Chaminade University of Honolulu

Business & Communication

MBA Alumnus Sees Community Service as Essential

As vice chair and chief operating officer at Central Pacific Bank, David Morimoto, MBA ’97 keeps a breakneck schedule, overseeing banking at 27 branches along with CPB’s business and commercial banking, commercial real estate and wealth management lines of business.

But no matter how busy Morimoto gets, he still makes time to give back.

It’s a “good habit” he says was instilled in him growing up in the islands and working hard to make an impact.

“I think Hawai’i is more philanthropic than most states. Part of that comes from our upbringing and the spirit of aloha,” he said.

“Giving to those who are less fortunate—I hope that is what my two daughters see in me. “

Morimoto started at Central Pacific Bank in 1991, and has served across the company. Before being promoted to chief operating officer in March, Morimoto was senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of Central Pacific Financial Corp. and Central Pacific Bank.

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

In the community, Morimoto has long been active with Aloha United Way and homeless services nonprofit Institute for Human Services (IHS).

At IHS, he is the nonprofit’s board chair—a role that he says has afforded him the opportunity to better understand the complexity of Hawai’i’s homeless crisis. “Homelessness is a large and growing problem,” he said. “It’s about helping as many people as you can to improve their situation.”

Also in a volunteer capacity, Morimoto serves with the U.S.-Japan Council, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. Morimoto said as a yonsei, or fourth-generation Japanese-American, the council’s mission of education and relationship-building has resonated with him.

Chaminade’s mission of service also struck a chord with Morimoto while he pursued his MBA.

Central Pacific Bank Chief Operating Officer David Morimoto volunteers at homeless service nonprofit Institute for Human Services.

He attended classes at night to attain his MBA—as online learning wasn’t an option at the time. Morimoto recalled that many of his fellow students were professionals or members of the military and he appreciated learning about their unique perspectives to business and the community.

“I enjoyed the diversity,” he said.

It’s one of the reasons that when he has a chance to talk to younger people, especially college students, he encourages them to get outside of their comfort zones and seek out opportunities that will challenge them—and help them to grow.

“Work ethic has also been a lot of what I think has led to my success,” he added. “I waited tables in college and carried that work ethic into the day job. It served me well.”

Chaminade MBA Options Geared Toward Advancement, Impact

Prospective MBA students come with different goals, experiences and expectations, which is why Chaminade offers two unique MBA pathways—both designed to maximize student success and impact, said MBA Program Director Eduard Merc, Ph.D.

The best part? Whichever option you choose, you can finish in just 12 months.

The two pathway options are the MBA, open to students from all educational or professional backgrounds, and the Professional MBA, geared toward business executives.

Merc said both degrees were recently restructured to put a dual focus on soft and hard skills building—from leadership to data analytics. He added the MBA and Professional MBA also stress hands-on learning, mentoring and a “business for good” philosophy.

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

And in a new offering this Spring, students in both MBA pathways will be able to take a preparation course for the Project Management Professional certification exam—a highly sought-after credential. Merc said more preparation courses will be added in the future.

Merc said that a foundational principle of Chaminade’s MBA program is preparing students to use innovative strategies to make a difference. “We are graduating students who want to improve their community through an entrepreneurial spirit,” he said.

Annette Taijeron Santos, D.B.A., interim dean of the School of Business and Communication at Chaminade, added that students are encouraged to “act locally but think globally. Everything they’re learning in classes, it’s rooted to real-world learning experiences and what the workforce is demanding, especially for career mobility.”

RELATED STORIES:

Applications are now being accepted for the MBA, with a Spring deadline of April 7.

Merc noted that students in the MBA program come with a diversity of backgrounds. To provide a “level playing field” for everyone, incoming students attend an in-person or remote “MBA bootcamp,” which covers key themes of accounting, economics, finance and more.

“It helps them feel confident about their skills before the semester even starts,” he said.

The Professional MBA, meanwhile, is cohort-based and students are admitted in the Fall. Merc said a typical cohort has about 15 to 20 people—all entrepreneurs, business owners and emerging leaders seeking to advance their careers. In addition to online learning, students meet every other Saturday for intensive instruction and discussion.

Merc noted the Professional MBA also includes an optional international study trip to Japan. Participants get the chance to meet business leaders, tour companies and network.

For more information on the MBA and Professional MBA at Chaminade, click here.

Bringing Learning to Life for HR Students

Students in Dr. Pamela Estell’s Human Resources Management course devoted much of the Fall semester to researching emerging trends in HR, from mental health in the workplace to bolstering employee engagement to the popularity of the four-day workweek.

