The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� will celebrate the exceptional achievements of its faculty, staff and students at the 2026 , set for May 5 at 3 p.m. in Kennedy Theatre.

������Ƶ President Wendy Hensel, ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos and Board of Regents Chair Gabe Lee will recognize this year’s honorees for their outstanding accomplishments.

A live video stream of the event will be available for those unable to attend in-person.

Congratulations to all our winners!

2026 ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Awards winners

• Cheehyung Harrison Kim, associate professor, history
• Miyoko Teddy Pettit-Toledo, assistant professor, law
• Subhashni Raj, assistant professor, urban and regional planning
• Eirik J. Saethre, professor, anthropology
• Tamara Ticktin, professor, botany
• Kara Noelani Wong Ramsey, associate professor, pediatrics

• Nicolas Gaillard, associate researcher, Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute
• Joseph Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula, professor, Native Hawaiian health
• Victor M. Lubecke, professor, electrical and computer engineering

• Lisa M. Vallin, instructor, women, gender, and sexuality studies
• Lolita Perez-Ayala, graduate assistant, communication and information sciences

• Yoshimi (Shimi) M. Rii, assistant specialist, Hawaiʻi Institute for Marine Biology

• Ethan Caldwell, associate professor, ethnic studies
• Jane Chung-Do, professor, public health
• Jeffrey Drazen, professor, oceanography
• J. Lorenzo Perillo, associate professor, theatre and dance
• Cathi Ho Schar, associate professor, architecture
• N. Haʻalilio Solomon, assistant professor, Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language

• Michelle Myrie, deputy chief, Department of Public Safety
• Earl Matsushita, work coordination center manager, Campus Operations and Facilities
• Evelyn Mangadlao, janitor, Campus Operations and Facilities
• Dina Shek, director, Medical-Legal Partnership for Children in Hawaiʻi

• Karen Harper, fiscal officer, Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
• Paula MacCutcheon, operations coordinator, Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office
• Roy Suda, IT specialist, Enrollment Management

• Merle R. Kataoka-Yahiro, professor, nursing

• Lauren Prepose-Forsen, director, ����ԴDz� Transfer Coordination Center

• John G. Souza, assistant professor, family and consumer sciences
• Tianlu Wang, assistant professor, mechanical engineering

• Dhvanil Desai, PhD candidate, astronomy
• Sophia Rahnke, PhD candidate, marine biology
• Jannatun Noor Sameera, PhD candidate, electrical and computer engineering

• Kate Sapigao, lead student mentor, GEAR UP ����ԴDz�

University of Hawaiʻi faculty received top awards for their excellence in teaching and engagement and groundbreaking research.

Fifteen ������Ƶ faculty members from across the state have been awarded the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, and three received the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research.

In addition, five ������Ƶ teachers have been recognized with the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and a Hawaiʻi Community College student has won the Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Vocational Education.

“Our faculty are the heart of the University of Hawaiʻi, and their excellence in teaching and research embodies the values that define our institution—including a deep commitment to serving our communities,” said ������Ƶ President Wendy Hensel. “These awardees represent the very best of ������Ƶ: world-class scholars and educators whose work has local impact and global reach. I am proud to recognize their achievements and deeply grateful for the ways they continue to elevate our university and our state.”

Each campus selects awardees for the Board of Regent’s Medal for Excellence in Teaching and the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. For example, at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�, the awardees are selected by prior award winners.

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching recognizes faculty who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity, and personal values beneficial to students. The 2025 winners.

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research recognizes a faculty member’s scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of all in the community, nation and the world. The 2025 winners.

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� for 19 years. The 2025 winners.

The Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Vocational Education rewards outstanding achievement and significant contribution to vocational and technical education by a community college faculty member or student. The award was established by family members to honor the namesakes’ role in development of the food industry in Hawaiʻi. The 2025 winner.

In addition, ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� recognized faculty, staff and students for their exceptional achievements in teaching, research, community service, advising, mentoring and more at the ����ԴDz� Awards ceremony held April 28.

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for a faculty member and a graduate assistant recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� for 19 years.

