Micah Tutuvanu came to college searching for direction but found something more enduring, a belief in himself. Graduating from Kapiʻolani Community College with a liberal arts degree with a concentration in psychology and a certificate in sustainability, Tutuvanu reflects on a journey shaped by self-discovery and perseverance.

Growing up in Salt Lake and attending Moanalua High School, Tutuvanu described himself as a below-average student who was not involved in extracurricular activities and unsure if college was within reach.

“I had a fixed mindset that I wasn’t a good student, that I wouldn’t succeed,” he said. “Kapiʻolani CC changed that.”

Navigating challenges and finding direction

As a first-generation college student, the youngest of three brothers and a Lunalilo Scholar, Tutuvanu’s transition to college was not easy. In his first year, he commuted daily from Mililani, spending about two hours each day on the bus, using that time to rest between classes and work.

Tutuvanu began without a clear path, initially pursuing biology while trying to find where he fit. Along the way, he stepped away from college to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a dental assistant, returning with a renewed sense of purpose and direction in clinical psychology.

“Kapiʻolani CC taught me how to navigate institutions as a Native Hawaiian, Samoan, first-generation college student,” he said. “My journey has been figuring things out.”

Leadership and campus involvement

Tutuvanu immersed himself in campus life, while also working at Oeno Winery and Milk Market Hawaiʻi. He became involved with the Center for Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, rejoined Student Congress, and co-founded both the Sustainability Club and the Rooted Christian Club. He also mentored Pacific Islander students and was recognized with the campus’s distinguished NeÊ»epapa Award.

Through mentorship, campus involvement and peer support, He became active in Student Congress, contributing to efforts that helped lower summer tuition across the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges.

“Kapiʻolani CC provided me with life skills, time management, leadership, to move into my next step,” he said.

Building a support system and looking ahead

Tutuvanu navigated personal hardships and built a strong network of support through mentors and peers. He credits his parents, mentor Shannon Sakaue and friend Jenny Brown for providing a foundation throughout his time at Kapiʻolani CC.

Meet more amazing ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ graduates

“Micah is a determined individual, who knows how to survive through any circumstance,” said Sakaue, Kapiʻolani CC Student Congress faculty advisor and counselor. “He has grit, focus and intentionality behind his work. He is a role model to his peers, and I look forward to watching where his life journey will take him.”

Looking ahead, Tutuvanu has been accepted to several universities and while he decides where he will transfer to, he plans to continue in psychology, aspiring to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology or education.

“The hardships I experienced influenced my decision,” he said. “I want to give back in the way that I was supported.”

The typical stress of a college semester paled in comparison to the sudden and frightening circumstances Nina Kapuni faced when she had to quickly leave her Hawaiʻi Island home in 2024 with her young son, to protect them from circumstances that placed their safety at risk.

“It was a really difficult and overwhelming experience,” said Kapuni, a single mother currently pursuing her master’s in counseling psychology at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Hilo. “I realized we needed to leave right away to be safe.”

With no savings, Kapuni did not have the financial resources to secure stable housing. At the encouragement of a faculty member, she reached out to , which provides student support services, including access to emergency funding.

She applied for support and spoke with Sherri Akau, ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ±á¾±±ô´Ç’s acting senior director of student care and conduct. Within days, Kapuni learned her request had been approved.

‘Beyond being an advocate’

“Sherri started by taking the time to talk with me,” Kapuni said. “She really heard me and saw me when I couldn’t see myself. She went above and beyond being an advocate for me.”

Akau and Kaleb Matthews, interim coordinator for , are central to advancing student support services at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Hilo. They see firsthand how access to resources—such as (which provides food, supplies, clothes and hygiene items) and emergency financial assistance—can help students to persist and succeed.

“Many students carry a deep sense of hesitation or discomfort when it comes to seeking support for basic needs,” said Akau. “An important part of our role is to help shift that perspective and remind students that reaching out for support is not a weakness, it is a courageous and necessary step toward continuing their education and overall well-being.”

Helping thousands of students

Demand has skyrocketed from 2,000 students who used the pantry in 2024 to 5,000 projected by the end of 2026. This led to a network of strategically placed “food hubs” across campus.

