Chaminade University of Honolulu

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AI Cannot Replace Human Values, Panelists Advise at the 2026 Marianist Lecture

Humanity can cope with the rise of artificial intelligence technology, as it has with other technological revolutions, without losing what makes us human. But we must first fully understand what AI is and how it should be used.

That was the greatest takeaway from this semester’s Marianist Lecture, held this past Sunday at Chaminade University and featuring two experts on AI and the Catholic Church’s position on this technology. The 2026 Marianist Lecture was titled “Timely Technology, Timeless Questions: AI and the Human Person.”

Kyle Ballarta is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur who has written extensively on the intersection of faith and technology. Louis Kim is an executive, technology advisor, and theologian with the Duke Divinity School. Both were this year’s guest lecturers, drawing hundreds to the Mystical Rose Oratory for a Sunday afternoon discussion on AI and human dignity.

Ballarta and Kim had earlier spoken to students and faculty last Friday to discuss AI as part of the University’s Wellness Week enrichment event. Sunday’s Marianist Lecture involved more formal presentations followed by a brief question-and-answer session with audience members.

Back in May, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV released his landmark encyclical letter, Magnifica Humanitas. In it, Pope Leo discusses AI technology at length, rejecting arguments that it represents some new form of consciousness similar to human self-awareness while accepting that AI is a powerful tool that must be managed responsibly.

“We cannot consider AI to be morally neutral,” the Pope’s encyclical states.

Ballarta imparted the same words of wisdom during his Marianist Lecture presentation. “We choose values, and those values choose technologies,” he said.

In other words, how this technology is used depends on the values of the people both building it and applying AI. Ballarta reminded the audience that new technologies have always drawn concern throughout human history–from Gutenberg’s printing press to the telephone–yet humanity has always found a way through these changes, incorporating new groundbreaking technologies into everyday life without losing ourselves.

“This has always been about how machines impact humanity,” Ballarta said.

Kim echoed Ballarta’s reflections, acknowledging the anxiety many are feeling about AI, particularly over its potential impact on jobs and human connections.

“What is precious about being human?” he asked the audience. “When AI gets so powerful, what are we going to hold on to?”

AI technologies, in particular the most popular large language models (LLMs) or chatbots, are based on computer processing architectures that empower computers to recognize and replicate common patterns and relationships between data points. Whereas computers could once only process text word-by-word, modern LLMs can read entire paragraphs and even books and recognize how the words and phrases contained within them relate to one another, enabling these machines to generate their own human-like responses to queries.

As impressive as this technology is, we should not mistake this processing power for actual human thought or consciousness, Ballarta cautioned during his talk, echoing one of the main points delivered in Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical. “We are more than numbers and data,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kim offered words of encouragement to people feeling overwhelmed by the rapid progression of AI technology and its intrusion into our daily lives. He argued that faith very much still has a seat at the table for this broader discussion, and that the Catholic Church in particular has a role to play.

The Church “has the power of cultural change,” Kim reminded everyone.

Ballarta agreed. Catholicism “can be a serious instrument in addressing these questions,” he said.

A powerful tool to be managed

On Sunday, Bishop Michael Thomas Tupou Castori, the sixth and presiding Bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu, returned to the Chaminade campus to hear Ballarta and Kim discuss AI and the Church’s position on its rise.

Questions from the audience reflected both general confusion over what AI technology is and genuine concern about how it may negatively impact society. Audience members reminded Kim and Ballarta that the people in Silicon Valley and beyond developing AI technologies do not necessarily have the best intentions in mind.

Kim said he has encountered both good and bad actors in his interactions with Silicon Valley technology company executives. Yet he acknowledged that this concern is legitimate. He said the only response is thoughtful and appropriate regulation of AI technology.

Ballarta agreed, saying governance will matter a great deal in determining how AI technologies ultimately impact humanity. “Does the technology serve us, or are we serving the technology?” he asked, asserting that AI must, of course, serve humanity and not undermine it.

Other audience members expressed anxiety that, given enough time, generative AI technology will become so powerful that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to know when an image, video, or audio recording is real or not.

On this point, Kim offered optimism, recalling his own experiences allowing AI to generate writing on his behalf; no matter how good it is, he said, the AI cannot quite imitate his voice and writing style, suggesting that people will be able to recognize when something is off in encountering AI-generated content.

