A colorful, crispy new snack inspired by the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa is hitting the shelves.

Hawaiian Chip Company launched M膩noa Mix, an officially licensed 糖心视频 snack featuring a “rainbow” blend of taro, golden sweet potato, purple sweet potato and kettle-style potato chips.

Locally sourced

The company sources Okinawan purple sweet potatoes from Hawaiʻi Island鈥檚 H膩m膩kua Coast and Kauaʻi, while its orange sweet potatoes are grown on Hawaiʻi Island. Locally grown taro is also used.

“Creating this special 糖心视频 M膩noa mix felt like a natural fit for us,“ said Jimmy Chan, CEO of Hawaiian Chip Company. “As a proud 糖心视频 M膩noa graduate, seeing our product hit the shelves is really a full-circle moment.”

The M膩noa Mix will be available at the 糖心视频 M膩noa Bookstore and football game concession stands, as well as select local and online retailers.

More than 100 University of Hawaiʻi alumni, supporters and friends came together in Northern California for 鈥楤ows in the Bay: The Official University of Hawaiʻi Weekend. The events were designed to strengthen alumni connections and celebrate 糖心视频 pride, and were made possible through a collaboration between 糖心视频 M膩noa Athletics, the 糖心视频 Foundation and the 糖心视频 Office of Alumni Relations.

“The Bay Area is home to a vibrant community of 糖心视频 alumni, and gatherings like this provide an opportunity to stay connected to one another and to the university,” said Gerry Somers of the 糖心视频 Alumni Association Bay Area Chapter. “No matter how long we’ve been away from campus, there’s a special bond that brings us together.”

The weekend kicked off with the 糖心视频 Alumni and Friends Pau Hana at The Alexandria at San Carlos on August 27. Attendees reconnected with fellow alumni, met members of the 糖心视频 community and heard updates from university leadership. 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel and 糖心视频 M膩noa Chancellor Vassilis Syrmos joined guests for an evening of conversation and networking, highlighting the university鈥檚 momentum and commitment to its alumni 驶ohana (family).

The weekend continued with the 鈥楤ows Pre-Game Rally ahead of the 糖心视频 football game against Stanford on August 29. Hensel and Athletics Director Matt Elliott gathered with attendees before walking over to the stadium for the game. The rally highlighted the strong bonds of the 糖心视频 驶ohana, bringing together alumni and supporters from near and far.

This was the latest event hosted by the 糖心视频 Office of Alumni Relations to expand engagement opportunities both in the Hawaiian Islands and beyond. For many attendees, the weekend provided an opportunity to foster meaningful connections with fellow alumni and the university itself.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumna Martha Carrell was drawn to ideas and to people who explored them. She enjoyed conversations that moved easily between subjects, from philosophy to everyday habits, and she made space for others to join in. In classrooms, living rooms or public media, she brought people together, asking questions and letting discussion unfold.

“She was fierce, complex, determined and smart,” said Diane Smith, a close friend and trustee of Carrell鈥檚 estate. “For many years we were members of a small discussion group that met monthly and picked a different topic every month, such as quantum physics, diets, solar energy, or the nature of faith. What a great ride that was.”

Smith met Carrell in retirement. Their group鈥檚 conversations could be lively and contentious, but they were always educational. This approach carried through Carrell鈥檚 work. Born and raised in Honolulu, she earned her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in speech at 糖心视频 Mānoa. Her career spanned public broadcasting, education and communications, and she worked for PBS stations and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Carrell produced in Hawaiʻi and, unsatisfied with the final scene, stepped in to perform a hula herself. She also taught speech and coached debate, bringing the same focus on clarity and exchange into the classroom. In later years, this instinct found a home at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at a university in Las Vegas. Her classes became some of the most popular in the program.

Supporting future students

Her lifelong connection to communication now continues through an estate gift establishing the at 糖心视频 Mānoa. The fund supports students in the in the School of Communication and Information, within the 糖心视频 Mānoa , with a preference for Hawaiʻi residents with financial need.

