Chaminade University of Honolulu

Press Release

Chaminade University Names Dr. Gail Grabowsky as Dean of School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Gail Grabowsky

Chaminade University has named Dr. Gail Grabowsky as Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. With more than 20 years of experience at Chaminade, she most recently served as the interim dean of the School.

“Dr. Grabowsky’s proven leadership in research, teaching and service makes her an excellent choice to permanently lead the school,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, President of Chaminade University. “She also brings extensive institutional knowledge and a record of working collaboratively to achieve strategic initiatives focused on student success.”

In addition to her role as dean, Dr. Grabowsky is the director and professor of Environmental Science and Environmental Studies at the University. She began working at Chaminade in 1997 after studying population genetics at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Kewalo Marine Laboratory and receiving her PhD in Zoology from Duke University.

An accomplished writer and environmentalist, Dr. Grabowsky has published an award-winning book: ’50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save Hawai‘i’ and appeared as a “science character” in National Geographic/Sea Studios’ series: The Shape of Life. She has also published numerous research papers.

Over the course of her career, Dr. Grabowsky has served on a number of environmental councils and committees. From 2001 to 2020, she was an advisory council member and chair of the education working group for Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument. She was also appointed by Governors Cayetano and Lingle to serve on the State’s Environmental Council for eight years.

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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 and Hawaii Catholic Schools Announce 2021 Ka Ho’oulu Innovation Recipients

Chaminade University’s Center for Strategy and Innovation, in partnership with Hawai‘i Catholic Schools, has announced the recipients of the 2021 Ka Hoʻoulu Innovation Awards: St. Louis School’s Principal Devin Oshiro, EdD, and St. Joseph Parish School. The awards recognize the demonstration of substantial innovation that has greatly advanced Catholic education in Hawai‘i.

Devin Oshiro, EdD, recipient of the 2021 Ka Ho'oulu Award
Individual Award – Dr. Devin Oshiro, principal of St. Louis School

Dr. Oshiro has led and worked collaboratively with St. Louis School’s faculty to create a diverse learning environment that addresses the needs of all students. Their six-point system, which consists of ‘aina-based learning, global learning, personalized learning, whole group learning and learning specific to young men, has resulted in stronger GPA levels, improved standardized test scores and the school’s highest enrollment in 20 years.

Institution Award – St. Joseph Parish School
Located in Waipahu, St. Joseph Parish School has integrated a community-wide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum to address a much-needed facet for all learners. The school partnered with the Institute of Social and Emotional Learning and formed an internal SEL Committee to develop and implement the curriculum through workshops for administration, faculty and staff to develop a common language and basic understanding of the process, and reinforce the belief that SEL is essential to student achievement.

The Ka Hoʻoulu Innovation Awards were created in 2020, as a way to recognize outstanding educators from Catholic schools throughout the state. Award applicants submit projects that exemplify the Catholic world view, support quality academics, integrate technology, demonstrate data-driven decision making or promote operational vitality. Those who submit projects with the highest marks receive recognition at an annual award ceremony and a grant to continue their work.

“We are so delighted to sponsor this award,” said Dr. Helen Turner, vice president of Chaminade’s Center for Strategy and Innovation. “The winners represent Catholic education in Hawai‘i, where teachers and administrators are continuously innovating in support of their students and their shared mission to provide high quality, affordable education. Students who are benefitting from the creativity of educators like Dr. Oshiro and teams like that of St. Joseph Parish School are part of a talent pipeline in Hawai‘i that is grounded in values and strong academics. We at Chaminade look forward to seeing them as future Silverswords!”

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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 Announces New Board of Regents Members

Chaminade University’s Board of Regents serves to create and authorize school plans and policies and to ensure that they articulate the vision and mission of the university system. It has named five new members to its Board of Regents. They are:

Violeta A. Arnobit, CEO, Ace Medical, Inc.

Violeta is currently co owner of Ace Medical Inc. together with her husband Terry. She serves currently as Board of Governors at the Filipino Community Center, Advisory Nursing Board for Chaminade University, Advisory Board for the Primary Care Providers and Alliance of Professional Primary Care Administrators. She was a founding Board member of Pali Momi Foundation, past Board of Directors at Pali Momi Medical Center, Filipino Community Center, awarded Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998 and Entrepreneur of the Year 1999 with Ernst and Young, and Nursing Excellence Award with the Filipino Nurses Organization of Hawaii.

