Four alumni of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy recently presented their post-graduate residency research projects to an online meeting of the Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association (HPhA). Attended by pharmacist leaders and preceptors, this year’s online meeting provided a forum for residents to be evaluated on their presentation, research quality, ability to answer questions and the impact of their project on pharmacy practice at their residency sites.

The four DKICP alumni presenters include:

Dr. Edwina Leung (Class of 2015) completed a PGY2 specialty residency in psychiatry and mental health at the Hawaiʻi State Hospital. She presented “Clinical implementation of pharmacogenomic testing at a forensic psychiatric hospital: a pilot study examining implementation strategies, prescriber acceptability, and barriers to the service.”

Dr. Nicholas Tsoi (Class of 2019) is a PGY1 clinical pharmacy resident at DKICP and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health. His project was on “Evaluation of pharmacy supported diabetic ketoacidosis management.”

Dr. Rachel Randall (Class of 2019) is a PGY1 clinical pharmacy resident at DKICP and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health. She presented “Impact of pharmacy-led ASP timeouts to assess piperacillin-tazobactam use.”

Dr. Kelsey Noetzelmann (Class of 2019) is a PGY1 clinical pharmacy resident at Tripler Army Medical Center on O`ahu. She presented “Vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring based on area under the curve.”

Students and faculty in the `Ike Wai Research Experience in Data Science Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo had their work on coral health and disease published in the May 6 edition of Frontiers Marine Science. The publication is the result of research done in Summer 2019.

“A Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of in-situ and Digital Image-Based Assessments of Coral Health and Disease” addresses a pressing issue in the field of marine science, which is the capability of digital images to be used for detecting disease in marine environments. The students conducted underwater conventional coral health surveys and subsequently collected imagery for high-resolution 3D models of the same study plots. This unique approach allowed them to compare coral health assessments from visual surveys (human eyes on the reef) and digital analysis (computer-based).

The findings showed that the human visual assessment is more sensitive for detecting disease than the digital approach. The digital approach was comparable, however, and thus can be a useful tool when human divers cannot safely access reef habitats for visual surveys. As agencies around the globe are adopting digital imaging methods for monitoring reefs, this paper provides useful clarity of the pros and cons of using new technologies versus conventional techniques.

The students involved in the publication include Sofia Ferreira (Marine Science), Drew Gotshalk (Computer Science), Chad Kinoshita (Computer Science), Micah Marshall (Mathematics), Nicholas Del Moral (Computer Science), Shane Murphy (Marine Science), Kailey Pascoe (Tropical Conversation Biology and Environmental Science), Alexandra Runyan (Marine Science), Alexander Spengler (Marine Science), Brittany Wells (Marine Science), and Danielle Wilde (Marine Science). Faculty members are Drs. John Burns (Marine Science), Grady Weyenberg (Mathematics), and Travis Mandel (Computer Science).

“This project was a close collaboration between students and faculty in Marine Science, Computer Science, and Mathematics,” said Dr. Grady Weyenberg, assistant professor of mathematics and co-author of the publication. “Everybody got to learn a bit about how marine scientists conduct coral surveys, the CS problems involved in building 3D models from photographs, and the math modeling and computation that goes into more advanced Bayesian statistical models.

“The research is quite novel for Marine Science as there have been very few studies comparing the accuracy of the two methods of diagnosing coral reef health. From a statistical point of view, the problem is interesting because when the two methods disagree, we have no ‘gold-standard’ available to tell us which method is correct and which is wrong, so we must build that uncertainty into our models when comparing the methods,” he explained.

“This was a really great example of advancing science in an interdisciplinary manner,” added Dr. John Burns, assistant professor of marine science and co-author of the publication. “The students did an amazing job on all aspects of the project. They all brought varying levels of expertise that enabled us to quickly collect a large dataset from Hawaiian reefs and analyze it using various technological tools.

“By the end of six weeks they had completed all analyses and prepared the first draft of the manuscript as well as put together some exceptional presentations. To me, this project and resulting paper really capture one of the main goals of the UH Hilo Data Science program, which is bringing together students from multiple disciplines to conduct exciting applied research,” he noted.

The UH Hilo `Ike Wai Research Experience in Data Science Program is funded through UH Hilo’s participation in the $20 million `Ike Wai project awarded to the state in 2016 by the National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

The full paper is available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00304/full.

Faculty and staff of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy gathered virtually with students recently in an online version of its annual end-of-school-year awards ceremony. Along with presentations of many awards and scholarships, a slideshow recapping highlights of the many student activities that took place earlier in the year was shown.

“While this has been a challenging spring semester for students, making the transition to all online classes and dealing with the stresses brought on by the pandemic, they have continued to work hard and perform well,” noted Dean Carolyn Ma. “Their achievements in the face of adversity speak well for their potential accomplishments and contributions to the pharmacy profession.”

The following student awards were announced:

• Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment Highest Test Score: Qixin (Sandy) Li

• Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award: Josephine McDonald

• Mylan Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Pharmacy Award: Stacey Nguyen

• American Pharmacists Association Senior Recognition Certificate: Gregg Tam

• NCPA Outstanding Student Member of the Year: Brittany Luna

• Kahele Student Leader of the Year: Clifford Agcaoili

• UH Hilo DKICP Alumni Association Scholarship: Kalen Niimi

• Aloha Shoyu Pharmacy Scholarship: Katrina Jardine and Trisha Nobriga

• CVS Health Foundation Pharmacy School Scholarship: Nina Cardoza, Tran Dinh and Daijiro Oshitari

• Elwin & Valerie Goo Endowed Excellence Scholarship: Yun Soo Park

• Grace Mizuko Miyawaki Pharmacy Scholarship: Travis Hirayama

• Haga Family Endowed Scholarship: Tyler Branco-Hedke

• Hawaii Independent Pharmacies, Inc. Endowed Excellence Scholarship: Roanne Deabler and Cleighton Lagmay

• Edwin and Georgiana Kam Endowed Excellence Scholarship: Ashley Fukuchi

• Molokai Drugs, Inc. Scholarship: Kendrick Justin Dalmacio and Matthew Neumann

• Mr. Nagakatsu Kumao Otsuka and Dr. Raymond Masashi Otsuka Memorial Scholarship: John Jacob and Sasha Nealand

• Albertsons Safeway Pharmacy Scholarship: Alysha Cosier

• Walgreens Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship: Nadra Nour

• Walgreens Multilingual Scholarship: Danh Ronald Nguyen

• John M. and Mimi F. Pezzuto Excellence Scholarship: Qixin (Sandy) Li, Duy Nguyen and Henry Quach

Recipients of the DKICP Merit Awards were chosen based on academic achievement and leadership success. This year’s winners include:

Class of 2021

Sean Domingo, Qixin (Sandy) Li, Brittany Luna, Jaymee-Rae Pang, Johnson Siu, Donald Waddell

Class of 2022

Alysha Cosier, Tran Dinh, Ashley Fukuchi, Leia Hasegawa, Brian Petrone, Donald Sachs, Melanie Sacro

Class of 2023

Selin Cross, Jasmine Curiel, Emily Tu Le, Kalen Niimi, Sung Mi Yoon

Student Organization of the Year was presented to Hawaiʻi Student Society of Health Systems Pharmacy and Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo congratulates and honors its Spring 2020 graduates with a special virtual Commencement video, which will be available for viewing at: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/commencement/spring2020/. UH Hilo decided to postpone its traditional in-person ceremony, originally scheduled for May 16, 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our students in particular have had to deal with so much this semester, and the Commencement Committee wanted to be sure our graduates were recognized, honored and celebrated for all of their accomplishments and hard work that got them to this day,” said Commencement Chair Lisa Spain. “Our virtual Commencement video is the result of many students, faculty and staff working hard to put this together to honor the Class of 2020.

“I wish the very best to all of our graduates, and thank everyone for such great teamwork,” she added.

Approximately 608 students petitioned for degrees and/or certificates from the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Natural and Health Sciences, Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, Business and Economics, Pharmacy, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, and for various post-graduate credentials.

The virtual Commencement video includes over 730 submissions from students, faculty, and staff, and congratulatory messages from Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin and the deans of each college.

Plans for an in-person Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 is underway and details will be shared at a later date.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo recently honored and recognized its 2020 recipients of various campus awards in a commemorative video. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, UH Hilo decided to postpone its annual End of the Year Awards and Recognition Celebration event to a later date.

This year’s recipients are:

• Mirei Sugita, Center for Global Education and Exchange, Student Employee of the Year Award

• Mackenzie Slayton, Associate Director of Campus Recreation, Distinguished Service Award for Improving Student Life

• Levi Mangiboyat, Janitor, Auxiliary Services, Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance Award

• Dr. Norman Arancon, Professor of Horticulture and Chair of Performing Arts, Excellence in Service Award

• Dr. Francis Dumanig, Assistant Professor of English, Pulama `Ike Award

• Dr. Larry Kimura, Associate Professor of Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies, Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi Award for Excellence and Innovation

• Patsy Iwasaki, Instructor of English, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

• Dr. John Burns, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

• Dr. Kirsten Mollegaard, Professor and Chair of English, Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award

Retired employees and faculty and staff recognized for various years of service as of December 31, 2019 are also included in the video.

The commemorative video is available at: https://youtu.be/MjuQXqSZ1lU.

The end-of-year award ceremony for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy was held online recently to honor the Preceptors of the Year and teaching award winners.

The Preceptor of the Year award is given to a professional pharmacist who does an exceptional job of mentoring pharmacy students. This year’s recipient is Bonnie Bennett, Pharm.D., BCPS, CDE, at Tripler Army Medical Center on O`ahu, where she has been precepting DKICP students since 2017. She previously worked at Hilo Medical Center and Makalapa Navy Clinic before moving to Tripler in 2016.

“Along with 13 years of experience as a practicing pharmacist, Dr. Bennett is also a certified diabetes care and education specialist,” said Dean Carolyn Ma. “One of her passions is motivating patients to improve their health by learning self-care skills to effectively manage their chronic diseases.

“She is very good at what she does and very caring with her patients. She encourages students to think outside-the-box and to work hard to learn as much as possible during their rotation,” she added.

The 2020 Faculty Preceptor of the Year is Allen Shih, Pharm.D., BCPS and assistant specialist in the department of Pharmacy Practice at DKICP. After receiving his doctor of pharmacy from the University of Utah, Shih did his residency at Multicare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA. When he joined DKICP in 2014 he brought with him more than seven years of practice experience in emergency medicine and critical care.

“Dr. Shih is very patient and does an amazing job of guiding students through their thought processes,” Ma said. “He creates a great learning environment for students and keeps them engaged by using real-life applications and his humor. His rotations are among the students’ favorites.”

Each class also elects its favorite teachers of the year. This year’s Student Choice Awards for Teaching went to:

Class of 2023: Dr. Abhijit Date, Pharmacy Science, and Dr. Supakit Wongwiwatthananukit, Pharmacy Practice

Class of 2022: Dr. Dianqing Sun, Pharmacy Science, and Dr. Jarred Prudencio, Pharmacy Practice

Class of 2021: Dr. Daniela Guendisch, Pharmacy Science, and Dr. Chad Kawakami, Pharmacy Practice

A team of undergraduate students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Computer Science Department and the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa College of Engineering was recently awarded with the Best Visualization Showcase Award for the upcoming 2020 Practice and Experience in Advanced Research Computing (PEARC) Conference for its work on integrating three-dimensional models of Hawaiian coral reefs into an immersive virtual reality platform.

“Exploration of Coral Reefs in Hawaiʻi through Virtual Reality: Hawaiian Coral Reef Museum VR” showcases models that were generated from high-resolution surveys at long-term monitoring sites throughout the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Thousands of images of coral reef habitats were collected by UH Hilo Assistant Professor of Marine Science Dr. John Burns and his research team during ship-based research expeditions led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. The images were then processed by the UH Hilo Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis (MEGA) Lab using structure-from-motion photogrammetry technology to create high-resolution 3D reconstructions of each coral reef study plot. These models form the foundation of the immersive virtual reality experience.

“One of the primary objectives was to create virtual outreach products to showcase these incredible and unique products to public audiences around the globe,” said Francis Cristobal, UH Hilo Faculty Specialist, Computer Science, who spearheaded the two-year project.

“When the application starts, the user is brought into a Coral Reef Museum filled with a curated selection of coral reefs. The user then picks a reef to explore and is transported to a life-sized 3D model of it,” Cristobal explained. “From there, the user can resize, reposition or fly through a 3D model, offering a wide range of interactivity. This human-centered design is particularly an effective platform for researchers, instructors, and the general public.”

These reconstructions also allow researchers to examine how the coral reefs change over time and respond to stressors associated with climate change.

“The models provide an excellent public outreach tool as audiences can get a first-hand realistic view of what these isolated and protected coral reefs look like,” Cristobal said.

