University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students can now complete their general education course requirements fully online.

For students starting their first freshmen semester, as well as continuing students planning their schedules in anticipation of committing to their majors, 东精影业 Mānoa offers a guaranteed, fully asynchronous course schedule that accommodates completion of general education. These courses will be offered with at least 60 seats available in asynchronous format.

“We know today’s students are balancing academics with work, family responsibilities and many other commitments,” said Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos. “By guaranteeing that students can complete their general education requirements online, 东精影业 Mānoa is creating greater flexibility while maintaining the quality and rigor of a Mānoa education. This is about meeting students where they are and helping them stay on track to graduation.”

Students should check with their academic advisors to best plan for both general education and major courses. While in-person general education classes will still be available, the guaranteed ability to complete general education courses online allows students more flexibility and control over their education.

The online coordination of the general education classes is another step 东精影业 is taking to utilize technology to meet students where they are and support them in their academic journeys.

“General education courses help students build the critical thinking, communication and cultural understanding that are foundational to a 东精影业 Mānoa education,” said Paul McKimmy, 东精影业 Mānoa interim associate vice provost for academic excellence, whose office spearheaded the initiative. “Making these courses consistently available online ensures more students can access that experience in a way that fits their lives and helps them succeed.”

More on 东精影业 Mānoa’s general education curriculum

General Education at 东精影业 Mānoa involves flexible and diverse multi-disciplinary classes that students usually take during their first two years at 东精影业. Through these courses, students are exposed to different domains of knowledge and modes of scholarly inquiry.

Students develop skills in written and oral communication, ethical and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and information literacy that are transferable across the curriculum. The coursework also fosters a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, Hawaiian culture and history.

When University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduating senior Chia Yun “Mercy” Cheng first arrived in Hawaiʻi from Taiwan, she carried uncertainty alongside her ambition. Now graduating with a degree in marketing from the , Cheng said her experience at 东精影业 Mānoa transformed not only her education, but also her confidence.

“东精影业 Mānoa made me feel like it was home,” Cheng said. “It really shaped me into a more extroverted person.”

Today, Cheng said she can confidently introduce herself to new people and step into leadership roles—something she never imagined before coming to Hawaiʻi.

“I remember in the beginning, I was very timid to do small talk, even shake people鈥檚 hand, talk to people and look at their eyes,” she said. “But now, when I meet someone new, I can confidently go up to them, shake their hands and introduce myself.”

Taiwan to Mānoa

Born and raised in Pingtung, a small city in southeastern Taiwan, Cheng moved away from home at age 15 to attend a five-year junior college program in nearby Kaohsiung. The program combined high school and community college studies. Before attending 东精影业 Mānoa, Cheng said school often felt isolating.

“Because I never really liked school before I came to 东精影业 Mānoa—it could have been the education system in Taiwan, but it could also have been me—I felt like I could never fit in,” she said.

Finding her place in Hawaiʻi

Her connection to Hawaiʻi began during an internship at an Oʻahu auto dealership when she was 19. It was her first time traveling alone and visiting the U.S.

“Hawaiʻi really healed me in a lot of different ways,” Cheng said. “It鈥檚 the people here. It鈥檚 the culture, the weather and everything. And I really found peace here.”

Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

After returning to Taiwan, Cheng made the decision to continue her education at 东精影业 Mānoa. At first, she approached college with a narrow focus on academics.

“When I first came here, my freshman year, all I knew was to study because I was raised to get a good grade, be on top of the class,” she said. “So I didn鈥檛 know how to really do the work-life balance thing.”

Stepping outside her comfort zone

That began to change when she became a New Rainbow Warrior peer leader, helping incoming students transition to college life.

“I remember at that time I was like, ‘Oh, I feel like I鈥檓 so introverted, I don鈥檛 even know how to talk to people,’” she said. “‘Can I actually lead freshmen and then help them get used to life on campus?’”

But she took the opportunity鈥攁nd said it reshaped her experience at 东精影业 Mānoa.

“Being a peer leader really gave me a sense of community,” Cheng said. “The other peer leaders were really nice. I still stay in touch with them till this day.”

Cheng also became involved with the (PACE), serving as a for the Entrepreneurship Live program and later becoming its student director. What began as a search for scholarship opportunities turned into a broader experience in leadership and community.

“I applied thinking that, ‘OK, I want this scholarship,’” she said. “And then I realized that the program is not just about scholarship, it鈥檚 also about the community and the people there.”

A new sense of confidence

Now preparing to graduate, Cheng plans to remain in Hawaiʻi while pursuing a career in marketing. She is currently interviewing for positions and continuing her work as a marketing assistant with Sodexo.

Looking back, Cheng said 东精影业 Mānoa became more than a place of study—it became a place where she learned confidence and belonging.

“I wouldn鈥檛 be able to achieve everything I have today without 东精影业 Mānoa,” she said.

Kapiʻolani Community College鈥檚 2026 , held May 4鈥�6, brought together more than 750 attendees. SURF 2026 featured 350 students delivering more than 230 presentations across disciplines such as healthcare, Native Hawaiian studies, sustainability and STEM, highlighting undergraduate research and creative works.

