Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus and Community

Environmental Leaders

Changemakers discuss their path to policymaking

One is nicknamed by her husband as the “Irresistible Force.” The other is known as “The Enforcer.” And the third has a spouse who wholeheartedly stands behind him—even if it means wielding a tire iron. Together, Althine Clark, Celeste Connors and William Aila, Jr., respectively, represent a “super power” to contend with when it involves environmental policy and activism in the islands.  

“The goal of this session is to have our guest speakers talk about how they got where they are today,” said Clark, a Chaminade adjunct professor who recently retired as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) superintendent of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. “You’ll hear real-life examples of what it’s like to live a life in environmental policy.”  

In his opening story, Aila recalled a time when he was young with a fervent commitment to do whatever it took to preserve the aina–even if it meant physical confrontation. “I saw these three guys one day and I confronted them because they were mistreating a cultural site,” Aila shared with the students. “I asked them to stop and I started to move towards them. When you’re about to get into a fight, you look at the person’s eyes and then watch their shoulder. But these guys kept looking behind me so I thought I was going to be ambushed. And when I had a second to look back, I saw my wife standing there with a tire iron in her hands.”  

Today’s environmentalists are faced with many forms of violence—and even death at times. The non-governmental organization Standing Firm has published an annual report on the killings of land and environmental defenders around the world every year since 2012, after the murder of Chut Wutty, a Cambodian environmentalist who worked with the Global Witness CEO Mike Davis investigating illegal logging.  

While stationed in Greece as an economics officer with the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Celeste Connors once remembered seeing a bullet lodged in her office window. “There was so much anti-American sentiment at the time,” said Connors, Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Green Growth, which is a United Nations Local 2030 hub that brings together diverse stakeholders committed to economic, social and environmental priorities. “But when I told them I was from Hawaii, everyone started reaching out because they can connect with Hawaii.”

Indeed, Hawaii holds a special place with Connors who decided to come home in 2015 after serving as a diplomat in Saudi Arabia, Greece, Germany and U.S. Mission to the UN. She later was named the Director for Environment and Climate Change at the National Security Council and National Economic Council in the White House (2008-2012), where she helped shape the Administration’s climate and energy policies, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Connors also worked with the United Nations on the Paris climate agreement that was signed in 2016, which she sees as inspiration for Hawai‘i Green Growth’s goals.  

“The world is at a point where we desperately need solutions,” Connors asserted. “Since I left home, there has been a cultural renaissance, and other nations are now looking to indigenous models, such as Hawai’s ahupua‘a system, to become sustainable and independent. Think locally but act globally.”  

With a background in urban and regional planning, Clark understands the complexity of environmental law and policy, a class (ENV 300) that she is currently teaching to sophomores and juniors. Her introductory course outlines environmental policy and law—specifically its nature, development, flexibility, and growth, and to the ethical dimensions surrounding the creation of state, national and international environmental policy and law.  

“No is not an option nor an answer,” Clark said. “I’m now seeing lots of communities get engaged. One of the reasons I agreed to teach at Chaminade is because the University encourages students to get involved in projects that benefit society.”  

Asked by a student how to deal with climate change deniers, Aila said try to first reason with them. “And if that doesn’t work, go around him, go above him, go below him,” he advised. “Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t. Instead, use those words as a motivator, and go out and make a difference.”                

Enterprising Minds

Teams to compete in Silversword Business Competition

Game on! In a Shark Tank-like competition, teams of students will compete in an entrepreneurial 18-week contest, vying for the grand prize of $2,000. The catch: the product or the service must have some element of sustainability.  

“Your idea has to address any of the CIFAL Center’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG),” explained Asoke Datta, EdD, School of Business and Communication’s Assistant Dean, outlining the competition’s rules. “It has to be profitable, not just in terms of revenue, but for the greater good of society.”  

Without revealing too much about her strategy, Carol Nacario ’23, a senior in the School of Business and Communication, is concerned with all the “waste” that she sees around her. The environment, like many in her generation—led by Greta Thunberg and the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led political organization urging increased attention to climate change—is an issue that needs to be kept in the forefront of people’s minds.  

Students participating in the Silversword Business Competition include, from left, Peyton Haleamau, Michalla Burtado, Alyssa Torres (kneeling), Emma Rosales and Carol Nacario.

“Deciding on a final project will be the most difficult challenge,” shared Nacario with other students who attended Day 1 of the competition. “My target audience will be the campus.”  

