Chaminade University of Honolulu

Alumni

Silverswords in CA Reconnect at Alumni Meet-ups

Silverswords in the Golden State came together earlier this month to reconnect and reminisce about their time at Chaminade, from playing sports to the joys of life in the residence halls.

With the help of alumni, Chaminade organized two gatherings in California—one in Huntington Beach and the second in San Jose. The last alumni get-together in Southern California was in 2017, while alumni in Northern California last met up in 2016.

Attendees said the reconnect was long overdue.

“My Chaminade experience was amazing and gathering with fellow silversword alumni feels like home,” said Ryan Ashton ’02, who majored in Historical and Political Studies and is now vice president of philanthropy at Aquarium of the Pacific.

“It’s also great to learn about everyone’s journey beyond graduation. I’m always inspired by my fellow alumni.”

Ashton said the Southern California get-together gave him an opportunity to share stories—and hear some—all while reminiscing about Chaminade. “I loved the small school aspect and the Catholic tradition,” he said. “It was the best decision I made for my college career and really helped me discover my purpose and the impact I wanted to make.”

He added that his time at Chaminade also helped him develop a passion for the ocean, which guided him in his career and to current role at Southern California’s largest aquarium.

Jodi-Anne Yoshida, MBA ’23, director of Alumni Relations, said the Southern California meet-up was held at Wahoo’s Fish Taco in Huntington Beach. Alumni and guests shared a taco bar and lots of conversation. Tom ’73 and Barbara ’76 Orbe were the group’s hosts.

Meanwhile, Sam Kong Kee, MBA ’10 helped plan the gathering in San Jose at Noelani’s Island Grill, where attendees enjoyed a buffet of island favorites. Yoshida said alumni at the gathering ranged from a psychologist who serves in private practice to a scientist at a biotech company.

That scientist is Chelsea Saito Reis ’12, who majored in Biology at Chaminade.

She was overjoyed to attend the Northern California gathering and share her professional journey with fellow alumni.

“The opportunities I received at CUH through biomedical research internships helped me pursue and obtain my Ph.D. in biomedical science,” she said. “I credit my experience at Chaminade for helping me achieve my goals.”

Reis grew up on O’ahu’s North Shore and chose Chaminade so she could remain in the islands.

“Ultimately, I was drawn to Chaminade for the warm aloha the faculty, staff and students made me feel once you step foot on campus,” Reis said.

Never miss a post! Follow Chaminade University on Facebook and Instagram.

“I would recommend Chaminade to others for the many opportunities each program has to offer to help you gain experience to achieve your career goals. I always felt extremely supported by the faculty and staff with coursework and was amazed by all the academic resources available.”

She added, “I will forever be proud to be part of the alumni community.”

Yoshida said both get-togethers underscored the importance of returning again soon.

“The California alumni gatherings were a beautiful reminder of the deep connections that unite our Chaminade family,” Yoshida said. “Seeing alumni make the time and effort to come together, reconnect, and celebrate their shared experiences was inspiring.”

She added, “As the director of Alumni Relations, I am in awe of the true spirit of Chaminade—the love for our school, the cherished memories, and the lifelong friendships that continue to grow and thrive, no matter where we are in the world.”

Find the latest Chaminade alumni events by clicking here.

Silversword Sets High Bar for All Her Students

Sara Koide ’18, M.Ed. ’19 teaches kindergarten on the campus she also attended—Lihue’s Wilcox Elementary. Several of her former teachers are now colleagues.

And Koide says while many things haven’t changed since she was walking the halls as a student, one thing has: How inclusion classrooms are managed.

She should know. Koide is a co-teacher in her special education inclusion kindergarten class. The model is designed to help lift up all types of learners, building lessons that break up concepts and allow for extra help.

Koide says co-teaching isn’t for everyone, but she loves what she does—even on the toughest days.

Of the 18 students in her class, about half are in special education.

“I’ve worked with a co-teacher for three years now and in the past, the teaching load has been shared,” Koide said.

“But this year, it’s been different based on need. I’ll do primarily the bulk of the teaching and she’s there for that extra support, whether it’s pulling a child on the side or parallel teaching.”

Koide was born and raised on Kauaʻi. After graduating from Kauaʻi High School, she opted for Chaminade University because she didn’t want to get lost in a crowd. She was quickly grateful for the warm environment on campus, the opportunities for academic growth, and for how her professors stressed hands-on learning.

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree and as she got started in the classroom, Koide also decided to advance her skills with a master’s degree in education from Chaminade.

“If I had to do it again, I would go to Chaminade,” she said. “I needed those opportunities.”

Never miss a post! Follow Chaminade University on Facebook and Instagram.

In particular, Koide said, she appreciated the care that went into her student teaching experience. She recalls spending a significant amount of time in an actual elementary school classroom, building her confidence under the guidance of a teacher mentor.