“In an era where digital noise often replaces meaningful connection, teaching human communication skills to our students is more essential than ever for individual success and a healthier society,” said Hye-ryeon Lee, former 糖心视频 Mānoa communicology department chair. “Martha鈥檚 life clearly illustrates this point, and we are tremendously grateful for her vision and generosity. This scholarship will provide our communicology students with financial support so that they can fully focus on their academic and professional growth.”

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A vibrant new mural inside the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa Bookstore is welcoming students with a colorful tribute to the campus community and its rich botanical landscape.

Created by 糖心视频 M膩noa alumna and local artist Rachel Radona, the mural draws inspiration from the hundreds of plant species found across campus. More than a collection of flowers and trees, the artwork reflects the stories, cultures and experiences that make up the 糖心视频 M膩noa community.

“Art is about stories and moʻolelo,” Radona said. “Every student is different, comes from different backgrounds and comes from different cultures. Every plant and student has a different story to share.”

Inspired by campus

Before putting paint on the wall, Radona spent time exploring the university’s plant map and learning about the species that grow throughout campus. The mural features plants including the silk floss flower, k艒奴 and ʻulu trees,
each chosen for its connection to 糖心视频 M膩noa and the stories they represent.

One of Radona’s favorite elements is the 驶ulu, which she said symbolizes community resilience through its place in Hawaiian moʻolelo. She also incorporated the kōū flower, a plant traditionally associated with welcoming guests, to help create an inviting atmosphere for everyone who enters the bookstore.

Throughout the mural, bold colors and flowing shapes reflect Radona’s artistic style. She hopes the finished piece encourages students to pause, notice the plants around them and discover something new about the campus.

Art that brings people together

Although painting the mural was rewarding, Radona said the interactions with students, faculty, staff and families became the most memorable part of the project.

“That’s what art is all about,” Radona said. “Whether it’s music, whether dancing or it’s painting, you’re supposed to share with one another.”

A recent 糖心视频 M膩noa graduate, Radona said returning to campus to create the mural felt especially meaningful. She hopes the artwork reflects the welcoming spirit of the university while giving students another place where they can see themselves represented.

She also believes public art plays an important role on a college campus by giving people another way to express themselves and connect with others.

“It’s so important,” Radona said. “We are all trying to make our way, find our way in college. Art is mine. But I know so many wonderful people here who found their voice in so many other things.”

As students return for the fall semester, the mural will serve as a lasting reminder that every member of the 糖心视频 M膩noa community has a story to tell and that those stories help shape the campus experience.

Equipped with cutting-edge marine robotics, hyperspectral imagers and aerial drones, five University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (MOP) alumni reunited aboard the R/V Searcher in June for a 22-day expedition into Papahānaumokuākea. Their mission was to deploy advanced autonomous systems to combat an invasive macroalgae called Chondria tumulosa.

The expedition highlights the impact of 糖心视频鈥檚 50-year-old undergraduate program, proving how MOP produces scientists, engineers and leaders who work fluently across disciplines, agencies and oceans.

“We have a unique opportunity to work with brilliant marine roboticists to develop tools to help combat one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most mysterious and potentially devastating marine macroalgae species, Chondria tumulosa,” said Chief Scientist Keolohilani H. Lopes Jr., a MOP alumnus and 糖心视频 Mānoa PhD candidate.

High-tech tools, interagency collaboration

The voyage brought together diverse expertise to monitor and protect fragile ecosystems. Three advanced marine robotic packages—equipped with computer vision cameras, a hyperspectral imager and an environmental DNA (eDNA) profiler—were provided by Matthew Dunbabin鈥檚 lab at Queensland University of Technology. Meanwhile, PhD student Anna Baker Mikkelsen of the Climate Resilience Collaborative (CRC) led aerial mapping of Sand Island at Kuaihelani (Midway) using a drone.

Shellie Habel, a coastal geologist with the CRC and , served as primary drone pilot for aerial mapping. At Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll), the team conducted aerial operations over shallow reef flats to supplement in-water surveys of macroalgae. The team also evaluated shoreline changes at Tern Island and East Island of Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) to support research led by Sara Kahanamoku and Haunani Kane at 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 (SOEST).

