Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Fifth Graders ‘Go to College’

Nearly 400 fifth graders from 17 Hawai‘i Catholic schools converged on Chaminade University’s campus over two days this month for fun, hands-on classes.

The “I Go to College” program is aimed at inspiring young people to “dream big” and envision themselves attending college.

The students end the daylong program by accepting a “diploma” presented in a special graduation ceremony.

Chaminade partners with Hawai‘i Catholic Schools to present the opportunity for students, who travel from across the state to attend.

This year’s “I Go To College” events were held on Feb. 3 and 11.

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As part of the day of interactive activities, students attended specially-designed courses taught by University professors.

In a course taught by the Forensic Sciences program, students learned how to take fingerprints. In another class, students took a “poetry walk” around campus.

Attendees also gathered for lunch on campus and got to meet Chaminade students, staff and administrators.

Organizers point to research that shows the incredible value of early exposure to college.

“The younger you can get children to come on campus, the more they can see it’s an open, welcoming environment,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D.

Added Kim Baxter, director of Chaminade’s Early College program: “The fact that they can be on campus and visualize what a class might look like is just a really nice thing for them to see early on what college is about.”

Chaminade’s Early College program allows Hawai‘i students to pursue dual high school and college credit and is designed to give students an early taste of college and smooth the transition between high school and university, especially for students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education.

Celebrating a Century-Old Bridge to Education

Chaminade University joined the Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi, Saint Louis School and Sacred Hearts Academy on Friday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Palolo Stream Bridge, which has served as a “strong, humble” entry point to campus and a symbol of the ongoing Marianist mission in the islands.

The gathering included a parade, performances and a lunch. Speakers also took to a stage on the Front Lawn to underscore the significance of the anniversary.

Bro. Dennis Schmitz, S.M., of the Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi, called the bridge a powerful connection between the world and Kalaepōhaku, the hill where Chaminade and Saint Louis School are located and “our sacred space.” Speaking to attendees, Schmitz said, “The bridge has a mission—to enable us to come to this campus to learn Catholic Marianist values.”

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President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. added it was an honor to celebrate the bridge and its special significance to the Hawaiʻi’s Marianist community, connecting Kalaepōhaku with Waialae Avenue.

As part of the event, attendees also walked to the bridge to learn more about Marianist history.

The bridge over Palolo Stream was built in 1925 by Hawaiian Contracting Company for $14,500.

“Thanks to this ‘little’ bridge, we were able to construct this campus—where so many people were able to come to be educated in the Marianist and Catholic tradition,” Schmitz said.

“For 100 years, it has been the link from the world to Saint Louis School and Chaminade University and it has been the link from Kalaepōhaku back to the world. Students and their families cross this bridge in the morning to grow in their spiritual and intellectual lives. At the end of the day, they cross the bridge back to the world where they try to live out the values that they’ve learned.”

Schmitz noted the gathering is also a kick-off of a series of other century celebrations at Kalaepōhaku. Ching, Bertram and Henry halls will turn 100 in 2027.

Schmitz said that as he has worked on the bridge celebration event, he’s come to deeply appreciate the structure’s greater significance.

“In this time of so much division in the world, the bridge symbolizes the importance of reaching across the divide so that good things can happen,” he said. “We’re called to be like the bridge and to learn from our enriching experiences on the campus so that we too might lay down our lives in humble service.”

Thought Leaders Talk AI, Tech Tools in Education

It was a day of learning, mentorship and inspiration.

Several Chaminade professors, staff members and administrators served as speakers at this year’s Conference for Catholic School Educators, held Jan. 31 at Sacred Hearts Academy.

Their presentations touched on everything from leveraging AI in the K-12 classroom to the unique identity and role of Catholic schools in the islands and nationally.

Tiffany Akiyama, an educational technologist at Chaminade’s Center for Teaching and Learning, focused her presentation on the power of combining curriculum development and technological tools to transform spaces for active student learning.

“I’ve had the incredible opportunity to help design and implement active learning spaces that are reshaping active learning at Chaminade,” said Akiyama, who delivered her talk with Dr. Scott Wylie, director of the Center for Education in Oceania at Chaminade.

They said redesigns focused on the importance of flexibility, collaboration and creativity.

“We took a fresh look at how students learn best and designed classrooms that adapt to them—not the other way around,” Akiyama said. Added Wylie: “Flexibility means students and faculty can move things around. Collaboration means fostering spaces where ideas can be built together. Creativity means giving students tools to express their thinking.”

Other Chaminade speakers at the conference included:

  • Dr. Katrina Roseler, associate professor of Education;
  • Dr. Denise Dugan, Education instructor
  • Dr. Allison Jerome, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students;
  • Andrew Ancheta, student engagement coordinator;
  • and Fr. Martin Solma, S.M., university chaplain and special assistant to the president.

Solma and Ancheta delivered a talk on Catholic education entitled “Those who Sow Generously, Reap Generously.”

They explored the ethos and identity of Catholic schooling, and spoke to educators on the importance of character development in young people.

In the AI talk, the Chaminade team underscored how AI-driven technologies are revolutionizing traditional teaching models and offered educators and stakeholders with practical and innovative strategies for integrating AI into today’s K-12 classrooms.

