Chaminade University of Honolulu

Humanities, Arts & Design

Professor Honored for Outstanding Contributions

Eva Washburn-Repollo, Ph.D., a professor of Communication at Chaminade, has been selected for a prestigious award from her alma mater recognizing outstanding contributions to her field.

The Silliman University Board of Trustees will confer Washburn-Repollo and seven other alumni with the Outstanding Sillimanian Award in August.

Since 1962, just 188 alumni have received the honor.

Washburn-Repollo teaches Communication, Intercultural Communication and Media and Discourse Studies at Chaminade, and her research focuses on cultural interpretation and identity.

She is the recipient of two Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad grants, which funded immersive study trips to the Philippines with Chaminade students and educators.

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Washburn-Repollo received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Silliman University, along with a master’s of science in Reading from Southern Connecticut State University and a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Pedagogy from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

She said her work as a professor “is shaped deeply by indigenous knowledge systems, performance ethnography, and arts-based pedagogy—approaches that center the body, the land, first and heritage languages, and the relational in how we come to know the world.”

As she receives the honor from Silliman University, Washburn-Repollo is also preparing for retirement from Chaminade and undertaking a new project to launch a sustainable retreat in the Philippines with her husband.

“This space will be a gathering ground for artists, cultural workers, and healers, where traditional Visayan knowledge meets contemporary practices,” she said.

Newest Diaconate Formation Cohort Welcomed

Thirty-six Chaminade students received a warm welcome on campus recently as they prepare to embark on a journey that is as much spiritual as it is scholarly.

The students are part of the newest diaconate formation cohort at Chaminade.

Together, they’ll pursue a Permanent Diaconate Education Certificate—designed to provide the academic preparation required to serve as a deacon or deacon’s wife in the Catholic Church.

Fifteen members of the cohort are simultaneously pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Religious Studies while 12 are seeking a Master’s in Pastoral Theology from Chaminade.

A special orientation event March 15 on Chaminade’s campus offered cohort members an opportunity to learn from one another as they also learn about the program—and the academic pathway they’ll take as they build a strong foundation in Scripture studies and theology.

Attendees included Allan and May Kuaana, who are seeking the diaconate certificate.

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“I am attending the Diaconate Program because, yes, it is a requirement for formation. But more importantly, it’s part of a deeper response to a greater calling,” Allan Kuaana said.

“This is where I believe God is asking me to be at this very moment.”

May Kuaana added, “I am here to walk with and support my husband in this journey of faith. This is not just his calling, it’s something we are living together—each day, one step at a time.”

Cohort members Brandon and Katherine Perea are also pursuing the master’s in Pastoral Theology. The couple said the orientation offered them new insight into the Marianists and their work to serve marginalized communities. “In this way, Chaminade’s spirituality embodies what it means to be a deacon—so it’s fitting our diocese facilitates our formation here,” they said.

The couple said they are looking to help others and expand their service to the community.

“I think I speak for everyone in the formation program when I say we are filled with a restless love for our Church and our community,” Brandon Perea said.


“Growing in relationship with Christ has resulted in this sensitivity to suffering around us. After the Mass, nothing makes us feel closer to Christ than helping others overcome physical, emotional, or spiritual barriers between them and God.”

Dustyn Ragasa, Ph.D., director of the master’s in Pastoral Theology program, said the cohort is among the biggest in recent memory. “Participants come from all walks of life,” he said. “Some are older and some are younger. Some are longtime residents and some are in the military.”

He noted the orientation, which included introductions from Chaminade President Lynn Babington and Marianist leaders, offered an opportunity for cohort members to feel like they’re a part of the Chaminade ‘ohana. It also gave them tools they’ll need as they embark on their studies.

For example, participants learned about the library resources available at Chaminade.

Ragasa said he was heartened to see the latest diaconate formation so full—including with younger parents. “It’s a full house,” he said. “I think the pandemic and everything that’s happened since has really encouraged people to slow down a little and ask, ‘What does it mean to live a flourishing life?’ People want to give to others in meaningful sorts of ways,” he said.

He said while the cohort members will be learning together, the graduate students will take leadership roles as part of their academic work. And ultimately, he added, all of them will serve in leadership roles in their parishes. “Seeing a new cohort come in, especially one with so many younger participants, gives me a sense of hope in the best of our faith tradition,” he said.

“At the end of the day, somebody who graduates from our program might be ministering to someone I know, comforting someone I care about. They’re going to be there for people in our community.”

