The University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa鈥檚 is celebrating 10 years of bringing social work, public health and aging together to advance health equity, social justice and community well-being across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Named in 2008 for Native Hawaiian leader Myron B. Thompson, the school united the , , and in 2016, adopting its present name in 2020.

“Each of the units was strong in its own right, but coming together, we鈥檝e seen that they are stronger together than they were apart. Their impact and reach have been magnified,” said Thompson school Dean Alex Ortega. “I see the Thompson school in a much stronger and visible place than it was even three years ago.”

A decade of growth and innovation

Over the past decade, the school has expanded academic opportunities, strengthened workforce development and launched initiatives addressing the needs of Hawaiʻi communities. In the past three years alone, it has hired approximately 20 faculty members across disciplines including environmental health, social and behavioral health and gerontology.

The school has also established workforce development hubs in social work, public health and aging, while expanding access to education through online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in social work and a master’s degree program in public health.

More milestones

• Workforce development: Expanded paid fieldwork and launched public health pathways via Kauaʻi Community College.
• Community-centered learning: Added courses in trauma-informed care and psychedelic-assisted therapy, alongside the traditional .
• Healthy aging: Launched the Age-Friendly University Initiative and built a campus dementia-friendly garden.
• Overall enrollment growth: Applications to the school have increased over the past several years, with enrollment growing by 46.9%, from 501 students in 2021 – 2022 to 736 students in 2026–2027. This year鈥檚 social work cohort is also among the largest in the past five years.

The school’s graduate programs also earned national recognition. In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, social work ranked No. 51 nationally, while public health ranked No. 89 (tied).

Celebrating 10 years

To mark the milestone, the school hosted its annual dean鈥檚 speaker series featuring social work alumnus Jorge Delva, who serves as dean of the Boston University School of Social Work. The talk was followed by a community celebration at Aloha Beer Co. on October 16 with more than 100 students, faculty, staff and community guests in attendance.

The University of Hawaiʻi community college model is gaining international attention as higher education leaders in the Philippines explore ways to transform their local colleges, expand access and meet workforce needs.

Kapiʻolani Community College Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi spoke at the Philippines鈥� Local Colleges Visioning Summit, October 19–20, following an August visit by Philippine leaders to Kapiʻolani CC, Leeward CC and Honolulu CC.

“As island communities across the Pacific, we share a commitment to building diverse and accessible higher education systems that respond to the unique needs of our communities while preparing our people to thrive in globally competitive island economies,” said Takabayashi.

The summit drew hundreds of college presidents, administrators and representatives across two days at the University of the Philippines Cebu and the University of the Philippines Open University Headquarters in Los Ba帽os, Laguna.

Focus on workforce, student success

The gathering supports the Philippine Commission on Higher Education鈥檚 (CHED) ACHIEVE Agenda 2030 to strengthen local institutions into community-focused, workforce-aligned colleges. During the August delegation visit, which included CHED Commissioner Michelle Aguilar Ong, discussions centered on workforce development, student success and flexible pathways.

“We would like to thank Chancellor Takabayashi and the entire Kapiʻolani Community College community for supporting the Summit,” said Ong. “With the insights they have generously shared, we are happy and excited to embark on this major reform in Philippine higher education. We hope to continue this collaboration and finally see our local colleges transition to a community college model.”

At the summit, Takabayashi joined Vilma Fuentes of Florida State University to share international perspectives, emphasizing how education must lead to meaningful employment and living wages. Takabayashi plans to partner with CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis to deepen educational collaboration between Hawaiʻi and the Philippines.

The is giving local high school graduates a clearer path to careers while helping address the state鈥檚 critical nursing shortage.

A new reserves nursing program seats for qualified Hawaiʻi high school graduates who complete prerequisites and maintain required grades. They won鈥檛 have to reapply during their sophomore year.

Five new faculty positions funded by the Legislature helped grow the incoming class from 30 to 40 students this year. The program plans to admit 50 next year.

“The more rural, the more need there is,” said Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami, director of 糖心视频 Hilo鈥檚 School of Nursing.

The shortage hits neighbor islands hardest. Pandemic burnout and retirements have added pressure to the nursing workforce.

For Hilo High School graduate Dylan Yanazaki, nursing is personal. Her mother鈥檚 severe eye injury required frequent trips to Oʻahu for care, inspiring her career choice.

Now part of the first direct-entry cohort, she hopes to stay on Hawaiʻi Island and serve local families.

