Chaminade University of Honolulu

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The Culture of Health Learned through the Lo‘i

While others were meandering through shopping malls on their annual holiday hunt, Eurina Kee, Ph.D. and 12 public health students from her Nursing 401 class were trudging through mud. Seven family members accompanied them into the wet outback. Instead of pulling items from sales’ tables, they were pulling weeds, clearing grass, and cleaning water sources. Rather than preparing gifts for wrapping at Ala Moana Center near Waikiki, they instead prepared a wetland kalo patch (lo‘i) for planting in Waialua on the North Shore of Oahu.

Nursing students working in the loi patch for service-learning activity

And they loved it! “It was my first time to crack a coconut, and it was fun,” said senior BSN student, Maria Talana.

The students were invigorated by the physical experience combined with the underlying academic purpose of the service-learning activity. The muddy, six-hour field expedition on Saturday, November 26, was the first time that Chaminade public health nursing students were invited to participate in the wetland experience.

They learned about public health nursing through caring for the land (mālama `āina) while working alongside Joan Takamori, chief of the Public Health Nursing Branch for Hawaii’s Department of Health. Takamori explained that Hawaii’s public health nurses listened and responded to community needs, based on professional knowledge and relationships with individuals, families, and communities. The Public Health Nursing Branch was an expansion of the Department of Health into all communities statewide. Priorities included emergency preparedness and response, control of communicable diseases, school health, elder health, and health promotion in high-risk populations. As a public health nurse before her leadership role, Takamori helped provide public health nursing services in Central Oahu, primarily in Wahiawa, Waialua, and Haleiwa.

Nursing students working in the loi patch for service-learning activity

As the Chaminade group labored in the lo‘i, the students discussed the culture of health and the value of being connected to community leaders. According to Kee, students were given a sense of place as they learned from the land. They “talked story” about the relationship between public health, community, and culture.

“It is important for public health nursing students to understand community health needs, know available community resources and be involved in efforts to preserve natural resources. It is also very valuable to discuss current public health issues with leaders such as Joan Takamori,” explained Kee.

Nursing students working in the loi patch for service-learning activity

Senior BSN students, Rebecca Maxey and Jeramae Marcellano agreed.

“Joan inspired me a lot,” recalled Marcellano. “Now I am so proud of my mom who has been a public health nurse in the Philippines for many years.”

Maxey concurred. “The experience was very educational, and it was an inspiring moment to listen to Joan speak about the community and her passion,” she reflected.

Throughout the coming year, there will be at least three more field sessions in the next three sections of Nursing 401. Consider them choice gifts of experience.

The Kathy Kawaguchi Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership Goes to Lanai Principal

The Education Division of Chaminade University announced Elton N. Kinoshita MED ’13 as its inaugural recipient for The Kathy Kawaguchi Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership.

Kinoshita, who serves the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) as the principal of Lana’i High and Elementary School, humbly accepted the award and recalled how much of an inspiration Katherine Kawaguchi had been for him. He first met Kawaguchi when he chose to transfer from the graduate program at the University of Hawaii to the Chaminade Educational Leadership program. “I heard the Chaminade program was rigorous, and I wanted to learn as much as I could,” he recalled telling her.

Kinoshita was accepted and worked hard to successfully achieve his master’s degree in Educational Leadership. “Toward the end of the program, she asked me if my wish for rigor had been fulfilled. We both laughed as I told her ‘yes’, and that I was completely satisfied with the program and my decision to transfer to Chaminade,” he wrote. “I am so thankful for completing the Chaminade Educational Leadership program as the knowledge that I gained has helped me in my role as principal.”

Kawaguchi recently passed away, but her impact on educators, on the DOE, and on Chaminade and its students continues.

“I will do everything I can to live out the charge for recipients of this award: serving as a stellar role model, exemplary leader and dedicated mentor who will guide with intelligence and integrity,” said Kinoshita.

