University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� Athletics’ Giving Week: Our Team. �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s Team (October 9&#8211ʻ19) received an outpouring of support from alumni, fans, friends and the community, eclipsing last year’s campaign with more than 1,300 donors who helped raise more than $2 million. Funds will provide opportunities for student-athletes through scholarships, academic resources, nutrition, mental health services and facilities.

“This week truly showed that it is Our Team, �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s Team,” said Athletics Director Matt Elliott in a mahalo video message. “Your support and generosity are amazing. We can’t wait to get out there on the field and on the courts to represent you, and to thank you for everything you do.”

A centerpiece of the week was Giving Week’s widespread exposure across Hawaiʻi News Now’s programming by expanding beyond HI Now Daily to include morning news shows, early evening broadcasts and a dedicated primetime special from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This extensive live coverage amplified the campaign’s reach through 30 segments featuring 37 different individuals, showcasing special collaborations and inspiring stories of student-athletes and coaches. The broadcast’s vast platform further highlighted a strong show of support from alumni and community leaders, featuring special appearances by Gov. Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and former coach Dave Shoji.

“We are honored to support ������Ƶ Athletics’ vision and showcase the excellence of these student-athletes to the world during this vital campaign,” said Katie Pickman, Hawaiʻi News Now general manager. “Our goal is to amplify these inspiring stories for every fan on every island, helping to rally the community and truly making them ‘�Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s Team’ across all our platforms.”

Support spans 32 states, 9 countries

Donations across the 10 days came in from more than 32 states and nine countries, with all 21 teams receiving support through the Our Team. �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s Team and Boost the ‘Bows campaigns.

“Every gift represents more than a donation,” said ������Ƶ Foundation CEO and ������Ƶ Vice President of Advancement Tim Dolan. “It reflects a belief in our students, our mission and the future of our university. The generosity we witnessed during Giving Week is a powerful reminder that the connections we cultivate today can have a lasting impact on generations to come.”

University of Hawaiʻi faculty, staff and students helped bring astronomy to life for hundreds of visitors at AstroDay West on November 7. The ninth annual Maunakea Observatories event at Kona Commons gave keiki and their ʻohana a chance to meet scientists and educators, try hands-on activities and explore new technology, all for free.

“Over the years, AstroDay has evolved into a celebration of science and technology across Hawaiʻi Island,” said Doug Simons, director of IfA. “This year, keiki and their ʻohana explored everything from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of the universe. I hope the experience inspires them to become the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers.”

A highlight of this year’s event was Hale Hōkū, Gemini Observatory’s portable planetarium, which gave visitors an immersive look at the night sky. Attendees also had the opportunity to safely observe the sun through solar telescopes.

“My son absolutely loves science and learning anything,” said Raimie Hawk, an AstroDay West attendee. “The activity that we really enjoyed today was making my son’s very own constellation.”

Keiki could also enter the annual Maunakea Coin Contest, a statewide graphic design competition that invites Hawaiʻi Island students in grades K–12 to compete for prizes and the chance to have their artwork featured on official AstroDay collector coins.

University of Hawaiʻi Hilo women’s volleyball secured the final spot in the Pacific West Conference Championships after sweeping its season-ending road trip to Oʻahu. The Vulcans earned a four-set victory over Chaminade on Friday before defeating Hawaiʻi Pacific in straight sets Saturday.

The win over Chaminade secured the Vulcans a place in the four-team tournament field alongside Point Loma, Concordia and Biola. The PacWest Championships will be hosted by Vanguard University November 13–14, at the Freed Center in Costa Mesa, California.

The Vulcans bounced back after dropping the opening set against Chaminade, winning the next three sets, 26-24, 25-16 and 25-18.

Alohi Garcia recorded her 16th double-double of the season with 13 kills and 12 digs, while ʻAnolani Santos posted her eighth double-double with 47 assists and 12 digs. Chase Koepke and Sajal Glunz also contributed 14 kills each.

The Vulcans carried that momentum into Saturday’s matchup against Hawaiʻi Pacific, earning a 25-12, 25-21, 25-23 sweep to close out the regular season hitting .448 in each of the first two sets to take control of the match.

