Chaminade University of Honolulu

Faculty

Chaminade’s First ‘Back to School Bash’ is a Smash Hit

A new tradition delivers music, food, and fun to the Chaminade University community.

Chaminade’s first ever Back to School Bash was held on September 25 with great success. The Bash was organized as a way for the university to welcome everyone back to campus after the summer break.

The festivities went on as scheduled and the crowd turned up in strength despite the potential for inclement weather with Hurricane Nolo’s approach.

Hundreds of Chaminade students stayed on campus Friday evening, joining alumni, faculty, and staff to celebrate the new academic year while enjoying good food and good music. Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. thanked the crowd for coming and indicated that plans are already in the works for many more such occasions to come.

“We hope this is the first of many Back to School Bashes,” she said.

This very first Back to School Bash was held on the lawn next to Sullivan Family Library and featured local musical talent. Denny Ono got things rolling, followed by Sons of Yeshua right around sunset. By nightfall, Kapena took to the stage to close the concert out.

Local food truck vendors parked nearby, while Chaminade’s golf team set up shop, serving up burgers and chips.

Some lucky attendees were awarded with door prizes as the celebration kicked off.

More students turned up as the sun went down for the evening of food and entertainment. By nightfall, Sons of Yeshua put the crowd in the mood for some dancing.

Chaminade’s 2026 Back to School Bash was a welcomed break from classes and textbooks. The university ‘ohana is already looking forward to next year’s Bash.

Chaminade ‘Ohana Paddles Out in Renewed ‘Surf Hui’ Tradition at Waikīkī

Surfing is Hawai’i, and Hawai’i is surfing.

The sport of surfing traces its roots to ancient Polynesia, was perfected here, and was later popularized from these shores, spreading to the world. Surfing is by far Hawai’i’s most successful cultural export. Now, Chaminade University’s leadership is determined to revive a campus surf club tradition that fell by the wayside during the pandemic.

Lance Askildson, Ph.D., Chaminade’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, is an avid surfer. For 20 years, Askildson has been riding waves and improving his craft. He even brings his surfboard with him to work most days, so he’s ready to hit the water again after classes before the sun goes down.

Eager to share his passion, this past weekend Askildson hosted the first of what will become many ‘Surf Hui’ gatherings at Waikīkī.

For this first introductory Surf Hui, Askildson invited beginner faculty, staff, and student surfers to take lessons and learn the ropes. The next Surf Hui will be meant for those comfortable enough with the sport to paddle out and control their boards.

Askildson said surfing is a physical, emotional, and spiritual escape for him, and he’s excited to be sharing it with his Chaminade ‘ohana.

“For me, this love of surfing is deeply tied to the connection to nature and being out in the ocean,” Askildson shared. “Being out in nature means it’s an opportunity to remind yourself that you are a part of creation, and it’s very humbling.”

“It actually makes me feel closer to God.”

Though already huge, surfing is gaining popularity globally.

The sport was featured as an official Olympic sport for the first time ever in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics, then again in the 2024 Paris Olympics, with competition occurring in Tahiti. Surfers will compete for Olympic gold once again at the 2028 Los Angeles games.

There are a growing number of high school surfing clubs worldwide. Those students will soon have the opportunity to continue surfing and enjoying the sport at Chaminade as the campus community’s Surf Hui tradition is restored.

As global as it has become, surfing cannot be separated from its Hawaiian roots.

For centuries, riding coastal waves on crafted wooden boards was a way for Native Hawaiians to showcase their connections to the ocean. For many Hawaiians, surfing still holds deep spiritual meaning and significance.

It’s for those reasons and more that it’s important for surfing to once again find a home at Chaminade.

Several faculty members are excellent surfers, and Askildson goes out regularly with a few of them. There are frequent surfers among the staff and student body, as well. They will all now have more opportunities to surf together on weekends, weather permitting.

The new Surf Hui is not just a casual weekend excursion Askildson is hosting that others are invited to join. This revived tradition has earned official Chaminade University sanction. Askildson said he went through all the proper channels to secure the governing cabinet’s approval.

Participants have a few waivers to sign and rules to follow. Other than that, the most important rule for Surf Hui is to have fun and stay safe–the group goes out together and returns to the beach together.

This past weekend was for beginners and those still learning. The next Surf Hui, scheduled for September 27, won’t necessarily be for experts, but Askildson said it’s important that participants know the basics.

“You need to be able to surf independently and control your board for safety reasons,” he explained. “Anybody who even does the lessons needs to be able to swim; that’s kind of the de minimis thing.”

“Then once they feel like they have those essential surf skills, they can join the Surf Hui.”

