came from the temperatures. The team prepared for conditions near -10°F. Instead, temperatures climbed to around 30°F on some days, underscoring the effects of a changing climate. Gee also noted that a thinning ozone layer over Antarctica resulted in higher levels of ultraviolet radiation, requiring additional precautions by the team, as well as adapting to 24 hours of straight sunlight during this time of year.

“You have to wear a specific amount of layers,” Gee said. “If you wear too many layers, you overheat and when you overheat you start to sweat. The moment you sweat, you’re not in a good spot because that sweat will very quickly drop your body temperature and I witnessed that the hard way on some of our excursions.”

Antarctica research, education

Throughout the mission, Gee—a Waikōloa native and graduate of Kealakehe High School—and the international team connected live with classrooms around the world, marking the first real-time educational broadcast from Antarctica. Participants collaborated on scientific activities, including environmental DNA sampling, and tested renewable energy and storage systems designed to function in extreme polar conditions. The work highlighted that research in Antarctica can be powered by renewable energy rather than fossil fuels.

Gee’s inspiration

“I’ve always been passionate about learning how things within our world react and how renewable energy and environmental sustainability play a factor into our day-to-day lives,” Gee said. “My inspiration for that came from being on Hawaiʻi Island, and just seeing [how] the valleys of Waimea and Kawaihae used to be green when I was growing up, and serious drought turned them dark brown.”

A key focus of the expedition was the Antarctic Treaty, which designates the continent as a natural reserve devoted to scientific research, peace, and prohibits mining and commercial exploitation. Its environmental protections are at risk beginning in 2041, when the treaty is up for review, making international conversations and public awareness about preserving one of Earth’s last untouched areas all the more urgent.

Sharing your story

Gee launched @theantarcticdiary on Instagram and encourages young people to get involved.

After returning to Hawaiʻi, Gee will begin sharing lessons from the expedition through school visits, community presentations and public outreach, extending ����Ӱҵ ��ā�ԴDz�’s role in global climate education, youth leadership and environmental stewardship. He recently founded a platform called “The Antarctic Diary,” to share his reflections from Antarctica, and to encourage other young people to share their story and establish mutual connections from around the globe.

“I feel like as a young person and as young people, it is sometimes hard to feel like you really have an impact and that your voice can really hold meaning. It can feel like you’re listened to but not heard, and I feel like that’s what I experienced my entire life,” Gee said. “That’s why I’m proud to announce the launch of my program called The Antarctic Diary.”

����Ӱҵ impact

Gee, who studied abroad in Florence, Italy for his freshman spring semester through the ����Ӱҵ Mānoa Study Abroad Center, called ����Ӱҵ “an extraordinary university.”

“We have many incredible programs and educators who care deeply about their students and our state. I’m thankful for my classes, and the professors and our administration have worked with me to help me make the most of my opportunities, both in and outside of ����Ӱҵ,” Gee said. “The access to different study abroad programs is something I encourage every single student to utilize and take advantage of. I have a lot of interests and commitments, and it means a lot to have the support of the university as I pursue them.”

A alumna from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo represented her homeland, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), at a United Nations meeting on human rights held in Geneva, Switzerland, this fall.

Tamelia Rang, who graduated in December 2024, serves as human rights coordinator at the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs, RMI. Before stepping into that role, she was nominated to represent the RMI as a delegate at the U.N. 60th Session of the Human Rights Council.

The annual meeting ensures that underdeveloped countries and states, in particular those without permanent representation in Geneva, are able to participate and contribute to the work of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

“Participating in the council sessions enabled me to better advance and promote human rights issues that are of primary importance for my region and country, such as climate change, the Nuclear Legacy, gender equality, and right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” said Rang.

‘I want to thank you’

For ����Ӱҵ Hilo professor Su-Mi Lee, the timing was striking. She was getting ready to lead her students through a U.N.-style climate-change exercise while her former student was contributing to an actual U.N. meeting.

“I am very proud of her,” Lee said.

Rang said she frequently finds herself drawing on the lessons and values she absorbed in Lee’s classes.

“I wanted to thank you,” said Rang in an email to Lee, “as all of these (lessons) were very instrumental in helping me contribute and participate meaningfully in international spaces.”

