Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus and Community

Preview Day Draws Future Silverswords

Chaminade’s president says the event spotlights what makes the University unique

Scores of future Silverswords converged on campus November 2 for Preview Day.

The open house is designed to introduce prospective students and their families to the University’s programs, campus life, and vibrant community. Attendees experienced firsthand what it might be like to be a Silversword, with a full day of activities, information sessions, and interactive experiences.

“We were thrilled to open our campus to so many enthusiastic future Silverswords and their families,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “Preview Day was a wonderful opportunity to share what makes Chaminade unique—from our supportive community to our innovative academic programs.”

Throughout the day, students and families explored Chaminade’s more than 60 undergraduate majors and minors and 13 graduate programs. Faculty members and support staff were on hand to answer questions while a cadre of student ambassadors conducted tours of campus.

The day also featured interactive activities, such as a mock crime scene investigation and a nursing simulation and skills lab tour. Science enthusiasts enjoyed an open house of Chaminade’s fully-equipped labs, engaging with fields like biology, chemistry, and environmental science.

Among those who came out for Preview Day was Hawai’i high school senior Paolo Vietor, who hopes to attend Chaminade to study nursing. He said the open house helped solidify his choice of universities and also allowed him to learn about Chaminade’s other offerings, including extracurriculars.

“I think this could be the school for me,” he said.

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Kaisah Kaaihili is interested in furthering her career working with young children and was drawn to Chaminade’s education and school counseling programs. “Lots of information, lots of resources, I didn’t know how much scholarships they had,” she said, of the Preview Day event.

“Sword Sessions” offered at Preview Day provided themed presentations, including a financial aid overview that explained the FAFSA process and offered practical advice on financing higher education.

Attendees also learned about Chaminade’s Hawaii Guarantee tuition match, which ensures graduates from Hawai’i high schools entering as freshmen pay the same annual tuition rate as resident undergraduates at UH-Manoa, along with a path to graduate in four years.

Beach Transformed for CSI Simulation

Chaminade University Forensic Sciences students drew curious glances at a mock crime scene investigation held at Kaimana Beach this week. A field was transformed into a simulated investigation zone as students in full CSI gear took notes and captured crime scene photos.

Also in Campus News: Forensic Sciences Research in Spotlight

Organizers said the mock crime scene investigation allows students to put theory into practice. Participants practiced evidence collection and analysis along with meticulous scene documentation.

Chaminade Forensic Sciences students document a mock crime scene at Kaimana Beach.

Chaminade’s Forensic Sciences program is known for its hands-on approach to learning, blending rigorous academics with real-world applications. The realistic set-up in Waikiki demonstrated Chaminade’s commitment to giving students opportunities to learn by doing.

To read more about Forensic Sciences at Chaminade, click here.

Forensic Sciences Research in Spotlight

Throughout the school year, one of the ways Chaminade Forensic Sciences students learn about decomposition is by studying pig carcasses. The program has been bringing carcasses to a field on campus since 2013, allowing students to meticulously gather data on how the pigs decompose.

The resulting database, says Forensic Sciences Director David Carter, created such a wealth of information that it allowed for almost flawless predictions of how pigs would decompose in the tropics based on the time of the year, taking temperature, humidity and other factors into account.

Carter developed a formula based on that very data, a significant development for the field that he presented at the International Caparica Conference in Translational Forensics in Lisbon this month.

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Carter says it’s important to note that pig carcasses aren’t human bodies—so the formula isn’t transferrable. But his “little pig equation” does offer hope that a similar human-focused calculation could someday be within reach of forensic scientists, explaining decomposition in different climates.

“Humans have so many variables,” Carter said. “But if we do the same thing for humans, we can probably figure out how long people have been dead a lot better than we do now.”

Carter’s database findings are already providing a new avenue of research for universities or other institutions with so-called “body farms,” where human decomposition in the elements is studied.

Carter cautioned that developing such a formula would require partnerships with law enforcement, medical examiners and years worth of data. He added several universities have already sought him out to talk about the pig decomposition study, including one in Australia that’s establishing a body farm.