Askildson said he’s planning to host four more Surf Hui’s this semester following this past weekend’s introductory lessons. After the September 27 event, there will be another Surf Hui organized sometime in late October.

Though he’s happy to help get the ball rolling, Askildson said his real hope is that the students take over the organizational work and keep this tradition alive. Either way, Surf Hui is back, bringing together Chaminade University leadership, administrators, staff, faculty, and students all together for a day of casual camaraderie, to share their love of surfing and the connections to nature and Hawai’i that come with this ancient tradition.

“This is about building community,” Askildson said. “This is about meeting other people who are enthusiastic about surfing, but also to just feel a connection to Hawai’i surf culture, which has really deep roots here, cultural roots.”

A Head Start on Life: Chaminade University’s Early College Program 

While still finishing high school, Tiare Wong earned her associate’s degree at Chaminade—and discovered she was ready for college.

For most high school students, graduation means closing one chapter before beginning another.

For Tiare Wong, it meant earning two diplomas at once, something not all high school students are prepared to do.

This past spring, Wong graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy while simultaneously  earning an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree through Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Early College Program. Now, she is preparing to head to the University of Oregon—with enough college credits to enter as a third-year student.

She already has an early jump on college, but Wong’s journey was about more than getting ahead academically.

Chaminade’s Early College Program, she said, taught her how to manage her time, take responsibility for her own education, and navigate the expectations of college-level coursework—all while she was still balancing the busy life of a high school student.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to get a head start on what being a college student feels like,” Wong said. “I wanted to learn what it was like to be responsible and to have good time management.”

That lesson happened to come at a busy time in her life.

At Sacred Hearts Academy, Wong played volleyball for three years before switching to cheerleading as a senior. She served as president of the school’s Life Team, danced hula, and stayed active in numerous other ways throughout her high school years.

Somehow, she still found time to earn a college degree.

Wong first learned about Chaminade’s Early College Program when Sacred Hearts announced the opportunity near the end of her sophomore year. The program allows eligible high school students to enroll in college courses and earn Chaminade credits while completing their high school requirements.

“Tiare is one of many success stories at Sacred Hearts,” said Kimberlee Baxter, Director of Chaminade’s Early College program. “She learned a lot even outside academics, such as time management and life skills. The idea of the program is to get ahead with college, earn college credit, and experience more.”

Kapaʻa High on Kauai was the first high school to partner with Chaminade’s Early College program in the fall of 2021. Since then, Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Louis School joined, and several cohorts have already risen through the program, with 108 students between all three schools currently enrolled. 

Students from any Hawaiʻi high school are eligible to participate. Enrolled high school students take a variety of general education courses, including English, communications, business, psychology, and religion.

For Wong, the program became an opportunity to experience the increased independence that comes with college and, in her case, earning a college degree.

“I feel like I got a little taste of what being a college student is like and what the expectations are, especially from my professors,” she said. “I had to learn how to be responsible for myself.”

Assistant Professor of English Justyn Wyble has been teaching for the Early College Program for two years. He said  students in the program are adept at rising to the occasion, taking college level courses all while maintaining positive and joyful attitudes. 

One of his courses involves reading “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyashi, “Night Watchmen” by Louise Erdrich, and “House of Many Gods” by Kiana Davenport, works selected because of their introspective storylines that intersect generations while drawing connections to students’ own journeys.   

“They are eager for that kind of rigorous curriculum and they want to be treated like college students,” Wyble said of the Early College students. “They are ready to be mature students who can engage in advanced material.” 

When a question arose in a course, Tiare learned she had to reach out. If an assignment was due, there was no one waiting to remind her repeatedly. She learned to be proactive in her own education.

“I really had to step up and grow up to learn how to do things myself,” she said, noting how she used study halls and breaks after school before heading to practices and then setting aside additional time to study at home.

The experience also challenged some of her assumptions about college.

Wong had heard stories about intimidating professors and demanding college classrooms. At Chaminade, she found something quite different. Her professors, she said, took the time to interact with their students and get to know them.

She admits to feeling some nerves about moving so far from home this fall–and she has never been to Oregon. But she is also excited about what comes next—and about continuing hula and joining the university’s Hawaiʻi Club.

Wong said her long-term goal is to start her own business and maybe become the  CEO of a company, expanding her enterprise internationally.

For high school students considering Chaminade’s Early College Program, Wong has one simple piece of advice: Go for it.

“I think it’s so much more than the diploma,” she said. “It taught me so many life lessons that I will not only use in college, but in the future.”

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. 

Chaminade University Welcomes Amir H. Toosi as Newest Dean

When Amir H. Toosi was 18 years old, he was tasked with writing down the place that he would choose to live. He wrote: Hawaiʻi. 