“Creating this food pantry network helps reduce that barrier by making food readily available in the spaces where students already gather, ensuring they have consistent access to something to eat throughout the day,” said Matthews.

Your gift to the helps ensure that unforeseen circumstances, such as Kapuni’s, do not disrupt a student’s ability to persist and succeed.

Read more about ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ±á¾±±ô´Ç’s .

Now in its sixth decade, the Merrie Monarch Festival draws visitors from across the state and beyond, celebrating Hawaiian culture through hula, music, and artistry. The influx of visitors also supports independent marketplaces throughout Hilo, where local businesses can showcase their work.

Two University of Hawaiʻi alumni—Summer Shiigi of Ten Tomorrow and Lana Gronwald of Jules and Gem Hawaii—are vendors at the Mākeke Naniloa marketplace at the Grand Naniloa Hotel, returning to Hawaiʻi Island after participating together last year.

Shiigi, a former ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa psychology student, runs and designs the resort women’s clothing brand Ten Tomorrow.

“My family is from Hilo, so being able to go and visit for work is really special to me,” said Shiigi. “It’s an exciting time. It feels very meaningful and deep and cultural.”

Gronwald, the owner and founder of Jules and Gem Hawaii, a luxury fragrance brand, graduated from ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

“Merrie Monarch is a special time. It’s beautiful to see all the different artists that come out and all those small businesses that are truly local who come from here and have roots in Hawaiʻi,” said Gronwald.

Supporting local businesses

Both businesses make their products in Hawaiʻi. With customers and businesses converging in Hilo, both women are appreciative of the opportunities it presents.

“The dollars being spent all with local companies is something really beautiful,” said Shiigi. “Being able to have that hard earned dollar spent in a local community and turning it back into someone who’s based here, who has local employees, who might even make things here, I think that’s really important.”

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, ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 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’s 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 @¶«¾«Ó°ÒµM—a registered independent organization at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 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 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 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 @¶«¾«Ó°ÒµM 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 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 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 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 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, ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 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.

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 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 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Elijah Saloma and Michaella Villanueva dancing the International Quickstep in the Collegiate Team Match where ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 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)

Five subject areas were placed in the world’s top 1%, and an additional four earned top 2% honors in the 2026 , released on January 21.

Education led the way, ranked in the No. 101–125 tier, followed by physical sciences at No. 126–150, arts and humanities at No. 151–175, and law and life sciences each at No. 201–250. To qualify in the world’s top 1%, rankings must be within the top 250 in the world () ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

“We are proud that ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa continues to be recognized globally, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, research and the student experience,” ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, who make ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa a truly exceptional place.”

All ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa rankings:

• Education studies: No. 101–125
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 151–175
• Law: No. 201–250
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Computer science: No. 501–600
• Engineering: No. 501–600

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 425–1,555 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026
• 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, .

For their research into therapeutic strategies aimed at combating Alzheimer’s disease, two University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ undergraduate students earned an award at an international biomedical meeting in October.

Christine Lau and Marie Ishida traveled to Daejeon, South Korea, to attend the 13th International Symposium on Selenium in Biology and Medicine. They delivered a poster presentation and an oral presentation describing their work. Lau and Ishida were recognized with an award for Top Poster Presentation from the publisher Springer–Nature.

Lau and Ishida conduct research under the mentorship of ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Researcher Daniel Torres at the , where they study the ability of the micronutrient selenium to counteract the production of tau and beta–amyloid, two proteins involved in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Lau is double majoring in psychology and molecular and cell biology, and recently started her BAM (bachelor’s and master’s) combined degree program for educational psychology. She hopes to go to medical school and become a forensic psychiatrist.

Ishida is majoring in biology, and is working toward attending medical school and becoming a physician. She said, “the symposium was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to witness the various projects that researchers are conducting.”

The University of Hawaiʻi’s three 4-year universities earned national recognition in the U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings released on September 23, including four top 10 regional rankings for ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ West Oʻahu.

, and were ranked among the top 4-year institutions by U.S. News and World Report out of based on up to 17 measures (depending on ranking category) of academic quality, including graduation and retention rates, peer assessments, financial resources and student excellence.

“These rankings reflect the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students across all three ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ 4-year campuses,” ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ President Wendy Hensel said. “They show that we are continuing to provide Hawaiʻi students with a high-quality, affordable education while preparing them to lead in their communities and beyond.”

