Business & Communication

Entrepreneur Kicks Off Speaker Series

September 5, 2024

The co-founder of Kō Hana Distillers detailed how he overcame ‘roadblocks’ to go to market

Kō Hana Distillers co-founder Robert Dawson kicked off the fall Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Guest Speaker Series, detailing his journey from a business idea to a successful company.

Speaking to attendees, Dawson said he “didn’t know anything about sugarcane” and “didn’t even like rum” when he moved to Hawaii with his wife and son in 2008. He said his deep appreciation of history led him to Hawaii’s agriculture past and ultimately, “Native Hawaiian sugarcane,” called kō.

He teamed up with a scholar to learn more about Hawaii sugarcane, which was brought by ancient Polynesian seafarers to Hawaii more than 1,000 years ago.

Having spent a time in Brazil, Dawson told attendees at his talk Wednesday he had always been a fan of cachaça, the Brazilian rum made from sugarcane juice. This would be the direction he would take with his new venture, he said, growing and harvesting Hawaiian varietal sugarcane to distill rhum agricole.

Incorporating Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum in 2011, Dawson and business partner Jason Brand introduced their first agricole-style rum made entirely from Hawaii-grown sugarcane in 2014.

“It took time and getting over a lot of roadblocks,” Dawson said.

“But now we’re expanding to grow sugarcane across 1,600 acres on the North Shore, and our goal is to become an international boutique rum distiller.”

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The Hogan Guest Speaker Series is aimed at enriching the educational experience, connecting entrepreneurial-minded students with successful professionals from various industries and bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Dr. Roy Panzarella, Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program director, said guest speakers are selected based on the program’s objectives for the year. There are seven speakers on the schedule for the fall, including Better Sour and Shaka Tea co-founder Isabella Hughes, set to speak on Oct. 16.

“For many students, these are delightful opportunities to be exposed to and learn the power and value of networking,” Panzarella said, adding that speakers gives students invaluable real-world insights.

“Our wish is that all Hogan students, including those pursuing an MBA, will walk away from each lecture even more inspired to listen actively, read critically and speak effectively,” Panzarella said.

He also hopes the students leave the lectures, as well as the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, more confident and excited about using their own talent and skills to start something new.

“Sometimes the Wednesday presentations have a long-lasting impact on our Hogan students, but I have found it is the lecturers themselves that have the most influence on them,” Panzarella said.

“Oftentimes, the personal narratives of the lecturers are so powerful they serve to inspire many students who doubt themselves and their capacity to achieve success.”

COMING UP:

An entrepreneurship teacher at Seabury Hall on Maui, Melissa Crounse Kaufman will be the next Hogan guest speaker on Sept. 18. Kaufman is the founding executive director of the Garage at Northwestern University and co-author of “Founded: The No B.S. Guide for Student Entrepreneurs.”

For the complete fall schedule, click here.

Nonprofits Praised for Maui Relief

August 9, 2024

The Nonprofit Financial Seminar at Chaminade offers key resources to Hawaii charitable organizations.

On the one-year anniversary Thursday of the devastating Lahaina wildfire disaster, attendees of Chaminade’s 21st annual Nonprofit Financial Seminar were praised for their unwavering support to those in need on Maui, encouraged to search out innovative opportunities to serve, and offered resources on how they can leverage government support and tax laws to bolster their efforts.

During his opening remarks at the event, Chaminade Provost Lance Askildson said Hawaii charitable organizations “were among the first to jump into the breach alongside regular people looking to help.”

“Government and the for-profit sectors have their roles to play in our communities,” he said. “But it is nonprofit organizations, like yours and Chaminade—guided by values-based missions and deeply connected to their local communities—that are among the first to arrive and the last to leave.”

Organized annually by Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication, the daylong seminar featured an impressive slate of presentations this year. Data House’s Clyde Shiigi and Kaleokalani Kuroda of HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union discussed trends in artificial intelligence, while panelists with Make-A-Wish Hawaii, Hawaii Leadership Forum, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii and Kupu tackled another pressing topic: “Attracting and Developing the next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders.”