With the postseason berth secured, ������Ƶ Hilo will enter the PacWest Championships as the No. 4 seed. The Vulcans will face top-seeded Point Loma in the semifinals on November 13, at 2:30 p.m.

Read more at .

Honolulu’s Bill 7 housing program has helped bring hundreds of affordable apartments to neighborhoods near public transit. A new report from the (������ƵERO) finds that allowing more apartments per project, streamlining permitting and making construction grants available earlier could help the city build on that progress.

The report, , examines the city’s Affordable Rental Housing Program, which began in 2019 to encourage apartment construction on small lots. The program offers incentives such as fee waivers, grants and tax breaks in exchange for keeping most units affordable to moderate-income households.

Key takeaways from the November 9 report

• More apartments are in the pipeline. As of September 2026, seven projects with 224 apartments had been completed since the program began, and another 776 apartments across 22 projects had received permits. Those permitted projects could help bring the program closer to the city’s goal of completing 500 apartments per year.
• Bill 7 makes small-lot projects more financially viable. On a representative 10,000-square-foot lot, researchers estimated that Bill 7 would allow 49 apartments, up from 26 under the zoning rules in place before 2026. The estimated return also improved, though it remained below the industry benchmark used in the study.
• Projects are close to public transit. Every Bill 7 project in the study is within a quarter mile of a bus stop, and six are within a half mile of a current or planned Skyline station.
• Several changes could help more projects move forward. Higher borrowing and construction costs, along with longer permitting timelines, have made development more difficult. Researchers found that allowing more apartments per project could improve financial feasibility without increasing the city’s subsidy per apartment. The report also identifies opportunities to streamline permitting and make construction grants available earlier.

“Despite unexpected macroeconomic challenges, the Bill 7 program has produced hundreds of workforce housing units in central locations with excellent transit access,” the report said.

������ƵERO is housed in ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’s .

University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� libero Victoria Leyva and middle blocker Rachel Purser earned Old Trapper Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Player of the Week awards on Monday after helping the Rainbow Wahine sweep their series with Nevada.

Leyva was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week and Purser earned the Freshman of the Week award. The awards followed a pair of victories over Nevada that also secured Hawaiʻi a place in the Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Championship.

Leyva anchored the Rainbow Wahine’s defense, averaging 5.17 digs per set across the six sets against Nevada. The junior recorded a match-high 18 digs in Thursday’s series opener before adding 13 more in Saturday’s finale. She also went without an error in serve reception, successfully handling all 26 of her attempts.

Purser was equally efficient on the offensive end, recording 15 kills on 23 attempts without an attack error for a .652 hitting percentage. The freshman finished with eight kills on Thursday and added seven more in Saturday’s finale. She also contributed three blocks and 17 total points during the series.

The two weekly honors come as Hawaiʻi (21-4, 13-1 Mountain West) prepares for its final home series of the regular season against Air Force. The Rainbow Wahine will host the Falcons November 11 and 12, at 7 p.m., at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine will celebrate Senior Night following Friday’s home finale.

Read more at .

A $2.8 million partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� and the U.S. Forest Service will help Pacific Island landowners protect forests and prepare for wildfire, drought, and severe storms.

The will fund five new Forest Service-affiliated junior extension agents through ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’�� (CTAHR).

The positions will serve American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Applications for all five positions open November 9, 2026, with agents expected to begin working in their respective locations by May 2027.

An informational webinar about the program and the five positions will be held November 18, at 2 p.m. Hawaiʻi time. .

Regional collaboration

Funded by the U.S. Forest Service and delivered through CTAHR, the program will support implementation of the participating jurisdictions’ Forest Action Plans. The five positions were developed with the Forest Service to support that work.

“Many Pacific Islands face shared challenges, from wildfires and drought to severe storms,” said Ashley McGuigan, program lead and CTAHR extension specialist. “A regional approach brings forestry programs, agencies and communities together to learn from one another, share knowledge and resources, and support locally driven efforts to sustain forests and the communities that depend on them.”

