The University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa celebrated its 2026 糖心视频 M膩noa Award winners during the Rainbow Warriors homecoming football game against New Mexico on October 17 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

The annual awards recognize outstanding faculty, staff and students for their contributions to teaching, research, service and the university’s mission of excellence. Ten of this year’s 33 recipients took the field during halftime in what has become a university tradition.

“Recognizing this year’s award winners in front of a sold-out crowd is a wonderful way to bring academics and athletics together,” 糖心视频 M膩noa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “It was an opportunity for our entire 糖心视频 驶ohana to celebrate the outstanding faculty, staff and students whose work makes 糖心视频 M膩noa one of the world’s leading universities.”

For Dhvanil Desai, a doctoral candidate at the 糖心视频 M膩noa Institute for Astronomy and recipient of the Student Excellence in Research Award, the halftime ceremony was especially meaningful as he prepares to graduate in spring 2027.

“It feels special to be recognized on the field for all the work that students do, and all of us put into making our work special and advancing research at 糖心视频 M膩noa,” Desai said. “糖心视频 M膩noa is a special place, especially for astronomy. We get to do amazing research at a lovely place.“

The 2026 award recipients were previously honored at a ceremony in May at Kennedy Theatre. Learn more about the honorees and their achievements in the 2026 糖心视频 M膩noa Awards story.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Darren Lerner, director of , consortium director of the and interim associate dean for research in the , was honored at the Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service as the 2026 Manager of the Year. Lerner, other award winners and nominees were recognized with a ceremony at the State Capitol by Gov. Josh Green on September 15. Members of Lerner’s Sea Grant team accepted the award for him, while he was working in Seattle.

Lerner was recognized for transformational leadership that has strengthened Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and expanded its impact across the university and the state. He has overseen more than $100 million in extramurally funded projects focused on improving the resilience of Hawaiʻi’s and the Pacific’s coastal ecosystems and communities. His leadership through periods of uncertainty has allowed the program to continue growing while supporting research, education and community partnerships that address critical environmental challenges.

“Honestly, as I鈥檝e said to the team, who went to the event and received the award on my behalf, I am just floored, really floored,” said Lerner. “And you know, beyond that, and the team gives me a hard time for saying it, but it鈥檚 all them. There鈥檚 no way I would even be considered in this position if it wasn鈥檛 for our team at Sea Grant.”

The awards honor the state’s executive branch employees and managers who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication to serving the people of Hawaiʻi.

In addition to Lerner, Kapiʻolani Community College’s Darsh Davé and the Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office were selected as the 糖心视频 nominees for the Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service.

Commendation letter from Gov. Green

September 15, 2026

I commend you for being selected as the 2026 State of Hawaiʻi Manager of the Year, in recognition of your visionary leadership, innovative program development, and unwavering commitment to advance community-centered coastal resilience throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Under your leadership, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program has become a national model for integrating cutting-edge coastal research with meaningful public service. Your efforts secured a historic $68.5 million grant to advance climate resilience through the restoration of traditional Hawaiian moku systems and expanded initiatives that combat marine debris, strengthen fisheries education, and expand research capacity across the Pacific.

Your service spans across Hawaiʻi and the nation, including directing the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center and serving as Interim Associate Dean for Research in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. You led projects leveraging over $80 million to restore over 1,000 acres of coastal habitats, educated thousands of students, and engaged residents statewide. As President of the Sea Grant Association, you advanced Hawaiʻi’s priorities nationally and championed Indigenous leadership in federal science policy.

Prioritizing workforce development, you developed specialized fellowships that train and foster the next generation of local coastal leaders. National reviewers recognized your mentorship as a best management practice model for building engaged, interdisciplinary teams.

I express my deepest gratitude for your extraordinary contributions, steadfast guidance, and enduring impact on coastal resilience, education, and community well-being across the State. Congratulations on your achievements, and best wishes as you continue your outstanding service.

Mahalo,

JOSH GREEN

Governor, State of Hawaiʻi

The University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa Athletics Department announced Eric Okasaki as the recipient of the Spirit of the Rainbow Award.