Kathleen Hagan

Kathleen Hagan is a professor of nursing at ������Ƶ Maui College, with almost 18 years of service as an undergraduate educator. She has championed integration of the Kaʻao Framework (������Ƶ Maui College’s framework for student success) into the nursing curriculum, and has taught every required course.

An avid lifelong learner and volunteer, Hagan consistently seeks out opportunities for her students to engage in community education and advocacy to advance their learning as well as the health of our island ʻohana.

“She has created an environment where learning goes beyond simply acquiring knowledge; it’s about cultivating our character and discovering the qualities that will make us compassionate, capable healers in our careers,” said a student.

Hagan believes college should be a transformational experience, instilling knowledge skills, and attitudes not only for career advancement, but also for civic engagement and life fulfillment.

Another student said, “Her warmth and professionalism have left a lasting impression on me.”

Nicholas Krueger

Nicholas Krueger is an instructor in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management at ������Ƶ Hilo. He is known for his dynamic instruction, community-based research and deep investment in student success.

A ������Ƶ Hilo graduate, Krueger returned to his alma mater to teach and lead research in agronomy, soils and animal science. He involves students in funded research tackling real-world challenges—from fermentation science to methane reduction in livestock—while mentoring them through writing, experimentation and presentation.

“I know for a fact that everyone feels comfortable and welcomed by Nick; to make mistakes, sound silly, or just be flat out wrong,” said a student. “And when it comes to learning, that makes all the difference in differentiating sheer luck and memorization from understanding.”

Krueger’s approachable style, high expectations, and commitment to real-world application have made him a transformative educator shaping the future of Hawaiʻi agriculture.

Mark Nartatez

Mark Nartatez is an instructor, the Dental Assisting Program director, and the clinical education coordinator at Kapiʻolani Community College. With more than 18 years of clinical and administrative experience, Nartatez brings industry expertise and a student-centered approach to the Dental Assisting Program.

Nartatez’s instruction integrates textbook knowledge with real-world application, ensuring students meet dental accreditation standards while emphasizing technological integration, critical thinking and compassionate care. His holistic approach encourages students to grow beyond technical skills and see themselves as educators, advocates and changemakers capable of influencing their peers and the broader healthcare community.

“Mark consistently demonstrates an innovative approach to education, creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences for his students,” shared one student. “One notable example of his creativity is incorporating case studies based on real-life scenarios students may encounter in the dental field. What sets Mark apart is his commitment to creating a learning environment where students feel heard and valued.”

Colleen Rost-Banik

Colleen Rost-Banik is an instructor in the Department of Sociology in the ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� College of Social Sciences. She sees the classroom as a reflection of society, shaped by the wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives students bring. Over the course of a semester, she believes students have a valuable opportunity to learn from one another and engage in collective exploration.

Rost-Banik emphasizes the importance of consistent practice in understanding sociological concepts, encouraging students to develop their skills through reading, writing and critical thinking. She acknowledges that meaningful learning takes time, patience, effort—and often involves trial and error.

Her courses also prioritize the values of care and community, which she believes are crucial to both the classroom and broader society. She believes supporting one another is key to success.

Student feedback highlights the impact of her approach. One student shared that her class was “filled with lots of exciting information on different theories and sociological perspectives,” and helped them gain practical skills such as conducting surveys and analyzing visual information.

Sara Maaria Saastamoinen

Sara Maaria Saastamoinen is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science in the ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� College of Social Sciences. She is also an exhibiting artist, abundant futures consultant and community organizer.

Coming from a long line of Karelian (Northern European region) teachers, she credits her family with inspiring her early passion for political inquiry and creative expression. Her courses explore topics such as the everyday politics of water and the societal sacrifices that sustain American political systems.

Students nominated her for fostering creativity and inclusivity, encouraging expression through formats such as sculptures, short stories, mixtapes and monologues.

“Sara’s commitment to deeper understanding challenged us to think critically about our choices and their broader implications for humans, the environment and other living beings,” one student wrote.

Another shared, “I have never learned as much as I did in Sara’s class—it will positively affect the way I view things and the kind of person I am for the rest of my life.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� celebrated the exceptional achievements of its faculty, staff and students at the 2025 , on April 28 at Kennedy Theatre.