Practical support

The program will bring together the U.S. Forest Service, local forestry agencies, extension personnel, and communities to develop workshops, knowledge-sharing events, and educational resources supporting land stewardship practices such as agroforestry, reforestation, and pest management.

For more information, contact Ashley McGuigan at aamcguig@hawaii.edu or Christian Colo at colo@hawaii.edu.

When a Hawaiian family faces a devastating loss in , the Kumulipo, a Hawaiian creation chant, connects the living with those who came before them. The new play makes its world premiere November 18–22 at ’s Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�.

For playwright Sheila Miles, the story grew out of a search that began in her own family. Her late mother had been tracing their genealogy and died before she could finish. A conversation with her playwriting adviser, Kumu �Ჹ������ʻō��ܲ� Baker, prompted Miles to take a closer look at the Kumulipo and what it could teach her about her Hawaiian identity. Miles is pursuing a master of fine arts in playwriting at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�.

“I have always and will always be interested in indigenous creation stories and how they inform our present day lives,” said Miles. “This is my endeavor to understand this creation story and make connections with present day reality,” Miles said.

The production is directed by Ed Refuerzo, an MFA candidate studying directing, and is part of 2026–2027 Primetime Series.

Told in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), Hawaiʻi Creole English (Pidgin) and English, the story begins when Haumea receives a hōʻailona—an omen—that she desperately tries to prevent. As generations of one family navigate grief, love and change, the Kumulipo, a Hawaiian origin chant, becomes a thread connecting ancestors and descendants.

“The Storyteller asks us to remember that stories are not simply told—they are lived. They carry our histories, shape our futures, and help us understand who we are in relation to one another and to the world around us,” said Refuerzo.

Stories across generations

The play presents moʻolelo, or stories, as an active part of life. It explores how stories can guide us through loss, celebrate resilience and shape our understanding of who we are through relationships, place and memory.

Those connections also reflect the theatre’s season theme, Finding Home in the Extraordinary. In The Storyteller, home takes shape through language, ancestry, family and the stories passed between generations.

The production is presented by ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’s .

Ticket information

Tickets are $9 for ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� students and $18 for general admission.

Students at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� can pick up their packages on campus at the newly installed Amazon pickup lockers, located outside the Campus Mail Office (Admin Building 1), behind Campus Center.

This is part of Amazon’s initiative to expand their package pickup sites to more than 500 colleges and universities across the U.S.

“These Amazon lockers are an additional, convenient location for students to receive and pick up their packages right here on campus,” said Andy Lachman, university housing, food services and mail services manager. “It is exciting that we can provide a modern solution that gives students more flexibility to pick up their packages on their own schedule.”

To use the Amazon pick up lockers:

1. Go to your Amazon account settings and click on “Your Addresses,” then add “University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�” to your address book.
2. During checkout, select the ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� pickup locker as your delivery address.
3. After you receive your delivery confirmation, go to the ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� campus pickup location and get your package.

Packages must be picked up within three days of delivery; orders that are not picked up within that window will be returned and refunded.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� is inviting prospective graduate students to apply for six , highlighting a strategic multi-year initiative that pairs master’s and doctoral students directly with distinguished faculty on high-impact research projects.

The GA positions include a 100% tuition exemption, and an annual stipend of $31,524. The assistantships are open to new graduate students enrolling in fall 2027. Graduate degree program applications are due January 1, 2027.

For the upcoming academic year, the school is offering six GA positions spanning key academic tracks, research facilities and community-engaged initiatives:

• Historic Preservation
• ������Ƶ Community Design Center
• Environmental Research Design Lab
• School of Architecture (precast material systems)
• Landscape Architecture

“These graduate assistantships make a top-tier R1 educational experience more accessible while creating opportunities to collaborate on impactful research,” said School of Architecture Dean Mo Zell. “Two of the six assistantships this year support graduate students in addressing critical challenges, from exploring how precast systems shape spatial identity and environmental performance in Hawaiʻi’s tropical environment to advancing community-engaged landscape design, outdoor recreation and conservation projects across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.”

The assistantship program is part of a broader effort by the School of Architecture to elevate its national and international academic profile while offering robust financial support to incoming graduate scholars. Over successive academic years, the initiative has connected GAs with leading faculty members to advance cutting-edge architectural inquiry.