The flagship campus of the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ System ranked No. 92 as a top U.S. public university; No. 122 for best colleges for veterans; No. 169 overall in the country; and No. 189 in social mobility, which measures how well schools graduated students who were federal Pell Grant recipients.

The came in at No. 109 among the best undergraduate business programs out of 533 ranked undergraduate business programs.

The is the No. 118 best undergraduate nursing program among 686 ranked undergraduate nursing programs.

The in the ranked No. 139 for best undergraduate economics programs in the nation.

The placed No. 150 among the best undergraduate engineering programs that offer doctoral degrees in the country.

The in the ranked as the No. 177 best undergraduate computer science program out of 601 ranked programs.

The in the ranked No. 196 out of the top 682 best undergraduate psychology programs in the nation.

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Hilo ranked No. 178 as a top U.S. public university, No. 204 for social mobility and No. 329 overall among the top 434 national universities—a classification based on offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, emphasizing research, as explained in the rankings categories below.

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ±á¾±±ô´Ç’s is the No. 186 best undergraduate nursing program in the country, the placed No. 254 among the 533 best undergraduate business programs, and the ranked No. 297 out of the best 682 undergraduate psychology programs.

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ West Oʻahu ranked No. 3 for best public colleges in the West, No. 3 for best colleges for veterans among regional colleges in the West, No. 8 overall among regional colleges in the West (two spots higher than last year and five spots higher than the year prior) and No. 8 for social mobility for regional colleges in the West (five spots higher than last year and 13 spots higher than the year prior).

Ranking categories

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa and ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Hilo were ranked in the national universities category, which featured institutions that offer a full range of undergraduate majors, master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research or award professional practice doctorates.

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ West Oʻahu is in the regional colleges in the West category, which includes schools that focus on undergraduate education and grant fewer than 50% of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s doctoral program in (CSP) has been reaccredited by the (APA) through 2035. The 10-year period is the maximum term given by the association.

“Accreditation is a vital process in clinical psychology, and we are proud that our program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association for more than five decades,” said Associate Professor and Clinical Training Director Anthony Papa, who led the reaccreditation effort. “This recognition affirms that our program prepares clinical psychologists to excel at the highest standards of professional practice—in clinical care, administration, supervision, research and teaching—across the many public and private institutions that serve the people of Hawaiʻi and beyond. APA accreditation also ensures that our graduates are qualified to pursue licensure in every state and to serve in the VA and other federal agencies nationwide.”

CSP is a full-time, 5-year program that integrates science and practice to enhance psychological knowledge, health and well-being. Its main goal is to equip graduates with skills to alleviate human suffering through an integrative psychological clinical science approach.

Since its establishment in the fall of 1970, CSP has graduated more than 200 clinical psychologists who have gone on to careers as clinicians, administrators and supervisors in hospitals, mental health centers, private practice and other health service settings, as well as teachers and researchers at universities and research hospitals in Hawaiʻi and across the country. CSP, which has been accredited by APA since 1972, currently has 31 students enrolled.

The is housed in the (CSS).

See the on the CSS website.

What if your first college class took you more than 4,000 miles from home—and gave you an entirely new view of the world?

That’s exactly what 10 freshmen at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ experienced this summer in the ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Academy Kagoshima, a unique pre-college program developed and administered by the (CSS). Held July 8–29, 2025, the innovative three-week program combined academic coursework with full cultural immersion. It began with four days of classes at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa followed by 11 days in Kagoshima, Japan where students engaged in academic and cultural classes, activities and experiences. The group then returned to ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa for final presentations.

“By immersing themselves in Japan’s history and society, Mānoa Academy participants gained a fresh perspective on study topics including peace, leadership, collective action and cross-cultural communication,” said CSS Dean Denise Eby Konan, founder and executive director of ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Academy.

‘A bridge of humanity’

For -bound student Noah Aoki, a graduate of Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy, the experience was deeply humanizing.

“Spending time with my partner at Kagoshima University made me realize that all people desire peace, which is the ability to reconcile differences between each other appropriately,” said Aoki. “Even though we live in different parts of the world and speak different languages, the two groups of students were still able to bond. I could see that there’s a bridge of humanity covering the vast river of languages and cultural differences.”