They pored over studies, spoke to experts, dug into the data, and wrote a research paper.

And then Estell challenged them to take it one step further: Take everything you have learned about your topic, she told them, and create a five-minute presentation for busy bank executives.

Their hard work was on display Nov. 27 at the Bank of Hawaii headquarters.

The 25 Business students in Estell’s course took the podium at a BOH conference room and addressed bank professionals, detailing the trending topic they’d investigated and showing off detailed infographics. The students also offered three recommendations in their research area.

Estell said the idea to have students deliver the presentations came out of a conversation with a Bank of Hawaii guest speaker.

“She mentioned that they were using infographics to present bite-sized information to employees that would be more interactive than a simple email,” Estell said.

“Hearing that they were looking for ways not just to collect information, but also present information, really lit a fire in me to start building in some synergies. As such, I redesigned my existing assignment to include the infographic and presentation portion.”

Estell then reached out to her Bank of Hawaii contact to ask if some bank employees would be willing to visit the class and provide feedback on student presentations. But the class mentor offered a counter-proposal: Students should come to the BOH offices in Honolulu instead.

“I knew immediately that this was an amazing opportunity for our students to be able to close the loop on how their work can be impactful in a work environment,” Estell said. “In the School of Business and Communication, relationships with local businesses are crucial.”

She added, “These types of high impact experiences are a good way for us to build on those connections with local businesses and also understand what their needs are so that we can ensure we are providing a rigorous and relevant education for our students.”

On the day of the presentations, students were nervous but excited.

John Barayuga ‘25 spoke to the BOH professionals about the importance of mental health programming in the workplace. He said the assignment and subsequent presentation was a challenge that required him to think about the real-world application of his chosen topic.

“This experience has better prepared me for what it means to present on and defend a meaningful subject to an audience with varying opinions and perspectives,” Barayuga said, adding he was gratified to take several insightful and thought-provoking questions from the attendees.

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

He said the experience also inspired him to think about other ways he could contribute to improving workplaces. “The more pride you take in your work and understand how it can improve the wellbeing of yourself and others, the more likely your actions will resonate,” he said.

Kyla Castro ‘25 focused her presentation on discipline and dispute management.

She said the class assignment was tough, especially considering all the other things she was juggling in her schedule.

“With the presentation being at BOH, an extra pressure was put on myself and my fellow classmates to represent Chaminade University,” Castro said.

For Castro, the takeaway lesson was she’s capable of pushing through. “This presentation has not only reminded me of what I am capable of,” she said, “but it has also shown me where I need to improve which will ultimately help me as I enter the final push into my professional career.”

Estell said she walked away from the day incredibly proud of her students and grateful to Bank of Hawaii for the opportunity.

“Sometimes it can be difficult for students who are so accustomed to sitting in a classroom every day to see the connections between what they are learning right now—in this moment—and how those skills translate to their future careers,” she said.

“Any opportunity we have to make that really come alive for students is a huge value.”

Business Competition Offers Real-World Lessons

Loke Kaho’opōmaika’i Yokoyama ’25 hopes to pursue a career that allows her to bring together fashion marketing and sustainability. Those passions were on display in the recent Silversword Business Competition, which tasks participating teams with crafting a real-world business proposal.

Yokoyama and her group of three other students—John Paul Pacura ’25, Brianna Gutierrez ’25, and Heavenly Campbell ’25—used $250 in seed money to develop “Charmed by Kalaepōhaku,” selling hand-crafted, sustainable jewelry that celebrates the natural beauty of Chaminade’s campus.

“We aim to educate Chaminade students, faculty, and the broader community on the indigenous and invasive plant life thriving on Kalaepōhaku, the hill upon which the university resides,” Yokoyama explained. “Each piece is designed to connect wearers to the land’s beauty.”

That way, she added, people can “carry a piece of Kalaepōhaku wherever they go.”

The innovation, heart and meticulous planning at the center of the team’s business proposal wowed judges in the competition, held Nov. 22 on campus. And at the end of the night, Charmed by Kalaepōhaku walked away with a $1,000 check to reinvest into their small business.

Dr. Masahisa Yamaguchi, an associate professor of Strategic Management at Chaminade, teaches the Business 469 class that culminates in the competition and said all participants—not just the overall winners—get the opportunity to build relationships with mentors and gain real-world experience.

That’s made the competition, first held in Fall 2021, a hit with students.

