Chaminade University of Honolulu

Student Life

Chaminade Hosted L.E.A.D. With Mary Immersion Experience

With mud between their fingers and toes, students stood at the loʻi patch taking in the fresh air, lush scenery, water, history of the loʻi and the warmth of aloha. They were part of the L.E.A.D with Mary cultural immersion experience which brought students from across the country and Hawaiʻi together in the spirit of the Marianist founders to learn more about Hawaiian culture. 

“We learned a lot about what it means to honor the land,” said one student from San Antonio, Texas as she stood in the loʻi or taro patch. “If we take care of the land, it will take care of us.”

Chaminade University hosted the week-long L.E.A.D. with Mary for the  first time this summer. Now in its third year, the program was previously hosted by St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas and the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. These institutions, along with Chaminade, are the nation’s three Marianist universities.

Each university selected four students through an application process to participate in the program. The immersion experience is designed to help students learn more about the Marianist tradition through the culture of the host school’s location. 

The Hawaiʻi experience was planned by Scarlett Ford, Campus Minister, and her team at Chaminade. The team included individuals born and raised in Hawaiʻi, to ensure that each activity and location was culturally appropriate and respectful of the islands’ sacred places and natural environment.

Each activity was tailored to Hawaii’s unique environment and the Marianist values. L.E.A.D. with Mary offered students the opportunity to deepen their faith while learning more about both Hawaiian and Catholic spirituality.

After the out-of-state students arrived on Wednesday afternoon, the program began early Thursday morning with a sunrise hike and morning prayer at Makapuʻu. The group also stopped at Halona Blowhole Lookout before making their way to Iolani Palace for a docent-led tour. The evening concluded with dinner at Kahala Hotel & Resort, a dolphin show and an evening prayer.

Friday’s main experiences were Hanauma Bay snorkeling in the morning after prayer and a guided tour in the afternoon of Hawaiian Hall at Bishop Museum, home to the world’s largest display of Polynesian cultural artifacts.

“Yes, it’s fun but there’s also a deeper purpose of growing an understanding of God’s creation and why it’s important to take care of it,” Ford said.

That focus on faith, reflection, and stewardship continued throughout the weekend. It was filled with prayer, Bible study and optional group activities from shopping to hiking Mānoa Falls and visiting Ala Moana beach park. On Saturday, the group took a trip to a loʻi patch, where they tended to the taro patch in knee-deep mud. On Sunday, there was Mass and the group prepared for one of the most anticipated experiences of the week.

At 7 a.m. on Memorial Day, the group left campus and headed for the airport to begin their journey to Kalaupapa on the island of Molokaʻi.

“We’re going on small, nine passenger planes,” Ford told the students to prepare them for the flight and landing on the short runway.

Kalaupapa is a significant place in Hawaiʻi’s history. People with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) were forcibly isolated there. More than 8,000 people, primarily Native Hawaiians, have passed away on Kalaupapa since 1866. 

Kalaupapa was also home to the two Catholic saints who helped those affected by Hansen’s disease. One was St. Damien de Veuster, a Belgian priest who arrived in Kalaupapa in 1873. He passed away from Hansen’s disease in 1889. St. Marianne Cope, a German-born Franciscan nun, moved to Kalaupapa in 1888 to assist Father Damien in caring for those affected by Hansen’s disease. She died of natural causes in 1918.

Today, Kalaupapa is home to a small number of cured patient-residents and visitation is only offered by guided tours. The L.E.A.D. with Mary group was able to include Mass on Kalaupapa in their tour before returning to Oʻahu later that evening.

Tuesday was their last full day, and they used it to help the community. They prepared care packages and lunch for people experiencing homelessness.

“It’s an opportunity to learn more about the Marianist charisms through acts of service,” Ford said. “We’re going to a homeless shelter to help out.”

They ended the day by participating in Mass with a final prayer.

As the week came to a close, students gained a deeper understanding of Marianist values and Hawaiian culture. Through prayer, reflection, service and immersion in local history, students experienced firsthand the values that unite the nation’s three Marianist universities.

Silverswords Reunite for Fun Night

Graduating seniors in the Class of 2026 and recent alumni gathered on May 1 for ALUMNIGHT, an evening of connection, laughter, and friendly competition at Dave & Buster’s, transforming the popular entertainment venue into a hub of Silversword pride. The event drew recent graduates eager to reconnect with classmates, meet fellow alumni, and unwind over games, food, and shared memories.

As guests filtered in, the energy quickly picked up. Alumni greeted one another with excitement—some reconnecting after only a year apart, others reuniting for the first time since graduation. 

The program began with a warm welcome from Director of Student Engagement Andrew Peter Anchetta II ’21, who thanked attendees for staying connected to the university and to one another. He emphasized the importance of the young alumni community and encouraged guests to make the most of the evening—not just by enjoying the activities, but by strengthening the relationships that began on campus. Following the welcome, Fr. Martin Solma, SM offered a prayer, grounding the gathering in gratitude and shared purpose.

