Chaminade University of Honolulu

Alumni

Alumni Celebrate Silversword Reunion 2025

It was a weekend of celebrating old memories and making new ones.

More than 250 Chaminade alumni gathered on campus for Silversword Reunion 2025, three days of festivities that included serving as the guests of honor at this year’s Pacific Island Review cultural celebration featuring student performances and great food.

Reunion attendees also shared a campus tour, dinner and attended Mass.

Jodi-Ann Yoshida, MBA ’23, who is director of Alumni Relations, said the reunion from October 17 to 19 offered opportunities for alumni from across the state and across the nation to reconnect, reminisce and reignite their passion for Chaminade and its important public service-focused mission.

    • This year’s reunion also coincided with the University’s 70th anniversary celebration and included an alumnus—Bernard Lum Hoy ’59—from Chaminade’s first graduating class.

    At the Silversword Reunion dinner, three attendees were recognized with Alumni Awards.

    Rylan Chong, ’10, Ph.D., received the Marianist Alumni Award for exemplifying the Marianist spirit. Chong co-developed Hawaiʻi’s first Data Science undergraduate program at Chaminade in 2019, with a focus on community building and providing students access to in-demand skills and career opportunities.

    Under his leadership, Silversword Data Science students have won national competitions, clinched prestigious local and national internships, and pursued exciting careers.

    Angela Riccardi Maroun ’76, was named recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding contributions to her profession and the community.

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    Over her career, Maroun helped thousands of patients regain their mobility and independence as a leader in the field of outpatient and home care physical therapy.

    In accepting her award, Maroun called Chaminade a very special place that provided her with both a “wider world view and lasting friendships.” Maroun added, “How many people can say they still visit and text with their professors 50 years later?

    “That is the Chaminade experience.”

    Joshua Orimoto ’20, meanwhile, was recognized with the Young Alumni Award for excellence in his field and demonstrated service to the community, the university and the public.

    Orimoto serves as an Air Force cyberspace operations officer and was recently selected to serve as a diplomatic security service special agent for the U.S. Department of State.

    Yoshida congratulated all the honorees.

    “These exemplary Silversword alumni have made meaningful contributions to their professions and communities, embodying the Chaminade mission by leading and serving with aloha,” she said.

    Leading with Service

    Before Christine Baleto ’91 left her native Guam for college, her dad sat her down for a conversation she’ll never forget. He told her many people leave the island to pursue higher education, but too few return to use what they’ve learned to give back to the community.

    Christine Baleto ’91 (right) poses with Annette Taijeron Santos, DBA, interim dean of Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication.

    “If our own people don’t come back to help improve our island and create opportunities, who will?” Baleto recalls her father asking her all those years ago. “He urged me to get my education, but more importantly, to come home and use it to serve our people and our island.

    “That conversation left a lasting imprint on me. I left Guam with a clear purpose: to return.”

    And that’s exactly what she did.

    Today, Baleto is president and CEO of telecommunications firm Docomo Pacific, the largest provider of mobile, internet, television and phone services in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

    Despite her high-stress day job, Baleto still makes time to serve on nonprofit boards, volunteer her time to civic organizations and serve as a mentor to young people.

    That focus on giving to others is something Baleto says was ingrained in her throughout her childhood, and a value she was able to foster during her time at Chaminade.

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    While a student, she served as president of the National Honor Society and volunteered for a long list of clubs. “That commitment to service shaped how I lead today,” she said.

    Baleto came to Chaminade as a transfer student.

    After graduating from high school, she headed to Eastern Oregon State College on a full scholarship. While she says she enjoyed the opportunity, Baleto struggled with the climate and the distance from her island home, so she made the decision to transfer to Hawaiʻi.

    Christine Baleto ’91

    “I wanted connection and community,” Baleto said.

    She found it at Chaminade.

    “The intimate campus environment was exactly what I was looking for. I didn’t want to be just another face in a large lecture hall; I wanted a place where professors knew my name and where mentorship and one-on-one engagement were part of the learning experience.”