The Spirit of the Rainbow Award was established to honor longtime athletics department staff members who demonstrated exceptional service and unwavering dedication to the department. The award recognizes individuals who spent at least 25 years in a support staff position and have retired from the university.

“Eric embodies everything the Spirit of the Rainbow Award stands for,” said Deputy Athletics Director Lois Manin. “For over four decades, he was a pillar of our department, working tirelessly to ensure our student-athletes were healthy, safe and supported. His legacy is felt not just in the championships he helped make possible, but in the countless lives he touched as a mentor, leader and friend.”

Okasaki’s history with the university spanned a total of 46 years, beginning as a junior varsity baseball player at 糖心视频in 1973. He went on to spend 43 years as an athletic trainer at 糖心视频, which included 35 years serving as the head athletic trainer.

During his distinguished career, Okasaki served as the trainer for the 1980 College World Series baseball team, the 1992 Holiday Bowl championship team, the historic 2007 Sugar Bowl team and the 2010 College World Series softball team.

In retirement, he regularly attends games and serves as a trustee for the Dr. Alvin and Monica Saake Foundation, one of 10 charter members of the Shoji Society.

Okasaki will be presented with the honor during the Green and White Celebration on October 16 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Read more at .

Take a closer look at many of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 rising leaders, and you鈥檒l find a common connection: the University of Hawaiʻi. This year鈥檚 Pacific Business News 40 Under 40 list is a striking example. Half of the honorees have ties to 糖心视频.

Two of them are current 糖心视频 employees serving Central and West Oʻahu communities: Darian Padilla, the 糖心视频 Foundation鈥檚 director of development for 糖心视频 West Oʻahu and Leeward Community College, and Hailey Zhou, product development manager at Leeward CC鈥檚 Wahiaw膩 Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC).

Darian Padilla

Padilla builds philanthropic partnerships for both campuses, connecting people and resources with opportunities that strengthen education, support workforce development and serve Hawaiʻi鈥檚 communities.

“Being named to PBN鈥檚 40 Under 40 is both humbling and meaningful,” Padilla said. “I don鈥檛 see it as an individual achievement. Instead, I accept it on behalf of the many people who have guided, supported and inspired me along the way.”

She added, “Working with 糖心视频 has shown me that meaningful impact is rarely the result of one individual. It comes from people coming together around a common purpose and investing in the success of others.”

Hailey Zhou

Zhou leads product development initiatives at the WVAPDC, where she has supported more than 150 Hawaiʻi food entrepreneurs to commercialize their products. She secured funding from the Ulupono Initiative for a dozen clients and assisted a Hawaiʻi baby food product in earning a 2026 NEXTY Award.

“Being named to PBN鈥檚 40 Under 40 is incredibly meaningful because it recognizes not just my individual accomplishments, but the work happening across Hawaiʻi food ecosystem,” Zhou said. “My work at Leeward Community College and the WVAPDC has given me the platform and freedom to be innovative in designing solutions that meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

20 out of 40

糖心视频鈥檚 connection to the 2026 40 Under 40 class extends across the 10-campus system. Eighteen additional honorees are 糖心视频 alumni:

• Davin Aoyagi (BA 鈥�13, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—senior manager of government relations, Turo
• Joseph Castaneda (BBA 鈥�11, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—principal broker, REMAX Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu
• Louie Gangcuangco (MS 鈥�20, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—medical doctor and HIV specialist, Waikiki Health
• Cosmo Hirai (BA 鈥�13, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—产颈蝉丑辞辫, Hawaiʻi T艒daiji Temple
• Chanel Josiah (AA 鈥�18, Leeward CC)—chief operating officer, Hawaiʻi Community Lending
• Katie Kaahanui (BA 鈥�21, 糖心视频 West Oʻahu)—director, Safe & Sound Westside, Department of the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney
• Jai Keep-Barnes (BA 鈥�10; JD 鈥�17, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—partner, Lung Rose Voss Wagnild
• K. Sean Kekina (BS 鈥�12, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—deputy administrator and chief operating officer, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
• Kris Kokame (MBA 鈥�17, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—Hawaiʻi lead, external affairs, AES Hawaiʻi
• Richmond Luzar (BA 鈥�20, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—principal, Aura Strategies LLC
• Marc Malate (BA 鈥�12; MSW 鈥�17; MURP 鈥�18, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—licensed clinical social worker, Marc Joseph Malate
• Kelsey Nishi Darling (attended 糖心视频惭腻苍辞补)—founder and executive director, Make Lemonade Project; owner, calligrapher and graphic designer, Hawaiʻi Calligraphy
• Jordan Odo (MBA 鈥�17, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—first vice president and compliance associate, American Savings Bank
• Nahelani Parsons (JD 鈥�17, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—founder and president, Pacific Government Relations
• Keane Santos (BBA 鈥�10, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—vice president, product strategy department manager, Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union
• Sara Strona (JD 鈥�14; MBA 鈥�15, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—director, Starn O鈥橳oole Marcus & Fisher, A Law Corporation
• Cody Winchester (MURP 鈥�18, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—community resilience planning manager, G70
• Jamie Yoshikane (JD 鈥�13, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补)—assistant general counsel, Hawaiʻi Gas

As these leaders continue to drive change across every sector of our islands, they serve as a powerful reminder of 糖心视频鈥檚 role in cultivating leaders who are building a bright future for Hawaiʻi.

—By Devon Bedoya

The University of Hawaiʻi named Justin Seto as the 2026 recipient of the President鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance. He was recognized at the Board of Regents鈥� (BOR) meeting at Kauaʻi Community College on August 20.

Seto was honored for his vital work at Kauaʻi CC. He has played a critical role in keeping campus operations running smoothly during periods of transition and operational challenge, and continues to ensure the safety and comfort of students, faculty and staff.

“It鈥檚 just for everybody, you know,” Seto said. “I enjoy doing my work and doing the job. I enjoy working together with my crew. We鈥檝e got a good crew out here, and we have a lot of support. We just take pride in the work that we do here at the community college. I really appreciate it.”

Beyond his daily duties, Seto is known for his 鈥渃ampus first鈥� philosophy and proactive mindset. He is appreciated for his willingness to go above and beyond, continually contributing to the long term sustainability and improvement of the Kauaʻi CC campus.

Through his dedication to his job at Kauaʻi CC, Seto helps to create a learning and working environment that supports excellence and embodies the values of 糖心视频.

Established in 1986, the President鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance recognizes an employee throughout the 糖心视频 System who exemplifies dedication and excellence in supporting campus facilities.

University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa women鈥檚 water polo head coach James Robinson is leaving the program to pursue other professional opportunities.

糖心视频 Associate Head Coach Candice Vorbeck will serve as interim head coach while 糖心视频 Athletics begins a national search for the program鈥檚 next head coach.

Robinson spent four seasons with the Rainbow Wahine, including the last two as head coach. During his tenure as head coach, Hawaiʻi posted a 38–11 overall record and went undefeated in Big West regular season and championship competition.

The Rainbow Wahine also captured back-to-back Big West titles and earned consecutive bids to the National Collegiate Women鈥檚 Water Polo Championship. Robinson was named Big West Coach of the Year in both seasons.

“We want to sincerely thank James for his outstanding dedication and leadership over the past four seasons,” 糖心视频 Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “He seamlessly transitioned into the head coaching role, maintaining the standard of excellence that defines our women鈥檚 water polo program and bringing home back-to-back Big West titles.”

Robinson joined 糖心视频 as associate head coach in 2022 and was elevated to head coach in 2024.

For more information, visit the .

University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa athletics has announced the 41st class of the 糖心视频 Sports Circle of Honor, which includes Monika Eggens (water polo), Rich Miano (football), Barbara (Mitchell) Anderson (swimming), Costas Theocharidis (men鈥檚 volleyball) and Ben Yee (contributor).

Eggens becomes the first water polo player to be enshrined in the program鈥檚 29-year history. Miano is the 38th football player to be inducted, while Theocharidis is the sixth honoree from the men鈥檚 volleyball program. Yee, entering in the “Contributor” category, is the 11th supporter to be honored. Anderson, who swam for 糖心视频 in the 1970s, is recognized as this year鈥檚 “Legend” category honoree.

