Catholic

Scents and Sensibility

January 26, 2023 by University Communications & Marketing

Chaminade freshman turns her love of candles and Hawaii into a business

Part science, part apothecary, the art of candle making can be traced as far back as 1000 BCE when ancient Romans would use tallow—a rendered form of beef or mutton fat—to make molded candles. The idea intrigued Chaminade freshman, Tahiya Kahaulelio ‘26, so much so that she established her own candle-making enterprise, Kahaulelio Candle Company.

“It wasn’t the first idea I had for a business,” says Kahaulelio, who plans to major in Environmental + Interior Design. “At first, it was actually to establish a clothing business but, knowing myself, I knew I would get bored, so I needed to find something that I could stick [no pun intended] with for a long time.”

The young entrepreneur, though, knew she wanted to continue her education and attend college. Chaminade beckoned over Saint Joseph’s and La Salle, two universities located closer to her hometown of Philadelphia. A devout Catholic, Kahaulelio chose to leave The City of Brotherly Love to get in touch with her island roots. Her Nigerian mother had already taught her the values and customs of her West African home country, but she wasn’t familiar with her father’s Hawaiian heritage.

Tahiya Kahaulelio poses with her finished candle.

“I had questions about my Hawaiian side,” Kahaulelio says. “I feel like I was missing a piece of my heritage and I needed to get answers.”

Having never been to Hawai‘i, Kahaulelio was understandably nervous. She knew it would be challenging to be 5,000 miles away from her mother, step-father and siblings, but she was also comforted knowing that her biological dad’s family lived on O‘ahu. Questions of not being good enough, meeting new friends, college life and all the doubts associated with the responsibility of a young adult, all swirled in her mind. She was anxious.

And then she arrived on campus.

“I immediately felt comfortable and the people were so nice,” says Kahaulelio, with an infectious smile. “I didn’t feel like an outsider because everyone was so welcoming. I no longer see Chaminade as a school but as a family that I can reach out to for guidance and help.”

Now in her second semester, Kahaulelio juggles between being a student and running a business. When she’s not designing interior spaces with colors and texture for class, she’s experimenting with different combinations of scents, infusing her bees-wax-based candles with such local-inspired essential oils as hibiscus, coconut, cucumbers, papaya, mango and rosewood.

Using a digital scale to precisely weigh 12 ounces of wax, Kahaulelio places the wedges in a pitcher and slowly melts the wax over a Nesco stainless burner for four minutes. She then incorporates four teaspoons—two teaspoons at a time—of essential oils, stirring the elixir to release the fragrances. Now to the tricky part: cutting the length of the circular wick so that it’s not too long nor too short.

“My stepdad is so much better at this than I am,” admits Kahaulelio, while eyeballing the length of the wick. “He’s a chef so he has a really keen eye and an excellent sense of aroma.”

Freshman Tahiya Kahaulelio has developed a variety of island-fragrant-infused candles.

Heritage Hill

January 17, 2023 by University Communications & Marketing

Founders’ Week celebrates Chaminade’s roots

It seems to me that we must not become discouraged if we encounter some obstacle in the way of the necessary change. Never has change been done, and never will it be done, without difficulty.”
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Letters, March 23, 1833

In 1955, Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine was declared safe and effective. Rosa Parks was arrested after refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. The United States began its involvement in the Vietnam conflict. And St. Louis Junior College was established and would eventually change its name to Chaminade College.

“Founders’ Week gives us the opportunity to honor our founders, including the university’s namesake Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon and Venerable Marie Thérèse Charlotte de Lamourous,” says Chaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington. “Central to Father Chaminade’s legacy is his commitment to forming schools as a principal means for transforming society. Today, we perpetuate that tradition and remain committed to a holistic education of the whole person.”

Throughout the week of Jan. 16-21, events are planned to acknowledge Chaminade’s past founders and presidents, who have all significantly contributed to the Marianist heritage of respecting both faith and reason as means to the truth and justice.

“Founders’ Week allows us to affirm our Marianist spirit and carry forward the Marianist values,” says Bro. Ed Brink. “In 1883, eight Marianists arrived aboard the steamboat S.S. Mariposa, but only five would be assigned to organize the fledgling St. Louis College with the other three departing for St. Anthony’s on Maui.”

Honoring the Past

Father Marty Solma once again led staff and students in prayer.

On Tuesday afternoon at 12:30, Chaminade and Saint Louis School communities are invited to gather on the Front Lawn at the Oval for a Lei-Draping Ceremony at the Father Chaminade statue. The annual tradition precedes the week’s festivities, including the Marianist Founders Day Mass on Wednesday, where students, faculty and staff are invited to gather as one Chaminade ‘Ohana in prayer, and the Servant Leadership Day on Saturday.

