Hogan Entrepreneurial Program

Rechung Fujihira, Hogan alum and co-founder of Box Jelly, was interviewed by Pacific Business News about his success and his thoughts about the recent “Cowork Boom” that has been sweeping the national and international market.

Glenn K. Miyataki, Owner of GKM, recently published The Journey from Within. It is a collection of powerful essays written by international leaders that offer a wealth of raw material for introspection and reinvention of the self. Contributors to the book include George R. Ariyoshi, a former state governor of Hawaii, Jean Watson, an American nursing theorist, Eleonora Masini, a humanitarian and futurist from Italy, Shawn Hu, across-cultural policy maker from the People’s Republic of China and Duane Kurisu Founder of AIO and Organizer of Kahauiki Village.

Ed Kenny, Chef and Owner of Town, Mud Hen Water, Kaimuki Superette and Mahina & Suns, was one of the semifinalists in the Outstanding Restaurateur category for the James Beard Foundation’s prestigious James Beard Awards.

Scott Schroeder, Dean of the School of Business and Communication Department at Chaminade University, has accepted a new position as Head of School at Sacred Hearts Academy. He will be missed!

Peggy Friedman, Associate Professor of Marketing at Chaminade University, has announced her retirement. Dr. Friedman has been working for the University since 2001 and has been central to the advancement of the business area and establishing a wonderful culture and work environment. She will be missed!

Abigail Nickell, an MBA graduate from Maine, is now the Executive Director at Community Music School in Oakdale, Connecticut. She directs, administers, and coordinates the business and financial activities of the Community Music School.

Dan Mangum, a communications graduate from New York, is now the Marketing Director and Promotions Manager for Nextdoor, an event center and club in Chinatown. He uses his networking and marketing skills to throw big parties while serving good causes. On Thanksgiving Eve, his company sponsored a concert with Drake Bell in order to raise money for Honolulu’s homeless community. In addition, he organized a concert with local musician Mike Izon, which helped raised thousands of dollars for families who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Bonita Dydasco, a biochemistry major from Guam, attended the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). ABRCMS is a conference with over 4000 participants that gives researchers the chance to present groundbreaking research. Bonita was able to make connections with over 15 different graduate programs in the field of medicine, speak confidently before a crowd and ask challenging questions to presenters.

Vina Cristobal, a communications graduate from Hawaii, went on a mission trip to Thailand with Grace Bible Church Pearlside. She spent two weeks at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok in order to minister and build strong relationships with her students.

Krys Zyak, an MEd in instructional leadership graduate from Hawaii, had the opportunity to work on set with Magnum P.I., Hawaii Five-O, PBS-Hawaii, APEX (Godzilla vs. Kong), and The Wrong Missy, which is a Netflix/Happy Madison Production. Krys has been invited by the Screen Actors Guild to become one of its members.

Boris Jelic, an MBA graduate from Montenegro, recently caught up with a previous mentor and a great source of inspiration, the legendary American hotelier John Brogan, and wife Mary Lou.

Fawn Liebengood, an MBA graduate from Hawaii, received a scholarship from the Women Divers Hall of Fame for Advanced Dive Training. This scholarship will help to continue to support her work in marine plastic pollution removal and prevention by providing her with additional diving training and diving gear.

Dr. Becky Lord, a biology graduate from Dayton, is a young woman with big dreams. Having lived through a PTSD-type neurological injury which led to years of inflammation-based symptoms, she now dedicated her life to helping people. She is a board-certified emergency medicine physician. Recently she created Fix, a program where she can teach people how to unlock the body’s ability to reduce inflammation.

Dr. Diep Vuong, a physical medicine and rehabilitation graduate from Vietnam, recently came to visit the Hogan Office. Diep said “I often think about the Hogan family and feel so thankful for their gift of education. I’m inspired by them to give back, so I would love to come back to speak to the Hogan students when the timing is right.”

Esther Lambright, from Kapolei, Hawaii, owner of Captured Imagery Photography, collaborated with Kaimuki Studio to provide businesses and professionals with the opportunity to upgrade their portfolio with professional headshots. She was also recently featured on Hawaii Entrepreneur’s Instagram praised for her success as an up-and-coming entrepreneur.

Follow her on Instagram: @capturedimagery

Cai Yan Fang, an international trade major from China, Lulu Jin, an MBA student from China, Samantha Mortimer, an environmental and interior design major from Wisconsin, Maddeline Smith, an accounting major from California, Elena Chen, a forensic science major from Hawaii, Mokihana Maldonado, an MEd graduate from Hawaii, and Lillianna Flynn, a business administration major from New York, volunteered at the 2019 US-HK-CHINA forum.

They are seen in this picture with Honolulu Mayor, Kirk Caldwell.

Pohaikealoha Artates, an environmental studies major from Maui, was chosen by Mitchell Steffey, Chaminade’s director of student activities and leadership, to talk about sustainability at a Native Hawaiian leadership conference called Hoopili Hou on Kauai.

She also started her own business called Oliko’s Collection. Her collection focuses on sustainable, Hawaiian inspired wear that helps one find the “sparkle in any darkness.”

Nikki Jang, an accounting major from Hawaii, visited Gyeongju city with her family, a popular destination site that is home to a large number of historical sites created during the Silla Dynasty. She visited a number of places including an ancient astronomical observatory, the Stone Buddha and the Heavenly Horse Tomb to name a few.

Ezekiel “Zeke” Bernardo-Flores, an accounting major from Hawaii, and owner of Thrift HNL and W/It, and Esther Lambright, from Hawaii, and owner of Captured Imagery Photography, took the dive to compete in a business plan competition conducted by EO – the Entrepreneurs Organization of Hawaii.  Esther Lambright took second place!

During National Chemistry Week, Hogan students Yongfei Zhao, a politics & education graduate from China, Maddeline Smith, an accounting major from California and Elena Chen, a forensic science major from Hawaii, volunteered to help Carlos Gutierrez and Ana Acuna’s True Forensics Science booth at a National Chemistry Week event.  Ana and Carlos, Hogan graduates, started True Forensic Science to provide forensics training in Spanish to people in South America and beyond.

Tanea DalPivo, a psychology major from Hawaii, volunteers every Thursday morning at the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center.  The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center provides men with substance abuse problems, an opportunity to regain their self-respect and to acquire the life skills needed to take their rightful place in life.

Gabriel Garcia, a business administration major from California and Kai Rivera, a business administration major for Okinawa, became the newest interns at the Pupukahi I Holomua Pathways Internship Program at the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union. They will continue their journey as great ambassadors for Chaminade University and the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program.

Voter Registration: Did you know Hawaii has the lowest voter turnout in the country? The Hogan Entrepreneurs encouraged students to register to vote and make a difference. They shared the importance of voting and the responsibility of citizenship. Almost 100 students registered to vote for the first time.