{"id":230059,"date":"2026-02-25T13:48:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T23:48:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=230059"},"modified":"2026-02-25T13:48:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T23:48:52","slug":"pace-sustainability-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/25\/pace-sustainability-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Inaugural series builds pathways to sustainability focused careers"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"person
The Spring 2026 Sustainability Series began in February with a hands-on kokedama workshop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship<\/a> (PACE<\/abbr>) at the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Mānoa<\/span> 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.<\/p>\n

\"person
The hands-on kokedama workshop was held at the Walter Dods, Jr<\/abbr>. RISE<\/abbr> Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

The Spring 2026 Sustainability Series<\/a> began in February with a hands-on kokedama workshop in partnership with Hoʻilina<\/span> Arrangements, introducing students to plant-based design and environmental stewardship. On March 4, PACE<\/abbr> will host “Profit With Purpose: Building Brands That Actually Matter,” a workshop examining how companies integrate sustainability into marketing, product development and brand strategy.<\/p>\n

Direct access to career pathways<\/h2>\n

At the center of the series is a March 10 networking event at the Walter Dods, Jr<\/abbr>. RISE<\/abbr> Center. The event will connect students with founders from Elemental Impact\u2019s 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. Registration is open to students from all majors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"person
The kokedama workshop was led by Aleta Corpuz.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Sustainability touches every industry,” said PACE<\/abbr> 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.”<\/p>\n

Later in March, PACE<\/abbr> will open a sustainability-focused round of its Kalo Grant program. Applications are due March 29<\/a>, with a live pitch event scheduled for April 16. The grant round will prioritize ventures addressing environmental and social challenges.<\/p>\n

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

PACE<\/abbr>, housed in the Shidler College of Business<\/a>, serves students across the 糖心视频<\/abbr> System through experiential entrepreneurship programs, mentorship and applied learning opportunities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The series brings together students, founders and professionals working across sustainability-focused sectors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":230060,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[498,734,1466,1314,425,146,73,9],"class_list":["post-230059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-business","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-manoa-enhancing-student-success","tag-manoa-sustainability","tag-pacific-asian-center-for-entrepreneurship","tag-shidler-college-of-business","tag-sustainability","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t