“Presenting at SURF gave me the opportunity to show others how research broadens your perspective and helps you build your own framework for approaching complex problems,” said Kapiʻolani CC Natural Science major Sophia Kihei. “I was able to socialize and connect with others from different disciplines and gain insights I wouldn’t have developed without this event.”

She added that SURF helped her to earn scholarships and led her to present at national conferences.

Developing kuleana

According to Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi, SURF also reflects Kapiʻolani CC鈥檚 strength as a Hawaiian place of learning.

“We are proud to see students across disciplines developing the confidence, critical thinking and sense of kuleana (responsibility) needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities, Hawaiʻi, and the world,” Takabayashi said. “As we establish the Māunulau Office of Experiential Learning and Workforce Development, Kapiʻolani CC is also intentionally strengthening the connection between experiential learning and workforce preparation, ensuring students can translate these meaningful academic experiences into future career and community impact.”

The research fair has become one of Kapiʻolani CC鈥檚 signature academic events, helping students build professional skills while opening pathways to internships, scholarships, transfer opportunities and conference presentations.

“SURF demonstrates that undergraduate research can happen across every discipline and at every stage of a student鈥檚 academic journey,” said Director of Undergraduate Research Experiences Li-Anne Delavega. “Students gain confidence in their ideas, strengthen communication and critical thinking skills, and discover their values and strengths and how they want to contribute to their communities.”

The recognized students, faculty and program contributors at its annual award ceremony on April 24.

The event honored 30 graduating seniors, along with 38 new learning assistants and three new faculty members joining the program. The ceremony also highlighted four award categories recognizing excellence in teaching innovation, program advocacy, and student support.

The Learning Assistant (LA) Program places undergraduate students in courses across campus to help facilitate active, discussion-based learning. Learning assistants work with faculty to support collaborative instruction in lectures, labs and discussion sections, helping shift traditionally lecture-based courses into active learning environments. The program, which began in STEM fields, has since expanded to include a wide range of disciplines across 东精影业 Mānoa.

For the first time, graduating seniors in the LA Program were presented with honors cords, recognizing their academic progress, skill development and contributions to student success. The cords were approved following the LA program鈥檚 transition into the , after serving as a successful pilot of the Provost’s office for the past several years.

Program organizers describe the cords as a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and belonging within the LA community. They recognize students who have significantly supported active learning environments while completing their own academic journeys.

“The honor cords recognize meaningful time supporting their peers and partnering with faculty to cultivate active learning communities across disciplines,” said LA Program Director and Professor Tara O’Neill. “This program is about creating meaningful learning experiences on both sides of the classroom—where students and instructors are shaping how knowledge is built and shared at 东精影业 Mānoa. As LAs, our students are not only strengthening their own content knowledge, they are transforming learning at 东精影业 Mānoa by creating spaces that encourage engagement, questions and innovation.”

Program awardees

• Outstanding Learning Assistant Award recognizing students for excellence in supporting course instruction and fostering engaging learning environments: Katie Thai, Jack Santos and Kevin Phan
• The Agent of Change Award promoting new approaches to active learning at 东精影业 Mānoa: Instructor Astrid Delorme
• Curriculum Innovation Award for course design work that integrates LAs to improve student learning experiences: Professor Monique Chyba
• LA Advocacy Award for leadership in advancing the program: Interim Vice Provost of Student Academic Success Amy Ebesu Hubbard

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student-led team has developed a new algorithm to help scientists determine direction in complex two-dimensional (2D) data, with potential applications ranging from particle physics to machine learning. The research was .

The algorithm development, led by undergraduate Jeffrey G. Yepez, helps scientists figure out where tiny, nearly invisible particles called neutrinos are coming from. These particles can reveal information about nuclear reactors, the sun, and faraway cosmic events. The method is based on a clever math discovery: the team found a formula that lets them match patterns in data and accurately pinpoint the direction of the source.

The students were guided by 东精影业 Mānoa Professor John G. Learned and received additional mentoring from 东精影业 alumnus and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory staff scientist Viacheslav Li, thanks to funding from the Consortium for Monitoring, Technology and Verification. The project began with simulated neutrino data to locate nuclear reactors, and further studies are underway.

“What excites us most is that this approach gives researchers a clearer mathematical foundation for extracting direction from noisy, real-world data,” Yepez said. “It is a tool that scales with technological improvements in detectors, computing power and data volume, making it valuable far beyond the initial physics application.”

The algorithm uses a mathematical tool called the Frobenius norm to measure differences between grids of numbers, effectively acting as a “distance formula” for large data tables. By rotating a reference dataset and comparing it to measured data, the algorithm identifies the rotation that produces the smallest difference, revealing the most likely direction of the signal. Simulations show the method works especially well with high-resolution data and large datasets.

While motivated by neutrino detection, the approach could be applied across multiple fields. Potential uses include astronomy, medical imaging, weather mapping, and any system that relies on pattern recognition, offering a versatile new tool for scientists and engineers.

Other 东精影业 Mānoa authors on the paper include Jackson D. Seligman, Max A. A. Dornfest and Brian C. Crow. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is part of 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 .