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Representatives from more than 30 charitable organizations attended the event.

In her welcome address, School of Business and Communication Dean Annette Santos led a moment of silence to honor all those impacted by the Maui wildfires tragedy, which claimed 102 lives and left thousands displaced. One year later, the work of rebuilding Lahaina is just beginning.

Santos said in the wake of the disaster, shared Marianist and Hawaii values can be a guiding light, reminding the community of the importance of ‘ohana, resilience and the kuleana to care for one another.

“Our Marianist values are dedicated to education and community service so let us continue to be inspired to support and uplift those in need, demonstrating the aloha spirit through our compassion and collective efforts to rebuild and heal,” Santos told attendees, in her speech.

Organizers say the Nonprofit Financial Seminar aims to provide key guidance and resources on financial and operational issues related to leading and managing nonprofits. “As we embark on today’s seminar, it is important to recognize the added value that your participation brings,” Santos said.

“By attending this event, you are not only gaining valuable insights and knowledge but also playing a crucial role in providing Chaminade students with opportunities for growth and development.”

Trever Asam, a partner at the Cades Schutte law firm, spoke at the seminar on tax changes impact nonprofit organizations. “There are some years, when there aren’t many updates so my presentation is somewhat repetitive,” said Asam, a regular guest speaker at this event. “But this year, there have been a ton of updates the past 12 to 18 months, especially in relation to donor-advised funds.”

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Tax Foundation of Hawaii President Tom Yamachika also covered tax law changes that could impact nonprofits. Among them: Film tax credits. “If you don’t comply, you may lose the credits, which could amount to a loss of a lot of money,” he said. “It’s up to you, the taxpayer, to provide all the proof.”

Santos said in addition to nonprofit professionals, Chaminade students benefit from the seminar

“This opportunity provides our students with invaluable, pragmatic learning experiences … and underscores the significant impact higher education has on our community,” Santos said.

Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting

May 13, 2024

Judges Praise Silverswords for Their Creative Results

A 15-year participant in the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education’s (IACBE) Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting (ACAM)—which took place in Memphis, Tennessee this year—Chaminade University has consistently fared well against other mainland and international institutions, often winning several competitions or placing in the top three.

“As the coach, I help set up the teams and select the students who will compete in the Case Competition,” explained MBA Director and Program Advisor, Eddie Merc, Ph.D. “I oversee all the logistics for the trip, as well as help prepare the students to excel in their final presentation delivery.”

This year’s Spring 2024 IACBE’s Live Case Competition featured Tennessee-based organization Viralish, which set forth the challenge to students with this theme: “The 90 Day Creator: A Fast-Track Program and Planning Tool to Help Content Creators Generate $5,000 per Month.” The project tasked student teams to develop an innovative way for Viralish to help business owners and content creators monetize their digital content effectively. Among the participants from schools all around the U.S., Chaminade’s team included seniors Liz Devine, Alexander Hernandez, Ross Reeves and Kelsey Sablan. They were mentored by professors Wera Panow-Loui and Richard Kido. “The team of four undergraduate business seniors delivered creative results that were actionable, unique and thought provoking,” according to the competition’s judges.

Wera Panow-Loui and Dr. Eddie Merc flank students, from left, Alexander Hernandez, Liz Devine, Kelsey Sablan and Ross Reeves.
Dr. Eddie Merc presents his research during the Peregrine Best Practices Poster Competition.
Chaminade team members included, from left, Alexander Hernandez, Liz Devine, Kelsey Sablan and Ross Reeves.
Dr. Eddie Merc stands prepare to present his research findings in the Peregrine Best Practices Poster Competition.
Wera Panow-Loui and Dr. Eddie Merc were mentors to students, from left, Ross Reeves, Alexander Hernandez, Liz Devine and Kelsey Sablan.
Dr. Eddie Merc gives two thumbs up after winning the Peregrine Best Practices Poster Competition. Students, from left, Kelsey Sablan, Liz Devine, Alexander Hernandez and Ross Reeves congratulated their professor.
Chaminade School of Business and Communication faculty members, from left, Asoke Datta, Richard Kido, Wera Panow-Loui and Interim Dean Annette Santos attended the IACBE Annual Conference and Meeting Assembly with students, from left, Ross Reeves, Alexander Hernandez, Liz Devine and Kelsey Sablan.
Students, from left, Alex Hernandez, Liz Devine, Ross Reeves and Kelsey Sablan rehearse their presentation in their hotel room.

