Chaminade University of Honolulu

University Communications & Marketing

Alumna Lorna Gomes ’05 Finds Her Life’s Calling in Elementary Education

At one point in her life, Chaminade University alumna Dr. Lorna M. Gomes ’05 thought her future belonged in the financial industry. Accordingly, the Sacred Hearts Academy graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and launched a banking career. But something was missing. “I had always wanted to teach,” Gomes said, “so I decided to return to college to pursue this dream. The Chaminade program was convenient to my lifestyle because classes were online and in the evening.” Lorna GomesWhile earning her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Gomes served as a student teacher at Lanikai Elementary Public Charter School – now called Kaʻōhao School – in Kailua. Today she teaches language arts, mathematics and social studies to fourth graders at Kaʻōhao, where she also worked as a curriculum coach and media coordinator. This dedication to helping students succeed prompted School Director Ed Noh to recognize Gomes as an “outstanding teacher.” “Dr. Noh consistently includes me in school-wide decisions,” Gomes said, “and I am currently a grade-level chair as well as a mentor to a University of Hawaii student teacher. I have been on numerous hiring committees and the strategic planning committee. This is my 14th year here.” At the encouragement of a previous school director, Gomes earned a doctorate in Education Leadership in 2014 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her dissertation focused on “helping reluctant readers become better readers.” Reflecting on her time at Chaminade, Gomes said the Division of Education program “allowed me to feel successful in pursuing my master’s degree, and I did make some nice friendships that I still maintain today.” “The collegial atmosphere with small classes were definitely highlights,” Gomes said, adding that she was especially influenced by Dr. Margaret Mize’s children’s literature class. “I just would like to encourage anyone considering a higher education degree to give Chaminade a look,” Gomes said, “because it is a fine institution with excellent professors!” Chaminade University’s Master of Arts in Teaching program is part of the Division of Education, and offers state-approved licensure in early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education and special education.

Pauahi Foundation Scholarships Help Joey Pantil Pursue Her Dream of Attending Nursing School

Two prestigious scholarships from the Pauahi Foundation are helping Chaminade University undergraduate Joey Pantil realize her dream of becoming a nurse. Nursing student Joey Pantil “When I found out that I received the scholarships, I was so ecstatic, thankful and relieved because I would have a bit of a financial burden lifted off of my shoulders,” Pantil said. The Nanakuli High and Intermediate School graduate is the youngest of four children and the first person in her family to attend college. Now Pantil is on track to receive a bachelor of science degree in 2021 from Chaminade’s School of Nursing. After that, she plans to enroll in graduate school and eventually become a nurse midwife or nursing informatics specialist. “I found out about the Pauahi Foundation through my high school’s college and career center,” according to Pantil. “During my senior year, I made it a point to apply for every scholarship I was eligible for. And because the Pauahi Foundation scholarships have a preference for people with Native Hawaiian ancestry, it was one of the many scholarships I applied for. The foundation awarded Pantil the Dr. Lori Ann Kim Scholarship for students pursuing STEM degrees. Pantil also received the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1960 Scholarship for students demonstrating academic excellence, good character and a commitment to serving their communities. “I had no idea how I was going to pay for college,” Pantil said. “The scholarships that I received not only allow me to attend college, but they push me to work harder in getting my degree in nursing. “Because there are people who believe in me,” she added, “and that is shown with their endorsement.” Chaminade University’s School of Nursing offers a four year, full-time undergraduate program leading to a bachelor of science degree. The school’s core values include holism, caring, diversity, integrity and commitment, plus Marianist values of lifelong learning and community service. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Chaminade Students Inspire School Children at Annual ‘Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery’

By sharing their knowledge and love of science, two teams of Chaminade University students encouraged children to pursue STEM educations and careers at the “2017 Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery.”

Held Oct. 28 at Punahou School, this 16th annual event honored the life and legacy of NASA astronaut Charles Lacy Veach, who flew on Space Shuttle missions in 1991 and 1992 and developed robotics for the International Space Station. The Punahou alumnus and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 51.