Decades of trust, leadership

Crucial permit compliance, field safety, and historical context were overseen by MOP alumnus Jason Leonard, Marine Operations Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration鈥檚 (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. Leonard, who has visited the sanctuary for more than 25 years, credited MOP and its Quantitative Underwater Ecological Surveying Techniques field program with preparing exceptional marine field personnel.

糖心视频 Mānoa MOP Coordinator Jeff Kuwabara also served as expedition photographer.

“What made this expedition possible wasn’t just funding or equipment,” Kuwabara said. “It was a network of trust built over decades, by people who trained together, dove together, and learned to work across disciplines before they ever had professional titles. That network is MOP‘s quiet legacy: not a single discovery or expedition, but a generation of professionals who know how to collaborate because they were taught to from the start.”

What is the most important trait of a journalist? It鈥檚 helpful to be a strong communicator. But ask editors and newsroom leaders what professional strengths are highly valued, and the answers include tenacity, curiosity and, perhaps foremost, someone with high ethical standards who is meticulous about fact-checking.

In May 2024, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser found someone who fit the bill. Victoria Budiono, a 糖心视频 M膩noa double major in and , was hired as a reporter only a year after graduation. That鈥檚 partly because the now 23-year-old alumna held multiple internships and freelance opportunities while enrolled at the .

“We couldn鈥檛 be prouder of Victoria, or more grateful to 糖心视频, for preparing one promising student after another for our annual winter and summer internships,” said Dan Nakaso, Star-Advertiser capitol bureau chief. “Victoria quickly earned a reputation as a promising, smart, curious and respectful journalist who understood the importance of double- and triple-checking facts. Now she鈥檚 a general assignment reporter covering personal tragedies, triumphs and everything in between.”

Budiono grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, and came to 糖心视频 M膩noa after working on school newsletters and magazines from elementary through high school.

“I鈥檝e always loved writing, talking to people and hearing their stories,” she said. “Through reporting, I saw how these stories could bring attention to issues that often went unnoticed, especially in Indonesia, where many topics are considered taboo, and people are often taught not to air their ‘dirty laundry.’”

Her passion for journalism grew throughout her three years at 糖心视频 M膩noa and beyond through multiple learning experiences at news organizations and a nonprofit, including:

• A semester-long internship at Hawaiʻi Business Magazine, during which she contributed to a “My Jobs” series on people with unusual careers. She later returned as a freelance writer, producing feature stories that earned her a Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Hawaiʻi Chapter award.
• Freelancing at Honolulu Magazine and its sister company, Frolic Hawaiʻi, where she wrote articles and did social media posts for the food and lifestyle website.
• A five-month internship at the Aloha Harvest marketing/communications department, where she helped to write reports, update mailing lists and produce a newsletter for the food rescue nonprofit.
• Working at Honolulu Civil Beat through an SPJ summer internship, specializing in general reporting assignments.
• A five-month internship with the 厂迟补谤-础诲惫别谤迟颈蝉别谤鈥檚 Capitol Bureau, which transitioned into a full-time job as a general assignment reporter once the legislative session ended.

Budiono said she enjoys the eclectic nature of her work.

“Because I don鈥檛 cover a single beat, I am constantly learning about new topics and meeting people from different backgrounds,” she said. “On any given day, I might be reporting on government issues, housing, insurance, education or community events鈥攕ubjects I knew very little about beforehand.”

Read more about Budiono鈥檚 journalism journey on the .

Join our University of Hawaiʻi ʻohana to shop local and celebrate 糖心视频 alumni small businesses at the 5th annual 糖心视频 Alumni Makers鈥� Market at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikīkī on July 29, 6–9 p.m.

The signature event showcases food, drinks and products from alumni-owned and led small businesses.

and include unlimited access to food and drink stations, and the opportunity to purchase merchandise.

Presented by the 糖心视频 Office of Alumni Relations, in partnership with the 糖心视频 Alumni Association, a portion of proceeds will go toward benefiting student needs across the 10-campus 糖心视频 system.

More information can be found at the .