“It would be great to be a part of that solution here,” Yanazaki said.

is helping local food entrepreneurs turn homegrown products into global business opportunities.

For Tatsuyoshi Omura, founder of ReBran, the journey began with granola made from upcycled rice bran. Just one year after launching, his products are sold at Foodland and Down to Earth. He also participated in his first Made in Hawaiʻi Festival and pitched international buyers at the Tokyo International Gift Show alongside fellow Leeward CC ʻ膧颈苍补 to M膩keke alumni.

“Leeward CC and the Wahiaw膩 Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC) have really opened up a world that I did not know much about before starting this business,” Omura said. “Selling ReBran in Japan no longer feels like just an idea. I came away with a stronger sense of how we can continue growing”

Building businesses beyond Hawaiʻi

Omura was among entrepreneurs supported by Leeward CC and state partners during a series of trade shows. At the Daniel K. Akaka American Logistics Association Hawaiʻi Show, 11 WVAPDC-supported brands pitched to military buyers, while 20 program alumni exhibited at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival.

Pierre Daguzan, founder of Daguzan Charcuterie, received feedback from military buyers about bringing his products into commissaries. At the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, he joined KTA Super Stores President Derek Kurisu for a live demonstration featuring venison p芒t茅 musubi.

“These events are not only about making sales for a few days; they introduce the brand to new customers who can continue supporting us afterward,” Daguzan said. “For a small company with ambitions to grow, having that ecosystem of support is extremely valuable.”

Hawaiʻi Grown to Global

Building on that momentum, Leeward CC and the Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance are launching Hawaiʻi Grown to Global on December 1. The 12-week export readiness program covers international regulations, labeling and logistics, culminating at FOODEX Japan.

“Entrepreneurs need stronger systems and reliable partnerships to meet the expectations of larger buyers without losing the quality and identity that made them successful,” said WVAPDC Manager Chris Bailey. “Our goal is to help Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, not simply launch products.”

– by Devon Bedoya

From advancing artificial intelligence (AI) to preparing Hawaiʻi‘s future workforce, Chad Walton is charting a new direction for research and innovation across the University of Hawaiʻi‘s 10-campus system.

Named in September 2026 after serving in the interim role since July 2025, Walton is a 糖心视频 M膩noa alumnus with more than two decades of experience as a biomedical researcher, professor and administrator.

His priorities include improving research support services, strengthening statewide partnerships and making better use of expertise across 糖心视频‘s campuses.

Those goals align with 糖心视频‘s new $123 million strategic investment initiative, which emphasizes sharing resources systemwide. Approximately $15.5 million in strategic impact supports research, innovation and economic diversification, including AI, advanced manufacturing and intellectual property protection.

“Chad brings a unique perspective to this role, having experienced 糖心视频 as a student, researcher, faculty member and administrator,” said 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel. “His understanding of the university from so many angles, combined with his collaborative approach, will be invaluable as we strengthen research and innovation across our 10-campus system.”

Building on that institutional support, Walton envisions a unified effort across the university’s system.

“We want to speak with one 糖心视频 voice and make better use of the tremendous expertise and resources we have across all 10 campuses,” Walton said. “It’s about working together, breaking down barriers and making it easier for our communities and partners to connect with the university.”

糖心视频 secured $647.3 million in extramural research funding in fiscal year 2026, its second-highest total ever. Walton noted that much of this federal funding directly benefits Hawaiʻi, with roughly half supporting workforce training.

From researcher to research leader

A trained bioengineer, Walton came to Hawaiʻi to pursue tuberculosis vaccine research before moving into cardiovascular research and directing trauma research at the . His biomedical work contributed to federally funded projects and several U.S. patents.

As 糖心视频 M膩noa assistant vice provost for research and scholarship, Walton led a materials science initiative that secured major funding and united faculty across disciplines. He later took on systemwide responsibilities in research development, commercialization and strategic partnerships.

His approach to tackling challenges is rooted in a lesson from his grandfather that has guided him throughout his career.

“My grandfather always told me that, ‘Once you identify a problem, you become part of the solution,’” Walton said. “That’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my career, whether I’m conducting research or taking on a new challenge.”

Nearly two decades after earning his PhD in from 糖心视频 M膩noa, he returned to earn a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary ocean sciences in 2025 to better understand another key research area. The experience reflects his approach to leadership: learning from different disciplines and finding opportunities to bring them together.