Along the way, she also got vital feedback from her professors.

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Koide returned to Kauaʻi and quickly got a job at Wilcox Elementary.

She was a little surprised, though, when she was assigned kindergarten. She had been planning to teach an older grade, but didn’t let the pivot discourage her.

“It’s about understanding that you’re in a different environment, but in the same vein, still pushing. You still want to succeed as best as you can,” she said.

In her second year at Wilcox, Koide got another surprise: She was assigned to teach a SPED inclusion class.

“It felt like another brand new year,” she said.

RELATED STORIES:

But Koide approached the challenge like any other—she was determined to excel and ensure her students did the same. “Everyone’s different but that doesn’t mean you don’t set high expectations,” she said, adding that kindergarteners already come with all types of skills based on their previous school experience.

“You have to navigate how to reach all of them,” she said.

Koide has now been teaching for seven years and says it was only at the four- or five-year mark that she realized she’d found her rhythm. And after overcoming more than a few “bumps along the way” in sharpening her practice, it also dawned on Koide that she had found her passion in life.

“You look at these kids and you realize, they need this help and they’re growing,” she said.

Koide added that she is also grateful to the many mentors who have helped her along the way.

“Having that support system is important,” she said. “It’s somebody to be that ear when needed.”

Alumna ‘Answering a Call’ as Nonprofit’s CEO

Tina Andrade ’05, MPT ’14 is the first woman and Native Hawaiian to lead Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi in the organization’s 77-year history.

But as she takes the helm of the nonprofit at a moment of great change for the islands, she isn’t focused on herself. She’s working to lift up her employees and her community.

“A major theme I have is helping our employees understand the ‘why’ of their work. We’re here to create a better path for people in life,” she said. “We’re here to make sure that when people leave our services, they’re better off than when they came to us.”

It’s an ambitious goal, but one Catholic Charities, as one of Hawaiʻi’s largest social service agencies, is living up to—thanks in no small part to Andrade’s leadership. While she officially became president and CEO at Catholic Charities in January, Andrade has been on the nonprofit’s executive team for years and previously served as chief operating officer.

Andrade says her drive to serve has been a lifelong one.

It’s why she chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Chaminade when she decided to return to school. At the time, Andrade was teaching religion part-time at a Catholic school while also tackling obligations at home and remaining active in the community.

“I went to Chaminade because of the values and the education they provide,” Andrade said.

Never miss a post! Follow Chaminade University on Facebook and Instagram.

About the same time, Andrade was invited to assist Catholic Charities with efforts to embrace their mission. She was later named vice president of mission integration at the nonprofit, a role that allowed her to spotlight the nonprofit’s service-focused goals.

Andrade graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Chaminade in 2005, and returned to campus several years later to pursue a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology. She graduated with her master’s in 2014, and recounts the educational experience helping her embrace her own religious foundation and her role as a community leader.

Today, Andrade said the pursuit of social justice is what keeps her passionate and engaged. “This work has transformed me,” she said. “We are answering a call together.”

She added that her time at Chaminade not only allowed her to build on her academic knowledge, but gave her the chance to meet new people and broaden her perspectives. She also forged strong relationships with her professors and stays in contact with several.

As she looks to the year ahead, Andrade says she is concerned about the economic headwinds the state and nation are facing. At the same time, she is optimistic about everything her agency is poised to bring to island communities—and embracing those “firsts” that her leadership brings.

“The journey of Native Hawaiians has been a challenging one,” she noted.

“From that standpoint, this role really is growth and opportunity for all of us.”

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.

Never miss a post! Follow Chaminade University on Facebook and Instagram.

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.

Silversword Builds Community—Through Soccer

Cody Kuge ‘20 doesn’t just love soccer, he sees it as a vehicle for building community.

Kuge, who played soccer for Chaminade while majoring in Business Administration, is founder and owner of Urban Soccer Hawaii—the state’s first club-neutral indoor soccer arena. Opening the business was a dream years in the making and he’s already looking ahead to new growth.

And while running a new enterprise is never easy, Kuge says all the hours of planning and preparation are worth it when he sees a group of young soccer players enjoying themselves on the field.

“My vision for this place is I want it to be a community center for soccer,” he said.

Kuge didn’t pick up soccer himself until he was a freshman in high school. Once he did, he was hooked. After switching from basketball, Kuge could be found on many afternoons in his backyard, honing his footwork. “I was a really late bloomer so I trained a lot,” he said.

Kuge, who graduated from Kaiser High School in East Honolulu, said he selected Chaminade because he wanted to remain in Hawai‘i and was looking for a college experience where he could build strong connections with his professors and peers, and not get lost in the crowd.

He also jumped at the opportunity to play as a Silversword for the men’s soccer team.

