The University of Hawaiʻi Venture Competition returned for its 26th year this spring, bringing together student entrepreneurs from across the University of Hawaiʻi System to showcase innovative ventures addressing real-world challenges through technology, sustainability, health and culture.

Hosted by the PACE in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, the 2026 competition featured more than 40 students from more than 20 academic disciplines representing seven 糖心视频 System campuses.

“The 糖心视频 Venture Competition continues to highlight the incredible talent and innovation emerging from our students across the 糖心视频 System,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “Each year, we’re inspired by the creativity, passion and problem-solving mindset students bring to the competition, and we are deeply grateful to Hawaiian Electric and Hawaiian Electric Industries for their continued support in making this program possible and empowering student entrepreneurship across Hawaiʻi.”

At the finals held on May 9 at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center, Makai Aquatics earned first place and a $10,000 cash prize sponsored by HEI and Hawaiian Electric. The venture produces captive-bred Hawaiian reef fish through a distributed network of home aquariums, helping fill the supply vacuum created by Hawaiʻi’s wild reef fish collection ban.

The Makai Aquatics team includes Kent Glover, a PhD student in marine biology, Jonah Sheridan and Sarah Benimana, a PhD student in tropical plant and soil science.

Second place and a $5,000 cash prize went to Paniolo, a natural skincare brand. Founded by entrepreneurship major Jaidon Mathews and communications major Cameron Holt, the venture blends wellness and lifestyle branding with locally inspired values.

Third place and a $2,500 cash prize, sponsored by HiBEAM, went to Hexcelerate, an AI-powered interview training platform designed to help workforce development programs improve job seeker confidence and interview readiness. Hexcelerate is founded by local students Lionel Derrick Roxas and Gabriel Dang, both computer science students.

In addition to cash prizes, finalists received mentorship, coaching and valuable feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals throughout the competition.

This year’s finals judges included Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up; Mateo Garcia, director of investor relations at HEI; Michael Bennett, founder of Honolulu Tech Week; and Ben Godsey, president and CEO of ProService Hawaiʻi.

Student Entrepreneur of the Year

At the event, PACE recognized Timothy Lum as the 2026 Student Entrepreneur of the Year, an award honoring a student whose leadership, service and engagement have made a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial community at 糖心视频.

Throughout his time with PACE, Lum participated in nearly every major program, including PACE Leaders, Kalo Grants and the 糖心视频 Venture Competition. Beyond participation, he played a key role in strengthening maker-space collaborations and helping launch new AI-focused initiatives.

University of Hawaiʻi students helped reimagine an iconic local company by pitching bold new ideas for Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaiʻi at a fast-paced innovation event. Hosted by 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 (PACE), the spring 2026 competition took place on March 28 and April 4, at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center.

Community connections take top prize

The team of Danielle Grace Banggo (dietetics, 糖心视频 Mānoa) and Leticia Rodriguez Gutierrez (liberal arts, Honolulu Community College) won the $2,000 grand prize. Their strategy focused on a grassroots “Community Growth Campaign” designed to be both budget-friendly and ready for immediate rollout.

The plan involves deploying Meadow Gold trucks and vans to high-traffic local venues such as the Honolulu Zoo and community marketplaces. By utilizing brand ambassadors to engage directly with families, the team aims to strengthen the bond between the iconic brand and the local community.

“Innovate 808 taught me that your background doesn鈥檛 define your ability to make an impact,” Banggo said. “It encourages you to step outside your comfort zone, share your ideas and collaborate with others to create meaningful solutions. This experience empowered me to think creatively, communicate confidently and realize that even small ideas can make a big difference in the community.”

Three other teams won $1,000 runner up prizes, and another team won the $500 innovation award. Beyond the competition, Innovate 808 is designed to connect classroom learning with real-world experience. Students worked in interdisciplinary teams to tackle an active business challenge, building career-ready skills in communication, critical thinking and creative problem-solving while engaging directly with industry professionals.

Creative solutions for a new era

Concepts pitched during the competition included:

• Lani Moo Milk Candy: A sweet extension of the company鈥檚 famous mascot
• NIL Deals: Partnering with 糖心视频 athletes to reach younger demographics
• POG 2.0: New bottle designs and updated formulations for the passion-orange-guava juice

Kimia Sadeghi, sales and marketing manager for Meadow Gold, said, “I wanted to hear from the next generation and how they think of executing solutions, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaiʻi sponsored the project and prizes.

A “sprint” across all disciplines

Facilitated by Jeff Hui, entrepreneur-in-residence at PACE, the competition is designed to put real-world problems in front of students and see how they meet the challenge through research and innovation.

“The most exciting part for us is seeing students from all disciplines—business, engineering, computer science, art, education, anthropology and food science—coming together to come up with real solutions,” Hui said.

While they were freshmen in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 鈥� Direct Admit Program, alumnae Amber Abara (BBA 鈥�22, MS 鈥�24) and Morgan “Birdy” Cobb (BBA 鈥�22, MS 鈥�24) crossed paths and quickly became best friends. What they didn鈥檛 know then was that their friendship would later spark a business—one inspired by a vivid dream Abara had during their master of science in marketing management program.

In the dream, she saw a soap bar shaped like a gua sha (smooth tool used to massage and stimulate the skin). When she shared it with Cobb, expecting a laugh, Cobb immediately responded, “Let鈥檚 do it.” That moment became the spark for a skincare company built around a farm-to-face philosophy.

Abara and Cobb source many of their ingredients from Hawaiʻi farmers they know and trust, rooting their brand in community and sustainability. They also embrace the phrase “confidence from within,” which for them means feeling grounded in who you are the moment you wake up.

Their idea was deeply personal. Both struggled with acne for years and grew exhausted by the constant stream of advice, products and online trends promising perfect skin. They wanted something simpler—clean ingredients they understood, such as coconut oil, shea butter, turmeric, coffee and honey.

