Beginning in summer 2026, all University of Hawaiʻi online classes—including hybrid courses with an online component—will be delivered through (LMS).

The change, required by adopted on April 1, 2026, is designed to strengthen the student experience across 糖心视频‘s 10 campuses while improving data security and systemwide support for teaching and learning.

Providing students with single point of reference

Using a single LMS provides students with a consistent point of access for course materials, communication and grades, regardless of campus or department. This reduces the number of different platforms students must navigate and supports stronger engagement and success in online learning environments.

“Moving to a single learning management system makes it easier for students to stay organized and engaged in their courses, while also giving faculty a secure, well-supported platform for teaching,” said Kim Siegenthaler, senior advisor to 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel. “尝补尘补办奴 strengthens consistency across our campuses and helps ensure that both students and instructors have the tools they need for a successful learning experience.”

The move also enhances protection of student information. 尝补尘补办奴 meets 糖心视频 Information Security policies and applicable data privacy requirements, significantly reducing the risk of security breaches involving course materials, grades and other sensitive information.

Faculty may continue using third-party instructional tools when appropriate, but those tools must meet 糖心视频 policy requirements and be integrated through 尝补尘补办奴.

尝补尘补办奴: Lighting the path for learning

The Hawaiian word 濒补尘补办奴 means torch—the same torch represented in the 糖心视频 logo—and symbolizes education and enlightenment, 濒补尘补办奴 o ka naʻauao. The platform reflects 糖心视频‘s ongoing commitment to advancing teaching and learning through modern, secure and student-centered technology across the system.

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 糖心视频 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 糖心视频 Mānoa. As LAs, our students are not only strengthening their own content knowledge, they are transforming learning at 糖心视频 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 糖心视频 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

Georcelle Lozano鈥檚 journey to where she is today and her upcoming graduation from the University of Hawaiʻi鈥揥别蝉迟 Oʻahu began eight years ago and about 5,370 miles away in her beloved hometown of Balaoan, La Union, Philippines. When she was 14, her family immigrated to Hawaiʻi in 2018 to reunite with relatives and build a new life in a new country.

Lozano is a first-generation college student and the only fluent English speaker among her immediate family members, who speak their native Ilokano. Over the years, both her academic and familial responsibilities involved trying to figure out unknown processes and systems not only for herself, but others in her family.

Lozano said the experience shaped her understanding of how access to information and support can significantly influence someone鈥檚 ability to succeed.

“Graduation represents years of sacrifice, both mine and my family鈥檚,” said Lozano. “It reflects the journey of leaving home, adapting to a new country, and learning how to navigate unfamiliar spaces.”

Lozano will share her story as one of two student speakers at on May 9.

Lozano earned, with distinction, a bachelor of education in secondary education with a focus on mathematics.

“For me, this moment is not just an ending, but a responsibility,” Lozano said. “It is a reminder that everything I have learned here is meant to be carried forward and used to support others who may be walking a similar path.”

Read more at .

Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, Jaydee Ah Sing’s decision to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo wasn’t just a choice—it was a calling. A proud graduate of 奥补颈腻办别补 High School, Ah Sing is deeply rooted in her community.

“I only applied to 糖心视频 Hilo,” she shared with a laugh. “I love it here in Hawaiʻi, and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

This spring, Ah Sing crosses the stage as a Chancellor Scholar, graduating with a bachelor of arts in and an certificate. Her journey demonstrates the profound impact of 糖心视频 Hilo’s close-knit academic environment, where local students can flourish and give back to the very islands that raised them.

Turning point

Ah Sing’s path shifted from pediatric medicine to education after discovering she was uneasy around blood. Her mentors, professors Kerri Inglis and Michele Ebersole, helped guide her to her true passion. She ultimately pursued history, leaning into her deep love for the subject.

Her dedication has led to remarkable achievements. Ah Sing recently won the Best Undergraduate Paper Prize at the Phi Alpha Theta regional conference in Hawaiʻi. Her senior thesis challenged established narratives about the iconic Kalaupapa Lighthouse. After a profound field study experience in Kalaupapa with Inglis, Ah Sing discovered moʻolelo (stories) of 叠辞办颈办奴尘补苍辞尘补苍辞, a shape-shifting dog protector of the peninsula.

“There was this entire history that people of Molokaʻi seem to know about, but others don’t get to experience because it had been displaced by this western form of historiography, which is history written by historians,” explained Ah Sing, who went to Kalaupapa over Spring Break and discovered evidence of the remnants of a heiau honoring Boki.

Service driven

Ah Sing’s passion for Hawaiian history and education translates directly into her career goals. Since high school, she has worked as a paraprofessional tutor at Keaʻau Elementary School, serving underprivileged students.

“I want to be the kind of teacher who goes above and beyond for my students,” she said.

She won’t have to wait long to achieve that dream. This July, Ah Sing will begin the at 糖心视频 Hilo.

