Chaminade University of Honolulu

Behavioral Sciences

Chaminade Named Outstanding Organization by Top Cop

Hawaii Top Cop AwardOn October 25, the Chaminade University Criminal Justice Program received the Outstanding Organization Award at the Top Cop Hawaii 34th Annual Law Enforcement and Security Awards Banquet. Each year, The Law Enforcement and Security Coalition of Hawaii presents the award to a security or safety organization or professional association that demonstrates initiative and innovation in promoting law enforcement, security and safety in the State of Hawaii.

Chaminade has the largest and most respected undergraduate criminal justice program in the state of Hawaii, and the only master’s degree in criminal justice. Chaminade graduates can be found in law enforcement agencies throughout the state as police chiefs, correctional agency directors, government attorneys and federal, state and county law enforcement personnel.

Ronald Becker, director of the criminology and criminal justice program at Chaminade, accepted the award on behalf of the university. “When I received the award, I asked all of our Chaminade graduates to stand up,” says professor Becker. “A large number of people stood up. It really helped visualize the extent of our program and our reach. This award helps validate what I already knew, but now I can share it with others.”

Top Cop Scholarship AwardeesThe ASIS International Hawaii Chapter and Cindi Flating also presented two Chaminade students with the Bob Flating Scholarship at the event. The award is given each year to individuals who are pursuing a degree in law enforcement or security. Both Sydney Thyen and Yaron Fernando received the $1,000 scholarship to use toward their course tuition.

“We were thrilled to see our students being recognized for their commitment and hard work,” says Allison Jerome, dean of students. “The generous gifts from ASIS will help our students pursue their academic goals and share their gifts and talents with the community.”

‘Aim Higher,’ Student-Athlete Antonio Bonnetty Urges, by Taking Full Advantage of Campus Opportunities

Some college students simply go to class and go home. Not Antonio Bonnetty.

This Chaminade University undergraduate is double majoring in Environmental Studies and Criminology and Criminal Justice, he runs cross country for the Silverswords, he represented Chaminade Athletics at a leadership retreat, he’s involved in Campus Ministry, he’s part of the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program, and in his spare time he’s into slam poetry, hiking and Xbox One gaming.

A double scholarship winner, Bonnetty also plans to join the Peace Corps, become an environmental law attorney and possibly pursue an FBI career.

“I have been very blessed at Chaminade thus far and have taken part in many opportunities as a result,” said Bonnetty, a “military brat” from Mississippi whose family moved to Oahu during his junior year of high school.

Despite suffering from scoliosis, Bonnetty was a standout athlete at Moanalua High School, where he competed in track, wrestling and football. At Chaminade, his cross country team named him last year’s “Most Inspirational Runner.”

“I fell in love with Hawaii,” said Bonnetty, who graduated from Moanalua in 2015. “I knew since I was going to college, I wanted to stay here. I actually applied to two places, both of which accepted me. But I liked Chaminade more, and the rest is history.”

Bonnetty said all his instructors “have been extremely helpful in my success.” But he’s especially grateful to Associate Professor and Environmental Studies Director Gail Grabowsky for underscoring the danger of ecological threats confronting Hawaii and the rest of the planet.

“Professor Gail ignited my love for environmental issues and led me down a path that impacted me so much that I realized that wanting to change the way the world views the environment, while not easy, is something I would be willing to spend my life in the pursuit of,” Bonnetty said.

This dedication to protecting the global ecosystem prompted Bonnetty to work with Kupu, a Honolulu-based nonprofit organization that provides young people with internships and service-learning opportunities so they can become stewards of Hawaii’s culture and natural environment.

Another instructor who stands out for Bonnetty is Professor Ronald Becker, director of the Criminology and Criminal Justice program. Dr. Becker also leads the five-day Underwater Forensic Investigation Workshop, which explores methods of locating, recovering and processing submerged evidence at crime scenes.

“These are things that I am so blessed to be a part of,” Bonnetty said, “and I will take a piece of what I learn from each experience into my future endeavors.