“The media details every trick, product and solution for your skin,” Cobb said. “What you eat, what pillowcases you sleep on, what oils, cleansers and tools you need to fix everything. I grew exhausted trying to sort through the advice of every influencer and article on the internet. I needed a product that made my life a little simpler, with ingredients I understood.”

Using sustainable, organic and local ingredients was equally important. Abara, raised in Kāneʻohe, grew up surrounded by lush landscapes and a strong culture of eating local, while Cobb—who moved from Colorado to Oʻahu at 17—quickly embraced Hawaiʻi鈥檚 deep connection between land and community. Those values, particularly transparency and environmental care, now guide their brand called .

They took their idea further when a professor encouraged them to enter a (PACE) competition. Preparing for it pushed them to refine their branding, target market and overall vision. Although they didn鈥檛 advance, the experience confirmed that their dream had real potential. Later, they applied for and won a Kalo grant through PACE, giving them the seed funding needed to launch.

“I realized that my dream of a gua sha-shaped soap bar could actually become a real business when we won the Kalo grant,” Abara said.

With their entrepreneurial spark ignited鈥攁nd support from Shidler鈥檚 programs—Abara and Cobb created the product they once needed.

For the entire story and more alumni stories, see the .

The (PACE) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is launching its inaugural sustainability series, a semester-long lineup of workshops, funding opportunities and industry events focused on climate, environmental and community-based innovation.

The series is presented in collaboration with the Student Sustainability Council at 糖心视频, Elemental Impact and the Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum, and brings together students, founders and professionals working across sustainability-focused sectors.

The began in February with a hands-on kokedama workshop in partnership with Hoʻilina Arrangements, introducing students to plant-based design and environmental stewardship. On March 4, PACE will host “Profit With Purpose: Building Brands That Actually Matter,” a workshop examining how companies integrate sustainability into marketing, product development and brand strategy.

Direct access to career pathways

At the center of the series is a March 10 networking event at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center. The event will connect students with founders from Elemental Impact鈥檚 network. Structured networking rotations will allow students to meet each professional in small groups, followed by open networking. The format is designed to provide direct access to career pathways in climate technology, environmental innovation and mission-driven business. .

“Sustainability touches every industry,” said PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama. “By bringing industry professionals and students into the same room, we are helping students see how their academic backgrounds can translate into impact-driven careers.”

Later in March, PACE will open a sustainability-focused round of its Kalo Grant program. , with a live pitch event scheduled for April 16. The grant round will prioritize ventures addressing environmental and social challenges.

The series will conclude April 21, with an Entrepreneurship Live panel in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum, featuring professionals whose work centers on sustainability and community leadership.

PACE, housed in the , serves students across the 糖心视频 System through experiential entrepreneurship programs, mentorship and applied learning opportunities.

Two University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 students, Amelie Berg and Skylar Conley, have each been awarded a from the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE).

Berg’s project, Well Within, will be a subscription app and platform focused on helping users sustain a healthy mental and physical lifestyle. The platform will connect users and offer access to fitness classes and community events, in one easy-to-use application.

She was inspired by her experience using ClassPass in Australia, where she noticed more options, including beauty services, were available compared to the U.S. She aims for Well Within to collaborate with creators who may not have a large audience, offering activities that are free or more cost-efficient.

Conley’s project, Da Rack, is a mobile retail store that will curate and sell secondhand items, operating via pop-up events. She was inspired to create a mobile concept because many good secondhand shopping locations are not easy to get to without a car. Her goal is to “come to you,” traveling into neighborhoods, shopping malls and other areas not typically located in Honolulu. Conley also plans to source products from local small businesses that align with her brand and vision.

The two were students in the Entrepreneurship in Retail class taught by Mark Odanasan. The Fashion, Design, and Merchandising program is housed in the .

The Kalo Grant Program is a key initiative of PACE, and housed in the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 . It is designed to empower student entrepreneurs across the 糖心视频 System by providing seed funding to develop and launch new business ventures.

Nearly 60 attendees gathered on October 29, in the Flex Space at RISE at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 for “The Human Connection: Communication Skills for Professional & Personal Success,” an event designed to foster engagement between students and industry professionals. The program featured interactive activities and a lively panel discussion focused on cultivating essential workforce skills.

Professor Hye-ryeon Lee, chair of the , highlighted the importance of proactively developing these capacities.

“Students entering college need to understand that it takes some planning to cultivate and refine these essential skills. And, to those who seek it out, the university offers many wonderful opportunities for improving these skills,” she said.

Get out and connect

The career advice resonated with students preparing to enter the workforce. Exploratory Business major Gervase Ngo was inspired by the discussion on critical thinking, passion and purpose. Senior Aerospace Engineering student Savannah Dubois felt the immediate impact of the panel鈥檚 emphasis on connection.

“Something that really hit me was creating that connection with the interviewer or with the person you’re going to be working with,” Dubois said. “I want to be able to show my passion and drive for the work I’m doing.”

For pre-nursing major Triston Chavez, the most memorable piece of advice centered on practical preparation.

“Practice, practice, practice,” he said. “Get out there, talk to more people. Don’t feel afraid to talk in front of crowds.”

Authenticity on paper

Panelists鈥攊ncluding Jeff Hui, founder and CEO of Jumpstart AI, Lori Lum of Anthology Marketing Group FINN Partners, and Lisa Park, RN and current doctor of nursing practice student鈥攕tressed the crucial role of authenticity in professional communication.

“Empathetic listening is really important,” Park advised.

Lum added, “Do you have an authentic voice and an authentic sense of ‘This is who I am, this is the way I think.’ I want to see that. I want to see that smile come through the paper. I want to be able to see that passion come through the paper.”

Hui encouraged students to use AI to “pressure test” their communication rather than communicate for them.

The event was organized by the School of Communication and Information and co-sponsored by the , and the 糖心视频 System Office of Workforce Development.

Workforce development is one of the core pillars of the 糖心视频 System鈥檚 Strategic Plan.