Team members include:

• Briana Noll, UH Hilo Computer Science (graduated Spring 2020)

• Nickolas Rosenberg UH Hilo Computer Science (graduated Spring 2020)

• Drew Gotshalk, UH Hilo Computer Science (graduated Spring 2020)

• Alec Goodson, UH Hilo Computer Science (graduated Spring 2020)

• Kailey Pascoe, UH Hilo MEGA lab

• Alexandra Runyan, UH Hilo Marine Science

• Michael Dodge II, UH Manoa 4th year, Electrical Engineering

• Jared McLean-UH CyberInfrastructure

• Ryan Theriot, UH Manoa LAVA

• John Burns, UH Hilo Marine Science and MEGA

• Joseph Sanchez, UH Hilo Edwin Mookini Library

• Francis Cristobal, UH Hilo Computer Science

The project is a collaboration of UH Hilo Computer Science, the UH Hilo Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis (MEGA) Lab, UH Manoa Laboratory of Advanced Visualization and Applications (LAVA), `Ike Wai Data Science initiative, and the UH Hilo Edwin Mookini Library. The project was funded by the Academy for Creative Media System, University of Hawaiʻi.

The virtual museum will be showcased at the Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo, Hawaiʻi and will be a travelling exhibit. It will also be presented at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature.

The PEARC20 takes place online July 26 - 30, 2020 and will explore the current concepts of advanced research computing including modeling, simulation, and data-intensive computing.

The following students in the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo College of Natural and Health Sciences received Dean’s List recognition for the spring 2020 semester:

Zyrene Mae Afan, Joie Keala Agard, Keilynn Ann Aguiar, Shantel-Lee Kamaluonalani Akau, Dason Charles C Albano, Kailey Meghan Alcosiba, Jack Alan Andersen, Malia Frances Andrade Stout, Imelda Angel, Richard D Atiz, Kikue Ke'alapua Bernabe, Sjur Beyer, Michelle Marie Biete, Lauren Mae Blue, Robert Yuan Branan, Katelin Lili'inoe Rose Branco, Krisha Nobelle Bugajski-Sharp, Rod Neil Aglibut Burbano, Madeline Emma Bush, Bryant C Cabaccang, Tia Healani Cansana, Cara Carpenter, Joseph Reid Carroll, Donald Lynn Carter, Lokelani Shyann Case, Mahealani J Case, Edward B Cashman, Isabella Marie Chapman, Tyron Devera Chavez, Brandee Anne Auli'i Chinen, Sunni Kalaiuaomapulehu Chow, Caden Alec Christensen, Guthrie Eck Cissell, Ryan Patrick Coad, Piper Taylor Mateo Collado, Ariel Galamay Colobong, Nancy Hoku'ukali Costales, Zachary K Cuison, Dannah Faye Dahilig, Jorge Xavier De Leon Tye, Angelo Teddie Mabanag Dela Cruz, Zyrill Dayne Taguicana Dela Cruz, Chamry Chiemi DeMotta, Skylar Dentlinger, Michael L Devaney, Kostadin Georgiev Devedzhiev, Conor Wallace Drysdale, Chelsea Marie Dumo, Patrick John Dumlao Duyao, Bryana-Marie Napuakeanani Ebbers, Taylor Pulelehua Eleola, Alyssa L Faletoi, Sheilla Mae Balila Felipe, Christopher Chikara Ferreira, Maxine Angela Ferrera, Emma Jane Files, Kela Marie Fitzgerald, Kirstie Anne Tsuyako SeuLing Flores-Oishi, Bree Ida Kaleiopuananimaikalani Foster, Maile Uilani Fox, Jeena Kanekapolei Kimi Notley Franco, Melanie Faith Franze, Cheyenne Keiko Fuertes, Kaley Grace Fujii, Makena Leahi Galimba, Charlene Mae Quezon Galvez, Lily Kukuiliilii Prani Gavagan, Neilsen Orpilla Gazo, Maxwell Jake Geiger, Kimikyla Phyliss Gikbay, Alec Chandler Goodson, Madison Nicole Gordanier, Drew Thomas Gotshalk, Shelby Graber, Hanne Gramstad, Grace L Gray, Carson Phillips Green, Frank Ventura Guillermo, Cedrei Jan Librea Guinto, Kenston Nguyen Ha, Kassidy Lynn Hammer, Victoria Gajos Hamre, Chad K Hao, Miku Hope Hardman, Cydney M. M Harkness, Anthony Lazaro Cabreira Haskett, Aurora Driveklepp Helgeland, Joshua Elliot Henderson, Justin Masayoshi Higa, Arisa Nicole Sachiko Hirai, Kristie Akemi Hirai, Royce Hirayama, Daniel Ho, Son Hoang, Kyle Richard Hodges, Savanna Jo Hohenstein, Alaysha Kuuleilanimapumaikealoha Hook, Madison J Hwang, Breanne Takeko Ihara, Hokulani S Iseri, Finnigan Jack Israel, Alise Rakelle Jackson, Kaija Meru Jacob-Kline, Kaela R Jelsma, Taylor Kaleihooheno Sanae Jennings, Mark Jimenez, Kaila Rae Kaaihue, Annalee Kaiser, Kekaulike Lanikuakaa Tiave Kalua, Harjaspreet Kaur, Teva Kuumakanamaikalani Randolph Kealoha Meyer, Sang Rok Kim, Shayla Kiyota, Aspen Montegomery Klein, Kassi Louise Joernsdatter Klepper, Hiroki Kojima, Tia Quiara Leolani Kualii, Krissel Anne Lagua, Liezl Leilani Alcon Lagua, Jomina M Lawin, Jesse Sebastian Leavitt, Heather Nalani Lee, Pandora Cornelia Lee, Adrienne Lilinoe Leisk, Lillian Rosaline Lewis, Stephanie E'laura Lewis, Sydney Lyn Lewis, Nicole Lis, Nathaniel Dior R. Liwanag, Caitlin K Lochmann, Devynn Gayle Louie, Sarah Kahiau Loving, Nevan Tibor Lowe, Allison Loy, Miranda J Maassen, Sarah J Maloy, Keala Keahi Punahele Indreginal Mamala, Brookelynn Kananionalani Mandaloniz, Michael G. Mandaquit, Micah J. Marshall, Miranda Martin, Dominique Danielle Martinez, Russ Shigeru Masuda, Darien Lee Matlock, Tyler Kekoa Matsukawa, Jaden Haruo Matsunaka, Catherine Rose McTighe, Roxie Kaehukaimaikalani Medeiros, Sheyanne Mary Mendez, Brandon Kahalimalulani Haaheo Meyers, Alexander Middleton, Chloe Utoctoc Norkiwoh Nalyal Molou, Jo-Anna K. K. M Moniz, Shane Jay Murphy, Riana Kalaihopeokauanui Mutabdzija, Cole Chuichi Nagata, Kealaulaokalaealohilohinei Lily Kum Lung Nahuina, Shanxi Keaonani Nakaahiki, Keane Kiyoshi Nakatsu, Thomas Jacob Nartatez, Kit Callahan Neikirk, Tarmau Sabina Ngiramengior, Trevor Dylan Shigeyoshi Nishida, Skyler Shinji Nishiyama, Mary Noble, Bryce Noel, Isabella L Noll, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Noyes, Michael Bautista Nozares, Margaret F Oftring, Bryanne K Olson, Sydney Amara O'Neal, Nako Oshimo, Macie Ann Otenbriet, Nicole My-Kimi Otsuka, Ashlynn Nicole Overly, Jaisele Ann Paguirigan, Jerome Romualdo Paguirigan, Christiane Miyo Pang, Therese Pascua, Jaedyn J Pavao, Alyssa Charity Kealohapauole O Pelanca, Mary Ruth Pierce, Allison Pina, Cameron Paige Pollack, Kayla-Ann Pu'uwai Ma'ema'e Posiulai, Marla Mae Pretrick, Tiana Marie Quinn, David Gilberto Quinones, Herald Jasffer Yuson Racadio, Angelina K Ramirez, Alina Marie Ramos, Haley Keala-Faith Rasse, Andrew Faamuasili Rehedul, Emmalani Isabella Reynolds, Alyssa-Jade Mariko Riglos, Malia Kini Risdall, Chaunda Malia Rodrigues, Ashley Jean Rynkewicz, Isabelle Jane Pilapil Salvador, Grant Ernest Sanderson, Vanessa Ayame Sasada, Avery Nicole Satchell, Thomas James Mitsuhisa Seaver, Ella Theone Seipel, Jasmine T Smeraglia, Hailey Alexandra Smith, Michael Blaine Smith, Nicholas Austin Starr, Kortney D Stevens, Samuel Anthony Stevens, Natalie Rose Strauss, Camille Antonia Strazzo, Sarah Autumn Stuart-Smith, Heidi Elizabeth Swinhoe, Tory K Taboniar, Dallas Keoni Kikuo Tada, Tara Marie Rebuenog Takafuji, Jaclyn Tennett, Jodie Chiemi Tokihiro, GellieAnn Tolentino, Emily Kay Travis, Steven Truslow, Jonathan Lian Tsao, Emmalee M Turner, Majorette U Umayas, Maria-Rovella V Umayas, Brian Rios Urena, Kalana N Uweko'olani, Anouk Elizabeth van Hoek, Sasa Vuksanovic, Jenna K Waki, Aidan Jared Walk, Shannon Marie Wallace, Shawn Douglas Walter, Vanessa Ambayec Watkins, Misa Levi Webber, William Charles Wenrich, Shaelee Avis West, Clara Reigel Whetstone, Rachel L Whetten, Nicholas Matthew Williams, Holly Williamson, Megan Tiffany Woolsey, William Keith Wooten, Kaleb Dean Yamasaki, Casey Nobutori Yamauchi, Lino Yoshikawa, Brende Masako Anne Yoshizumi, Brookshield Cesista Young, Chelsie Lynn Ziegler, and Juliana Audrey Zolopa.