The first time he visited Hawaiʻi was on his honeymoon in 2004. The second time was in 2024 with his wife and daughter to look at colleges. And the third time was in 2026 when he was named a finalist for the Dean of Chaminade Universityʻs College of Business, Innovation & Technology.

Now years later, he has been named dean of Chaminade University’s College of Business, Innovation & Technology, bringing nearly three decades of leadership experience in higher education, business consulting, and academic program development to the univeristy.

Toosi joins Chaminade after serving for 14 years as dean of the Division of Business and Security Studies at Rivier University in New Hampshire. Throughout his career, he has led academic innovation, expanded academic programs, and built partnerships that strengthen student learning and workforce development. 

“I am excited and thrilled to be joining the academic leadership of Chaminade University and look forward to building relationships within the University and throughout the broader community,” Toosi said. “Hawaiʻi has always been a special place for my family and me, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue growing the outstanding programs at Chaminade.”

At Rivier University, Toosi also served as program director and professor, overseeing academic affairs and contributing expertise in risk and crisis management, learning management systems, and program administration. He previously held leadership positions at Herzing University and American InterContinental University.  His applied approach to business practices is an ideal fit for Chaminade as well. 

“Dr. Toosi brings a wealth of experience as an innovative academic leader and a deep commitment to student success,” said Chaminade Provost Dr. Lance Askildson.  “His collaborative leadership style and vision for business education will strengthen our College of Business, Innovation & Technology as we continue preparing graduates to lead with purpose in an evolving global economy.”

In 2025, Toosi received the President’s Good Steward Award from the Education Alliance for New Hampshire and was recognized with the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber of Champions Eminence Award.

Born in Iran and growing up throughout the United States as his father is a college professor, Toosi earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Business Administration from Heidelberg University, and a Doctor of Business Administration in Management from Argosy University in Chicago.

Chaminade’s College of Business, Innovation & Technology offers undergraduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Marketing, and Sport and Event Management. The College also offers a 12-month Professional MBA program designed for working professionals and is home to the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program and the Economic Education Center for Excellence.

Dr. Babington Honored for Leadership, Service

The Pacific and Asian Affairs Council (PAAC) honored Chaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington on May 19 at its 72nd annual gala at The Kahala Hotel & Resort, presenting her with the Paul S. Bachman Memorial Award. The award recognizes outstanding Hawaiʻi leaders for distinguished contributions to strengthening relations between the United States, Asia and the Pacific.

For decades, PAAC has been dedicated to educating and empowering Hawaiʻi students through programs that promote leadership development, cross-cultural learning and global engagement, with a special emphasis on Hawaiʻi’s role in the Asia-Pacific region. More than 200 guests attended the gala, which included tributes and remarks honoring Babington’s leadership and service.

“Dr. Babington is an exceptional community leader committed to providing quality, accessible higher education,” wrote U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono in the gala program. “I extend my congratulations to Dr. Babington and thank her for her contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands.”

Since being named president of Chaminade University of Honolulu in 2017, Babington has worked to foster a caring and academically rigorous environment that encourages excellence, expands relevant and industry-informed programs, and creates opportunities for hands-on learning and personal growth.

“It is my profound honor to accept the Paul S. Bachman Memorial Award, recognizing leaders passionate about strengthening ties between the United States and the Asia-Pacific region through educational opportunity,” Babington said in her remarks. “Mahalo to the Pacific & Asian Affairs Council for this truly singular recognition. I also extend my deepest gratitude to the entire Chaminade University ʻohana, whose unwavering support of our mission, unmatched innovation and creativity, and embrace of our social justice initiatives are crucial to our students’ success.”

During the program, Kalani High student Jayden Tran shared how PAAC opened doors and transformed his life by exposing him to global issues and opportunities for personal and professional growth. He completed the PAAC Global Issues Certificate, a United Nations-certified program recognizing student leadership on some of today’s most pressing global challenges.

“PAAC changed my personal values by making me more appreciative of my own circumstances and helping me realize how important it is to help others and the impact that I can have,” Tran said.

The award was presented to Babington by PAAC Board Chairman Warren K.K. Luke and PAAC Board Member Dr. Lance Askildson. PAAC Executive Director Niki Shishido and PAAC Board President-elect Bryan Luke also spoke about PAAC’s impact in engaging more than 100,000 students in international issues and global citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world. Hawai’i State Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi also presented Babington with a certificate of distinction.

Congratulations to Dr. Babington on this well-deserved honor recognizing her commitment to education, service and creating opportunities that make a lasting difference for students and communities across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.