A health tech startup improving how community health workers (CHW) document client visits took the $2,000 first place prize in the second annual , hosted by the (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 . The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of 糖心视频 Mānoa students that competed in the two-week challenge.

The competition was co-hosted by , a software platform led by a Shidler and PACE alumnus, that empowers community-based organizations to address the social drivers of health. It highlighted PACE鈥檚 mission to bridge academic learning with practical, work-based problem-solving.

“Innovate 808 shows how powerful interdisciplinary learning can be when we connect students to real community partners,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “The ideas generated this year show that innovation truly thrives in collaboration.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration

The students in this year鈥檚 challenge represented 10 糖心视频 Mānoa colleges and schools. The result was a dynamic combination of technical, social and entrepreneurial ideas to support Hawaiʻi鈥檚 community health workforce.

The winning team, Pear Lens, created a photo-based note capture and conversion tool that allows CHW to document client interactions more efficiently while maintaining data privacy. The team came together as four solo applicants met for the first time during the competition: Justin Paul Alejo (business), Jennifer Kawata (public administration), Biplav Paudel (business) and Ivy Vo (business).

“The competition brought together a diverse team of complete strangers to solve a complex challenge, but we quickly found our rhythm and collaborated seamlessly to propose a simple yet powerful idea,” Kawata said.

Kawehi Kea-Scott, a Pear Suite judge who used to work as a CHW, commended the team for “meeting CHWs where they are” by respecting existing workflows while introducing low-friction technology. “The fact that these students built a fully functioning prototype in just two weeks is remarkable,” Kea-Scott said.

Initially the competition was planned as a winner-takes-all prize structure, but the judges were so impressed by the presentations that three runner-up prizes were added. Each student from the following three teams won $350.

• Jayden Ronel Villanueva, Shannon Tai and Jaylyn-Kate Balon developed a tiered education and certification pathway with AI-generated feedback and mentoring for aspiring CHWs.
• Tate Goodman, Mau Tsujimura, Micah Tajiri and Lenox Covington created a machine-learning workflow tool that helps CHWs select the most effective resources for their clients.
• Logan Lee, Tristan Ta and Yeunggyun Kwon designed a referral platform that connects CHWs and clients based on shared experience and training, fostering stronger engagement.

Takeda invited the winning teams to present their solutions to his executive team and encouraged all participants to consider internships and employment at Pear Suite, as he shared that Pear Suite will be continuing its nationwide expansion after he recently raised $7.6 million in funding.

“Just try it, go out there and find problems to solve,” Takeda said. “Being able to test ideas, try new things and see what the feedback is from your customers is a great way to learn and grow.”

Teams were also mentored by Jeff Hui, PACE‘s entrepreneur in residence, who advised students to “take advantage of these real world experiences. These are the opportunities that open doors to new career paths and set you apart when you are interviewing for a job.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa launched a free artificial intelligence (AI) and data science public lecture series on September 15, with a talk by Eliane Ubalijoro, chief executive officer of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry. Ubalijoro, based in Nairobi, Kenya, spoke on AI governance policies and ethics for managing land, biodiversity and fire.

The event, hosted at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center, was organized by the (ICS) in partnership with the (PACE). It kicked off a four-part series designed to share industry and government perspectives on emerging issues in AI and data science.

“Dr. Ubalijoro’s presentation provided exciting insights on the application of AI as tools in agriculture and agroforestry happening today,” said Loreto Coloma, student in the 糖心视频 graduate certificate in applied computing and associate director of admissions in the William S. Richardson School of Law. “When these tools draw upon traditional and indigenous knowledge, it guides our decision-making in ways that better align with the values of the people they affect while supporting longer-term goals. And we are also reminded that ethical data practices and community trust are paramount in being able to effectively receive and use this expert knowledge.”

All lectures are open to students, professionals and community members, providing another avenue for the public to engage with 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 new graduate certificate and professional master鈥檚 program in AI and data science. The series is tied to ICS 601, the Applied Computing Industry Seminar, which connects students to real-world applications of AI.

“This series opens the door for our students and community to learn directly from leaders shaping the future of AI and data science,” said Department of Information and Computer Sciences Chair and Professor Guylaine Poisson.

PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama added, “By bringing these talks into the public sphere, we鈥檙e strengthening the bridge between 糖心视频 Mānoa, industry sectors and Hawaiʻi鈥檚 innovation community.”

Three additional talks are scheduled this fall:

• September 22, 12–1:15 p.m.: Rebecca Cai, chief data officer for the State of Hawaiʻi, will discuss government data and AI use cases.
• October 13, 12–1:15 p.m.: Shovit Bhari of IBM will share industry lessons on machine learning.
• November 10, 12–1:15 p.m.: Peter Dooher, senior vice president at Digital Service Pacific Inc., will cover designing end-to-end AI systems.

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ICS is housed in 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 and PACE is housed in 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 .

Students from the (PACE) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa partnered with a Hawaiʻi Island meal delivery service to boost its growth through a new marketing strategy. Their work has helped local entrepreneur Jasmine Silverstein expand her small business, .

The company—which focuses on providing locally sourced, gluten free, fully prepared meals to customers—had primarily relied on word-of-mouth marketing. Recognizing the potential for expansion, she saw an opportunity to work with PACE鈥檚 aspiring business leaders to develop a structured growth strategy.

“The students brought fresh ideas and practical solutions that I wouldn鈥檛 have thought of on my own,” said Silverstein. “Their expertise in digital marketing, customer engagement and data tracking has already helped me take key steps toward expanding my reach.”

Led by Roma Amor Malasarte (computer science), Hokumalie Serna (marketing), Candide Krieger (education) and Emma Hsu (history), the team tackled challenges such as enhancing website functionality and streamlining the customer checkout experience. Their marketing recommendations included the implementation of A/B testing for coupon codes (trying different coupons to see which works best), exploring strategic partnerships with local gyms and wellness businesses, and refining Meals in a HeartBeet鈥檚 social media presence.