Academic competitions play an essential part in learning for students. Participation offers a hands-on opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and principles they have gained in the classroom and apply it to real-work situations. These competitions foster such skills as leadership, teamwork and communication. They can also be a great way to make new connections and friends.  

School of Business and Communication interim dean, Dr. Annette Santos, issued her first challenge to the students: recruit others to join their teams. “It can be a team of two to five students,” said Santos via a live video feed from Guam. “However, at least one of the team members has to be from the School of Business and Communication.”  

A business major, Peyton Haleamau ’25, convinced second year forensics science majors, Emma Rosales ’25 and Michalla “Meeks” Butardo ’25, to be on her team. Having never taken a business course, Rosales and Butardo consider their lack of entrepreneurial savvy as their major challenge.  

“We’ll be here as advisors and mentors,” marketing lecturer Wera Panow-Loui, MBA, told the students. “Last year, I opened my house up to a team of students who were producing jewelry out of microplastics reclaimed from the beach and in the ocean. And I also fed them.”  

Datta suggested to find team members who are in different disciplines, from art and interior design to nursing and data analytics. “You want a wider perspective than just business,” he said. “That’s what entrepreneurs do—they get creative. And, if they fail, what they learn from that failure determines how they succeed the next time.”

Each team will be given $250 seed money to use at its discretion. The School of Business and Communication’s Advisory Board members, who are providing the funding for the seed money, will also be available as mentors.  

When the competition was launched in 2021, the plan was to have students open and manage a pop-up concession on campus. Because COVID-19 was still a factor, another approach was decided: the School invited students to participate in a business competition that would allow them to show off their creativity, their ability to work with others and their aptitude in everything from marketing to accounting and customer service.  

“Think of this competition as an incubator of ideas,” said Dr. Eduard Merc, who is Chaminade’s MBA director. “You’ll have the chance to work alongside your professors and the opportunity for experiential learning that goes beyond theory.”  

Students’ final presentation will take place on Nov. 16. Each team will be assessed by sales/revenue, social media likes and shares, and their profit-and-lost statement.  

“And your business must align with the sustainable approach,” Santos emphasized. “In developing your business plan, take into account these considerations: 1) Identify future needs; 2) Identify technology to serve that need; and 3) How will you deliver the need, through what channels of distribution?”  

Their time starts now!    

Welcome to the Class of 2027

Freshman and Hawaii Island native Shalei Parong was among a throng of incoming students who moved into the Hale Pohaku co-ed dormitory on August 17. Meanwhile, after attending the freshman Apo Haumana Retreat, Gavin Ritcheson, Chase Murray and Kanden Yamada bonded and became instant friends.

“It was a fun retreat,” said Yamada of Apo Haumana. “We learned more about Chaminade’s mission, Hawaii’s culture, and we met with our new faculty mentors. We also sang a lot of karaoke., too”  

This year, Chaminade University welcomed one of its largest incoming classes in recent history. The projected number of new students amounts to 1,572 undergraduate students and 642 graduate students for a total of 2,214 student enrollment. (The official final count is due Oct. 1.) The incoming class of freshmen and transfer students added up to 481, many of whom attended the New Student Orientation.

Madyson Jensen, left, and Epifania Petelo stand inside a Barbie box for incoming residents to have their photos taken.

This Fall, the University also noted a 34 percent increase in new students from Hawaii, thanks in large part to the Hawaiʻi Guarantee initiative, which makes tuition for local Hawaiʻi freshmen on par with tuition at UH Manoa.  

“It’s gratifying to see so many local high school graduates and others selecting Chaminade as the institute to pursue their higher education,” said Chaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington. “We also have the highest graduation rate of Hawaii colleges, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, and that’s something of which we’re really proud.”  

Also of note, 285 students live in university residence halls, with nine resident assistants guiding their dormitory experience that includes activities, and all safety and security procedures.  

“We enforce the dorm rules,” said Kieffer Hall resident assistants Mady Jensen ’26 and Epifana Petelo ’23, as they waited to check in incoming students. “We make sure that everyone abides by the curfews and other regulations.”  

New this year is Chaminade’s Major and Minor in the Sport and Event Management (SEM) program within the School of Business and Communication. It is the first college program of its kind in Hawaii, according to SEM professor Wendy Lam, Ph.D. Students will take an interdisciplinary approach to build their foundation of knowledge with courses in sports business administration, sports psychology, sustainability, law, ethics and communications.  