������Ƶ President Wendy Hensel, ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Vice Provost for Academic Excellence Laura Lyons and Board of Regents Vice Chair Laurie Tochiki recognized this year’s honorees for their outstanding accomplishments.

A video recording of the event will be available on the ������Ƶ Manoa Awards page at a later date.

Congratulations to all our winners!

2025 ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Awards winners

• Mapuana C.K. Antonio, associate professor, public health
• Matthew F. Cain, associate professor, chemistry
• Elisabeth Mehana Makaʻinaʻi, instructor, Hawaiian studies
• Hannah Manshel, assistant professor, English
• Masaru Mito, instructor, Japanese language
• Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, associate professor, political science

• Sloan Coats, assistant professor, Earth sciences
• Matthieu Dubarry, associate researcher, Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute
• Rick Kazman, professor, information technology management

• Margaret Colleen Rost-Banik, instructor, sociology
• Sara Maaria Saastamoinen, PhD student, political science

• Maya Soetoro-Ng, associate specialist, Matsunaga Institute for Peace

• Dean Domingo, instructor, Ilokano language
• Chad Edward Miller, specialist, teacher education
• You-il (Chris) Park, associate professor, accounting
• Melissa Renae Price, associate professor, wildlife management
• Jennifer D.S. Griswold, professor, atmospheric sciences
• Kaori Tamura, associate professor, kinesiology and rehabilitation science

• Seung Yang, assistant director, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
• John Gestrich, carpentry shops manager, Campus Operations and Facilities
• Marla Fergerstrom, farm manager, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resilience
• Jennifer Frank, physician, University Health Services ����ԴDz�

• Michele Inouchi, administrative officer, Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success
• Roy Tom, machinist, Department of Physics and Astronomy

• Michael Liu, astronomer, Institute for Astronomy

• Kenny Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan, assistant faculty specialist, Department of Information & Computer Sciences

• Academic & Student Affairs Office, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resilience
  (Kayden Iwasaki, Irene Morrow, Maile Sing and Jessica Strenstrom)

• Sladjana Prišić, associate professor, microbiology
• Pei-Ling Kao, associate professor, dance

• Aláine Fiona Lee, undergraduate student, astrophysics
• Kazuumi Fujioka, PhD candidate, chemistry
• Nick Saunders, PhD candidate, astronomy

• Shayla Spotkaeff, undergraduate research assistant, Center for Oral History

Awardees were selected following careful review by the various awards committees, based on nominations and supporting materials across teaching, research, mentoring and service. Mahalo to all who participated in the selection process.

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for a faculty member and a graduate assistant recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for 19 years.

Bonnie Bittman

Bonnie Bittman is an assistant professor of secondary social studies education at ������Ƶ West Oʻahu. She also taught secondary social studies at the high school level for 10 years, including economics, civics, advanced placement U.S. government and politics, world history, ethics and more.

She focuses on civic education and the achievement of marginalized populations in social studies education. Her research utilizes quantitative methods, consisting mostly of regression analysis.

A peer commented that “the teaching method of Dr. Bittman models what we want the teacher education students to model in their own classrooms: specifically—collaboration, intentional pairing and explaining why it is intentional, sequencing resources and activities to build on each other, etc.”

Imelda Gasmen

Imelda Gasmen is an instructor in the Department of Indo-Pacific Languages & Literatures in the ������Ƶ Mānoa College of Arts, Languages & Letters. Known to her students as Tita (Aunt) Imé, Gasmen introduced the concept of a Filipino tradition called bayanihan—the spirit of helping—and transformed that tradition to cooperative learning as a teaching methodology.

She has inspired students to major in Filipino and Philippine literature because of her unique and passionate teaching. They describe her as a “pure soul that is perfect for teaching.”

An outstanding characteristic is her ability to build pride and enjoyment of Filipino culture among students, many of whom have a connection through family ties, but have not learned the language. “I could connect with my family in ways I never imagined, calling my mom to practice my Tagalog with so much excitement. Those calls continue to this day and contribute to my parents feeling more connected to their home country.” Tita Imé is considered by students to be a living legend with exemplary knowledge, wisdom and expertise.