“The hands-on experience of working with a real business has been invaluable,” said Malasarte. “We鈥檝e been able to apply what we鈥檝e learned in the classroom to help a local entrepreneur grow her business, and that鈥檚 what PACE is all about.”

Silverstein refined her brand messaging and added extra protein options to better meet her customers’ needs. As a result, Meals in a HeartBeet has nearly doubled its meal deliveries, reaching new markets while maintaining its commitment to locally sourced, nutritious meals.

“This is a perfect example of how PACE equips students with the skills to be innovative problem-solvers and support Hawaiʻi鈥檚 local businesses,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “We鈥檙e proud to see our students making a tangible impact.”

Central Pacific Bank鈥檚 (CPB) WE by Rising Tide initiative served as the catalyst for this collaboration. The initiative is designed to empower women entrepreneurs through mentorship and growth opportunities, and the PACE students are all recipients of the CPB Foundation Scholarship for Entrepreneurship. Through the initiative, the students connected with Silverstein, eager to apply their skills to a real-world business challenge.

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Fifteen high school students from a STEM-focused girls鈥� school in Tokyo traveled to Hawaiʻi not just to learn—but to help tackle some of the islands鈥� toughest social and environmental issues, from reef-safe sunscreen to houselessness.

In July 2025, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (PACE) collaborated with Very50, a Japan-based social enterprise accelerator, to bring the group of students from Toshimagaoka Girls鈥� School to Oʻahu. The partnership provided a cross-cultural and problem-solving learning experience for both the students from Japan, as well as students from 糖心视频.

The week-long, rigorous PACE X Very50 collaboration encouraged students to use STEM skills to solve social and climate issues in Hawaiʻi. Three student teams tackled:

• Testing strips that indicate if sunscreens brought into Hawaiʻi are reef-safe
• A card game to encourage players to create personas to reduce prejudice around houseless individuals
• An app for individuals, such as hikers, who are interested in native and endemic species

To develop their solutions, students interviewed residents and tourists in English to gather information and insights. After her second field day of conducting interviews, Miu Nagase said, “We were able to interview many people on topics such as homelessness and interesting things about the cultures of those we met. I noticed my growth in opening up to talking to people.”

A 糖心视频 experience

While on campus, the visiting students worked on their projects at the Walter Dods Jr., RISE Center鈥檚 coworking and maker spaces, and were treated to a visit and demonstration of marine bioacoustic equipment at Professor Camille Pagniello鈥檚 Marine Innovation Lab for Leading-edge Oceanography.

糖心视频 students (Kai Higuchi, art; Timothy Lum, computer science; Landon Momohara, marketing; Kensho Munakata, economics; Kaitlyn Tokunaga, accounting/management information systems and Japanese) assisted by identifying and pointing the students to people and places to conduct interviews; and guiding the teams through prototyping tangible representations of their solutions. On the final day, students presented their projects with demonstrations of their proposed solutions to PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama.

“This collaboration helped students develop an innovative problem-solving mindset,” Fujiyama said. “They brought fresh perspectives to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 challenges, and their impressive projects offer tangible steps toward meaningful local impact.”

Ryoh Sugitani from Very50 added, “The project turned out great and I am thankful to the Toshimagaoka and 糖心视频 students who participated in this project! Very50 is looking forward to working with 糖心视频 again in the future.”

• Related 糖心视频 News story: 糖心视频 innovation students mentor Japanese students in solving complex Hawaiʻi issues, March 27, 2024

Honolulu鈥檚 streetwear scene is about much more than what people wear, it鈥檚 a reflection of identity, history and community. A new study by University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 fashion scholars shows how local street style blends surf influences, homegrown brands, and Native Hawaiian culture tell a deeper story about place and belonging in Hawaiʻi.

“Our research shows that Honolulu streetwear is not just a copy of mainland trends; it’s a unique blend rooted in our island’s diverse culture,” said Mark Oandasan, study co-author and (CTAHR) graduate who majored in fashion and design and is a 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 lecturer on the topic. He dove deep into the roots of the state鈥檚 street wear along with CTAHR Professor Andy Reilly in “Honolulu Streetwear: A Look into Aesthetics, Style, and Culture,” recently published in .

The team鈥檚 research offers a comprehensive look at how Hawaiʻi residents express themselves through contemporary dress, moving beyond the prevalent focus on aloha wear.

The researchers call this expression ‘Moke style,’ which they define as a powerful visual language born from the islands’ blend of outdoor living, a strong sense of community, and an understated pride in Native Hawaiian heritage.

“The emergence of ‘Moke’ style highlights how local identity, including Native Hawaiian culture, shapes what people wear on our streets,” said Oandasan, who grew up in Hawaiʻi. “It’s a tangible representation of ‘local boy’ identity, reflecting a connection to the land, community and the unpretentious spirit of island life, subtly weaving in threads of Native Hawaiian cultural values like respect for the ʻāina (land) and the importance of ʻohana (family).”

Bridging the gap

The study assessed the challenges posed by Honolulu鈥檚 geographic isolation. While this distance can hinder the rapid influx of new fashion styles, social media has emerged as a crucial tool for local streetwear brands. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok allow these brands to increase their accessibility and awareness among consumers, bridging the gap created by their remote location.

Expanding fashion research

Oandasan and Reilly hope their research highlights the value of understanding the cultural roots and diverse identities shaping Honolulu鈥檚 evolving streetwear scene. They also encourage continued exploration of the vibrant fashion movement in Hawaiʻi.

Oandasan continues to explore local style and culture through a collaborative fashion and design entrepreneur series with the at the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 .

A partnership between the (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 and the (FBCH)—a nonprofit, member-based forum, housed within the Shidler College—is expanding career-ready opportunities for students by engaging with local family businesses.

“Family businesses are the foundation of our local economy, often driven by entrepreneurial spirit and innovative problem-solving,” said Sandra Fujiyama, executive director at PACE. “Partnering with the Family Business Center of Hawaiʻi allows us to immerse our students in this dynamic environment, providing invaluable hands-on learning while simultaneously offering fresh perspectives and solutions to these vital businesses.”