Hawaiʻi farmers are learning how to integrate aquaculture to their operations through GoFish Hawaiʻi, a University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa program designed to expand food security. Led by Assistant Professor Kai Fox and Professor Ted Radovich, the program operates at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience鈥檚 Center for Applied Research and Extension Services in Waim膩nalo.

Since the program began in 2020, GoFish Hawaiʻi has trained more than 70 participants. The aquaculture program combines five workshops, field experience, technical assistance and online learning. Participants include beginning farmers, Native Hawaiian producers, military veterans and local educators.

Responding to community needs

The program鈥檚 goal is to increase commercial aquaculture across Hawaiʻi and boost the state鈥檚 food security.

“GoFish was developed to respond to community demand for practical, locally relevant training that helps participants pursue aquaculture as a business, career, or addition to an integrated venture on an existing farm,” Fox said.

Beginning aquaculture students study fish husbandry, aquaponic system design, water quality management, plant nutrition and business economics. Students learn to use nutrient-rich water to produce a wide variety of vegetables and fruit trees, reducing fertilizer costs and water consumption.

Workforce development

Among students is Jack Lee, a Cohort 3 participant who is developing a commercial aquaponics farm in Kahuku.

“Without the GoFish program, I don鈥檛 think I would have the confidence to start up a larger-scale commercial operation,” Lee said.

The program鈥檚 next phase will expand workforce development and entrepreneurship by connecting alumni with apprenticeships, job opportunities and direct-to-consumer markets.

GoFish is supported by CTAHR, the college鈥檚 Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, and 糖心视频 Sea Grant.

University of Hawaiʻi Maui College secured $178,424 in federal funding for the 2026–27 academic year to modernize classroom technology and expand hands-on training.

Under the direction of Interim Dean of Career and Technical Education Lorelle Peros, the grant will support six campus initiatives aimed at strengthening high-wage workforce pipelines for local students.

“This funding allows us to create meaningful opportunities and connections for our students through hands-on training, modern technology and industry-relevant skills that prepare them for success in the workforce,” Peros said.

High-tech and health upgrades

The funding brings artificial intelligence (AI) into classroom settings and expands equipment across medical programs.

• Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and high-tech curriculum: Led by Professor Debasis Bhattacharya, the project funds NVIDIA DGX Spark equipment (a compact desktop AI supercomputer designed for developers, researchers and data scientists to build, test and fine-tune large AI models) and faculty AI certification, impacting up to 1,250 STEM and business students.
• Dental hygiene training: Led by Dental Program Coordinator Leanne Higa, the initiative supports accreditation by Commission on Dental Accreditation, an autonomous body associated with the American Dental Association, and faculty laser therapy certification.
• Nursing lab upgrades: Led by Anne Scharnhorst, funds will purchase multiuse task-trainer manikins for realistic clinical simulations.

Skilled trades and career pathways

The remaining projects focus on automotive tech, trade partnerships and broad workforce development.

• Molokaʻi Skilled Trades Pathway: Led by the Molokaʻi Education Center鈥檚 ʻOlelo Schonely and Kelley Dudoit, the initiative creates an agricultural construction and carpentry pathway with Molokaʻi High School, including Early College courses and internships.
• Automotive technology enhancement: Led by Instructor Lawrence Martinson, funds provide modern steering and suspension lab equipment alongside Automotive Service Excellence certification exams for 50 students.
• Multi-sector workforce project: Led by Peros, the effort broadens access to industry credentials and professional development across healthcare, technology and trades.

The federal investment through the Perkins V funding (supporting career and technical education) ensures 糖心视频 Maui College students gain industry-validated skills to meet evolving local workforce demands.

At least 150 students are expected to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and data science concepts to real-world challenges through a new Kapiʻolani Community College and University of Hawaiʻi Maui College project, which received $657,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Transforming Two-Year College Information Technology, Applied AI, and Data Science Programs, is a collaboration with the Institute for Future Intelligence and will combine new and revised credit-bearing courses with industry-informed projects, hands-on learning and AI-supported learning tools鈥攊ntegrating into the colleges鈥� associate degree information technology programs. An industry advisory structure and industry-supported learning experiences will help connect classroom instruction with workforce needs.

“This initiative will equip students with practical AI and data science skills for today鈥檚 evolving workforce while strengthening their abilities in problem-solving, data analysis, collaboration and technology application,” said Principal Investigator Dale Nakasone, a Kapiʻolani CC assistant professor of IT.

