Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus and Community

How will we be the change?

President Lynn Babington’s Statement Regarding Unrest Across the Nation

To the Chaminade community:

We mourn the tragic death of George Floyd and join those around the nation, and the globe, in calling for an end to the institutional racism that has plagued our nation for far too long.

The pain and anguish of protesters gathering peacefully in US cities is palpable and justified.

It is also familiar. And in their chants we hear not only George Floyd’s name but the names of countless other African-Americans and people of color who have been killed. 

Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. This must end. 

Silence is not the answer to racism, to bigotry or to violence. It never has been. Now is the time for a dialogue, for action—and for change.

Now is the time to speak the names of those we’ve lost so they will not have died in vain. 

As a Marianist educational institution, we are proud to stand for social justice. It is written into our mission.

And we believe our work to end racism begins at home. Chaminade University has built a safe and inclusive campus community, condemning discrimination. Over the years, we have sought to examine and amend our policies and ensure that all voices are at the table.

There is always more to do, however, and this moment in our nation’s history should give all of us pause. We must ask ourselves: how will we meet this crisis and seek to right the wrongs that were decades in the making?

How will we be the change?

It is everyone’s kuleana to root out racism wherever it is found. To be intentional, active, urgent and unified in addressing the systemic inequities and injustices that we face as a nation.

The images on the news and across social media should also fuel our resolve: the time for real change is here. This is too important to put off any longer. 

We can begin on a different path forward by condemning as a nation and as citizens these violent acts and offering to support one another in building a new future together. 

Many of you are struggling right now with the strongest emotions: you are outraged, you are grieving, you are afraid. These feelings are both incredibly difficult and absolutely understandable. 

Know that your campus community is here for you at this time and always.

We are here to listen, to learn and to lean into the hard work of racial reconciliation together. As one ‘ohana, we will be part of the solution.

Sincerely,
Lynn Babington, Ph.D.
President, Chaminade University

Designing While Quarantined

Over 15 Chaminade alumni attended a virtual event on Saturday, May 16 to gain insider tips for updating their space during stay-at-home orders. The event, Designing Your Space, was hosted by Alumni Relations and featured a panel of four Environmental + Interior Design graduates who shared tricks for updating, organizing and styling home spaces.

Chaminade alumni attended a virtual event to gain insider tips for updating their space during stay-at-home orders

With so many people obeying stay-at-home orders and spending more time in their homes, Nicolle Soriano ‘18, junior interior designer at WCIT Architecture, offered ways to maximize space and feel less confined. Some tips included using furniture to section off spaces, measuring areas to ensure the furniture you use fits appropriately, using neutral colors to make spaces feel more open and using shelving for storage and artwork.

Many people are also finding themselves suddenly working from home. Catherine Valentine ‘18, project designer at Philpots Interiors, offered tips for designing a workspace when you don’t have a home office. The first step is to find a place away from your bedroom, kitchen or typical relaxing area—when you finish work for the day, you don’t want to be reminded of it while you’re cooking, relaxing, trying to sleep or playing with the kids. She also mentioned that lighting and air ventilation can make a big difference in productivity. Ultimately, pay attention to what your work station is like in your office at work and in places where you do your best work, and try to replicate that setup at home.

There are also ways to mitigate noises while you’re trying to work from home. Gerlie Valdez ’17, senior designer at Pyramid Premier Properties, offered both short-term and long-term solutions. If you’re looking for a short-term fix, consider using fabrics and rugs to help reduce noise transmission. You can look for fabrics that have a sound transmission class (STC) rating, or you can simply use fabrics that have double layers, like burlap or velvet. Even blackout curtains help absorb noise. If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, consider adding mass loaded vinyl (MLV) under your carpet, or using decorative acoustic panels on your walls.

It’s also important to consider color. According to Marisa Saito ’17, junior interior designer at AHL, colors can dictate your mood so choose the right colors for the right space. For example, use brighter colors like reds, oranges and yellows to bring in more life and energy. Use blues and greens to create a calm or serene feel. Also, pay attention to color intensity—more vibrant colors can often be distracting and too intense. The best thing to do is to analyze how you want a space to make you feel, and then plan accordingly.