For more, go to .

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

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

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

Priorities, goals

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

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

Mayo’s professional work is as inspiring as her personal life. Working two jobs, she serves as a lived-experience advocate at the Children’s Law Project of Hawaiʻi, collaborating with guardians ad litem to determine the best interests of youth in care. She also works as a Pilina Circle Specialist at EPIC ʻOhana, facilitating crucial peer support and family meetings for foster youth.

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

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

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

For more, go to .

”Kapiʻolani Summer Camp is back and calling for proposals! The free peer-reviewed online conference, August 10–13, is inviting University of Hawaiʻi faculty, staff and administrators to share their expertise in an array of formats.

Last year, total attendance across 45 sessions for this free, Zoom-based event was 776, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage in professional service and share your experience, insights and/or resources with colleagues in a friendly, supportive and engaging context.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit proposals for one or more session formats, with the flexibility to propose multiple topics.

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The deadline to apply is May 22, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. HST. Due to the extended submission window this year, organizers are unable to accommodate late submissions or extensions. Presenters will be notified of their acceptance in June.

If you have any questions, contact the event coordinators at sumrcamp@hawaii.edu.

Kauaʻi Community College is combining high-tech innovation with cultural preservation, offering five students paid internships while supporting local nonprofit efforts to protect Indigenous data across the island.

These interdisciplinary projects allow students to gain specialized skills, earn academic credit and explore new career pathways through hands-on experience. They are part of the University of Hawaiʻi‘s Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, which has established several Indigenous Data Hubs (IDH).

In one vital project, students are partnering with the nonprofit I Ola Wailuanui to aid in the restoration of Malaehaʻakoa heiau. Using drone technology, interns created 3D models of the historical site, which are now being used to inform and guide restoration efforts.

“Building pilina (connection) with Malaehaʻakoa and listening to what its needs are for restoration and integration into modern-day functioning has been integral,” said Kauaʻi CC IDH Coordinator Kamalani Chock. “When we interact with the space, we treat the heiau as an ancestor that can help the community cultivate mana (power). What the process of mana cultivation means in the 21st century is what we’re meditating on.”

Digitizing artifacts

A second project involves students digitizing fragile artifacts at Kauaʻi CC’s Kikuchi Center. They are photographing from 360 degrees and transforming those images into a 3D model with an associated texture map, making them accessible for study and public engagement on the .

“I think it’s important to expand the scope of potential career pathways on the island,” Creative Media Program Coordinator Joseph Tremonti said.

“Projects like this allow students to develop skills that can be applied to cultural heritage work, archives, and museum studies—fields where access to fragile materials is often limited. This opens up exciting opportunities for our students.”

Chock, who also teaches agriculture and natural science courses through Nā Pua Noʻeau (a pre-K–college enrichment program), emphasized the importance of connecting education directly to community needs.

“I think the future of education must be holistic,” Chock said. “It can’t be siloed into singular disciplines. Instead, it should recognize how these fields intersect and work together in our communities—especially in ways that support community health and well-being.”

“Aloha from Puʻunui!” “Joining from Alaska.” “Tagio tumas, Wantok!”

These greetings reflected the global reach of a recent interdisciplinary webinar hosted in part by the (DPHS) at the , bringing together more than 115 participants to explore how sport and culture support health across Pacific communities.

The virtual event, “Activating Ties Across the Tides,” connected professionals and students in public health, social work and community programs from places including Papua New Guinea, Guam and the continental U.S.

Culturally grounded approaches

The discussion centered on culturally grounded sport and movement programs, with presenters sharing research, youth initiatives and lived experiences from Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Chuukese communities in Guam. Speakers included athletes, educators and public health practitioners working across the region.

The event was co-hosted by the Public Health Resonance Project, in collaboration with the Thompson School , the and the . DPHS graduate students in the spring 2026 course also helped to host the event, strengthening knowledge and leadership skills.

“It is great to see how communities are using sports/functional movement to support their communities to be healthier or find healthier ways to interact and to live,” said one participant.

“Integrating culture and physical activity is an innovative way to create intersections between culture and health and a great way to strengthen communities socially and in health and wellbeing, thank you all for sharing what you do!” said another participant.

Organizers announced a related call for papers through the Hawaiʻi Journal of Health & Social Welfare, with , to further expand scholarship in this area.

“Having worked collaboratively across the Pacific for more than 20 years to engage Pacific communities through social work and interdisciplinary public health initiatives at 糖心视频 M膩noa, it was incredibly meaningful to see this interdisciplinary scholarly forum highlight efforts that center community and individual well-being through sport,” said Theresa Kreif, faculty director of .

amplifies the unique attributes and deep connections across regionally and culturally relevant physical activities for health promotion. This was the second collaborative webinar supported by the Chin Sik & Hyun Sook Chung Endowed Chair in Public Health Studies and Tetine Sentell, Professor in DPHS, in collaboration with local and international experts and partners.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa hosted its 26th annual banquet, bringing together approximately 1,000 students, faculty, alumni, industry leaders and supporters to celebrate the innovation and impact the college has on the state of Hawaiʻi.