“Just remember to always aim higher,” he added, “and help as many people as you can do the same.”

Chaminade University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies, which prepares students for careers in fields such as law, economics, communications and information, consulting, science, ethics, health and environmental policy. Graduates of Chaminade’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science program pursue careers in law enforcement, public safety, administration and other areas at the federal, state and local level.

For Checinski ‘14, Flexibility, Creativity are Key to Problem Solving as Damien Dean of Students

In her role as Dean of Students at Damien Memorial, a Catholic middle and high school in Kalihi, Chaminade University alumna Daniela Checinski ‘14 takes a “more creative and holistic” approach to discipline.

Checinski, who graduated from Chaminade’s Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program, emphasizes that the overwhelming majority of Damien boys and girls don’t get into trouble. So why do the same 30 or so students repeatedly violate campus rules?

Usually, there are two explanations.

“One, the strategy the Dean’s Office is using isn’t relevant to this generation anymore,” Checinski says. “Or two, the students need help beyond the reach of what our school can do. They need something different,” such as more one-on-one attention.

That’s why Checinski favors a forward-thinking strategy that mixes fairness with lots of flexibility.

“I feel like I’m definitely a chameleon,” she says, “because I’ll get to know a student and I’ll realize they do not respond to that warm-and-fuzzy conversation, that holistic approach. They just want to be told straight up. So that’s what I do.

“And then literally an hour later, a different student walks in and now I’m having a very different approach and a different conversation,” Checinski continues. “Even my body language is different. Everything I do shifts around. It involves a lot of critical thinking.”

Checinski’s efforts on behalf of Damien students drew the attention of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, which presented her with the 2017 “Educator of the Future Award.”

“Your leadership and approach to the deanship promote advocacy, equity and justice in our students, particularly our young women,” Damien President and CEO Wes Reber Porter said in presenting the award to Checinski.

“No one visiting Damien today would imagine that young women are new to our campus (the first coed class graduated in 2016),” Porter continued, “because you have carefully guided their integration and unique place in our history.”

Becoming a dean wasn’t a career goal for Checinski during her undergraduate days at the University of San Diego and later at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her dual interests were psychology and ecology.

“I was so torn between whether I was going to be a humanitarian or an environmentalist,” Checinski recalls. “Because both mattered and I just couldn’t decide.”

Checinski eventually opted for an environmental science major, which led to a job with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. That meant she was “literally hiking for a living” while tending to native vegetation in Waimea Valley and leading an outdoor education program for school children.

After she discovered that working with students was “pretty awesome,” Checinski earned a teaching license and got hired by the Education Laboratory School, a K-12 public charter campus in Manoa.

A love of psychology, however, attracted Checinski to Chaminade’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Upon earning a master’s degree in School Counseling, she applied for positions at four Oahu campuses. Three responded, including Damien.

“I had such a good feeling about Damien,” Checinski recalls. “It was warm and welcoming. I said, ‘OK, I’m in.’”

Damien hired Checinski in 2014 as a grade-level counselor for more than 100 students in the Class of 2017. About eight months later, the administration promoted her to Dean of Students. Serving as a dean involves an expanded set of responsibilities, of course, but there’s still quite a bit of overlap with her psychology training.

“If you’re going to be a good dean, you have to figure out why these kids are doing what they’re doing,” Checinski points out. “Happy and well-adjusted children are not getting in trouble. So, my counseling skill set is extremely relevant.”

What’s the favorite part of Checinski’s job?

“When progress is made and we find a solution, then you can go into another day knowing you’ve made a difference because the student is better off,” she says. “And hopefully their family is better off, also.”

The key, she says, is coming together as a team.

“I only know what’s happening at school,” Checinski says. “The parents know what’s happening at home. So together, we can fill in the blanks for each other and get the full picture. And with those parents who are onboard and constantly working with me, it’s amazing how quickly their children progress.”

Chaminade University’s Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program prepares graduates for work in the community and schools, assisting children, youth and adults in adapting to various educational, family, organizational and societal demands. The program offers three emphases: School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Counseling.