Maximillian Soares Miehlstein

Maximillian Soares Miehlstein is a graduate student in the ������Ƶ Mānoa Department of Psychology. His research focuses on the influence of having a minoritized identity on social cognition.

As a graduate assistant for Human Development and Family Studies 380L: Research Methodology Lab, Soares Miehlstein has guided students through semester-long research projects, advising them on topic conceptualization, survey development, data analysis and interpretation of their results. Additionally, he has served as a teaching assistant for PSY 225: Statistical Techniques for the past five semesters, where he is dedicated to helping students grasp foundational statistical concepts.

Inspired by seeing students succeed, Soares Miehlstein prioritizes creating engaging and student-centered learning materials. He is committed to incorporating diversity and inclusion into course curriculum whenever possible, ensuring that various perspectives and experiences are represented in the teaching materials and discussions. As he prepares to teach his own courses, Soares Miehlstein is eager to further develop his skills to maximize students’ learning potential while fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Mitchell Okamura

Mitchell Okamura is an assistant professor of speech at Honolulu Community College. He has been teaching speech courses since 2012.

A self-professed introvert by nature, Okamura was able to turn what he calls his greatest weakness—shyness—into an asset in the classroom, and leverage this to help even the most introverted students overcome their fear of public speaking. He often relies on the Lōkahi triangle (balance or harmony of the spiritual, mental and physical) as a core foundation to keep him balanced.

Participation in several programs, such as Hoʻāla Hou (substance use prevention), and Kūkalahale E Hoʻi Nā Wai (Indigenous education frameworks training), has equipped him to use Indigenous place-based learning techniques in the classroom.

“On my first day of class Professor Okamura told a story about how he had a disability as a child and how he overcame it,” said one student. “It made me feel really good to see an adult talk about how he overcame his disabilities and he is inspiring me that I can overcome my disabilities as well.”

Stephen Taylor

Stephen Taylor is a professor of physical sciences at Kauaʻi Community College and teaches climate science, oceanography, astronomy and physics. Students appreciate his genuine interest in their success and how he challenges them to think critically and understand rather than memorize or perform simple tasks.

He involves students in engaging activities; He clearly loves teaching and makes learning fun. His students see purpose and value in lessons. They discover how to learn, how to find credible information, and how to apply knowledge to understand complicated concepts, evaluate ideas and solve problems. Taylor stresses experimental design and physics principles that can be used to credibly explain, understand and predict a variety of natural phenomena.

Colleagues and students also appreciate Taylor’s effective leadership. He is constantly innovating, collaborating with peers, facilitating systemwide change, and advocating on students’ behalf, serving as coordinator of the natural science degree program, leader of National Science Foundation awards, proponent of effective general education curriculum, and technical advisor on climate change and coastal policy.

He has authored or co-authored multiple national conference presentations focused on interactive teaching and assessment. Taylor was awarded the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching in 2011.

Jennifer Turner

Jennifer Turner is an assistant professor of psychology in ������Ƶ Hilo’s College of Arts and Sciences. Turner’s primary research interests focus on social and emotional factors that influence lifespan health and well-being, such as age differences in nostalgia and potential mechanisms to reduce negative perceptions of aging.

She serves on multiple college and departmental committees and sits on the editorial board for the scientific journal Innovation in Aging. However, it’s the connection she’s made with students that rises above it all.

Professor and Psychology Chair Adam Pack said, “At a time when students often gravitate towards online course offerings, they flock to Dr. Turner’s face-to-face course because her teaching is scholarly, dynamic, engaging and creative.”

Turner is dedicated to providing students with applied learning experiences to advance post-graduate program admission and career opportunities. In the four semesters she has been at ������Ƶ Hilo, she has redesigned coursework and re-imagined the developmental lab to provide deeper engagement and understanding of content and practices.

Student Mia McGrath said, “It’s rare to find a professor who cares the way she does. She’s brilliant, passionate, kind and an incredible mentor.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� honored the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff and students at the 2024 . The annual event was held Wednesday, May 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Kennedy Theatre.

������Ƶ President David Lassner, ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno and Board of Regents Interim Chair Gabriel Lee honored the award recipients for their achievements.

A live video stream of the event will be available for those unable to attend in-person.

