Chaminade University of Honolulu

Diversity and Inclusion

STEM Students Learn About The Power of Hawaiian Sea Salt

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STEM Students learning about Hawaiian Sea SaltHoʻoulu Scholarship Program students gathered a workshop about The Power of Paʻakai at Chaminade University on Feb. 13. The workshop featured a presentation, given by Kamehameha Schools representatives, exploring the traditional practices surrounding paʻakai, or Hawaiian sea salt, and its relevance today.

Recipients of the Hoʻoulu Scholarship, which is funded by Kamehameha Schools and Chaminade, are interested in careers in STEM and are passionate about the Hawaiian culture. They generally pursue degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Forensic Science, Data Science, Environmental Studies, Nursing or Business.

Kamehameha Schools presenters Kimo Chun, program manager, and Sandra Tanaka, employer engagement coordinator, drew from ʻike kupuna, or wisdom of our ancestors, to explain to the 25 attendees how the power of paʻakai is applicable to them and their career development. Paʻakai serves a variety of purposes in Native Hawaiian culture. It is used in blessings, cleansings, medicine, food preservation and cooking. The rock salt is the product of a great deal of preparation including hours of physical labor done mostly in the summer months. Regardless of the amount of hard work that goes into cultivating paʻakai, the presentation emphasized that it is to be shared and given freely with aloha.

 

 

Cardinal Turkson Visits Campus

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Cardinal Peter Turkson

On January 15, Chaminade University was pleased to welcome Cardinal Peter Turkson at Mystical Rose Oratory as part of his larger Hawaii visit. Cardinal Peter Turkson is a top Vatican official and advisor to Pope Francis. He has been appointed by Pope Francis as the first Prefect of the new Dicastery for promoting Integral Human Development.

The Cardinal spoke to Chaminade students, faculty and staff about climate change, labor and education in light of Catholic social teaching.

Cardinal Turkson grew up in Ghana in West Africa. His father was a carpenter and his mother grew vegetables. From a young age, his family instilled in him a deep relationship with the environment. We are all made from the earth’s elements, teaches Cardinal Turkson. God intended us to be co-creators of this earth, but somewhere along the way with consumerism and economic growth, we have become irresponsible co-creators.

Cardinal Peter Turkson

Cardinal Turkson advocated for a return to a tender relationship with creation. Our concept of labor and work need to be reviewed. Labor, he said, refers to the way we exercise our talents and creativity. It is an expression of our dignity. It is through tender, peaceful, creative work that we can create transformation and truly become God’s co-creators.

“The future of the world is not just in the hands of the politicians,” says Cardinal Turkson. “Change can come from each of us.”

The event was live-streamed on Chaminade University’s Facebook page. To watch Cardinal Turkson’s full talk, visit facebook.com/ChaminadeUniversity.

An Evening of Cultural Performances

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Friday, October 26 marked this year’s Pacific Island Review. Each fall, the lively event is an opportunity for Chaminade student cultural organizations to showcase their talents through music, dance and performance. This year’s annual event also featured dinner and a heated lip sync battle.

If you missed this year’s event, be sure to watch the highlights in the video below and then join us in the spring for International Extravaganza!

 

Welcoming New Scholars

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“You are very welcome here.”

The Ho‘oulu Scholars Welcome Dinner on September 7, 2018, began with a very welcoming message from Dr. Helen Turner, dean of natural sciences and mathematics and vice president of innovation at Chaminade University. “We are delighted that you are here. Many applied but few were chosen—the Ho‘oulu Scholarship represents an investment in the future of our community here in Hawai‘i.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome DinnerChaminade faculty and staff gathered on campus with families from across the state to celebrate the new class of scholars and officially welcome them to the Chaminade ‘ohana. The dinner began with a traditional oli led by returning scholars and Kahoalii Keahi-Wood, cultural engagement specialist at Chaminade University.

President Lynn Babington motivated the students to make an impact. “We are counting on you to lead us into a better world,” she said. “You have an entire ‘ohana here, and we are so invested in your success.”

Thirty six students received this year’s scholarship, joining a cohort of 89 Ho‘oulu Scholarship students on campus. But the evening also brought an exciting announcement from Dr. Helen Turner. Earlier that week, Chaminade University received a prestigious $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to expand the program and offer an additional 15 scholarships next year. She also announced that next year an additional major will be available to Ho’oulu Scholars—the brand new Bachelor of Science in Data Science, Analytics and Visualization. “This will be one of Hawai‘i’s hottest degrees,” said Dr. Turner. “We are the first school here to offer it in support of Hawai‘i’s transition to an innovation economy.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome DinnerThe Ho‘oulu Scholarship is a partnership between Chaminade University and Kamehameha Schools to build a new generation of Hawaiian scientists, health practitioners, forensic specialists, environmental professionals and business leaders. Students who are accepted into the program receive full tuition assistance, consideration for a housing stipend and wraparound academic support.Livingston “Jack” Wong, CEO of Kamehameha Schools, inspired the students to work hard and compete. “If you work hard and compete,” he said, “you can do anything.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome Dinner

Student Broderick Menke Conveys Marshall Islands Plight at Climate Change Conferences in Germany

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Having grown up in the low-lying Marshall Islands, Chaminade University student Broderick Menke knows firsthand about the devastating effects of global warming and sea level rise. Tidal flooding regularly threatens homes and freshwater supplies in his island nation and may make many areas unfit for human habitation in coming decades.