“Sports programs generate tremendous value to both our communities and Hawaii’s economy,” said Lam, Associate Professor of Business. “The future of the school is mission-focused, practical and exciting.”  

New graduate programs include the Education Specialist in School Psychology (EdS); Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change (EdD–Sustainability Leadership concentration; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)–BSN-DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) certificate; and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)–Post-Doctor Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Certificate.  

In addition to more than 60 majors and minors, the University’s Office of Student Engagement offers more than 30 active student clubs for students to join.  

“Looking ahead, we have an exciting year planned, and I am grateful in advance for all of the hard work and commitment of our faculty and staff members,” Babington said. “We are always here for our students.”    

Hail to the King

It was literally one step forward, two steps back for Cedric King as he learned to walk again after having both of his legs severed by an improvised explosive device (IED) during his second tour in Afghanistan. But he got up … again and again, each time with even more steely determination to weather what he calls “the storm.”  

“I’m not going to tell you it wasn’t tough,” said King, who made an appearance on the Kalaepohaku campus to give his keynote address titled, “Relentless Spirit, Resilient Mind.” “The beginning was difficult. I had to relearn how to walk, how to write, how to type, how to drive. But I didn’t give up and play victim, and the woe-is-me card.”  

A retired Army 82nd Division Airborne Master Sergeant, King was only 34 years old when he lost his limbs and severely injured his right forearm, which took years to reconstruct and is now disfigured.

Retired Army Master Sergeant Cedric King gave a TEDx-like talk about resiliency and persistence.

Recalling the moment when his platoon was under machine gun fire while doing reconnaissance in an Afghanistan village, King described the explosion as “knocking him off his feet.” When he gained consciousness, he saw in his periphery that a medic was running towards him pulling out a tourniquet while en route.  

“I thought, I just got knocked down,” said King, who was unaware of his severe injuries until he looked down at his severed legs and could see his radial artery pulsating from his forearm. “The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital, eight days later.”  

King would spend three years at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Military Advanced Training Center (MATC), which is a state-of-the-art facility where service members, retirees and family members use sophisticated prosthetics and cutting-edge athletic equipment to move from injury to independence.  

“When I woke up, I knew the life that I had was no longer the same,” King said. “I couldn’t make peace with this storm. But my wife and kids told me they needed me to be dad again.”  

With his family in attendance, King thanked his mom Sandra Williams, step-dad Valton Williams and his aunts, Coralis McCormick and Karen McClinic, for their years of support and love. “They probably had it harder because they were the ones who got the call,” King said. “You know it’s possible that something like this could happen, but you never think it would happen to you.”  

While recovering from his injuries, King made it a point to complete his bachelor’s degree and began to fine tune his speaking voice. “When I was in the hospital, my heart said ‘Hey man, you still have so much good to give,’” recounted the North Carolina native. “If you could only get out of this hospital bed, you could probably be inspiring to other people.”  

Since becoming a bilateral amputee below the knee, King has shared his story of perseverance and resilience with such audiences as the US Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point, and professional sports teams of the NFL, NBA and MLB. He has spoken about his experience with Fortune 500 companies from Home Depot to Facebook. And in February 2019, his story was published into print when he released his book called, “The Making Point.”  

Clutching her copy of “The Making Point” at the TEDx-like talk at the T.C. Ching Conference Center, nursing sophomore Grace Kang ’26 presented King with an orchid lei, telling him how inspiring it was to read about his life.  

In his book, King shares his mindsets, philosophies and stories that include how 21 months after losing both of his legs, he completed the 2014 Boston Marathon. And after 26 months and three days, he finished a 70.3 mile half Ironman Triathlon. He has been featured on such cable networks as CBS, NBC, ABC, HBO and the NFL Network. The 45-year-old Atlanta resident is also a two-time New York City Marathon Finisher, a five-time Boston Marathon finisher, numerous half marathons and a thrice 48.6 mile Disney Marathon series finisher.  

“Your process touched me and made me cry,” Kang told King. “I don’t know how you coped during your darkest moments. You kept getting up no matter the challenges.”  

Toward the end of his talk, King issued his own challenge to Nick Creech, Kaila Frank ’24 and Andrew Ancheta ’21. Sitting on a chair, King removed his prosthetics and then maneuvered his his hip and thigh onto the chair and lowered his upper torso in a push-up position.  

