Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus and Community

Celebrating 430 Years of Employee Service

The house was packed with well-wishers of employees who were being honored for their years of service.  Poinsettias, Santa jars filled with candy, white tablecloths and folded red napkins, Christmas decorations, a brightly lit tree, lots of food and sweets, and of course, the eggnog added to the festive spirit.

Annually the Personnel team highlights employees who have been with Chaminade starting with 5 years and then in additional 5-year increments. This past December 9, they honored 39 of Chaminade’s finest. In total, these faithful employees have served the university for more than 430 years.

The top contender was Chitha R. Unni (Philosophy and Religion) with  50 years (yes, the big 5-0). He was followed by Steven Downey (Audio Visual) and Yukio Ozaki (Fine Arts) each with 30 years of service. The 20-year benchmark was achieved by Hector Mamaclay (Facilities) and Evelyn M. Sanqui (Purchasing/ Bookstore). Oh, the stories they could tell!

With lei and hugs, kind words and good cheer, Chaminade University offered the 39 its gratitude for the blessings they have brought to this campus.

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  • Richard Kido at Employee Years of Service
  • Faculty and Staff at Employee Years of Service
  • Staff at Employee Years of Service
  • Employee Years of Service

Chaminade Welcomes Middle School Students with Science

Chaminade University recently hosted students from Stevenson Middle School for a half-day as part of the College for Every Student (CFES) program. Dressed in their Chaminade-logo wear, student and faculty volunteers greeted 40 eighth graders and their escorts on the morning of November 18, as the young students climbed out of a yellow school bus in front of Clarence T. C. Ching Hall.

Stevenson Middle School students doing a science activityThe youth and their escorts were divided into two groups.  While one group toured the campus, the other group attended an “I am a Scientist” session hosted in the Henry Hall laboratories by Lori Shimoda, faculty member and research associate from the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Shimoda, who created the “I am a Scientist” program that has inspired thousands of students in Hawaii with science, coordinated the activities with graceful effectiveness.  Cheerfully she and her colleagues encouraged critical thinking and puzzle solving for the youth in white lab coats.  When done, the science group switched with the tour group.

Once everyone had completed the science session and the tour, it was lunch and reflection time. Chaminade volunteers led the Stevenson students in CFES-based activities helping the youth to reflect on the future probability of someday attending college with Chaminade as a top-of-mind possibility.

The Culture of Health Learned through the Lo‘i

While others were meandering through shopping malls on their annual holiday hunt, Eurina Kee, Ph.D. and 12 public health students from her Nursing 401 class were trudging through mud. Seven family members accompanied them into the wet outback. Instead of pulling items from sales’ tables, they were pulling weeds, clearing grass, and cleaning water sources. Rather than preparing gifts for wrapping at Ala Moana Center near Waikiki, they instead prepared a wetland kalo patch (lo‘i) for planting in Waialua on the North Shore of Oahu.

Nursing students working in the loi patch for service-learning activity

And they loved it! “It was my first time to crack a coconut, and it was fun,” said senior BSN student, Maria Talana.

The students were invigorated by the physical experience combined with the underlying academic purpose of the service-learning activity. The muddy, six-hour field expedition on Saturday, November 26, was the first time that Chaminade public health nursing students were invited to participate in the wetland experience.

They learned about public health nursing through caring for the land (mālama `āina) while working alongside Joan Takamori, chief of the Public Health Nursing Branch for Hawaii’s Department of Health. Takamori explained that Hawaii’s public health nurses listened and responded to community needs, based on professional knowledge and relationships with individuals, families, and communities. The Public Health Nursing Branch was an expansion of the Department of Health into all communities statewide. Priorities included emergency preparedness and response, control of communicable diseases, school health, elder health, and health promotion in high-risk populations. As a public health nurse before her leadership role, Takamori helped provide public health nursing services in Central Oahu, primarily in Wahiawa, Waialua, and Haleiwa.

Nursing students working in the loi patch for service-learning activity

As the Chaminade group labored in the lo‘i, the students discussed the culture of health and the value of being connected to community leaders. According to Kee, students were given a sense of place as they learned from the land. They “talked story” about the relationship between public health, community, and culture.

“It is important for public health nursing students to understand community health needs, know available community resources and be involved in efforts to preserve natural resources. It is also very valuable to discuss current public health issues with leaders such as Joan Takamori,” explained Kee.

Nursing students working in the loi patch for service-learning activity

Senior BSN students, Rebecca Maxey and Jeramae Marcellano agreed.

“Joan inspired me a lot,” recalled Marcellano. “Now I am so proud of my mom who has been a public health nurse in the Philippines for many years.”

Maxey concurred. “The experience was very educational, and it was an inspiring moment to listen to Joan speak about the community and her passion,” she reflected.

Throughout the coming year, there will be at least three more field sessions in the next three sections of Nursing 401. Consider them choice gifts of experience.

Chaminade Business Professors Spearhead Molokai Nonprofit Seminar

Chaminade Business professors, Richard Kido, Wayne Tanna and Aaron Williamson, flew to Molokai on a Saturday in mid-December to hold a day-long nonprofit seminar for residents.  For the three professors, it was an opportunity to do community service using their gifts and talents. The material had been well-received and meaningful for last year’s participants. So they gladly volunteered to return for a second year, responding to the Molokai Island Foundation’s request.

