Chaminade University of Honolulu

Diversity and Inclusion

A Cultural Experience

There are few traditions as beloved – or as fun – at Chaminade as the Pacific Island Review.

Pacific Island Review 2019, Samoan Club performance

Every year, hundreds come together to watch members of the University’s student cultural clubs take to the Sullivan Family Library Lawn to showcase their talents in music and dance with high-energy performances. It’s an evening punctuated by good food – and lots and lots of good cheer.

And this year was no exception.

From sunset well into the night on October 26, dozens of students from the Hawaiian, Micronesian, Marianas, Tongan and Samoan cultural clubs donned traditional garb and took to the lawn to perform.

Along the way, they got plenty of applause and encouragement from the big crowd, which included students, members of Chaminade’s faculty and staff as well as attendees from the community at large.

The Pacific Island Review is annually one of Chaminade’s biggest events.

And this year, it got some buzz in the press.

In the ramp-up to the big day this year, the Samoan Club got a chance to perform on KITV morning news. And the Star-Advertiser attended the event to capture hundreds of photos for an online gallery.

Missed it? Don’t worry, Jackie Martinez ’23 created a video recapping the exciting event.

Students Present Findings at Leadership Alliance Symposium

Chloe Talana has a mantra in life: Don’t wait for opportunities to knock, go out and get them.

That how’s the Chaminade senior found herself researching Hepatitis C in a lab at New York University’s School of Medicine over the summer and then presenting her findings at a national conference alongside other undergraduates selected for the competitive Leadership Alliance program.

“You have to find the initiative,” she said. “That’s how I see opportunities. You go and find them.”

Chloe Talana and Nainoa Norman Ing at the Leadership Alliance Conference

Talana was one of two Chaminade students who participated this summer in Leadership Alliance, designed to prepare underrepresented minorities for academic research and graduate degrees. Also representing Chaminade: Nainoa Norman Ing, who conducted research at Vanderbilt University.

Chaminade is one of 35 institutions nationwide that are part of the Leadership Alliance. Other participating universities include Harvard, Yale and Stanford. Through the program, Chaminade students gain access to valuable research, mentoring and career development opportunities.

“This program specifically tries to gather people from different walks of life and really bring them together to let them see you’re not alone in this journey,” said Talana, who came to Chaminade from Farrington High. “Their mission is to really make sure that students who want to pursue Ph.D. in any field are able to do it, regardless of their background and the challenges they face along the way.”

It was actually the second year that both Talana and Norman Ing participated in the program, completing internships that give them real-life experiences in labs and then presenting what they learned to their peers – and to experts in the fields they’re interested in pursuing.

Norman Ing said the Leadership Alliance symposium, held in Connecticut this year, is aimed at giving researchers-in-training a taste for what it’s like to defend your conclusions – while also considering what you might have missed. He added that the experience of working in a cutting-edge university lab and then reporting on what you’ve learned is aimed at preparing students for graduate school.

“This experience … reminded me that while I live and learn on this island, the world is a much bigger place,” Norman Ing said. “One of the biggest lessons I learned from experiencing living with people from across the country in a diverse setting is just how important it is to be grounded in one’s own culture.”

He said that while he’s learned so much at Vanderbilt University about organic chemistry – his presentation at the conference was titled, “A vision for vaccines built from fully synthetic cell-surface antigens” – the biggest takeaway of the internship for him was that he could envision a future for himself in academics. It was “just the pure experience in and around the university,” he said.

As for Talana, she said she’s already gunning for that next opportunity.

After graduation from Chaminade, she hopes to secure a post-baccalaureate appointment at a university on the mainland in order to further build a foundation of knowledge. After that, she plans to seek a dual medical and doctoral degree, with a focus on infectious diseases.

She added that she’s grateful for all of the opportunities she’s been able to grab at Chaminade. “The attention from faculty is amazing,” she said. “The help they provide to students, I can’t even pick words to describe it. It’s really wonderful how they’re able to help students pursue what they want to do.”

New Student Retreat

Before the fall 2019 semester got into full swing, Campus Ministry treated incoming and transfer students to a weekend retreat on the beach to make sure their welcome to Chaminade was done right.