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—By Susan Enright

Inspired by family and supported by the University of Hawaiʻi community, Zach and Courtney Villanueva, ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� alumni and owners of , have built a thriving business specializing in ice cream crafted with organic dairy and local ingredients.

In 2020, the duo started selling ice cream on Instagram, making home deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. This initial success allowed the business to grow from home deliveries to local farmers’ markets, eventually debuting a mobile ice cream truck, and now operating a brick-and-mortar store in the Hoʻopili development of Kapolei. The entrepreneurs are appreciative of the consistent support from the ����Ӱҵ community throughout their expansion.

Zach, who earned a bachelor’s degree in in 2016, said, “Some of our first customers were people from our time [at ����Ӱҵ]. Once they heard we were starting a business, they came out to support which was nice.”

• Related story: Sage Creamery a sweet success for 2 ����Ӱҵ alums

Alumni network

“Majoring in accounting, it was really the network. Being in clubs, meeting people that I still keep in contact with today that are not only friends, but they’re customers,” said Courtney, who earned a bachelor’s degree in in 2012. “We get a lot of support from our classmates, even our professors. They all come by, tell their friends about it.”

The creamery is also a three-time participant in the ����Ӱҵ Alumni Makers’ Market. This annual event, organized by the ����Ӱҵ Foundation Office of Alumni Relations, brings together alumni-owned and led businesses to showcase their products and connect.

“Even though we didn’t necessarily go to school with all of the ����Ӱҵ alumni, a majority of those alumni are local people who have similar stories as us who are on similar journeys,” Courtney said. “It’s nice to be a part of this network, just to be in good company.”

Personal inspiration

The dedication behind Sage Creamery is deeply personal, rooted in the legacy of Zach’s late brother, Daniel, an aspiring entrepreneur who passed away from cancer in 2018. His journals provided the inspiration for the pair to start their business.

“After he had passed, a lot of really amazing things came to light, you could almost say otherworldly. Like he was talking to us even after he passed,” Zach shared. “It was almost as if he knew he was going to pass and almost as if he was passing his legacy onto us.”

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 ��ā�ԴDz�’s . The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of ����Ӱҵ 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 ����Ӱҵ 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.”

A leading voice for Indigenous rights in Aotearoa (New Zealand) will visit the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� on Thursday, October 30, to discuss the future of Indigenous governance and solidarity across the Pacific.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori and a member of New Zealand’s Parliament, will appear in an onstage conversation with Noelani Goodyear-����ʻō��ܲ�, a professor at ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�. The free public event at the art auditorium is hosted by the ����Ӱҵ Better Tomorrow Speaker Series and begins at 6:30 p.m. ()

“We are deeply honored to host the Honorable Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, whose leadership embodies the courage and clarity our times demand,” said Goodyear-����ʻō��ܲ�. “Grounded in the tino rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty) of her people and a visionary in her pursuit of thriving futures for Aotearoa and Oceania, she is not only a parliamentarian but a protector. This dialogue is a rare opportunity to learn from her experience and to strengthen the ties between our nations, connected by our great ocean.”

Standing for justice

Ngarewa-Packer has spent decades defending Māori lands and waters. Before entering Parliament, she led her iwi (people), Ngāti Ruanui, in successful campaigns to block seabed mining off the South Taranaki coast. Those battles continue to guide her work in national efforts for environmental protection, poverty reduction and equity for Māori communities.

The Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, which is organizing the event, is a joint venture of ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�, The Learning Coalition and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, with support from the ����Ӱҵ Foundation.

This event is made possible through the sponsorship of Kaiāulu by Kamehameha Schools, and with additional support from the College of Arts, Languages & Letters, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and William S. Richardson School of Law.

Dane Wicker’s passion for politics and community service began at Leeward Community College, where the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu offered courses close to home. He earned an associate degree in liberal arts in 2006, and continued to work on to ����Ӱҵ West Oʻahu, which was located on the Leeward CC campus at that time.

“The smaller campus setting also made it easier to meet people, build meaningful relationships, and engage with instructors in a way that really shaped my academic experience,” said Wicker.

Wicker earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from ����Ӱҵ West Oʻahu in 2010. Soon after, he stepped into public service, working as a staffer for the Honolulu City Council, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Hawaiʻi State Senate.

“That progression—from local to federal to state—gave me an in-depth understanding of what each level of government is responsible for,” said Wicker. “I’ve been able to bring that perspective to help bridge local needs with state and federal resources.”