Humans are keen enough to recognize when something doesn’t quite fit the world we know.

The next Marianist Lecture will feature Msgr. John Paul Kimes and a local panel on “The Saints of Hawaiʻi” and will take place on Sunday, February 21, 2027, at 4 pm. 

Wellness Week is a Wrap!

The first-ever Wellness Week at Chaminade University ended Friday with positive reviews from the campus community and calls for another one next year.

Organized as a way to help students reduce stress and recharge halfway through the Fall Semester, Wellness Week featured dozens of campus events organized by colleges and departments.

Instructors also organized mini wellness-themed activities with their classes, taking a break from regular lectures and instruction.

Cheryl Edelson, Ph.D., co-Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, said she heard very positive things about Wellness Week from students attending the wellness sessions. Her college organized a handful of events, including a “sound bath” in Loo Theatre, a lunch at the Conference Center featuring games and a scavenger hunt, and movie screenings.

“They appreciate the break,” Edelson said, sharing the reactions she’s been receiving from students.

“We were prepping for the midterm exam but also talking about their papers,” she added. “And so, for them, a slower pace, I think, is giving them a little bit of time to catch a breath. The idea is to basically help them kind of recharge.”

The week kicked off with guided meditation sessions at the Mystical Rose Oratory and Zuberano Lawn. Yoga lessons were on offer, along with cooking demonstrations, including lessons on making the perfect onigiri and Spam musubis hosted by Aramark Dining Services.

Carlson Fitness Center guided students on how to design suitable workouts depending on their fitness goals.

Meanwhile, the campus chapter of the Psi Chi honor society of psychology majors organized the “Plant, Paint, and Pause” event on Wednesday. The hour-long gathering was held “to support student wellness by creating an intentional moment to slow down during the semester,” Psi Chi explained.

Pizza was also offered at that special Psi Chi event.

Other Wellness Week activities were more educational in nature. “We tried to put together some arts and humanities-related and science-related activities throughout the week,” Edelson explained.

Wellness Week also saw the return of therapy dogs to Chaminade University. Organized by Campus Ministry, students were invited to the “Puppy Love” therapy dog session held over the Thursday lunch hour, an opportunity to unwind with the official therapy dogs while enjoying rock painting.

Shannon Sheehy, a junior Sports and Event Management major, said she and her friends really appreciated the week-long opportunity to unwind.

“I think it’s been very beneficial,” Sheehy said. “I play volleyball here, so I feel like for our team, it’s been nice to get out and see puppies and have time to take care of ourselves and put the students first.”

Sheehy admitted that a busy first half of the semester had her feeling a bit overwhelmed earlier, but Wellness Week was a good fix for that. “It’s been pretty stressful, but after this week, I feel that it was a good reset to have,” she said.

Mahina, a freshman nursing student, said she and her fellow students were enjoying Wellness Week but that some students suggested a simple break from classes might have been better.

“I feel like it’s going pretty well,” she said.  “But from what I’ve heard, from both my classmates and also just being around, some students preferred to just have a fall break.”

Still, Mahina said Chaminade students were happy with the schedule of activities and of the opportunity to pause mid-semester. “The events have been very well received from what I have seen,” she said. “A lot of people had fun at the events.”

Wellness Week emphasized students’ academic wellness.

Organizers hoped that the mid-semester pause would help students who may be struggling to have a chance to take a break and get the help and attention they needed. With the pause in regular course instruction, faculty members were afforded chances to reconnect with their students and lend assistance to anyone who may need additional support.

Edelson said Chaminade’s leadership plans to poll students afterwards to see what worked well, what didn’t, and how Wellness Week may be operated differently should it return in Fall 2027. She said the concept of a Wellness Week is relatively new but starting to spread rapidly at college campuses across the United States.

“It’ll be interesting to see the data at the end of it,” she said.  “This is really a time of the semester where we can help students kind of turn things around if they need to, or if they’re doing great, they can continue that way and still get a breath,” Edelson added.

Sheehy said Chaminade should definitely consider holding another Wellness Week next year.

“I think it’s very beneficial for everyone.”

New Honolulu Bishop Gathers With Young Faithful at Chaminade

A new Bishop is in town.

Last spring, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Michael Thomas Tupou Castori as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu. As a way of introduction, Bishop Castori visited Chaminade University to mentor–and and learn from–young Catholics in Hawai‘i.