Established in 1982, the Circle of Honor recognizes individuals and teams that have contributed to the growth, history and tradition of 糖心视频 Athletics. Including this year鈥檚 honorees, the Circle of Honor now boasts 138 individual and 13 team inductees. Plaques honoring these legends are displayed on the inner walls surrounding the main concourse of Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

The official enshrinement of the Class of 2026 will take place during the Green & White Celebration on Friday, October 16, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. For more information and table sales, visit .

Learn more at .

Darsh Davé, Darren Lerner and the Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office have been selected as the University of Hawaiʻi‘s nominees for the Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service. The award honors the state’s executive branch employees and managers who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication to serving the people of Hawaiʻi. 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel made the announcement during the (BOR) meeting on July 16 at 糖心视频 Mānoa.

“We never give enough appreciation for the hardworking faculty and staff around the university, and so it really is a pleasure for me to identify a few employees and a few groups whose dedication and achievements have earned well deserved recognition,” Hensel said at the BOR meeting.

Employee of the Year: Darsh Davé

Darsh Davé, human resources manager at , was named 糖心视频‘s 2026 Employee of the Year. He was recognized as a trusted resource who helps the campus navigate complex personnel matters while supporting effective operations. Davé has improved service delivery by addressing long-standing process challenges, streamlining faculty payment workflows and strengthening coordination across departments.

He was also recognized for his leadership during a high-risk campus incident, helping de-escalate the situation so a major campus event could continue safely. Through mentoring colleagues, supporting workforce initiatives and promoting professional development, Davé has made lasting contributions to the college community.

Manager of the Year: Darren Lerner

Darren Lerner, director of , consortium director of the and interim associate dean for research in 糖心视频 Mānoa‘s , was named the university’s 2026 Manager of the Year. He was recognized for transformational leadership that has strengthened Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and expanded its impact across the university and the state.

Lerner has overseen more than $100 million in extramurally funded projects focused on improving the resilience of Hawaiʻi‘s and the Pacific’s coastal ecosystems and communities. His leadership through periods of uncertainty has allowed the program to continue growing while supporting research, education and community partnerships that address critical environmental challenges.

Team of the Year: Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office

The Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office Team was recognized as 糖心视频‘s 2026 Team of the Year. The team was honored for advancing the university’s goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning through strategic planning and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation framework. By building strong relationships across campuses and breaking down institutional silos, the team has helped strengthen Indigenous-centered practices throughout the university.

Its efforts have contributed to major accomplishments, including securing a $68.5-million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration award and advancing the “Aloha Begins with Us” movement, helping foster a more connected, resilient and culturally grounded university community.

A cohort from the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa’s (CTAHR) was recognized out of 16 schools by the Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA) and agInnovation-West for leadership in education, research, and Cooperative extension.

“At CTAHR, we are building a movement rooted in collaborative innovation,” said CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal. “These honors reflect our commitment to bringing out the best in our students and faculty as they lead the way in creating solutions that support families and communities, food producers, and the natural environment.”

WEDA presented its Award of Excellence in Programming for a Team to the Organic Sweetpotato Integrated Pest Management and Soil Health Management Team. Led by Koon-Hui Wang of the Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences, the Hawaiʻi team includes Amjad Ahmad, Thao Le and Brent Sipes, along with collaborators from Auburn University鈥檚 College of Agriculture.

The combined team has secured more than $1 million in competitive funding and developed tools for pest management and soil health, on-farm research trials, and educational resources that strengthen organic farming systems.

The 2026 Excellence in Agricultural Research Innovation Award – Lifetime was presented to Professor Rachel Novotny of CTAHR鈥檚 Department of Human Nutrition, Food & Animal Science.

Novotny has dedicated her career to building scientific evidence and policies to improve the nutrition of underserved communities throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Her signature achievement is establishing the college鈥檚 in 2011. This initiative has played a major role in helping thousands of children and families lead healthier, more active lives.