    Baleto says she thrived in Chaminade’s tight-knit community and enjoyed the University’s values-based education. Chaminade’s mission of service, in particular, resonated with her.

    “From a young age, I felt a strong calling to serve,” she said. “My earliest passions were rooted in social service, and even as my career evolved, that sense of purpose never faded.”

    It’s why today, Baleto sees her role as a leader as an opportunity to make a broader positive impact. “Returning to Guam and contributing to our community wasn’t just a personal goal. It was a responsibility I embraced, and one that continues to guide my path today,” she said.

    Her message to tomorrow’s leaders at Chaminade is twofold.

    First, she says, there is no substitute for hard work.

    And secondly: “True leadership is rooted in humility, kindness, and a continuous willingness to learn from others,” Baleto said. “If you aspire to be a leader or a changemaker, remember you cannot do it alone. Real, lasting change happens when you empower those around you.”

    Baleto said her Chaminade years were formative, including in helping her develop her community-focused leadership style. And this spring, Baleto had something of a full circle moment when she got the opportunity to visit campus for the first time since she’d graduated.

    “Stepping onto campus 30 years later brought back so many wonderful memories— of the professors who knew me by name, the close-knit community, and all the ways I was active as a student,” she said. “I was especially proud to see how much the University has grown.”

    Baleto added she’s grateful to be part of Chaminade’s past, present and future. “Chaminade is not merely a place to earn a degree,” she said. “It is a community that fosters one’s values, stimulates intellectual growth, and equips individuals with the skills necessary for purposeful leadership.”

    This story appears in the Fall 2025 edition of Chaminade Magazine. To read the full issue, click here.

    Silversword Embraces Model of ‘True Service’

    Anson Ekau ’25 says he has a long list of professors and mentors to thank for all that he accomplished at Chaminade. And as he kicks off a promising career in data science, he’s not only looking for new opportunities to grow—he’s looking for new ways to give back.

    “I truly believe that once you’ve made progress, it’s your responsibility to turn back and help the next person in line,” said Ekau, who double majored in computer science and data science, analytics and visualization at Chaminade and is pursuing a future in aerospace.

    That drive to serve others was something Ekau learned at an early age.

    Ekau said his father spent his career helping low-income families on the west side of Oʻahu. “He made sure their needs were met and that the kids had opportunities to succeed,” Ekau said. “Through his example, I learned what empathy, courage, and true service look like.”

    So it’s little wonder that Ekau found Chaminade to be a perfect fit.

    At a university with a strong service-focused mission, Ekau quickly hit his stride with volunteering opportunities and student leadership programming. And in Chaminade’s Data Science program, he also discovered a way to combine his passion for everything cyber with his love for helping others.

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    Ekau said he still fondly recalls meeting Rylan Chong ’10, Ph.D., director of data science at Chaminade, for the first time. A friend introduced the two at the Silversword Café early one morning and they shared a meal. “We talked about life and had a genuine conversation,” Ekau said.

    Three months later, Ekau signed up for Chong’s computer science class and was “honestly shocked” when he was greeted by name on his first day. “He remembered me, and I didn’t think he would,” Ekau said, adding, “That small moment made a huge impact on me. It showed me how much Dr. Chong genuinely cares about his students, not just as learners but as people.”

    In the data science program, Ekau was quickly connected to a host of hands-on learning opportunities, including internships with Mission Technologies, MC3 Technologies, US Space Force, Texas Advanced Computing Center, Supporting Pacific Indigenous Computing Excellence (SPICE) Data Science Summer Institute, and Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, which he partnered with to build a dashboard that monitors fishpond health and restoration.

    Ekau said those internships helped him build new skills and apply them, work with technologically advanced equipment and projects, and learn from leaders in the field.

    “During my time at Chaminade, I was very fortunate to participate in programs and experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today,” he said. “I have participated in numerous internships and programs, and presented at conferences, even to military leaders.”

    He said all those experiences “helped me grow both academically, professionally, and personally.”