Chaminade Business Professors Spearhead Molokai Nonprofit Seminar

Chaminade Business professors, Richard Kido, Wayne Tanna and Aaron Williamson, flew to Molokai on a Saturday in mid-December to hold a day-long nonprofit seminar for residents.  For the three professors, it was an opportunity to do community service using their gifts and talents. The material had been well-received and meaningful for last year’s participants. So they gladly volunteered to return for a second year, responding to the Molokai Island Foundation’s request.

Thanks to the foundation, the seminar and refreshments were offered for free. Nonprofit executives and board members and anyone interested in starting a nonprofit were encouraged to attend.   Held in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Conference Room in Kaunakakai, Molokai, the seminar provided a rare networking opportunity for local nonprofit people to meet, as well as the chance to be updated on relevant tax changes.

Similar to the Honolulu seminar annually offered in September by Chaminade’s School of Business, the Molokai seminar offered guidance through the tricky maze of tax compliance for nonprofits and a review of the categories and governing instruments for tax-exempt organizations. Also covered were compliance law changes, and handouts were provided.

We Bid Aloha to an Exemplary Educator and Leader

The Chaminade ‘ohana was saddened at the news that Katherine Kawaguchi had passed away. She died on November 7, 2016, at the age of 69.

Earlier this fall, the Education Division had held a farewell retirement celebration for its director of Leadership and Education Projects who had served at Chaminade for nearly a decade. Kawaguchi had spearheaded two major project programs at Chaminade including the Castle K-16 Engineering Pipeline Project, as well as the Office of Naval Research Project and Educational Leadership Program.

Prior to Chaminade, Kawaguchi’s experience as an educator was extensive. During the course of her 33 years of educational experiences in different K-12 school systems, she taught as a high school science teacher in Indianapolis, Long Beach and on the island of Oahu (at Leilehua and Radford High Schools). She served for 20 years with the Hawaii Department of Education as an educational officer, a vice-principal, a State Environmental Education specialist, a Central District educational specialist, and as a state and district resource teacher. She also served Hawaii’s Department of Education as the assistant superintendent of the Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support.

At Chaminade’s farewell celebration, Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM and interim dean of Education, Dale Fryxell, honored Kawaguchi with a special plaque. Deemed “The Kathy Kawaguchi Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership,” the plaque read: “The recipient of this award has demonstrated the highest level of professionalism in education. The Standards that Kathy Kawaguchi set forth for Educational Leaders are to serve as stellar role models, exemplary leaders, and dedicated mentors who guide with intelligence and integrity. The charge to those receiving this award is to instill these attributes in others.”

Everyone there expressed gratitude and aloha as she bid them a fond farewell.

Katherine Kawaguchi is survived by husband, Ray Kawaguchi; son, Lance (Lily) Kawaguchi; brother, Raymond (Gladys) Tamaribuchi; sister, Sandra (Elliot) Lee; five grandchildren and one hanai grandson.
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Smothered in Lei at the 2016 Fall Commencement

The Chaminade ‘ohana attending the 2016 Fall Commencement applauded loudly as the students, robed in graduation garb, processed into Neal Blaisdell Arena. Approximately 260 students achieved their degrees this semester.  The commencement ceremony was the culmination of hard work and a chance to publically celebrate their achievements.

Sharmaine Borja Doles (undergraduate representative) receiving her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Derek Kiyoji Santos (postgraduate representative) receiving his Master of Education in Educational Leadership were the selected commencement salutatorian speakers. Though in different decades, Doles and Santos coincidentally both graduated from Farrington High School on the island of Oahu.

Born in a small province in the Philippines, Doles migrated with her family to Hawaii 15 years ago. Her passion to help and defend people faced with injustice had pushed her to major in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She received the Alakai Mentor Award in 2015. She spoke about the challenges of college life, the importance of choices, and the value of the “hill” in building determination to accomplishing the hard stuff.

Santos spoke about the two meanings of “blessed.” He spoke about being blessed and the blessings needed and received which help keep students afloat. Education was a calling for Santos. He had been a kindergarten and first-grade teacher and had also worked in special education. Three and a half years ago he took a leap of faith when his principal asked him to step into the role of vice-principal. After a year as a vice principal, Derek was hooked and continued on with his educational journey at Chaminade.