Chaminade University Celebrates 2017 Spring Commencement

Hundreds of exuberant graduates celebrated their achievements with their families, friends, faculty, staff and colleagues at Chaminade University’s 59th Commencement. Approximately 429 students graduated this spring semester with nearly 335 participating in the May 15 ceremony held at Neal Blaisdell Arena.

The program featured as its keynote speaker Shelley J. Wilson, the president and chief executive officer of Wilson Homecare and vice chair and secretary of Chaminade University’s Board of Regents. In 1996, Wilson founded Wilson Homecare, one of Hawaii’s largest private-duty home health care agencies. Wilson Homecare provides in-home health care services island-wide. Also in 2013, Wilson Senior Living Kailua, a state-licensed Adult Residential Care Home opened in the Aikahi neighborhood.

Wilson inspired the audience with her story.  She found her passion during one of the most difficult times of her life.  Returning to civilian life as a wounded warrior, Wilson had to deal with the challenges of recovery in the home.  Her experiences gave her empathy for in-home-care patients. In response to those hard times, she founded Wilson Homecare.  She encouraged the soon-to-be graduates to find a cause and to dedicate themselves to that cause with a passion as a way to find purpose and meaning.

Commencement student speakers were Taylor Seth Stutsman, the undergraduate representative, and Rezettakahealani Eric Mulitalo, the post-graduate representative.

Stutsman graduated with his B.S. in Forensics Sciences, Cum Laude.  That night his family came from five different states to cheer for him. He moved to Hawaii from Pennsylvania and appreciated the diversity of Chaminade. “Hawaii has taught me more about acceptance and tolerance than I could have imagined,” he said, appreciative of the multi-cultural experiences made available to him at Chaminade.

Mulitalo graduated that night with her M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration. Raised in Western Samoa, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wellington, New Zealand. “You do not have to know what you are going to do with the rest of your life yet,” she reassured the graduating students. She advised them to remember what the Scottish scholar William Barclay had said. “’There are two great days in a person’s life –the day we are born, and the day we discover why,’” she quoted. “Watch your choices, follow your dreams and love what you do.”

Alumna Becky Burns ’76 Creates Successful Granola Business

Elizabeth “Becky” Mann Burns, BA Psychology ’76 is the owner and founder of Anahola Granola, a successful local company which produces about five tons of delicious, fresh tropical granola per week. Located in Hanapepe, Kauai, the company employs 11 workers and has been in business for more than thirty years. Anahola Granola can be found throughout Hawaii in most upscale hotels, specialty shops, health food and grocery stores, as well as Costco.

Becky Burns (B.A. Psychology '76) and daughterBurns has always had two synergistic parts to her life which have energized her and her business. She has an entrepreneurial streak, and she enjoys people. While growing up, Burns would make cookies weekly for her family. Then during her first year of college on the mainland, she began a birthday cake business.

Using the income from that first business, she was able to buy a one-way ticket to Hawaii, and in her mid-twenties, Burns decided to return to school and complete her degree.

Transferring from the University of Denver, she arrived at Chaminade. The faculty inspired her, igniting her passion for psychology. The smaller classes also suited her well. “I liked it at Chaminade, so I stayed until I graduated,” she explained. “I rode my bike along Harding Avenue back and forth from school,” she reminisced.

Though she did not take a lot of undergraduate classes, she had always liked people and psychology. Her favorite classes were taught by women psychology professors.  She appreciated their insight and their compassion and had a rapport with them because as an older student she was closer in age to her professors than her fellow students. She identified with them.

Burns remembered one particular course.  The course on “Death and Dying” based on Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ book of the same title moved her.  “The subject matter at that time was very new and cutting edge…I was fascinated,” she said.

Energized by what she had learned, Burns chose to volunteer as the social director for seniors at a home on Waialae Avenue across from Zippy’s.  In fact, she received a recognition award from Chaminade for her work there.

