Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus and Community

Alumna Receives Prestigious Educator Award

At an assembly Tuesday morning at Kalihi Uka Elementary, students and teachers gathered with Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke to celebrate the school’s rising test scores and academic achievement.

Then a surprise visitor took the stage with another reason to celebrate: Kristy Inamasu ’12, MAT ’14, who teaches kindergarten at Kalihi Uka, was announced as a recipient of the prestigious 2024-25 Milken Educator Award. Inamasu is the sole Milken honoree in Hawai’i this year—and didn’t know about the honor until it was announced at the assembly.

Milken recipients get a $25,000 unrestricted award and invaluable mentorship opportunities.

After Inamasu’s name was called, the school gathering erupted in cheers and applause.

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Inamasu couldn’t hold back her tears of joy.

“When I heard my name, I couldn’t believe it,” she said, after the ceremony.

“Definitely something that I did not expect but just so thankful for.” The Silversword added she loves fueling her students’ curiosity, joy for learning and “just teaching them to be kind, responsible humans who will eventually grow and make a positive impact on our community.”

Often called the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards recognize truly outstanding educators who not only serve as a role model to their students but to their colleagues. Inamasu is just the 83rd Hawai’i recipient of the Milken Educator Award since the Aloha State joined the program in 1990, program organizers said.



Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley made the surprise announcement at the assembly and called Inamasu “nurturing and inspiring.” She added, Inamasu’s work “to make a tangible impact in her classroom and school is commendable.”

“Thank you, Kristy, for your exemplary dedication to the profession.”

Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi echoed the sentiment, saying that Inamasu is an “exceptional educator who cultivates critical thinking skills, communication, self-awareness and empathy in her kindergarteners.”

“Her classroom serves as a model for new teachers entering the profession and we are very lucky to have an outstanding teacher like her leading the way,” Hayashi said.

Chaminade Offers FAFSA Workshops Statewide

Chaminade University will offer free workshops statewide to assist Hawai‘i students and their families with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Open to all students regardless of their college or career school plans, these workshops aim to make the financial aid process accessible and stress-free, empowering families to focus on their educational aspirations.

The FAFSA is a critical step in securing financial aid, and determining eligibility for federal, state, and institutional funding.

With expert guidance from Chaminade’s Financial Aid and Admissions staff, participants will receive step-by-step assistance to ensure their applications are completed accurately and on time.

Schedule of workshops:

OAHU

• Thursday, January 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kalihi YMCA

• Wednesday, February 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Filipino Community Center

• Wednesday, February 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Windward Community College

MAUI

• Saturday, February 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Anthony School, Library FLC

HAWAII ISLAND

• Saturday, February 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Joseph School, High School Student Lounge

• Friday, February 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kealakehe High School

KAUAI

• Wednesday, February 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kapaa High School

VIRTUAL

• Thursday, February 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Each workshop will feature prize giveaways, and laptops will be available for participants to use on-site.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own devices if preferred. Students and families are also advised to create their FSA IDs before attending the workshop for a smoother process.

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“We believe every student deserves access to higher education, and financial aid should never be a barrier,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “These workshops are designed to simplify the FAFSA process and help families take an important step toward achieving their academic dreams.”

Workshops are open to all Hawai‘i students and their families. To RSVP or for more information, click here.

Ceremony Recognizes Heritage Award Honorees

As part of the annual Founders’ Week festivities, three members of the Chaminade community were honored Wednesday with Heritage Awards for their strong commitment to Marianist values.

The recipients were recognized at a special Founders’ Day Mass at the Mystical Rose Oratory.

The Heritage Awards are conferred by the Chaminade Rector’s Office annually to celebrate Marianist values of service in education. Nominations are submitted from across the University.

Dr. Koreen Nakahodo, an assistant professor of English, received the Chaminade Award for embracing Marianist values in education and undertaking “the intellectual life as a form of service in the interest of justice and truth.”

Several colleagues nominated her for the honor, saying that her work with students, across campus and with the community is impressive and impactful.

“I have been privileged to work with Dr. Nakahodo for more than two decades,” one Chaminade professor wrote in his nomination letter.

“She is a true example of Fr. Chaminade’s dictum that our progress is like a brook, caressing obstacles, gaining depth and breadth in the fullness of time, the brook overflows the obstacles and moves forward. She is persistent, undaunted by obstacles.”

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Academic Affairs Program Manager Jackeline Sanqui received the Marianist Award for her unwavering support of Chaminade’s vision and mission. Marianist Award honorees are full-time support staff members who live Marianist values of family spirit, hospitality and openness.

In a nomination letter, one of Sanqui’s supervisors said she creates a welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone. “Jacky’s commitment to Chaminade’s mission extends beyond her immediate responsibilities. She is a vital support in programs that serve underserved populations,” the nominator wrote, adding she is a vital member of the Chaminade family.

Finally, Noelani Tugaoen ‘25 was honored with the Founders’ Award, which is given to a Chaminade student who has exhibited the Marianist values of generosity, respect and a spirit of faith. Recipients are also recognized for serving as positive role models for the Silversword family.


Tugaoen is a student ambassador, active in the Ka Ipu Kukui Me Ka ‘ie ‘ie (Hawaiian) Club, and Campus Ministry. A Chaminade staff member who nominated Tugaoen said the senior is a true servant leader who “wants people to feel loved and know they each have a place.”