Innovating auto accessories with Servco

In fall 2024, Sungwoo Kim, Riley Lau, Roma Malasarte, Veronica Parayno and Timothy Lum from the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and the worked on a challenge from Servco to find new ways to grow its auto accessories business. The students examined different solutions, including 3D printed models, virtual reality visualization tools and mobile kiosks. They settled on an approach that combined new store concepts with AI based sales tools as a future look for accessory sales for Servco.

“Working with Servco taught me how essential customer research is when making business decisions,” Malasarte said. “I learned that the value of teamwork, communication and consistency can lead to big impact.”

Custom scheduling app for Malu Productions

In spring 2025, Malu Productions, an award winning entertainment company, challenged students to come up with solutions for its long-standing challenge of scheduling performers for shows. ICS students Vincent Chan, Nathan Chee and Dodie Madriaga built a custom scheduling app, specifically tailored for Malu鈥檚 unique workforce, multiple shows and diverse roles.

“What the students put together is perfect for our industry,” said Titus-Maximus Tanuvasa of Malu Productions. “We are very excited to be a part of this collaboration, and hope to participate again.”

Revamping websites to generate connections

Ben Franklin Crafts challenged a multidisciplinary team from the College of Engineering, ICS and Shidler College to reinvigorate online activity for its craft store. BJ Ramel, Aaron Ramos, Elijah Saloma and Salina Thongsisavath came up with a strategy to create more online communities and activities for crafting. They re-envisioned a website that was centered around finding new projects, joining classes and connecting with other crafters.

PACE recognized the Ben Franklin Crafts team with the Tora and Choko Miyasato Award, funded by Shidler alumnus Al Miyasato in honor of his grandparents, to highlight the importance of collaboration across disciplines.

PACE and FBCH teamed up with 糖心视频鈥檚 IT Leap-Start Experience Excelerator Program to help the Hawaiʻi Children鈥檚 Discovery Center. Adrienne Kaneshiro, an ICS student, helped to overhaul the center鈥檚 website. She migrated the entire website to a new platform, which made it faster and more user friendly.

The vision and dedication of PACE Entrepreneur-in-Residence Jeff Hui and FBCH Program Manager Cara Sawai-Mangan were pivotal in establishing this collaboration.

“Witnessing students from diverse backgrounds tackle complex business challenges and deliver tangible solutions underscores the immense potential that exists when academia and industry collaborate,” said Hui. “This collaboration not only equips our students with essential skills but also injects fresh perspectives and innovation into our local business community, paving the way for future collaborations and mutual growth.”

Companies interested in participating in future semesters are encouraged to connect with PACE at pace@hawaii.edu.

Nine University of Hawaiʻi faculty members were celebrated for transforming their classrooms through entrepreneurial thinking at a May 16 showcase hosted at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center.

The event marked the culmination of the inaugural season of the , a year-long professional development initiative designed to help faculty integrate experiential learning, entrepreneurship and engineering design into their curricula.

“These frameworks are designed to help students develop critical skills for the modern workplace, preparing them to grow into innovative, problem-solving contributors to society,” (PACE) Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said.

The faculty members in the inaugural cohort—from disciplines such as architecture, business, esports and nutrition—were awarded digital badges, certificates and stipends in recognition of their efforts to reshape how 糖心视频 students learn.

Student wins reflect faculty impact

EL3vate participants Associate Professor Kacie Ho (), Assistant Professor Yasushi Ishida () and Assistant Professor Xiaodan Mao-Clark ( in the ) introduced their students to PACE business and innovation competitions. Ho and Ishida鈥檚 students were among the awardees in the Innovate 808 competition with their kimchee and marinara flavor chip seasonings and an architectural storefront makeover, respectively.

“I’ve had the privilege of coaching Kalo Grants student entrepreneurs for over a year now, and their creativity, expertise and passion for their community continue to inspire me,” Mao-Clark said. “Their projects not only drive my teaching to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in the classroom but also propel my research to improve community sustainability.”

Collaborations spark cross-campus creativity

In addition, Ishida partnered with a 糖心视频 Maui College faculty member on a Lahaina-focused course initiative, blending design and business perspectives. In a separate collaboration, Mao-Clark worked with a 糖心视频 Hilo faculty member on an initiative where students engaged with the community, strengthening their learning experience through real-world connections.

“From using the PACE 3D printer to create a scale model of Lahaina for my ‘Rebuilding Lahaina’ seminar, to students in the capstone studio clearly communicating their designs with printed models, hands-on tools make a significant impact,” Ishida said. “I’m eager for more opportunities like Innovate808 that allow our students to connect their unique skills outside the university setting.”

Gaming meets entrepreneurship

糖心视频 Esports students are gaining invaluable entrepreneurial skills and industry connections through a dynamic collaboration between Nyle Sky Kauweloa (糖心视频 Esports director and 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 specialist faculty for interdisciplinary studies) and PACE.

“Over the previous three years, PACE has been critical with expanding support for the 糖心视频 Esports program by giving our esports players, student leaders and video game community a broader vision of how to align their interests in digital games and entrepreneurship,” Kauweloa said. “With our new 糖心视频 Esports arena opening up soon (right across the street from PACE), there is more to come!”

PACE, housed in the Shidler College of Business, continues to lead systemwide efforts to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in education. Faculty interested in future opportunities, including the EL3vate program, can find more information at this . The EL3vate program is a collaboration between PACE, and Maui Economic Development Board.

The marked its 25th anniversary this year with record prize money, standout student startups and a celebration of entrepreneurship across the 糖心视频 System. Hosted by the (PACE) in 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 , the milestone event, supported by title sponsor American Savings Bank, featured 13 semifinalist teams representing more than 20 academic disciplines and two campuses.

“This milestone year highlights the incredible talent and innovation emerging from our students across the 糖心视频 System,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “It鈥檚 inspiring to see how far the competition has come in 25 years—and even more exciting to imagine where these future entrepreneurs will go next.”