“Students prepared for the business competition presentation by thoroughly understanding the competition’s rules, criteria, and target audience,” Yamaguchi said.

“They crafted a clear and compelling story that highlights the problem, the solution, market opportunity, business model, and financial projections, supported by professional, visually appealing slides.”

Four groups participated this year, including one that sold tapas and another that offered soccer training.

“The idea behind this competition was to give Chaminade students a greater appreciation for what they are learning in business, how it is applied in the marketplace and the importance of relationship-building,” Yamaguchi said. And that’s exactly what students gained along the way.

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

Judges for the competition were:

• Kynan Pang MBA ’13, a commercial Realtor
• Kendrick Morikawa MBA ’22, of SmartClean
• Chaminade Regent Eric Fujimoto MBA ’94
• Kristine Stebbins ’87, chief experience officer at Bank of Hawaii
• Jay Higa, SBC Advisory Board member
• Kristal Koga, local small business owner and Soroptimist International board member

Yokoyama described the competition as challenging, stressful and rewarding—much like running a real business.

“The seed money helped us kickstart our business with a budget higher than we were willing to provide from our own pockets,” Yokohama said, adding that she has made jewelry in the past as a hobby and jumped at the chance to turn a fun craft into a business that she could get behind.

The group sold their creations at a recent open market held on campus.

With a big win under their belt, the team is excited about pursuing next steps.

“We ran into various time constraints as a team due to our individually demanding schedules and commitments outside of class,” Yokoyama said. “However, I will say that we were dedicated to upholding strong communication to ease any of our stressors, and remain on the same page.”

MBA Grad Sees Future in Sustainable Farming

He says environmental stewardship is everyone’s concern

Jon Watase MBA ’24 is an entrepreneur, an environmentalist and an educator.

But his nickname speaks to his humble, personable approach: He’s known as Farmer Jon.

And if he can bend your ear, he’ll tell you about his big dreams for sustainable agriculture in the islands and his lifelong passion for teaching environmental stewardship to the next generation of Hawai’i leaders.

Watase, director of ‘āina-based learning at Saint Louis School, was recently invited to deliver a presentation on his curriculum at the Marianist Encounters Conference in Dayton, Ohio. His talk detailed how he’s worked with both Chaminade and Saint Louis School students to clean up Palolo Stream.

The impact of his “Water Connects Us All” effort has been measurable.

From October 2023 to April 2024, students disposed of 4,830 pounds of trash.

Partnering with Chaminade Environmental Science Assistant Professor Dr. Lupita Ruiz-Jones and Senior Lecturer Sr. Malia Wong, Watase has long been a vocal advocate for environmental stewardship.

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

  • Dr. Lupita Ruiz-Jones and her ENV 100 students help with the cleanup of Palolo Stream.
    Dr. Lupita Ruiz-Jones and her ENV 100 students help with the cleanup of Palolo Stream.
  • Bro. Jesse O’Neill. S.M., Marianist Province of the United States’s Assistant for Education, visited the Kalaepohaku campus after hearing about Jon Watase’s ʻĀina-based Learning curriculum.
    Bro. Jesse O’Neill. S.M., Marianist Province of the United States’s Assistant for Education, visited the Kalaepohaku campus after hearing about Jon Watase’s ʻĀina-based Learning curriculum.
  • Jon Watase educates St. Louis School's students about environmental issues in his outdoor pavilion classroom.
    Jon Watase educates St. Louis School’s students about environmental issues in his outdoor pavilion classroom.
  • Jon Watase holds up a large mamaki tea leaf that he grows on his farm.
    Jon Watase holds up a large mamaki tea leaf that he grows on his farm.
  • Gary, Christine and Glenn Hogan, from left, congratulate the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership graduates, including Jon Watase (center), with Drs. Lynn Babington and Roy Panzarella.
    Gary, Christine and Glenn Hogan, from left, congratulate the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership graduates, including Jon Watase (center), with Drs. Lynn Babington and Roy Panzarella.

He has propagated plants all over the Kalaepohaku campus and educated students about the importance of cleaning Palolo Stream, a key urban waterway. He has also discussed best practices for permaculture, vermicomposting, and taught students about sustainable agriculture.

“I have a unique opportunity to pave the way for our youth,” said Watase, who can often be seen on the slopes of Kalaepohaku wearing work boots, cargo paints and a straw hat.

“My success will help determine others’ sucess.”

On his off days, Watase runs a solar-powered farm—Oahu Grown Mamaki in Mililani.