Ke kukala aku nei ko ke Kulanui o Hawai'i ma Hilo, Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikolani, i na inoa o na haumana kaha `oi no ke Kau Kupulau 2020:

(The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikolani College of Hawaiian Language announces its Dean's List for the Spring semester 2020:)

Jainine Abraham, Nodoka Adachi, Joie Agard, Tahiti Ahsam, Anya Amaral, Kekamamakoaaka`ilihou Caceres, Jasmine Casey, Declan Cleary, Katheryn Clifford, Kahanu Cuban, Maria dePillis-Shintaku, Kaitlyn Evans, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sheadon Freitas, Desiree Fukuoka, Ezra Grace, Kaito Higa, Alaka`i Iaea-Russell, Kahuaka`i Iaea-Russell, Kanae Inoue, Waihulakapu Kahookaulana, Amy Kaneko, Zena Kauaula, Mary Kealaiki, Ayaka Kisu, Joseph Lindsey, Keala Mamala, Nicole Mueller, Kinohi Neves, Chelsea Pedro, Moananuimaikalani Peleiholani-Blankenfeld, Shannon Purdy, Julio Saenz, Rikako Sakai, Fa`afalea`i Siliva, Kainalu Steward, Mirei Sugita, Narumi Suzuki, Kristina Tanoura, Bruce Torres Fischer, Danika Viluan, Leicha-May White, Ashleigh Wojciechowski, and Ariel Young-Ziegler.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin today announced the selection of Kristen Roney as the University’s new permanent vice chancellor for academic affairs following the July 16 virtual meeting of the UH Board of Regents. Roney’s appointment is effective August 17, 2020.

Roney is currently Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Founding Dean, University College & Graduate Studies, at California State University - Monterey Bay, a position she has held since 2014. In 2016, she founded University College in partnership with and in support of faculty and staff within the then Office of Undergraduate Studies, and also led the creation of graduate and credential student-focused policies and procedures in academic and cross-divisional teams. At CSU – Monterey Bay, she led high-impact practice academic departments and student success centers serving students from matriculation through graduation.

Prior to CSU - Monterey Bay, she served in other administrative and faculty positions at the University of North Georgia (formerly Gainesville State College) from 2003 – 2014 where she partnered across a multi-campus environment of 16,000 students for core curriculum and learning support planning, assessment, faculty development, and strategic space use and allocations. She also provided leadership and vision for interdisciplinary- and academic success- focused units, including retention and progression assessments and responsibilities.

Roney is the author of numerous student- and faculty-success grants, a participant in several Association of American Colleges & Universities planning groups, and the recipient of various awards and medals, including the 2019 CSU – Monterey Bay President’s Medal for Administrators.

“I am excited to have Dr. Roney join the UH Hilo 'ohana,” Irwin said. “She brings many years of valuable experience to the position, especially in the areas of student success, enrollment management, and program development. She is a leader dedicated to students first and foremost and a collaborative and empathic professional.”

Roney received her B.A. in English from Norfolk State University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in comparative literature from University of Georgia.