Cross-campus opportunities

Students from both campuses will also participate in annual cross-campus project showcases and collaborative applied learning opportunities.

“By embedding AI, data literacy, and hands-on experiential learning into existing IT associate degree programs, we are strengthening workforce-relevant technical skills in applied AI, industry-informed learning experiences, stronger transfer and career pathways,” said Co-principal Investigator Thomas Blamey, an assistant professor of math at 糖心视频 Maui College.

The project will also provide professional development opportunities for working professionals and educators, and foster faculty collaboration across campuses. It will also examine effective approaches for teaching applied AI and data science in hybrid and online learning environments.

Curricular resources, findings and implementation models developed through the project will be shared with other two-year colleges seeking to expand AI education. The goal is to contribute scalable approaches for preparing technicians for increasingly data-driven and AI-enabled workplaces.

To help solve a national shortage of certified secondary STEM teachers, the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu has been awarded $302,487 from the National Science Foundation. The three-year project, “Shaping Pathways, Hands-on Engagement, and Reflective Experiences (SPHERE) to Enhance Mathematics Teacher Preparation,” runs through 2029.

SPHERE creates a streamlined five-year dual-degree pathway combining applied mathematics and pedagogy, while using agreements with 糖心视频 community colleges to smooth transfer routes and lower barriers for prospective educators.

“I’m excited about what this award means for our students and future students,” said Veny Liu, SPHERE principal investigator and associate professor of mathematics. “SPHERE will create a more streamlined pathway for students interested in becoming secondary mathematics teachers and expand access through scholarship opportunities.”

Building the mathematics educator pipeline

“SPHERE will help build a stronger pipeline of mathematics educators who can inspire students, support STEM learning and contribute to the long-term educational and economic well-being of Hawaiʻi,” said Professor Laurie James, co-principal investigator.

This award marks more than $2 million in NSF funding secured by Liu and James for multiple related projects, including a $1.2-million grant in 2024 to support secondary mathematics teachers serving Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.

”I see SPHERE as an opportunity to connect coursework across the 糖心视频 System and create a smoother, more sustainable pathway for students pursuing teaching, while supporting broader efforts to strengthen Hawaiʻi鈥檚 educator workforce,” Liu said.

James added, “For future 糖心视频 West Oʻahu teachers, this award represents more than an academic opportunity. It is an investment in their potential to become educators who shape the next generation of learners across Hawaiʻi.“

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

As demand for medical laboratory scientists grows, the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa is preparing students for the critical health care profession through a program that reports a 100% employment rate within one year of graduation.

The Medical Technology Program has trained medical laboratory scientists since 1946. Their behind-the-scenes work helps physicians diagnose patients and determine treatment.

“Our students work in labs, and they run the tests that assist physicians with diagnosing patients. They actually look at cells, look at bacteria under a microscope, and a whole host of other things,” said program director Rhena Singh. “About 70% of medical decisions rely on test results produced by medical labs and the people that run medical labs are our students, our alumni.”

Singh said career prospects are strong as medical laboratory scientists nationwide continue to retire.

“The job outlook for our students is excellent,” Singh said. “We have a 100% employment rate so every single one of our students gets a job within one year of graduating.”

Small program, strong connections

The program also connects students with local industry leaders and alumni, including through its annual open house, to encourage networking and mentorship.

For student Sandy Liang, a 2025 糖心视频 M膩noa graduate, working as a lab assistant introduced her to the profession.

“I鈥檝e always known that I wanted to work in the medical field and I knew I loved the lab but honestly, I did not know about med tech until I started working as a lab assistant,” Liang said.

The two-year bachelor鈥檚 degree program currently has 30 students, is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and is the only medical technology program in the state. Enrollment is expected to expand with the relaunch of an online program in fall 2027.

Liang hopes to use her training to build a career in Hawaiʻi.

“It鈥檚 home, you know? I don’t want to have to leave. I want to live here. I want to stay here. I want to help the people here,” Liang said.

Hawaiʻi Island teens transformed fabric into handmade garments while building sewing, fashion and photography skills at the Hawaiʻi 4-H Fashion Camp at Honokaʻa High School. Organized by the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa鈥檚 (CTAHR), the camp brought them together with fashion professionals to keep traditional craftsmanship and practical skills alive.