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa selected “analogue” as its 2025 Word of the Year for Hawaiʻi. Analogue refers to ways of thinking and creating that depend on human judgment, attention and physical engagement rather than automation. The department鈥檚 choice highlights the enduring value of human-centered thinking, creativity and interpretation in an age of artificial intelligence.

“Many of our students are contemplating careers in writing, teaching, the law and other fields involving communication, interpretation, critical thinking, and creativity, and they have concerns about the impact of GenAI on their future prospects,” said John David Zuern, 东精影业 Mānoa Department of English chair and professor. “They have welcomed opportunities to engage in what might be called ‘analogue intelligence,’ reading printed texts and annotating them by hand, drafting essays on paper, hand-crafting their own books, and taking part in oral presentations and performances in class.”

东精影业 Mānoa Department of English faculty members, and students making up the leadership, came up with the word this year.

“Rather than a retreat into the past, we see this enthusiasm for the analogue as a ‘back to the future’ impulse, a commitment to the skills and values of a liberal education that will remain essential in a world transformed by AI technologies,” Zuern said.

Merriam-Webster announced its as “slop” on December 14. Slop is defined by Merriam-Webster as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence,” and Zuern said the department sees “analogue” as a counterpoint to “slop.”

The 2025 Hawaiian Word of the Year selected by the , is kāhuli—to change, to alter, to overturn. In the Kumulipo, kāhuli describes the transformation that warmed the earth and unfolded the heavens, catalyzing the formation of the universe itself. Read more at this 东精影业 News story.

Future engineers are getting a firsthand look at Hawaiʻi鈥檚 growing microelectronics field, as the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa wrapped up its first internship cycle tied to a multi-million-dollar national innovation hub.

The internship experience was part of the , which received $15.3 million in federal funding as part of a larger $238 million U.S. Department of Defense initiative to strengthen U.S. leadership in advanced computer chip design and production. 东精影业 is part of the Northwest AI Hub along with several institutions, including Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Five undergraduate students participated in the inaugural internship at 东精影业 Mānoa, including three undergraduates who transferred from a 东精影业 community college. Their 10-week long experience included research and lectures on chip design and fabrication, with projects ranging from organic light-emitting diodes to pressure sensors. Students also became familiar with cleanroom practices and equipment, laying the foundation for continued work this fall.

Internship participant Jenny Brown, an major, was also selected to travel to the University of Washington for four days to observe a cleanroom internship there. The visit provided insight into how other partner institutions run their programs and offered ideas that 东精影业 Mānoa can adapt for the next cohort, expected to expand in 2026.

“Working in 东精影业鈥檚 microelectronics internship and visiting the cleanroom program at the University of Washington gave me a full perspective on how advanced chip design programs operate,” Brown said. “It showed me the growth and value of investing in Hawaiʻi‘s future. We have incredible, growing talent here, and I’m eager to bring back the inspired ideas and strategies to the next student cohort.”

Connecting with employers

As part of their experience, students took part in site visits to Nalu Scientific and the Naval Information Warfare Center, building connections with local employers. Program leaders said such visits are critical for showing students career opportunities in Hawaiʻi and supporting efforts to retain technical talent in the state.

“This first internship cycle showed how powerful hands-on training can be for our students,” Professor Jeffrey Weldon said. “They not only gained technical skills, but also built connections with local employers that will help strengthen Hawaiʻi鈥檚 high-tech workforce.”

东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 role in the $15.3 million project emphasizes both workforce training and industry engagement, bridging research expertise with practical experience. With the first round of internships completed, 东精影业 leaders plan to scale the program to reach more students in future years.

A student film created at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has earned international recognition at the . “Praying Mantis,” written and directed by 东精影业 Mānoa student Hulita Drake, was named among the winners of the 2025 festival in the zero budget category.

The film tells the story of a young woman who attends a college costume party dressed as a praying mantis, only to find herself out of place until a chance encounter changes the course of her night. What begins as a seemingly romantic connection unravels into disappointment, sparking a journey of obsession, prayer and unexpected action.

Drake collaborated with fellow 东精影业 students Lauren Piehler, who served as cinematographer, and AJ Taylor, who handled sound recording. The production also received support from other classmates, and community members Olivia Vela and Jase Andrews starred in leading roles.

Drake and members of the student team traveled to Auckland, New Zealand, for the festival鈥檚 October 7 celebration event. The trip marked an opportunity to showcase their work on an international stage while connecting with filmmakers from across the Pacific.

“Receiving this recognition at the South Pacific International Film Festival is an incredible honor,” said Drake, who earned a BA in and is working on a second bachelor鈥檚 degree in digital cinema from the 东精影业 Mānoa . “It鈥檚 a testament to the creativity, dedication and collaboration of our entire 东精影业 Mānoa student team. Being able to share ‘Praying Mantis’ on an international stage and connect with filmmakers from across the Pacific has been an inspiring experience that I will always cherish.”

“Praying Mantis” is currently screening on the film festival circuit and isn鈥檛 yet available to the public, but Drake hopes to release it on YouTube in the future.