Alumna ‘Answering a Call’ as Nonprofit’s CEO

Tina Andrade ’05, MPT ’14 is the first woman and Native Hawaiian to lead Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi in the organization’s 77-year history.

But as she takes the helm of the nonprofit at a moment of great change for the islands, she isn’t focused on herself. She’s working to lift up her employees and her community.

“A major theme I have is helping our employees understand the ‘why’ of their work. We’re here to create a better path for people in life,” she said. “We’re here to make sure that when people leave our services, they’re better off than when they came to us.”

It’s an ambitious goal, but one Catholic Charities, as one of Hawaiʻi’s largest social service agencies, is living up to—thanks in no small part to Andrade’s leadership. While she officially became president and CEO at Catholic Charities in January, Andrade has been on the nonprofit’s executive team for years and previously served as chief operating officer.

Andrade says her drive to serve has been a lifelong one.

It’s why she chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Chaminade when she decided to return to school. At the time, Andrade was teaching religion part-time at a Catholic school while also tackling obligations at home and remaining active in the community.

“I went to Chaminade because of the values and the education they provide,” Andrade said.

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About the same time, Andrade was invited to assist Catholic Charities with efforts to embrace their mission. She was later named vice president of mission integration at the nonprofit, a role that allowed her to spotlight the nonprofit’s service-focused goals.

Andrade graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Chaminade in 2005, and returned to campus several years later to pursue a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology. She graduated with her master’s in 2014, and recounts the educational experience helping her embrace her own religious foundation and her role as a community leader.

Today, Andrade said the pursuit of social justice is what keeps her passionate and engaged. “This work has transformed me,” she said. “We are answering a call together.”

She added that her time at Chaminade not only allowed her to build on her academic knowledge, but gave her the chance to meet new people and broaden her perspectives. She also forged strong relationships with her professors and stays in contact with several.

As she looks to the year ahead, Andrade says she is concerned about the economic headwinds the state and nation are facing. At the same time, she is optimistic about everything her agency is poised to bring to island communities—and embracing those “firsts” that her leadership brings.

“The journey of Native Hawaiians has been a challenging one,” she noted.

“From that standpoint, this role really is growth and opportunity for all of us.”

Students Clinch Design Excellence Awards

Industry leaders lauded the students for their innovation

A group of Environmental + Interior Design students at Chaminade were recognized for their innovative design of a “beer spa” at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Hawaii Chapter’s Design Excellence Awards this month, clinching an Award of Merit in the student commercial category.

Judges praised their Da Crater Spa’t design as “exemplary of vernacular architecture.”

Dr. Junghwa Suh with her E+ID students at the ASAID Award Ceremony at DECK at Queen Kapiolani Hotel.
Dr. Junghwa Suh with her E+ID students at the ASAID Award Ceremony at DECK at Queen Kapiolani Hotel.

Developed by Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) students Katherine Liu ’26, Farrah Dinh ’25, Jazlynne Williamson ’25 and Soraya Ortiz ’25, the class project was entered in the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture Competition.

“We entered the contest late so we only had one month to work on the project, while others had a year,” Williamson said. “I think we still did a great job, but I think with more time—even a month longer—we would have had a more cohesive design.”

Liu, a student representative with the American Society of Interior Designers, was especially proud of the teamwork that went into the design.

“This award marks a milestone in my undergraduate design journey,” said Liu, who also won an individual competition award for her proposed design of a renovated gymnasium at Sacred Hearts Academy.

Liu said the project was the most comprehensive project she has ever taken on.

“It was quite a heavy project, but I learned so much from the experience and felt that it was a great practicum assignment since it truly encompassed all stages of interior design,” Liu added.

Attending the ASID Award Ceremony on October 12 with associate professor of Arts and Design Junghwa Suh, D.Arch, the four awardees also had the full support and congratulatory cheers of 10 of their interior design undergraduate peers.

“They had the opportunity to meet the designers behind award-winning projects they had previously visited,” Suh said. “Students also mentioned that it was great to see that many of the interior designers at the awards were graduates of Chaminade’s E+ID program.”

Suh said it was rewarding to see her students’ hard work recognized by the professional community.

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Katherine Liu ’26, Farrah Dinh ’25, Jazlynne Williamson ’25, Soraya Ortiz ’25 and Dr. Junghwa Suh take a selfie before submitting their final design concept to the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture Competition.
Katherine Liu ’26, Farrah Dinh ’25, Jazlynne Williamson ’25, Soraya Ortiz ’25 and Dr. Junghwa Suh take a selfie before submitting their final design concept to the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture Competition.