“Chaminade finished in third place, but I think our students had the most comprehensive business analysis of the company,” Merc said. “The synergy of the team was excellent, and they were proud of their research and their presentation delivery.”

The IACBE accredits business programs—including Chaminade’s—that lead to degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels in institutions of higher education nationwide and around the world. Specialized programmatic accreditation by the IACBE is a means by which students, parents, the business community and other stakeholders of the institution can be assured that the academic business unit complies with high principles of excellence and follows best practice in business education.

“The number one priority for attending the IACBE Competition and Conference is to stay in touch with students,” Merc said. “It allows me to gauge what our students excel in and the areas where we may have gaps in our curricula.

“It’s a great conference to determine if our program is up to date,” Merc added. “It’s also a good thermometer of current trends at business schools around the world and U.S.”

For the second consecutive year, Merc walked away with the top prize. And for the second year in a row, he hasn’t kept the winnings, instead donating the prize money to two local nonprofit organizations.

Merc’s first-place finishing poster competition at the IACBE’s ACAM looked at “The Role of Social Integration and Sense of Connectedness in Online Courses, and Their Influence on Learning and Academic Performance Among Military Students.”

“I wanted to focus on non-traditional students who were serving in the military and pursuing their degrees,” said Merc, who serves in the Hawai’i Air National Guard during weekends. “I myself was a non-traditional student when I was obtaining my doctorate in education, so I can definitely relate.”

Festival of Honors

May 3, 2024

Business majors recognized during special event

In accepting her MBA Academic Achievement in Master of Business Administration Award, Caryl Tracy-Metz ’24 cited the words of poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, quoting, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“And that resonates with my experience at Chaminade; I will never forget how supportive and encouraging the people have been” said Tracy-Metz, who now holds a Chaminade MBA. “Iron sharpens iron; my peers have made me better and so have my professors.”

For the past three years, the School of Business and Communications has honored its business majors as they graduate from the program. Indeed, it’s a celebratory-worthy occasion that’s marked by the Festival of Honors, an event that highlights the efforts and achievements of prospective graduates.

School of Business and Communication Interim Dean Annette Santos and Assistant Dean Asoke Datta congratulate Caryl Tracy-Metz for her MBA Academic Achievement in Master of Business Administration Award.
Drs. Eddie Merc, Asoke Datta and Annette Santos pose with Taisyn Kauhaahaa, winner of the Academic Achievement in Business Administration.
Drs. Eddie Merc and Annette Santos present Gabriela Galarza with the Academic Achievement in Accounting.
Liz Devine walks toward the podium to accept her Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.
Assistant Professor Dr. Maria Brownlow nominated Liz Devine for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.
MBA lecturer Wera Panow-Loui and Taisyn Kauhaahaa participated in one of three games that was part of the festivities.

“You now enter into a pantheon of Chaminade alumni,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Lance Askildson, Ph.D., in his remarks to the prospective graduates. “You’ve established a long relationship with people who deeply care about you. This moment is not a single flash in the pan; think of us as part of that journey of lifelong learning.”

Graduating with a business degree opens up a world of opportunities and prepares Chaminade alumni potential access to a diverse range of career paths. Through their education, students have cultivated their essential soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and adaptability.