Other tips that the panel shared included:

  • Spend the bulk of your budget on a statement piece—something to draw your eye that you’re proud of and that brings you joy. You’ll get more bang for your buck and it will help make your space more personal.
  • If you’re on a limited budget, consider using things like accent paint, plants, hanging artwork and accessories to bring a space together and make it your own.
  • If you own your home, consider how long you plan to live in it before undergoing a complete remodel. While you want your home to be personal, you also want to maintain its resale value.
  • If you rent your home, work with what you have, and not against it. It’s important to choose the right furniture to fit your space, and you can do small things like change light fixtures or curtain rods, cover floors with rugs and hang artwork to bring it all together.
  • Create separate spaces within your home by decluttering and using a rug to highlight an area, plants to separate places, and accent walls to define spaces.
  • Consider scale and room size before decorating. If you’re working with a small space, avoid bulkier pieces to ensure you have ample space to walk and move around. If you’re working with a larger area, use taller, elongating pieces to maximize space.
  • Don’t forget about the outdoor areas. Utilize your outdoor space and bring the outdoors in with plants and images of nature.

Ultimately, it’s about making your home personal and creating something that you can feel proud of and feel comfortable in. With so many of us staying home, now is as good a time as any to finally turn your house into a home!

Co-Curricular Awards 2020

Each year, the Co-Curricular Awards are presented to outstanding members of the Chaminade community who go above and beyond to make our campus a better place. While the awards are typically presented at a dinner ceremony, this year’s 15th Annual Co-Curricular Awards were presented via video announcement due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Three notable awards carry on the legacy of individuals who have provided exemplary service to the Chaminade ‘ohana—Bro. Joseph Becker, Rev. David Schuyler and Fr. Stephen Tutas. These awards recognize individuals and organizations who continue to go above and beyond to serve their campus community and carry on the spirit of their namesake. 

Bro. Joseph Becker was one of the founders of Chaminade University of Honolulu and was highly regarded as the chairman of the English department. He was known for his humor and bringing the fun to campus. The Bro. Joseph Becker Awards of Excellence are presented each year to Chaminade students who display exceptional leadership through involvement in co-curricular activities. These students embody the characteristics of leadership: initiative, motivation, character, integrity, service and scholarship. They are actively involved in the campus community and contribute their time and energy to the improvement of student and campus life. This year brought two freshmen recipients of the award: Jacqueline Martinez and Eri Leong. The sophomore recipient was Josephine Iose, Melissa De La Cruz was the junior recipient, and Cami Naomi Keli’inui received the award as a senior.

Rev. David Schuyler became the fifth president of Chaminade University, after serving the institution as dean and vice president. His career was spent in service to Marianist educational institutions as a teacher, mentor and advisor. The Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award is awarded each year to a staff, faculty member or administrator who advises a student organization and consistently helps identify, encourage and support students in their campus involvement and leadership opportunities. This person expands the horizons, skills and value systems of Chaminade students through their support and guidance. The 2020 award was presented to professor Hans Chun for his work advising the Korean Club.

Fr. Tutas was a teacher and administrator at Chaminade in the 1950s, and served as the director of the Marianist community in Honolulu. He spent 16 years serving communities in Hawaii. The Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence recognizes a student program that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, planning and execution and has significantly contributed to the quality of life at Chaminade. This year’s award was presented to Tales & Treats, a service learning program where students from Luminai O Samoa, Micronesian Club and Marianas Club work with the Hawaii Literacy Program to teach low income housing students the skills of literacy.

Congratulations to all of the 2020 awardees—your commitment, dedication and service are what make Chaminade so unique and special.

2020 CO-CURRICULAR AWARDS

AWARDS PRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND LEADERSHIP (OSAL)

Bro. Joseph Becker Awards of Excellence
Awarded annually to a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior who displayed exceptional leadership through involvement in co-curricular activities.

Freshman: Jacqueline Martinez, Communication ‘23 and Eri Leong, Communication ‘23
Sophomore: Josephine Iose, Psychology ‘22
Junior: Melissa “Ezzie” Dela Cruz, Biology ‘21
Senior: Cami Naomi Keli’inui, Biology ‘22

Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award
Awarded annually to a student organization that has gone beyond the bounds of their membership by helping to create a positive campus environment for all students and made an outstanding contribution to Chaminade University as an organization.

Residence Hall Association

Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence
Awarded annually to a student or student organization who has exceptional creativity, planning, and execution of a university program which significantly contributed to the quality of life at Chaminade.