At Chaminade, Kuge also wanted to hone his business and leadership skills. His mother was an entrepreneur, running an innovative errand service for the elderly long before the advent of Uber Eats or Instacart. Kuge said he was eager to follow in her footsteps—and he’s done just that.

Never miss a post! Follow Chaminade University on Facebook and Instagram.

In fact, while he was still a student at Chaminade, Kuge launched a small acai bowl business venture, tapping into an acai health craze. He also ran a wedding videography business himself. And while he was seeing success, he realized he was missing something important: Passion.

That’s how he arrived at Urban Soccer Hawaii—and a “crazy idea” to launch an indoor arena.

Kuge said the space was modeled after arena-style indoor soccer fields that he’d come across in Europe during travels to play the sport. His overall goal was to create an opportunity for enthusiasts of the sport—of all ages—to play in a fun, no-stress environment.

That’s why Urban Soccer Hawaii is club-neutral. Kuge said it was important to him to offer an opportunity for young people from across clubs to play with one another, whether to sharpen their skills or to just have some fun. Kuge also offers classes, private rentals, even space for parties.

Oh and the best part? Players can catch a game, regardless of the weather.

“The players, their parents, they just look happy here,” Kuge said. “That’s the point.”

Waioli Misajon, MSCP 2024

How did your education here contribute to your professional success?

My education here significantly shaped my professional journey, giving me the courage and tools to reach out to influential mentors. One such moment was when I took the initiative to connect with Dr. Lynn Babington, whose story resonated with me in the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program’s Speaker Series, three years ago. During our one-hour meeting, she shared insights into her success, inspiring me to set higher goals for my for-profit and nonprofit ventures. Dr. Babington’s guidance helped me identify my strengths and pinpoint areas for growth, offering wisdom that would have been unreachable without the confidence fostered here. This experience was transformative, and I’m forever grateful for Dr. Babington’s openness to her students. Her alignment of leadership and purpose reflects the University’s commitment to empowering its students, providing learning that extends far beyond the classroom to impact students’ futures and the greater good.

Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you? 

One of the most defining experiences at Chaminade University was my weekly tutoring sessions with Christine Lawson at Chaminade’s Tutoring Center. As my tutor, she guided me through every class in my Master’s program. Christine’s consistent support, especially in areas where I faced challenges with reading, provided a positive, non-judgmental environment that was essential to my growth. Her encouragement was more than academic—it was deeply personal, fostering confidence that I could reach my goals. This journey was enhanced by the tutoring center’s unique, family-style atmosphere, where students connect and support one another. Seeking out this free assistance not only helped me academically but also reinforced the power of community, support, and perspective in achieving my goal of graduating with my Master’s Degree. The tutoring center became a place where I found guidance, friendship, and the reassurance that no hurdle was unachievable with the right support.

How did your education here shape your perspective and personal growth?

My education here shaped my perspective and personal growth in ways I never expected, largely thanks to my advisors, Dr. Darren Iwamoto and Dr. Abby Halston, in the Psychology program. They helped me recognize my strengths, guiding me to understand where I could excel. They also showed me how to transform weaknesses into assets, providing me with a new level of self-awareness. Both remained consistently supportive, serving as neutral guides and mentors in a field I’m passionate about. They emphasized the importance of self-care and family, often reminding me to find balance. They encouraged me to take breaks when needed, which was life-changing advice that allowed me to recharge and stay connected to what matters most. Their wisdom, perspective, and genuine care helped me grow not just academically, but personally, in ways that will continue to shape my path.

How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?

Since graduating, I’ve remained deeply connected to my professional growth through the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. As an alumni student, I continue attending their speaker series and fulfilling community service requirements, which allows me to engage with driven students and stay inspired. Recently, during a speaker series, I was moved by Melissa Kaufman’s story. After reaching out, she generously met with me for 30 minutes, sharing invaluable guidance that spurred me to launch my business, Mommy Manic LLC. Without Hogan’s support for returning alumni, this idea—one I’d held onto since 2022—might still be unrealized. This experience, from a one-hour talk to a 30-minute meeting, sparked a powerful shift, helping me align my purpose with action and bringing my professional development into existence within the same month.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

When I applied to Chaminade University, I set the goal of achieving more than just a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology—I wanted my experience to fuel something greater. At that time, I didn’t envision founding two businesses, but I knew my purpose for attending Chaminade University extended beyond academics. My education inspired me to join clubs that aligned with my ambitions. I became President and Social Media Officer for Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology as well as I joined the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, where I received awards for Outstanding 1st and 2nd Year Student in 2023 and 2024. By engaging with Program Directors and peers, I honed business skills that I now apply daily in the organizations I founded. Chaminade University offered a purposeful environment where every opportunity was a chance to grow, turning education into a journey of real-world achievement and community impact within my professional development.  

I recently accepted a full-time Adjunct Professor at Chaminade teaching Psychology 101 and Organizational Psychology.