2024 ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Awards winners

• Sothy Eng, associate professor, family and consumer sciences
• Kristiana Kahakauwila, associate professor, English
• Martina Kamaka, associate professor, Native Hawaiian health
• Nicole Reyes, associate professor, educational administration
• Stephanie Nohelani Teves, associate professor, women, gender and sexuality studies
• Richard Wallsgrove, assistant professor, law

• Benjamin Shappee, associate astronomer, astronomy
• Malte Stuecker, assistant professor, oceanography
• Donald Womack, professor, music

See the 2023 ����ԴDz� Awards winners and the 2022 winners

• Imelda Gasmen, instructor, Filipino language and culture

• Maximillian Soares Miehlstein, MA candidate, psychology

• Manu Kaʻiama, instructor, accounting

• Louis Bousquet, associate professor, French
• Shelece Easterday, assistant professor, linguistics
• Jonathan Fine, assistant professor, philosophy
• Elina Hamilton, assistant professor, music
• Thomas Quattlebaum, assistant professor, family medicine
• Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone, instructor, Hawaiian language

• Cora Chik, janitor, Buildings and Grounds Management
• Matthew Lam, educational specialist, Department of Chemistry
• Nālani Minton, assistant specialist, Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing
• Dana Singer, secretary, Department Urban and Regional Planning

• Aaron Pietruszka, associate specialist, Department of Earth Sciences

• Jonna Eagle, associate professor, American studies

• Eve Millett, academic advisor, ����ԴDz� Advising Center

• ����ԴDz� Advising Center

• Samir Khanal, professor, molecular biosciences and bioengineering
• Pier-Carlo Tommasi, assistant professor, Japanese language

• Cara Tan, Undergraduate student, economics
• Aldo Sepulveda, Master’s student, astronomy
• Louward Zubiri, Doctoral student, linguistics

• Liam Felix, geographic information system assistant, Office of Systems Integration

.

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, for faculty and a graduate assistant, recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� for 19 years.

Katherine Aumer

Katherine Aumer is an associate professor of psychology at ������Ƶ West Oʻahu. She joined the social sciences division in August 2020. Aumer serves as the consulting editor for the Journal of Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, on the ������Ƶ West Oʻahu Budget and Resource Committee, and on the Hawaii State Council on Mental Health.

A student called Aumer a “warm and willing professor.” They said her strengths include her promptness in responding to emails and concerns for students. “I struggled with testing and she took the time through email correspondence to help me find other ways to help me study,” they said.

Aumer has published several books and chapters on emotions and the methods of studying emotions, and numerous articles regarding the application and exploration of emotions science, regulation and care delivery. Prior to joining ������Ƶ West Oʻahu, Aumer was the chair of the Psychology Department at Hawaiʻi Pacific University.

Leanne Day

Leanne Day is an assistant professor of English at ������Ƶ Hilo. Her areas of specialization and research include settler colonial studies, Asian American literature and cultural studies, Hawaiʻi literary and cultural studies, Pacific Island literatures and ethnic studies. She is interested in introducing her students to writers and poets from Oceania who use not only traditional writing but also multimedia posts on social media as a platform for social activism.

“She encourages a highly collaborative classroom, emphasizing open conversation between students as a means to learn,” said a nominator.

“What Dr. Day does so well in her classroom contributes vitally to student retention and success at ������Ƶ Hilo, and so do her invaluable contributions to strengthen the English program by teaching high-quality courses that empower student learning and critical thinking,” wrote another.

Day was the inaugural Daniel K. Inouye postdoctoral fellow at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�, and did her postdoc at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she helped build an Asian American and Pacific Islander studies program. Her latest publication is Plantation Housing Isn’t the Answer to Homelessness in Hawaiʻi.

Aaron Hanai

Aaron Hanai is an associate professor of engineering in the STEM Program at Kapiʻolani Community College. He spent eight years as a systems engineer for a small business in Honolulu specializing in autonomous underwater robotics before giving teaching a try in 2011. The personally and professionally rewarding experience was unexpectedly transformative, resulting in a permanent career change.