Zell said, “This work strengthens our communities and built environment while generating knowledge with relevance far beyond the state.”

Record enrollment

The GA opportunities arrive during a period of enrollment growth for the school, where total student enrollment has reached 430. In 2026–27, the school enrolled its largest incoming freshman class in history, totaling 112 students in the Bachelor of Environmental Design program. Overall school enrollment has climbed 55% over the past seven years.

In spring 2026, the Master of Architecture program earned full accreditation. ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� also offers the nation’s only accredited Doctor of Architecture (DArch) program recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, alongside a Master of Landscape Architecture, a DArch Global Track dual degree with Tongji University in Shanghai, and a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation. Students also benefit from global exchange partners, such as Technical University of Munich, and more than $150,000 awarded in scholarships and travel funds.

“FBI Honolulu Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) Overview” is the topic for the last in a series of three free Zoom webinars presented by University of Hawaiʻi Maui College for sole proprietors and registered businesses in Hawaiʻi. The webinar will take place on November 18, 12–1 p.m., HST.

FBI Special Agent J. Lewis will present on the FBI Honolulu Division’s Computer Analysis Response Team, also known as CART. The CART team is comprised of professional staff and special agent employees who work to image, extract, and preserve digital evidence. Lewis will provide an overview of the FBI Honolulu CART team and how they handle digital forensics.

• This presentation will not be recorded, and no photos or slides will be available.

“The ������Ƶ Cybersecurity Clinic is excited to work alongside the experts at the FBI Honolulu office in their efforts to stem cybercrime and protect the small businesses and public in Hawaiʻi. The FBI CART team is leading efforts in the state to protect our citizens from cybercrime threats,” said ������Ƶ Maui College Professor Debasis Bhattacharya, who will facilitate the session.

The series of three sessions was funded by $1 million in grant funding and wraparound support from Google’s Cybersecurity Clinics Fund to establish the University of Hawaiʻi Cybersecurity Clinics. The clinic is one of 15 new ones launching at higher education institutions nationwide, made possible through a collaboration between Google and the .

Three University of Hawaiʻi Maui College undergraduate researchers with , an initiative supporting local undergraduate talent, showcased innovative scientific investigations at the 2026 National Diversity in STEM Conference held in Long Beach, California in October.

Organized by the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), the gathering drew more than 1,600 attendees.

Groundbreaking island research

The students tackled real-world challenges spanning public health, pest biology and aerospace technology:

• Hospital sanitation: Biology major Lillian Burkhart evaluated hospital shoe decontamination methods, comparing disinfectant wipes, bleach, sunlight exposure and ultraviolet treatment to reduce microbial contamination.
• Bacterial analysis: Biology major Jillian Diego used DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction techniques to identify Wolbachia bacteria in German cockroaches collected across Maui.
• Satellite tracking: Computer science and technology student Vivian Breman engineered a portable ground station that received weather satellite transmissions and generated overhead imagery of the Hawaiian Islands.

“All three of our students’ projects were very well received. I believe these unique research projects represent the talents and potential of the next generation of scientists on Maui,” says Buddhi Rai, an associate professor of physics at ������Ƶ Maui College. “What all three of these students and more scholars like them share is a passion for learning, for exploring new areas of science, for a willingness to venture outside their comfort zones, and a dedication to solving real-world problems here on Maui.”

Other ������Ƶ student research projects that were showcased included:

• “Graph Theory Analysis of Scientific Coauthorship involving Native Hawaiian Researchers in Hawaiʻi” by Sophia Kihei, Kapiʻolani Community College. Kihei received an Indigenous Student Research Abstract Award in the mathematics category.
• “KaniMoana: Development of a Low-Cost, Open-Source, Underwater Acoustic Recorder” by Leilani Phan, University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�. Phan received an Undergraduate Poster Presentation Award in the category of engineering.
• “Cloning and Purification of Leptospira LigA and LigB Virulence Factors Using Synthetic DNA” by Andrea Colmenares, Leeward Community College.