The South Pacific International Film Festival highlights emerging and independent filmmakers from across the region. This year鈥檚 slate featured winners from the U.S., New Zealand, Indonesia and Fiji. “Praying Mantis” was one of three films from the U.S. selected for recognition.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is marking new milestones in its innovative Learning Assistant (LA) Program, while piloting a new artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum for undergraduates.

More than 40 LAs support math courses each semester, providing peer-to-peer guidance and helping students succeed in the classroom. The program has become essential to the department鈥檚 growth, especially in Math 134: Precalculus Elementary Functions, where enrollment has more than doubled in recent years. The course now runs 11 sections, each built around interactive activities that rely on LAs to support instruction.

Data from the past three semesters show that sections with two LAs achieved final exam scores approximately 12 percentage points higher on average than sections with only one. Since 东精影业 began expanding the LA program, and math hired a precalculus coordinator, the passing rate in Math 134 rose about 10 percentage points in just a few years. Withdrawal rates have also dropped significantly. Similar improvements have been seen in Math 140: Precalculus.

“Our learning assistants are making a significant impact on student success in math,” 东精影业 Mānoa math Instructor and Precalculus Coordinator John Robertson said. “They bring energy, innovation and a peer perspective that make all the difference in the classroom.”

AI in math

Math 100: Survey of Mathematics has also benefited from the LA program. The course now averages a passing rate above 85%, with LAs considered crucial to its success. In fall 2025, Math 100 introduced a new unit on AI and will continue weaving AI concepts into the curriculum throughout the semester. This work was selected as part of . Read more in this 东精影业 News story.

Students learn how large language models such as ChatGPT and Google鈥檚 Gemini actually work and how to use them responsibly. By working with these tools alongside their own calculations, they practice evaluating, questioning and refining solutions, skills at the heart of critical thinking and quantitative reasoning. LAs receive weekly training to deepen their understanding of language models and to support their peers through the activities.

“Being a learning assistant in Math 100 has given me invaluable skills,” said Dipshay Reddy, a math LA for several semesters. “Through using the new AI-embedded worksheets, I not only support students in their learning but also develop my own understanding of how to integrate innovative tools into the classroom. Working alongside amazing professors like Professor Monique Chyba has been both a learning experience for me and a chance to prepare myself for my future goals.”

The AI module included large lecture presentations, three recitation sessions and hands-on activities. One exercise examined tsunami predictions in Hawaiʻi, while others looked at tourism, water quality and heart disease, showing students how quantitative reasoning and AI can be applied to real issues that matter in their community. Large language models are now incorporated into every subsequent unit.

It was Camila Gonzalez鈥檚 first time using large language models and she learned that it鈥檚 important to “be really precise on what you tell it to give you the accurate numbers back.”

The math department said the LA program now impacts thousands of students each year at a relatively low cost, while preparing undergraduates to navigate the rapidly changing role of AI in education and beyond.

“By engaging directly with new AI tools, our learning assistants are not only supporting their peers but also preparing to be part of a broader shift in how technology is integrated into math education,” said 东精影业 Mānoa math Professor Monique Chyba, who co-teaches the course with Professor Elizabeth Gross. “This is about equipping the next generation to shape, rather than just follow, the future of learning.”

The Department of Mathematics is housed in 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 .

The math Learning Assistant Program is under the , directed by College of Education Professor Tara O鈥橬eil.

Windward Community College student Peter Scott, 18, has always been curious about the natural world. This propelled him into a nationally competitive summer research opportunity—the (REU) at the University of 东精影业 at 惭腻苍辞补.

Out of more than 500 applicants across the country, only 10 were selected for the National Science Foundation funded program—and Scott was the one of only two students from Hawaiʻi.

“It was really a cool experience. I’m very glad I got to participate in it. It was a big confidence boost for me,” Scott said. “I got to work with a lot of really, really smart people. And it definitely helped me figure out this is something I want to do. I want to do research, I want to do science, I want to continue in this field.”

Sinking land

Scott鈥檚 project focused on why some areas of Hawaiʻi are sinking faster than others. By testing with an electrical current, he found that highly saturated soils and large amounts of fill may be driving subsidence in certain regions.

“It’s important to know why an area is subsiding, because that can affect how you want to plan for development,” he said. “It can affect whether or not you need to put in flood mitigation measures, or whether or not you need to change how you’re building infrastructure in an area, or whether you even want to build infrastructure in an area.”

Windward CC as a high schooler

Homeschooled since fourth grade, Scott enrolled in Windward CC鈥檚 early college program in 2023, while still in high school.

“I really enjoyed the smaller class sizes,” he said. “Going to a community college is a great place to start.”

One of Scott鈥檚 instructors, Arjun Aryal, told him about the REU program.

“Peter’s curiosity and drive for the natural sciences are impressive,” said Aryal. “As a student from Windward Community College, he met the objectives of the program: providing research experience to students from institutions with limited STEM opportunities.”

Aryal and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Assistant Researcher Amir Haroon served as Scott鈥檚 advisors for his research project.

Scott expects to earn an associate鈥檚 degree in the spring, then plans to continue at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 in the fall with interests ranging from geology to botany and agriculture. One thing he is sure about his long-term goals: “I want to stay in Hawaiʻi, ideally, and work in the field where I can be outdoors.”