Suh added the event served as a great model for other students to participate in design competitions and awards. It also provided invaluable experience for students to measure their design projects against a larger community beyond school, while simultaneously offering an excellent platform to showcase their work and make professional connections.

“I encourage our students to engage with other designers in the community,” Suh said. “My goal is to help students become versatile designers who can connect the theory they learn with innovative practice.”

Senior Showcase

Environmental + Interior Design seniors’ final presentation

The Senior Showcase Exhibit for Chaminade University’s Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) program presented a remarkable culmination of the hard work and creativity from the 2024 graduating seniors. Each project not only demonstrated the technical skills and design prowess of the students but also revealed their sensitivity to the impact of design on human behavior, emotion and experience.

For seniors like Nicole Cacacho, Jenna Dahl, Erin Kelly, and Camryn Pedro, the showcase was an opportunity to share their journey with industry professionals, family and friends. This final hurdle before commencement highlighted their achievements and the profound sense of pride in seeing their projects come to life.

“It is a celebratory event for E+ID seniors, which every E+ID student looks forward to,” says E+ID Associate Professor Junghwa K. Suh, D.Arch, Arts and Design Discipline Coordinator. “All the former E+ID graduates and design professionals come to congratulate and recruit students. Also, family and friends come to celebrate the evening with them.”

In the four years that she has been in the program, Cacacho’s projects have ranged from industrial to residential, including the Normal School Apartments and Chaminade’s Presidential Residence.

“The Normal School Apartments transformed an old school building to seamlessly combine a contemporary and industrial-style interior with a carefully preserved historic exterior, resulting in a captivating blend of historic charm and modern comfort,” explained Cacacho on her presentation board. “These conversions preserve the architectural character of the original structures, boasting features like large windows, high ceilings and exposed materials, all of which infuse the space with a distinctive character.”

Environmental + Interior Design seniors, from left, Camryn Pedro, Jenna Dahl, Nicole Cacacho and Erin Kelly, pose with Dr, Junghwa Suh..
Jenna Dahl's "ArtArc: Prefab Quonset Studio" feature adaptable designs of any size to fit the space.
Erin Kelly's project was to reimagine the Maunalua Fishpond Center in East Oahu.
Camryn Pedro's Hale Pu'u and Taste Tea Project Cafe featured sustainable designs and materials.
Nicole Cacacho's projects included the Presidential Residence and Normal School Apartments.
Jenna Dahl explains her ArtArc presentation to Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D.
Environmental + Interior Design seniors, from left, Camryn Pedro, Jenna Dahl, Nicole Cacacho and Erin Kelly, presented their projects during Senior Showcase night.

In her presentation, Dahl came up with the title “Art Arc: Prefab Quonset Studio.” But this is no lightweight prefabricated structure of corrugated galvanized steel with a semi-circular cross-section that we’ve been accustomed to seeing since World War I. Prefab steel Quonset studios are indeed gaining popularity for several compelling reasons. Their modular design, cost-efficiency, and versatility offer a unique alternative to traditional housing and commercial structures.

“Each piece of the ArtArc is completely manufactured off site for any specific design,” Dahl wrote. “Inspired by the Quonset Hut, this design uses panels that can be infinitely expanded linearly, making the design adaptable to any site it may be placed.”

The mission of Chaminade’s E+ID program is to educate, engage and empower students to optimize design of the built environment as it relates to our global, multi- cultural, multi-generational living and working communities. Graduates are prepared to make the transition to entry-level professional practice and to collaborate with architects and related industry professionals.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in E+ID granted by Chaminade meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam), which licenses professional credentialed interior designers.

“Seniors get to curate how to showcase their last four years of design work,” Suh said. “Each student displayed the culmination of various design projects that they have created over their four years of academic work.”

The B.F.A. in E+ID provides a learning environment that fosters creativity and collaboration with art, design and technology. The program equips graduates with the knowledge and skills required for successful careers in interior design. This studio-based program allows students to work on a range of project types from small-scale residential to large commercial spaces.

The Senior Showcase is a testament to the students’ commitment to solving world issues through innovative design solutions, and bettering communities and their world in an inclusive and equitable manner. Students select the work to be displayed, carefully chosen from studio projects, visualization technique courses, custom designed and fabricated furniture, as well as fine art and sculpture. Students’ presentations are premised on deep and meaningful research, thought provoking development of design, spectacular imagery and the creative solving of societal issues.

