Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Marshallese Poet and Activist Inspires Chaminade Students

Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, poet and activist

More than 125 students, faculty and staff packed the Clarence T. C. Ching Center in Eiben Hall to hear the Marshallese poet and activist Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner read poetry from her book Iep Jāltok: Poems from a Marshallese Daughter. Published this month by The University of Arizona Press, Iep Jāltok made history as the first published book of poetry written by a Marshallese author.

Considered an important new voice for justice, Jetñil-Kijiner connected the Chaminade community to Marshallese daily life and tradition through the weaving of her impassioned words and rhythmic descriptions. She shared her background and the role of women in the matriarchal Marshallese culture and highlighted in her poems the traumas of colonialism, racism, forced migration, American nuclear testing and the threats of climate change.  However, she ended with a vision of hope in her deeply moving rendition of  “Dear Matafele Peinam,” performed originally at the 2014 Opening Ceremony of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Summit. It received international acclaim.

Students from environmental studies and student members from the Micronesian Club and other Pacific Island clubs were especially moved by the activist poet. One Chaminade student was invited to read with Jetñil-Kijiner.  He read in Marshallese, and she read in English. Students were visibly moved.

Iep Jaltok, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner's book

Jetñil-Kijiner’s writing and performances have been featured on CNN, Democracy Now, Mother Jones, the Huffington Post, NBC News, National Geographic, Vogue, Nobel Women’s Initiative and more. She co-founded the nonprofit Jo-Jikum, dedicated to empowering Marshallese youth to seek solutions to climate change and other environmental impacts threatening their home island. Jetñil-Kijiner has been selected as one of 13 Climate Warriors by Vogue in 2015 and the Impact Hero of the Year by Earth Company in 2016. She received her Master’s in Pacific Island Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

The division of Humanities and Fine Arts hosted the February 17 event, which was coordinated by the English department and spearheaded by English professor Koreen Nakahodo.

Forensic Students Present Research at National Conference

Chelsie Mangca Valdez and Hannah Dibner with their pig experiment
Chelsie Mangca Valdez and Hannah Dibner

Based on their discoveries in the field of carcass decomposition, Chaminade University students Hannah Dibner and Chelsie Mangca Valdez were invited to present their research at a national conference held by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).

The academy’s 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, scheduled for February 13-18 in New Orleans, brings together professionals in all areas of forensic science, including criminalists, physicians, toxicologists, anthropologists, dentists, physicists, psychiatrists, engineers and educators.

Dibner and Valdez, who will both graduate in Spring 2017 with a Master of Science in Forensic Sciences, decided to partner on their research into the biology and pathology of how pig carcasses decompose.

Dibner focused on the effects of scavenging by the Small Asian Mongoose. She points out that this type of research is important because wounds created by scavengers could be mistaken for trauma from violence. Also, knowledge of scavenger behavior could help search parties more effectively locate and recover human remains.

Hannah Dibner presenting at AAFS conference
Hannah Dibner

“Studying rotting carcasses may not be everyone’s idea of a good time,” Dibner says, “but to me it’s a dream come true. The decomp studies at Chaminade are asking certain questions that we haven’t seen addressed by anyone else. And as a scientist, that’s an incredibly exciting and unique position to be in.”

Valdez studied the skin chemistry of decomposing pigs. Her research may lead to a new technique for determining Post-Mortem Interval, meaning the amount of time that elapses after a person dies.

Chelsie Mangca Valdez presenting at AAFS conference
Chelsie Mangca Valdez

“The thing I am most excited about regarding the AAFS conference is the opportunity to meet professionals in the field I have committed seven years of my life studying,” Valdez says. “This experiment was very time consuming but it was very much worth it,” she adds. “I never thought I would be attending a national conference, let alone presenting my finding all while still attending college.”

Dr. David O. Carter, director of Chaminade’s Forensic Sciences Program, encouraged Dibner and Valdez to submit their research to AAFS.