—by Kelli Abe Trifonovitch

Growing up in Chandler, Arizona, thousands of miles from the nearest coastline, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa major and undergraduate student Landon Schumaker never imagined his future would take him to the farthest reaches of the deep sea. But this summer, Schumaker conducted research in Perth, Australia, with the support of the , a funding opportunity administered by the 东精影业 Mānoa (UROP) and the .

From June through August, Schumaker worked with the Minderoo-University of Western Australia Deep-Sea Research Centre to study the Nova Canton Trough, a hadal region more than 6,000 meters deep. This area had never been studied at such scale and depth until recently.

Schumaker said that last year scientists conducted an expedition to the Nova Canton Trough and deployed cameras to assess deep-sea biodiversity between 2,471 and 7,983 meters deep. He contributed to meticulous work on this footage, including taxonomic identifications, statistical analyses and visualizations.

“The deep sea fascinates me because it feels like an entirely different world,” Schumaker said. “It鈥檚 a world that is perceived to be so far away, yet in reality, is on our planet and right beneath our surface waters. There are vast knowledge gaps, and every expedition brings the possibility of discovering something new.”

Schumaker鈥檚 work was complemented by monthly virtual check-ins with his 东精影业 Mānoa mentor, Professor Jeff Drazen in the , who has guided him for more than a year.

“Landon was pretty familiar with the deep ocean when he departed for Australia, and he had already analyzed deep-sea videos. But in Australia he really dug into big datasets, and he dramatically increased his ability to use statistical modeling to explore research results,” Drazen said. “I鈥檓 really impressed that he analyzed the data and has a draft of a peer reviewed paper. This was a stellar opportunity for Landon and he really capitalized on it.”

Looking ahead, the results from the Nova Canton Trough study are expected to lead to at least two scientific publications, with Schumaker as a co-author, and potentially lead author. Long-term, he hopes to pursue a PhD in biological oceanography and dedicate his career to exploring and protecting the deep sea.

More on the Tyler Fellowship

“The Tyler Fellowship provided me with the financial support I needed to travel, live abroad for an extended period and gave me the opportunity to learn about so many different projects going on around the world,” Schumaker said. “This fellowship meant a lot to me, as it was something I put a lot of effort into between developing a proposal and a project plan, and then being entrusted with this award. Receiving it was both rewarding and humbling.”

• Related 东精影业 News story: New UROP fellowship supports international undergraduate research, creative work, March 11, 2025

Applications for the Tyler Fellowship for summer 2026 are expected to open in spring 2026.

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From tracking invasive marine species, to exploring vegetation recovery on degraded, uninhabited islands, to studying tiny beetles threatening mangroves, eight University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa undergraduates spent two months this summer in the Galápagos Islands. Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation with additional support from 东精影业 Mānoa, and guided by research mentors from 东精影业 Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, the students conducted hands-on research on invasive species that connected them to ʻāina (land/sea), k膩naka (people) and mālama ʻāina (stewardship).

The experience built on a preparatory spring course (NREM 491), where students learned the foundations of island invasion biology and developed their own research proposals.

Monitoring invasive species

Cienna Kahrobaie, a major, studied invasive marine species at boat docks around Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Using settlement plates (small experimental surfaces for marine organisms to grow on) deployed for two months, she compared species richness, percent cover, and community composition at docks experiencing differential boat traffic, and learned valuable identification techniques from experts at the Charles Darwin Foundation and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.

“Settlement plates allow scientists to get a glimpse of what is growing in marine communities around boat docks, so if we employ them at sites with specific maritime traffic patterns, we can more quickly detect invasive species of concern,” Kahrobaie said. “This would allow conservationists to respond quicker to these marine invasions and prevent their establishment.”

While conducting research, she found a moment of discovery while resting in a tidepool. By staying still, she observed fish, hermit crabs and even an octopus up close, learning that sometimes slowing down revealed more than trying to see it all at once.

Studying connections between islands

Riley Herron, a major, conducted research on Santa Fé Island, a remote, uninhabited Galápagos island recovering from heavy feral goat degradation and resulting ecological damage. She studied how the island鈥檚 microtopography affects microclimates critical for woody plant seedling establishment, setting up large plots to measure environmental conditions and seedling presence for the island鈥檚 three dominant woody species. Through her research, Herron found connections between the Gal谩pagos and Hawaiʻi.

“I hope my research helps highlight the interconnectedness of our ecosystems,” Herron said. “There are so many large-scale processes that shape what happens on the micro level, and as our climate continues to change, understanding those small-scale interactions becomes more important than ever. As island ecosystems are isolated, limited in resources and filled with endemism, they are the first to be impacted, emphasizing how important island conservation is globally.”

Tiny threatening beetles

Lana Mitchell, a major, studied how an invasive mangrove bark beetle affects native red mangrove seedlings, testing whether fertilizer could offset beetle damage. The project challenged her to conduct independent research while navigating new skills, from kayaking to communicating in Spanish, all while deepening her passion for conservation.