The Western region鈥檚 land-grant network awarded the 2026 Western Region New Teaching Award to Professor Andy Reilly.

Reilly is a professor in CTAHR‘s Fashion Design and Merchandising program whose academic research explores the historic and cultural aspects of the fashion industry in Hawaiʻi. He has authored seven books and 40 academic papers, and is now writing a comprehensive book on fashion in Hawaiʻi.

The awards were presented at the 2026 Western Region Joint Summer Meeting, hosted by CTAHR in Hilo, from June 22 to 25.

Former University of Hawaiʻi leader Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe, who recently headed the , received a rare honor when she introduced Hawaiʻi-born former U.S. President Barack Obama at the grand opening of his presidential library in Chicago on June 18.

Drawing on her Native Hawaiian roots, Lipe opened with a message about connection.

“Where I come from, to introduce someone means we have pilina, a connection,” she said. “If this man walked into my home, my children would call him Uncle. Because we are both keiki o ka ʻāina, children of Hawaiʻi.”

Lipe was selected for the honor after years of leadership in education, community engagement and Indigenous advocacy.

In 2019, Lipe was one of 200 emerging leaders selected for the Obama Foundation’s Asia-Pacific leadership program, where she participated in discussions with Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and other leaders on values-based leadership and social change.

She recently transitioned from 糖心视频 to become poʻo kula (head of school) at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama where she will support and serve students and educators across the K–12 campus.

• Related 糖心视频 News article: 糖心视频 leader selected for role at KS Kapālama, April 2, 2026

Draped in lei, Lipe reflected on a shared kuleana, describing a sacred responsibility passed from one generation to the next in Obama’s one hānau (birth sands) to care for people “we will never meet.”

Lipe said Obama鈥檚 call to build ‘a space of new possibilities’ led her to reflect on ʻike k奴puna (ancestral wisdom) and the lessons of the ʻaʻaliʻi, an Indigenous plant in Hawaiʻi known for surviving harsh conditions

“A native plant renowned for its versatility and tenacity,” Lipe said, later sharing an ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb), “He ʻaʻaliʻi kū makani mai au; ʻaʻohe makani nāna e kūlaʻi, I am a wind withstanding aʻaliʻi; no gale can topple me over.” She described the plant as deeply rooted, resilient through storms and drought, and responsive to change.

For Lipe, those qualities embody the spirit of Obama’s signature “Yes We Can” message, one rooted in hope, resilience and perseverance.

The ceremony also featured an emotional speech from Michelle Obama and musical performances by Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.

The Barack Obama Presidential Center is a museum, library and educational nearly 20-acre campus in Chicago that celebrates the life, legacy and presidency of Barack Obama.

After more than three decades leading the , Andy Johnson has retired following a career that helped establish 糖心视频 as a national contender in collegiate sailing while impacting generations of students on and off the water.

Johnson concluded his 36-year tenure as head coach in May after guiding the Rainbow Wahine to the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association Women鈥檚 Fleet Race National Championship Western Semifinals. He was also recently honored with the Campbell Family Award for Lifetime Service, recognizing his dedication and volunteerism in college sailing.

A former 糖心视频 student-athlete who transferred to 糖心视频 M膩noa in 1980, Johnson became head coach in 1990 after serving as a volunteer assistant. During his tenure, 糖心视频 M膩noa captured two national championships—the women鈥檚 title in 2001 and the coed championship in 2004—while winning 21 Pacific Coast Collegiate Sailing Conference championships.

Johnson also spent decades working in 糖心视频 M膩noa Student Recreation Services, where he helped shape the student experience beyond athletics. He oversaw programs that served nearly 1,000 students annually, managed recreational offerings including surfing and sailing lessons, and organized campus activities and events that encouraged student engagement.

“The job with the sailing team and with all the students that have worked for me these years has really been gratifying,” Johnson said. “It’s been a pretty cool ride.”

On the competitive side, Johnson guided 糖心视频 M膩noa to 23 appearances at the women鈥檚 national championships, 20 coed fleet championship appearances, 13 singlehanded appearances and 12 team race appearances. He coached 18 All-Americans, with four former student-athletes advancing to the Olympic Games.