Embodying Marianist Values

During the Founders’ Day Mass, Bro. Brink will announce this year’s Heritage Awards honorees. To recognize their exceptional contributions in personifying the Marianist values, Dr. Darren Iwamoto, Maritel Suniga and Kobe Ngirailemesang will be honored with this year’s Heritage Awards. It’s a distinction that Bro. Brink says “shows the breadth and impact an individual may have on campus and in the community.”

This year’s awardees are:

Dr. Darren Iwamoto, Associate Professor in Education and Behavioral Sciences will receive the Chaminade Award, given to a faculty or staff member who has exhibited a continuous commitment to Marianist values in education;
Maritel Suniga, Payroll Specialist in the Business Office, will receive the Marianist Award, given to a staff member who has exhibited a continuous and extraordinary commitment to the vision and mission of Chaminade University while drawing others into the collaborative community;
Kobe Ngirailemesang, a graduating senior, will receive the Founders’ Award, given to a student who has exhibited a commitment to Marianist values by outstanding generosity, respect for others, and spirit of faith.

Sowing Forward

On Saturday, Founders’ Week culminates in service. Faculty, staff, and alumni will join students to outwardly express their Marianist Catholic values together. From sorting out clothes and household items at the Institute for Human Services (IHS) to refurbishing furniture at Habitat for Humanity, from cleaning up the campus to cleaning out an ancient fishpond in Heeia, Chaminade volunteers devote their energy into doing good work across the island.

This year, the Servant Leadership Day will take place at the Women’s & Family Shelter at IHS.

Join us throughout Founders’ Week to celebrate the Marianist future.

Founders’ Week Recap Video

The Father Chaminade Statue is draped with lei every Founder’s Week celebration.

Family Ties

January 4, 2023 by University Communications & Marketing

Generations of Kaneohe ‘ohana devote themselves to educating Hawaii keiki

Being an educator runs in Agnes Brown’s genes. Her grandmother was a music teacher at Kapaa Elementary for 30 years. Her mother, Mandy Thronas-Brown, was the principal at St. Ann’s before it closed in 2021 and now serves as Associate Superintendent with Hawaii Catholic Schools. And most of her aunties and cousins are also educators. It’s only fitting then that the Elementary Education major would follow the same trajectory.

“Growing up with my mom as a teacher at St. Ann’s, I was always inspired by how she engaged her students,” says Brown ’23. “I knew that education was always a passion of mine, and I knew that I loved working with kids, especially younger kids.”

However, like many events that were paused—or canceled—due to COVID-19 restrictions, Brown’s observation in the classroom was also sidelined, forcing the school to turn to Teaching Channel videos as a way to supplement students’ field experience.

“COVID impacted all of the education programs because students were not allowed in schools,” says Katrina Roseler, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education Programs. However, she points out that as restrictions eased after two years, Agnes and her peers did get the chance to experience working with students at Palolo Elementary School during after-school tutoring.

Starting in 2023, Brown will lead her own classroom at Sacred Hearts Academy, her alma mater. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m going to make it fun for the kids,” says Brown, with a smile. “Education was not always fun for me. It was definitely more of a chore than anything to be excited about.”

As a lifelong learner, Brown plans to take cues from some of her previous teachers and professors, who, she says, made concepts interesting and easier to understand. But there will be challenges, just like with any profession. The Kaneohe native accepts that she will encounter tough days, from planning engaging lessons to responding to classroom distractions.

“My advice, stay calm,” says her mom, Thronas-Brown, who has been in the education field for 28 years. “The fears I think she is experiencing are being able to plan lessons accordingly and being responsible for the education of her students in her classroom, which is always a concern of all new teachers.”

Thronas-Brown also offers another sage nugget: strive to be the best teacher you can possibly be and treat each child in your classroom with compassion while ensuring you meet all teaching expectations.

“Trust yourself and give yourself time to develop your style of teaching,” Thronas-Brown advises. “Never be afraid to ask for help. No teacher is given a ‘playbook’ for each child in their classroom stating the best way to educate that individual.”

Kindhearted, curious, empathetic and leadership have defined Brown since she was a child.

“I was still in elementary school when I knew that I wanted to become a teacher,” Brown acknowledges. “I know I want to become a teacher that likes to help kids who don’t get it right away—like me when I was in school. And I want to provide the same nurturing environment that some of my former teachers created.”

Brown’s mentors have also taught her the value of an education, especially a Catholic one. And while friends have questioned her choice of career, based on pay grade—in Hawaii, an elementary teacher’s entry-level salary ranges between $45,593 and $51,209, according to Hawaii State Teachers Association’s 2022-2023 salary schedule—she would rather accept a lower income doing what she likes best than a higher one that would blunt her passion for teaching.