Cseretha Jones, a Leilehua High alumna interested in biochemistry or psychology, drew powerful cultural connections during her time in Japan.

“We visited Sakurajima and got to witness the Sogadon no Kasayaki festival from front-row seats,” she said. “The heat of the umbrellas burning against the night sky reminded me of the times I visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, where night performances and storytelling were huge forms of entertainment. Being able to be a part of this (Japan) experience made me appreciate home a little more.”

Participants earned three ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa credits through the Social Sciences 124 course, “Leadership and Social Issues,” applying their classroom learning to real-world contexts through field visits, community exchanges and reflections—all while giving them a good start on their freshmen year at the flagship campus of ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ System.

Now back home and preparing for their first semester at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Mānoa, these students bring with them more than early college credit—they carry a global awareness and experiences that will shape their personal and academic paths for years to come.

Program instructor locally and abroad was Eiko Ushida, with leadership provided by Professor Nori Tarui, senior advisor to the CSS Dean on , and chair of the ; and Spencer Kimura, CSS director of international programs.

Mānoa Academy Kagoshima was sponsored by CSS, Kagoshima University, Hawaiian Airlines, Shigetomi Shoji Co., Ltd. and Fujitsu. These partners covered expenses including round-trip airfare to and from Fukuoka, room and board, ground transportation and excursion fees.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s in 2020, Charissa Vallesteros took a bold leap—leaving behind restaurant shifts to launch her own business. Today, her mobile bartending company, Char’s Bar, is a popular choice for parties and events across Oʻahu.

“I just thought, I don’t want to be a bartender in the restaurant industry for much longer,” Vallesteros said. “During COVID-19, I decided to start my own mobile bartending business. We started off doing house parties, and then it just grew.”

Char’s Bar has become a huge success. With themed cocktails and custom menus tailored to each event, Vallesteros has created a business known for creativity and flair.

“I usually have in-depth discussions with clients to get a sense of their favorite flavor profiles, liquor preferences, and the overall vibe they want,” she said. “If it’s a nurse grad party, for example, we’ll incorporate things like syringes or a themed cocktail menu that ties into the nursing field.”

Staying connected through ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ

The former ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Dance Team member credits her time at the university for fueling her entrepreneurial journey. She said the connections, support and school spirit she found on campus helped build the foundation for her business success.

“Especially in this day and age, staying connected to ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ and the alumni community is such a good way to network, get to know your peers, and put your foot in doors that others have already walked through,” she said.

This year, Vallesteros will showcase Char’s Bar at the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Alumni Makers’ Market on August 6, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. She’s eager to connect with fellow grads who, like her, have transformed their ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ education into something uniquely their own.

• ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Alumni Makers’ Market 2025 now. General admission includes unlimited access to food and beverage stations.

“It’s really hard to make it out here on this island,” Vallesteros said, “so it’s nice to see people who have taken what they’ve learned, added their own style, and built something for the community.”

After nearly a decade of uncertainty, setbacks and searching for direction, Jamilyn Moriguchi is graduating from with an associate’s degree in psychology—and a transformed sense of self.

“I’m most proud of how far I’ve come,” said Moriguchi. “I enjoy school now, and I honestly could never say that before.”

• Meet more amazing ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ spring graduates

Reluctant student

A 2015 Kalaheo High School graduate, Moriguchi started college reluctantly, struggling with the pressure to succeed despite not feeling ready.

“I wasn’t motivated at all,” she said. “I felt like I was forcing myself to attend college to meet others’ expectations instead of listening to what I needed. That led to poor performance and a complete lack of interest in college. I didn’t feel like I was moving fast enough or in the right direction, which discouraged me. I didn’t want to be there.”

Things began to shift in 2018 when she transferred to Kapiʻolani CC.

“When I first witnessed the support and community other students had built at Kapiʻolani CC, I started to realize that I could find my place in college,” she said.

After a challenging detour to Las Vegas in 2021 left her feeling adrift, Moriguchi returned to Hawaiʻi in 2022 and reconnected with . The program, funded by the Kaneta Foundation, offers scholarships, mentoring, and a strong support network for students who may not have initially planned to attend college.