Chaminade alumni and chief executive officer of Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Martha B. Smith ’91 was the keynote speaker.  She inspired the audience as she spoke about her journey and the challenges along the way. The students identified with her, for like them, she was a proud graduate of Chaminade University. During her career, she has accomplished much. Her leadership role in healthcare and community service was extensive. Prior to joining Hawai‘i Pacific Health in 2004, Smith had worked in hospital operations and health care in Hawaii and Florida for 24 years. She held a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from the University of Central Florida, a Master of Public Health from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and a Master of Business Administration from Chaminade University.  Smith also serves as a member of Chaminade’s Board of Regents.

As the speeches wrapped up, the graduating students readied themselves for their walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. Names were read, degrees were conferred, and the post-graduate students received their hoods. Each of them had their own personal stories, their own challenges on the road to this achievement.   The excitement rumbled as wild cheers roared through the seating. Once the tassels were moved, relief mixed with jubilation as the new alumni were applauded as the class of 2016.

The new alumni marched out of the arena into the exhibition hall and were welcomed by faculty members as colleagues.  The doors finally opened to the general public, allowing families and friends to swarm in with lei, bouquets of flowers and signs. This was the moment that not only the graduates had worked towards, but it was also the moment that the whole university community had sought for each student as well. Everyone shared in the jubilation.

The hard work paid off for about 260 new graduates.
The night was filled with the pride of accomplishments,
tears of happiness and big smiles for the bright futures yet to come

Portfolio Exhibit Celebrated as a Milestone for Environmental + Interior Design Seniors

The Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) program held its Fall 2016 E+ID Senior Portfolio Exhibit on December 9, at Aloha Tower Marketplace.  The exhibit was an opportunity for the E+ID seniors to shine, to show their appreciation to their spouses, families, and friends, and to connect with colleagues.  Attended by about 120 people of which nearly two-thirds were design professionals and allied industry professionals, the event showcased the quality of graduates produced by the E+ID program.

Graduating E+ID seniors, Rosalina Ashe, Kelsey Jones, Derek Tamashiro and Kelsey Williamson, had on display a variety of their physical artifacts, representing the accumulation of their work over the course of four years. The displays demonstrated their work in studio classes and with design projects and included presentation boards, material boards, models, sculptures, 3D renderings and construction documentation. Many of the projects were from service-learning projects dealing with actual clients and providing solutions to real design problems and challenges. In many cases, the work provided design concepts that clients could use to raise awareness and financing, as well as garner community recognition of the E+ID program.

In addition, each student prepared for viewing a senior portfolio book.  The student’s individual portfolio book represented the student’s design thinking and application, his or her best work and evidence of what the student could offer potential employers. The book would make an excellent tool in interviews for graduates seeking professional positions.

“The portfolio exhibit is a recognition and celebration of students achieving their BFA in Environmental + Interior Design. It is a milestone event in our curriculum, ” wrote Joan Riggs, E+ID program director. “It is a thank you to the design community for their support and collaboration, and it is a networking social event for the Chaminade ohana, friends, and family, the design community and the general public.”

Chaminade University’s senior portfolio exhibit has been a tradition with the E+ID program for more than 15 years and is held in the semesters when there are students graduating from the program with their Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees.

Chaminade University offers the only accredited, degree-granting Environmental + Interior Design program in Hawaii. Since its accreditation in 2013, the employment rate for graduates seeking a full-time, entry-level position in an interior design or architectural firm is more than 80 percent and has been increasing every year. Students in the program can be assured that they are getting a high-quality education that prepares them for a successful professional career. Chaminade’s  E+ID program is unique from other academic programs, in that it extends beyond the traditional scope of interior design to encompass the broader aspects of the environment into the design process. This broader environmental perspective helps us to understand our connection not just to the building itself, but also to the land, to the community, and to the planet.