An Environmental Studies major, Menke conveyed the plight ofhis South Pacific home at the 13th Conference of Youth. Held during November 2017 in Bonn, Germany, this gathering of young people from 114 countries had a theme of “Talanoa Mada – Youth Accelerating Climate Action.”

Menke also represented the Marshall Islands at the ensuing United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, which supported governments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and thereby accelerating the transformation to sustainable, resilient and climate-safe development.

“Out of all my international trips, Germany was a unique time,” Menke said, because the Republic of Fiji presided over the conferences.

“The significance of that is that the Pacific Islands were able to amplify their voices and issues,” he pointed out. “As a Pacific Islander, I was proud to give a face to the climate realities that we are currently facing, as my home is one of the most vulnerable countries.”

Menke was selected to lead the Pacific Voices in Unison – a team of six youth from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Republic of the Marshall Islands – who shared their stories of resilience in the face of climate change.

He was also active with the “Have Your Sei” campaign in Bonn, during which “Pacific Climate Warriors” called for ending the use of fossil fuels and providing financial assistance to countries facing irreversible damage from rising sea levels and other environmental threats.

Being invited to participate in the two conferences was the product of “other people’s hard work,” Menke emphasized.

“I commend everyone out there doing immense local work to improve their own environment in their unique way,” he said, because everyone has a duty “to partake in nurturing our planet.”

As for his college experience, Menke said he was attracted to Chaminade based on the small class sizes and recommendations from family members who attended the university.

“When I got to Chaminade, it was more than I expected,” he said. “It was better! The whole idea of a smaller campus gives you the opportunity to get to know many people, and I love hearing stories and their experiences.”

Menke credits one of his professors, Environmental Studies Director Gail Grabowsky, with being especially important in clarifying his academic and career goals.

“I came in with a scattered mind, thinking I will graduate and get into anything environmental in the future,” Menke said. “But she is helping me narrow down my field. She knows me more than I know myself, and I am extremely thankful for her guidance and moral support.”

After graduating from Chaminade, Menke plans to further his education at a university on the East Coast or possibly in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

His message to other climate warriors?

“Let’s all take the power back into our hands,” he said, “and work towards a more sustainable and resilient future.”

Combining Native Hawaiian Culture with Science and Conservation is Ho`oulu Scholar’s Passion, Purpose

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For Chaminade University student Hulali Kinilau, combining Native Hawaiian cultural practices with science and conservation is her passion and career goal. She also regards this three-pronged approach as key to achieving sustainability in the ecologically fragile Aloha State.

Hulali KinilauKinilau, who’s double majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Environmental Studies, was greatly influenced this past summer by the Hawaii Conservation Conference, which had a theme of “He Waʻa, He Moku – Mālama Honua: Caring for Our Island Earth.”

This 24th annual gathering at the Hawaii Convention Center brought together scientists, educators, students, conservation practitioners and community members with the goal of preserving natural resources in the Pacific region and beyond.

“I was blown away by the people at the conference,” said Kinilau, who’s attending Chaminade through the Ho`oulu STEM Scholarship Program funded by the university and Kamehameha Schools. “It was amazing to hear what what they had to say.

“I especially enjoyed learning about the scientific techniques that were being done in the outer islands within smaller communities,” Kinilau continued. “The scientists were working on establishing a connection with the community and figuring out what the community’s interests, needs and concerns were. Only after determining what could benefit the community did the scientists begin their studies/experiments.”

A declaration by one of the conference speakers that “Hawaiian culture is science” made a particular impact on Kinilau.

“I thought it was the most profound statement I could have heard that day,” she said. “And it was when I decided that – as a Native Hawaiian female in science – I have to do more.”

With that ambition in mind, Kinilau is applying for summer internships and master’s and Ph.D. programs on the Mainland.

“My plan is to focus on getting a higher education that builds on my scientific knowledge and experience,” she said. “Once I’ve done that, I plan on returning home and collaborating with the programs that are present on the Islands.”

Aiding Kinilau in her graduate school preparations are an internship with the Sierra Club and participation in Chaminade’s I Am a Scientist mobile outreach program, which encourages public school children to pursue STEM educations and careers.

“Both the internship and the I Am a Scientist events are helping me develop the communication skills needed when talking to the community on a scientific topic,” Kinilau said. “I’m learning how to gain the interests of the community through social media, while connecting them with knowledgeable individuals who have actively participated in conservation efforts on Oahu.”

Reflecting on her Chaminade education, Kinilau said she appreciates the confidence shown in her by Biology Assistant Professor Jolene Cogbill, Biology Lecturer Chrystie Naeole and Environmental Studies Associate Professor Gail Grabowsky.

“They have been the most supportive and understanding,” Kinilau said. “I’m grateful that they’re in my life.

“The staff at Chaminade University want you to succeed in all walks of life,” Kinilau added, “and they are willing and able to help you achieve your goals. Even if you have no idea what it is that you want to do with your degree, they will help you figure it out.”