Chaminade University of Honolulu

Business & Communication

Business Education Accreditation Council Honors Kido with ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’

In recognition of his “meaningful and significant contributions to student learning in a way that advances academic quality in business education,” Chaminade University Associate Professor of Accounting Richard Kido recently received the 2017 “Excellence in Teaching Award.”

The honor was conferred by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) at its annual conference and assembly meeting in San Francisco.

IACBE, which accredited Chaminade’s Accounting Program in April 2017, promotes excellence in business education worldwide. The council has accredited more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Central America and South America.

“Hundreds of people are deserving of this award,” Kido says, “so I feel lucky to receive it. This is not an individual award. It’s a team award and department award for our School of Business and Communication. It’s a reflection of the quality of our Chaminade faculty as a whole.”

When IACBE representatives visited campus as part of the accreditation process, Kido worked closely with the site team. Based on interviews with accounting students and alumni who praised Kido’s teaching methods and commitment to service learning, IACBE nominated him for the prestigious award.

Kido teaches a wide range of courses at Chaminade, including accounting and nonprofit accounting. Prior to entering academia in 2002, he served as a chief financial officer in the savings and loan, real estate development and hospitality industries. He also operated his own accounting and financial consulting firm.

Kido earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University.

US-China Relations in the Trump Era Explored

An overall fairly sanguine outlook regarding US-China relations, balanced by a dose of realism, characterized remarks by Dr. Christopher A. McNally, at a recent forum as part of Chaminade’s Sino-Capitalism lecture series.

Christopher McNally

McNally, a professor of political economics at Chaminade and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the East-West Center, is a nationally recognized expert on Sino-Capitalism, which provides an intriguing framework for examining the unique US-China relationship in this era.

Despite tough talk directed at China during the US Presidential campaign, Trump’s approach after taking office has shifted 180 degrees according to McNally (–who also pointed out the opposite has occurred with Russia). Trump previously had bashed China on trade, currency manipulation, and its geopolitical aspirations.

After his very positive meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s new agenda is emerging that ties geopolitical cooperation to deepening economic relations. McNally noted that the United States and China are “deeply enmeshed” over a broad spectrum of politico-economic relations. Financial and economic integration means that China and the US have to, for better or worse, get along.

McNally went on to explain that economic ties between the US and China are so deep because China has generated a novel yet highly dynamic form of capitalism that is globally integrated. Among China myths debunked in his presentation, McNally firmly rebutted the notion that the United States is still in the driver’s seat, stating that this is increasingly not the case. He illustrated this by the fact that the United States has to rely on hard power more often now to project its influence rather than more efficient use of economic or financial strategies.

Nevertheless, recent developments give cautious cause for optimism. The new agenda under Trump that ties geopolitical cooperation with China (especially vis-à-vis North Korea) to deepening economic relations is positive. Postponement of the 100-day deadline to address economic imbalances to one year is another sign of a more collaborative approach.

Regarding the US-China Trade deal, while modest in some ways, the agreements on US beef, LNG, and ratings agency access certainly represent a clear “win-win” situation for both sides.

McNally summarized his reasons for optimism by pointing out that Sino-capitalism could create the conditions for a unique economic condominium – its bottom-up entrepreneurial element is already deeply integrated into the US economy, and the potential for “growing the pie” is enormous.

Support for this forum is provided by the late Chaminade Regent Stanley W. Hong’s Endowed Fund for Distinguished Asia-Pacific Speakers and Scholars.

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.”

Congratulations to the 2017 Graduates and Inductees of the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program

The Hogan Entrepreneurs program on April 26, celebrated its 15th annual graduation and induction ceremonies. Thirty-four new graduates were honored bringing the total to more than 400 students who have graduated from the certificate program. The program provides students with the opportunity to learn firsthand from experienced Hawaii business leaders and entrepreneurs about business. Graduates will have learned the tools, skills, exposures, and motivation to succeed in entrepreneurial undertakings and to make entrepreneurial contributions to their communities.

At this year’s event, the Hogan Entrepreneurs program expressed its gratitude to Ed and Lynn Hogan by presenting them with a pahi kaua, made from the bill of a flat bill swordfish. The Hogan program continues to be funded through generous contributions from the Hogan Family Foundation, located in California.

The program also honored Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM, who has been a staunch supporter of the Hogan program throughout its 15 years. He will conclude his Chaminade presidency this summer. Bro. Ploeger received a ko`oko`o (wooden staff) made from the native kamani tree.

The Hogan program recognized 13 students for their outstanding work in various areas and at different class levels.  Judy Ng, a senior majoring in Business Administration, took top honors as the Outstanding Hogan Entrepreneur of 2017. The Hogan program recognized Ng as the student who achieved the most significant results while consistently embracing the spirit of the program though her earnestness and enthusiasm for the underlying values of the program.