Johnson also played a key role in developing 糖心视频鈥檚 Marine Education and Training Center at Sand Island, which opened in 1995 and has hosted multiple national championship events.

“He gave me a love for not just the sport of college sailing, but the environment that it provided for us,” said Jesse Andrews, a former 糖心视频 M膩noa All-American and now an assistant coach for the last 29 years. “I think that his biggest quality is just being able to get the team to grow together and support each other.”

At the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, excellence in teaching, service and innovation were recognized during the 2026 End of the Year Awards Celebration on May 13.

The annual event honored faculty and staff members whose work has made a lasting impact on students, the campus and the broader community. Retirees and employees celebrating years of service were also recognized.

Award recipients

• Kekoa Harman, associate professor of Hawaiian studies and Hawaiian language, 糖心视频 System Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award and 糖心视频 Hilo Pūlama ʻIke Award
• Elisabeth Gallant, assistant professor of geology, 糖心视频 System Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
• Adriane Lewandowski, instructor of nursing, 糖心视频 Hilo Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Luzviminda Miguel, associate professor of nursing, 糖心视频 Hilo Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi Award for Excellence and Innovation
• Hollind Paiva, 糖心视频 Hilo Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance Award
• Kathleen Hughes, 糖心视频 Hilo Excellence in Service Award

The University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa held its 2026 糖心视频 M膩noa Awards ceremony on May 5, 2026.

糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel, 糖心视频 M膩noa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos and Board of Regents Chair Gabe Lee recognized this year鈥檚 honorees for their outstanding accomplishments.

A recording of the event will be available on the at a later date. from the event.

Congratulations to all our winners!

2026 糖心视频 M膩noa 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, M膩noa 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 M膩noa

University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa football and basketball statistician Nelson Tokuhama has been named the recipient of the 2025 Charlie Ushijima Award for dedicated and unselfish service to 糖心视频 Athletics.

Tokuhama received the award during intermission of the March 28 men’s volleyball match at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Tokuhama is the 29th recipient of the award, which was established in 1992.

For nearly 50 years, Tokuhama has served in numerous positions within the statistics crew and has rarely missed a home game. A 1975 University of Hawaiʻi alumnus with a degree in architecture, Tokuhama joined the crew under longtime sports information director Ed Inouye. He began working with the men’s basketball crew during the 1976–77 season, and later joined the football stats crew in 1978.

Tokuhama served as chief statistician for many of those years. He has seen the evolution of the profession firsthand, transitioning from the manual era of jotting down numbers with a calculator to modern, computer-generated statistics programs.

“For almost half a century, Nelson has been a cornerstone of our statistics crew, rarely missing a home game,” said Director of Media Relations Derek Inouchi. “His commitment and loyalty to the university are unmatched. His professionalism has earned the 糖心视频 stats crew immense respect among our peers across the country.”

The award is presented annually by ʻAhahui Koa 膧nuenue, the fundraising organization for 糖心视频 Athletics, to an outstanding volunteer. Originally titled the Rainbow Service Award, it was later renamed after its first recipient, the late Charlie Ushijima.

Read more at .

At the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Marcy Martinez is helping haum膩na (students) find their path long before graduation.

Martinez, director of , has been named the 2026 State Internship School-Based Coordinator of the Year by the Hawaiʻi State Workforce Development Council (WDC). She received the award at the inaugural Hawaiʻi Internship Summit on Oʻahu.

“Our mission is to help our students along their academic journey, connect that experience with their career goals and their career successes, but it has to be defined by them,” said Martinez. “We really want to take students through their journey, freshmen all the way to senior, and not just have it be a last-minute knee-jerk reaction in senior year.”

Martinez leads 糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 , where the focus is simple, meet haum膩na where they are.

“Marcy is enthusiastic. She鈥檚 entirely student-based,” said Christine Beaule, director of 糖心视频 System Workforce Development, who nominated Martinez for the award. “She works incredibly hard, and every time I have asked her to partner with me on a variety of initiatives, she is the first one to say, ‘Yes!’”

Skills that last

Her team connects students with jobs, internships and hands-on learning. The goal is to build skills that last.