Tales & Treats (Lumanai O Samoa/Micronesian Club)

Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award
Awarded annually to a member of faculty, staff or administration who advises a student club/organization and consistently helped to identify, encourage, and support students in their leadership development and campus involvement, repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to the community and its needs and expanded the horizons, skills and value systems of Chaminade students by providing support and guidance within co-curricular life.

Dr. Hans Chun (School of Education and Behavioral Sciences)

AWARDS PRESENTED BY ATHLETICS

Male Athlete of the Year
Awarded annually to a student-athlete who represents Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during his season.

Tyler Cartaino, MBA program (Men’s Basketball)

Female Athlete of the Year
Awarded annually to a student-athlete who represents Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during her season.

Rachel Reedy, Nursing 2021 (Women’s Volleyball)

Silversword Award
Recognizes an act or series of acts associated with an athletic activity that represents the spirit of the Marianist philosophy to include sportsmanship, integrity, honesty, truthfulness and respect for self and others.

Rachel Arakawa, Biology ‘20 (Women’s Soccer)

AWARDS PRESENTED BY CAMPUS MINISTRY

Campus Ministry Award
Awarded to a student who has participated in all areas of Campus Ministry (liturgy, community service and retreats). This person is an all-around amazing member of the Campus Ministry ‘ohana.

Angel Felise-Vitale, Historical & Political Studies ‘20

Liturgy Award
Awarded to an individual who has willingly volunteered his or her time and talent to contribute to the quality and spirituality of our weekend and special liturgies and prayer experiences.

Mica Mariano, Nursing ‘20
Martina Segura, Environmental Studies ‘23

Retreat Leader of the Year
Acknowledges the overwhelming commitment and dedication shown by a retreat leader in creating communities of support, faith, and love on campus.

Andrew Trapsi, Biochemistry ‘20
Samantha Diaz, Elementary Education ‘20

Service Award
Acknowledges outstanding servant leadership in the area of restorative justice and service for the people and the `āina (land) of Hawaii.

Eddie Adachi, Environmental Studies ‘21
Andrew Ancheta II, Biology ‘21

AWARDS PRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF ADVISING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Distinguished Tutor of the Year
Acknowledges the outstanding commitment and dedication shown by a tutor to serve the Chaminade University of Honolulu community.

Keahealailani Takushi, Biochemistry ‘21

Outstanding Orientation Leader
Awarded to an Orientation Leader who has displayed exemplary performance of their duties.

Charlynn Adversalo, Psychology ‘20

Outstanding Peer Mentor
Awarded to a Peer Mentor who has displayed exemplary performance of their duties.

Marvin Trantham, Business Administration ‘20

AWARDS PRESENTED BY RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Residence Hall Association Award of Excellence
Awarded to a Resident Hall Association Representative who is a role model for other representatives, has demonstrated strong leadership skills and who positively impacted the organization and residential community.

Tanisha Taualai, Criminology and Criminal Justice ‘22

Resident Assistant Award of Excellence
Awarded to a Resident Assistant who has a high-level of maturity, exhibits the ability to work as an individual community leader as well as an active participant on the Residential Life team.

Marianna ‘Aulani Oka, Environmental Studies ‘23
Shane Cobacha, Psychology ‘22
Cayanne Gabaylo, Biology ‘22
Dominic Coffey, Criminology and Criminal Justice ‘21
Mystique Gaspar-Kekume, Criminology and Criminal Justice ‘21
Jemima Telesia Nafatali, Accounting ‘21
Jason Nowak, Criminology and Criminal Justice ‘21
Tihani Rivera, Forensic Sciences ‘21
Andrew Trapsi, Biochemistry ‘20

AWARDS PRESENTED BY DEAN OF STUDENTS

Dean of Students’ Special Recognition
Recognizes a student who in his or her time at Chaminade has continuously contributed to the betterment of the overall community.

Sierra Murobayashi, Criminology and Criminal Justice ‘21

Frederick K.K. Kauhane, Sr. Aloha Spirit Award
Awarded annually to students who exhibit a humble, cheerful, and generous spirit; a dedication to fostering a sense of `ohana around campus and the ability to raise other’s spirits by consistently improving the environment around them.

Kiso Skelton, Historical and Political Studies ‘20

Henry Halenani Gomes Alaka‘i Award
Recognizes a Chaminade undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and service to the Native Hawaiian community.