Roney succeeds Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ken Hon, who has been in the position since 2017.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo College of Business and Economics announces the following Dean’s List recipients for the spring 2020 semester:

Alen Acosta-Enriquez, Riezhelle Agpaoa, Branda Korok Agustin, Sherrisa K. Ai-Miyake, Kylie Kekaumakakahilioke'au'onohi Alameida, Rachel Jane Ancheta, Jonathan Richard Anderson, Austin Tadashi Araki, Malanai Raiatea Arcuri, Alyssa Jean Asuncion, Karen M. Basham, Marson Nicolas Cabay, Nadya Nadine Castilan, Henrique Castilho de Matos, Cary K. Catrett, Luca Checchia Adell, Diana Marie Chinchiolo, Jennaia Chonmon, Alan Cincunegui Corres, Sandra Maria Dafincescu, Lexi Cora Dalmacio, Maribel Marantan Dela Cruz, Andrelyn Marie Delos Santos Dela Cruz, Arturo Dell Eva, Dina Grace Draguicevich, Allison Leilani Dupre, Kaydrian Egusa, Lindsay Baker Emerson, Cayla Michelle Agulay Esposo, Makana Michael Esser, Hokulani Kaleinanikaumanalimaokeakuamanalanikiekie Fortunato, Dustin William Franko, Jacob David Fry J.D., Kamaki Shaunley Fujikawa, Lei K. R. A. Ganiron, Bryan Gonzalez-Hernandez, Noelani Alejandra Gonzalez-Villanueva, Kellen Goya, Terrone Jay Grantham,Calin R. Gray, Saesha Hanselman, Olivia Marie Hanser, Caesar Karl Hjerten, Nohili Ligaya Hong, Michelle Carley Householder, Yan Ying Huang, Steven Kawa'a Hubbell, Malie Keilenikelisinika Ibarra, Nicole Kaleiokamalamalama Ignacio, Lara Oshiro-Kikuchiyo Inouye, Janine Makanalani Iseri, Hana Isokawa, Ashton Elizabeth Jessee, Taj T. Johnson, Hyewon Jung, Althea Kaimalia Kamalii, Kimberly Chiemi Kamei, Kealaula Hanohanokawaiolaakane Keliikoa, Koa Kamalani Kubera, Rich Choi Kuhlmann, Kayla Kanoelani Kunihisa, Kamuela Alaka`i Kahana Labasan, Noah Allen Lau, Stephanie E`laura Lewis, Jodi Emiko Lillie, Kiarra Makana Lincoln, Joseph George Lindsey, Anna Michelle Cabacungan Lucas, Kainoa Abram Lyman, Alliyah Noe-lani Madamba, Lane Ryuichi La`akea Manliguis, Seth Thomas Master, Gage Nohea Masato Matsumoto, Makeila Deanna Mahealani May, Cassidy Faith McCann, Evan James Merrier, Kegan Makanakupono Tamotsu Miura, Taylor Keani Moniz, Michelle Ann Morris, Kristine Villanueva Muerong, Joshua Eric Mull, Amber Akemi Nagata, Andruw-Vincent Kupono Nakamura, Hihona Nakatani, Micaiah Isabelle Nichols, Niger Junior Nogo, Patricia Samantha Garnace Orozco, Andrew Akio Otani, Christopher Robert Pace, Jamie Enrica Gardenia Pagan, Dominik J. Pajimola, Celina Marie Palafox, Robert Risley, Wentworth Rivera, III, Jacob D. Rouse, Rikelle Chieko Sakoda, Jewelee Kaleikaumaka Sniffen, Dylan Shagun Kekoa Sofia Lee, Jaron Takeo Sugimoto, Macy Marie Chiemi Takahama-Ahuna, Revlyn Shizuko Takayesu, Eric Gani Tejada, Leslie Ualani Texeira, Tyler Waltjen, Pedro Victor Werneck Silva, Willa Marie Akiko Wiggins, Daesha Kuliaikaui Wilson, Cappi Kaya Winters, Chun En Wu, and Evan Aukai Yung.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo College of Arts and Sciences announces its Dean’s List recipients for Spring 2020:

Kupono Aguirre, Alex Aguirre, Noah Agustin, Keinan Agonias, Tahiti Ahsam, Kailey Alcosiba, Ashton Altares, Briyana Allen, Anya Amaral, Haley Ancheta, Bethany Anderson, Payton Anson, Rachel Aragon, Kayla Aristizabal, Victoria Arthur, Isaiah Avilla, Joseph Awong, Chad Banda, Joyce Bautista, Amanda-Rose Bagadouwe, Jojo Balagot, Andrew Ban, Bria Beale, Natasha Beepath, Kristen Beiner, Sheann Belmes, Kealani-Rae Bergfeld, Kody Bermoy, Dylan Bibilone, Hedda Bjerklund, Shawna Blackford, Maria Blizzard, Sabina Boo Rivera, Joy-Melody Boswell, Kendra Brekhus, Liana Brouillette, Hunter Bugado, Emily Burkhart, Ashlyn Cabatbat, Caedan Cambra, Marson Cabay, Caitlyn Cabral, Kekamamakoaaka'ilihou Caceres, Bailey Cahill, Danford Calica, Briana Campbell, Keiran Cardoza, Aileen Carl, Sean Carpenter, Jennifer Marie Carter, Cjay Carvalho, Niccolas Carvalho, Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, Nadya Castilan, Clara Chang, Micah Chang, Peter Chao, Isabella Chapman, Leila Chee, Adam Chiya, Mikaela Chong, Zoe Clark, Katheryn Clifford, Delsha Clift Mahi, Athena Coley, Kasumi Collins, Angela Colon, Piper Taylor Collado, Alyah Cortez, Shayce Cordero, Kawelina Cruz, Andrew Curley, Sydney Curnes, Jorge De Leon Tye, Tyler Deal, Angelo Teddie Dela Cruz, Miki'ala Demello-Miller, Audria Dennen, Maria dePillis-Shintaku, Amy Desa, Pierre-Rubin De Poyo, Ty Desa, Crystal DeWulf, Shaina Dingal, Savannah Directo, Shaina Domingo, Gabrielle Dudoit, Allison Dupre, Amy Durham, Brenda Dye, Kiana-Rae Ellefsen, Kaylyn Ells-Hookano, Lindsay Emerson, Samantha Emmsley, Sierra Enoka-Wilson, Raeoirasor-Lani Espejo, Cayla Michelle Esposo, Moa Maria Lovisa Estberg, Kaitlyn Evans, Audreea Ewing, Charlene Faalafua, Daizsa Faust, Sheilla Mae Felipe, Renee Fernandez, Jessica Ferrell, Faatuputala Fiame, Caralyn Fitzpatrick, Kalanihuia Forbes, Kelsey Foreman-Bunting, Jeena Franco, Daisy Franco Rodriguez, Madalyn Freedman, David Freund, Satomi Fujitani, Nevaeh Fukui-Stoos, Desiree Fukuoka, Emme Furuya, Lilliana Galarneau, Amylia-Rae Gandolf, Billie Jean Garcia, Nicole Garza, Madison Gates, Shauna Gaylord, Neilsen Gazo, Justin Gebbie, Jessica George, Kimikyla Gikbay, Alan Goldsmith, Nicholas Gomez, Mohala Gonsalves, Noelani Gonzalez-Villanueva, Jessica Goodluck, Jared Goodwin, Alec Goodson, Dylan Gordon, Drew Gotshalk, Ezra Grace, Kayla Grigsby, Colton Grimes, Taylor Hamilton, Whitney Hamilton, Kassidy Hammer, Wanda Hanson, Miku Hardman, Lillian Harwood, Talen Heinicke, Asia Helfrich, Ryen Helzer, Shawn Hernandez, Trina Henry, Lia Herrod, Maka Hickcox, Cheyenne Higa, Lisa Hiraishi, Taylor Hiraki, Jamieson Hirayama, Alexander Hobgood, Amanda Holscher, Tyler Honda, Tristine Honea, Hazuki Horikoshi, Yan Ying Huang, Chas Huston, Alakai Iaea-Russell, Cassandra Ingemi, Kanae Inoue, Vanessa Isaak, Joshua Jacobs, Olivia Jarvis, Amanda Jarvis, Kiera Javillonar, Scott Jennings, Ku'uhiapo Jeong, Ashton Jessee, Tromainne Joab, Jasmine Joao, Haley Johns, Victoria Jose, Hyeonji Joung, Kaila Kaaihue, Kelly Kaaumoana-Matsumoto, Terran Kaleiwahea, Matthew Kalinsky, Yuka Kaneko, Amy Kaneko, Eftychia Kanellou, Kaitlin Kaipo, Micah Hilo Kalamau-Martins, Tiana Kapumau, Joseph Kawamoto, Mary Kealaiki, Alysa Kealoha, Heather Kekahuna, Courtney Keli'i, Vaughn Kelii, Karyn Khan, Christian Kilwein, Denali Kirk, Brooke King, Tessa Kishigawa, Ayaka Kisu, Keely Kitamura, Brett Komatsu, Haruka Kono, Kendall Kott, Marta Kraus, Beverly Kua, John Kuroda, Jessie Ladouceur, Taylor-Reese Lafita, Noah Lau, Ashley Laybon, Irena Le, Maila Lee, Naomi Lemieux, Jacob Liberta, Braysen Libed, Conrad Likiaksa, Eseta Livai, Kaila Lizama, Preston Long, Tasha Lorenzo, PulamaNamauu Louis, Chelsea Ludwig, Desiree Lui, Aleta Lyman, Jada Macairan, Christian Madera, Justin Maglinti, Sydney Mahoney, Bethany Maldonado, Gianna Martin, Seth Master, Alyssa Mathews, Abcde Matias, James Matsumoto, Kaiulani Matsumoto, John Mccollum, Maya McGarry, Lyrik McNeil, Annelise McSherry, Kekailiko Medeiros, Raelyssa Medeiros, Chloe Medrano, Warren Miller, Kyle Mills, Kegan Miura, Missy Miyashiro, Chantel Mizuuchi, Mirvat Mohamed, Kyle Morin, Makena Morris, Kimberly Miskovetz, Kristine Muerong, Anna Myers, Lawrence Nahalea, Kiaria Nakamura, Honesty Nakamura, Mara Nansen, Alexandra Navarette, Kit Neikirk, Brianna Ninomoto, Hina Nishida, Briana Noll, Amy Odaira, Taylor Ogawa, Markie Okamoto, Lauren Okinaka, Amy Okura, Mary Oliver, Kaelyn Onodera, Jacob Orr, Ashlynn Overly, Alanna Pabre, Cody Pacheco, Ryan Jay Pacris, Lorelei Taylor Padasdao, Heather Padilla, Chelsea Pamarang, Alexandria Parisian, Tinzin Pasang, Mekaila Pasco, Taylor Patrick, Maisie Paulson, Kalei Pea, Chelsea Pedro, Moananuimaikalani Peleiholani-Blankenfeld, Chan Perez, Jourdan-Leigh Perreira, Jacob Perry, Kaylyn Perry, Emy-ann Phillip, April Joy Pitcher, Trayce Pjirrou, Caitlin Poe, Tiana Quinn, Tom Clemen Rafanan, Jess Christian Ramelb, Aston Benjamin Ramos, Daynon Ramos, Victoria Rapoza, Shania Rapoza, Kaleinani Rapoza, Amy Beth Raynard, Anntashia Rettin, Sarai Reynolds, Christina Rico, Kiara Ringang, Renee Rivera, Adriana Rivera Fuentes, Kyra Robinson, Sophia Rodriguez, Starcy Rodriguez, Mia Rosa, Ezra Rose, Marvin Joubin Rositzki, Alexandra Runyan, Julio Saenz, Brooke Sakuma, Lucille Saldana, Hera Salmeron, Selvin Sandoval, Raina Santos, Sarah Sato, Braden Savage, Kailey Scanlon, Clara Scheidle, Sierra Schuetz, Joseph Scott, Pancho Shelton, Laura Shepard, Kristofer Shigehara, Jaci Shinoda, Sara Shimizu, Allena Shimabukuro, Scott Sison, Fa'afalea'i Siliva, Timon Skinner, Macey Soares, Mandi Soria, Jamie Stancik, Arne Borhaug Stave, Domini Stein, Mirei Sugita, Gregor Sullivan, Kenneth Sweezey, Kmes Tabelual, Mikayla Tablit, Brianna Tackmier, Dallas Tada, Rodel Abel Tagalicud, Royden-Glen Tagalicud, Yaeko Tagami, Jace Taka, Mia Takai, Shania Tamagyongfal, Michele Tamura, Chase Taniyama, Tyler Tavares, Summer Tawney, Michael Taylor, Travis Taylor, Chloe Taylor, Naneaikealaula Thomas, Shaelyn Thomas-Carvalho, Kenna Thornburg, Tipparat Tiensuwan, Isaac Timmons, Taylor Tolentino, GellieAnn Tolentino, Rachael Tomori, Nikki Rae Torres, Cao-Minh Tran, Emily Treadaway, Holly Trowbridge, Kaelyn Uchida, Shelcy Lynn Uchima, Majorette Umayas, Saysha Uyehara, Miguel Valadez, Jessica Valdez, Brianna Valencia, Kaylee Valentino-Fergerstrom, Jessica Valladares, Anouk van Hoek, Kaleihulu Victor, Linh Waddell, Nicholas Wagner, Kathrine Wagner, Brittnie Walker, Jane Walsh, Lia Wengler, Shaelee West, Leicha-May White, Zoe Whitney, Christina Whitworth, Kamamaluwaiwai Wichimai, Kassidy Wilson, Alexa Winter, Ashleigh Wojciechowski, Keli Wong, Natalie Woo, Chase Wood, Ploysuay Wu, Katelyn Yockey, Mari Yoshida, Chayna Yoshida, George Young, and Ariel Young-Ziegler.

A chemistry student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is the recipient of the Wendel Wickland Student Achievement Award by the National Student Exchange.

Christian Lopez, a rising junior, was an exchange student at Stony Brook University in New York City for 2019-2020 and was selected for demonstrating the best use of his study away exchange participation.