2017 Lacy Veach Day - anchialine pools activity

One team of Chaminade students conducted a workshop on the tiny opae`ula Hawaiian red shrimp and the ecologically fragile anchialine pools where they live. Anchialine pools are enclosed bodies of water with underground connections to the ocean.

“The kids we worked with made a habitat for the shrimp and were really excited to take them home,” said English major Kalei Ehlers from the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program. “Kids are excited by science and I had a blast teaching them something new.”

Also conducting the workshop were students Aulani Oka, Martina Segura, Tara Supit and Luwella Leonardi.

A team of students from the “I Am A Scientist” mobile outreach program showed children how to dust and “lift” latent fingerprints.

2017 Lacy Veach Day - fingerprint activity

“We got to educate kids and parents about the different characteristics in fingerprints that are unique to the individual person,” said Nursing major Heather Carvalho. “We also taught them that fingerprints are how they catch criminals.”

Carvalho said she enjoyed encouraging parents and children “to engage in science education together as a family.”

“It was an awesome way to get the kids outdoors,” she said, “instead of in front of the television and internet devices.”

Forensic Science major Kaitlyn Castillo said she initially thought young children “wouldn’t really think about doing science-related things.”

“After this event, I know that I was wrong and that some kids really do enjoy science so much,” Castillo said. “A few parents I talked to said they had bought their kids fingerprint kits and they would be dusting for prints all over the house.

“I liked knowing there were kids that got interested in forensic science by actually doing things related to forensic science,” Castillo added, “rather than from a TV show.”

Working with Carvalho and Castillo at the fingerprint booth were students John Aiwohi, Chante Carter, Doris Sanborn and Samantha Williams, along with alumna Cassandra Song and biology lecturer Dr. Eric Umemoto.

Students Learn “Aloha” is a Concept and Movement

Pono Shim and Monique P. Gomes
Pono Shim and Monique P. Gomes

My name is Monique P. Gomes and it was an honor to hear from Mr. Pono Shim, President and CEO of Oahu Economic Development Board.

Mr. Shim began his presentation by elaborating on sustainability. He believes that people often mistake our Hawaiian Ahupua’a as a concept of sustainability when it is truly a concept of prosperity. Hawaiian Ahupua’a was a way of life for our Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian people) where they prosper spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

He also spoke about his career. Mr. Shim was hired, not as an economist, but as a healer. He stressed that the #1 issue across industries is the ineffective engagement with employees. He pointed out that these type of issues are people-centered and cannot be solved with artificial intelligence. Therefore, learning to engage with people and heal relationships is Anonui (of great importance).

Guest Speaker Pono Shim

Mr. Shim learned how to engage people as a child, by observing his father at work. His father, who practiced law, provided meaningful opportunities for the community to Malama (take care) of each other. In particular, his father played a vital role in implementing the Hawaii Law of the Aloha Spirit, drafted in 1985 and passed in 1986, making the state of Hawaii the only state in the United States with a law that is culturally sensitive. According to his father, “one day every law will fail, but we (in Hawaii) have a law that would give us the opportunity to choose relationships over the law.”

Other topics Mr. Shim spoke about include finding the hidden objects, a story about his father’s aunt Pilahi Paki who was the Keeper of Secrets, and the secret meanings of ALOHA.

In conclusion, Mr. Shim’s presentation was extraordinary and it spoke to my Puuwai (heart). We will now be mindful that ALOHA is not just a word but a concept with depth and movement which creates a foundation for relationships. Being aware of how we can find the Aloha Response allows us to build within our community. We must be Maika’i (good people) listening with Aloha in order to give an Aloha Response, with gentle touches and clean gloves. Therefore, no matter where we go, we will always leave this place better than how we found it.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Monique P. Gomes
Speaker Session with Pono Shim 11/1/17
Photos taken by Nathanael Cassion

School of Nursing Students, Ho`oulu Scholars Raise Health Awareness at ‘Hawaii Children & Youth Day’

Students from Chaminade University’s School of Nursing and Ho`oulu Scholars with the “I Am a Scientist” mobile outreach program raised awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles during the 24th annual “Hawaii Children & Youth Day” at the State Capitol.