Uplifted and valued

“From the start, this campus felt like home, a place filled with connection, community and support,” Moriguchi said. “Being accepted into the Lunalilo Scholars Program and becoming a peer mentor became one of my biggest goals. Both allowed me to restart and find purpose in my education. I felt a sense of freedom and control over my choices for my life and future.”

She credits the Lunalilo Scholars Program—and individuals such as Josiah OÊ»Sullivan, Sydney Burgher, Kapilialoha Kidder, Colette “Aunty Coco” Andrade-Fujii and LaVache Scanlan—for helping her see her potential.

“I never felt discouraged or ignored,” she said. “I felt uplifted and valued. My grades began to improve, and I finally saw myself succeeding. The support was something I had never experienced before in school. They showed me that my past does not define me, and that I am much stronger than I once believed.”

‘Always a Lunalilo Scholar’

Moriguchi plans to continue her studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and hopes to keep mentoring others on their own journeys.

“Finding the right place and people makes all the difference,” she shared. “Surround yourself with those who believe in you and truly want to see you succeed.”

Her support system, rooted in the Lunalilo Scholars Program, is something Moriguchi will carry with her wherever she goes.

“Once a Lunalilo Scholar, always a Lunalilo Scholar,” she said. “No matter how far I go, I’ll always have a home here.”

–By Lisa Yamamoto

It was 2020 when Brenda DeCambra enrolled at Leeward Community College’s —a year marked by significant personal and global challenges. While the world was shutting down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, DeCambra was undergoing drug treatment and filing for divorce after a 30-year abusive relationship. She also moved in with her sister and brother-in-law in Waiʻanae—both of whom were attending at the time.

DeCambra said that seeing her family’s commitment to their education served as powerful inspiration. That, plus her desire to make a better life for herself, her six children and her five grandchildren, fueled her desire to pursue higher education.

“I wanted to prove to my children that anything is possible, no matter your age or your past, as long as you are determined and motivated,” DeCambra said.

DeCambra said adjusting to college life was tough, especially with technology-heavy coursework, but she found strength in the support from tutors, mentors and professors.

“Waiʻanae Moku has made me feel at home, and the environment is safe for learning and growing,” said DeCambra. “I was able to be myself and not be judged by anyone, which means a lot when you come from a background of addiction and family struggles like mine.”

Waiʻanae Moku has made me feel at home.
—Brenda DeCambra

DeCambra will graduate on May 9 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts before transferring to in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Eventually, DeCambra plans to take her journey full circle by getting a master’s degree in social work and using her experience to help others facing similar struggles.

• Meet more amazing ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ spring graduates

“The courses I took at Waiʻanae Moku helped me to better understand core values like service, social justice, dignity and the worth of an individual,” said DeCambra. “Now I have more insight into the problems we face in our communities and how we can try to solve them.”

—By Devon Bedoya

“During a time when it was so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, it reminded me that there is good in this world and showed me that people care deeply about our community and its future,” Lahainaluna High School class of 2024 graduate and student Cecelia Steiner told a room full of supporters at the Scholarship Dinner on April 7.

Steiner, whose home was destroyed in the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfires, shared her journey of loss, perseverance and gratitude for the support that has allowed her to pursue her college dreams at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹. She is one of the students from Lahainaluna’s class of 2024 attending one of ¶«¾«Ó°Òµâ€™s 10 campuses through a special scholarship offered in the aftermath of the fire. The scholarship initiative, announced in fall 2023, supports students whose lives and education were upended by the disaster.

“Especially after the fire and losing my home, we were focused on rebuilding and it was just another thing to worry about, the financial part,” said Steiner, a first-generation college student. “When ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ offered a scholarship and paid for school, it changed my world because not having to worry about the financial aspects was huge.”

Disaster brings fear, difficulties to family

The August 2023 fire, one of the deadliest in U.S. history, changed everything overnight. Steiner was staying in Wailuku when flames ripped through Lahaina, destroying more than 2,200 structures and claiming more than 100 lives.

“My dad was at the house by himself,” she recalled. “He needed to evacuate…There was so much smoke in the air that it was like blocking the sun. He was getting everything together in the dark.”

Steiner didn’t see her parents for four days, with cell service down and roads closed. When they reunited, her father said they had lost the family’s home and truck. In the weeks after the fire, Steiner made the difficult decision to transfer to a high school on the other side of Maui so she could stay on track to graduate.