Carter’s pig carcass research, with co-authors, was published in the journal Forensic Science International last year and was based on 10 decomposition studies conducted on Chaminade’s campus.

Joined by some colleagues, Carter is also hoping to present on separate research findings next year at the 77th annual Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Baltimore. That presentation is set to focus on investigations with the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office.

Carter is an expert consultant for the office and is often brought onto cases to help determine whether findings during forensic investigations or autopsies are consistent with natural processes of death.

The presentation developed for the Baltimore conference, he said, incorporates data from 250 cases that offer insight into how authorities could use previous death investigations to inform future ones.

For example, he said, the database he is developing could allow a forensic investigator to more readily determine if a particular mark on a body is consistent—or not—with a natural death.

“You have essentially a reference database. In forensic science, you would refer to it as your knowns—like a database of fingerprints,” he said. “People underestimate the power of ruling stuff out.”

To read more about Carter’s research, click here.

Silverswords Gather for Aloha ‘Āina Event

The day included community service projects, hands-on activities and educational workshops

Chaminade students along with members of the faculty and staff gathered on Indigenous Peoples Day for a special Aloha ‘Āina Kalaepōhaku event to celebrate the Hawaiian value of mālama ʻāina with community service projects, hands-on activities, and educational workshops and lectures.

As part of the daylong event on campus, supported by a grant from Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu, participants planted native flora and weeded community gardens on Chaminade’s campus. A group of students also ventured to Cromwell’s Beach to conduct invasive limu removal.

“Today is a wonderful day for Chaminade University of Honolulu to celebrate the place, Kalaepōhaku, where we reside and to give back and celebrate our ʻāina,” said University President Lynn Babington. “So we come together as a community of mostly students, but faculty and staff, too, to protect the ʻāina, celebrate it, work in our community garden and also work with our native plants.”

Later in the day, students also got hands-on demonstrations in hula, lei making and more.

“Our Marianist mission and values of the University really focus on community,” said Babington, who assisted in clearing the community garden and putting in native plants. “Anytime we have the opportunity to gather people together to celebrate our place here in Hawai’i, we take advantage of that.”

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Kahoali’i Keahi-Wood, cultural engagement specialist and director of Environmental Studies at Chaminade, said the event was an opportunity to “give back to our ʻāina.” “We all have such busy lives,” he said. “It gives us a free day on our holiday to actually go back out into our communities, to think about people other than just us, extend our reach and give back to our community.”

Other workshops at the event explored Pacific pattern making, traditional fishing techniques and Hawaiian herbal medicinal practices. Indigenous scholar Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer also spoke at the event about the intersection of indigenous knowledge and sustainability.

Chaminade Scholars: Learning through Service

The Chaminade Scholars program stresses spiritual and leadership development

Nathaniel David ‘26 says while he enjoys his classes and professors, the learning that has resonated with him the most at Chaminade University has been out in the community—through service-learning and volunteer projects that helped him see how he can make a positive impact.

And a good number of those service-learning experiences, he said, were through the Chaminade Scholars Program, which stresses spiritual development, academic excellence and leadership. Student participants receive a scholarship, renewable for up to four years, and participate in mentorship and service opportunities geared toward personal growth.

“I found it really helpful to have a program that helps me grow in my faith and puts me to work as a servant of God and his people,” said David, an English major who is minoring in Education.

“My biggest takeaway from the Chaminade Scholars Program is that while it is about helping us grow in our faith, grow as an ’ohana, and grow into leaders, it’s really about serving our community as Chaminade students and followers of Christ,” David added.

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Bro. Edward Brink, S.M., vice president for Mission and rector, said the Chaminade Scholars Program is geared toward students who are “engaged in their faith, engaged in service and want to keep those things happening while they’re at Chaminade.”

“Our hope is that while they’re in the program, they’re going to start to see that this way of serving people can continue beyond their school years,” he added.

In other words, Chaminade Scholars are encouraged to see service as a good habit for life.

That was exactly how the program impacted Vanessa Ignacio ‘18, an orthopedic clinical specialist practicing in Hilo. “For me, the Scholars program really helped me to excel at Chaminade,” she said. “I was able to focus on my academics while still being involved in the community.”