Community-rooted mentorship

Rai directs the $2.6-million PKII scholarship program, which is funded by the National Science Foundation. PKII supported roughly 60 scholarship recipients, including more than 10 peer mentors and research interns this semester.

Mentors Jung Park, Michelle Phillips and Michelle Gould joined PKII program supervisor Sean Calder at the conference to provide student guidance and evaluate program outcomes.

The has been awarded a $3,920,000 federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant to help students from Nānākuli and Waiʻanae improve academic achievement, prepare for college and pursue career opportunities.

Known as Mohala Kaiāulu: The Blossoming Community, the initiative is designed to support students in the Class of 2032 from Nānākuli High and Intermediate School and Waiʻanae High School over seven years. The project aims to address educational disparities and expand access to higher education for students from underserved communities on Oʻahu’s Leeward Coast.

According to data cited in the grant application, more than 72% of students in the ��������ܱ���–W����ʻ���Բ��� Complex Area are economically disadvantaged. Among Native Hawaiian graduates in the Class of 2023, college enrollment was 19% at Nānākuli and 22% at Waiʻanae, compared with 35% statewide.

Through a partnership between ������Ƶ West Oʻahu and the ��������ܱ���–W����ʻ���Բ��� Complex Area, Mohala Kaiāulu will connect students and families with academic support, college preparation, financial aid guidance and mentorship to help more students transition from high school to higher education.

“Rooted in Hawaiian values of ʻohana (family), lōkahi (unity) and mālama (care), Mohala Kaiāulu emphasizes culturally grounded learning and community involvement to strengthen students’ confidence, resilience and sense of belonging,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dee Uwono. “Our goal is to ensure every student feels seen, valued and empowered to shape a future that reflects their strengths, aspirations and potential.”

Opportunities for students

The initiative will focus on three goals: increasing academic achievement, strengthening college and career readiness, and improving college enrollment and persistence.

Students will receive tutoring in English language arts and mathematics, participate in workshops and attend a three-week Summer Institute. The summer program will strengthen academic skills while building confidence through community-grounded learning.

Students will also have opportunities to explore careers, visit college campuses and earn college credits while still in high school. Partnerships with ������Ƶ West Oʻahu’s Nāulu Center, Career Services, Noʻeau Center and Early College Office will provide additional academic, career exploration and college preparation support.

Workshops will help students and families navigate college admissions, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), identify scholarships and build financial literacy skills. Mentoring, student progress tracking and a First-Year Experience program will help students prepare for college and navigate the transition to higher education.

Collaborating with local schools, community organizations and businesses, including Ameriprise Financial, the program will provide financial planning workshops, mentorship and resources to support students’ educational goals.

The initiative aims for 75% of participating students to complete at least one college application and the FAFSA by the end of 12th grade. It also seeks to bring on-time graduation rates at the two target high schools to or above the state average, reduce the need for remedial college coursework and help 60% of participating students who enroll in higher education persist into their second year.

GEAR UP is a federal program that supports early college awareness and preparation, particularly for students from underserved communities. Through sustained academic support and exposure to postsecondary education and careers, the program aims to help more students make the transition from high school to college and complete their degrees.

The ������Ƶ System currently administers three concurrent GEAR UP grants: one statewide grant facilitated by Hawaiʻi P–20 and two partnership cohort grants, one led by ������Ƶ West Oʻahu and the other by ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� celebrated the generosity of its scholarship donors and the achievements of its student scholars at its annual Scholarship Luncheon, held November 2 at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort.

The event brought together approximately 300 scholarship donors, students and college supporters to celebrate the transformative impact of philanthropy on higher education. During the 2026–27 academic year, the college awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships to more than 470 students.

Established in 2005, the annual Scholarship Luncheon provides a special opportunity for donors to meet the students who benefit from their generosity, fostering meaningful connections between supporters and the next generation of business leaders.

“Scholarships do so much more than provide financial assistance. They open doors for students to fully engage in their education, pursue valuable learning experiences and prepare for successful careers,” Shidler College of Business Acting Dean Jing Ai said. “We are incredibly grateful to our donors, whose generosity continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.”