“I hope that this can aid scientists in measuring how much of a difference in survival and growth a propagule (a young mangrove seedling) can undergo with and without beetle infestations,” Mitchell said. “This research could help to determine the overall survival of native species in exposure to invasives, giving scientists a window of time in which to provide native species with resources to better sustain their growth and longevity in island ecosystems.”

Mitchell was struck by how comfortable Galápagos wildlife are around humans, spotting sea lions resting just steps away during her research. According to Mitchell, the experiences reinforced the local community鈥檚 dedication to conservation and strengthened her connection to the islands鈥� unique ecosystems.

“This immersive summer research program in the Galápagos is a collaborative effort that provides applied research experiences in invasive species ecology to 东精影业 Mānoa undergraduate students from across campus,” said Creighton Litton, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management professor, (UROP) director, and one of the eight 东精影业 Mānoa faculty members who designed and implemented the program over the past three years. “The success of this program stems from committed research mentors from both 东精影业 Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, financial support from NSF and 东精影业 Mānoa and, most importantly, fully engaged students from our campus who commit to a full research experience, from learning the basics and developing proposals on campus in the spring, to field data collection, analysis and write-up in the summer.”

This opportunity is the result of a collaboration between 东精影业 Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, and is funded by the National Science Foundation–International Research Experiences for Students, the 东精影业 Mānoa Provost鈥檚 Office to align the overall program with the campus goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and the 东精影业 Mānoa Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship.

The deadline to apply for the 2026 program is October 15. .

Approximately 90 undergraduate students from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, Leeward Community College and other universities across the nation showcased their research and creative projects at the 2025 (SURE) Symposium on August 1.

Hosted annually by the 东精影业 Mānoa (UROP), the event featured oral and poster presentations at the Hawaiʻi Imin International Conference Center.

“The symposium reflects the breadth and depth of student scholarship across all disciplines at 东精影业 Mānoa, as well as the university鈥檚 profile as an institution of academic excellence,” said UROP Program Coordinator Noah Perales-Estoesta. “As a land-grant and R1 university, 东精影业 Mānoa has a three-part mission to advance student education, promote research and serve the broader public. UROP is very proud to administer programming like the SURE Symposium that supports every part of that mission.”

Students presented research and creative work on topics including the potential of generative AI for personalized language learning and persistent organic pollutants in the waters of Pearl Harbor. Their projects also included studies on sustainable agriculture and the impact of performing arts as an interdisciplinary experience.

Presenters included UROP funding recipients, participants in National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates and participants in the 鈥檚 new Summer Research Institute.

东精影业 President Wendy Hensel and 东精影业 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos delivered opening remarks, highlighting the value of undergraduate research and creative work.

UROP funding support

Each year, UROP awards more than $500,000 in merit-based scholarships directly to students to support mentored undergraduate research and creative work projects and presentations. An additional $135,000 is awarded directly to mentors to support undergraduate research and creative work during the summer. The SURE Symposium is one of several regular on-campus presentation venues organized/co-organized by UROP. During the fall and spring semesters, UROP co-organizes the with the .

In 2021, Cole Cabrera, a Hawaiʻi native and standout baseball player at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, was looking for one last opportunity to play the sport he loved and earn a graduate degree. Then came the call.

“I still remember the phone call with [University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补] head coach Rich Hill calling me to tell me he was offering me a scholarship to come play for Hawaiʻi,” said Cabrera. “It was a no-brainer to come back home.”

He returned to Oʻahu to pursue a master of science in marketing management at the Shidler College of Business at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, graduating in 2022. The program made a lasting impact on his future.

“My master’s program curriculum was very rigorous and prepared me for the everyday challenges of the professional sector,” said Cabrera. “Shidler is a very respected business school, and knowing you are going to be challenged everyday just brings a sense of fire and passion you need to make it in the classroom and in life.”

While earning his degree, Cabrera was also fulfilling a childhood dream: representing 东精影业 baseball in front of the people who mattered most.

“Growing up in Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi is the professional team. It means a lot to put Hawaiʻi on your chest and know that you are representing not only the state, but your home,” he said. “It鈥檚 an honor, and us local boys do not take that lightly.”

Today, Cabrera is a Realtor at Luxury Homes International and was appropriately named the company鈥檚 2024 Real Estate Rookie of the Year.

“Advice I would tell young realtors is to be smart enough to create your own opportunities,” he said. “Go out and go get it!”

Read and learn more about other .

As a kid, Maya Singh heard from her family stories about the ocean and land in Fiji that inspired her passion for the outdoors and, ultimately, for environmental science.

“I grew up in British Columbia, Canada, but my family is from Fiji,” said Singh, who will be graduating this month from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in (GES). “My grandpa would tell me stories of him and his brothers catching shrimp outside and playing in the ocean and rivers. It really inspired me to want to live closer to the ocean.”

With a passion for the environment and ocean, Singh moved to Hawaiʻi after graduating high school to pursue a degree at the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 . For her senior research, Singh worked with mentor and Assistant Prof. to support coastal management and preservation on 尝腻苍补ʻ颈. She developed a beach carrying capacity tool to determine the maximum number of visitors a beach can hold without surpassing the limits of acceptable environmental or social change at the beach.