Faculty and Staff Express Themselves in Multidimensions at Art Show

Yukio Ozaki, Dale Fryxell, and Walter Takeda
Yukio Ozaki, Dale Fryxell, and Walter Takeda

Fine Arts professor, Yukio Ozaki, a renowned ceramist, strung clear line through the frame hooks of artwork that arrived earlier that morning. It was February 14, Valentine’s Day, with the show about to open. Volunteers had been busy setting up the exhibit since the day before. Ozaki worked quickly to hang the new entries. When the call went out for artwork, 28 staff and faculty members responded with an amazing variety of creative expression in unexpected media. Ozaki himself had submitted a pastel abstract that he had made in third grade. Smiling broadly, he shared, “I was so glad that my mother saved it.”

Dave Coleman, the dean of Humanities and Fine Arts, gathered shell lei, placed them on his arm and waited for artists to arrive. This is the second year that his division has sponsored the art show.  Fine Arts professors Walter Takeda and Ozaki continued as chief organizers. Coleman pointed out that it was in alignment with the significance of Humanities and Fine Arts. “The Faculty Staff Art Show is an opportunity to engender a culture of art and art expression on campus and to showcase the multi-dimensions of our colleagues,” he said.

Faculty, staff, students and friends streamed through the exhibit. Takeda, dressed in a swanky black vest and black pants set off by his Valentine-red shirt, greeted everyone and referred to his colleagues as “true renaissance faculty and staff.”

Leslie Loon and Sr. Malia Wong
Leslie Loon and Sr. Malia Wong

Takeda was right. What variety! There were exquisite religious pieces and a whimsical, playful rendition of Diamond Head.  One dad included his son’s piece as part of his, a reminder of the strong human connections we touch when we create.  One staff worker remembered his mother and his Native American culture as he stood near his displayed piece.

The exhibit included a wooden puppet built by History professor Mitch Yamasaki, graphic designs by Nursing professor Edna Magpantay-Monroe, and a gothic wooden cathedral by Communication professor Cliff Bieberly. From repurposed fiber and bamboo representing Communication professor Eva Washburn-Repollo’s passion for her teaching to a chunk of koa turned into a beacon of light in dark times from Education dean Dale Fryxell, pieces had their stories and deeper meanings. Starfish, jellyfish, photos, landscapes, etchings, video, mosaic, and more added to the buffet of creative endeavors.

Stop by and marvel a little.  Expect to be surprised and pleased. The Faculty Staff Art Show runs through Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Sullivan Family Library.

Elizabeth Park at Faculty Art Show
Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo at Faculty Art Exhibit
Dr. Junghwa Suh at Faculty Art Exhibit
Dr. Dale Fryxell's art piece

Guest Speaker Touts Hawaii as Leader in Eldercare Solutions

Hawaii “has a unique and critical role to play” in achieving a comprehensive solution to America’s “elder boom,” according to Ai-Jen Poo, director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and co-director of the Caring Across Generations Campaign.

The social activist, named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2012, spoke on campus Feb. 15 at a public policy forum presented by Chaminade University’s Hogan Entrepreneurs Program.

Every eight seconds, someone living in the United States turns 65, Poo pointed out. And this phenomenon is particularly striking in the rapidly graying Aloha State, where residents enjoy the longest lifespans in America.

Poo emphasized that this demographic trend is a blessing because seniors have more time to spend with their friends and loved ones. But the massive number of retiring Baby Boomers also poses a significant challenge, she cautioned, because America’s eldercare infrastructure is woefully inadequate.

Eldercare professionals typically earn just $13,000 annually, Poo said, thus forcing many to seek other employment. And because about 75 percent of American workers make less than $50,000 per year, they often struggle with the steep cost of caring for aging relatives.

Representing a bold step forward, according to Poo, are the “Kupuna Care” bills (SB534 and HB607) under consideration by the Hawaii State Legislature. These measures would provide up to $70 a day for the respite that family caregivers need to stay fully active in the workforce while caring for their kupuna at home.