Appreciation from students

The luncheon featured remarks from two scholarship recipients who shared their educational journeys, career aspirations and appreciation for the support they have received.

Undergraduate speaker Landon Momohara, a marketing and international business major, spoke about his experiences at Shidler and his aspirations to pursue an international career in digital marketing. Momohara serves as president of the college’s International Business Organization and supports marketing and student mentorship initiatives through the .

Graduate speaker Tyler Guard, a master of accounting student and associate at Accuity, shared his journey from a career in marine engineering to accounting. Recognized with the 2026 Business Night Award for Outstanding Master of Accounting Student, Guard hopes to apply his skills to support Hawaiʻi’s business community.

The event also featured a keynote address by alumnus Allan Ikawa, chairman and founder of Big Island Candies and a 2017 Shidler Hall of Honor inductee. Ikawa shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey, which began with the founding of Big Island Candies in Hilo in 1977 and grew into one of Hawaiʻi‘s most recognized confectionery brands.

Shidler’s academic excellence, student success

In addition to celebrating scholarship achievements, the luncheon highlighted the college’s continued momentum in academic excellence and student success. Shidler’s international business program was recently ranked No. 23 nationally in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings, while undergraduate enrollment at its School of Travel Industry Management increased by more than 13% over the past year.

Justin Yeh once imagined spending life after high school catching ulua. Today, he helps protect the natural resources of Maunakea.

Born and raised in Hilo to a ranching family, Yeh found his path through his mother’s native plant nursery and a forestry internship she signed him up for.

That experience sparked a conservation career that led him to the University of Hawaiʻi at �ᾱ����’s . He became its resource manager in 2022.

“I’m doing my best to represent my community and make sure Maunakea is the best it can be for future generations.”

Yeh and his team restore habitat, pull weeds and plant native species grown from seed in their greenhouse. They also inspect equipment and materials coming up the mountain to prevent invasive species from arriving.

Their work includes monitoring the native wēkiu bug and cultural sites.

Related ������Ƶ News story: Silversword recovery effort sprouting on Maunakea, February 21, 2023

Yeh, who participated in the 2015 Maunakea protests, sees his role as an opportunity to make a difference. Building relationships with local communities, schools and students is part of that work.

This week’s ������Ƶ News Image of the Week is from Windward Community College’s Taurie Kinoshita.

The Hawaiʻi Conservatory of Performing Arts presents Everyday Heroes of Hawaiʻi, running November 6–15 at Palikū Theatre. Directed by Kinoshita, the production features emerging student performers in seven original scenes inspired by real-life heroes. Written by local playwrights, the works range from humor and action to deep drama while continuing the conservatory‘s focus on Hawaiʻi-based perspectives, inclusivity and diversity.

Read more about the production.

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Fifty years after a protest helped launch the movement to protect the island of Kahoʻolawe, University of Hawaiʻi faculty are helping to carry forward its message of aloha ʻāina, or love and care for the land.

A new album, , and a November 13 concert at Bishop Museum are the culmination of a year-long celebration of the . The concert features Hawaiʻi musicians such as Ikaakamai, Kimié Miner and Kaʻikena Scanlan.

“Gathering and singing songs together creates alignment and collective spirit. Contributing our voices and mana fosters aloha lāhui (love for our people),” said Isaac ʻIkaʻaka Nāhuewai, known musically as Ikaakamai, a at ������Ƶ Hilo.

Nāhuewai helped develop the anniversary album, which features 12 original mele (songs) and is available on all music platforms. The recording artist, who is also a PhD candidate in ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’s , helped recruit collaborators, wrote songs, directed the Protect Kahoʻolawe Band, and produced and mixed five tracks together with other featured artists.

He sees music as a way to help people remember history and pass knowledge between generations.

Across ������Ƶ, faculty, staff and students also carry that work into classrooms, onto the ʻāina (land) and across the ʻAlalākeiki Channel to Kahoʻolawe.