Statewide economic leader

Today, Wicker serves as deputy director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, leading statewide initiatives to diversify �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s economy.

“These efforts not only create jobs but help us increase exports, build up local manufacturing, and strengthen food and energy security. Critical to this is the State’s investment in infrastructure, workforce development and aligning our education pipeline—from K–12 through higher education—to meet evolving industry needs,” he said.

Wicker also brings insights from the private sector. His most recent venture is in farming, and he owned and operated a small retail business before that.

“These experiences taught me firsthand how government regulations, access to capital, and infrastructure challenges directly impact small businesses,” Wicker said. “It also drives the work I do in government—to reduce barriers and help more local businesses succeed.”

Reflecting on his journey, Wicker emphasized the importance of staying engaged.

He said, “Staying connected to the ����Ӱҵ alumni ʻohana keeps you rooted in your community and opens doors for mentorship, collaboration and continued learning. It’s also a way to give back.”

More than 30 Hawaiʻi high school students and incoming University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� freshmen participated in the 2025 , a statewide initiative aimed at building future leaders in the field of national intelligence.

The program, offered by the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� , ran from June 16 to 28, and offered participants a free, three-credit university-level course—POLS 120: Introduction to World Politics. All expenses for the students, including airfare, housing, meals, registration and tuition, were paid through the Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative (P3I).

This year’s cohort had a unique opportunity to examine world events in real time as they unfolded during the program.

“Having a war going on between Israel and Iran, [the students] just came with so many questions,” said Jairus Grove, program director and ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� professor. “They wanted to understand why it was happening? Why was the U.S. going to get involved? Should the U.S. get involved? And so I think having a global crisis happening while they had an audience for understanding that crisis was really unique.”

The first week was conducted online, where students studied the foundations of international relations and national intelligence. In the second week, they gathered in person on the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� campus for an immersive experience that included simulation games and guest sessions with national and local intelligence leaders. The students also participated in a day-long field trip to Pearl Harbor, and on June 27, a ceremony was held honoring their achievements.

“Because of this course I’m heavily debating going into political science now. I think it’s really interesting and something that the world is going to need more of,” said Kaimana Lindsay, a West Hawaiʻi Explorations Academy senior.

Madison Au, an ʻIolani School senior, said that the program helped reinstill her passion for political science and history.

“Coming here, I felt really challenged, and I loved it,” Au said. “I would love to work with intelligence and research with sociology and international relations.”

The 2025 cohort reflected a diverse cross-section of Hawaiʻi’s educational landscape, with 39% of participants from public schools, 21% from charter schools and 39% from private schools. Students who successfully completed the program earned college credits applicable toward future degrees.

Launched in 2023, the program continues to provide early college access to Hawaiʻi residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA, helping prepare them for careers in one of the state’s fastest-growing sectors. It supports the university’s ongoing efforts to develop a robust pipeline of local talent in political science and intelligence studies.

A group of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa haumānastudents and faculty travelled through Japan this spring, following the paths of King David Laʻamea Kalākaua’s historic 1881 visit as well as other travels by Hawaiian aliʻiroyalty and haumānastudents in the 19th century. Their nine-day journey in March 2025, part of the ����Ӱҵ Mānoa (NHSS) Hawaiian Youths Abroad (HYA) program, connected them to a pivotal moment in Hawaiian history—one that is being brought back to life.

King Kalākaua traveled the world to build diplomatic relationships and reaffirm those his predecessors and other Hawaiian officials established before him. During his visit to Japan in March of 1881, Kalākaua met with Japan’s emperor to discuss revising established treaty relations between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Japan. That treaty, stored away for 154 years, was retrieved during the HYA Japan visit, providing a rare glimpse into �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s international past.

“As a Kanaka ʻŌiwiNative Hawaiian history student, seeing the original treaty between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Japan was a surreal moment. We were the first, if not some of the very few, to have seen the Japanese version of the treaty in over 150 years,” said Kale Kanaeholo, who is pursuing a PhD at ����Ӱҵ Mānoa. “I felt a sense of both humility and gratitude: haʻahaʻahumility for being in the same room as this living document and piece of our history, and aloha for Mōʻī KalākauaKing Kalākaua.”