He was recently able to expand the farm’s reach with the help of his MBA education.

“My marketing class helped grow my business,” Watase said. “With the help of our instructor Cort (Isernhagen, co-founder of Diamond Head Research), I was able to really build out my website.”

Watase also participated in and won a “Shark Tank”-like competition with his MBA peers.

His sustainable business ventures wowed the judges.

And he says he’s not done yet.

He plans to seek a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at Chaminade to further his knowledge and pursue a long-term goal: To buy a piece of property in Waimea and turn it into a farm and retreat.

He says a counseling master’s degree is key to ensuring the retreat is therapeutic.

“I’ve grown so much at Chaminade,” he said. “The University truly nurtures who I am and what I value.”

Entrepreneurial Program Celebrates 22 Years

The entrepreneurial leadership incubator is unique in the islands

“Doing things that make social sense and doing social things that make business sense.”

That mantra, the foundation of Chaminade’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, was emphasized by Hogan Director Roy Panzarella in his opening remarks to attendees at the 22nd annual Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Kick-Off Celebration on October 16.

“This annual kick-off allows us to recognize current and former Hogan students,” Panzarella said.

“Our students become leaders and changemakers who care about social justice and who are committed to making a difference. We want them to become better versions of themselves.”

Isabella “Bella” Hughes, co-founder of Shaka Tea and other popular brands, echoed the sentiment in her keynote address at the event. “The world is made up of human connections,” Hughes said at the celebration, which was held on the Sullivan Family Library Lawn.

Isabella Hughes, co-founder of Shaka Tea and other popular brands, spoke at the Hogan event.


“It’s vital to build social capital and to choose kindness, which is fundamentally how I live both my personal and business lives.”

Since its launch in 2002, the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program has sought to prepare students to become transformational leaders, driving change with empathy and compassion. The program is designed to be an incubator and catalyst for community development and job creation.

In her speech, Hughes said entrepreneurship requires relentless work. She added that her journey has included failed companies and a lot of rejection.

“But I persisted because I told myself that I was going to win,” she said.

Chaminade President Lynn Babington called the Hogan program “wonderful and unique” in Hawai’i.

“We link our students through coursework, internships and connections with business people,” she said. “Our students are from all majors. They learn the skills of being an entrepreneur and have the opportunity to work with some very successful start-ups here in Hawai’i.”

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

Babington added that she’s proud to say that two decades of Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program alumni have made significant contributions to their communities.

“They’ve started small businesses and launched larger companies, too,” she said.

In addition to economic benefits, the Hogan program seeks to address pressing social issues, incorporating social entrepreneurship into its curriculum. The program also encourages its students to develop solutions to problems like poverty, healthcare and environmental sustainability.

Gary Hogan, CEO of Hogan Hospitality Group, addressed attendees at the celebration event.
Aliikamanaekahi “Alii” Napoleon, second from right, received a $2,500 scholarship from Alaka‘ina Foundation. The check was presented to Napoleon by former Chaminade Athletics Director and Alaka‘ina Foundation board member, Bill Villa, far left. Bella Hughes, Gary Hogan, Dr. Lynn Babington and Dr. Roy Panzarella joined them on stage.
Aliikamanaekahi “Alii” Napoleon, second from right, received a $2,500 scholarship from Alaka‘ina Foundation.

By integrating entrepreneurial education with service and ethical leadership, students are challenged to leverage their passions and skills to make a meaningful impact.

Supported by the Hogan Family Foundation, Chaminade’s Hogan entrepreneurship program has sought to strengthen its partnerships over the years with Hawai’i businesses.

“Under great leadership comes great success,” said Gary Hogan, CEO of Hogan Hospitality Group. “Lynn and Roy are two great leaders who have a vision to build a resilient community.”

Embedded in the Hogan program is the Suzie Martin & Vaughn Vasconcellos Leadership Institute.

Vaughn Vasconcellos, a former Chaminade Board of Regents chair and current member of the Board of Governors, is also the co-founder of Alaka’ina Foundation, a nonprofit Native Hawaiian organization with a mission to build and promote leadership and educational initiatives for the youth of Hawai‘i.

The goal of the foundation is to develop a new generation of leaders.

Representing Vasconcellos at the Hogan event, former Chaminade Athletics Director and Alaka‘ina Foundation board member Bill Villa presented Aliikamanaekahi “Alii” Napoleon with a $2,500 scholarship, awarded to a Native Hawaiian first-year or transfer student for his or her first year of study at Chaminade.