As the culmination of this research effort, Singh wrote a senior thesis and presented her findings at the Spring 2025 GES Symposium, a showcase of the research conducted by graduating GES students.

“This tool was developed as a means to understand the changes at the beach and how we can best preserve the beach for future generations,” said Singh. “The thing I enjoy most about conducting this research is being able to work with the community and make a difference. Talking to the local community in the field and connecting with high school students to share the research we are conducting and why it’s important is very fulfilling.”

Meet more amazing 东精影业 spring graduates

Supported by funding from the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , Singh also worked with Keiko Wilkins, a doctoral candidate in Bob Richmond鈥檚 research group at , to investigate how plastic pollution threatens marine ecosystems. Specifically, she tested the effects of microplastics on sea urchin fertilization. Singh also assisted with collecting and preparing coral samples for Wilkins鈥檚 dissertation research on microplastic effects on corals in the Pacific Ocean.

The academic and research experiences Singh has had through the GES program have solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in Hawaiʻi in environmental science after graduation. Eventually, she hopes to continue with her education by working toward a graduate degree in oceanography.

—By Marcie Grabowski

Undergraduate students from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 traveled to Washington, D.C., in March, as part of the (STR) program. Chloé Houy, Kayla Lum and Kristyn Miyamoto participated in months of research advocacy training, preparing them to effectively communicate the importance of undergraduate research to policymakers. They are mentored by Associate Professor Sladjana Prišić and work on research projects in the Prišić Lab.

Their training, which began in November 2024, included workshops on relationship building with legislators, writing policy briefs and crafting persuasive op-eds. The students鈥� efforts culminated in meetings with the offices of Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Ed Case.

Drawing from their experiences conducting microbiology research in the Prišić Lab, the students highlighted how undergraduate research fosters scientific discovery and professional development. They emphasized the critical role of federal support from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health in sustaining research opportunities that shape future scientists and medical professionals.

“Advocating for undergraduate research on Capitol Hill was an incredible experience that showed me how science and policy intersect to shape the future of research opportunities,” Lum said.

Prišić added, “Seeing my students confidently communicate the impact of their research to policymakers reinforced the importance of mentorship and the role of advocacy in advancing scientific discovery.”

Through the STR program, the students gained hands-on experience in research advocacy while refining their ability to communicate scientific concepts to a broad audience. Their participation not only amplified the value of student research at 东精影业 but also underscored the broader impact of continued investment in scientific exploration and education. Their research and trip were funded by the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 (UROP) and a grant from the National Science Foundation awarded to Prišić.

Expanding support for undergraduate research

Noah Perales-Estoesta, UROP program coordinator, also participated in the STR program. His goal was to explore how UROP can adapt programming similar to what is offered by STR for undergraduate students at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补.

“A major part of what UROP does is support the dissemination of student research and creative work, usually in the form of presentations and publications,” Perales-Estoesta said. “Especially in today鈥檚 university climate, I think we should be encouraging students to think more creatively about the broader impacts of their work and, from the administrative side, about how to provide them with the infrastructure to realize and articulate those impacts. STR provides a great model for this, and I look forward to exploring what similar efforts UROP can develop.”

Each year, UROP awards more than $500,000 in merit-based scholarships directly to students to support mentored undergraduate research and creative work projects and presentations. An additional $135,000 is awarded directly to mentors to support undergraduate research and creative work during the summer via the .

In high school, Maggie Chen realized she had the power to choose a career that allowed her to fight for the environment she grew up loving. After graduating from Mililani High School, that passion and care brought her to the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (GES) bachelor鈥檚 program.

“I wanted to dedicate my career to caring for the land that has provided for me my whole life.” — Maggie Chen

Born on Oʻahu and raised in Central Oʻahu, Chen always had a great appreciation for the beauty of nature and wildlife, but learning about climate change and the detrimental environmental impacts of human activities cemented her commitment to protect what she loves.

“The concept of aloha ʻ腻颈苍补, or taking care of the land, was instilled in me throughout high school, and I decided that four-hour weekend work days with my environmental club weren鈥檛 going to cut it for me,” said Chen, who is in her second year of the GES program in the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 (SOEST). “I wanted to dedicate my career to caring for the land that has provided for me my whole life. So, here I am in SOEST learning how to do just that.”

From land to sea

In summer 2024, Chen was selected for the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) program. During the 10-week program, she worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration鈥檚 (NOAA) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) at the Inouye Regional Center on Ford Island, where she was introduced to fisheries science, specifically fish life history, which assesses fish age, growth and reproduction.

“I was assigned to two amazing mentors, Dr. Eva Schemmel from NOAA and Dr. Eileen Nalley from Hawaiʻi Sea Grant,” Chen shared. “I was fascinated to learn how much work goes into managing our fisheries, because while I love eating fish, I never really thought about the work that goes on to keep our fisheries sustainable and well-documented.”