Vision of a monarch

The NHSS program is a reincarnation of a 19th century program by the same name created by the Hawaiian Kingdom legislature in 1880 that provided funds to support 18 students who studied in six different countries between 1880 and 1892. These students trained in fields such as engineering, medicine, art, music, military science and foreign languages, with the goal of returning home to serve their nation. Funded entirely by the Hawaiian Kingdom, it was one of the world’s first government-sponsored study abroad programs.

NHSS restarted the program in 2018, and have since designed and implemented 4 Hawaiian Youths Abroad program cohorts, led by Nalani Balutski (research specialist) and Willy Kauai (director) of NHSS within the ����Ӱҵ Mānoa .

This year’s cohort of 13 students and six faculty and staff explored Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

On the journey were two ����Ӱҵ Mānoa haumānastudents with a remarkable connection to the past—Kuʻu Lunn, a graduate student, and Joy Nuʻuhiwa, an incoming graduate student—both direct descendants of one of Kalākaua’s original Hawaiian Youths Abroad students.

Piʻianāiʻa

“The Hawaiian Youths Abroad program has been a tremendous opportunity for me to learn and build upon a legacy of Hawaiian geography. One of the original HYA students was my great-great-grandfather Abraham St. Chad Piʻianāiʻa, who attended St. Chad’s College in Denstone, England. Years later, he returned to use his education in service to his kingdom. As we explore the world, like our kūpunaancestors did, I hope to share the knowledge and connections we gain with my family and community,” said Lunn.

Harbottle Hakuʻole

����ʻ�ܳ󾱷ɲ�’s great-great-grandfather, James Harbottle Hakuʻole, was only 10 years old when he and his brother Isaac were chosen to participate in King Kalākaua’s visionary program to educate Hawaiian youth overseas. In 1882, the brothers from Kīpahulu, Maui, embarked on their journey, among the youngest students selected to study abroad under the king’s initiative.

“It’s pretty heavy,” Nuʻuhiwa reflected. “I didn’t start exploring this history until I heard about this program so it was incredibly meaningful to be able to do this for my family more than anything.”

She found a deep personal connection in walking in her ancestor’s steps.

“To know that we had similar experiences even if it was just trying to navigate Japan…being Hawaiian in Japan and knowing both languages, knowing he also spoke Japanese. To think that maybe if we ever met, we would’ve been able to speak and understand each other in that way.”

Aliʻi footsteps

The NHSS group retraced Kalākaua’s steps from 144 years ago, visiting some of the same train stations, palaces, temples, and even the former site of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s consulate in Shiba.

NHSS hopes to continue to engage future students in international educational experiences and training around the world in service to the �����ܾ�nation.

“The Hawaiian Youths Abroad program is emblematic of NHSS programming design and philosophy, which engages students in research, history, and the educational excellence of kūpunaancestors who came before,” said Kauai.

Bridging past and present

The inaugural HYA cohort traveled to France and England in 2018, followed by a journey to England and Italy in 2019. In 2024, ����Ӱҵ Mānoa students and faculty followed the path of 19th-century Hawaiians in Tahiti, exploring the legacy they left behind. A fifth iteration of the program is slated for summer 2026 to focus on the Hawaiian footprint in the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver to San Francisco. For each program, a tailored curriculum is developed that explores the themes of Hawaiian education, diplomacy and travel to those particular countries from the 19th century. To date, 48 Hawaiian undergraduate and graduate students from ����Ӱҵ Mānoa participated in the NHSS HYA program.

Empowering haumāna

This year’s program is sponsored by the ����Ӱҵ Mānoa Provost Office Innovative Initiatives program and Ka Papa Loʻi o Kānewai Alakaʻina project. Supplemental support was also provided for students by various departments: political science, history, geography, educational administration, communication & information science and the Hawaiʻinuiākea Keaweawe a Kalākaua fund.

NHSS is housed in ����Ӱҵ ��ā�ԴDz�’s . For more on their journey, .

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

Kathleen Hagan

Kathleen Hagan is a professor of nursing at ����Ӱҵ Maui College, with almost 18 years of service as an undergraduate educator. She has championed integration of the Kaʻao Framework (����Ӱҵ Maui College’s framework for student success) into the nursing curriculum, and has taught every required course.

An avid lifelong learner and volunteer, Hagan consistently seeks out opportunities for her students to engage in community education and advocacy to advance their learning as well as the health of our island ʻohana.