Sewing is a life skill, but it is being lost at a rapid rate among younger generations. Through 4-H鈥檚 “learn by doing” approach, students learned to operate sewing machines, select and cut fabric, style outfits and photograph their finished creations.

Led by Honokaʻa High and Intermediate School teacher Lisa Anderson, volunteers from 贬辞苍辞办补ʻ补鈥檚 Sew Fun program helped youth learn how to use a sewing machine, pinning, cutting, and pressing as they brought their outfits to life.

One of the camp鈥檚 most important roles is highlighting the cultural importance of textile arts in Hawaiʻi. “It’s a great intergenerational program,” said CTAHR Extension Agent Marielle Hampton, emphasizing that island sewing traditions, such as Hawaiian quilt making, carry deep historical significance that risks fading if not passed down.

By completing their projects, the students who finished this year’s camp walked away with custom apparel, cost-saving practical abilities, and a renewed connection to an island tradition.

Mentorship and community connections

The camp connected young people with higher education and industry professionals:

• Professors Andrew Reilly and Minako McCarthy, faculty members in CTAHR鈥檚 Fashion Design and Merchandising program, shared insights on fashion design and academic pathways.
• Local fashion entrepreneur Mariah Toledo-Tavares of spoke about creative business opportunities
• A photoshoot led by local photographer Sarah Anderson captured students modeling their handmade garments.

The camp was funded through a Weinberg grant from the Hawaiʻi 4-H Foundation. Hawaiʻi 4-H is a CTAHR program serving youth across the state.

The University of Hawaiʻi has joined a national initiative to transform how students transition into the workforce. In partnership with the Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative (HWFC), and supported by a $50,000 subgrant, the “Advancing Work-Based Learning Through Quality Coaching” project aims to ensure every resident has a clear path to a thriving local career.

The need is urgent. According to the , only 18% of four-year students receive timely labor market information. To bridge this gap, a cross-sector coalition鈥攊ncluding the State Workforce Development Council, Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi P–20, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education鈥攚ill streamline career coaching and employer engagement, and focus on removing barriers for rural, Native Hawaiian and first-generation learners.

Statewide action plan

“Work-based learning and quality career coaching sit right at the intersection of education, economic mobility and talent retention,” said Christine Beaule, 糖心视频 director of workforce development. “This initiative gives us the implementation structure and national expertise to move from a shared statewide vision to coordinated, scalable action.”

The initiative is led by the . Over two years, the coalition will develop a statewide action plan to remove systemic barriers and align education-to-career pathways with local economic needs.

“Hawaiʻi already has strong organizations doing important work in career navigation and work-based learning. This initiative gives us an opportunity to connect those efforts more intentionally as a system,” said HWFC Executive Director Matt Stevens. “HWFC can help convene partners, integrate workforce data and measurement into the process, and identify where targeted investment can strengthen the capacity needed to move a shared strategy forward.”

University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa gerontologist Christy Nishita of the in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health has been selected as a by the Eisner Foundation, earning national recognition for her work advancing intergenerational connections and strengthening Hawaiʻi’s communities.

Nishita coordinates and co-founded the , a statewide network of more than 300 organizations dedicated to engaging older adults as contributors, mentors and community leaders. Her work focuses on aging, workforce development and intergenerational programs that strengthen Hawaiʻi‘s communities.

“I am deeply honored to join this inspiring cohort of Eisner Prize Fellows and look forward to creating meaningful intergenerational opportunities that make a lasting difference in Hawaiʻi‘s communities,” said Nishita.

Preparing Hawaiʻi’s future workforce

As part of the fellowship, Nishita will launch her project, Intergenerational Resilience Corps: Wisdom to Workforce, which will bring together k奴puna (older adults) and high school and university students to develop a curriculum and microcredential in aging and community resilience.

By combining the lived experiences of k奴puna with student learning, the initiative will prepare future professionals to better support k奴puna and Hawaiʻi’s communities before, during and after natural disasters.

The project builds on Nishita’s Youth Leaders in K奴puna Health (YLKH) microcredential program which gave seven high school students hands-on experience working with nursing and activities staff at Arcadia Senior Living this summer. Students learned about aging through a strengths-based approach, created service-learning projects that benefited k奴puna at Arcadia, and earned a 糖心视频 issued . YKLH provides early proof of concept for the intergenerational, workforce-building model Nishita will expand through her Eisner Prize project.