Melialani “Meli” P. James, Co-Founder, Mana Up

Meli James is a cofounder at Mana Up, an initiative to expand economic opportunity, business infrastructure, and higher wage jobs in Hawai’i. Its six-month accelerator program enables Hawaiʻi product entrepreneurs to scale their businesses globally. Mana Up operates a retail business, House of Mana Up, to connect people to local brands. Additionally, she is president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association, an organization that seeks to foster entrepreneurship through education, networking, and access to capital. Previously, James brought her Silicon Valley startup experience to Hawaii accelerators Blue Startups and the University of Hawaii’s Venture Accelerator. James founded her first company, Nirvino, a #1 ranked wine app, an Apple Platform Top 100 App, and Top Ten Lifestyles App in 2007. In 2016, she was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of five Women to Watch. In 2017, she was recognized again by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of eight Women Leaders Who Are Disrupting Entrepreneurship. James is a graduate of The School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.

Estelle Kelley, JD, PhD, Community Volunteer

Estelle M. Kelley was an attorney and an adjunct professor of law at Hawaii Pacific University, Clark College, and Washington State University-Vancouver (1994-1996). Born and raised in Hawaii, she graduated from Punahou School, and earned her BA from Pacific Lutheran University, her JD-MBA from Santa Clara University, a MA in Humanities and her MA/PhD in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Estelle served on a number of Boards including St. Andrew Nativity School, Oregon Episcopal School, Pacific Lutheran University, Outrigger Enterprises, and the American Needlepoint Guild. She continues to volunteer for the Kelley Fund for the Oregon Community Foundation, the Community Foundation for SW Washington, and the Hawaii Community Foundation, and now Chaminade University.

Lydia Park Luis, President, NY Brands and International Caleres, Inc.

Lydia Park Luis is the president of Caleres Inc., Brand Portfolio-New York Group and leads the company’s international business. Luis has over 25 years experience in the fashion industry. She was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Jack Rogers where she oversaw rebranding and reorganization of the 60-year-old footwear brand. Prior to Jack Rogers, she was Chief Commercial Officer of Rag & Bone and held several leadership positions at Tory Burch, where she led U.S. wholesale, international expansion, and licensing. She has also worked at Coach, Swarovski and Bertelsmann. Ms. Luis holds a BA with honors and a MS from New York University. She was born in Seoul, S. Korea and grew up in Hawaii where she graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute.

Alison “Bo” Tanaka, Vice President, Tanaka of Tokyo Restaurants, Ltd.

Alison “Bo” Tanaka is the Vice President of Tanaka of Tokyo Restaurants, Ltd. Prior to becoming Vice President, she held positions of increasing importance from server to Manager of the Waikiki restaurant to Assistant General Manager for the corporation to Corporate General Manager. Bo has been working at Tanaka of Tokyo for the past 10 years. She was born and raised in Honolulu and attended Hanahau’oli and Punahou Schools, and received her BA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Bo graduated with her MBA from Chaminade University in 2015, where she was the Valedictory Speaker. She is on the Hogan Advisory Board, and also received her Hogan Entrepreneurial Certificate at Chaminade. Bo is a member of Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, a member of the National Association of Professional Women, a member of the Young Presidents Organization NG, a volunteer spokesperson, a member of the Board for the Hawaii Restaurant Association, and committee member for the Domestic Violence Action Center, and a former Miss Hawaii United States (2012).

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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.

Kosasa Foundation Awards Grant for Emerging Scholars Program

Through the Center for Strategy and Innovation, Chaminade University recently received a $25,000 grant from the Kosasa Foundation to support its Emerging Scholars pilot program aimed at promoting pathways to college for rural high school students on Kauai. The first cohort of students will begin the year-long program in the fall.

Prior to the pandemic, Chaminade offered a number of early college programs as part of the statewide Hawaii P-20 initiative promoting pathways to college. When the University pivoted to online learning, dual-enrollment and pre-college courses were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Chaminade has revamped and redesigned its college readiness programs to be offered online or through a mixed online/in-person format.

There will be two types of Emerging Scholar programs: 1) a non-credit Summer Institute for high school students, which will mostly be paid for by the federal college-readiness initiative, GEAR UP, and 2) an academic year dual-enrollment program for high school students to take courses and receive both high school and college credits that can be used toward a college degree.

“We are excited to initiate this pilot program for Kauai students this fall,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “The pandemic has created significant educational challenges for those residing in rural areas, including the neighbor islands. A lack of technology and broadband access has made online learning difficult for many students. The Emerging Scholars program will ensure students who are disproportionately disadvantaged by distance learning will have everything they need to excel online.”