Beyond stopping bombs

Today’s efforts grew from a movement sparked in 1976, when nine people landed on Kahoʻolawe to bring awareness to the United State’s illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. When the activists reached Kahoʻolawe, they were devastated by the destruction caused by nearly 50 years of military bombing. Deeply moved by what they saw, they felt called to protect and heal the island. Their historic landing inspired the formation of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. The bombing ended in 1990 after nearly 15 years of advocacy. The work to restore the island and its cultural practices, however, continues, as one of their slogans emphasize, the ʻOhana is “Not Pau Yet!”

• Related ������Ƶ News story: Kahoʻolawe 50 years later: The island that once shook, January 4, 2026

Kaipu Keala, an assistant professor at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’s , said the movement started by the ʻOhana also affirmed Hawaiian beliefs as a foundation for aloha ʻāina.

He describes it as a sacred relationship that guides daily responsibilities.

“The value of aloha ʻāina takes on this religious dimension and that allows it to become more than just a slogan. It becomes a way of life,” Keala said.

Learning through care

For Kumu Kaliko Baker, that relationship is central to teaching.

The associate professor at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’s helps lead the I Ola Kanaloa program. On Kahoʻolawe, students practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), care for historical sites, remove invasive plants, and engage in traditional practices such as haku mele (song composition).

“������Ƶ students today are fortunate that they don’t have to be at risk as much as before when engaging in civil action. Aloha ʻāina pathways are available through Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge and other Hawaiian knowledge spaces on our campuses,” Baker said.

Generations at sea

Those learning opportunities also depend on families who help people reach the island.

Kaulu Luʻuwai, an attorney with ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’s , belongs to one of them.

Her grandfather began transporting visitors and supplies to Kahoʻolawe in 1983 after her uncle, a student in Professor Emerita Davianna Pōmaikaʻi �ѳ��Ұ��𲵴ǰ�’s ������Ƶ ethnic studies class, helped arrange transportation. Today, her father and brothers help transport volunteers to and from Kahoʻolawe aboard the family’s boat, Pualele.

“It’s a generational commitment. It’s not something we can just stop doing. It’s an obligation for us, a really heavy kuleana: getting people there safely to support the work the ʻOhana does on the island,” Luʻuwai said.

The November 13 concert runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on Bishop Museum’s Great Lawn. Proceeds support the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻ���󲹲Բ�.

There are now resources in place to provide more teachers, more books and more opportunities to learn ʻō������� Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed October 29 between the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) aims to support the people and materials behind Hawaiian language education.

Signed at Haleʻō�������, home to ������Ƶ �ᾱ����’s , the agreement builds on nearly 30 years of collaboration to revitalize ʻō������� Hawaiʻi.

OHA has allocated $620,000 for the college over fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funding will support teacher preparation through its and classroom resources created by its

“ʻŌ������� Hawaiʻi is the foundation of who we are as a lāhui (nation),” said Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele.

Preparing more teachers

The agreement supports an education pathway that allows students to learn Hawaiian from preschool through the doctoral level.

Kahuawaiola prepares educators to teach in Hawaiian or English, with a strong foundation in Hawaiian language and culture.

Kahuawaiola prepares educators for Hawaiian-medium and Hawaiian-focused schools, while equipping them to teach in both ʻō������� Hawaiʻi and English classrooms. The MOU expands support for teacher training and credentials through mentor teacher stipends, undergraduate scholarships, wraparound support, travel for professional development and instructional materials. , candidates practiced teaching with students in grades 1–8 from Ke Kula ʻO ����ɲ���ī�ǰ첹�����Ծ�ʻō���ʻ��, the college’s laboratory school.

“This agreement directly supports the people carrying out this work — from mentor teachers to incoming students,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, director of Ka Haka ʻUla o ����ʻ�������ō�����Ծ�.

Words into classrooms

At Hale Kuamoʻo, the partnership will help create and distribute teaching materials, employ student assistants and reconvene a committee that develops Hawaiian vocabulary for modern uses.

“A child can’t learn in Hawaiian without books in Hawaiian, and a teacher can’t teach science or math without the words to do it. Hale Kuamoʻo makes sure those resources exist,” said Kimura.

The signing followed trustees’ visits to Hawaiian language programs serving infants, preschoolers and K–12 students at the Nāwahī campus in Keaʻau, offering them a firsthand look at the educational pathway their support helps sustain.