Participating food and beverage vendors include:

• BeerLab Hawaii
• Bite Logic
• KCCAKESS
• Kai Vodka
• Kapa Hale
• Kapiʻolani Community College Culinary/Jason Peel
• Little Plum/Uncle Paul鈥檚 Corner Store
• Makanai
• PILI Group
• Pono Potions
• Pop Culture Artisan Pops
• Rainbow Drive-In
• Summer Club
• The Lei Stand
• The Pau Hana Co.

Participating marketplace vendors include:

• Arii Jewelry
• Art by Sachiko
• Aunty Kendra鈥檚
• Choco Leʻa
• Churro鈥檚 Fish Market
• David Shepard Hawaiʻi
• Hawaii Confectionery
• Hawaiian Pie Co.
• Huff n Puff
• Kailua Honey
• Kaululani Florals
• Mari鈥檚 Garden
• Okonokai
• Old Queen Street Stadium
• Ports + Paws
• Premier Barbershop
• Red Thread Artistry
• Sweet Enemy Clothing
• Ten Tomorrow
• Touch A Heart
• Urban Cowboy
• Wailana Hawaiʻi Art
• Welo Creations

The University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa’s (JABSOM) is helping strengthen Guam’s future physician workforce by mentoring the next generation of aspiring doctors.

One of them is Eduardo Biala Jr., a recent graduate whose journey to medicine was inspired by watching family members travel off island to access specialty care.

“Seeing my family members navigate healthcare, having to go off-island to seek whatever specialty care they needed and being exposed to that is what kind of got me interested in medicine and I took a leap of faith,” Biala said.

That leap led him from the University of Guam to JABSOM through the ʻImi Hoʻōla Program. Now he mentors students on the same path through Chålan Åmte, a nonprofit founded by JABSOM students and alumni to support aspiring physicians from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Building Guam鈥檚 next healthcare generation

Current JABSOM student Mason Caldwell, Chålan Åmte’s executive director, said the organization has grown into a network of physicians, medical students and pre-medical students committed to strengthening Guam’s healthcare workforce.

“The direct translation of Chålan Åmte is ‘a pathway to healing’ and that鈥檚 one of the things that we鈥檙e trying to solidify and make sure it will continue after us,” Caldwell said.

Members mentor students through the medical school application process and regularly return home to connect with aspiring physicians.

For Caldwell, Chålan Åmte is creating the support system many of its members never had. Instead of relying on word-of-mouth or internet searches, today’s pre-medical students can connect with mentors early and receive guidance throughout the application process. He hopes Chålan Åmte will continue serving as a resource for future physicians while strengthening connections between Guam, the Marianas and JABSOM.

Biala noted that despite the physical distance, he remains deeply connected to the island and finds the work of Chålan Åmte highly rewarding.

“For me, when I hear that they got into JABSOM, I think ‘Yes! You鈥檙e going to love it there!’” he said.

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Three Hawaiʻi educators, including University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (COE) alumni Kawika Gonzales and Leah Aiwohi, were named finalists in the Presidential AI Challenge for their work advancing responsible artificial intelligence (AI) education. As national finalists and winners of the regional competition, they received a monetary prize and access to web-based resources.

Empowering students through responsible AI

Along with colleague Chloe Sato, the educators were recognized in Washington, D.C., for Global Innovation Race Hawaiʻi, a statewide program that teaches high school students how to use AI responsibly while addressing real-world community challenges.

Gonzales, who earned a master of education in learning design and technology and a certificate in online learning and teaching from 糖心视频 Mānoa, said the program encourages students to think beyond simply using AI tools.

“Teaching our students how to use AI is no longer enough,” Gonzales said. “We also need to teach them when to use it, why to use it, and whether it should be used at all.”

Aiwohi, who earned a bachelor of education and professional diploma in elementary education from the College of Education, said her preparation at 糖心视频 continues to shape her teaching decades later.

“Although I graduated from the College of Education more than 36 years ago, the lessons that have stayed with me are not tied to specific textbooks or technologies; they are the enduring principles of effective teaching,” Aiwohi said.

The program connects students across Hawaiʻi to collaborate on community-based projects using design thinking and responsible AI, helping prepare the next generation of ethical technology leaders.