The program also recognized a faculty member for the first time with its new Exceptional Teaching Award.  The students applauded loudly as Business professor Denny McDonough received the honor.

HOGAN ENTREPRENEURS 2017 AWARDS

Outstanding Hogan Entrepreneur of the Year
Judy Ng

Outstanding Graduate Student
Gabriel Torno

Outstanding Seniors
Mario Armendariz
Sheehan Chase

Outstanding Junior
Matthew Southard

Aloha Spirit Award
Desiree DePondicchello
Hannah Sablan
Tyler Taydus

Community Service Award
Monique Gomes
Karanna Soulvongs
Gailene Wong

“In the Arena” Award
Ana Acuna Cesped and Carlos Gutierrez Ayala

Exceptional Teaching Award 
Mr. Denny McDonough

2017 Hogan Entrepreneurs Graduates
Ana Acuña Césped
Chantelle Aguilar
Mario Armendariz
Sheehan Chase
Claire Colon-Gonzalez
Desireé DePondicchello
Kalei Ehlers
Nicolas Ferro
Lee Fujino
Brianna Georgia
James Gochenouer
Monique Gomes
Calee Goya
Carlos Gutiérrez Ayala
Kristle Henry
Brittain Komoda
Ferleen Mallarme
Daniel Mangum
Jacqueline McGreal
Judy Ng
Krys Romanczak
Hannah Sablan
Alexa Shah
Karanna Soulvongs
Matthew Southard
Haelee Tallett
Tyler Taydus
Gabriel Torno
Clarke Velasco
Gailene Wong

Hogan Students Learn How Culture and Business are Intertwined

Ramsy Tatum and Elena Farden
Ramsy Taum (President & Founder, Life Enhancement Institute of the Pacific) and Elena Farden (Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student)

LAWE I KA MAʻALEA A KUʻONOʻONO.
Acquire skill and make it deep. This ‘Ōlelo No’eau, or wise proverb, outlines the path of success in becoming good at anything, you must immerse yourself in practice and learning until it becomes part of you. Serving as a guide on this deep journey of enlightenment, was our honored guest speaker, Kumu Ramsay Taum.

Ramsay Taum is the President and Founder of L.E.I, Life Enhancement Institute of the Pacific that provides sustainability consulting, cultural impact assessments and facilitating community engagement and planning. Taum also leads the MBA Island Business concentration program at Chaminade University. Through his work in teaching students and helping companies understand the value-impact vs. the value add of Hawaiian cultural values in the workplace, he describes himself as a community lei maker.

Lei ‘imi na’au’ao (lei of seeking knowledge; enlightenment)
And like an expert lei maker, Taum selects each piece and explains its value to the lei, starting with culture.
“Culture is important,” explains Taum. With culture in place, this moves the conversation from a values-conflict space to prioritizing what’s truly important as a business leader. To successfully navigate this we must understand that we all come with a “supply-side thought”, or preconceived notions, experiences and biases. In business management, when everyone does this they can take weight of their collective principles, values and practices towards shaping things together for deeper impact in business and the community. As Hogan Entrepreneurs, this sentiment resonates with our motto of doing business that makes social sense, and social impact that makes business sense.

Lei haliʻa aloha (Lei of fond remembrance; often said of someone cherished, such as a beloved elder)
As graduate of Kamehameha Schools, US Air Force Academy and University of Southern California, this knowledge Taum shared with the Hogan program wasn’t just given to him, it was gathered and earned. Throughout his life, key mentors such as Papa Lyman, former Bishop Estate Trustee, and Pīlahi Paki, beloved kupuna and cultural expert, pushed Taum to deepen his worldview and identity as a Hawaiian.
Today, Taum is a kumu and mentor himself. He teaches the values he has learned to help local businesses align a place-based approach of people, place, and prosperity in the context and content of how they do business in Hawai’i.

Lei pilina (Lei of closeness; a woven relationship or association)
Above all, the culture that shapes us and the values that help define us are all driven by relationships. Taum explains that culture is the lens that gives us new eyes – new eyes to see and new eyes to see how success is measured. To that he closed the evening with a simple question to measure if you are successful as a leader and business: did you eat.
If you can feed your family, if your workers can feed their families, if your community has access to food and the means to feed others less fortunate in the neighborhood, then you are successful.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Elena Farden
Speaker Session with Ramsay Taum 4/19/17

Business Alumnus Juno Chung ’07 Relishes the Small Successes Leading Up to the Big Goals

Juno Chung Koa Cafe (B.A. Business '07)Drawn back to Chaminade University out of gratitude, the proud alumnus Juno Chung, B.A. Business ’07, accepted the invitation to participate in the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program Speaker Series this spring. “As an entrepreneur, you always have the freedom to do what makes you happy,” shared Juno, who during the last 10 years since his graduation has acquired much wisdom and experience.