New Student Retreat 2019

The retreat August 30 and 31 was held at a beach house in West Oahu and included lots of opportunities for play and fun — along with some chances for reflection, spiritual growth and relationship building.

Jeremiah Carter, director of Campus Ministry at Chaminade, said the gathering was designed to make sure students who are new to the Chaminade ‘ohana feel supported on campus.

“I think it’s one of the most important aspects for college students,” he said.

Carter, who started at Chaminade over the summer, is working to broaden the events Campus Ministry offers in hopes of attracting more students — along with members of the faculty and staff.

He said the retreat helped students prioritize their goals for the year and get an introduction to the Marianist philosophy, which is central to Chaminade’s mission. He said it was also a way to build friendships that have the potential to last through their college experiences — and beyond.

New Student Retreat 2019

Jacqueline Martinez ’23 was among the incoming students who attended the retreat.

Martinez, who is pursuing a degree in Communications, said the weekend allowed her to get to know her classmates better and hear from older students who are doing exciting things at the University.

“The part I enjoyed the most was how inviting the retreat staff was. Their attitudes were the main reason the retreat felt so fulfilling,” she said.

Martinez added that she’s looking forward to Campus Ministry’s next retreat.

So is International Trade student Christopher Grant DeVera Diego ’23.

Diego said the retreat was just good fun, complete with spooky stories and a bonfire.

“The retreat made me open up to many new people,” he said, “and see a side of people who I didn’t really know yet.”

Scholars Welcome Dinner

With oli and inspirational speeches, a special welcome dinner this month celebrated 27 recipients of competitive Chaminade scholarships geared toward those interested in STEM-related careers.

Students and families at scholars welcome dinner

The dinner Sept. 6 honored Ho’oulu scholars and awardees of the National Science Foundation S-STEM scholarship.

In addition to the scholars and their families, attendees included previous recipients of the Ho’oulu Scholarship, representatives from Chaminade University and Kamehameha Schools, and invited guests.

The Ho’oulu scholarship was made possible thanks to an innovative partnership with Kamehameha Schools, and is geared toward helping those interested in STEM fields achieve their career goals.

Awardees receive 100 percent tuition assistance to Chaminade along with access to career-preparation opportunities and programs that help students ensure they stay on track to graduate in four years.

Current and previous recipients of the scholarship have worked toward careers in a broad cross-section of STEM fields, from data science and medicine to forensic sciences and biotechnology.

Eighteen incoming Ho’oulu scholars were recognized at the welcome dinner.

Also in attendance: Nine students who received the National Science Foundation S-STEM scholarship this school year. The $10,000 merit scholarship is distributed over four years, and also includes innovative development programs, from research opportunities to internships. Speakers at the event included Dr. Helen Turner, vice president of Strategy and Innovation at Chaminade, Kamehameha Schools CEO Jack Wong, and Lauren Nahme, vice president of strategy and transformation at Kamehameha Schools.

From Student to Servant: Chaminade Graduates Commit to a Year of Service in Ohio

In May, Chaminade University celebrated the graduating class of 2019. Degree in hand, most graduates will go on to secure jobs and begin their careers. Others will continue to pursue higher education through graduate school. And a few will put their professional endeavors on hold and dedicate their post-graduate life to service.

Claire Riggan and Andrew Ines, 2019 Chaminade graduates, are part of the few.

Claire Riggan and Andrew Ines

At the end of July, Riggan and Ines will say goodbye to friends and family for a year of unknown challenges and transformative experiences in Dayton, Ohio, as volunteers in the Marianist Partners in Urban Leadership, Service and Education (PULSE) program.

PULSE is a post-graduate initiative geared toward graduates with a desire to grow as servant leaders, learn about social justice issues and positively impact an urban community. Volunteers commit to one or two years of service to a local Dayton nonprofit organization where they gain real-world experience in their field of study while being immersed in the community they’re aiding.

“To be able to serve the community, it’s best if you live in the community,” Ines said.