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For more on how Gonzales is inspiring his haumāna (students) on Molokaʻi, see this 糖心视频 News story.

Whether you recognize his voice from Spectrum Sports broadcasts, his face from local television newscasts, or his name from the award-winning production company RKT Media, Ryan Kalei Tsuji seems to be everywhere. But before he was an Emmy-winning CEO, a protocol officer for the governor, or the owner of a booming cocktail bar, Tsuji鈥檚 dynamic journey began at the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa.

Growing up as a sports fan in Hilo, Tsuji wanted to be a TV reporter and always dreamed of attending 糖心视频. Driven by this passion, he earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in communications and political science in 2007, followed by a master鈥檚 degree in public administration in 2009. During his time at 糖心视频 M膩noa, he also worked his way up from a manager to an assistant coach for the nationally ranked Rainbow Wahine volleyball team under legendary coach Dave Shoji.

“I was like Van Wilder, I was at 糖心视频 for eight years getting all these different degrees because 糖心视频 was paying for it,” said Tsuji. “It was an opportunity for me to just really be a part of the University of Hawaiʻi system and I just loved my experience and time there.”

Tsuji parlayed his education into a multi-faceted career. He launched the video production company RKT Media in 2016, co-hosts the interactive program Spotlight Now, and has been recognized with multiple honors, including being named to Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40. In 2022, he opened The Lei Stand, a bar and lounge, in Chinatown. Now located in Waik墨k墨, The Lei Stand will be expanding to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Celebrating alumni entrepreneurship

The Lei Stand is one of nearly 40 vendors confirmed for the 5th Annual 糖心视频 Alumni Makers鈥� Market on Wednesday, July 29, at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The event is dedicated to showcasing food, drinks and products from alumni-led businesses. .

“It鈥檚 a great way to reconnect with former alumni, but also an opportunity to just really be proud of where we came from and all the talent that stayed here in Hawaiʻi and is giving back to the community,” Tsuji said.

Presented by the 糖心视频 Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with the 糖心视频 Alumni Association, a portion of the proceeds will go toward addressing current 糖心视频 student needs statewide. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, email .

This week鈥檚 糖心视频 News Image of the Week is recent 糖心视频 M膩noa journalism graduate Josslyn Rose’s first KHON2 weekend weather report.

Previous Images
Monk seals
Chainsaw ice
Dundee under a K墨lauea sun
Championship trophy tour
Time flies
All Images of the Week

Send us your image!

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the 糖心视频 ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next 糖心视频 News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

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Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other 糖心视频 connection. By submitting your image, you are giving 糖心视频 News permission to publish your photo on the 糖心视频 News website and 糖心视频 social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

Windward Community College gave artist Shar Tuiʻasoa a foundation, offering the accessibility and community support, which helped her define her path as a world-class illustrator. For Tuiʻasoa, of Punky Aloha Studio, Windward CC was more than just a school—it felt like a second home or “warm blanket.”

The college was also a hub of creativity that proved pivotal in her artistic journey. Since earning her art certificate in 2024, she has created vibrant work for global giants including Apple, Disney, Pixar and more.

“Community college gave me a place to land. It was a chance for me to try a few different things without having to fully commit, and really learning to enjoy that part of academia,” Tuiʻasoa said. “Having college outreach and the professors on campus really being involved and encouraging us, that was something I just wasn鈥檛 used to.”

The foundation formed at Windward CC continues to fuel her professional work, as she practices with her paints, exploring color theory.

“All of that really stems from that deeper understanding that Professor Snowden Hodges gave to us that he really instilled in us,” she said. “You鈥檙e surrounded by other people who are creative, like-minded people, and we kind of just gathered together and made a family.”

5th annual 糖心视频 Alumni Makers鈥� Market

In 2026 Tuiʻasoa is bringing that connection to the 5th Annual 糖心视频 Alumni Makers鈥� Market—an event dedicated to showcasing food, drinks and products from alumni-owned and -led businesses. Her design features the official colors of all 10 campuses and aims to capture a sense of place and of home.