“We are truly blessed with a self-driven, dedicated, loyal, compassionate, and loving child who knows God and seeks to be the best version of herself each day,” Thronas-Brown says. “We are extremely proud of our daughter Agnes, and we wish her nothing but the best in her life and future career.”

Annual Ceremony Anoints the Hands of Healthcare Workers, Nursing Students

November 3, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

“There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of physicians, for they too pray to the Lord that he grant them success in diagnosis and in healing for the sake of preserving life.”

Ecclesiasticus 38:1-4,6-10,12-14

In the book of Ecclesiasticus, it is said, “to honor physicians for their services, for the Lord created them.” The same could be said for students who seek a career in the medical field, and for all caregivers and those working in the medical profession. Sponsored by Campus Ministry, the annual St. Luke’s Blessing at the Mystical Rose Oratory honors these students by anointing their healing hands.

“Let us pray for all healthcare workers and those preparing for the healthcare profession,” said School of Nursing Professor Edna Magpantay-Monroe, in her closing prayer. “That their healing hands might bring comfort, hope, reassurance and joy to all those whom they serve.”

University chaplain Rev. Marty Solma, S.M., presided over the blessing, noting that this is a wonderful opportunity every year to honor those who embrace a life of service through healthcare nursing and to receive an anointment of their hands to recognize the importance that hands are in this critical profession. He then rhetorically asked, why is it that we bless the hands of medical professionals?

“It’s a tradition in in a number of churches in our Catholic tradition,” he replied. “It recognizes that of all the tools you have available to you, your hands will serve your patients directly and most personally. Medicine is important; surgery is often needed. But it’s your hands that will bring tenderness and care, and comfort and reassurance.

St. Luke was indeed blessed with the gift of healing. Deemed the first Christian physician on record and the Patron of the Medical Profession, Luke has influenced thousands of healthcare workers who have followed in his footsteps.

In his letter to the Colossians, St. Paul describes Luke as “the beloved physician,” (Colossians 4:14). In Lives of Illustrious Men, written circa A.D. 393, St. Jerome refers to him as “a physician of Antioch.”

Believed to be the author of the Gospel that bears his name, as well as of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke’s profession as a doctor is apparent in his writings. He includes more miracles of physical healing than any of the other Gospels, 13 compared to 12 in Matthew, 11 in Mark and only two in John. He uses more medical terms than any other New Testament writer. His description of the ailing reveals a knowledge of medicine that is absent in the other Gospels, using such precise medical terms as “dropsy” (Luke 14: 1-6), fever and dysentery.

“It’s my honor to participate in this very important ceremony to bless the hands of our nursing and healthcare professional students, and any of you who may be practicing nurses or other healthcare professionals,” said Chaminade University president, Dr. Lynn Babington. “The professionalism, care and compassion inherent in your profession are strengthened by this blessing. It also symbolizes commitment to your patients.”

2022 Innovation Awards Winners Announced

October 31, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

Modeled after the National Catholic Education Association’s Innovation in Catholic Education annual awards and sponsored by Hawaii Catholic Schools, the Ka Ho’oulu Awards focuses on “Innovation for Mission.”

“It recognizes and celebrates talent in Catholic education,” says Dr. Helen Turner, professor of biology and CIFAL research director and former vice president of Strategy and Innovation, which established the Ka Ho’oulu Awards in 2020. “Nominees exemplify innovation in education inside and outside the classroom.”

Award applicants submit projects that illustrate the Catholic worldview, support quality academics, integrate technology, demonstrate data-driven decision making or promote operational vitality. Submissions with the highest marks receive recognition at an annual award ceremony and a grant to continue their work. Eligible nominees can be individuals or teams, and faculty and administrators/staff currently employed at a Hawaii Catholic School (all grade levels K-12).

In an interview with the Hawaii Catholic Herald, retired Hawaii Catholic School’s superintendent, Michael Rockers, said his office’s close collaboration with Chaminade University “helped establish catechetical institutes, the “Teacher of the Year” award, the “Innovation Award,” and to provide a quality review of the Hawaii Catholic Schools office’s goals, objectives and communications.”

“He really wanted an award that was similar to the national innovation award,” Turner says of Rockers. “That’s how we came up with the Ka Ho’oulu, which honors teachers and administrators who are continuously innovating in support of their students.”

The 2022 Ka Ho’oulu Awards winners include Mary Star of the Sea School Honolulu in the team category and Dan Mawyer of Damien Memorial School for the individual award.

“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of these annual awards,” Turner says. “Mary, Star of the Sea and Mr. Mawyer exemplify education in Hawaii. They are committed to implementing innovative strategies and teaching methods that leverage state-of-the-art technology to create the highest quality students.”