“These skills are highly valued by employers and will help our students succeed in any business environment,” said assistant professor Eddie Merc, Ph.D., Chaminade’s MBA Director and Program Advisor. “When we speak with our community partners, they tell us the types of skills that they would like to see from our graduates. And we’ll adapt our curriculum to respond to the business community’s needs.”

Co-emceed by the School of Business and Communication Interim Dean Annette Santos and Assistant Dean Asoke Datta, Festival of Honors, they said, is their favorite ceremony of the year because it marks a significant milestone in a student’s journey in business school.

“It will be a memorable and inspiring experience,” Santos said. “This event represents a journey of growth and excellence.”

Five awards are handed out each year, including the Academic Achievement in Business Administration, Academic Achievement in Accounting, Academic Achievement in Master of Business Administration, Marianist Values and Business for Good, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Being awarded the Academic Achievement in Business Administration, Taisyn Kauhaahaa ’24 thanked the professors in his acceptance speech, remarking that they are here, not just for a paycheck, but for all the right reasons. “I didn’t prepare any formal remarks tonight because I want this to come from the heart,” said Kauhaahaa, pointing to his chest. “You truly care about learning and sharing your knowledge with us.”

Presented to the graduating senior who has best exemplified academic excellence in the Accounting program, the Academic Achievement in Accounting winner was Gabriela Galarza ’24, who has demonstrated exceptional work in class and has shown her capabilities for critical thinking through her coursework.

“I am grateful to be here,” Galarza said. “When I applied to Chaminade, I was stepping out of my comfort zone, and I didn’t think I would stay all four years. I am glad I did.”

Recognized for her commitment to academic excellence and exemplifying the MBA program’s core values of personal integrity, social responsibility and family spirit, Tracy-Metz summoned the words of one of her all-time heroes, Rell Sunn, who defined the aloha spirit as real simple: “You give and you give and you give . . . and you give from here (the heart), until you have nothing else to give.” That’s leadership, Tracy-Metz concluded.

The Marianist Values and Business for Good Award was given to Chaminade’s Enrollment Management Assistant Vice President, Lisa Trumbull ’24, who finally earned her MBA after starting it a decade ago. “It has been a long and challenging journey,” Trumbull shared. “There were a lot of early mornings and weekends, but I gained great insight and knowledge in how to use business as a force for positive change.”

A go-getter with a can-do attitude, Liz Devine ’24 received the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award for her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in her academic and extracurricular activities. “I just showed up one day with no expectations,” said the Iowa native. “‘Life is short, the world is wide and I wanna make some memories’ is a famous line in ‘Mama Mia’ and it’s what I have been able to do during my four years here at Chaminade.”

Business Students Lead Career Fair

May 2, 2024

Inspiration comes full circle

Chaminade students volunteered to organize LEI Career Fair.

Students in the Senior Field Experience Class helped organize an event to help high school students learn more about working in Hawaii’s tourism industry, yet the experience resulted with the Chaminade students becoming inspired themselves by the people they encountered.

One of 16 students with the University’s School of Business and Communication Senior Field Experience class, Elizabeth Devine ’24 helped organize and lead an event that was both high-energy and deep-diving. The event was the Exposure Fair at the Hawaii Convention Center, which opened doors to the tourism industry and post secondary opportunities for more than 550 high school students. The fair was a highlight of LEI (Leadership Exploration Inspiration) 2024, which brought public high school students from 20 schools to the Hawaii Convention Center on April 22.

LEI is a partnership between ClimbHI and the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), and is a workforce development project that aims to inspire Hawaii’s youth to select careers in the Hawaii visitor industry by providing them with the necessary means to achieve success. For students, LEI represents an opportunity for leadership, exploration and inspiration. For the hospitality industry, LEI provides an opportunity to Lead, Expose and Inspire Hawaii’s youth. In addition to Oahu, LEI 2024 events took place on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, and included more than 100 businesses.

“Participating in the 2024 LEI Program was an enriching experience on multiple fronts,” said Gabriela Galarza ’24. “Not only did it prove beneficial for the local high school students involved, but it also left a lasting impact on all of us who coordinated the event.”