Thanks to the foundation, the seminar and refreshments were offered for free. Nonprofit executives and board members and anyone interested in starting a nonprofit were encouraged to attend.   Held in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Conference Room in Kaunakakai, Molokai, the seminar provided a rare networking opportunity for local nonprofit people to meet, as well as the chance to be updated on relevant tax changes.

Similar to the Honolulu seminar annually offered in September by Chaminade’s School of Business, the Molokai seminar offered guidance through the tricky maze of tax compliance for nonprofits and a review of the categories and governing instruments for tax-exempt organizations. Also covered were compliance law changes, and handouts were provided.

Smothered in Lei at the 2016 Fall Commencement

The Chaminade ‘ohana attending the 2016 Fall Commencement applauded loudly as the students, robed in graduation garb, processed into Neal Blaisdell Arena. Approximately 260 students achieved their degrees this semester.  The commencement ceremony was the culmination of hard work and a chance to publically celebrate their achievements.

Sharmaine Borja Doles (undergraduate representative) receiving her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Derek Kiyoji Santos (postgraduate representative) receiving his Master of Education in Educational Leadership were the selected commencement salutatorian speakers. Though in different decades, Doles and Santos coincidentally both graduated from Farrington High School on the island of Oahu.

Born in a small province in the Philippines, Doles migrated with her family to Hawaii 15 years ago. Her passion to help and defend people faced with injustice had pushed her to major in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She received the Alakai Mentor Award in 2015. She spoke about the challenges of college life, the importance of choices, and the value of the “hill” in building determination to accomplishing the hard stuff.

Santos spoke about the two meanings of “blessed.” He spoke about being blessed and the blessings needed and received which help keep students afloat. Education was a calling for Santos. He had been a kindergarten and first-grade teacher and had also worked in special education. Three and a half years ago he took a leap of faith when his principal asked him to step into the role of vice-principal. After a year as a vice principal, Derek was hooked and continued on with his educational journey at Chaminade.

Chaminade alumni and chief executive officer of Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Martha B. Smith ’91 was the keynote speaker.  She inspired the audience as she spoke about her journey and the challenges along the way. The students identified with her, for like them, she was a proud graduate of Chaminade University. During her career, she has accomplished much. Her leadership role in healthcare and community service was extensive. Prior to joining Hawai‘i Pacific Health in 2004, Smith had worked in hospital operations and health care in Hawaii and Florida for 24 years. She held a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from the University of Central Florida, a Master of Public Health from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and a Master of Business Administration from Chaminade University.  Smith also serves as a member of Chaminade’s Board of Regents.

As the speeches wrapped up, the graduating students readied themselves for their walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. Names were read, degrees were conferred, and the post-graduate students received their hoods. Each of them had their own personal stories, their own challenges on the road to this achievement.   The excitement rumbled as wild cheers roared through the seating. Once the tassels were moved, relief mixed with jubilation as the new alumni were applauded as the class of 2016.

The new alumni marched out of the arena into the exhibition hall and were welcomed by faculty members as colleagues.  The doors finally opened to the general public, allowing families and friends to swarm in with lei, bouquets of flowers and signs. This was the moment that not only the graduates had worked towards, but it was also the moment that the whole university community had sought for each student as well. Everyone shared in the jubilation.

The hard work paid off for about 260 new graduates.
The night was filled with the pride of accomplishments,
tears of happiness and big smiles for the bright futures yet to come

Chaminade’s Caring Crocheters Serve Military Families with Hanks, Skeins and Balls of Yarn

Associate professor of Religious Studies, Regina Pfeiffer, DMin, looked over her supply of yarns and crochet needles.  Students participating in the Caring Crocheters service-learning project sorted through the material provided. Many had already wound unending threads into balls from skeins and hanks of yarn.

Students crocheting

Throughout the semester, Pfeiffer taught her students the basics of crocheting and offered continued guidance as they advanced through their projects. It usually took only three to four sessions to master the skill. Once mastered, students were welcome to work independently.

By the end of the fall semester, participants had each completed a baby blanket.  Some students also crocheted booties, scarves and hats. The finished crocheted pieces went to the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii New Parent Support Program, which assists military families who are expecting a child or have at least one child age zero to three.

Feedback from the agency and the military families that it serves have been quite positive. “Often, enlisted troops are separated from their families. Spouses with new babies may be living alone in a new area, without family or friends for support. We crochet baby blankets, washcloths, hats, scarves, and other items. These become personal, hand-made gifts for new families of enlisted troops,” Pfeiffer explained. “The military families also benefit because they realize that someone they don’t even know cares about the sacrifices they give to our nation.”

Student crocheting

Pfeiffer started the Caring Crocheters service-learning project in fall 2014 and has just finished her fifth semester with the project. She is pleased with how popular it continues to be. Students have reflected on how much they have enjoyed the project and how it has helped them relieve stress. Crocheting provided students with the means to cope with hectic lives, be creative and take risks by trying something that they may never have considered. When students create fabric by interlocking loops of yarn using a simple hook needle, they invest themselves into the pieces that they are creating.

“Our society sustains itself on bought items rather than on creative activities from which they give a part of themselves in terms of time and talent,” Pfeifer commented.

Pfeiffer shared another big takeaway from this service-learning experience. The students are asked to give away their piece anonymously. That piece represents a piece of themselves, and so they experience doing something good and giving themselves without any expectation in return.