“She has created an environment where learning goes beyond simply acquiring knowledge; it’s about cultivating our character and discovering the qualities that will make us compassionate, capable healers in our careers,” said a student.

Hagan believes college should be a transformational experience, instilling knowledge skills, and attitudes not only for career advancement, but also for civic engagement and life fulfillment.

Another student said, “Her warmth and professionalism have left a lasting impression on me.”

Nicholas Krueger

Nicholas Krueger is an instructor in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management at ����Ӱҵ Hilo. He is known for his dynamic instruction, community-based research and deep investment in student success.

A ����Ӱҵ Hilo graduate, Krueger returned to his alma mater to teach and lead research in agronomy, soils and animal science. He involves students in funded research tackling real-world challenges—from fermentation science to methane reduction in livestock—while mentoring them through writing, experimentation and presentation.

“I know for a fact that everyone feels comfortable and welcomed by Nick; to make mistakes, sound silly, or just be flat out wrong,” said a student. “And when it comes to learning, that makes all the difference in differentiating sheer luck and memorization from understanding.”

Krueger’s approachable style, high expectations, and commitment to real-world application have made him a transformative educator shaping the future of Hawaiʻi agriculture.

Mark Nartatez

Mark Nartatez is an instructor, the Dental Assisting Program director, and the clinical education coordinator at Kapiʻolani Community College. With more than 18 years of clinical and administrative experience, Nartatez brings industry expertise and a student-centered approach to the Dental Assisting Program.

Nartatez’s instruction integrates textbook knowledge with real-world application, ensuring students meet dental accreditation standards while emphasizing technological integration, critical thinking and compassionate care. His holistic approach encourages students to grow beyond technical skills and see themselves as educators, advocates and changemakers capable of influencing their peers and the broader healthcare community.

“Mark consistently demonstrates an innovative approach to education, creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences for his students,” shared one student. “One notable example of his creativity is incorporating case studies based on real-life scenarios students may encounter in the dental field. What sets Mark apart is his commitment to creating a learning environment where students feel heard and valued.”

Colleen Rost-Banik

Colleen Rost-Banik is an instructor in the Department of Sociology in the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� College of Social Sciences. She sees the classroom as a reflection of society, shaped by the wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives students bring. Over the course of a semester, she believes students have a valuable opportunity to learn from one another and engage in collective exploration.

Rost-Banik emphasizes the importance of consistent practice in understanding sociological concepts, encouraging students to develop their skills through reading, writing and critical thinking. She acknowledges that meaningful learning takes time, patience, effort—and often involves trial and error.

Her courses also prioritize the values of care and community, which she believes are crucial to both the classroom and broader society. She believes supporting one another is key to success.

Student feedback highlights the impact of her approach. One student shared that her class was “filled with lots of exciting information on different theories and sociological perspectives,” and helped them gain practical skills such as conducting surveys and analyzing visual information.

Sara Maaria Saastamoinen

Sara Maaria Saastamoinen is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science in the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� College of Social Sciences. She is also an exhibiting artist, abundant futures consultant and community organizer.

Coming from a long line of Karelian (Northern European region) teachers, she credits her family with inspiring her early passion for political inquiry and creative expression. Her courses explore topics such as the everyday politics of water and the societal sacrifices that sustain American political systems.

Students nominated her for fostering creativity and inclusivity, encouraging expression through formats such as sculptures, short stories, mixtapes and monologues.

“Sara’s commitment to deeper understanding challenged us to think critically about our choices and their broader implications for humans, the environment and other living beings,” one student wrote.

Another shared, “I have never learned as much as I did in Sara’s class—it will positively affect the way I view things and the kind of person I am for the rest of my life.”

The Ballroom Dance Club at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� defended its national championship at the (NCDC), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 28–30.

Competing against more than 40 colleges, ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� won first place once again for “highest point average,” as well as second place for both the overall team championship and the formation team competition, asserting its place as the ballroom dance college team to beat in the U.S. Winning top honors in the highest point average requires all members of the team to perform exceptionally well in all events.

The dancers are trained and coached by Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti (choreographer and instructor). Narayan and Sumukti also represented Hawaiʻi in the amateur USA Dance National DanceSport Championships in the senior age division.