“This cohort reflects just how far the idea of intergenerational connection can stretch: into dance, radio, civic life, disaster resilience, and even role-playing games,” said Trent Stamp, CEO of The Eisner Foundation. “Each of these Fellows is building something rooted in their own community, and we’re proud to support their efforts to bring their vision to life.”

Nishita is one of six fellows selected from a highly competitive national applicant pool for yearlong fellowship, which supports leaders developing innovative approaches to fostering intergenerational connection. Each fellow receives a $10,000 stipend and up to $40,000 in project funding.

The Eisner Prize Fellowship recognizes leaders developing innovative, community-based solutions that foster meaningful connections across generations. Nishita’s project reflects that mission by helping equip the next generation of community professionals with the knowledge and skills to build a more resilient Hawaiʻi.

The (CIP) at Kapiʻolani Community College has opened applications for two advanced culinary courses focused on whole-animal butchery, smoking, curing and sausage making. The first-of-its-kind training is part of a Workforce Development Program partnership with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

Applications are open through August 21. To learn more or apply, visit .

These five-day, hands-on training sessions are offered at CIP, and were developed specifically for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 culinary industry using ingredients and resources available in the state. Full tuition scholarships are available to help upskill Hawaiʻi鈥檚 culinary professionals without leaving the islands.

“Hawaiʻi is home to incredible culinary talent, and our goal is to expand opportunities for chefs to continue learning and growing without leaving the islands,” said Grant Itomitsu, Kapiʻolani CC Culinary Arts Department chair. “By bringing nationally recognized instructors together with our local culinary community, we鈥檙e giving chefs the advanced skills to grow their careers and strengthen their kitchens. This program helps advance more sustainable and ethical practices while shaping the future of regional cuisine.”

Cohort 23: Butchery & Whole Animal Utilization (Part 1)

• September 14–18, 2026: Participants will develop essential knife and fabrication skills while learning primal and sub-primal breakdown, nose-to-tail cooking and methods for improving yield and reducing waste.

Cohort 24: Smoke & Sausage: The Craft and Science of Preserving Meat (Part 2)

• September 21–25, 2026: Participants will explore the techniques behind smoking, curing, dehydration and sausage production by preparing jerky, fresh and cured sausages, and smoked meats.

Both cohorts are led by CIA chef educator George Shannon and nationally recognized butcher Bryan Mayer, a staff member and instructor at Kapiʻolani CC.

Applications are open through August 21. To learn more or apply, visit .

Eligibility and scholarships

Applicants must be 18 or older, a Hawaiʻi resident or active military member stationed in Hawaiʻi, and have at least three years of professional culinary experience. Scholarships, valued at $1,500, are funded by the Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA) CIP x CIA Workforce Development Scholarship Fund and the State of Hawaiʻi.

To support this initiative through a charitable gift to the scholarship fund, contact HACA Vice President Aya Leslie at aya@hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.

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

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

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

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

Building Guam鈥檚 next healthcare generation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa’s Chelsea Miller has received national recognition for expanding access to hands-on genomics education.

Miller, a PhD student in the Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering in the (CTAHR), earned the Outstanding Poster Award at the (NISBRE), held June 17 in North Bethesda, Maryland.

Breaking barriers in science education

Her award-winning poster, “Genome on the Go: Decentralizing Molecular Biology Education through Portable Genomics Tools and Near-Peer Mentorship,” highlights a training model designed to reduce barriers to advanced laboratory instruction for students in Hawaiʻi and other geographically isolated regions.

Developed through the (Hawaiʻi INBRE) program with support from U.S. Department of Agriculture workforce development initiatives, the project brings portable DNA sequencing tools and graduate student mentors directly to learners, enabling a full “sample-to-sequence” workflow in classroom and field settings.

Over the past year, Miller and her team conducted 11 workshops across Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and the continental U.S., training 72 participants using Bento Lab and Oxford Nanopore technologies.

Strengthening biomedical workforce development

The approach helps prepare the next generation of biomedical workforce while giving students access to modern molecular biology techniques typically limited to well-equipped research laboratories.

“This award reflects the incredible efforts of our graduate student instructors and the vision of making genomics accessible to every student, regardless of location,” said Jon-Paul Bingham, Hawaiʻi INBRE PATHways director and co-author of the project.

Miller was one of three Hawaiʻi INBRE-affiliated researchers recognized at the biennial NISBRE meeting, which highlights national research and training supported through the IDeA program. Also honored were Li Tao, professor at the , who received the Outstanding Mentorship and Teaching Award, and Natalie Graham, assistant professor at 糖心视频 Hilo, who earned the Scientific Merit Award.