    Most recently, Ekau worked with Hawaiʻi cybersecurity firm MC3 Technologies, where he developed and launched a course covering the basics of machine learning and cybersecurity for students in Waianaʻe. “I’ve been mentoring students through this program, and it’s been especially meaningful because it’s so similar to the work my father did,” Ekau said. “In many ways, I feel like I’m following in his footsteps, using technology as a tool for empowerment, equity, and service.”

    Ekau said his long-term dream is starting his own space-focused company.

    As he continues on the pathway toward that big goal, he’s looking back at the many people who helped him along the way. “I’ve been truly blessed to have had the opportunities I’ve experienced during my time at Chaminade,” Ekau said. “But none of it would have been possible without the mentors and professors who believed in me—and, most importantly, took a chance on me.”

    This story appears in the Fall 2025 edition of Chaminade Magazine. To read the full issue, click here.

    Former Student-Athlete: Endurance Key to Success

    As an avid runner, Peter Jan Ramos ’24 knows a little something about the importance of endurance, hard work and never giving up. During his four years at Chaminade, he was able to balance his academic coursework with long practices and meets on the cross country team.

    In fact, he was named to the Division 2 Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievements Awards four times in recognition of his participation in intercollegiate sports and his high GPA. He was among a record 85 Chaminade student-athletes honored with the award in 2024-25.

    “My cross country coach, Shadrack Nabea, made sure we were a student first then an athlete,” Ramos explained. “There were some days of the week where we would run on our own instead of meeting up with the team, which gave me more time to do my classwork and assignments. Managing my time helped me make sure all the things I had to do were on time.”

    Ramos, from Waipahu, chose to attend Chaminade because of the scholarship opportunities he was afforded. He majored in Accounting with a minor in Psychology, and clinched a role in accounting right after graduation thanks to a connection from a Chaminade professor.

    And his supervisor at his workplace, Ground Transport, Inc., is also a Silversword.

    To read the latest edition of Chaminade Magazine, scroll through the pages below or click here.

    He says he is grateful for the opportunity to apply his skills and continue to grow.

    In addition to serving as an accountant, Ramos is assistant cross country and track coach at Campbell High School. As a mentor himself now, he’s working to model the Chaminade coaches and professors in his life who helped support him throughout his college years.

    After all, he said, every day at Chaminade required focus and discipline. His days consisted of running on his own, commuting to campus, completing coursework, and practicing with his team.

    He also had to make time for a full night’s rest, essential for an athlete in training.

    And on the weekends, he would try to catch up on his work at school and at home.

    “It was hard at first, but I found my own day to day routine to do and I eventually got used to it,” said Ramos, who graduated with a 3.82 GPA. He added that for him, the key to keeping his grades up as a student-athlete was good time management, dedication and smart study techniques.

    Now in coaching, he shares those same lessons with the students he works with. “I want to give back to high school student-athletes who have found a passion in running,” Ramos said. “I was once like them and I want to help them in some way with what I’ve learned through my experiences.”

    His advice to current student-athletes at Chaminade embodies his ethos of perseverance and sticking to it. “Find your own day to day routine and be disciplined with everything you do,” Ramos said. “Things can always come up in our lives so you always have to be ready to be adaptable.”

    Chaminade Magazine: 70th Anniversary Issue

    The latest edition of Chaminade Magazine, available electronically now, celebrates the University’s seven decades of service to the community and looks ahead to new opportunities for advancing social justice, making a positive difference and uniting to solve shared challenges.

    You won’t want to miss our featured story, which includes voices from across Chaminade’s ʻohana, including students, alumni and faculty, talking about what the University means to them.

    To read the latest edition of Chaminade Magazine, scroll through the pages below or click here.

    Also in this issue:

    • In a touching remembrance, Men’s Basketball Head Coach Eric Bovaird pays tribute to the one and only Merv Lopes, who lived the University’s mission of service on and off the court.

    • Read about how a new partnership between Chaminade’s School of Nursing and Health Professions and Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools is advancing public health and nursing practice.

    • Meet Christine Baleto ’91, president and CEO of a large telecommunications firm on Guam, who says she is modeling servant leadership for her team members and her island.