“It was an incredibly proud moment to defend our highest point average victory—it speaks volumes about our team’s dedication and passion,” said Narayan, co-instructor of the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� Ballroom Dance Club and an adjunct faculty member in the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� . “To finish second overall against such fierce competition is a testament to the discipline and the hundreds of hours of hard work that our students put into their training.”

Two years of success

This was just the second year the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� team competed at the national competition since the formation of the club in September 2022. Last year, the students took first place for “highest team average” and finished in fourth place overall.

“Nationals was one of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks I’ve ever accomplished,” ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� computer science student Shaelyn Loo said. “Being able to dance and compete with such supportive coaches and teammates helped ease the nerves of competition so I could focus on having fun and performing.”

Andrew Lin, a ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� computer science student, added, “Nationals was an unforgettable experience that evoked a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, frustration, acceptance, pride and gratitude. Despite the challenges, the friendships we forged, lessons we learned and our love for ballroom dancing made it all worthwhile.”

Endurance competition

The 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.) and age level (youth, collegiate, adult, senior, etc.). Each student danced in approximately 15 to 32 different events in both the collegiate and adult age categories at the bronze and silver skill levels. They competed in all four styles of ballroom dance including International Standard (waltz, foxtrot, tango and quickstep), American Smooth (waltz, tango, foxtrot and viennese waltz), American Rhythm (chacha, rumba, swing and bolero) and International Latin (samba, chacha, rumba and jive). Several students took individual first place awards in their respective divisions defeating up to 70 other competitors in some competitions. The NCDC trip was designed to give the team exposure to a collegiate competition, as Hawaiʻi has no statewide collegiate ballroom competitions.

An audience member and parent of a high school junior said, “Thanks to your team, my daughter (who has never done ballroom dance before) wants to join your team and is now seriously considering the University of Hawaiʻi as an option for her undergraduate studies.”

More about the Ballroom Dance Club

The Ballroom Dance Club offers beginner classes to all ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� 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, ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� athletics department, Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi and USA Dance, Inc. for facility and financial support.

����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� 2025 nationals team roster:

• Ravi Narayan, faculty (computer science) and coach
• Synthia Sumukti, coach
• Florence Liu, faculty (math)
• D’Elle Martin, architecture
• Julietta Lopez, architecture
• Epsilon Austin, biotechnology
• Luis Hernandez, computer engineering
• Yong-Sung Masuda, computer science
• Courtney Hisamoto, computer science
• Elijah Saloma, computer science
• Shaelyn Loo, computer science
• Andrew Lin, computer science
• Michaella Villanueva, computer science
• Alexander Picken, Earth science
• Kyoko Suzuki, environmental science
• Mayumi Watanabe, hospitality
• Christopher Ramirez, linguistics
• Gregory Snyder, mechanical engineering
• Matthew Rummel, political science
• Andrea Siochi, psychology
• Sydney Kim, alumni, computer science
• Jason Aguda, alumni, computer engineering
• Wilson Tran, alumni, computer science
• Emily Pham, alumni, computer engineering

Formation team

Swing

Viennese Waltz

Waltz

A prominent philanthropist and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., shared insights on shifting national security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific during a presentation at Bachman Hall on March 25, at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�. Glen S. Fukushima, a former U.S. diplomat, highlighted a need for more policymakers from the islands who have knowledge of the political landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.

Fukushima’s talk, part of the ����Ӱҵ Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, emphasized how national security in the region has changed over the past decade. He outlined key challenges for the U.S. in ensuring security in Asia, such as in maintaining consistent policy over time, implementing a coherent strategy and coordinating effectively with allies. He also stressed the need for more voices from Hawaiʻi who have real-world experience in Asia.

“I really would like Hawaiʻi to be more represented in the Washington policy mix because what I find is that despite the importance of Asia, there are very few people in senior positions in the U.S. government who have had experience in Asia and who can speak and read Asian languages and have had real experience working in Asia,” Fukushima said.

Hawaiʻi, he noted, holds significant advantages in this area. “There’s just a lot that Hawaiʻi has in terms of the University of Hawaiʻi, the East-West Center, and others that are experts in Asia.”

Vast expertise

����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� has long been recognized for its excellence in Asian and Pacific Islands studies. The ����Ӱҵ Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs (CIPA), established in 2022 with congressional funding, serves as a think tank addressing security challenges and providing student development opportunities.