“Through practical experience and opportunities, students will gain knowledge and the ability to identify transferable skills,” Martinez said. “As career agility is becoming even more important in today鈥檚 world, it is required to have the ability to adapt quickly.”

That approach is making an impact statewide.

“What we鈥檙e really trying to achieve is to have our next generation live in Hawaiʻi that they can enjoy, they can learn, they can work, they can thrive, and they can belong to,” said Bennette Misalucha, executive director of WDC for Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Confidence, balance

Haum膩na at 糖心视频 Hilo see it firsthand.

Pohaku Roby, a senior majoring in , works at the center and expressed the experience has helped build both confidence and balance.

“I didn鈥檛 know that I was able to do public speaking and do class presentations with Marcy, but she helped me find that passion, and I enjoyed it,” said Roby.

For Martinez, the work continues one student, one step at a time.

For more go to .

The University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa baseball team celebrated legendary head coach following a 4鈥�2 win over Wichita State on February 20.

A sold-out Les Murakami Stadium saw the man who built the program from nothing into a national powerhouse take his place among college baseball’s all-time greats.

The winningest coach in school history and the namesake for the home of Rainbow Warrior baseball, Les Murakami Stadium, he built the program up from nothing into a national powerhouse over his 30-year coaching career that he finished with a record of 1,079-570-4. He took the program to 10 NCAA Regionals and won six Western Athletic Conference titles. He led the ‘Bows to their only College World Series appearance in 1980, in which they came one win shy of a national title.

More than 50 of Murakami’s former players, assistant coaches and staff members attended his induction into the College Baseball Hall Of Fame. Derek Tatsuno, a 2007 Hall Of Fame inductee, and Gene Stephenson, former Wichita State coach and long-time rival and friend of Murakami, welcomed the coach into the Hall Of Fame at the end of the pregame program.

糖心视频 the for a full video of the pregame ceremony honoring Murakami.

Read more at .

The (RC糖心视频) recognized 18 employees in November for exemplary contributions to their research projects.

“RC糖心视频 is extremely proud of all of these outstanding employees who support cutting-edge and innovative research being done at the 糖心视频 and throughout our state,” said RC糖心视频 Executive Director Leonard Gouveia. “The success of academic research depends on dedicated and hardworking professionals like these RC糖心视频 employees who elevate and impact the projects they support.”

Researcher/Project Manager category

1st place: Ceci Rodriguez Cruz—ORE SMART Cable Project, 糖心视频 Mānoa (SOEST)

2nd place: Christian Tai Udovicic—Planetary Science, SOEST

Honorable mentions:

• Robert Kekaianiani Irwin—Laupaʻi Aʻe ka ʻIke Kuamoʻo,
• Johannes Achim Stoessl—General AntiParticle Spectrometer Project, 糖心视频 Mānoa

Project Support Staff category

1st place: Casey TeBeest, 糖心视频 , WRRC American Samoa Hydrology Network

2nd place: Dylan Boeman–Sabine Lab, SOEST

Team category

1st place: Hua Zhong and Shuai Liu, Cancer Epidemiology Program,

2nd place: Peter Oshiro, Ryan Chilson, Sally Lau and Derek Kubo—Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Honorable mentions:

• Helene Meehl, Andrew Kramer, Sydney Lewandowski and Nicolo Cohen—Hawaiʻi Coral Restoration Nursery,
• Yumi Nagayoshi, Marybeth Young and Jan Stoos—Maunakea Shared Services, 糖心视频

The university service orders extramural contracts and grants to RC糖心视频, which assists with hiring personnel and procuring goods/services to support research, development, and training throughout the state. These awards highlight the vital work RC糖心视频 employees perform daily to advance the university鈥檚 goal of diversifying Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy through innovation and research.

Members from the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa (SOEST) and (JABSOM) were featured in the new documentary , which premiered at the 45th Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) on October 23, 2025.