Iceland Beer Spa

E+ID students enter International Architecture/Design Contest

E+ID students' presentation board for the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture/Design Competition.
E+ID students’ presentation board for the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture/Design Competition.
E+ID students' presentation board for the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture/Design Competition.
E+ID students’ presentation board for the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture/Design Competition.
E+ID students' presentation board for the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture/Design Competition.
E+ID students’ presentation board for the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture/Design Competition.
E+ID students' presentation board for the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture/Design Competition.
E+ID students’ presentation board for the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture/Design Competition.

After electronically submitting their final design concept to the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture Competition, Katherine Liu ’26, Farrah Dinh ’25, Jazlynne Williamson ’25 and Soraya Ortiz ’25 were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. For the past several weeks, the Chaminade Environmental + Interior Design majors were busy conceptualizing an eco-friendly space that would include a brewery, café snack bar, souvenir shop and full-service day spa facility.

“I asked them if they wanted to enter the competition, and they jumped at the chance,” says associate professor of Arts and Design Junghwa Suh, D.Arch, of the four students in her EID 384 class that focuses on sustainability in design. “It’s really impressive what they’ve been able to come up with in such a short amount of time.”

The overall competition was to replace an existing building on the property of the Sel Hotel, a family-run establishment, which is situated right in the Lake Myvatn area next to the legendary Skutustaoagigar craters, offering a prime location for a groundbreaking multi-purpose facility.  The competition sought to create a landmark destination that reflects the spirit of the region and provides an unforgettable experience for both tourists and locals alike.

Katherine Liu ’26, Farrah Dinh ’25, Jazlynne Williamson ’25, Soraya Ortiz ’25 and Dr. Junghwa Suh take a selfie before submitting their final design concept to the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture Competition.
Katherine Liu ’26, Farrah Dinh ’25, Jazlynne Williamson ’25, Soraya Ortiz ’25 and Dr. Junghwa Suh take a selfie before submitting their final design concept to the Iceland Beer Spa International Architecture Competition.

“Dr. Suh informed us that during her trip to Iceland, a tour guide explained how horses huddle and have formations to maintain warmth,” explains Liu, who initially wanted to pursue a degree in industrial engineering. “We wanted to integrate this idea into our design somehow since Icelandic culture values horses a great deal, and our project was strongly based off of organic forms and the idea of ‘life emulating nature.’

“The showers and bathrooms, for example, represent a cell or ecosystem within the organic crater shape of the building,” Liu adds. “Since we needed a modular element in our design, we decided to have our terrace furniture mimic the horse formations, showing the different groupings, which could be easily rearranged.” 

According to organizers, the competition was a rare opportunity to contribute to the evolution of hospitality and wellness in one of Iceland’s most enchanting regions. Designs had to be innovative and environmentally sensitive with the potential of making a lasting impact on the Myvatn Lake area and the world of architecture and design.

“This was the first time that Chaminade design students entered an international competition of this magnitude,” Suh says. “They’ve worked really hard and I’m proud of the final presentation.”

Praising Dinh, Williamson and Ortiz for their contributions, Liu says there was a lot of trust among them. “Jaz even let me take her laptop home because mine didn’t have some of the functions I needed to edit the design,” adds Liu, a student representative with the American Society of Interior Designers and a former intern with G70, a Honolulu architecture firm. “I even had her remotely take over my computer so we could finish this project on time.”

The finished design, “Da Crater Spa’t” creates a cohesive, functional and inviting space that caters to the various needs of guests. More importantly, the final product harmoniously incorporates the environs of Lake Myvatn, featuring basalt lava rock, natural ventilation, and eco-friendly finishes and materials that balance the serene beauty of the environment with the functional requirements of the project.

“They were super motivated and ambitious,” Suh says. “For three juniors and one sophomore, the level of their work is beyond impressive, and I hope they win.”

However, Liu, Dinh, Williamson and Ortiz acknowledge it’s going to be a difficult path. The competition, after all, is open to international licensed architects and designers who have years of experience in their respective fields. Still, the four Siverswords remain optimistic.

“If we win, we get to go to Iceland,” says Liu who plans on participating in a study abroad program in Florence, Italy next year. “After completing this project, my biggest takeaway was understanding the balance of adhering to a competition project timeline while continuously evolving design concepts through rigorous collaborative efforts.”