“When we did an inventory, we were surprised that in addition to our area experts, we have at our area centers are faculty across the campus, across disciplines with expertise in the Indo-Pacific,” said Petrice Flowers, director at CIPA.

Fukushima’s presentation was sponsored by the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� Center for Japanese Studies, College of Social Sciences, Better Tomorrow Speaker Series and East-West Center.

More on Fukushima

Fukushima is vice chair of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and former Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for Japan and China.

Twenty two academic subjects at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� 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’s 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,” ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno said. “They reaffirm our university’s reputation for excellence and innovation, not just in Hawaiʻi, but on a global scale. For the communities we serve and the students considering ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�, these rankings are a powerful endorsement of the exceptional education and opportunities we provide.”

����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� 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 Elsevier 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

����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� also received these notable rankings:

• ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� 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

Ninety-one year old Thomas Mui will finally complete his master’s degree in political science at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� this fall, more than 70 years after first starting his graduate studies.

Mui, who will turn 92 in April, originally completed his coursework for a government degree, now called political science, in the mid-1950s but never finished the then-required thesis. Instead, he went on to earn a law degree from Fordham University in New York and spent 60 years practicing law in Hawaiʻi.

����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�’s and worked together to create a unique pathway for Mui to complete his degree. Rather than a traditional thesis, Mui provided a report about his academic experiences and the university’s government program in the 1950s.

Mui said that he was inspired to finish his degree after 105-year-old Virginia “Ginger” Hislop received her graduate degree from Stanford earlier this year.

“You’re never too old to get a degree,” Mui said with a smile. “It has meant a lot because this is the accumulation of work that was done.”

Mui’s interest in government and politics began at a young age. His father was consul general for the Republic of China in Hawaiʻi from 1932 to 1946, before he was appointed as Ambassador to Cuba. Mui attended school in Cuba and the East Coast to be closer to his family.

Experience at ����Ӱҵ in the 1950s

Mui arrived as a student in 1950, just as the Korean War broke out, and was part of the university’s ROTC program. The campus was dramatically different then—a collection of neoclassical buildings near what was once a pig farm, with temporary structures and veteran housing scattered across the grounds. He recalls playing Canasta in Hemenway Hall instead of studying.

The university was experiencing rapid transformation during this time. The campus was expanding, with new buildings and programs emerging, including Saunders Hall, named after Allan Saunders, one of Mui’s professors and a prominent local civil rights advocate.

“����Ӱҵ has meant a lot because it was sort of the launching pad for everything else,” Mui said. “And when I got the launching pad, after that, I gained a lot of experience.”

Mui’s academic journey intersected with significant moments in Hawaiʻi’s political history. During his time at ����Ӱҵ, he worked closely with Spark Matsunaga, who later became a U.S. senator, and was involved in local political campaigns. After completing his law degree, Mui worked as a deputy public prosecutor, practiced private law and served as an administrative assistant to Matsunaga. He was also personally sworn into practice by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren and met President John F. Kennedy.

Mui’s degree completion represents more than an academic milestone. It symbolizes a lifelong commitment to learning and public service that has spanned decades of political and social transformation in Hawaiʻi, and highlights the university’s flexibility and commitment to recognizing long-term academic pursuits. Mui completed the remaining credits this fall, finally earning the master’s degree he began pursuing nearly 70 years ago—a testament to the enduring value of education and personal determination.

“Some students have asked me about (tips for success) and I said, ‘can you tell me what trends there are? What is Pascal? Who was Jimmy Stewart? Who was Doris Day?’ Because these were the buzzwords back in 1954, 1955,” Mui said. “Today I assume the buzzwords are Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise, C++, Java. Decades from now, how many of the brand new students are going to know who Taylor Swift is? So the only thing you can gain in using your ����Ӱҵ degree is experience, and that is the most important thing, experience. The other advice I give people is: the only thing you have is time. Don’t waste it.”

—By Marc Arakaki

A transformative experience. That’s how PhD students at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (CSS) described their week at an institute on global indigeneities in Seattle, Washington.

Among the CSS attendees were Kammie Tavares from Waiʻanae, Oʻahu, and Randizia Crisostomo from Barrigada, Guåhan (Guam)—whose stories reflect resilience, identity and the importance of finding community in academia.

At the institute, graduate students with interdisciplinary and decolonial research interests gained not only professional tools, but personal support. For Tavares and Crisostomo, the experience provided a sense of connection and purpose that extended beyond the classroom.