This is the first time the 22-year-old Kalihi native will be living away from home and he couldn’t be more excited. Ines and Riggan will be living in intentional community with 8-12 other PULSE volunteers, most of whom they don’t yet know from the two other Marianist universities, St. Mary’s University and University of Dayton.

Ines first heard about PULSE through Campus Ministry in 2017 when two of his friends from Chaminade were participating in the program. After hearing about the impact that they were making on the Dayton community and gaining first-hand insight into the program, Ines knew that when his senior year came along, he would apply.

“I’m most excited to learn about other people and social issues that are being dealt with in Dayton, just to broaden my perspective on the world,” Ines said.

The business administration major and computer information sciences minor will be putting his degrees to good use at his nonprofit assignment, Brigid’s Path, where he will be volunteering full-time as a communications and marketing intern. Brigid’s Path is a recovery center for newborns suffering from opioid addiction, which is a common issue in Dayton. Ines’ primary roles will be to connect with donors and spread the word about Brigid’s Path through its website and social media.

In addition to working at their assigned nonprofits, Ines and the other PULSE volunteers are expected to share meals and meet for prayer, live in solidarity with the marginalized Dayton community, participate in a Marianist formation program held every week and share their experience with a spiritual mentor.

Ines hopes to walk away from his year in Dayton with a refined ability to empathize with others without any biases. He expects that his time at Brigid’s Path will help to solidify his future career goals, and is currently considering using his degree for community outreach once his year of service comes to a close.“When I bring the spirit of aloha from Hawaii to Ohio, I hope that people will get the chance to have their voices heard and people will get the chance to receive opportunities that they probably never thought they could,” Ines said.

#BalanceforBetter on International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Chaminade University faculty and students take a minute to weigh in on what a gender-balanced world means to them:

Joe AllenDr. Joe Allen
Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice
“A gender-balanced world recognizes the differences and the similarities between and within various genders and celebrates them. This celebration means the provision of equal opportunity, sharing the gifts that each of us brings to the table and embracing the idea that all individuals should be treated with fairness and dignity. Gender is a lesser category of one’s humanity. This should not be forgotten.”

Ke'alohi CanadyKeʻalohi Canady ’20
Business Marketing major from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
“I believe we should live in a world where men and women have an equal opportunity to achieve their greatest dreams. A gender balanced world looks like everyone embracing inclusivity and being more open-minded.“

 

Kate PerraultDr. Katelynn Perrault
Assistant Professor, Forensic Sciences and Chemistry
“A truly gender-balanced world is not purely a numbers game. It is about creating a culture of gender balance. We need to actively work to create space in which women no longer feel the need to live in hyper-awareness—where we do not need to be on guard for subtle comments or behaviors that undermine our expertise, opinions or view that we deserve a spot at the table.”

Kiso SkeltonKiso Skelton ’21
Historical and Political Studies major from American Samoa
A gender-balanced world serves as a community where people embrace diversity and value all genders. It is important to have a gender-balanced world because we are stronger when we come together as one, and our purpose in this gender balanced world is to lift each other up, not the other way around. Furthermore, all genders are entitled to all opportunities that will positively impact them.

Dr. Lynn BabingtonDr. Lynn Babington
President
“A gender-balanced world is one where gender equality is a given—where people, regardless of their gender preference, have the same access to education and good jobs, and are equally represented in leadership positions and decision making. Gender balance, along with diversity and equality, in all sectors of society is critically important if we hope to build a strong and sustainable world.”

Skye HaragaSkye Haraga ’21
Biochemistry major from Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi
“Gender diversity is about representing all genders. ʻAʻole pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi.’ (Knowledge is not limited to one school). You are not limited by your gender.”

 

Ashely HillAshley Hill ’22
Education major from Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi
“To me, gender balance is something that everyone should be entitled to. As our society is changing we need to continue to shed light on the importance of gender equality. I believe that if we maintain this shift toward gender balance, not only in the workforce but in our communities, the world will be a more efficient society.”

Andrew InesAndrew Ines ’19
Business Administration major from Kalihi, Hawaiʻi
“Gender equality is important because women deserve just as much credit as us men do. Women can be just as strong as men.”