Ignacio said the Scholars service-learning project she remembers the most was when students prepared and served meals at a homeless shelter. Rather than handing out the food cafeteria-style, she said, students delivered meals to tables.

“You actually sit down at the table. You get to hear their stories and they got to hear mine,” Ignacio said, adding the Scholars program also gave her opportunities to learn from mentors—and learn alongside peers who shared a passion for service.

Brink said there are seven new and 22 returning Chaminade Scholars this school year.

The program was started about 20 years ago, tracing its roots to the importance of faith formation at Chaminade. Service-learning is a cornerstone of the program, and students are asked to commit to completing at least 15 hours of service each semester.

Chaminade Scholars volunteer to feed those in need during a recent service-learning opportunity.
Chaminade Scholars volunteer to feed those in need during a recent service-learning opportunity.

In addition to serving the homeless, students also serve as tutors and mentors for youth.

Brink said many students find that they receive far more than they give through the program. “A first-year student comes in and they’re reserved, shy, but great heart. Not sure where they fit in,” he said. “They start doing this service and all of a sudden, it’s like they’re able to get out of their shell. They start taking on leadership roles. Experience in service builds confidence.”

David, the English major, called the Scholars service-learning projects “truly special.”

Because he is aiming to become a teacher, he’s focused his volunteerism at Hawaii public schools, including through a mentoring program at Farrington High. “I push myself to do well in school and my classes so I can help others do the same in the future, especially as an aspiring educator,” he said, adding that monthly luncheons for the program that include speakers have also helped him broaden his perspectives and learn about new ways to maximize his impact.

Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva spoke to the Scholars at a luncheon earlier this month aimed at congratulating new inductees to the program and celebrating returning students. David said he’s proud to be among those recognized as a Scholar—and looks forward to contributing even more.

He added that the Scholars program is also what helped him “tap into the rest of the faith community” at Chaminade. He is now serving as a part-time student minister, “using more of my time and talents to help build the faith even more here at Chaminade and to glorify God.”

Chaminade Lauded in ‘Best Colleges’ Rankings

Chaminade’s Nursing Program also ranked in the Best Undergraduate Nursing category

Chaminade University secured high marks for academic excellence, value and student life by two organizations that provide annual rankings of universities.

In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings, Chaminade clinched the No. 21 spot for “best value” among regional universities in the West.

The publication also recognized Chaminade as No. 33 in best regional universities in the West.

And Chaminade’s Nursing Program ranked in the Best Undergraduate Nursing category.

“We are honored to be named among the best regional universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report and to be recognized for our strong commitment to affordability and exceptional value,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D.

U.S. News & World Report Rankings:

  • Regional Universities West: #33
  • Best Value – Regional Universities West: #21

Niche Rankings:

  • Best College Locations in Hawaii: #1
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in Hawaii: #1
  • Safest College Campuses in Hawaii: #1
  • Best College Campuses in America: #28 (out of 1,373)

“Our world-class programs, service-oriented mission, and focus on leadership development and academic excellence prepare our students for success after graduation, ensuring they can maximize their potential for making a positive impact in Hawaii communities.”

Chaminade has consistently ranked high in the “best value” school category, with the university recently implementing its Hawaii Guarantee tuition program.

The initiative provides Hawai’i high school seniors entering as freshmen the same tuition rate as the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s annual resident undergraduate tuition.

The guarantee also includes an achievable pathway to graduate in four years.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on up to 19 key indicators of academic quality, evaluating nearly 1,500 four-year bachelor’s degree-granting institutions across the nation.

These statistics reflect educational excellence and graduate outcomes as well as considerations that vary person-to-person, like campus culture, strength in specific majors, and financial aid offered.

In a separate college ranking, Chaminade was named No. 1 as best college location and for best student life in Hawaii, as well as the safest college campus in Hawai’i by Niche, a company that provides rankings for different aspects of the college experience based on a combination of data sets and reviews.

Nationally, Chaminade was ranked by Niche an impressive No. 28 out of 1,373 schools for the best college campuses in America.

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