Pohaikealoha Artates, Environmental Studies ‘20

2020 Heritage Awards

Three members of the Chaminade ‘ohana were honored at a special mass on January 22, 2020 as part of the annual Heritage Awards. Each year, Chaminade University recognizes three individuals who exemplify the Marianist tradition on campus and live and share Marianist values. This year’s award winners were Dr. Helen Turner, Julieann Tupuola and Andrew Trapsi ‘20.

Dr. Helen Turner Heritage Award winner

The Chaminade Award is given each year to a faculty or staff member who has exhibited a strong commitment to the Characteristics of Marianist Universities and to serving as a champion for justice, love and the dignity and rights of all people in our community. This year’s recipient, Dr. Helen Turner, vice president for strategy and innovation, began her career at Chaminade as the dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Since Dr. Turner’s arrival at Chaminade, she has made tremendous contributions to the university, from updating the “I am a Scientist” curriculum to introducing new degree programs like data science, an MBA in healthcare administration and an MBA in science and technology. She has also led the way for the Ho’oulu Scholarship program in partnership with Kamehameha Schools. Dr. Turner has an uncanny ability to respond to the needs of our community and does so with great success.

Julie Tupuola Heritage Award winner

Julieann Tupuola, Chaminade’s facilities coordinator, received the Marianist Award. The award celebrates her tireless and extraordinary efforts to build a collaborative, open and loving community, all while seeking to forward the university’s vision and mission. Julie first came to Chaminade as a student in 2012. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English in 2016, then completed her Master of Education degree last May. Julie is known to go above and beyond for the people that surround her. Besides her responsibilities as facilities coordinator, Julie serves as an advisor for the Samoan Club on campus. A student member of the club says, “Julie makes sure we are following our customs of respect and taking care of each other.”

Andrew Traspi Heritage Award winner

The Founder’s Award is presented each year to a student who has exhibited a spirit of faith, demonstrated a commitment to Marianist values and served as a role model for the Chaminade community. Andrew Trapsi, a biochemistry major who plans to graduate this spring, was the well-deserved recipient this year. Originally from the Bay Area in California, Andrew is active at Chaminade, participating in Campus Ministry and Residence Life. One of his nominators says, “As an R.A., Andrew genuinely cares for his residents. On any given day, whether he is on duty or not, he can be found hanging out with his residents. He takes the time to really communicate with his residents and other students around campus.”

Congratulations and mahalo to our three award-winners! We are blessed and honored to have your unique gifts as part of our campus community.

Graduate and Online Undergraduate Scholarships

Dr. Lynn Babington talks to KHON2 about our new $5,000 graduate and online undergraduate scholarship in celebration of 200 years of Marianist Education. The one-time $5,000 scholarships are available to new, incoming students looking to pursue a master’s degree or online bachelor’s degree.

At Chaminade University, we are committed to improving the community we call home through education.

From Hawaii to Scotland: Chaminade Holds International Conference

What connects Hawaii and Scotland?

You might assume the answer is not much. But an international conference held at Chaminade University over the summer underscored just how much the two locales share – and how indigenous writers from Scotland and its isles and the Hawaiian Islands have much to learn from each other.

From June 28 to 30, the University hosted the International Association for the Study of Scottish Literatures conference, welcoming researchers from around the globe to hear illuminating lectures around the theme, “Scotland and the South Seas: Writing the Wide Pacific.” The conference focused on how Scottish and Pacific literary works influenced each other thanks to rich cultural exchanges.

Chaminade’s Division of Humanities and Fine Arts professors Dr. Allison Paynter and Dr. Richard Hill served as key organizers for the conference, partnering with historical organizations from across the state to offer plenary sessions that took their inspiration from author Robert Louis Stevenson’s writings and travels across the Pacific, including Hawaii. The conference also featured two leading scholars of Stevenson, Roslyn Jolly (University of New South Wales) and Penny Fielding (Edinburgh University).

As part of the conference, Chaminade’s Sullivan Family Library worked to bring Stevenson’s stories to life, coordinating with Hawaii artist Solomon Enos and others to create pieces inspired by his many writings.

Paynter and Hill said the conference was so rich, they’re planning to write a book about the takeaways.

Also over the summer, Paynter was named a James Weldon Johnson Foundation artist-in-residence. The foundation seeks to advance Weldon’s legacy through educational, intellectual and artistic works. Weldon was an author, diplomat, attorney and strong advocate for social justice.