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Four years after launching an effort to address Hawaiʻi鈥檚 rural healthcare needs, the first Kauaʻi Medical Training Track (KMTT) cohort has officially graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa (JABSOM).

The graduation marks a historic milestone for Kauaʻi and the state. Funded by a $10 million commitment from Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, the multi-pronged program was established in 2022 to combat neighbor island physician shortages and improve the health and wellness of Kauaʻi鈥檚 families.

KMTT graduates will complete their residency programs before returning to Kauaʻi to practice medicine.

The trailblazing class of 2026

The 2026 graduating cohort includes five newly minted doctors who have deep ties to the neighbor islands and a dedicated focus on community health: Kirra Borrello (internal medicine, UCLA), (pediatrics, UC Irvine), Erin Evangelista (OBGYN, Loma Linda University), Brent Fujimoto (orthopedic surgery, 糖心视频) and Ivana Yoon (primary care, 糖心视频).

Through Chan and Zuckerberg鈥檚 gift, the program fully covered the cohort’s tuition, fees, transportation and lodging for all four years of medical school in exchange for a commitment to return to Kauaʻi after residency and serve the community as physicians for at least four years. This comprehensive support allowed the students to focus entirely on their rigorous training and hands-on clinical rotations at Kauaʻi鈥檚 local healthcare centers.

“When we started this journey in 2022, I was incredibly excited to learn medicine from the very people who inspired me—including my childhood pediatrician, who became my preceptor,” said Emoto, who was raised on Kauaʻi. “Today, that excitement has evolved into a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude. We have built strong relationships with our community clinics and patients, and we are ready to give back to the communities that shaped us.”

Related 糖心视频 News story: Medical training track have prolonged, impactful presence on Garden Isle

A focus on rural medicine

The program was designed to immerse these new doctors in the nuances of rural medicine. Over the past four years, the students worked alongside Kauaʻi‘s medical community, transforming from eager first-year students into confident, community-focused physicians.

Travis Hong, director of rural training at JABSOM, oversaw the cohort’s progression from their welcome reception at Gaylords in 2022 to their graduation stage today.

“It was wonderful to see our cohort start off as brand-new medical students, grow throughout the years, gain clinical skills. and integrate into the community,” said Hong. “To see them really get to know their preceptors, work alongside them and finally graduate as physicians has been an incredible thing to witness. This is exactly how we build a sustainable, compassionate healthcare workforce for Hawaiʻi.”

“The success of the Kauaʻi Medical Training Track serves as a powerful proof-of-concept for the rest of the state,” said Sam Shomaker, dean of JABSOM. “As Hawaiʻi‘s only medical school, JABSOM plays a vital and unique role in solving our statewide physician shortage. By proving we can successfully train and retain doctors directly within a rural setting, we now have a replicable model that we hope to expand to Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Molokaʻi. This is how we ensure that all communities across our state have access to exceptional, locally rooted care.”

With subsequent cohorts already training behind them, the pipeline of locally tied, rural-focused doctors is officially flowing, promising a healthier future for Kauaʻi and all of Hawaiʻi.

Bringing healthcare directly to individuals experiencing homelessness, the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa (JABSOM) is expanding its street medicine efforts across the state thanks to a new $1.7 million grant.

Awarded by the (HRSA), the multi-year funding will support outreach and training on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi through JABSOM‘s . The five-year grant begins with $362,140 in year one, and prepares the next generation of family medicine physicians to serve Hawaiʻi‘s most vulnerable populations.

“This is an absolute blessing,” said Robert Carlisle, project director and JABSOM associate professor. “This is good for the state. This is good for the family medicine physicians. This is good for the people of Hawaiʻi.”

Expanding outreach

The funding will launch new street medicine experiences for family medicine residents in Waiʻanae, Hawaiʻi Island, and JABSOM鈥檚 new Kauaʻi program, which will train the first cohort on Oʻahu in 2026.

Carlisle credited partners, including HRSA鈥檚 Steven Coulter, JABSOM鈥檚 Chip Hixon, and site leads Cynthia Ohata, Ellen Bell, Megan Martelly, Doug Rose and Thomas Quattlebaum, with support from various local organizations.

“As physicians and professionals, we have a duty to society and the community around us,” Carlisle said.

Integrating behavioral health

Program leaders also plan to expand behavioral health and addiction services.