At the Exposure Fair, students heard guest speakers—such as Gov. Josh Green, ClimbHi Founder Julie Morikawa and Hawaii Tourism Authority Board Chair Mufi Hannemann—and attended Hawaiian culture and sense of place presentations. They also took field trips to different hotels for an overview of the hotel industry, including a dining etiquette piece for lunch. Students then returned to the Hawaii Convention Center for the career Exposure Fair, during which they heard from various representatives from the hospitality industry, as well as post-secondary education opportunities.

Seniors, from left, Liz Devine and Gabriela Galarza were among Chaminade student volunteers.

“Having this opportunity really helped me gain a better understanding and perspective of how to attack my future and find a job, wherever it may be,” Devine said. “Overall I am grateful for the experience, and I am glad I got the opportunity to work with ClimbHI and such a great group of classmates”

No wonder these Chaminade business students came away from class with such positive experiences. Their teacher, Dr. Wendy Lam, is an Associate Professor of Business and has been teaching since 1986. She has more than 20 years of professional experience in food manufacturing and retail business with clients from major airlines and hotels. She also conducts training programs and prepares marketing plans for major corporations in the United States.

Teaching is more than a career to her. It is her life passion. Lam has presented at various domestic and international conferences, and published in the field of tourism, marketing and education. She is active in the business community and serves as a board member of several nonprofit organizations in Honolulu.

“It was amazing to learn from the local companies here on the island,” said Ross Reeves ’24, Silversword Male Athlete of the Year. “Graduating this May, I am thankful to have heard from experts in different industries. The main takeaway I learned was to not overstress the job search and to do what you love. The businesses emphasized that when you do what you love, you are going to be good at what you do because of the passion that you have.”

Hogan Graduation, Induction Ceremony

May 1, 2024

Rites of Passage for Incoming Students and Graduates

In his opening address, Hogan Program Director, Dr. Roy Panzarella quipped that this ceremony would be brief, brilliant and gone. “A shooting star often appears unexpectedly and just like life, it is full of unexpected twists and turns, reminding us to embrace spontaneity and to live in the present,” said Panzarella during his closing remarks. “Finally, in the words of Peter Drucker—often considered the father of modern management theory—‘The best way to predict the future is to create it.’”

Funded by the Hogan Family Foundation, the eponymous Entrepreneurial Program, aims to educate Chaminade students how to be successful in business through a series of lectures with experienced Hawaii leaders, study abroad missions, community service projects, academic coursework and mentorship. Each year, a new cohort of students from all majors, including undergraduate juniors and seniors and graduate students, are accepted into the one- or two-year certificate program.

“This program allows students to question who they are and where do they want to be,” said President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “We encourage our students to engage with and in their communities. We want them to be able to step into any position, and become social entrepreneurs.”

Social responsibility has been a key theme since the Hogan program was founded, complementing its time-honored motto of “Do business things that make social sense and social things that make business sense.”

It’s a mantra that first-year Hogan MBA student, Voris Crooms, embraces and one that motivated him to enroll in the MBA program, as well as earn a Hogan Entrepreneur certificate. A U.S. Army veteran and registered nurse, Crooms is a “verbal maestro,” who waxed eloquently about Chaminade and his time thus far at the University.

Drs. Lynn Babington and Roy Panzarella welcome the Hogans, including, from left, Christine, Gary and Glenn.
Clara Slate-Liu, left, speaks to Connie Kramer about her reason for becoming a Hogan Entrepreneurial Program participant.
Yazmine Esquivel holds up her One-Year Certificate after learning she had been named this year’s Aloha Spirit Award.
Jon Watase shared his reason for enrolling in the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program.
Dr. Lynn Babington presents Voris Crooms with this year’s inaugural Hogan Leadership Award.
The Hogans and Drs. Lynn Babington and Roy Panzarella pose with this year’s awardees, including, from left, Waioli Misajon, Leah Carrington, Liz Devine, Yazmine Esquivel and Voris Crooms.
The Hogans and Drs. Lynn Babington and Roy Panzarella welcomed the incoming Hogan Entrepreneurial cohort of students.