Bishop Castori succeeds former Bishop Clarence Richard “Larry” Silva, who retired after more than two decades as head of the Honolulu Diocese.

Accepting an invitation to the Chaminade campus, Castori dropped by on the evening of October 3 for a “meet-n-greet” with young adults.

More than 100 participants turned out to meet the new Bishop and hear his thoughts, an impressive turnout for a Saturday night in Honolulu. Organizers said they were pleased with the interest and enthusiasm of the crowd.

During his talk, Bishop Castori shared that he almost never became the new leader of the Honolulu Diocese, which oversees church affairs throughout the state of Hawai‘i.

Castori said it seemed that a higher power had other plans.

He initially asked to be taken off the list of candidates for Bishop of Honolulu given that he recently started work at Seattle University. That request didn’t go well for him, he said.

“The way God works with me is, when I’m acting contrary to his will, I can’t sleep,” he explained.

After fussing all night, he recalled how he prayed on the matter and ultimately decided to keep his hat in the ring. Following that, he managed to get one hour of sleep, and then rescinded his request that morning.

“Once the appointment was confirmed, I felt a lot of peace and salvation and joy,” he said.

The Pope’s selection of Castori may stem from his long experience in Oceania.

Ordained in 1996, Castori ministered in Tonga, Fiji, Guam, and the Marshall Islands. His appointment as the newest Bishop of Honolulu marks his return to the Pacific region.

While at Chaminade, Bishop Castori was interviewed by the EPIC Ministry Podcast host Malcolm Zara.

In the interview, Castori confided that he originally sought to become a lawyer. That changed after he attended a retreat with his college campus ministry during his senior year. There, he had a profound and life-changing experience.

At the retreat, he recited a prayer from Psalm 131, “and I felt God was right there with me,” he recalled.

Later, he found himself alone walking down the stairs in front of a Jesuit high school in Boston wearing a long black coat when he experienced the calling again.

“Suddenly, I found myself looking around, and I felt like a priest.”

An exchange with young Catholics

Young adults from O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island traveled to the Chaminade campus to meet the new Bishop. After a lively exchange with Zara, the audience had a chance to pose questions to him.

Asked about the difficulties younger Church members are having breaking into leadership roles as they face resistance from older members, Castori advised patience and presence, and perhaps gentle reminders to established authorities that they were once young Catholics seeking a place in the Church hierarchy. “Don’t give up, don’t run away,” he said. “I think presence is important.”

Some in the audience asked how they should approach friends and family members who have fallen away from the Church. Castori said the best approach to take is to be a “loving presence” as “that can be the most powerful way of evangelizing.”

Keeping youth engaged in the Church may be becoming less difficult with time.

Toward the end of the evening, the discussion turned to the apparent revival of interest in Catholicism among young adults, including those who have no familial history with the Church. Taking his turn to ask questions, Bishop Castori asked the audience of young Church-goers if they could provide an explanation for this sudden surge of interest in joining the Catholic Church, particularly among young adults and younger men.

Audience members shared that it likely stems from the isolation and loneliness many felt during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also explained that there is a great dissatisfaction with modern technologies that offer poor substitutes for genuine human interaction. Another audience member said youth are increasingly seeking authenticity, and the Church provides that.

Bishop Castori praised this development but also challenged the audience members to set positive examples for new Church members and their peers to follow.

“There are unlimited opportunities every day to do the good right in our midsts,” he said.

Convocation Opens a New Academic Year

The sound of an oli delivered by Chaminade University Director of Campus Ministry Tasha Castro resonated throughout the newly refreshed Mystical Rose Oratory, opening the University’s annual Spiritual Convocation and marking the beginning of a new academic year.

The gathering was also the first major event held in the beautifully renovated Oratory, providing a meaningful setting for a Chaminade tradition that brings together students, faculty, staff, administrators and members of the Marianist community to reflect on the University’s Catholic and Marianist mission.

The Most Rev. Michael Thomas Tupou Castori, S.J., Bishop of Honolulu, served as celebrant and homilist, delivering a message centered on the importance of educating the whole person—both mind and heart.

That commitment, he noted, lies at the heart of Catholic education. While students come to a university to gain knowledge and prepare for careers, education also offers an opportunity for spiritual growth, deeper reflection and connection with others.