At the finals held on May 9th at the Waiʻalae Country Club, BlueMed claimed first place and a $25,000 prize, sponsored by American Savings Bank, for its AI-powered app that helps aquaculture farmers quickly diagnose diseases in shrimp and fish by analyzing uploaded images and symptoms. Farmers can also order medicine, feed and supplements directly through the platform, streamlining access to critical supplies. The team, led by Quang Loc Lam (business administration) and Thi Hai Au La (microbiology), aims to boost aquaculture health through accessible, tech-driven solutions.

“The 糖心视频 Venture Competition has been an incredible journey for our BlueMed team,” Lam said. “It gave us the opportunity to refine our business idea, receive valuable coaching and feedback from experienced mentors, and present our work to a panel of judges. More than just a competition, it was a transformative experience that helped us grow as entrepreneurs and prepare for the real-world challenges of building a business. We鈥檙e deeply grateful for the support and learning this program provided.”

Second place and $10,000, sponsored by Sharon Weiner, went to WellNETS, which developed a radar-based system that monitors seniors鈥� vital signs such as heart rate and breathing without requiring wearable devices. It delivers real-time data and alerts to caregivers, supporting safer, more independent living for seniors.

Grow Guam, a lifestyle fashion brand that blends modern design with Chamorro cultural motifs to create meaningful apparel and accessories, took third and earned $5,000, sponsored by HiBEAM. The brand aims to empower young women to express pride in their heritage while promoting sustainability.

Pacific Carbon, which works with local communities to measure and verify carbon sequestration from coastal restoration efforts in Hawaiʻi, was also among the top four. The verified efforts are packaged into carbon credits and sold to buyers seeking socially responsible environmental offsets.

In addition to cash prizes, this year鈥檚 student entrepreneurs received valuable in-kind services to help grow their ventures. These included legal services provided by Vantage Counsel, marketing services by Pineapple Tweed, coworking membership from Hub Coworking Hawaiʻi and website services by Blue Logic Labs.

This year鈥檚 panel of judges featured prominent stakeholders in the industry, including Chenoa Farnsworth, managing partner at BlueStartups; Donavan Kealoha, managing director at Startup Capital Ventures x SBI Fund; and Tony Mizuno, executive vice president at American Savings Bank. Farnsworth and Kealoha are PACE alumni and past winners of the competition.

Student Entrepreneur of the Year

At the event, the PACE Student Entrepreneur of the Year was presented to 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 major and PACE Leader Roma Amor Malasarte. A dedicated contributor to PACE programs, Malasarte led key initiatives, collaborated on real-world business challenges and helped strengthen community ties through events and mentorship. She also championed cross-campus collaboration by building partnerships between PACE and her department, including co-leading an entrepreneurship event with 糖心视频鈥檚 women-in-tech group, SWITCH.

When Jonavan Gonzalez walks across the Stan Sheriff Center stage on May 17, it will mark the culmination of a six-year journey—one that began at N膩n膩kuli High and Intermediate School and led to two degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补. After earning his bachelor鈥檚 in in 2023, Gonzalez is now graduating with a master鈥檚 in , a rare academic combination that reflects his drive to blend technical innovation with business strategy.

“It鈥檚 just an exciting time,” Gonzalez said. “I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing where everything I鈥檝e learned takes me next—ideally at Disney, NASA or SpaceX.”

A journey shaped by inspiration, family

Born and raised in N膩n膩kuli, Gonzalez said his early aspirations were shaped by both his aspirations and his imagination.

“Tony Stark, Iron Man, is like my idol and he’s also a mechanical engineer,” he said. “That was my main motivation for mechanical engineering. I knew I always wanted a higher education degree after high school, but I know it’s rare for N膩n膩kuli graduates to get their bachelor’s in engineering.”

That perception shifted when Gonzalez鈥檚 older brother pursued a civil engineering degree at .

“Watching him do it showed me that it was possible and that as long as I follow his footsteps, I鈥檒l be good,” Gonzalez said. “The degree is what I want, so why not go for it?”

Bridging the gap: Engineering meets finance

He enrolled at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 in 2019 and dove headfirst into mechanical engineering.

Meet more amazing 糖心视频 spring graduates

“I earned my undergrad degree in mechanical engineering because I鈥檝e loved solving complex problems and coming up with innovative solutions,” he explained. “But I realized I was also passionate about finance and business. I didn鈥檛 want to quit engineering, and it was too late to get a minor in business, so I decided to get my master’s in finance.”

Gonzalez sees his combined degrees as the perfect foundation for a future that blends technical expertise with business acumen.

“With my double degrees, I鈥檓 hoping to start in the workforce, whether at Disney, NASA or SpaceX as a mechanical engineer, or at Disney, they call themselves ‘imagineers,’” he said. “And from there, I鈥檒l work my way up the corporate ladder to more business-related roles, elevating from product manager to executive roles in either finance or operations.”

Mentoring the next generation

At 糖心视频, Gonzalez served as a PACE Leader at the in the , mentoring fellow students on prototype design, product development and pitching. In 2024, he received the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation Scholarship for RISE, and in 2025, Gonzalez was a semifinalist in the 糖心视频 Venture Competition for his work on COCO, an AI-powered app designed to reduce food waste.

“I鈥檝e been with the program for about two years now. As a PACE leader, I鈥檝e had the opportunity to mentor and support other students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation,” he said. “But most importantly, it鈥檚 just the networking aspect of it all, especially as someone like me in my position living here at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center. It鈥檚 just so convenient and perfect.”

Inspiration for the future

Despite his technical expertise and accomplishments, Gonzalez stays grounded in where he came from and offers advice for others in his community.

“Especially for N膩n膩kuli or similar schools, it鈥檚 not where you start. It doesn鈥檛 define where you go, especially in your career,” he said. “If you put in the work, believe in yourself, you can achieve pretty much anything, and that includes higher education.”