“This year is the fourth year that my junior nursing students participated in the fair,” pointed out Assistant Professor Eurina Yujin Cha. “Our purpose was to provide health screenings and nutrition education for parents and encourage physical exercise and vaccination education for children.”

Nursing students volunteering their time at the Oct. 1 event were: Abigail Adina, Mae Kimberly Corpuz, Ashley Farin, Airelle Guron, Eric Ganding, Jadelyn Yasuoka, Melissa Biador, Lauren Ngatuvai and Shayvell Noa.

Ho`oulu Scholars Cassandra Ainoa-Kanoho, Dairian Balai, Hi‘ilani Fujihara-Nagamine and Destiny Hamasaki underscored the importance of making healthy dietary choices by using hydrometers to reveal how much sugar is hidden in sodas, fruit juices and flavored milk.

In addition, the students showed more than 400 children how to read nutrition labels, while encouraging them to pursue college degrees and STEM careers.

“It’s important for people to understand that their children can have only a certain amount of sugar each day,” pointed out Hamasaki ’21, a Forensic Science major. Accordingly, this outreach educated “not only children who came to the table, but the parents who brought them.”

“This experience made me cut down on juice,” Hamasaki added, “so now I only drink water.”

Fujihara-Nagamine ‘21, an Environmental Studies major, said there were “many surprised faces” among children and parents when they realized how much sugar is contained in certain beverages.

“It was very eye opening for them, and some of the children even told me they were going to drink more water from then on,” Fujihara-Nagamine said. “A lot of the parents really appreciated that our booth was raising this awareness and thanked us for educating their children about how much sugar they intake just from sugary drinks.”

Fujihara-Nagamine described the outreach as “truly amazing.”

“Being able to help spread knowledge to families and children was really fun, and their enthusiasm was refreshing,” she said. “It reminded me of my childhood when I would learn about similar subjects. I never thought I would have the chance to be the one on the other side of the table teaching.”

Research Associate Lori Shimoda, who directs “I Am a Scientist” and founded the program in 2009, described the student volunteers as “fabulous ambassadors for Chaminade.”

“They were professional, cheerful and engaging,” Shimoda said, “with both little kids and their parents.”

E+ID Students, Graduates Among Recipients of 2017 ‘Excellence Awards’ from Society of Interior Designers

Four Chaminade University Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) students and two graduates of the program were among the winners of “2017 Design Excellence Awards” presented by the Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Receiving an Award of Merit were students Gerlie Valdez and Petrice Goto for their design of the Pantawan Arts & Learning Center in the Philippines, and Nicolle Soriano for a classroom renovation project at Holy Nativity School in Honolulu.

In addition, student McKenna Makizuru won an Award of Honor for her design work on Kawailoa Village, a community residence for homeless youth.

Alumna Beverly Clemente with the G70 design firm received an Award of Merit for the Hawaii Pacific Health – Kapiolani Medical Specialists project. Also, alumna Lyndee Park from INspiration Interiors Design Studio won an Award of Merit for the company’s Kitchen, Bath & Closet Showroom retail project.

“At Chaminade, we educate, engage and empower students to respect, appreciate and inspire design of the built environment,” pointed out Joan D Riggs, E+ID program director. Accordingly, graduates are prepared for careers in the fields of interior design, architecture and related professions.

Chaminade is well represented on the ASID Board of Directors for 2017-18. Alumni Nancy Schnur and Cassandra Okimoto are president and communications director, respectively; and undergraduate Jenelyn Sison is the student representative.

Chaminade University’s Division of Humanities and Fine Arts offers the only accredited, degree-granting Environmental + Interior Design program in Hawaii. This Bachelor of Fine Arts program satisfies the educational requirement for professional licensing through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.