Bishop Castori reflected on his own early connection to Chaminade through the late Bishop Amando Samo, the first native Catholic bishop of Micronesia, who served the Diocese of the Caroline Islands for decades. Bishop Castori said he had recently graduated from college when he met Bishop Samo who was a 1973 graduate of Chaminade.

The bishop also expressed gratitude to President Dr. Lynn Babington and the Chaminade ‘ohana for welcoming him to the Chaminade community. One of the first events he attended after arriving in Honolulu from Seattle was Chaminade’s Commencement dinner in May.

A central tradition of the Spiritual Convocation is the recognition of Chaminade’s newest cohort of Marianist Educational Associates, who publicly affirm their commitment to the University’s Catholic and Marianist mission. The new associates joined current Marianist Educational Associates in reciting their pledge:

 “As a Marianist Educational Associate, I renew my pledge to strengthen, sustain and develop the Catholic and Marianist mission and identity of Chaminade University of Honolulu. I will continue to read, reflect and collaborate with others to ensure the continuation of the programs, processes and behaviors that make us a Catholic and Marianist University.”

Bishop Castori then blessed the Marianist Educational Associates and offered a blessing for Chaminade students as they begin the new academic year. He encouraged them to approach their studies with discipline and purpose while also embracing the joy, friendships, support and opportunities that are part of the college experience.

Prayers were offered in Hawaiian, Korean, Samoan, Tagalog and Spanish, reflecting the diversity of the Chaminade community and the many cultures represented at the University.

Marianist Brothers, members of the Chaminade community and Campus Ministry staff also joined the gathering, which served as both a blessing for the academic year ahead and a reminder of the mission that has guided the University since its founding.

The Convocation concluded with a renewed sense of purpose as the Chaminade community looked ahead to a new year of learning, service, faith and formation. At the center of the gathering was the University’s enduring commitment to prepare students not only for successful careers, but also for lives of purpose and meaningful contribution.

Faculty Recognized as New Academic Year Begins

“Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.“

 – William Butler Yeats

People are what make Chaminade University an incredible community, committed to our Marianist foundation and mission. At the annual Fall Faculty Institute this past Wednesday, faculty were recognized for their excellence in teaching, leadership, collaboration and dedication to their students and to each other. The following Chaminade University awards were presented to: 

CUH Excellence in Teaching Award

Wera Panow-Loui, MBA

Senior Lecturer, College of Business, Innovation & Technology

Wera Panow-Loui is an example of the type of learning that makes Chaminade unique—where students are challenged to go beyond theory, to demonstrate what they can do and, importantly, how they can contribute to the benefit of our communities. She contributes exceptional value to the student experience through experiential learning and real-world community impact,  data-driven, student-centered learning that elevates student engagement, and lasting educational impact through innovation and professional preparation.

Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award

Sr. Malia Wong, DMin

Senior Lecturer, College of Arts & Sciences

The Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award recognizes a full-time faculty member for achieving excellence in scholarship. Sister Malia Wong has been actively engaged in interfaith work for more than two decades, serving as a bridge builder between religious traditions, cultures and communities. She has served as a keynote speaker, retreat facilitator, guest lecturer, and presenter for numerous respected organizations, including the Hawaii Association of International Buddhists, the International Buddhist Women’s Conference, the Hawai‘i Council of Religions for Peace, the numerous Foundations, and other local and international faith communities. 

Dr. Joseph Allen Collegiality Award

Hans Chun, EdD

Director, School of Organizational & Education Leadership
Associate Professor, College of Education & Human Development

Over the years, Dr. Hans Chun has distinguished himself as an exceptional leader, scholar, mentor, and advocate whose contributions have profoundly strengthened the university community. His work consistently reflects a rare combination of visionary leadership, compassion for others, and unwavering dedication to faculty, students, and institutional advancement. Having served as Faculty Senate President since 2024, Dr. Chun has increased faculty participation and attendance at faculty senate meetings. Through this, he has cultivated an atmosphere where faculty feel heard, respected, and valued. What distinguishes Dr. Chun most, however, is the humanity with which he leads. He consistently recognizes and celebrates the efforts of faculty, staff, administrators, and students, fostering a culture of collegiality and mutual respect. 

In addition, 2026 Provost Leadership Awards were presented to seven well-deserving members of the Chaminade faculty and staff community for their dedication, character, and leadership. Award recipients included Dr. Hans Chun, Dr. Masahisa Yamaguchi, Dr. Alexis Barroga, Dr. Koreen Nakahodo, Dr. Carlos Gutierrez and Abigail Hurgo.

