Chaminade University of Honolulu

Press Release

College Bound

Kapaa High Seniors Earn High School Diplomas and College Credits through Chaminade University’s Early College Partnership

Kapaa High School seniors who participated in Chaminade University’s Early College Program received their high school diplomas after also earning college credits from Chaminade University and being admitted to four-year higher education institutions.

Sixteen Kapaa High seniors enrolled in Chaminade’s Early College Program will graduate on Friday, May 24. The students will attend various higher education learning institutions, including Brown University, Columbia University, UCLA, Chaminade University, Adelphi University, BYU-Hawaii, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Kauai Community College, Lane Community College (Oregon), St. Ambrose University and Willamette University.

Chaminade and Kapaa High began the Early College program partnership in 2021. The program aims to provide high school students with exposure to higher education and the opportunity to jump start earning their college degrees. The students earn 25 college credits while juniors and seniors in high school.  

“This program is really a part of Chaminade’s service-oriented mission, which is to make higher education accessible to all Hawaii students,” says Janet Davidson, Ph.D., Vice Provost of Academic Affairs. 

Research shows that early college programs show strong and lasting evidence of effectiveness for all students. It promotes both postsecondary access and success. The data is undeniable that students who participate in such programs will be ahead of their peers and graduate from a four-year university either debt-free or with very little federal student loan debt. The latest data further supports the claim that students who participate in these programs are better prepared to transfer to a four-year university than students who attend the university without prior college experience. 

The Kapaa High School 2024 Commencement will take place on Friday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex.

Kapaa High School Commencement Ceremony marked a milestone for 160 students who participated In Chaminade's Early Career Program.
Kapaa High School Commencement Ceremony marked a milestone for 160 students who participated In Chaminade's Early Career Program.
Kapaa High School Commencement Ceremony marked a milestone for 160 students who participated In Chaminade's Early Career Program.
Dr. Janet Davidson presents a Kapaa High School senior with a special ribbon.
Kapaa High School Commencement Ceremony marked a milestone for 160 students who participated In Chaminade's Early Career Program.
Chaminade faculty members attended Kapaa High School's Ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony 2024

Chaminade University will host its Spring 2024 Commencement on Saturday, May 4 at the Waikīkī Shell. The 5:30 p.m. ceremony will honor approximately 600 graduates receiving degrees from the University’s School of Business and Communication; School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; School of Education and Behavioral Sciences; School of Humanities, Arts and Design; and the School of Nursing and Health Professions. 

“Chaminadeʻs Commencement Ceremony is a beautiful and meaningful occasion for our graduates and their families,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, PhD. “We celebrate this milestone and all of our graduates for their accomplishments, dedication and perseverance in pursuing their degrees. Congratulations to all of our graduates!”

This year’s graduating class includes associates, bachelors and 36 doctoral students including the first Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change degree. Other highlights of the Commencement Ceremony: 

  • Executive Counselor for the Asian Pacific Islander Health Forum Dr. Kamanaʻopono M. Crabbe will serve as the Commencement Speaker. 
  • An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree will be bestowed to community leader Jean Estelle Rolles. 
  • Undergraduate Student Brittany K. Johnson and Graduate Student Donna Kay Fisher will speak as representatives of the student body.

Senate Confirmation

Shanlyn Park ’91 confirmed in a bipartisan vote

The District of Hawaii has its first Native Hawaiian woman to serve on the federal bench as a district court judge. Shanlyn Park ’91 is a current state court judge and former federal public defender. She was nominated for the judgeship on September 27, and sat for her hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 4. She was confirmed on November 30.

In a bipartisan U.S. Senate vote, Shanlyn Park ’91 was confirmed as the first Native Hawaiian woman to serve on the federal bench as a district court judge.
In a bipartisan U.S. Senate vote, Shanlyn Park ’91 was confirmed as the first Native Hawaiian woman to serve on the federal bench as a district court judge.

“Judge Park’s unique combination of experience, tenacity and genuine kindness will be a huge asset to the federal bench,” said Chief U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson in a released statement. “We are excited to have her join us as our colleague in 2024.”

Park was confirmed on a bipartisan vote of 53-45. The lifetime appointment is particularly significant in terms of representation as Native Hawaiians comprise 21.8 percent of the population in the district where she will preside.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Park has been a state circuit court judge since 2021. She previously worked in private practice and at the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Hawaii. While a practicing attorney, she has also represented individuals on a pro bono basis, including cases of employee discrimination.

In a joint statement, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono applauded Park’s confirmation, saying she “led a distinguished career dedicated to public service.”

“She has exhibited a commitment to justice, fairness and impartiality throughout her career, and is highly qualified to serve on the U.S. District Court,” the senators said. “As the first Native Hawaiian woman to serve as a federal district court judge, Judge Park’s confirmation reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to building a federal judiciary that reflects the diversity of our communities.”

Park was the second Hawaii judge to be confirmed in November. The Senate also voted to confirm Micah Smith, a federal prosecutor, to a district court judgeship. Appointed under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, federal district court judges are nominated by the president, confirmed by the U.S. Senate and serve lifetime appointments upon good behavior.

Both Park and Smith fit into President Joe Biden’s broader goal of diversifying the federal judiciary.

“They have the legal acumen as well as the character and temperament required to fulfill the duties of US District Court judges,” Sen. Schatz (D-HI) said at the September 27 hearing. “It’s for these reasons that I’m proud to support their nominations to the federal bench.”

Park is expected to fill the seat currently held by U.S. District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi, who is expected to go on senior status in October 2024. “Judge Park’s credentials are impressive by any measure, Schatz said. “But the historic nature of her nomination should not be lost on anyone.”

Schatz added that Park has a commitment to equal justice and has spent two decades as a public defender “giving voice to those most in need.”

“She represented low-income defendants on a variety of complex cases, earning a reputation among colleagues and opposing counsel alike as a highly-skilled, compassionate and solutions-oriented attorney,” Schatz said. “And she has brought her integrity and sound judgment to the bench since becoming a state court judge in 2021.

Smith will fill the seat currently held by U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright, who will go on senior status in January.

Appointed under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, federal district court judges are nominated by the president, confirmed by the U.S. Senate and serve lifetime appointments upon good behavior.

Chaminade University and United Nations Host Pacific Regional Sustainability Conference

Chaminade University and the United Nations will host a ground-breaking regional sustainability conference this week at the university campus to discuss climate change and the potential impacts to the Pacific region.

The “XIX Steering Committee Meeting Of The CIFAL Global Network” runs from Wednesday, November 30 to Friday, December 2, with the three-day conference bringing together world and local community leaders on goals, education and solutions to the global warming crisis. It will include seminars and workshops by experts from the United Nations and others around the world on climate change, global warming and sustainability.

This regional conference hosted by Chaminade University follows the UN COP 27 Climate Change Summit held earlier this month in Egypt, in which 200 participating countries came together to help resolve the climate change issue.

Seminars and workshops will allow timely and important discussions on a variety of topics related to leadership, health and wellbeing, education, and sustainability in Hawai‘i as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These goals include climate action, advocating for the oceans, reducing inequalities, and developing programs that pursue peace, justice and strong institutions.

Conference attendees will participate at this week’s Hawaii conference either in-person or virtually. The conference will kick off with an evening reception on Tuesday, November 29 at the university with opening remarks by event co-organizers United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNITAR executive director Nikhil Seth and Chaminade University provost Dr. Lance Askildson. Hawaii Governor-Elect Dr. Josh Green is also scheduled to speak during the opening reception.

Earlier this year, Chaminade and the United Nations launched a new Pacific region training and research center to provide leadership development opportunities to tackle these urgent global issues. The university’s Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (CIFAL) Honolulu is the first and only one of 24 international United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) centers to represent the Pacific area.

The Pacific region training center will provide innovative leadership development opportunities and tackle issues such as climate change, poverty, clean water and energy and other urgent global issues. The university’s CIFAL Honolulu Center is the only international United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) center located in the Pacific region.

“Our school is honored to partner with the United Nations in hosting this exciting, groundbreaking conference to deal with the critical and timely issue of climate change,” said Chaminade University president Dr. Lynn Babington. “Our state has been an amazing leader in studying climate change and in innovating solutions that include using indigenous knowledge and practices along with new technologies. Sharing these ideas with the rest of the world will only benefit all of us in dealing with this global crisis.”

Tuesday’s reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday’s sessions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. are open to the public. To learn more about the new Chaminade United Nations learning center, go to: chaminade.edu/cifal-honolulu.

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About Chaminade University
Chaminade University of Honolulu believes in the power of education to drive positive change, broaden perspectives and deepen our understanding of one another. With an emphasis on transformative service-learning experiences, we prepare students to serve as tomorrow’s leaders, inspiring and challenging them to use their minds and their hearts to help build stronger and more just communities. We are proud to serve as Hawai‘i’s only Marianist university, and rely on these values to guide us in delivering a high-quality education with an individualized approach and a focus on excellence, innovation and change. Established in 1955, we offer more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral degrees in education, psychology and nursing practice. Learn more at chaminade.edu.

UNITAR CIFAL Honolulu Center at Chaminade University
CIFAL Honolulu Center is part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). It is the 21st international training and research center of the CIFAL Global Network and the only center located in the Pacific Region. CIFAL Honolulu aspires to empower Pacific peoples to create a sustainable future that reflects their values and the priorities of their communities.

Chaminade University Awarded $600,000 Federal Grant

Chaminade University of Honolulu was among seven minority educational institutions that received $1.75 million in grants from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The monies are part of an expanded pilot program to support entrepreneurship for undergraduate students.

“This marks another proud achievement and win for our faculty members,” says Chaminade University of Honolulu president Lynn Babington. “Principal Investigator, Dr. Helen Turner, and a supportive leadership team shepherded this grant through a rigorous vetting process, and deserve all the recognition for bringing this nationally competitive award to the university.”

Submitted to the MBDA’s Minority Colleges and Universities Grant Competition, the award will allow Chaminade to develop the “‘Inana Sustainability Entrepreneurship Program,” which aims to spark minority entrepreneurial innovation among Hawaii-Pacific undergraduates.

“As a Native Hawaiian Serving Institution, Chaminade University of Honolulu’s proposal demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the mission and goals of MBDA, and the requirements of the Federal Funding Opportunity Announcement,” says Donald R. Cravins, Jr., Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development, in a prepared statement. “In addition, their application presented evidence of the expertise and community resources necessary to meet these goals.”

The Minority Colleges and Universities pilot program will help fund the development of curricula, pilot courses, seminars, and replicable products and tools that address inclusive innovation, entrepreneurship and general economic development.  The award is worth $600,000, funded annually over a two-year span.

“The ‘Inana program is highly collaborative and builds on foundations laid by Chaminade’s more-than-20-year history of promoting business and entrepreneurship,” Dr. Turner says. “`Inana will bring together our new UN Sustainability Center, our outstanding School of Business and Communication, and the highly regarded Hogan Entrepreneurs Program, as well as our Marianist Leadership Center and Experiential Honors program. Together we will laser-focus on supporting the next generation of sustainability focused entrepreneurs for Hawaii and our Pacific region.”

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Chaminade University of Honolulu believes in the power of education to drive positive change, broaden perspectives and deepen our understanding of one another. With an emphasis on transformative service-learning experiences, we prepare students to serve as tomorrow’s leaders, inspiring and challenging them to use their minds and their hearts to help build stronger and more just communities. We are proud to serve as Hawai‘i’s only Marianist university, and rely on these values to guide us in delivering a high-quality education with an individualized approach and a focus on excellence, innovation and change. Established in 1955, we offer more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral degrees in education, psychology and nursing practice. Learn more at chaminade.edu.

Chaminade University Receives $50,000 Grant from the McInerny Foundation

Chaminade University of Honolulu recently received a $50,000 grant from the McInerny Foundation to support the school’s Economic Education Center for Excellence. The grant will fund financial literacy programs at the center for the 2022-2023 school year.

The Chaminade Economic Education Center for Excellence (EECE) promotes economic empowerment for families and communities in Hawaii and the US-affiliated Pacific through accessible and sustained economic and personal financial literacy training that is culturally responsive. The research projects improve understanding of barriers to economic empowerment which shed light on policies and practical interventions to overcome these barriers in Hawaii and beyond. 

The McInerny Foundation grant aims to serve approximately 30 public school teachers with professional development workshops in how to incorporate financial literacy into the K-12 classroom, and 20 high school students with age appropriate coursework in economics and personal finance. Chaminade students also benefit from the programs as EECE workshop teaching assistants.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu believes in the power of education to drive positive change, broaden perspectives and deepen our understanding of one another. With an emphasis on transformative service-learning experiences, we prepare students to serve as tomorrow’s leaders, inspiring and challenging them to use their minds and their hearts to help build stronger and more just communities. We are proud to serve as Hawai‘i’s only Marianist university, and rely on these values to guide us in delivering a high-quality education with an individualized approach and a focus on excellence, innovation and change. Established in 1955, we offer more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral degrees in education, psychology and nursing practice. Learn more at chaminade.edu.