After graduation, Burns had no idea that she would become a business person.  She began making her organic granola. “It wasn’t a surprise I started a business in granola. I always ate well and loved organic gardening. In fact, my first garden I had was on the front lawn of the house where I lived when I went to Chaminade. I got a heap of manure from the Honolulu Zoo and dug it into the ground. In the end, I found out I got too much manure, and the nitrogen killed most of my crops,” Burns shared a smile.

Becky Burns (B.A. Psychology '76) and daughterBecause of her slow growth philosophy, Burns never got a business loan and only used money from the previous week’s sales to buy raw goods and packaging.  “My business is the epitome of slow growth. So slow that perhaps many businesses couldn’t survive as slow as Anahola Granola grew,” said Burns.

Burns recalled that people were very kind to her, and that was what helped her through the years. When she sold her first bags of granola at a Christmas fair, a woman, who owned a store in Kilauea, Kauai, kept coming back for more bags. That woman encouraged Burns to find a certified kitchen so that she could buy more for her store. “Without her, I doubt my granola would have gone any further than the few fairs that winter,” Burns said. “Another gift was the small amount of rent I was charged by All Saints Church. It was a small kitchen, and I paid month by month. I was there right after Hurricane Iniki until I bought a building in Hanapepe. My responsibility now is to give back and help whenever I can.”

Burns is a strong believer in giving back. She helps other small business owners, mentoring them with advice. Her business donates product to various charities on Kauai, including school programs. “I feel that if you are a generous business owner, the rewards come back a million. Obviously, I am not saying to give away all of your product. But whatever you can do, consider doing it,” she advised.

Though she has not been back to Chaminade since she graduated, she will be on Oahu in August for the Made in Hawaii Festival and will try to visit. “Certainly having a degree in psychology has helped me in all realms of my business,” she reflected.

And her love for people and her business acumen made her life abundant.

Panelists Offer Solutions for ‘Housing the Houseless’

Faith-motivated responses to Hawaii’s homelessness epidemic was the topic of “Housing the Houseless,” a well-attended panel discussion at Chaminade University. Moderated by Hawaii News Now TV reporter and weather anchor Ben Gutierrez, the March 12 event was part of the Mackey Marianist Lecture Series: Catholicism in Prophetic Dialogue.

Panelist Peter Savio, a real estate broker/developer and social worker, characterized homelessness as a symptom of a greater problem – that being the high cost of housing in the Aloha State. As a result, many renters are just one paycheck away from losing their homes.

Savio called for the construction of affordable housing units financed by low-interest government loans. He also favors expansion of home ownership through equity-building rent-to-own projects that create “hope and opportunity” for lower-income families and individuals.

Panelist Terry Walsh (Behavioral Science ’93.), the new president and CEO of Catholic Charities Hawaii, believes in a “housing first” approach to getting people off the streets. First, provide shelter and meals for these needy individuals, Walsh said. Then tackle more deep-seated challenges such as alcohol abuse, drug addiction and mental illness.

“It takes a community to address this problem,” Walsh emphasized. “All of us together.”

Rounding out the panel were Dave and Bernie Reeves, retired teachers from Chaminade College Preparatory School in West Hills, California, and chairs of the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Committee at St. Ann’s Parish in Kaneohe.

Bernie Reeves, who volunteers for the state’s annual point-in-time homeless count, said the crisis is worse than the numbers indicate. That’s because many street people decline to provide information about themselves to outreach workers.

According to the statewide count from a single night in 2016, there were 7,921 homeless in Hawaii, up 4 percent from the previous year. More than half those counted lacked shelter of any kind.

“You have to organize individuals to solve problems,” Dave Reeves urged. Homeless people can help themselves to an extent, he said, “but they cannot do it alone.”

The Mackey Marianist Lecture Series has been sponsored for 20 years by Chaminade, Saint Louis School and the Marianist Center of Hawaii. The twice-annual lectures are dedicated to the memory of Chaminade’s first president, Father Robert R. Mackey, SM.