“I’m the storm,” King told Creech, Frank and Ancheta. “And now you’re going to get down and match me in push-ups. I’m going to do everything to try to trick you to give up. So, can you outlast the storm?”  

After 12 reps, the challenge was over. Creech, Frank and Ancheta survived the storm.  

“You have to have reps, which represent hard times, and each time you do a rep, you’re getting stronger,” said King, using metaphorical terms. “Storms are there to train you; they’re your allies and not your enemy.  

“You have to relook how you see things,” King continued. “You could see yesterday as great, but you could make tomorrow even better.”  

Students, from left, Grace Kang, Huong Pham and Kaila Frank.
Cedric King’s family, from left, step-dad Valton Williams, mom Sandra Williams and his aunts, Coralis McCormick and Karen McClinic
Cedric King issues a challenge to Nick Creech, Kaila Frank and Andrew Ancheta.
Cedric King removed his prosthetics before the challenge.
Nick Creech holds a push-up position.
Nick Creech and Kaila Frank look over at Cedric King.
Cedric King tries to convince Andrew Ancheta to quit while Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, Alison Jerome, plays “referee.”

Nonprofit Financial Seminar

After welcoming members from more than 50 charitable organizations, Associate Professor of Accounting with the School of Business and Communication, Richard Kido, noted that this year marked a milestone 20th anniversary of this Non-Profit Financial Seminar, which aims to provide guidance and information on financial and operational issues related to leading and managing nonprofit organizations that serve our communities.  

“Don’t forget to register or you won’t get your CPE credit,” Kido reminded attendees. Continuing professional education, or CPE, credit is a term referring to the points professionals receive for participating in specialized training. CPE credits are based on hours of study and count toward certification programs that enable professionals to maintain or update their credentials.  

“The last time I was up here, it was just me and a camera,” quipped Trever Asam, a partner at the Cades Schutte law firm, which specializes in tax and nonprofit organizations. “Today, I will provide an update on the new IRS federal tax rates, which have an impact on gift and estate taxes. I’ll also discuss gift bunching and the Secure Act 2.0.”  

Effective finance management is essential for the success of any non-profit organization. By understanding the importance of financial administration and the challenges that nonprofits face, organizations can take steps to improve their accounting practices and better serve their communities.  

Other speakers at the event included Be-Jay Kodama, a two-time Chaminade University graduate ’86 BA and ’17 MBA, and Vice President of Philanthropy at Catholic Charities Hawaii (CCH), who was a member of a panel that discussed fundraising and grant writing in the world of nonprofits.  

Panelists, from left, Angie Golis-Yamamoto, Be-Jay Kodama, Madalyn Kenney and Candace Asam-Lopez discussed fundraising challenges in the world of nonprofits.

“The work we do is important, and you have to be able to think outside of the box,” Kodama told attendees. “Don’t be afraid to ask … and ask again and again.”  

Also among the four-member panel was Angie Golis-Yamamoto, a 35-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, who shared her fundraising successes and failures. “The challenge is how to bring awareness and money to your special events,” said Golis-Yamamoto, Director of Development at Sacred Hearts Academy. “And there are a lot of logistics in running an event. For example, if you have an auction, do you have it online or do you it by paper?”  

Fellow panelists, Candace Asam-Lopez, Director of Development, Ronald McDonald House Charities Hawaii and Madalyn Kenney, Chief Development Officer, Make-A-Wish Hawaii shared their own approaches to fundraising, which include looking at events through a more critical lens, sponsor partnerships and post-event engagement.

“It requires a lot of committment,” Asam-Lopez said. “Events are expensive and labor intensive. And ever since COVID, the question still remains do you hold an in-person event or do you go virtual? But how would a virtual golf tournament look like?”

Organized annually by Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication, the daylong seminar featured an impressive slate of experts who made presentations that covered such topics as “COVID-19 Related 2023 Non-Profit Recovery Grant Program” by Shane Akagi, Administrator of the Office of Grants Management, City and County of Honolulu; “Recruitment and Retention of Employees” by Sarah Guay, Hawaii Employers Council’s President & Chief Executive Officer; and Strategic Alliances and Partnerships by Lindsay Kido, Beer is for Everyone Founder and Executive.  

Other scheduled speakers included Hugh R. Jones, Counsel, Ashford & Wriston LLP; Bernice Parsons, President & Co-Founder, Vertaccount; and Aedward Los Banos, Deputy Director, Department Of Community Services with the Department of Community Services, City and County of Honolulu.  