“糖心视频 means so much to me. It鈥檚 my local college. It’s where I grew up here personally and grew here professionally. My time at 糖心视频 Manoa gave me the foundation to chase my passions in engineering, finance, and leadership. Beyond academics, 糖心视频 gave me the community, lifelong connections and the confidence to take on bigger goals. It’s truly been a place that shaped who I am today.”

—By Marc Arakaki

Student entrepreneurs with a passion for fashion benefitted from a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 team-up.

The (PACE) in 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 partnered with the in the (CTAHR) in fall 2024 and spring 2025 to launch a special edition of its speaker series—dedicated to fashion.

The series was created to inspire haum膩na (students) to launch their own fashion ventures while highlighting the thriving and diverse fashion sector in Hawaiʻi. This collaboration served as a bridge between the creative and business communities, showing haum膩na the many pathways into fashion entrepreneurship and how to carve out their own space.

“The overwhelming student engagement, including from diverse backgrounds, underscore the value of this sector-specific collaborative initiative,” said Sandra Fujiyama, executive director at PACE. “We see this as a valuable model for the future and are excited to explore developing more sector-specific series like this.”

Series lineup

• Rocket Ahuna, founder of namesake brand ROCKET AHUNA, opened the series by sharing how he built a beloved lifestyle brand that celebrates Hawaiian culture and tradition. .
• Kini Zamora (Honolulu Community College alum) gave a behind-the-scenes look at his experience on Project Runway and how he used that momentum to grow a design house rooted in Hawaiʻi, where storytelling and local pride fuel each collection. .
• Matt Bruening (FDM and CTAHR alum) and Rumi Murakami gave insight into the grind of building a brand from the ground up, managing creative direction and navigating fashion in an island state with global aspirations. .
• Kris Goto, a visual artist known for her whimsical characters and murals across Honolulu, shared her journey from manga dreams to street art fame, offering a fresh lens on her entrepreneurial journey as an artist. .
• Lyn Sakutori (always a.line), a FDM and CTAHR alumna, and Camille Heung (Aloha Cut + Cloth), in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation, talked about the production and manufacturing side of fashion—giving students a rare peek into the tech and logistics behind the seams. .
• Closing the series was 碍奴丑补ʻ辞 Zane of Sig Zane Designs, who spoke in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum. Zane brought the audience into his world of cultural stewardship, design legacy and the responsibility that comes with carrying a family brand into the future. .

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“I think it was great that FDM and PACE collaborated on these events,” said Johnell Ladera, a fashion design and merchandising student. “I found them very intimate and informative. It also gave me a greater appreciation of the work that goes into becoming renowned as an entrepreneur.”

Mark Oandasan, PACE marketing and program coordinator and CTAHR alum, driven by his passion for the intersection of fashion and entrepreneurship, spearheaded this collaborative effort with FDM Instructor Marie Abigail Cristi. Throughout the course of the series, more than 150 attendees from diverse backgrounds came to learn, connect and walk away with actionable insights and real stories from industry insiders. Haum膩na with backgrounds in computer science, business, botany, art, engineering and anthropology from 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补, 糖心视频 West Oʻahu, Kapiʻolani CC and Honolulu CC also attended.

This collaborative effort was made possible, in part, through the generous support of Tony Bernheim, sponsor of PACE鈥檚 Entrepreneurship Live events in honor of Saul Reinfeld, Catherine Lynham and Alan Wong.

The , a year-long professional development initiative, is fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the University of Hawaiʻi system. After a successful inaugural cohort in 2024, the program is now recruiting faculty for its 2025 cohort.

Developed in collaboration with the , (PACE) and , the program assists faculty with integrating experiential learning, entrepreneurial frameworks and engineering design thinking into their course curricula.

“The EL3vate Program is equipping 糖心视频 faculty with the tools, industry connections, and hands-on learning strategies needed to inspire the next generation of innovators,” said PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama. “We鈥檙e not only transforming education at 糖心视频 but also driving real-world impact across Hawaiʻi鈥檚 communities and industries.”

Apply for the 2025 cohort

. 糖心视频 faculty looking to enhance their teaching and provide students with hands-on learning experiences are encouraged to learn more and apply by March 28.

Inaugural cohort success

The first cohort has sparked exciting results:

• PACE competitions: EL3vate participants Associate Professor Kacie Ho (糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 ), Assistant Professor Yasushi Ishida (糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 ) and Assistant Professor Xiaodan Mao-Clark (糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 in the ) introduced their students to PACE business and innovation competitions encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and real-world problem-solving. Ho and Ishida鈥檚 students were among the awardees in the Innovate 808 competition with their kimchee and marinara flavor chip seasonings and an architectural storefront makeover, respectively.
• Cross-disciplinary collaborations and community engagement: Ishida partnered with Gary Albitz ( business and hospitality) on a Lahaina-focused course initiative, blending design and business perspectives. As part of the project, Ishida utilized the maker spaces at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center to 3D print first terrain models of Lahaina, with support from student PACE Leaders in the Maker program. In a separate collaboration, Kimberly Russell (糖心视频 Hilo ) and Mao-Clark worked together on an initiative where their students engaged with the community, strengthening their learning experience through real-world connections.
• Business and esports: 糖心视频 Esports students are gaining invaluable entrepreneurial skills and industry connections through a dynamic collaboration between Nyle Sky Kauweloa (糖心视频 Esports director and 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 specialist faculty for interdisciplinary studies) and PACE. This ongoing partnership, known as PACE X 糖心视频 Esports, has recently provided students with two impactful LevelUp workshops and an engaging panel discussion co-hosted with the 糖心视频 . Industry leaders from top gaming companies shared their expertise, illuminating exciting career opportunities in esports and gaming management. As a testament to the program’s success, three of Kauweloa’s students are now participating in the PACE Entrepreneurs program, where they are developing an innovative pop-up PC cafe concept.
• Course redesign: With guidance and support from the EL3vate program, faculty were able to integrate the 4Cs: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Communication in addition to the other into their course learning objectives.