“I was a senior, I needed to make sure I was graduating,” she said. “They weren’t telling us when school was going to reopen, so I didn’t want to risk my chances.”

Persevering with the help of others

Eventually, she returned to Lahainaluna, where she served as student body president, played soccer, worked a part-time restaurant job and finished high school. She noted the impact of ¶«¾«Ó°Òµâ€™s scholarship went beyond herself.

“Only about 62% of high school graduates in the United States attend college, but my class—like 85%—went to college,” Steiner said. “We broke a record for Lahainaluna, the most graduates to go to college.”

Steiner, a major in the , hopes to eventually attend graduate school and return to Lahaina to give back.

“This generosity was not just a gift for me, it was a lifeline for my classmates and their families, many who faced similar challenges,” she said during her speech at the scholarship dinner. “I am hopeful that with the knowledge and experiences we gain, my class will bring that hope and strength back to Lahaina to rebuild not just structures, but the heart of our town.”

—By Marc Arakaki

The Ballroom Dance Club at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ defended its national championship at the (NCDC), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 28–30.

Competing against more than 40 colleges, ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ 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 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Ballroom Dance Club and an adjunct faculty member in the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ . “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 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ 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,” ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ 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 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ 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 ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ 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, ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ athletics department, Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi and USA Dance, Inc. for facility and financial support.

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ 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

What do elite soldiers and firefighters have in common? According to a University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo psychology Professor Chris Frueh—more than you’d think.

After decades of studying the health of military veterans, Frueh has turned his attention to first responders. His findings show that firefighters, paramedics and police officers face a heavy, often invisible, burden—one he calls “Firefighter Syndrome.”

Frueh and his research team say firefighting involves regular exposure to chronic stress, lethal risks and potential for a wide range of injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and toxic exposures.

Hawaiʻi Island first responders

He shared his message with Hawaiʻi Island’s first responders during a workshop in Hilo and will be giving another in Kona.

His research—highlighted in his recent book, —outlines how years of trauma can lead to a complex set of injuries: sleep disorders, PTSD, hormonal imbalances, pain, depression and more. Originally focused on military special operators, Frueh’s work has revealed striking similarities in the health challenges faced by first responders.

“Dr. Frueh’s presentation helped them understand the many physiological impacts that, in turn, affect their mental health, as well as the current treatments that are available,” said Renee Godoy, chaplain for both Hawaiʻi Island police and fire departments and leader of the nonprofit Friends of First Responders Hawaiʻi Island.

The workshops provide tools to help first responders recognize warning signs and seek care. Frueh and his team created a practical guide that includes suicide risk assessment, peer support strategies, and tips on finding the right health providers.

Word is spreading

His message is catching on beyond Hawaiʻi. Frueh is speaking with law enforcement and fire departments across the country. A start up company led by current and former military special operators has also developed a business to provide coaching services to first responders using the Operator Syndrome framework.

“It’s a really great concept, retired [Special Operation Forces] operators continuing service by coaching and mentoring police and firefighters. They are doing more to spread the Operator Syndrome framework and physiological perspective nationally, than I could ever do by myself,” Frueh said.

—By Susan Enright

The earned impressive recognition in the 2025 , released on January 22. Ten academic disciplines at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ achieved high rankings, including top 200 world status in education, arts and humanities, and physical sciences. These rankings are among the most recognized global assessments of academic and research excellence.

Among , four out of the 10 ranked ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ subjects placed in the world’s top 1% (within top 250 in the world), while the others placed in the world’s top 2–4% (between top 251–1,000).

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ subjects’ world ranking:

• Education studies: No. 126–150
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 176–200
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Engineering: No. 501–600
• Computer science: No. 601–800

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 654–1,488 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 8, 2024
• U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best Colleges rankings, September 24, 2024
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, September 10, 2024

For more information, .

U.S. health care workers have long experienced chronic stress, burnout and mental distress. Those issues were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. New research by the reveals that despite high levels of mental health problems affecting health care providers, they rarely seek care, raising concerns about the readiness of the healthcare workforce and the potential impacts on patient outcomes.

The report explores the associations between mental health care-seeking among U.S. health providers, COVID-19-related work stressors, and work-related barriers to care-seeking.