Team award: Mary Star of the Sea School, Honolulu
This award recognized the Mary Star of the Sea’s 2021-22 Schoolwide Literacy Project. The team, nominated by Laci Hitchcock, described a yearlong project that exemplifies the Ka Ho’oulu themes of supporting quality academics, technology integration and data-driven decision making. The review committee was struck by the strategic and comprehensive “whole school” approach to the important goal of improving literacy and mitigating COVID impacts on student reading.

According to the three-member panel, the literacy program holistically integrated student-centered activities with teacher professional development and such enriching programs as guest speakers for parents and the whole school community to engage with. The program collected data on its own impacts, and is now refining the program for its continuation in the new school year. The nomination mentioned that the goal was “to make reading a part of everyday culture.” Drs. Turner and Dustyn Ragasa and Fr. Martin Solma, S.M., were impressed by the commitment of staff, teachers and school leadership to make this goal part of the school’s DNA.

Individual award: Mr. Dan Mawyer, Damien Memorial School
This award acknowledged Mawyer as a school champion in the areas of technology, computing and robotics. A math teacher, Mawyer is passionate about preparing students for the future. He has built coding challenges, robotics teams and STEM activities that engage students in technology, critical thinking and teamwork.

“During the COVID crisis, (Mawyer) stepped up to the plate and offered his expertise to use technology, particularly digital communications, to keep the school community informed and unified,” Turner says. “The entire school benefitted from his innovative approach to creating visually appealing and informative content for information sharing and online learning.”

The review committee further noted that this work has quickly evolved into the leadership of a new project for a broadcast communications center at Damien. Catholic educators are passionate, expert, and student-focused and Dan exemplifies these qualities.

Leading Scholar of Religion Discusses Disaffiliation

October 28, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

One of the most urgent issues in social science research and among catholic institutions stems from the fact that people are leaving the church and disaffiliating from religion. It’s a serious concern that Fr. James Heft, S.M., discussed during a Marianist lecture at the Mystical Rose Oratory.

Themed, “Where Have All Young People Gone?,” Fr. Heft outlined complex solutions to a complicated question. Addressing the crowd, he shared his anecdotal stories, one of which occurred during a wedding rehearsal dinner.

“I asked a young woman named Monica about her religion, to which she answered, ‘Religion was forced down my throat,’” Fr. Heft recounts. “Whoa! I told her now that you can feed yourself, what do you think? It started five years of correspondence.”

Such candid conversations need to start happening across that nation if we want to find the reasons for disaffiliation.

A 2018 study by the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies (IACS) at the University of Southern California found that the Catholic population has been declining in the U.S., and Catholicism has experienced a greater net loss of people than any other religious tradition. The study also found that the majority of millennials raised Catholic typically now report that they are unaffiliated and there has been a significant drop in weekly Sunday attendance.

In a more recent Pew Research Study released in December 2021, those surveyed said they no longer go to church, but they still believe in God and pray. The report also revealed that those in the 18-29 age range represented the fastest decline in religious affiliation, with 36 percent rejecting any type of affiliation with a religious denomination.

“Our interdisciplinary study, ‘Empty Chairs,’ published in 2021 by Oxford University Press, offers a more detailed—I think informative—and contextualized description of disaffiliation than the Pew study, which has its limitations,” Heft asserts. “The Pew provides a good overview of a specific demographic, mainly white, affluent and well educated.”

In contrast, Heft described the sample group for “Empty Chairs” as more inclusive and representative of a more diverse cohort among the unaffiliated. The study included immigrants whose approach to religion is different than white young adults. College non-graduates, high-school graduates, non-affiliated theists, the economically disenfranchised and an older generation—that had not affiliated with any religion for decades—also participated.

“The study, however, provided some good news,” Heft said. “We document how religious parents provide warmth, appropriate religious structures and space for appropriate autonomy.”

The research also documents how fostering religious religious development in youth protects against delinquency, violence, depression and anxiety. In short, the healthy practice of religion cultivates psychological and physical well being, as well as civic involvement.

“Religious education and institutions continue to make a positive impact,” Heft asserted. “The question is: Is it secularization, the general movement in the culture, that has marginalized and privatized religion, and contributed profoundly to the situation we’re in?”

Heft admitted that disaffiliation is serious and alarming, but we shouldn’t become discouraged; there is hope. As the late religious scholar Huston Smith liked to say, “Religion gives traction to spirituality.”

“There are a lot of people suffering and hurting, and there’s nothing like an easy answer to make them more distant from faith,” Heft said. “We need to be careful in wanting to promote the faith in a deep way but not to promote it superficially. Afterall, Jesus said, ‘My God, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”

Watch the full Marianist Lecture featuring Fr. Jim Heft, S.M, here.