Through her fellowship research, Chen processed samples of otoliths, or fish ear bones, from gindai, one species of the , the seven most culturally important and highly valued of the deep-water bottomfish species in Hawaiian waters. She also helped process samples of billfish, such as blue marlin, striped marlin and swordfish, for the International Billfish Biological Sampling program. Working at the NOAA facilities afforded Chen a variety of other experiences, such as visiting a tuna auction, watching a turtle necropsy, participating in monk seal watches, touring the NOAA ships and networking opportunities.

“Maggie has become a valued member of our team and goes above and beyond to contribute to all types of lab tasks, including fish biosampling processing and participating in community and public engagement events,” said Schemmel. “Her attention to detail and passion has shown through in her work. In fact, she has become an expert otolith processor, perhaps the best on our team, and we hope to continue to work with her in the future.”

Progress on research and career path

Now, as an undergraduate fisheries research assistant with Nalley, Chen is continuing the gindai life history project she began during the internship.

Chen expects to graduate in the spring of 2027 and hopes to pursue graduate school, and then ultimately her dream position as a biologist at NOAA.

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—By Marcie Grabowski

University of Hawaiʻi community college students can seamlessly transfer to 东精影业 Mānoa thanks to the , under the . The program offers an innovative and supportive pathway to a four-year degree at 东精影业 Mānoa that provides specialized guidance every step of the way.

The Kaʻieʻie Program is named after the channel that separates the island of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, as well as the ʻieʻie plant, which is used in the traditional process of preparing koa trees to become waʻa (sailing canoes). Just as the channel serves as a connection between the islands, the Kaʻieʻie program connects community colleges and UH Mānoa, helping students navigate their transition with confidence.

One of the key benefits of the program is the early access to academic advising that students receive to ensure their 东精影业 community college coursework aligns with their 东精影业 Mānoa degree requirements. Transfer specialists, which are assigned to each of the seven 东精影业 Community College campuses, are available to assist any student interested in transferring to 东精影业 Mānoa. They not only assist with academic planning but help students determine the best time for them to transfer, taking into consideration each student’s unique circumstances (e.g. finances, work-school balance, etc.).

“Kaʻieʻie students have higher retention rates and graduate at a higher rate within two and three years after entry, compared to other 东精影业 Community College transfer students. Many of them receive the Transfer Merit or Presidential Scholarship with guidance from our transfer specialists, who help identify opportunities and support them through the application process,” said Lauren Prepose-Forsen, Director of the Mānoa Transfer Coordination Center.

In addition to the specialized support provided by the transfer specialists, there are additional financial incentives designed to help reduce the costs associated with transferring to UH Mānoa. Kaʻieʻie Program participants will receive a waived $70 application fee and a waived $200 tuition deposit when they transfer to 东精影业 Mānoa. This financial relief helps make the transition smoother and more affordable, allowing students to focus on their studies.

“The Kaʻieʻie Program has been very helpful in my future endeavors once I transfer to UH Mānoa,” said Faith Setik, a Kapiʻolani Community College student and Kaʻieʻie Program participant. “My transfer specialist, Shauna, has helped me in planning ahead with my classes, providing me scholarship updates, as well as figuring out the best cost-effective plan for the classes I can take both in Kapiʻolani CC and 东精影业M.”

Furthermore, the Mānoa Transfer Coordination Center in partnership with 东精影业 Mānoa’s Admissions Office are now offering Kaʻieʻie Transfer Students a scholarship upon transfer to UH Mānoa. The first group of students who will receive these scholarships are students who transferred through the Kaʻieʻie Program for Spring 2025.

“I think this is just an amazing opportunity for community college students, and it highlights one of the strengths of being a 10-campus system where we really have made an effort to create a supportive pathway for community college students who are interested in pursuing any of the majors offered at 东精影业 Mānoa,” said Andrea S.D. Hazzard, Director of Mānoa Academic Advising.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with a transfer specialist, go to

—By McKenzie Kurosu, Lauren Prepose-Forsen and Jill Sur

Update May 7, 2025: Shuri Chibana was honored with the 2025 Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 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鈥檚 largest city and commercial center. That鈥檚 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 惭腻苍辞补, 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鈥檚 . 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 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补,” 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 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 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 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , an officer of the Micronesian Connections Association student club and a CSS .

In addition, she has been joined at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 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鈥檚 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.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 selected “future” as its 2024 Word of the Year for Hawaiʻi. The department鈥檚 choice acknowledges the complex nature of what lies ahead.

“‘Future’ is neither clearly positive nor negative. It’s something we might want and something we might fear. It’s something at risk, so it’s something we have to protect,” said John David Zuern, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Department of English chair and professor. “Crucially, it鈥檚 something we have to imagine, and as students and teachers in the arts and humanities, we believe that nurturing the imagination is essential to safeguarding a livable future for ourselves and for those who come after us.”

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Department of English undergraduate students in the came up with the word this year, and the Department of English Executive Committee reaffirmed it.

“We felt that at this moment in our country鈥檚 history, it would be best to listen to how our students, many of whom are young people, are encapsulating their experiences and aspirations in words,” Zuern said.

Zuern said that the students also considered the following words: “solidarity,” “community,” “hope,” “nightmare,” and “dystopian.”

Merriam-Webster announced its 2024 as “polarization” on December 9.