“From recent nurses strikes to those who rushed to aid after the New Year’s fireworks tragedy, Hawaiʻi’s health care workers bear immense burdens,” said lead author Anthony Papa, associate professor and director of in the at the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s (CSS). “Prioritizing their mental health is critical to build a resilient healthcare system for our island communities.”

More than 2,600 U.S. primary care physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who practiced more than three years were surveyed from September 2022 to May 2023 in an effort to identify ways to improve mental health care-seeking among this population.

“Among providers surveyed, 26% reported symptoms at levels meeting clinical diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder, but only 20% of these providers sought mental health care during the preceding year,” Papa said. “The study found that female providers serving for a shorter time were more likely to seek mental health services than male providers or those who have been in the industry for longer periods.”

Work-related stressors

According to the report, the top work-related stressors for these health care providers were extra stress, burnout, lack of adequate staffing, higher workload/job demands and fear of contracting COVID-19. Survey participants who refrained from seeking mental health care, cited reasons including not wanting to take time off from work (44%), followed by concerns about confidentiality (22%) and cost (20%).

Positive supervisor support

Papa pointed out, however, that the research showed supervisor support lessened the effect of COVID-19 related work stress.

“Organizational human resources practices, supervisor training on managing employee stress and public health messaging to normalize mental healthcare-seeking might help to address gaps in care-seeking and improve patient care overall,” he said.

Collaborative responsibility

In addition, health care organizations, state licensing boards, professional groups and relevant federal agencies all have a role in promoting organizational approaches that may reduce provider mental health care-seeking barriers and work stress, Papa added.

The paper was , considered the flagship journal of the CDC.

“Our study highlights the urgent need to support the mental health of Hawaiʻi‘s healthcare providers,” said co-author Jack Barile, CSS associate dean for research and director of the . “Addressing barriers like time off, cost and confidentiality are critical to building a resilient workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of our communities, especially with over 4,600 statewide vacancies according to the Hawaiʻi Health Care Association of Hawaiʻi‘s 2024 report, a rapidly aging population, and the state’s geographic isolation which magnifies these challenges.”

The research was funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call or text 988 to connect with a trained 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline counselor.

U.S. Army veteran suicides can be predicted with “moderate to good accuracy” by applying artificial intelligence (AI) to data available before veterans leave service, according to a new study led by Chris J. Kennedy at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-authored by a University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ faculty member. The applied machine learning—a subset of AI that enables computers to “learn” from data.

“This research could potentially reshape how the military approaches mental health support for service members transitioning to civilian life,” said Assistant Professor and co-author Santiago Papini. “By identifying at-risk individuals early, we may be able to provide more targeted and timely interventions, potentially saving lives.”

In its testing, the model identified a high-risk group comprising 10% of soldiers. This group accounted for 30.7% to 46.6% of actual suicides.

The most influential factors in the model’s predictions were sociodemographic data (male or non-Hispanic White—higher risk; older age—lower risk), Army career characteristics (combat related duties or less than 20 years of service—higher risk; honorable discharge—lower risk) and mental health factors (alcohol related outpatient visits, mental disorder inpatient admission and suicidal ideation while in service—all associated with higher risk). However, the researchers stress that none of these factors on their own can meaningfully predict suicide, which is why they are using AI to look at complex combinations of factors, and a factor being associated with a higher risk of suicide does not mean that it is specifically causing the suicidal behavior.

Researchers analyzed records of more than 800,000 U.S. Army soldiers who left the service between 2010 and 2019. The study, conducted from March 2023 to March 2024, developed a machine learning model for suicides occurring up to a decade after leaving active duty.

By December 31, 2019, the cohort had experienced 2,084 suicides. The model’s predictive accuracy varied over time. It performed best for the first month post-service, with decreasing, but still significant, accuracy over a 120-month (10-year) period.

According to the released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2021, the suicide rate for veterans was 71.8% higher than for non-veteran adults, after adjusting for age and sex differences.

Other authors on this study are from a variety of institutions, including Harvard University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts General Hospital and more.

The Department of Psychology is housed in the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ .

In a separate study out of ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Hilo in 2023, researchers performed a historical comparison of U.S. Army and civilian suicide rates from 1900 to 2020, and discovered that societal factors are driving both military and civilian suicides. See this ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ News story for more.