Susan Yamada, chair of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (PACE) Board of Directors and alumna, has been named the (PBN).

PBN cited Yamada鈥檚 work to diversify Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy through new businesses and higher education. She will be honored alongside the Women Who Mean Business honorees at an event on March 13 at The Royal Hawaiian.

As director of 糖心视频 Ventures, Yamada championed a groundbreaking effort to create the —a student entrepreneurship and innovation facility with housing for 374 students that opened in August 2023. From 2008 to 2017, Yamada was the executive director of PACE, during which she quadrupled the number of programs, fundraised and opened a coworking space at the Shidler College of Business.

Read more about the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center

“Special thanks to Dean Vance Roley and the PACE team for allowing me the opportunity to pursue my passion and to serve the students at 糖心视频,” Yamada said. “I have been so fortunate to have the support of many in the business community who see the value of an entrepreneurial mindset in our future workforce.”

Prior to assuming her positions at PACE and 糖心视频, Yamada spent 17 years working, transforming and investing in startup companies in the high tech, health care and travel industries. Since moving back to Hawaiʻi from California in 2001, Yamada has dedicated her life to building a robust startup ecosystem in Hawaiʻi and providing young talent the opportunities to build, develop and thrive as entrepreneurs. In 2024, Yamada received the Startup Paradise Champion award at the Hawaiʻi Entrepreneur Awards.

From tackling motor vehicle theft to advancing AI in education and aquaculture, students in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 won prizes for their innovative ideas at the inaugural 2024 Honolulu Tech Week Community Hackathon in September. Four PACE leaders on different teams earned awards across various categories, earning $4,000 in prize money.

The hackathon brought together innovators of all ages, challenging participants to develop functional prototypes within three weeks to address real-world problems. PACE students stood out for their creativity and ability to deliver impactful solutions.

MopedSafe

More than 3,000 thefts were reported in 2023鈥攊ncluding motorcycles, motor scooters, and mopeds鈥攁ccording to the Honolulu Police Department鈥檚 crime dashboard. To address this problem, Andrea Murillo Martinez, a junior in electrical engineering, and Kai Garcia, a senior in computer science, developed MopedSafe, a hardware technology solution aimed at combating moped theft.

Their project used the latest technology to detect moped movements. The system sends real-time alerts to a user’s smartphone via Bluetooth if suspicious activity is detected.

MopedSafe took home both the Best Hardware-Related Project Award and the People鈥檚 Choice Award, with a combined prize of $2,000. Martinez and Garcia are exploring ways to bring MopedSade to the market and collaborate with a mobile telecommunications company.

Martinez and Garcia credit their experience to PACE and their entrepreneur in residence, Jeff Hui.

“It was great to see the aspects of PACE, like the challenges startups face and how to analyze the market. It helped us think about our own value proposition,” said Martinez.

WriteLevel

A team of researchers from the Department of Second Language Studies took home the Best AI Project award for their automated essay scoring system, WriteLevel. Ann T. Choe, former PACE participant, Yu-Tzu Chang, Dan Holden and Dan Isbell, entered the competition, hoping to make their academic research project more practical.

WriteLevel is designed to address the time-consuming process of grading placement essays by teachers. Taking input from the , the team built a machine learning tool that converts student essays into numerical data using natural language processing.

“I applied what I learned from PACE to turn an academic project into a compelling business pitch. I highlighted teachers’ pain points, especially the time-consuming task of grading essays by hand,” said Choe.

The team plans to use their $1,000 prize money to refine their machine learning models and explore ways to develop the system into a fully fledged product that can be adopted by other language programs.

AquaHealth

AquaHealth, led by a former PACE Leader, Quang Loc Lam, a fourth-year business administration student specializing in information technology investment, alongside his teammate Thi Hai Au La, is an AI-powered mobile app and website for diagnosing diseases in aquatic species, particularly catfish.

The solution aims to support Vietnam鈥檚 aquaculture industry, the world鈥檚 largest producer of catfish. The app allows farmers to take photos of sick fish, upload them to the app or website and receive a diagnosis in seconds.

“I learned a lot from PACE, but not just through hackathons, but I gained insights into customer validation, conducting interviews with potential customers and writing business plans,” said Lam. “ Understanding how to identify and address the pain points of customers is crucial. PACE provided me with the framework to turn these ideas into actual solutions.”

Lam鈥檚 project won the Best University Project Award and a $1,000 prize. The team is looking to expand AquaHealth鈥檚 AI capabilities to diagnose diseases in other aquatic species.

—By McKenzie Kurosu

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (PACE) has been recognized as one of the world鈥檚 top university entrepreneurship programs, winning an award for outstanding student engagement and leadership.

The honor was announced at the annual conference, held in November in Boston. The conference is the largest gathering of university entrepreneurship center leaders in the world.

“This national recognition validates our innovative approach to entrepreneurship education and comes at a pivotal moment as we are already in our second year in the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “Our new home has allowed us to expand our already successful programs and create even more opportunities for students to develop their entrepreneurial mindset and leadership skills. The RISE Center represents our commitment to fostering the next generation of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 business leaders and innovators.”

PACE earned the award in the category for schools with more than 7,500 students. It recognizes excellence in engaging and developing student leaders through university entrepreneurship programs.

“This recognition underscores the exceptional work that PACE has been providing to the 糖心视频 System for nearly 25 years,” Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley said. “PACE has been a catalyst in launching budding careers and businesses, fostering entrepreneurial thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across 糖心视频. With the newly established Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center, we鈥檙e excited to see the many possibilities and ideations that will emerge.”

PACE offers more than 15 free programs that cater to students from every discipline at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and all other 糖心视频 campuses across the system. Six of them are led by , a program that gives students the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and lead events and opportunities for their fellow students. The 2025–26 priority application deadline for PACE Leaders is January 31, 2025.

In academic year 2023–24, PACE supported 100+ new ideas, supported 825+ students, offered 150+ activities, and distributed $250,000+ in awards and scholarships.

For more, .

PACE is housed in .