Held on April 17 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the event began with a student project expo, where dozens of teams presented hands-on work across aerospace, robotics, sustainability and artificial intelligence. Projects included bioinspired soft robotics systems, student-built satellites, autonomous drones and renewable energy solutions aligned with campus sustainability goals, offering attendees a firsthand look at applied learning with real-world relevance.

Following welcome remarks by Dean Brennon Morioka, 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel and Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green, as well as dinner service, the formal program featured an awards ceremony recognizing contributions to the engineering community. Dayna Nemoto-Shima (Pacific Geotechnical Engineers, Inc.) and Brandon Shima (糖心视频) received the Outstanding Service Award, Greg Hiyakumoto (R.M. Towill Corporation) was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, and Bharath Kadaba (Lu Labs) earned the Dean鈥檚 Award of Excellence.

Connecting talent with opportunity

“The future of engineering in Hawaiʻi depends on how well we connect talent with opportunity, and those relationships happen because of the people who attended our annual banquet,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said. “Our industry partners and donors are the heart and soul of our local economy and help create pathways for students to lead, to solve and to stay and make a difference right here at home.”

The formal program also highlighted the featured student project, the unexploded ordnance (UXO) project. The multidisciplinary effort applies advanced sensing technologies and robotics to safely detect unexploded ordnance in Hawaiʻi, addressing long-standing environmental and public safety challenges.

“I got the opportunity to go to the 21 years of peace celebration at Mākua Valley and it really was an amazing opportunity to actually get to talk to the community and we got to talk to students too,” said UXO student project leader Kamalani Goo. “It was really instilled in me that we need to be having these conversations and building these relationships because no one truly understands the issues as well as the community that is experiencing them.”

The event concluded with a live auction and more networking, celebrating the shared commitment to advancing engineering in Hawaiʻi. The college extended its mahalo to donors and Hawaiʻi鈥檚 engineering industry for their continued support, including mentorship, internships and career development opportunities that help shape student success. All net proceeds from the annual banquet goes directly to supporting the many student projects showcased at the event.

For Lauro Delos-Santos Jr., graduating from Honolulu Community College in 2026 with an associate of arts degree in Hawaiian Studies is more than just an achievement—it鈥檚 a life-changing triumph he never imagined.

Before enrolling at Honolulu CC, Delos-Santos and his wife were living at the Keahou Emergency Homeless Shelter. In September of 2020, a team from Honolulu CC鈥檚 Hawaiian Center visited the shelter to teach Hawaiian studies. For 12 weeks, Delos-Santos engaged in Hawaiian history, mythology, navigation, biology, politics, hula and even taro growing. By the end of the program, he was invited to consider returning to school—with financial aid support.

‘You can do it’

Despite initial hesitation—Delos-Santos had been recently released from prison, was on probation, and had a history as a convicted felon—Niuhelewai Program Specialist Kapulani Tuifanu and Native Hawaiian Counselor Kahale Saito persisted. They kept telling him, “You can do it.” They guided him through financial aid applications, course selection and introduced him to computers—something Delos-Santos had never used before.

With financial aid and careful planning, Delos-Santos was able to save money, obtain a driver鈥檚 license, buy a car, secure an apartment, and obtain a GED. He got his identifications in order, registered to vote, and maintained sobriety—milestones he once thought impossible.

“Ever since I came to Honolulu CC, nothing but good things have happened,” he said. “Angelic forces definitely were involved here. I鈥檓 so grateful.”

Six months after Delos-Santos started at Honolulu CC, he was given early release from probation, and his felony convictions were exonerated due to good behavior.

Hawaiian Studies helped Delos-Santos find himself through learning about his Hawaiian culture—gaining confidence, engaging with the community, and exploring self-discovery and wellness. He continued to see his substance abuse counselor, whom he credits as one of the influential factors in his recovery.

Helping others

Delos-Santos鈥� commitment extends beyond academics. He serves as a peer mentor at the Hawaiian Center, seeking to aid other students. He also led the Honolulu CC Math Society as 2024 president, preparing fellow students for quizzes and exams.

“Now, I want to be the person who helps others, like how I鈥檝e been helped,” he said.

Delos-Santos credits much of his success to the supportive culture at Honolulu CC.

“Anytime you need some help with anything, you can find it here. It鈥檚 just like home,” he said. “You can always come here, and you鈥檒l be taken care of.”

Delos-Santos will attend the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa in fall 2026 to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in human development and family studies with a focus on child and family services. His goal is to earn a master鈥檚 degree and become a licensed social worker, giving back to the community that supported him.

He has advice for current and prospective students, “If you have doubts, remember these four words: ‘You can do it!’ The support you need is here.”

—By Iris Greges