A beautifully carved paddle was also presented to Dr. Janet Davidson as an expression of deep gratitude for her leadership and commitment to advancing Chaminade’s strategic priorities. 

Alumna Tasha Castro Returns to Lead Campus Ministry at Chaminade

As an undergraduate at Chaminade University, Tasha Castro often walked the campus searching for something deeper than a degree. Like many students, she wrestled with questions about her purpose, her future and her faith.

Today, those same walkways on Kalaepohaku have taken on new meaning.

Castro has returned to her alma mater as Chaminade University’s new Director of Campus Ministry, bringing with her a passion for accompaniment, community and helping students discover that they don’t have to navigate life’s questions alone.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Castro said. “I remember being the student who was trying to figure things out. Now I have the opportunity to walk alongside students as they discover who they’re called to be.”

A first-generation college student and graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy, Castro received a Presidential Scholarship at Chaminade while earning bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and political science in 2009, followed by a master of education in Instructional Leadership from Chaminade in 2021. She served as president of the Native Hawaiian Club and credits the university’s faculty and Marianist community with broadening her understanding of faith, culture and service.

Those experiences shaped a career devoted to education.

After graduation, Castro became a cultural educator at Bishop Museum before joining Saint Louis School as its first kindergarten teacher when the school expanded to include elementary grades. Later, principal Christopher Casupang recognized her gifts for ministry and asked her to become the school’s religion teacher.

At first, she questioned whether she was ready, and then proved to everyone she indeed was.

When the opportunity arose to return to Chaminade as Director of Campus Ministry, those same self-doubts resurfaced. Yet, Casupang reminded her that she had been gaining the skills and honing her talents for this calling all along.

“He told me, ‘What are you talking about? We’ve been preparing you for this this whole time,'” Castro recalled. “‘For six-plus years, we’ve been helping you get to this point.'”

His encouragement echoed the advice he had offered years earlier when she stepped into religious education: “Take a leap of faith.”

That message has continued to guide her.

For the past five years, Castro served as a moderator for the Marianist LIFE program at Saint Louis School, an experience that provided her with the opportunity to walk alongside current and future leaders as they deepen their faith, discern their gifts, and accompany others on their own faith journeys. She believes this ministry has helped to bridge her journey from Saint Louis School to Campus Ministry at Chaminade.

One of Castro’s first priorities is simply building relationships. Rather than waiting for students to find Campus Ministry, she hopes to meet them where they are — whether through retreats, small gatherings or something as simple as taking a walk together.

“Maybe students are struggling at school, but they need someone to talk to, and they don’t know who to reach out to,” Castro said. “Just having someone who can walk around campus with them could be a source of support.”

The idea was inspired by Chaminade’s beautiful campus and by the example of the Marianists.

“I think about Jesus and how he walked to find his disciples,” she said. “There’s something meaningful about that idea of walking with people and inviting them into the community.”

Outside of Chaminade, Castro is also a respected cultural practitioner, serving as kumu hula for Ka Ulu Lehua i ka Wai Māpuna, a hālau whose members range from young keiki to kūpuna. She sees no separation between her cultural leadership and her ministry. Both are rooted in cultivating relationships, honoring tradition and helping others grow.

As she begins this new chapter, Castro carries deep gratitude for the professors and mentors who shaped her journey, including Dr. Henry Halenani Gomes, Dr. Regina Pfeiffer, Dr. Frank Bailey and Kumu John Keola Lake. Their guidance, she says, helped her see faith not as something confined to a classroom or chapel, but as something lived every day through service, compassion and community.

She is equally excited to embrace the Marianist charism, extending its spirit of hospitality beyond the Campus Ministry office and into every corner of campus. She is also thankful to  be working with newly appointed campus minister Andrew Peter Ancheta II, who graduated from Chaminade in 2021, recently served as Chaminade’s director of student engagement and is also a beloved member of the Chaminade ‘ohana..

For the student who once walked through campus searching for direction, coming home is less than returning to the past and more stepping into a vocation she was preparing for all along.

“I have to say that it has to be part of the plan,” she said. “I’ve literally moved within this circle my whole life — Sacred Hearts, Chaminade, Saint Louis, and now back to Chaminade.”