Update May 7, 2025: Shuri Chibana was honored with the 2025 Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ College of Social Sciences for exemplifying scholarship, leadership and service. Read more at the .

Original story:

In 2022, Shuri Chibana had her associate of arts degree in liberal arts from Palau Community College in hand and was pondering her future as she worked in Koror, Palau’s largest city and commercial center. That’s when she learned some life-defining news. Due to an updated U.S.-Palau Compact Review Agreement, residents of Palau could now pay Hawaiʻi instate tuition at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, resulting in a savings of thousands of dollars per semester.

Today the 23-year-old senior majoring in has settled in nicely at the (CSS), thanks to the college’s . It offers a simplified transfer process for students from partner institutions in Hawaiʻi, California, Asia and the Pacific.

“I looked around my community in Palau, and a lot of our leaders, medical personnel and change-makers are alumni of ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹,” said Chibana. “The university is prestigious, so I took a chance that this investment might open doors for me, because education is the way to success.”

Leading the way at CSS is , who is a two-time federal appointee to the .

“In my visits to Palau, I have come to understand that these educational pathways are vital to economic and workforce development in Palau, and for Palauans residing here in Hawaiʻi,” said Konan. “We are gratified that students like Shuri are continuing to strengthen our already strong Palau connection.”

Educational pathways

CSS and Palau CC have jointly developed educational plans for students to achieve both an AA degree at Palau CC and a bachelor of arts degree at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ in four years. Participating BA programs at CSS are ; ; ; ; ; psychology; ; and (WGSS). In addition, three pathways are available fully online—economics, social sciences of oceans and WGSS—so Palauans can earn their BAs while continuing to reside in Palau.

Chibana is scheduled to graduate in May 2025. She is keeping busy as a peer mentor in the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ , an officer of the Micronesian Connections Association student club and a CSS .

In addition, she has been joined at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ by her two siblings, inspired by her successful transition through the CSS Aloha Pathways program. Sister Shizuka Sophia, 18, is interested in finance, and 21-year-old brother Yuji, is a junior majoring in marine biology and also a transfer student from Palau CC.

The three make up an entire generation of their family led by their Filipina mother and Palauan/Okinawan father, Marites and Shinji, who still reside in Airai, Palau’s second most populous state after Koror.

For more information on the CSS Aloha Pathways program, contact Jaret Leong at jaretl@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-3687.

.

Loved ones are remembering the life of Anthony (Tony) Joseph Marsella, a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, who died on November 2, at the age of 84. Marsella, who retired in 2003, leaves behind a profound legacy of academic excellence, cultural understanding and educational leadership that spanned decades at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ.

A distinguished psychologist and transformative academic leader, Marsella began at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ as a postdoctoral fellow at the before joining the at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹. His groundbreaking work challenged long-standing Western psychological paradigms, emphasizing the critical importance of cultural context in understanding human behavior and mental health.

Native Hawaiian advancement

Between 1985–1989, Marsella served as ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ vice president for academic affairs. His leadership during that time was instrumental in commissioning the historic ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Kaʻū report, which detailed the university’s commitment to Native Hawaiians. Marsella further demonstrated his dedication by supporting the establishment of the Center for Hawaiian Studies at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, creating a crucial institutional space for Native Hawaiian academic research and cultural preservation. Throughout his career, he mentored nearly 100 doctoral students, leaving an indelible mark on generations of scholars.

“As a professor and an administrator, our Dad never wanted students to feel like “just a number,” at a large university,” said Marsella’s daughters Laura Contant and Gianna Marsella who is a managing editor at ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ Press. “He genuinely cared about their interests and goals, and was dedicated to helping them succeed. Even in retirement, he took great joy in hearing about their accomplishments.”

His scholarly output was equally impressive, with more than 20 books and more than 300 scholarly publications that became essential references for psychology and social science scholars worldwide.

Awards, achievements

A passionate advocate for social justice, Marsella received multiple teaching awards such as the College of Social Sciences Award for Teaching Excellence and the American Psychological Association’s Master Lecturer Award.

His later career focused on exploring themes of peace, global challenges and cross-cultural understanding.

Marsella is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joy who retired as an English professor from ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹.