Chaminade University of Honolulu

Innovation

Student Surfboard as Art

Who says surfboards are meant only for surfing? They also double as works of art. That’s what Shania Lindsey Gervacio proved by winning the Maui Invitational Surfboard Design Contest this past November.

 A third year student majoring in Environmental + Interior Design, Gervacio initially based her design off of island tribal patterns and flora specific to Hawai’i. This concept later transitioned into the foundation icon of Chaminade Athletics that represents the Marianist approaches to education. 

“I also included hibiscuses as well as plumerias to refer to the pua commonly seen around the university campus,” she said. For the ‘silverswords’ in the center of the board, this was inspired by the fact that the previous surfboard designs mentioned ‘Chaminade’ or ‘Chaminade Silverswords,’ rather than only ‘Silverswords.’”

Gervacio’s professor, Dr. Junghwa Suh DArch, encouraged her to participate in the surfboard design competition during the 2025 spring semester. While designing, she also balanced working on a huge design project yet was able to brainstorm three different surfboard designs and fully execute one. 

The experience of designing a surfboard adds to the experience of her reaching the goal of becoming an interior designer after she graduates from Chaminade for hospitality spaces, such as restaurants, hotels, resorts and spas. 

She’s off to a great start. The Maui Invitational surfboards will eventually be displayed in the Silversword Cafe for all to enjoy and see. 

“I feel extremely excited that the surfboard will be displayed in the Silversword Cafe!” she said. “I feel that utilizing my design skills to create something tangible was an incredible accomplishment, and I hope for many Silverswords and Chaminade faculty to enjoy the design when they view it.”

Entrepreneurship Soars in Silversword Competition

In the spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity, business and community leaders gathered in Chaminadeʻs Ching Conference Center on November 20 to hear and judge five student business pitches in the annual Silversword Business Competition. Director of Chaminadeʻs MBA Program, Masahisa “Masa” K. Yamaguchi, and Dean of the School of Business and Communication, Annette Taijeron Santos, as well as President Lynn Babington greeted guests. Program. 

As part of the Business Strategy Class in the School of Business and Communication, student businesses provided goods and services that ranged from  baked goods to menʻs hair cuts to fitness. All of the student presentations and business plans were well-done. 

1st Place: Open Oven – Team Members: Kyla Castro, Daniella Bali, Lrae Anne Pungtilan

2nd Place: C.U.H. Cuts – Team Members: Jace Tsutomi, Cade Fujii, Max Patterson

3rd Place: Fuel Soda – Team Members: Adrianna Nichols, Marianna Carpenter, Owen Malone

Wags for Wishes – Team Members: Isabella Minaudo, Nathan Medina, Delaney Poling

Step Wealth – Team Members: Eli Loebll, Kira Ferguson, Killen Kawelo

Following each presentation, judges asked students about their finance and marketing strategies as well as provided guidance and advice for their  emerging businesses. 

Judges included: Eric Fujimoto, MBA ʻ94 member of the Chaminade University Board of Regents and President of Hoʻea Wealth Advisory; Jerry Garcia ʻ82, former Chief Financial Officer of Aria Home Health in Dallas, Texas and and owner of Consolidated Sports Products Hawaii; Alana Iuga, co-owner of Voyage Rental Cars; Stacey Katakura, Chief Financial Officer of Accumulus: Lisa Kracher, Vice President at Array Corporation; Lori Lum, Senior Vice President at Anthology FINN Partners; and Tim Moore, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Hawaii at Republic National Distributing Company. 

Mahalo to all of the judges who shared their wisdom, insight and served as role models for students. Special thank you to Eric Fujimoto, MBA ʻ94 who provides the prize money to encourage students to gain real-world experience while applying what they’ve learned at Chaminade to an actual business plan.

    • Students Learn with Cutting-Edge Forensics Tech

    Forensic Sciences students at Chaminade have a new state-of-the-art tool for learning.

    The SuperSpectral device, used to analyze physical evidence, is being made available to students thanks to an agreement between Chaminade University’s School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the product’s maker—Forenscope Scientific Technology, Ltd.

    Carlos Gutierrez, D.F.S., assistant professor of Forensic Science, said the device allows forensic experts to visualize physical evidence—from blood to fingerprints to gunshot residue—at different wavelengths so that it can be more quickly and fully analyzed.

    Gutierrez said the equipment will be used by Forensic Sciences students in different classrooms, laboratories and for research.

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    “Having this technology in the Forensic Science Program is a huge improvement in how forensic sciences are taught because the students can have access and learn how to use this equipment and also search and identify real physical evidence,” he said. “Also, the students can be part of research and present their results.”

    Forenscope notes the device has broad implications for forensic investigations, giving scientists a new way to analyze evidence and catch details that might be missed with traditional techniques. “This can help to solve crimes,” the company said.

    Carlos Gutierrez, D.F.S., assistant professor of Forensic Sciences (center), poses with representatives from Forenscope Scientific Technology, Ltd.

    Forenscope Scientific CEO Mr. Osman Eşki added the agreement will allow Chaminade to conduct research “using the best multispectral technology available in the forensic market.”

    Gail Grabowsky, Ph.D., dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, said offering students access to the advanced technology will ensure Chaminade Forensic Sciences graduates “will be ready to serve the community” and excel in their careers.

    Additionally, Gutierrez will be offering free online workshops on the device.

    Cultivating Sustainable Entrepreneurs

    What’s the best way to teach students to lead in sustainable ways?

    For Mariane Uehara, the answer is simple: By doing.

    Uehara is the sustainability innovation coordinator at Chaminade and teaches ENV 490: Sustainability Innovation.

    Over the Fall term, she challenged her students to partner with local organizations and help them find environmentally-friendly practices that also made business sense. They didn’t stop there. Working in teams, the students launched new initiatives, created materials, even drew up business plans, walking away with invaluable experience.

    “The goal is for students to discover both the challenges and opportunities of applying entrepreneurship and sustainability in collaboration with established local businesses,” Uehara said.

    “This experience is designed to boost their self-esteem and confidence, empowering them to step into the ‘real world’ as professionals who share their unique ideas and take on the responsibility of turning those ideas into impactful, sustainable actions.”

    Lyle Takenaka ‘24 and his group partnered with Talk Kaimuki, a popular coffee shop, to weave sustainable practices into day-to-day operations. They brainstormed “lots of great ideas,” he said, but ultimately decided to create QR codes that customers can scan to get facts about waste, sustainability tips, and information on locally-sourced items, plus some trivia and deals.

    Takenaka said Talk Kaimuki’s main concern was cutting down on takeout cups for dine-in patrons.

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    “This project showed me businesses want to and are willing to find ways to become more sustainable,” Takenaka said, noting that working with Talk Kaimuki’s owner was eye-opening.

    “Plus, we got hands-on experience into how a successful business is run.”

    Takenaka added that he was particularly grateful for the feedback his team received. “By being able to work with a successful business, we had a unique opportunity to put a plan into action. We got real-world experience that will be of benefit in our future careers.”

    The best part? “We were able to make the world a better place,” Takenaka said.

    Uehara said students also worked with Bess Press and Keep It Simple, a zero-waste business.

    For Bess Press, students helped design an innovative “Bess Bucks” system aimed at giving gently-used books a second, third or even fourth life.

    Uehara’s course is supported with a federal grant, which also goes to other sustainable entrepreneurship work at Chaminade. She said she’s grateful to give students the opportunity to “expand on their ‘why’” and search for ways to make a positive difference.

    The course ended with a series of presentations from students on their projects, giving them the chance to showcase their work.

    ENV 490 was developed as part of the ‘Inana Innovators Program at Chaminade, which Uehara said was designed to “develop a robust pathway to entrepreneurship and bridge the gap between academic and professional life.” Uehara added, “This gives students the opportunity to become creators or interns, receiving a stipend to further develop their ideas and gain skills.”

    The ‘Inana Innovators program is funded by MBDA grant #MB22OBD8020275-T1. You can reach Principal Investigator Dr. Helen Turner at [email protected].

    Silverswords Shine in Data Science Challenge

    “Absolutely amazing.”

    That’s how Rylan Chong, Ph.D., director of Chaminade’s Data Science Program, described the University’s showing in the most recent Advanced Computing for Social Change Challenge. Five Silverswords participated in the event, held in Atlanta from Nov. 16 to Nov. 21, joining students from across the country for a bootcamp-type experience full of learning and camaraderie.

    It’s the sixth year Chaminade students have participated, using their skills in data analysis, computational thinking and the latest techniques in data visualization to explore a social challenge and consider data-informed solutions. A key component of the challenge is a presentation so participants can learn how to effectively communicate their findings to the general public.

    Tallen Vidal ‘28, who is majoring in Data Science, became the first freshman to complete the challenge. In his project, he focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the homeless population of Oahu and put together recommendations aimed at better protecting the vulnerable group.

    While Vidal is just beginning his university journey, he is already inspired about how he might deploy data science for the public good. “I believe data science can prove to be a powerful driver for social change because of how informative the data can be,” Vidal said.

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    He noted that quality, trustworthy data is important for creating strategies to “attack the problems of today, which gives us a clearer plan for the mission of tomorrow. It can also be used to spread awareness so that more people can understand the presence of various social problems.”

    Chong said the advanced computing challenge begins with participants selecting a research question and collecting key figures from large publicly-available data sets. From there, they use the Texas Advanced Computer Center supercomputer to analyze it and produce results.

    He noted the challenge also stresses community connections, which is why several students previously presented their projects in Hawaiian to a large audience of scientists, engineers and statisticians. At the most recent event, Olynann Taase ‘25 presented her research in Samoan.

    Students in the challenge tackle a social problem—and then seek to use data to help craft solutions.

    Chong was also particularly proud of participants Anson Ekau ‘25 and Berylin Lau ‘26, who completed their own work while also looking for ways to help their peers. Lau focused her project on cultural identity while Ekau worked on a project about Hawai’i’s economic challenges.

    And in another bright spot for Chaminade, Dae’Onna Butler ‘27 was offered the honor of presenting her project first “because of her advanced analytics, research project and spectacular practice presentation,” Chong said.

    “She went into the presentation helping other students understand the expectations, demonstrating confidence, and setting the tone.

    Two Chaminade students—Upumoni Logologo ‘25 and Kole Nagai ‘25—also attended the challenge as mentors after having previously participated. Over the week, they guided students with their research, helped them with computer coding and gave pointers on presentations.

    “Data science has the potential to significantly impact social change by providing insights and evidence-based solutions to complex societal problems. By analyzing data, we can identify patterns, predict trends, and propose data-driven interventions that have the capacity to address issues such as inequality, public health challenges, and environmental sustainability,” said Logologo, adding the challenge is not only a learning opportunity but a chance to network with organizations.

    Vidal said while the challenge was tough, he walked away with new confidence, ideas and inspiration.

    “My favorite part of the event was getting to meet and talk to other students who were from all over the country,” he said, adding that he hopes to stay in touch with them. “I was able to learn so much about each and every one of their cultures and places they are from.”

    Sparking Sustainability Innovation in Students

    A cutting-edge program at Chaminade aimed at sparking innovation in students through sustainability entrepreneurship opportunities was selected to receive a $300,000 non-competitive increase in its federal grant, underscoring the importance of the effort and its impact in the community.

    The ’Inana Innovators Program was originally funded with $600,000 in 2022 from the Minority Business Development Administration and the additional funding allows the program to be extended through 2025.

    Principal Investigator Helen Turner, Ph.D., professor of Biology and research director at Chaminade’s CIFAL Honolulu Center, said the program is focused on attracting the next generation to sustainability-focused tech opportunities and growing the innovation sector in Hawai’i and the Pacific Islands.

    “When you look at the long-term goals for Hawai’i’s economy, there are a lot of conversations about the defense sector, tourism, agriculture—those traditional mainstays,” Turner said.

    “In addition to growing large new sectors like clean energy and aquaculture, we need to focus on developing individual entrepreneurs. Growing the innovation sector means starting early—with programs that teach both the mechanics of entrepreneurship and build the confidence to try.”

    Federal funding for the ’Inana Innovators Program covers student compensation for innovation internships, entrepreneurship courses, and other salary support and activities.

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    Mariane Uehara, ’Inana Innovators sustainability entrepreneurship coordinator at Chaminade, said participating students are excited about bringing new solutions to longstanding sustainability challenges, from climate change to the proliferation of plastic waste. In addition to courses and internships, the program offers valuable opportunities for students to get mentorship from industry experts.

    Students are even challenged to create their own apps to showcase their work.

    “Sustainability and entrepreneurship are big words,” Uehara said, adding, “The only way to get these things done is by doing it. Entrepreneurship is about having courage and excitement to solve problems. The tools and skills to do that, that’s what we want to teach and spark.”

    Program participant Kyle-Jacob La’akea Gamiao ‘26 is working to develop an app called Lāʻau Friends. He said users will be able to use the app to identify native plants, get details on cultural protocols and practices, and serve as a platform to share stories and indigenous knowledge.

    “The main goal is to do all of this in a fun and interactive way that entices not only our target demographic—children and educators—but people of all ages and places,” he said. “The app will function as a way to preserve Hawaiian culture, inform others about ways to take care of the ‘āina, and serve as a possible framework for other parts of the Pacific to use as well.”

    Gamiao said during the Fall semester, his work with the ’Inana Innovators Program included everything from developing an AI chatbot to animating a character for his app to learning about how to attract sustainable funding for a project.

    “I’ve learned how to be flexible but ethical in how I solve problems that approach me,” he said. “I’ve learned how to work with others and to outsource during the ideation process. I’ve also learned to balance flexibility and determination.”

    Gamiao is pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and hopes to go on to graduate studies.

    He also plans to continue developing Lāʻau Friends.

    For Uehara, the ’Inana Innovators Program is about showing all students—from many different backgrounds—that they have the power to apply their talents and skills to society’s shared sustainability challenges.

    “All of us could use an entrepreneurial mindset,” she said.

    The `Inana Innovators program is funded by MBDA grant #MB22OBD8020275-T1. You can reach Principal Investigator Dr. Helen Turner at [email protected].