“The really tough lift will be to integrate behavioral medicine and addiction care into our outreach on the street,” Carlisle said. “Make no mistake, this was a massive effort to bring together four different programs across the state on three different islands. There was a lot of coordination and enthusiasm from all of us to recognize the potential benefits of street medicine.”

Seed funding from the Hawaiʻi Academy of Family Physicians, JABSOM鈥檚 Office of Medical Education, and the Hawaiʻi Medical Association helped launch the project.

“The small seed grants grew this much larger investment in street medicine,” Carlisle said. “This experience should have a profound impact with influence lasting over the next 30 years of their careers.”

To help purchase basic supplies like bandages and footwear, consider supporting the JABSOM .

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Hawaiʻi is advancing its commitment to becoming the nation鈥檚 first trauma-informed state—a systemic shift that prioritizes government policies and services that recognize the pervasive impact of trauma. To support this effort, the State鈥檚 Office of Wellness and Resilience (OWR) worked with faculty from the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa鈥檚 to develop a new certification program.

In May, Gov. Josh Green recognized the inaugural cohort of more than 100 individuals who completed this training. Created following Green鈥檚 2024 executive order, the OWR鈥檚 program equips professionals with strategies to recognize trauma, respond effectively to stress, and build trust within state systems, helping integrate trauma-informed practices into workplace culture, policymaking and public services.

A collaborative model for governance

The curriculum was developed under the leadership of OWR Director Tia Hartsock, a Thompson School alumna and adjunct faculty member of the (DSW). Hartsock collaborated with a statewide team of experts, including DSW faculty members Aimee Chung and Michael DeMattos.

This training increases effectiveness, reduces harm and fosters long-term resilience across the state.
—Aimee Chung

“Our collaboration with the Office on Wellness and Resilience creates a partnership that will lead to systemic shifts needed to equip a workforce that is empathic, sustainable and trustworthy,” said Chung. “This training increases effectiveness, reduces harm and fosters long-term resilience across the state.”

In recognition of his contributions to the program, DeMattos served as a keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony. His remarks highlighted the essential role social workers play in community healing.

“Trauma-informed care offers a way of being that prioritizes care for those we love,” DeMattos said. “It teaches us not to ask, ‘What is wrong?’ but rather, ‘What happened?’ It helps us move beyond the belief that people are broken. Most importantly, it helps ensure that instead of suffering alone, we heal together.”

As the economy rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence (AI), the Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training (PCATT) is bolstering local workforce readiness. The University of Hawaiʻi Community College consortium hosted the PCATT AI Summit 2026: AI for Action and Impact at the Ala Moana Hotel June 4–5, bringing together industry leaders, educators and 糖心视频 professionals to tackle the evolving technological landscape.

Celebrating PCATT‘s 25th anniversary, the summit focused on four core pillars: Trust in AI, AI & The Future of Work, Public/Social Interest in AI, and The Mechanics of AI. The event emphasized the necessity of collaboration between local businesses and schools to advance AI literacy and create stable economic pathways in the islands.

糖心视频 System Senior Advisor to the President Kim Siegenthaler opened the gathering, emphasizing how artificial intelligence is actively reshaping Hawaiʻi‘s economy and workforce alignment.

Keynote speakers included Chris Barton, creator of Shazam (a breakthrough music recognition mobile application), and Dave Free of the Cisco Networking Academy, who offered strategies for innovation and adapting education training to rapid technological change.

Building a resilient workforce

“I was inspired by the discussions on finding the balance between leveraging AI‘s power while maintaining ethical standards and human connection,” said attendee Alexi Drouin. “As AI continues to change how we learn and work, it’s clear that our adaptability and human insights are more valuable than ever.”

For industry experts, the summit highlighted the necessity of bridging the gap between classroom training and real-world application.

“Attending the PCATT AI Summit was an incredible opportunity to engage with Hawaiʻi‘s tech educators and industry leaders,” noted Branden Baker of Intech Hawaiʻi. “Discussing how we can safely leverage AI to build a resilient workforce and diversify Hawaiʻi‘s economy is vital to our collective future.”

Lakshanya Krishnarajan, a healthcare IT professional, added, “The sessions provided deep insights into how AI is transforming education, cybersecurity and workforce development. From learning about trust in AI models to seeing real-world demos of how we can build practical digital prototypes, this summit provided actionable steps to bring back to our community.”