Program administrators have identified a basic technology package—laptop, headphones, storage and backup—that will be provided on loan to its high-need college students, including those in the Emerging Scholars programs.

During the program, 40 students from Kauai high schools will take four dual-enrollment, introductory courses each semester. The courses will be enhanced with guest speakers who will participate in each course. Faculty will fly to Kauai to physically meet the students prior to each semester start. At the end of the year, Chaminade will fly the participating students to Oahu to stay overnight in the residence hall. During their stay, they will meet with advisors and faculty from each division, and participate in college prep workshops.

Chaminade is reimagining the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to adapt to changing learner needs, and to rethink and transform approaches to higher education. This program seeks to provide students on Kauai with new opportunities and ensure success in pursuit of learning.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

DNP Program Receives WSCUC Accreditation

Following a comprehensive review process, Chaminade University’s new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The accreditation recognizes that Chaminade University has met high standards of academic quality and effectiveness.

“Receiving this accreditation from WSCUC is a huge step forward as we can begin admitting students to our new DNP program, which will educate family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and nurse leaders,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, Chaminade University president. “Nurses play such a significant role in healthcare delivery, and during times like these, it’s so important to have nurses who are able to innovate and adapt. The DNP program seeks to provide further education for dedicated and passionate nurses to excel as leaders in healthcare.”

Through the Commission’s extensive review, Chaminade University has been shown to have met the four standards of WSCUC accreditation, which include: defining institutional purposes and ensuring educational objectives, achieving educational objectives through core functions, developing and applying resources and organizational structures to ensure quality and sustainability, and creating an organization committed to quality assurance, institutional learning and improvement.

Chaminade University’s DNP program is designed for the registered nurse or advanced practice nurse who aims to provide evidence-based care to culturally diverse populations while also developing a leadership role as an advocate for health and social justice. Through the use of an innovative, technology-enriched, educational approach, the curriculum prepares graduates to address profound healthcare needs of society.

“The DNP program takes a values-based approach to education and patient care, and will incorporate strong community partnerships, individualized mentoring and culturally-informed advanced practice,” said Dr. Rhoberta Haley, Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions. “We are excited to launch this program, especially during a time when nurse leaders are so urgently needed.”

The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting agency that serves a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions throughout California, Hawaii and the Pacific, as well as a few institutions outside the U.S. For more information about WSCUC accreditation, visit wscuc.org.

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About Chaminade University Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Chaminade University Receives Maximum 10-Year Accreditation from APA for its Doctor of Psychology Program

Following a rigorous, months-long review, the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program at the Hawaii School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu has received full accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) for ten years.

APA accreditation signifies Chaminade’s PsyD program meets the highest standards in psychology education, preparing students to successfully and ethically deliver psychological services to the community.

“APA’s 10-year accreditation is an affirmation of the quality, rigor, and academic support that we provide our students through Chaminade’s PsyD program, giving them the tools and resources that they will need to serve the mental and behavioral health needs of our communities,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington.

“Chaminade University is proud to offer the only APA-accredited PsyD program in the state, and is committed to partnering with our graduates as they expand access to evidence-based, culturally attuned psychological care. Like our community partners, we know that mental health is critical to overall health.”

Babington added that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for quality psychological services in Hawaii, especially in rural and under-resourced populations. “The PsyD program is built on Chaminade’s Marianist tradition of public service, and is part of a suite of academic offerings in mental health at Chaminade geared toward helping communities thrive,” Babington said.

As part of APA accreditation, Chaminade’s PsyD program faculty members and administrators underwent an extensive self-study process, highlighting areas of excellence and opportunities for further growth and innovation. An accreditation team of professionals from across the US also conducted a thorough program review to ensure the University’s PsyD program meets rigorous standards.

There are currently less than 70 PsyD programs in the US with full APA accreditation.

Chaminade’s PsyD stresses experiential learning and cutting-edge, community-focused practical application. Students complete a five-year course of study in preparation for licensed clinical practice, with a curriculum that integrates hands-on application with theory and research. Students are also mentored to serve as practitioner-scholars and leaders who seek to drive positive change.

Before graduation, students also complete at least 1500 hours of clinical practicum and  2,000 hours of  clinical internship held  in a variety of settings, including community mental health centers, nonprofits, hospitals, and psychiatric facilities.

In addition to APA accreditation, the PsyD program is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional information on the program is available at chaminade.edu/psyd.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.