He is passionate about undergraduate research experiences that provide his students with both the technical and soft skills necessary to succeed in their STEM careers. Hanai constantly looks for ways to integrate sustainability and ʻāina-based learning into the curriculum, always finds a way to incorporate K–12 STEM outreach in project activities, and loves to work across disciplines with his colleagues.

“His passion for teaching is self-evident, and he is a tireless advocate for undergraduate research, which affords underrepresented STEM students opportunities that simply would not exist in his absence,” said a colleague.

Hanai earned a BS in physics and an MS and PhD in mechanical engineering from ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�.

Kalikoaloha Martin

Kalikoaloha Martin is an instructor in the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language at the ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Hawaiʻinuākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. He encourages students, including undergraduate and graduate students and faculty colleagues pursuing Hawaiian language proficiency, to get uncomfortable with trying out their ʻōlelo, until they get comfortable.

Through this practice, Martin realized that “unbeknownst to me, collectively stepping outside of their comfort zone, students depend on one another, deepen their friendships with their classmates and foster rapport that is unbreakable.” A student wrote, “As a leader, Kumu Kalikoaloha’s great strength is his ability to empower others to lead.”

A colleague who teaches the next level Hawaiian language shares first-hand knowledge that Martin’s students consistently excel, leaving his class with a well-grounded grasp of the language and culture and a spark of energy to continue further. Another colleague who studies with him reflects, “This course is difficult, and it is also very clear. What makes it rise above the rest is Kalikoaloha himself.”

Orlo Steele

Orlo Steele is an associate professor of science who teaches in the Tropical Forest Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management program at Hawaiʻi Community College. Known as a patient, thoughtful and “extremely knowledgeable” instructor, Steele brings a wide diversity of experience to his teaching, from work with rural communities in Guatemala to botanical surveys throughout the Pacific Islands.

With his expertise in Hawaiʻi’s native forest ecosystem and knowledge of agroforestry operations, Steele makes science exciting and relevant for a diverse range of students through engaging lectures and extensive field work.

A student said, “He also takes us on many different excursions, and we do a lot of hands-on field work and lab work,” which “helps the knowledge stick.“

Steele has established valuable relationships in the community and with local industry, which allows him to provide students with on-the-job training and networking opportunities with potential employers. He earned his PhD in botany from the ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�, and has taught at Hawaiʻi CC since 2007.

Manca Sustarsic

Manca Sustarsic is a PhD candidate in education with a concentration in educational foundations in the ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� College of Education. She is a passionate educator with a commitment to cultivating critically minded, culturally sensitive and empathetic members of society.

Sustarsic has teaching experience at the K–12 and college levels. In 2022, she taught an advanced undergraduate course, Education in American Society, in which students explored the historical, political and sociocultural contexts of education. She ensured that her curriculum and lessons drew connections to education history, culture-based learning and current issues in education in Hawaiʻi.

After taking Sustarsic’s class, students expressed they felt one step closer to becoming the teachers they wanted to be. They appreciated her passion for education and her ability to make complex topics engaging.

Her teaching philosophy centers around fostering learners’ critical consciousness, collaboration and respect for diversity. She strives to create a classroom environment inclusive of a diverse group of learners who each contribute to our intellectual growth and cultural sensitivity with their unique experiences and perspectives.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� will celebrate 30 of its finest faculty, staff and students with various teaching, research and service awards at the 2023 ����ԴDz� Awards Ceremony.

The annual awards ceremony will be held Monday, May 1 at 3:30 p.m. at Kennedy Theatre.

������Ƶ President David Lassner and ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno, along with Board of Regents Chair Randy Moore will honor the award recipients and celebrate the accomplishments of these individuals. .