Contributing to the film were several leading oceanographers from SOEST including Jeff Drazen (professor), Jamison Gove (alumni and research affiliate), Nikolai Maximenko (senior researcher), Margaret McManus (chairwoman of the Department of Oceanography and director of the Uehiro Center for the Advancement of Oceanography), and Jonathan Whitney (alumni, former postdoctoral researcher, and research affiliate); and a scientist at JABSOM鈥檚 , Rodrigo Weingrill. The 糖心视频 M膩noa experts joined filmmakers, professional athletes, and community partners at the festival for the premiere of KULEANA.

Weingrill was selected for the film for his research on microplastics, including studies showing an accumulation of microplastics in human placentas in Hawaiʻi. The film highlights that plastic pollution has become a human health concern.

A central scene follows professional surfer Kai Lenny as Weingrill鈥檚 team tests his blood, finding 33 microplastic particles in just 2 milliliters. With an average adult having about five liters of blood, Weingrill estimated that Lenny would have “around 80,000 particles in all his blood.”

Related 糖心视频 News story: Rise of microplastics discovered in placentas of Hawaiʻi mothers

“I think the message is to educate our communities to prevent this exposure,” Weingrill said. He suggested making small lifestyle changes such as using glass or stainless-steel containers instead of plastic, to reduce how much plastic we take in every day.

Reflecting on his experience being featured in the film, he added, “I never expected that, I never wished that, to tell you the truth. I always wanted to do good science to help people.” He credited collaborators Johann Urschitz, Men-Jean Lee, Steve Ward and the Department of OB-GYN & Women鈥檚 Health for supporting the research.

“We鈥檙e trying to do something good for everybody and that鈥檚 the everyday goal鈥攖o help our communities, to help our people, to have a healthier life, live longer and have a really happy everyday routine,” he said.

KULEANA was directed and produced by Georgia Scott and narrated by Woody Harrelson. HIFF will also screen the documentary on November 1, at and on November 9 and 15, on Maui.

“KULEANA powerfully captures how plastic pollution is infiltrating the lives of ocean animals, with Hawaiʻi standing at an epicenter of this global crisis,” said Whitney, marine ecologist at NOAA, who co-led a study with Gove and McManus showing that prey-sized plastics are invading larval fish nurseries. “Our research revealed an invisible threat at the foundation of ocean food webs, and it鈥檚 an honor to collaborate with talented filmmakers who can bring these scientific stories to life for the world to see.”

Read more at and .

A University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa academic advisor earned international recognition for outstanding contributions to student success. Jordan Abanto was one of three recipients of the , a professional organization that supports academic advisors and promotes effective advising in higher education.

Abanto, who is an undergraduate academic advisor in 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 , was recognized for providing personalized guidance to students, supporting their academic planning and promoting their overall success through College of Natural Sciences advising programs. The honor places Abanto among a select group of advisors acknowledged for excellence in the profession.

“Receiving this award is both humbling and motivating,” Abanto said. “Academic advising is about more than helping students pick classes—it鈥檚 about listening, understanding their goals and guiding them to opportunities that help them thrive. I鈥檓 grateful to be part of a community that prioritizes student success and development.”

The award honors early-career advisors who demonstrate exceptional skill and impact in guiding students through their academic journeys. NACADA鈥檚 Global Awards Program, established in 1983, highlights individuals and institutions that make significant contributions to the field of academic advising.

“Jordan鈥檚 dedication, empathy and expertise make a real difference in the lives of our students,” said Stephanie Kraft-Terry, College of Natural Sciences interim director of advising. “This recognition is well-deserved and highlights the individual contributions that contribute to the strength of our Student Academic Success Center in the 糖心视频 Mānoa College of Natural Sciences.”

NACADA鈥檚 awards program also honored experienced advisors, faculty advisors and administrators, as well as exemplary advising programs.

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel updated the 糖心视频 Board of Regents (BOR) about major changes in federal funding and increased student enrollment across the 10-campus system at the September 18 meeting at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补.

Hensel also provided an update on an expanded partnership between Hawaiian Airlines and Honolulu Community College to train aviation maintenance technicians. She also congratulated 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈苍耻颈腻办别补 School of Hawaiian Knowledge and its role in hosting a series of events for Hawaiian History Month throughout Kepakemapa (September).

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