“Nurses can be more than nurses, we can be leaders,” said Crooms, the Ceremony’s student speaker, while looking in the direction of Dr. Babington, who was a one-time healthcare leader and a strong advocate of the nursing field. “My message to staff, advisors and graduates is simple: We all have a voice; speak up and speak out.”

In attendance, Gary Hogan spoke up, remarking that this entrepreneurial program is “extremely important” to his family, including his late parents Ed and Lynn, and siblings Glenn and Christine Hogan who flew in from California just to attend the ceremony and were flying out the next day. “I am proud of this graduating class,” said Hogan to attendees. “These new inductees will now receive the same mentorship as our graduates, and they represent another group of Hogan entrepreneur students ready to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

During the ceremony, the graduating Hogan students were honored for completing the program and the incoming Hogan students were inducted in front of their Chaminade community, friends and family. Five awards were presented, including the Outstanding Hogan Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Outstanding First Year Student Award, the In the Arena Award, the Aloha Spirit Award and the inaugural Hogan Leadership Award, which was inspired by the Vaughn Vasconcellos and Suzie Martin Leadership Institute.

“I spent 32 years with the Army as a safety and occupational manager,” said Crooms, who was named the Hogan Leadership Award. “I enrolled in Chaminade’s MBA and Hogan programs because I want to enhance my healthcare leadership skills, and do justice by my community.”

This year’s “In the Arena” winner is sophomore Leah Carrington ’26, who established PAWsitive Adventures, a non-profit online service dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of shelter dogs and community members while also enriching the adoption experience.

Wearing an infectious smile, Yazmine Esquivel ’20, MBA ’24, won the Aloha Spirit Award, which goes to an individual who most represents important principles of the program by fostering goodwill within the group and by his or her independent leadership initiatives throughout the year.

The Outstanding First Year Award went to Elizabeth Devine ’24, who embodies the principles of the business program and has achieved excellent academic results. “It’s rare to find someone at such a young age who already possesses most of the basic attributes of an effective entrepreneurial leader,” said Panzarella of Devine. “She has confidence, humility, humor, creativity and initiative. If I was at my old job with Lockheed Martin, I would hire her in a heartbeat.”

For the second consecutive year, Nanakuli native Waioli Misajon was recognized for her academic excellence and community spirit. Last year, she took home the Outstanding First Year Award and this year, she walks away with the Outstanding Second Year Award for her work with Mood USA, a nonprofit she founded that stands as a transformative solution to the pressing educational and mental health challenges faced by students in Nanakuli.

After the awards ceremony, graduates and inductees were announced. Graduates of the One-Year Certificate included Carrington, William “Tino” Colello, Devine, Esquivel, Christopher Flores, Carol An Nacario, Aliikamanaekahi “Alii” Napoleon, Allure Padilla, Epifania “Epi” Petelo, Kaitlin “Kat” Priem, Sano Tana and Alexander Korpela. Meanwhile, Christina Dinh, Jacob Fernandez, Misajon and Michael Rose were presented with their Two-Year Certificates.

The new Hogan Entrepreneurs included John Barayuga, Mikhail Bobylev, Voris Crooms, Jacob Escuza, Lauren Hamrick, Connie Kramer, Mathew Lober, Lizanyela “Lizzy” Lopez, Justin Monroe, Jacob Murphy, Clara Slate-Liu, Devon Tsai, Easterlei “Easter” Tuitasi, Jon Watase and LaVelle White.

“I decided to go down this entrepreneurial avenue because I want to create something good for local residents,” said Barayuga ’25, a Hogan student worker, when asked why he entered the program. “I will learn the fundamentals here and I will be able to use what I learn to benefit the greater good of the community.”