2023 ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Awards winners

• Rosanna ʻAnolani Alegado, associate professor, oceanography
• Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker, associate professor, theatre and dance
• Richard Chen, associate professor, law
• Monica LaBriola, assistant professor, history
• Summer Puanani Maunakea, assistant professor, curriculum studies
• Alexander Stokes, assistant professor, cell and molecular biology

• Kenneth Chambers, astronomer, astronomy
• Jeffrey Drazen, professor, oceanography
• Shadia Habbal, astronomer/faculty chair, astronomy

• E. Kalikoaloha Martin Jr., instructor, Hawaiian language

• Manca Sustarsic, PhD candidate, educational foundations

• Chet-Yeng Loong, professor, music

• Mary Shin Kim, associate professor, Korean linguistics
• Hannah-Hanh Nguyen, associate professor, management
• Kevin Nute, professor, architecture
• Jayson Parba, instructor, Filipino language and culture
• Tyler Ray, assistant professor, mechanical engineering
• Jamie Simpson Steele, professor, education

• Maggie McGehee, university scheduler, Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Excellence
• Siausage (Sonny) Ugaitafa, equipment operator, Campus Operations
• Elaine Nakahashi, secretary, Department of Anthropology
• Thomas Tsutsumoto, junior specialist, ����ԴDz� Career Center

• Winona Lee, associate professor/director, John A. Burns School of Medicine

• Kathryn Braun, professor, public health

• Siobhán Ní Dhonacha, faculty specialist/academic advisor, Honors Program

• Wendy Kawabata, professor, art and art history
• Craig Nelson, associate researcher, oceanography

• Jason Hinkle, PhD candidate, astronomy
• Xiaojie (Sherry) Xu, PhD candidate, mechanical engineering

• Binierose Cacho, special programs coordinator, Office of Enrollment Management

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for a faculty and a graduate assistant recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for 19 years. Joseph Keola Donaghy, Hoa Le, Brent Kawika Rubio, Tarisi Vunidilo and Justin Walguarnery received the award for 2022.

Joseph Keola Donaghy, ������Ƶ Maui College

Joseph Keola Donaghy is an assistant professor of music and serves as the faculty coordinator for the at . The institute mentors and trains aspiring musicians in performing, singing, composition, recording techniques and marketing of Hawaiian music. Students are taken from the beginning of their musical training to their career debut.

Donaghy is passionate about Hawaiian music and has worked with students to produce albums, which has earned him a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award as producer of the compilation EP “He Lani Ko Luna, He Honua Ko Lalo.” He is accomplished in the Hawaiian music industry, serving as a member of the Board of Governors of the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts.

He is also linguistically accomplished in Hawaiian, Te Reo Māori and Irish Gaelic. Donaghy is also the developer of the Hawaiian keyboard and recently developed and released Hulihua—a Hawaiian clone of the popular Wordle game.

One of his colleagues wrote, “His work in mentoring the next generation of musicians and giving students a pathway to utilize and embrace their talents as a musician is notable and should be celebrated!”

Hoa Le, ������Ƶ Mānoa

Hoa Le is a PhD candidate in the second language studies department in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s . During the past two years, she has taught undergraduate classes in the Vietnamese language program where she developed new, innovative syllabi and course material that served the diverse and real-world needs of her students.

She believes education, and language teaching in particular, should aim to contribute to modern society, which is rooted in rounded, open and well-developed educational concepts. Importantly, it should place the learners at the center of education, educating the whole person, and promote mutual aid and cooperation in the classroom.

When teaching online, Le put extra effort to take advantage of technology making her lessons engaging and motivating. Her students have expressed that they really enjoyed and were delighted learning this tonal language and connecting to its culture, while putting what they learned into real-world practice.

Brent Kawika Rubio, Honolulu CC

Brent Kawika Rubio is an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at . He is a proud alumnus of Pearl City High School, ������Ƶ Mānoa, and the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he earned his PhD in chemistry and biochemistry.

According to his nominators, Rubio is a “tremendous educator who embodies professionalism and inspires the desire to learn and grow.” “Best teacher ever” encapsulates the sentiments received from his students. Students also describe him as “passionate,” “extremely organized” and “able to make chemistry understandable.” One student said that Rubio “genuinely cared about his class and treated us all as equals.”

In addition to teaching, Rubio has held leadership positions such as division chair, STEM Center director, President’s Commission on LGBTQ+ Equality co-chair, and Pamantasan Conference co-chair. Since 1998, Rubio has served in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard. He is currently the first sergeant of the 111th Army Band.

Tarisi Vunidilo, ������Ƶ Hilo

Tarisi Vunidilo is an assistant professor in anthropology and the coordinator of the at . Her area of specialization includes the cultures of Oceania with an emphasis on her home community of Fiji, and her topics of specialization center on indigenous museum studies. She is currently volunteering as secretary-general for the Pacific Islands Museums Association.