    A Life of Public Service

    As adjutant general of the Hawai‘i Department of Defense, Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan ’89 acknowledges a life of public service isn’t easy—or especially lucrative. But giving back to the community and looking for ways to make things better, he says, really is its own reward.

    “My message to students is: Stick with it. You just don’t know where it’s going to take you,” he said.

    Logan’s career certainly has been full of twists and turns.

    He was a Honolulu Police Department (HPD) helicopter pilot and military aviator. He deployed as a deputy commander to Afghanistan. During the pandemic, he lived for months in the Hawai‘i National Guard’s headquarters in Diamond Head. And when flames tore through Lahaina, he led a joint task force to aid in the response efforts.

    All that happened before Logan took on one of the toughest jobs in Hawai‘i state government—overseeing the training and readiness of the Hawai‘i Army and Air National Guards as state adjutant general, a role he assumed in October 2024. At a moment’s notice, the Guard must be ready to assist with everything from natural disasters at home to conflicts abroad.

    Logan, 61, said his journey to being named state adjutant general was a circuitous one.

    This story appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Chaminade Magazine. To read more, click here.

    It began right after he graduated from high school on O‘ahu and joined the military. When he returned, he enrolled in the police cadet program and started what would become a long career with HPD. About the same time, he applied to Chaminade University and started taking night courses as he was working during the day. Logan says he was grateful for the flexibility.

    He studied Criminal Justice and says one of the things he enjoyed most about Chaminade was learning from experienced leaders in their fields and being encouraged to apply his skills in real-world situations. “It gives you the theory and then the practice,” Logan said.

    For example, Logan added, his professors included a retired Circuit Court judge, high-ranking police officers and a civil litigation attorney. Those experts gave him a fuller picture of the criminal justice system that would help him as a police officer and military leader.

    Logan comes from a family of public servants. His grandfather served as a police officer in New York City. His father was in the Navy and the Army. And his two brothers are also veterans. In fact, brother Arthur Logan was previously the state adjutant general and is now Honolulu’s police chief.

    Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan ’89 recites the Oath of Office to Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy)

    “My parents were steeped in public service and giving back,” Stephen Logan said, adding he chose military service and law enforcement because he wanted the chance to help others. “There are certain things on a regular workday where you can really help someone out,” he said.

    “I used to tell my subordinates: When you take off your uniform, you can think that ‘I served a greater good.’ There’s simply no monetary value you can put on that. You can be proud of yourself.”

    In the National Guard, Logan trained as a helicopter pilot and later became a test pilot. Later, at the Honolulu Police Department, he would fly HPD’s helicopter to maintain his flight certifications.

    Over his years at the agency, Logan also climbed the ranks—and thought he would retire there.

    But then a “dream job” opened up at the Hawai‘i National Guard—as state Army aviation officer—and Logan jumped at the opportunity. He held the position for more than a decade, overseeing a massive aviation program amid a “revolving door” of Middle East deployments.

    At the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, and later, at the State Department of Defense, Logan continued to embrace new challenges. In 2019, he was named deputy adjutant general, a role in which he helped the state respond to some of the biggest crises Hawai‘i has ever seen, from the COVID pandemic to the deadly wildfires that tore through historic Lahaina town.

    After the fire, Logan traveled to Maui to help oversee the National Guard’s response. Guard members augmented FEMA recovery teams, assisted with relief efforts, and established a security zone. Logan said many of those who responded had just wrapped up an exhaustive training exercise. When he went to visit them, they’d say, “There’s no way I could stay home.”

    “That’s what really swells my heart,” he said.

    As state adjutant general, Logan also serves as director of the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency. He said while the Lahaina disaster was a tragic wake-up call about the growing dangers of wildfires in a warming world, the state is more prepared now to respond to fast-moving blazes.

    “The more we do now, the more responsive and effective we’re going to be later on,” Logan said, adding that one of the best resources in the preparedness fight is human capital—a conscientious and talented workforce of people committed to serve. His advice to young people considering their future careers: “A life of public service is rewarding. You can give back—and that’s something.”