If passed by the legislature and signed into law by the governor, the Kupuna Care Program could help pay for homemaking services, adult day care, transportation to doctor appointments, etc. This would allow seniors to continue “aging in place” at home, while postponing or avoiding the transition to far more expensive institutional settings.

Caring for one’s elders is “part of the DNA of this state and this culture,” Poo concluded. And that means Hawaii could serve as an outstanding model for the rest of the nation.

Additional information on the Kupuna Care Program is available at care4kupuna.com.

Love You Then, Love You Still

More than 40 people celebrated their marriages by renewing their wedding vows on Sunday, February 12, in Mystical Rose Oratory.  The event was sponsored by Alumni Relations and Campus Ministry.  It has become an annual tradition at Chaminade in honor of Valentine’s Day and marriage.  Some of the couples were newlyweds while others have been married nearly 50 years. Alumni Relations director Be-Jay Kodama and her student assistant Arielle Regis cheerfully handed out red carnations and gave out prayer cards.  The renewal followed Mass with couples invited to come up to the altar.  Fr. Allen DeLong, SM, the presider, encouraged the couples to hold hands and look into each other’s eyes.  They each repeated the vows with a kiss to follow, as Fr. DeLong blessed them.

During refreshments, couples enjoyed each other’s company and remembered the proclamation of love and faithfulness made to each other in the past. Lots of hand holding with a few stolen kisses between bites of chocolate cupcakes continued, thanks to Alumni Relations. Later Kodama shared a Marianist thought from Our Marianist Heritage by Stefanelli (p.94) in light of Valentine’s day: “Father Chaminade insisted on the example of the early Christian Community….they had their quarrels and their battles.  But beyond that, they had so much to show forth to the world — a spectacle of love.”

Surely “a spectacle of love” — enduring love– would be an apt description of the couples participating in the wedding vows renewal.

ATSU Offers Chaminade Students Guidance for Med School Applications

Lori Haxton, Dr. Jeffrey Morgan, and Dr. Dave Koenecke speaking with Chaminade students
Lori Haxton, Dr. Jeffrey Morgan, and Dr. Dave Koenecke conduct a professional development workshop

To help students achieve their academic and career goals, Chaminade University’s Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research coordinated professional development workshops conducted by officials from A.T. Still University (ATSU).

Under formal articulation agreements, Chaminade students gain early admission to health profession programs at ATSU campuses in Arizona and Missouri with degrees in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, audiology, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

The Jan. 31 workshops focused on what the ATSU admissions committee looks for in applicants and how to communicate effectively during the interview process. ATSU administrators also led an informational session on Feb. 1 to give students an overview of educational opportunities.

For Adam Perez, a Biochemistry major graduating in Spring 2019, the biggest takeaway from the admissions workshop was that ATSU looks at all aspects of applicants. This means it’s important “to truly understand who you are” when applying for medical school.

Melissa Ponce, a Biochemistry major graduating in Spring 2018, credits the interviewing skills workshop with helping her “see my unconscious quirks.”

Dr. Dave Koenecke conducting a mock interview with a Chaminade student
Dr. Dave Koenecke (ATSU, Assistant VP of Admissions) conducting a mock interview

“I realized through this workshop that all the questions the interviewer asked were all questions that I had the answers to,” Ponce says. “It’s all a matter of being genuine and  honest with not just the interviewer but myself as well.”

Before departing Oahu, ATSU Vice President for Admissions Dr. Dave Koenecke toured the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, which partners with Chaminade to provide affordable medical care to underprivileged residents, including many Native Hawaiians.

Through an articulation agreement, 2012 Chaminade graduate Ashley Baldauf enrolled in the osteopathic medicine program at ATSU’s Arizona campus in 2013 and is spending three years studying and working at the Waianae center.

Office of Health Associate Provost Patricia M. Lee-Robinson reports that eight Chaminade graduates are currently enrolled in ATSU programs.

Chaminade also has articulation agreements with Boston University School of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Pacific University, Samuel Merritt University, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, University of Dayton and Western University School of Health Sciences.