“Dr. Vunidilo embodies and leads by example the ethics set forth by the ������Ƶ system initiative to indigenize university education, Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Au,” said a nominator. “She brings to the classroom a Fijian-based talanoa (storytelling) teaching style that allows her to effectively convey ideas while listening to students. With the online nature of teaching during the pandemic, Dr. Vunidilo has nurtured this pedagogy farther, integrating indigenous Fijian frameworks that center on the values of respect, reciprocity, and relationship (veiwekani), and conversing, listening and understanding (veivosaki).”

Another nominator said: “One of Dr. Vunidilo’s greatest strengths is her caring attitude toward students and fostering a nurturing learning environment. Several students have shared with us that it was their personal connection to Dr. Vunidilo and her genuine concern that sustained them in their journeys to graduation.”

Justin Walguarnery, ������Ƶ Mānoa

Justin Walguarnery is an assistant professor of in the at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He has rarely had a semester where he felt he could do what had been done before.

“Science by its very nature necessarily entails doing what has never been done and always exceeding your previous understanding, so it’s only ever made sense to me to do the same in my teaching of science,” he said.

To bridge practice to theory, he is acquiring courses in a third graduate degree in educational psychology in areas of cultural influences, cognition and qualitative research methods. He meets his students as equals with full respect of where they’ve come from and where they are going.

In the words of one student, “There was an inherent freedom of thought and the support and implementation to actually make it work.”

Walguarnery’s hands-on lab course taught throughout the pandemic resulted in the highest exam averages ever with half the time in lab under COVID conditions without reducing course content or compromising high standards.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� recognized its finest faculty, staff and students with various teaching, research and service awards at its first in-person ����ԴDz� Awards Ceremony since 2019.

The 2022 ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Awards Ceremony was held on Monday, May 2 at 3:30 p.m. at Kennedy Theatre.

President David Lassner and Provost Michael Bruno honored the , and awardees and celebrate the accomplishments of these individuals. .

During the ceremony, there was also be a special recognition of the ������Ƶ COVID-19 Health and Well-Being Working Group and Reinhold Penner of the ������Ƶ Cancer Center for their COVID-19 campus efforts.

Read more on ������Ƶ News about our 2020 and 2021 ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Award winners.

2022 ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� Awards winners

• Troy J.H. Andrade, associate professor, law
• Daniel Harris-McCoy, associate professor, classics
• Peiling Kao, associate professor, theatre and dance
• Kyra Anne Len, associate professor, pediatrics
• Bridget Smith-Konter, professor, Earth sciences
• Wei Zhang, professor, sociology

• Brian Popp, professor, Earth sciences
• Rui Sun, assistant professor, chemistry
• Xudong Sun, assistant astronomer, astronomy

• Justin W. Walguarnery, assistant professor, biology

• Hoa Le, graduate teaching assistant, second languages studies

• Denise Antolini, professor, law

• Jennifer Blackwell, assistant professor, music
• Marguerite A. Butler, professor, biology
• Stephanie Furuta, associate specialist, Institute for Teacher Education
• Scott Lozanoff, professor, anatomy, biochemistry and physiology
• Seungoh Paek, associate professor, learning design and technology
• Philip Williams, professor and chair, chemistry

• Herman Ayers, janitor, Buildings and Grounds Management
• Kenton Harsch, director/BA coordinator, English Language Institute
• Tyler Kitagawa, janitor, Buildings and Grounds Management
• Steven Labrash, assistant specialist, anatomy, biochemistry and physiology

• E. Brooke Chapman de Sousa, associate professor, Institute for Teacher Education

• Henrietta Dulai, professor, Earth sciences

• Jill Nakatsu, director of student services, College of Engineering

• Tyler Ray, assistant professor, mechanical engineering
• Stephanie Teves, assistant professor/undergraduate advisor, Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

• Ashley Chontos, PhD candidate, astronomy
• Samantha Keaulana-Scott, PhD candidate, public health
• Geetika Patwardhan, bachelor’s candidate, molecular and cell biology

• Herman H. Lau, student assistant, General Education Office