“I鈥檓 so proud to have gone to Windward CC to be a part of the 糖心视频 system. Just being able to continue being a part of that family, being in community with fellow alum, it just feels like a very full circle moment,” Tuiʻasoa said.

The 5th Annual 糖心视频 Alumni Makers鈥� Market is set for Wednesday, July 29 at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waik墨k墨. , and include unlimited access to food and drink stations, and the opportunity to purchase merchandise.

Presented by the 糖心视频 Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with the 糖心视频 Alumni Association, a portion of the proceeds will go toward addressing current 糖心视频 student needs statewide. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, email contact@uhalumni.org.

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instructor Ian Kekaimalu Isami Lee has sailed far and wide aboard the vessel Hōkūleʻa. Now, the and alumnus uses the experiences gained on open waters in his class on the basic principles and theories of modern non-instrument navigation, the same navigation used on the Hōkūleʻa.

“It brings a lot of context for my students because when we talk about things or when I try to explain things to them,” Lee said. “I tell them stories of things that I have personally experienced. That brings it to life for them, and it makes it easier for them to understand the concepts.”

After graduating from Leeward CC with an associate鈥檚 degree in liberal arts in 2011, Lee enrolled at 糖心视频 M膩noa. In 2014 Lee sailed from Samoa to Aotearoa and in 2017 from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi aboard Hōkūleʻa.

His master鈥檚 thesis revolved around voyaging and canoe culture. The journeys were instrumental in his growth as a person and navigator, allowing him to share experiences with his ancestors who crossed the sea thousands of years prior. Lee earned bachelor鈥檚 (2014) and master驶s (2017) degrees in Hawaiian studies.

Community on campus

It was not always smooth sailing. After spending his first semester skipping classes, Lee says he found community at Leeward CC. This inspired him to engage more in his studies and take advantage of free tutoring and other support.

“I just found myself having a blast and learning along the way,” said Lee. “It was the community that I surrounded myself with. We had the program Hālau ʻIke O Puʻuloa, which is now known as Kīpuka, Native Hawaiian Student Services. There were so many people who created a very comfortable environment. That made me not want to leave.”

Lee remembers being greeted with a smile and treated with aloha on campus, which felt like a home away from home. Now, he tries to encourage his students to build community.

“My students do their course in groups, they do everything as a group,” Lee said. “I try to shift their thinking to a broader, global thinking that all of our actions are interconnected and affect each other. If we all thought that way, I think this world would be a much better place.”

Watching his grandson Marco shag balls at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex football field, Mark Robison looks beyond the game to envision a future. During a recent walk around the M膩noa campus he asked Marco where he might want to go to college. The sixth grader quickly replied, “probably 糖心视频.”

That simple answer reframed something for Robison. Inspired by Marco—and by granddaughter Bianca, a dedicated ʻIolani volleyball player—he began supporting 糖心视频 women鈥檚 volleyball and athletics more broadly.

“This is my way of showing up for Bianca and acknowledging the sport that she is so dedicated to,” he said.

Even as he looks toward the future, Robison鈥檚 heart remains tethered to a gritty, golden era of 糖心视频 football that began with an unexpected phone call decades ago.

From West Point to Waiʻanae

Growing up in a low-income household in Washington state, Robison had his life mapped out for him by his father: attend West Point, serve four years and land a job on Wall Street.

糖心视频 defensive coordinator Larry Price had a different plan.

To this day, Robison has “no idea how he found him,” but Price鈥檚 recruitment pitch worked. Robison turned down West Point to play for the then 糖心视频 鈥楤ows, a decision that upset his father so much he refused to speak to him for a year.

“He was one of those working-class guys who always wanted better for his kids,” Robison said. “He was firm and stubborn in what he thought was best for me.”

Robison arrived in the islands as an outsider in 1973, but he didn’t stay one for long—especially since his mother was born on a plantation in Lahaina. The weekend before classes even began, some local teammates invited him to a three-day wedding party in Waiʻanae. Robison recalls the reception vividly, specifically the “aunties” who didn’t hold back.

“You鈥檙e a football player?” Robison recalled. “You must be the punter because you look like one skinny kid.”