The nominator continued, “In every sphere she has been in, Noe has always been a vibrant and joyous person, constantly looking for ways to meet students and their families, and bring a sense of belonging to everyone present. The atmosphere changes when Noe enters a space.”

Founders’ Week officially kicked off Jan. 17, with a special lei draping ceremony and prayer service at the Father Chaminade statue on the University’s Front Lawn.

The week celebrates the founders of the Marianist Family, Father Chaminade, Mother Adele, and Marie-Thérèse de Lamourous.

Photo Gallery: Father Chaminade Lei Draping Ceremony

A lei draping ceremony and prayer service Friday at the Father Chaminade statue on Chaminade’s Front Lawn officially kicked off Founders’ Week.

The week celebrates the founders of the Marianist Family, Father Chaminade, Mother Adele, and Marie-Thérèse de Lamourous.


Chaminade students, faculty and staff came together for the special ceremony, aimed at honoring not only the founders themselves but their important message of social justice and educational growth.

Founders’ Week events continue next week with a Founders’ Day Mass and ceremony to celebrate this year’s Heritage Award honorees, recognized for their contributions to fostering the Marianist spirit on campus. The event is set for Wednesday, starting at 11:30 a.m., and will be followed by a lunch. For more details, click here.

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Cultivating Sustainable Entrepreneurs

What’s the best way to teach students to lead in sustainable ways?

For Mariane Uehara, the answer is simple: By doing.

Uehara is the sustainability innovation coordinator at Chaminade and teaches ENV 490: Sustainability Innovation.

Over the Fall term, she challenged her students to partner with local organizations and help them find environmentally-friendly practices that also made business sense. They didn’t stop there. Working in teams, the students launched new initiatives, created materials, even drew up business plans, walking away with invaluable experience.

“The goal is for students to discover both the challenges and opportunities of applying entrepreneurship and sustainability in collaboration with established local businesses,” Uehara said.

“This experience is designed to boost their self-esteem and confidence, empowering them to step into the ‘real world’ as professionals who share their unique ideas and take on the responsibility of turning those ideas into impactful, sustainable actions.”

Lyle Takenaka ‘24 and his group partnered with Talk Kaimuki, a popular coffee shop, to weave sustainable practices into day-to-day operations. They brainstormed “lots of great ideas,” he said, but ultimately decided to create QR codes that customers can scan to get facts about waste, sustainability tips, and information on locally-sourced items, plus some trivia and deals.

Takenaka said Talk Kaimuki’s main concern was cutting down on takeout cups for dine-in patrons.

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“This project showed me businesses want to and are willing to find ways to become more sustainable,” Takenaka said, noting that working with Talk Kaimuki’s owner was eye-opening.

“Plus, we got hands-on experience into how a successful business is run.”

Takenaka added that he was particularly grateful for the feedback his team received. “By being able to work with a successful business, we had a unique opportunity to put a plan into action. We got real-world experience that will be of benefit in our future careers.”

The best part? “We were able to make the world a better place,” Takenaka said.

Uehara said students also worked with Bess Press and Keep It Simple, a zero-waste business.

For Bess Press, students helped design an innovative “Bess Bucks” system aimed at giving gently-used books a second, third or even fourth life.

Uehara’s course is supported with a federal grant, which also goes to other sustainable entrepreneurship work at Chaminade. She said she’s grateful to give students the opportunity to “expand on their ‘why’” and search for ways to make a positive difference.

The course ended with a series of presentations from students on their projects, giving them the chance to showcase their work.

ENV 490 was developed as part of the ‘Inana Innovators Program at Chaminade, which Uehara said was designed to “develop a robust pathway to entrepreneurship and bridge the gap between academic and professional life.” Uehara added, “This gives students the opportunity to become creators or interns, receiving a stipend to further develop their ideas and gain skills.”

The ‘Inana Innovators program is funded by MBDA grant #MB22OBD8020275-T1. You can reach Principal Investigator Dr. Helen Turner at [email protected].

Chaminade to Host Free FAFSA Workshop

Need help completing your FAFSA?

With the deadline approaching for college financial aid, Chaminade University will host a free workshop Jan. 8 for Hawaii students and families who need assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid—or FAFSA.

The workshop, free and open to the public, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the University’s Vi & Paul Loo Student Center.

Attendees will get one-on-one assistance from counselors, and laptops will be provided so the FAFSA can be completed on-site.

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“We hope that college students and their families take advantage of this stress-free FAFSA completion event, where we’ll help you fill out your application from start to finish,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D.

“Whether you’re applying to Chaminade or any other college, our expert Financial Aid and Admissions staff will be on hand to guide you through every step of the process.”

Completing the FAFSA is a key step in the college admissions process, giving students a clear picture of the financial resources available to support their education. It’s not just about loans—students also need the FAFSA to qualify for free funding like grants and even scholarships.

Chaminade hopes to hold additional FAFSA workshops in the near future, but dates are still being worked out.

Those interested in attending on Jan. 8 are asked to RSVP, and students and family members are encouraged to have their Federal Student Aid IDs before the event.

To set up a free Federal Student ID, click here. And to contact Chaminade’s Financial Aid Office for more immediate questions, click here.