“Christian Lopez stepped out of his comfort zone to go on exchange from an island in the middle of the Pacific to an island in New York City,” wrote his nominator Holly Garriques, coordinator of UH Hilo’s National Student Exchange program. “He experienced a bit of culture shock his first few days at Stony Brook University but soon got involved on campus and had the time of his life.

“Christian joined the tennis team, traveled to other states to compete, got involved with the Philippine United Student Organization and Japanese Student Organization, and participated in numerous events throughout the semester,” she added. “He definitely personifies the spirit of the National Student Exchange by overcoming his fears and making the most of his exchange experience.”

Lopez received a $500 stipend.

A student on exchange at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo was recently awarded a National Student Exchange Student Achievement Award.

Joshuah Cohen, a political science student at Stony Brook University in New York, received the Dr. Richard R. Bond Community Engagement Award for demonstrating best use of his study away exchange participation. Cohen was on an exchange at UH Hilo in spring 2020.

During his time at UH Hilo Cohen was hired by the NSE coordinator to help promote the program to interested students.

“Many students were encouraged to go on exchange and expand their horizons after one of Joshuah’s many classroom experiences,” commented UH Hilo NSE Coordinator Holly Garriques. “Joshuah felt a responsibility to spread the word about NSE and give back to a program that helped him develop into the person he is today.”

Cohen was awarded a $500.00 stipend.

For information on UH Hilo’s NSE program, contact Garriques at htkchang@hawaii.edu or 932-7389.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin today announced the appointments of James Mike as the permanent dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences and Christopher Holland as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students following public posting of the August 20 UH Board of Regents meeting agenda. Mike’s appointment is effective December 14, 2020 while Holland’s appointment is effective September 8, 2020.

“I am excited to have Drs. Mike and Holland join our UH Hilo 'ohana,” Irwin said. “Both bring many years of administrative experience and steadfast support for students and faculty. They are well qualified to help lead UH Hilo into the future.”

Mike comes to UH Hilo from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania where he is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, a position he has held since 2006. As dean, he manages a college of nearly 2500 majors, 170 tenure-track faculty, and 19 departments, with a $20 million budget. He also served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2019 and acting dean of graduate studies from 2017 – 2019. Prior to Shippensburg University, he was associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of chemistry at Youngstown State University in Ohio.

Mike is the author of numerous administrative and academic published abstracts and presentations, refereed publications, and articles, and a member of various professional organizations, including the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Association of American Colleges & Universities, and the American Chemical Society.

Mike received his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Cincinnati, and his M.S. and B.S. from Youngstown State University.

Mike replaces James Beets, who served as interim dean. Beets will continue to serve in an interim capacity until Mike joins UH Hilo in December.

Most recently, Holland served as Assistant Dean and Chief Housing Officer at George Mason University where he oversaw 40 residential facilities across four campus locations with over 6,200 residential beds in a housing program operated by over 150 professional staff and over 200 student staff. From 2014-2018, he served as the Vice President of Student Services at Florida State College at Jacksonville where he oversaw 250 professional staff in areas of Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, Advising, Career Development, Diversity and Social Initiatives, and Military and Veteran Services at five campuses, two centers, and three military bases.

Holland has also served as a Dean of Students at three higher education institutions: College of St. Joseph in 2008; Brevard College from 2008-2012; and Purchase College from 2013-2014. The diversity of those institutions have provided him with various perspectives about private liberal arts operations and working on small campuses, ensuring an excellent fit with UH Hilo’s unique characteristics of diversity, size and being a residential campus with opportunity for growth.

Holland received his Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama in 2008.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is once again the most ethnically diverse campus among national universities, according to the U.S. News & World Report in its 2021 report of college rankings. UH Hilo was named as the most ethnically diverse campus in the national publication’s 2020 report.

“Now more than ever, we need to find ways to connect and understand one another,” said Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “The rich diversity of UH Hilo’s campus ‘ohana helps us prepare all of our students for work and life in our increasingly diverse world.”

UH Hilo received a diversity index of 77 percent, followed by Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI) and University of Nevada – Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV) tied at 76 percent, and Rutgers University (Newark, NJ), Stanford University (Stanford, CA), and University of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA) tied at 75 percent.

The diversity index indicates that on a scale of 0 to 1, the closer the number is to one, the more diverse the student population. Data was derived from each institution’s fall 2019 total undergraduate degree-seeking student body as reported to U.S. News & World Report.

Students at UH Hilo in fall 2019 reported being 14.7 percent Asian, 9 percent Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 19.1 percent white, and 35.2 percent of two or more races.

The entire list of ethnically diverse campus rankings can be found at: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/campus-ethnic-diversity.

The following students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy have been named to the Dean’s List for the 2020 Spring semester:

Class of 2021

Clifford Agcaoili, Heather Ah Cook, Alyssa-Marie Almogela, Emmanuel Anozie, Trang Bui, Aileen Bulatao, Jessica Cadiz, Nichole Chaffin, Brandon Chagami, Robin James Dalmacio, Lauren Domingo, Sean Domingo, Angina El, Tailai Guan, Brooke Higa, Taylor Hiraga, Jake Hoctor, Raha Hosseini, Feng Ming Huang, Jenna James, Patsylynn Jetley, Joseph Joyce, Melody Keshavarz, John-Michael Kimhan, Da Hai Lee, Kevin Lee, QiXin Li, Kimberly Lin, Noelle Lovesy, Brittany Luna, Christian Macaspac, Ashley Maldonado, Josephine McDonald, Ryan Mcmillan, Bruce Meno, Jiyoung Min, Shane-Earl Naeole, Nu Nguyen, Lan Thi Hoang Nguyen, Duy Nguyen, Kimo Okamoto, Rebecca Oshiro, Calvin Ostler, Minneh Oyas, Karen Pae, Brittney Palomares Layaoen, Jaymee-Rae Pang, Jearld Peguese, Elaine Phan, Henry Quach, Tiana Ramos, Norlyn Ranchez, Habibo Salad, Sera Shimizu, Maysyvelle Sistoza, Johnson Siu, James Soe, Deena Tanimoto, Alan Trinh, James Vasper, Donald Waddell, Tiffany Wong, Jody Yamada-Ueda