Hard Lessons, Lasting Loyalty

Robison credits much of his later success to his time under coaches Larry Price and Rick Blangiardi. Practices were intense, and Blangiardi was known to deliver high-decibel commands on the line of scrimmage. While the practices were grueling, Robison remains grateful for that level of pressure.

“They taught me about loyalty, commitment, hard work, perseverance and discipline,” he said.

Today, Robison is a “true believer” that 糖心视频 football can compete at the top level. However, he acknowledges the landscape has shifted from the olden days. He points to the challenges of the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) era, noting that it takes strategy to keep key players—such as a quarterback or wide receiver—from transferring to schools raising millions in NIL funds. To support 糖心视频‘s NIL program, Robison recently contributed $270K.

“It鈥檚 an honor to be a 鈥楤ow,” Robison said, “and my continued support is give from the heart.”

Read more at the .

—By Simplicio Paragas

Before launching her local clothing and accessory brand, , Hilo native Tania Takashiba made the decision to continue her education at the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa. She spent several years studying on the U.S. continent before attending the Shidler College of Business, where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing in 2002.

A member of the business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon, Takshiba said her time at Shidler played a pivotal role in shaping her professional network and lasting friendships.

“I think graduating from ”糖心视频 M膩noa was the perfect transition into adulthood,” said Takashiba. “[I] did internships, I was able to get a job pretty easily, and I couldn鈥檛 be more thankful for the people I met.”

Those connections continue to play a role in her life today. Takashiba stays in touch with several friends from her Shidler years, including one who serves as her financial advisor.

Building a local business

Takashiba started MaruMaru Hawaii with her sister in 2015. She said it was hard to find local brands that offered clothes for kids, so they decided to create their own. The brand has taken off, and Takashiba has run into people at the airport and on vacation wearing her clothes.

“Our designs are super simple, but I think because they鈥檙e based on real things, it resonates with a lot of people,” said Takashiba.

Popular designs such as “Hilo Das Why” and “Hilo Love” reflect the brand鈥檚 commitment to represent Hilo and its people.

Rooted in Hilo

Despite the brand鈥檚 popularity, Takashiba has intentionally chosen to keep MaruMaru Hawaii rooted on the Big Island. She said she does not plan to expand through pop-ups on Oʻahu or other islands, even when opportunities arise.

“I think there鈥檚 something to be said about being able to give Hilo people something first,” said Takashiba. “There鈥檚 nothing like Hilo; it鈥檚 very special. The community here is amazing, you鈥檙e connected to everybody, and it鈥檚 just Hilo das why.”

For nearly 20 years, Rachel Hualani Loo has graced the Merrie Monarch stage on 贬艒ʻ颈办别 night as an ʻ艒濒补辫补, or dancer, with H膩lau o Kekuhi. This year, she returned to the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium in a profoundly different role: as the 2026 惭艒ʻ墨 Wahine (Queen) of the Merrie Monarch Royal Court.

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

“Just to be included in all of this鈥攏ot just the honor on an individual and personal level, but the real honor is continuing to be part of this community in a different capacity,” Loo expressed.

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

What the Merrie Monarch Festival and its stage represent isn鈥檛 lost on her. Loo recalled the words of her Kumu Hula N膩lani Kanakaʻole Zane, whose legacy continues to permeate the festival: “She would remind us that this is the biggest stage for hula: an opportunity to share our language, culture, and dance in excellence. It鈥檚 an example of Hawaiian excellence at its highest level.”

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A Leeward Community College alumna who goes by Sasha is reconnecting with her roots through art, and shared a personal body of work at Cafe in April.

Sasha, who earned an associate in arts in liberal arts with a focus on art and art history in 2017, said her time at Leeward CC helped shape both her creative direction and career. From hands-on class projects to a study abroad trip in France, she was exposed to different perspectives that continue to influence her work today.

“Through attending Leeward, doing many different projects in art classes, going on a study abroad trip to France with my classmates, I had so many opportunities to see and feel culture and art,” Sasha said. “Everything I learned has turned into my skill and profession.”