The day concluded with three breakout sessions, with the first focused on the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) led by Adjunct Professor Wayne M. Tanna, JD, LL.M; and Recruitment and Retention of Employees with Guay. The second session looked at Grant Accounting with Professor Aaron Williamson; and Strategic Alliances and Partnerships with Lindsay Kido. The day’s final session involved Understanding the Audit Process Review with Catha Lee Combs, CPA and Managing Partner with Wikoff Combs & Co., LLC; and Sources of Nonprofit Financial Information with Professor Kido.  

“This was the first year since COVID that the seminar was held fully in-person,” said Asoke Datta, EdD, School of Business and Communication’s Assistant Dean and the seminar’s Moderator for Financial Track Sessions. “You could really feel an uptick in energy and excitement. What this seminar achieves is to bring nonprofits together, which doesn’t often happen. So, the seminar allows these nonprofit leaders to meet each other and form new collaborations.”      

Spiritual Convocation

Academic year opens with ‘Red Mass’

Faculty, students and staff filled the seats at the Mystical Rose Oratory to pray for guidance and wisdom at the Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit that traditionally marks the beginning of the academic year.

Presiding over the Fall Spiritual Convocation, Fr. Chris Wittmann S.M. explained the significance of the Mass, also known as “Red Mass,” which is celebrated annually in the Catholic Church for all members of the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation: judges, lawyers, law school professors, law students and government officials, marking the opening of the judicial year.  

“At the beginning of an academic, legislation or judicial year, it is a longstanding tradition to call upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance, blessing and grace that will be needed for the year ahead,” Wittmann preached. “At a university like Chaminade, we are blessed with an abundance of resources and avenues to knowledge and skills, practical wisdom and application. But even at a university, we don’t have all the answers; and we never will.”  

Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington welcomed faculty, staff and students back to campus.

Such is the nature of a Marianist education, which cultivates students’ personal talents, nourishing the desire and acquiring the skills that will equip them to be learners all their lives. “Our faculty and staff already embrace and appreciate the values of providing a quality education, and an education for service, justice, peace, adaptation and change,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “These are values that define my leadership, and they are consistent with the five pillars of the Marianist charism: faith, Mary, community, mission and inclusivity. We believe in an equal and just society, which is what we impart to our students.”  

During the Convocation, Chaminade’s Vice President of Mission and Rector, Bro. Ed Brink, outlined the genesis of the Marianist Educational Associates program. “In 2005, members from Chaminade University, University of Dayton and St. Mary’s University of San Antonio responded to a call from the Association of Marianist Universities (AMU) Board to build a partnership among members of the Society of Mary, the sponsoring religious body of the three universities,” he said. “It would invite a cadre of lay collaborators, who would together sustain and renew the mission and identity that was Catholic, and that embodied the Marianist educational tradition.”  

This past summer, seven Chaminade faculty and staff members participated in the MEA Formation, a seven-day program consisting of readings, reflections and sharing of insights. Asking them to stand in front of the congregation as he called out their names, Brink invited Drs. Darren Iwamoto, David Carter, Dustyn Ragasa, Frederique Kandel, Janet Davidson and Jennifer Creech, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, to come forward. (Dr. Tom Buning was unable to attend.)  

“These men and women are members of a community that is intentionally committed to strengthening and developing the Catholic and Marianist identity of this University,” Brink said. “I now ask you to make your commitment as a Marianist Educational Associate.”  

Afterwards, Brink acknowledged the 21 Chaminade staff members and faculty who made their first commitment in previous years, asking them to stand and renew their commitment as Marianist Educational Associates.  

In unison, the 21 MEAs pledged to strengthen, sustain and develop the Catholic and Marianist mission and identity of Chaminade University of Honolulu. They will continue to read, reflect, and collaborate with others to insure the continuation of the programs, processes and behaviors that make Chaminade a Catholic and Marianist University. And they promise to support others in growing in the knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic and Marianist traditions in order to embody and witness to these traditions and their benefit to the world.  

“So to students and other members of the faculty and staff, please, if you have questions about our charism, about the Marianist educational tradition, these people have given some time and energy to studying that,” Brink concluded. “They have thought deeply about how to incorporate that into their work. We’re all, as Fr. Chris said, still learning.”