Class of 2022

Brenna Alvarez, Tricia Amuimuia, Jordan Anderson, Liana Ang, Germain Atmospera, Kayla Bajo, Caroline Boule, Tyler Jo Branco-Hedke, Bryson Cadiz, Paige Cajudoy, Latisha Cajudoy, Nina Cardoza, Marie Cidera, Matthew-Allen Clemente, Niel Carlo Concepcion, Alysha Cosier, Kendrick Justin Dalmacio, Roanne Deabler, Mercedes Dennis Graves, Tran Dinh, Tara-Ann Dumlao, Kazumi Fujitani, Ashley Fukuchi, Trent Furuta, Olivia Graham-Mclennan, Jacqueline Hackworth, Laura Hardaway, Leia Hasegawa, Yan Yee Ho, Viky Huang, Brandi Hutchins, Thien Huynh, Katrina Jardine, Christopher Kaneko, Minkyung Kim, Cleighton Lagmay, Jane Lakritz, Tiffany Lam, Connie Le, Jeffrey Lee, Zhian Lin, Nikko Marion Magtoto, Madalyn Mccaulley, Wangui Mwaniki, Kyle Nakagawa, Danh-Ronald Nguyen, Trisha Nobriga, Nadra Nour, Samantha Okubo, Angelyn Park, Yun Soo Park, Brian Petrone, Jenny Phong, Cody Porter, Donald Sachs, Melanie Sacro, Micheal Angelo Sagun, Kellen Sakamoto, Jessica Song, Patricia Stevens, Bernadette Tabula, Lillian Tran, Kara Tsuzaki, Sabrina Uchino, Shumin Wu, Kristi Ann Zane

Class of 2023

Michael Bernard Abundo, Reygan Agcaoili, Kateleen Caye Bio, Cierralyn Cabral, Chrystal Cardoza, Jasmin Curiel, Noreen Aura Mae Gonong, Alyssa Hatada, Katrina Heyer, Travis Hirayama, Brandi Hughes, Mi Huynh, Emily Tu Le, Johnson Le, Hyeji Lee, Tristan Magdalera, Analeslie Martinez, Kathleen Millard, Stephanie Mojumdar, Selena Joy Morita, Steve Moua, Matthew Neumann, Lina Nguyen, Kalen Niimi, Daijiro Oshitari, Lily Pham, Brayton Sakai, Andrew Schuler, Alyson Soranaka, Tiana Tran, May Ann Vicente, GaYeon Wang, Rosalie White, Kyle Wong, Sung Mi Yoon

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin announces the appointment of Dr. Karen Kopera-Frye as the new permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sciences following the UH Board of Regents meeting held virtually September 17, 2020. Kopera-Frye’s appointment is effective December 28, 2020.

“I am delighted to welcome Karen Kopera-Frye to the UH Hilo team!” said Irwin. “As an experienced professional with interests in campus-community partnerships, she will make great contributions to our university and provide renewed energy to the arts, humanities, and social sciences.”

Kopera-Frye is currently a professor in Public Health Sciences at New Mexico State University (NMSU), a position she has held since Fall 2016. She also served as NMSU’s Associate Dean for Academics and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Health and Social Services at NMSU from September 2016 – January 2019. For over 18 years, she has served in a variety of academic leadership positions, including tenured Professor, College Director of Graduate Studies, Internship Coordinator, Assessment Coordinator, Executive Committee for self-study Northwest reaccreditation, Co-Director of 29 interdisciplinary health science and liberal arts faculty in a Gerontology program, and Director of Training for Graduate Teaching Assistants in Psychology at The University of Akron and the University of Nevada-Reno.

Kopera-Frye has an extensive list of refereed publications, newsletter articles, presentations and published abstracts from 1985 through 2019 with numerous refereed publications in progress. She serves as peer reviewer for many journals. She is skilled in research, community-based participatory research, grant writing, and in obtaining external fiscal resources for programs serving those who are rural and/or economically disadvantaged, especially among Indigenous groups.

Her current community service has included being President of the Twin Cities’ Mayoral Committee on Disabilities, Board Member of the West Ouachita Senior Center, Board Member of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and Appointed Member of the Northern Nevada AIDS Prevention Planning Council for Nevada, and Board Member for Mesilla Valley Hospice. Nationally, Kopera-Frye serves on the Accreditation Committee for Gerontology and Geriatrics, Academic Program Development Committee, Intergenerational Service-Learning Task Force and Executive Committee (Treasurer) of the American Psychological Association.

She was awarded Fellow in both the American Psychological Association and the Gerontological Society of America: Behavioral and Social Sciences Section. She has received awards from the Gerontological Society of America and the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education for outstanding research and teaching, and just this year, the Friedsam Mentoring Award for her mentoring of faculty and students.

Her formal training is in Lifespan Psychology /minor in Clinical Psychology, with specialization in Gerontology. She earned her BA in Psychology, and her MA and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She additionally has a second Masters, in Public Administration (MPA), and a Graduate Minor in Native American Studies/Indigenous.

Kopera-Frye replaces Interim Dean Dr. Michael Bitter.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Center for Community Engagement and The East Hawai‘i Cultural Center (EHCC) Youth Arts Series have partnered to present a Digital Pumpkin Patch and Fall Fundraiser in lieu of their annual Fall Break Camp and Haunted House. Both events launch on Monday, September 28.

Digital photos of entries must be submitted by Friday, October 23. Participants must be 18 years of age or younger. Entries can be real pumpkins, faux pumpkins, or any homemade pumpkin form. Limited supply kits are available by donation only, with free online video tutorials to provide inspiration for pumpkin creations. Guidelines and information for supply kits are posted at https://www.ehcc.org/yaspumpkinpatch.

The Fall Fundraiser features Halloween-themed works that have been created and donated by local crafters and artists, including Kellie Miyazu and RK Woods Hawaiʻi. They will be available for purchase on the EHCC website. All proceeds will go toward the Youth Arts Series to continue to provide arts education to keiki of all ages.

For more information, contact EHCC Youth Arts Series at yas@ehcc.org or the UH Hilo Center for Community Engagement at uhhcce@hawaii.edu.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Marine Science student received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Oral Presentation award at the 2020 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference held virtually September 1 -3, 2020.

Sofia Ferreira made a presentation on “Examining coral community composition and 3D habitat structure on shipwrecks located in Apra Harbor, Guam.” Her research used innovative 3D mapping technology to examine how underwater cultural heritage sites influence coral reef composition and habitat structure. Guam has a storied maritime history resulting in a high abundance of wrecks in the naval submerged lands surrounding the island. Ferreira worked to analyze 3D maps of natural reefs and wreck substrate to determine if the submerged artifacts influence the composition and growth forms of corals.

“Sofi is a talented undergraduate student with advanced statistical and data science skills,” noted Dr. John Burns, assistant professor of marine science and data science. “She has become an integral part of the Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis (MEGA) Lab at UH Hilo.

“Sofi exemplifies the high caliber of training students obtain in the Marine Science, Data Science and Marine Option Programs at UH Hilo,” he added. “She is directly involved in conducting cutting-edge research, which is exceptional for an undergraduate student. She is well deserving of this award and I look forward to watching her career develop.”

The Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference is sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance and is an annual statewide event attended by hundreds of conservationists, scientists, managers, practitioners, and students.