Juno took over his family’s business on September 10, 2014, seven years after graduating from Chaminade University with a bachelor’s degree in Business.  He will always remember that day. His parents held a company party and announced to all the employees of the six Koa Pancake House restaurants in operation that they were retiring and turning over the business to Juno.

For many, it seemed like an automatic given, but in reality that Rubicon moment came after years of grooming, struggles, pushbacks, and challenges.  Juno grew up in the restaurant business from a very early age.  He remembered being nine or 10 sitting in the back of the cash register with his calculator.  People would come up to pay.  Always good with math, he would figure out the costs, take their money and give them their change.

In high school, he had liked cars and wanted to work as a valet.  Dad nixed that idea and told him firmly that if he were going to work anywhere other than at one of the Koa Pancake House restaurants, it would have to be at another restaurant.  So Juno took a job at Zippy’s.

Juno’s parents Il Man and Sam Soon Chung were immigrants from Korea who did not graduate from college, and Juno was their only son. Therefore, he was expected to carry on the name and take over their business. Mr. Chung did not think that college was necessary and wanted Juno to work full time at the restaurants so that he could teach his son everything he knew. Juno thought that at least he could go to Kapi’olani or Windward Community College.  However, Mrs. Chung, adamant on a four-year college for her son, stepped in and settled the discussion.

So after graduating from Maryknoll High School, Juno chose Chaminade University with its rolling enrollment.  Both schools were small and had small class sizes. Chaminade was a small enough university that everyone seemed to know his name (in fact, he still stays connected to Chaminade classmates and faculty members).  The teacher to student ratio fitted him well.  Juno admitted to not being the best of students, but the faculty found ways to bring the best out of him.  With the family business always top of mind, Juno tuned into everything taught in class that he thought would be relevant for the restaurants. He remembered fondly on how his accounting professor, Wayne Tanna, reached out to his students.  Tanna was the one to first bring up issues of second-generation businesses including tax challenges and the need for a business plan. Juno appreciated Tanna’s business law and ethics classes.

As Juno moved forward, graduating in 2007, he sought his own way in the world.  His parents had their very traditional ways, and he had new ideas and new approaches. As the conflict peaked, Juno realized that it was time to strike out on his own and moved to New York.

Juno’s love and respect for his parents were clearly evident as he shared his story.  “I valued the relationship I have with them so much. Moving away was an opportunity to save that relationship,” he said.

In New York, he would develop his successful product and clothing brand MyOutlet, which grew out of life’s frustrations.  He included a non-profit aspect to his line and strived to be socially responsible in his business decisions and his profits. He also cofounded JCBL Products.It was a good enough life.

Then his sisters called him with their concerns about their parents’ health. They asked that he try to get their parents to sell the business and retire.  Juno reached out to his aging parents and found that they were both having health issues.  He asked them what they wanted to do. They shared that they had always meant to hand the business over to him.

Juno thought carefully about his decision.  His sisters did not want the restaurant business. Juno, who identified with the character Neo from the Matrix film series, felt that like Neo, he was “the one.” He accepted his destiny with one major stipulation.  Though his parents would be welcomed advisors, Juno would be in full control.    Happily and full-heartedly, they accepted their son’s leadership.  Since then, Juno has added two Koa Cafes and continues to run the other six Koa Pancake Houses.

Juno, like Neo, has moved through a personal metamorphosis that draws him back to the Matrix. He has wrestled with his destiny and has won. This is not to say that business did not have its ups and downs, or that Juno did not have doubts about whether he belonged in the restaurant business or not.  “‘Money doesn’t come easy. If it did, everyone would be rich. When you make mistakes, recognize them early,’ my dad used to tell me,” Juno recalled as he was going through a particularly tough business loss. “My mistakes are like I’m earning my master’s degree at an Ivy League school. This is part of the journey,” he said with inner resilience.

Juno’s parents and his fiancée are foundational reminders that he is where he was supposed to be. His parents are available as sage advisors, and his fiancée reminds him to be grateful.  The relationships are strong and loving. He has also found that noticing the small successes along the way to the big goal makes him happy and gives him encouragement for the long haul.

His enthusiasm for his alma mater continued to be unfettered. He humbly shared that Chaminade contributed to making him who he was.

If there was anything he would tell students, it would be to take advantage of the opportunities available to them at the school.  “Enjoy the friends and the faculty mentors along the way,” he said.

Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication offers a Master of Business Administration degree. Undergraduate degrees are available in Accounting, Business Administration, Communication and International Trade, along with a minor in Computer Information Systems. The school also offers undergraduate degrees in Management and Business Administration through the Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) online program.