“We’re grateful for OHA’s trust, and we take seriously our responsibility to deliver on it,” said ������Ƶ Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin.

Kauaʻi Community College capped National Transfer Student Week with a vibrant Transfer Fair in October, demonstrating how local students can earn a four-year degree without leaving the island.

Centered on “Charting Your Huakaʻi—The Kaʻao Voyage,” the fair welcomed more than 70 attendees. Equipped with guide maps, participants navigated interactive stations to connect with representatives from the University of Hawaiʻi four-year campuses, explore online, in-person, and blended learning bachelor’s degree tracks, and hear directly from transfer students and alumni. Beyond academic advising, attendees enjoyed live music, lunch, a photo booth and custom T-shirt making.

Students can use prerequisites earned at Kauaʻi CC to launch into specialized on-campus programs. Liberal arts student Leah Guerrero plans to transfer to ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’�� Dental Hygiene program.

“Having the transfer fair here at Kauaʻi CC allows students to see their different options and what they might take for their pathway when they do transfer, and I think it’s really cool that not everything has to be online, but we can meet in-person with these programs,” Guerrero said.

Opening doors

pathways are opening doors across the island. During the 2025–26 academic year, 199 Kauaʻi CC students enrolled across 60 ������Ƶ distance programs, and 42 transferred directly into ������Ƶ distance education degrees, according to University Center Education Specialist Rhonda Liu.

“Starting at Kauaʻi Community College is an affordable option,” Liu said. ”It prepares students to transfer smoothly to a bachelor’s degree, with online ������Ƶbachelor’s degree pathways available while students remain on Kauaʻi.”

Among those greeting fair attendees was Malia Hoʻokano, a ������Ƶ West Oʻahu business student who earned her liberal arts associate degree at Kauaʻi CC. Today, she works at Kauaʻi CC while maintaining a full course load online.

Hoʻokana said, “When I first started school, I didnʻt have any transportation; I was in a remote location, and I pretty much started with nothing, and now here I am.”

Approximately 125 University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� students put their emergency response skills to the test during a simulated airplane crash at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on October 23. Hosted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Airports Division, the Triennial Airport Disaster Exercise (TADE) tested preparedness during a simulated mass-casualty incident.

Senior nursing students took on roles as first responders on the tarmac, while student volunteers portrayed injured passengers. The simulation provided hands-on experience in a high-pressure environment alongside emergency personnel from state, federal and local agencies.

For second-year nursing student Alejah Callorina, portraying an injured passenger offered a new perspective on patient care during emergencies.

“When you’re on the nursing side, it’s really easy to get caught up in tasks,” Callorina said. “Playing the victim made me realize that we’ve got things going on too, and we’re people as well.”

First-year nursing student Amanda Miller, a 20-year Army combat veteran, saw the exercise reinforce the importance of preparing for emergencies before they happen.

“No matter how much education or experience you have, it is vitally important to practice, to rehearse,” Miller said. “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

Preparing for real-world emergencies

“Exercises like TADE instill the critical thinking, rapid decision-making and adaptability our students need to respond effectively during real-world crises,” said Michele Bray, assistant professor and ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� nursing faculty lead for the exercise.

No matter how much education or experience you have, it is vitally important to practice, to rehearse.
—Amanda Miller

Bray emphasized that the airport partnership allows students to practice disaster response skills that cannot be taught in traditional classroom settings.

With Hawaiʻi facing threats from natural disasters and other emergencies, preparing future nurses to respond effectively is essential to strengthening community resilience, according to Gary Glauberman, associate professor and chair of the ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Department of Nursing.

“Engaging with our state and emergency response partners through the TADE, working side-by-side with seasoned first responders, ensures that our graduates enter the workforce as skilled, confident leaders ready to serve Hawaiʻi‘s communities in times of need,” Glauberman said.

Expanding hands-on learning

Funding secured through the provided trauma kits and medical shears for the exercise. The support also funded simulation resources that will enhance classroom tabletop exercises and clinical skills laboratory activities in future semesters, extending the benefits to future nursing students.