Psychological Association Honors Chaminade Professor

Darren Iwamoto, Ed.D., a professor of Psychology and associate dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, was honored in January with the Hawai‘i Psychological Association’s (HPA) 2024 Outstanding Professor of Psychology Award.

In recognizing Iwamoto, HPA said the professor not only oversees Chaminade’s Counseling Psychology, School Psychology and Educational Psychology programs, but also serves on a long list of university committees and has published in over a dozen academic journals.

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His teaching experience includes more than 30 undergraduate and graduate courses.

“Dr. Iwamoto exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional teacher who deeply cares about his students and their learning experiences,” the Hawai‘i Psychological Association said.

“By getting to know each student individually, he creates a safe and welcoming space where students feel encouraged to participate and learn at their own pace. This dedication to his students is reflected consistently in course evaluations, where he is rated at the highest levels.”

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Iwamoto said the award was “completely unexpected” and humbling.

“I find so much joy in teaching because being with students and watching them grow and develop into amazing scholars and professionals right before my eyes truly puts me in awe,” he said, adding he is grateful to his mentors in the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

“Without their insights and motivating words, I would not be where I am today.”

Iwamoto started at Chaminade in 2007 as the internship director for the Master’s in School Counseling program. He then served as an assistant professor and full professor, and became the associate dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences in August 2024.

Iwamoto said his biggest joy in life is seeing Chaminade graduates become professionals and embrace the University’s mission of serving others. “I believe that Chaminade is not only an institute of higher education, but we also support our students’ transition into adulthood,” Iwamoto said, adding, “Being able to mentor and teach students is so much fun.”

The School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Chaminade offers undergraduate programs in Psychology, Elementary Education, Criminology and Criminal Justice and more.

Graduate degrees offered through the school include the Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology or Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change, and Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Alumna Receives Prestigious Educator Award

At an assembly Tuesday morning at Kalihi Uka Elementary, students and teachers gathered with Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke to celebrate the school’s rising test scores and academic achievement.

Then a surprise visitor took the stage with another reason to celebrate: Kristy Inamasu ’12, MAT ’14, who teaches kindergarten at Kalihi Uka, was announced as a recipient of the prestigious 2024-25 Milken Educator Award. Inamasu is the sole Milken honoree in Hawai’i this year—and didn’t know about the honor until it was announced at the assembly.

Milken recipients get a $25,000 unrestricted award and invaluable mentorship opportunities.

After Inamasu’s name was called, the school gathering erupted in cheers and applause.

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Inamasu couldn’t hold back her tears of joy.

“When I heard my name, I couldn’t believe it,” she said, after the ceremony.

“Definitely something that I did not expect but just so thankful for.” The Silversword added she loves fueling her students’ curiosity, joy for learning and “just teaching them to be kind, responsible humans who will eventually grow and make a positive impact on our community.”

Often called the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards recognize truly outstanding educators who not only serve as a role model to their students but to their colleagues. Inamasu is just the 83rd Hawai’i recipient of the Milken Educator Award since the Aloha State joined the program in 1990, program organizers said.



Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley made the surprise announcement at the assembly and called Inamasu “nurturing and inspiring.” She added, Inamasu’s work “to make a tangible impact in her classroom and school is commendable.”

“Thank you, Kristy, for your exemplary dedication to the profession.”

Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi echoed the sentiment, saying that Inamasu is an “exceptional educator who cultivates critical thinking skills, communication, self-awareness and empathy in her kindergarteners.”

“Her classroom serves as a model for new teachers entering the profession and we are very lucky to have an outstanding teacher like her leading the way,” Hayashi said.

Chaminade Offers FAFSA Workshops Statewide

Chaminade University will offer free workshops statewide to assist Hawai‘i students and their families with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Open to all students regardless of their college or career school plans, these workshops aim to make the financial aid process accessible and stress-free, empowering families to focus on their educational aspirations.

The FAFSA is a critical step in securing financial aid, and determining eligibility for federal, state, and institutional funding.

With expert guidance from Chaminade’s Financial Aid and Admissions staff, participants will receive step-by-step assistance to ensure their applications are completed accurately and on time.

Schedule of workshops:

OAHU

• Thursday, January 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kalihi YMCA

• Wednesday, February 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Filipino Community Center

• Wednesday, February 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Windward Community College

MAUI

• Saturday, February 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Anthony School, Library FLC

HAWAII ISLAND

• Saturday, February 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Joseph School, High School Student Lounge

• Friday, February 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kealakehe High School

KAUAI

• Wednesday, February 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kapaa High School

VIRTUAL

• Thursday, February 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Each workshop will feature prize giveaways, and laptops will be available for participants to use on-site.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own devices if preferred. Students and families are also advised to create their FSA IDs before attending the workshop for a smoother process.

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“We believe every student deserves access to higher education, and financial aid should never be a barrier,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “These workshops are designed to simplify the FAFSA process and help families take an important step toward achieving their academic dreams.”

Workshops are open to all Hawai‘i students and their families. To RSVP or for more information, click here.