Tavares, a PhD student in , has always been fascinated by the relationship between people and places. Starting her academic path studying the geology of sandy beaches, she eventually realized her true interest lay in exploring the human aspect of these spaces.

“I first studied geology, but I wanted to explore how people interact with these environments,” she shared.

Especially memorable was a day spent in the Suquamish Nation paddling canoes in the Salish Sea.

“It was representative of our journey navigating our PhDs as Indigenous peoples,” Tavares reflected.

That day allowed her to connect deeply with other Indigenous scholars on similar paths.

Healing through art and politics

Crisostomo, a PhD student in in the , drew inspiration at the institute from her CHamoru heritage and a commitment to healing through collective grief using art and storytelling. To her, Indigenous politics isn’t just academic; it is personal.

“It’s fueled by my everyday lived experiences, especially as a CHamoru woman deeply connected to the political structures that shape, influence and interest with Micronesia and the broader Oceania region as a whole,” she explained.

Crisostomo was also deeply affected by paddling on the Salish Sea, and was nervous about the experience until she met an elder who reframed her thinking.

“I was told to be fully present in the relationship with the water,” she said. “The elder said as long as you paddle, the canoe will hold you. As long as you keep moving, you’ll stay afloat.”

In addition to Tavares and Crisostomo, two other CSS Indigenous politics PhD students—Ciera ʻIhilani Lasconia and Sara Maaria Saastamoinen—attended the institute.

����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz�’s participation in the Summer Institute on Global Indigeneities (SIGI) is coordinated through , the Native Hawaiian initiative in the College of Social Sciences.

Applications for SIGI 2025 will open soon. For more information, contact Kamakana Aquino, CSS Native Hawaiian coordinator, at (808) 956-2581 or cssnhi@hawaii.edu.

.

The (AHI-SP) at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (CSS) celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2024 on July 26. The groundbreaking program, which expanded from 30 high school participants in 2023 to 40 this year, is quickly becoming a high-demand opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors in Hawaiʻi.

“AHI-SP is more than a summer program,” said Jairus Grove, AHI-SP program director and chair and professor. “It offers high school students statewide an unparalleled educational experience and a workforce pathway to career success in the growing field of national intelligence.”

Held July 5–27, 2024, AHI-SP provided a comprehensive curriculum developed by the Department of Political Science. The program included a three-week online component (July 5–20) followed by an immersive in-person residence week on the ����Ӱҵ ����ԴDz� campus (July 21–27). The high-schoolers explored the basics of international relations and national intelligence, laying a solid foundation for future studies and careers.

Said CSS Dean and Economics Professor Denise Eby Konan, “The holistic curriculum blends the theoretical knowledge with practical skills, equipping the state’s next generation of leaders with the tools needed to excel in this dynamic and critical field. The program not only enhances students’ academic credentials, but also provides valuable insights and hands-on experiences directly applicable to future careers.”

One AHI-SP participant was Cash McCloud, a 17-year-old from Lahaina who lost his home in the Maui wildfires last year and relocated to Kailua two months ago.

“When I heard about the AHI program, I immediately knew it would be the perfect opportunity for me,” said McCloud, who will be a rising senior at Kalaheo High in the fall. “Political philosophy is my greatest passion, and being able to explore these complex topics—so related to what I hope to define my future with—was exciting.”

Added AHI-SP participant Trinity Guillen, a 17-year-old rising senior at Kauaʻi’s Kapaʻa High, “I really liked this program, because it gave me a better sense of what I want to do for a career. I’m interested in chemical engineering, and perhaps later pharmaceutical engineering, and was especially fascinated by the topic of nuclear warfare. So watching the (1983) movie WarGames as a group was super interesting.”

The AHI-SP Class of 2024 included high school students from Kauaʻi, Maui, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island, with 60% coming from neighbor islands. Additionally, the program had strong participation among female students and from Hawaiʻi State Department of Education high schools and charter schools.

Participants who successfully completed the program earned three college credits for POLS 120: Introduction to World Politics, the first course in the intelligence studies course sequence at CSS.

Expenses for AHI-SP students, including registration, tuition/fees, airfare and on-campus housing/meals, were paid through the Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative, a public-private partnership that develops a skilled workforce in Hawaiʻi.