After graduating, Sasha went straight into the workforce and now balances several roles, including work as a TV personality and collaborations with travel media focused on Japan. She also promotes Hawaiʻi-based small businesses and continues to build her presence as an artist. Her Instagram account , which has nearly 38,000 followers, shares a mix of her artwork, travel experiences and everyday life in Hawaiʻi, connecting with a local audience as well as those interested in island culture.

惭腻濒补尘补 ʻ腻颈苍补

Her art exhibit, centered on the theme m膩lama ʻ腻颈苍补 (caring for the land), drew from her upbringing and her growing understanding of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 history and values.

“This really reflects the perspective and environment I grew up in,” she said. “The process of myself growing up and learning the history of Hawaiʻi鈥� came from my childhood and attending Leeward.”

Sasha also credited her professors and early opportunities at Leeward CC—such as painting murals in the campus theater—with giving her the foundation to take on larger creative projects.

“I hope my art can inspire people in many different ways of thinking about how important m膩lama ʻ腻颈苍补 is,” she said, “and your education can definitely benefit you in the future.”

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

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

Shiigi, a former 糖心视频 Mānoa psychology student, runs and designs the resort women鈥檚 clothing brand Ten Tomorrow.

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

Gronwald, the owner and founder of Jules and Gem Hawaii, a luxury fragrance brand, graduated from 糖心视频 Mānoa in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

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

Supporting local businesses

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

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

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 鈥� (TIM School) hosted its 24th annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism gala on March 31 at the ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. As the largest fundraiser in support of TIM School student scholarships, the event raised more than $361,000 through the generous support of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 hospitality and business community.

This year鈥檚 celebration was especially meaningful as the TIM School celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026, honoring six decades of preparing leaders who shape Hawaiʻi鈥檚 visitor industry and the global travel economy.

“As we celebrate 60 years of the TIM School, this event reflects the strong partnership between our students and the industry they will soon lead,” said Vance Roley, dean of the Shidler College of Business and First Hawaiian Bank Chair of Leadership and Management. “The continued support from our community ensures that future graduates are equipped to advance a visitor industry that is innovative, responsible and grounded in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 culture and values.”

Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism recognizes individuals and organizations that have made outstanding and lasting contributions to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 visitor industry.

At the March 31 gala, the 2026 Legacy in Tourism Award was presented to Elliot Mills (BBA 鈥�93), CEO and managing partner of Hawaiʻi Hospitality Group. Mills was honored for his leadership and long-standing commitment to operational excellence, workforce development and strengthening Hawaiʻi鈥檚 hospitality sector.

Kylie Matsuda-Lum (BS 鈥�01), managing director of Kahuku Farms, was inducted into the TIM Alumni Hall of Honor. A proud TIM alumna, Matsuda-Lum has helped transform her family鈥檚 agricultural enterprise into a successful agritourism destination that connects visitors with local agriculture, sustainability and community.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to ClimbHI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students explore career pathways and successfully transition from high school into post-secondary education and the workforce. Through industry partnerships and career readiness programs, ClimbHI plays a vital role in strengthening Hawaiʻi鈥檚 future workforce.

The 2026 presenting sponsors were Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and Bank of Hawaii. Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Kamehameha Schools and Marriott International served as contributing sponsors, and Daniel K. Hilton was a platinum sponsor. Hawaiʻi Business Magazine again returned as the media partner.

Support from sponsors, donors and community partners helps provide critical scholarship funding for students preparing for careers in hospitality, tourism and transportation. Since reunification with Shidler College in 2019, the school has:

• Introduced more than $1.5 million in new student scholarships
• Nearly doubled the size of the faculty
• Created six new faculty endowed fellowships and professorships
• Rising global and national rankings
• Increased undergraduate enrollment by 4.5% from 2024 to 2025
• Awarded more than $560,000 in scholarships during the 2025–26 academic year
• Enabled more than 90% of graduates to find employment or pursue graduate study within three months of graduation
• Established the TIM PhD program

To support the TIM School or Shidler College of Business, contact Jennifer Lieu, director of development, at jennifer.lieu@uhfoundation.org. .