Guests made their way to the food line, as alumni shared updates about careers, graduate school, and life beyond campus. Alumni enjoyed classic arcade games, basketball shootouts, racing simulators, and interactive challenges. The step-and-repeat photo area was a popular feature throughout the night, as friends captured moments together. 

Door prize drawings were an exciting and fun part of the evening with prizes provided by the Office of Admissions, Office of Advancement, and Office of Student Engagement. Items included Chaminade-branded bags, a commemorative 70th anniversary Yeti water bottle, and exclusive collaboration pieces from Aloha Collection. Each prize reflected both school pride and appreciation for the alumni community.

The alumni event at Dave & Buster’s was more than a night of games and good food—it was a celebration of community, shared experiences, and the enduring ties that continue long after graduation.

Second Annual Exposure Fair and Hiring Blitz

The Second Annual Exposure Fair and Hiring Blitz welcomed around 1,000 middle school, high school and college students across nine Honolulu schools and universities on April 27, 2026. It was held at the St. Louis High School Gym as a “speed-dating” style networking event for students to meet professionals in many industries across our islands. Students were given one minute to decide which organization they’d like to hear more about for the next five minutes. Each student had the opportunity to meet with about 10 local business leaders to explore careers and internships, and were encouraged to apply for open positions.

Professor Wendy Lam’s BU 470 Senior Field Experience class from Chaminade University hosted the event. The BU 470 students were responsible for planning, organizing, leading, and executing the event. There were teams for Coordination, Business Development, Logistics, Communications, Social Media, and Human Resources. The teams had different responsibilities but would all collaborate to make major decisions. 

Professor Lam said, “My favorite part of the event is seeing our team’s ability to troubleshoot, adapt, solve problems, and work together to make a difference for the community.” The BU 470 students partnered with ClimbHI and St. Louis School. ClimbHI is a nonprofit organization that inspires students to finish high school and continue their education or begin their career. 


Learn more about ClimbHI: https://climbhi.org/

Nursing Students Receive National Award

Chaminade University’s Student Nurses Association has earned national recognition, receiving the 2026 Disaster Preparedness Award at the National Student Nurses Association annual conference in Houston, Texas. The honor celebrates an innovative community outreach project led by Chaminade nursing students that competed against programs from colleges and universities across the country.

The award-winning initiative focused on increasing emergency preparedness awareness for residents of Lānaʻi City through accessible, culturally responsive education tailored to the unique needs of the rural island community. As part of the project, Chaminade nursing students traveled from Oʻahu to Lānaʻi to participate in a community health fair, where they presented information on a variety of natural disasters that can affect Hawaiʻi, including flash floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Students also shared practical steps families can take to prepare and respond during emergencies.

The project was made possible through strong community partnerships. Chaminade students collaborated with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, which provided emergency preparedness packets for distribution to health fair attendees. Allyna Teppang ’26 also helped connect the student team with Kinaole, the company that organized the health fair and sponsored the students’ trip to Lānaʻi.

The initiative was conceived and led by seniors Junelle Tangalin ’26, Lyka Rose Corpuz ’26, Kelsey Nakagawa ’26, and junior Wendell Soriano ’27. Together, they developed a plan centered on promoting health equity and strengthening community resilience in an area with limited healthcare and emergency resources. Their work highlighted the importance of ensuring all communities—especially rural and neighbor island communities—have access to life-saving preparedness information.

In their project summary, the students emphasized that preparation can significantly reduce the impact of disasters and improve outcomes for individuals and families. They noted that proactive planning empowers people to respond more effectively when emergencies occur, even when circumstances are beyond their control. By tailoring educational materials specifically for the Lānaʻi community, the students ensured residents received relevant guidance and information about resources available on their island.

The national recognition reflects not only the students’ creativity and commitment, but also Chaminade University’s mission of educating servant leaders dedicated to making a difference in their communities. Through hands-on learning experiences like this, Chaminade students are applying their knowledge beyond the classroom while serving the people of Hawaiʻi with compassion and purpose.

Congratulations to these outstanding nursing students for representing Chaminade University on a national stage and demonstrating the power of service, leadership and community care.

For 20th Anniversary, Student Center Gets New Look

There are many favorite gathering places at Chaminade.

But there’s just something special about the Vi and Paul Loo Student Center, said Victoria Zembik ‘27, Chaminade Student Government Association president for the 2024-25 academic year.

So in celebration of the center’s 20th anniversary, the association decided to go big.

The student leaders oversaw and funded a major makeover of the space, replacing the old look with a sleek new one and making sure there were spaces for socializing, studying and fun.

On Sept. 10, an official grand opening was held at the redesigned space to mark the 20th anniversary milestone.

Students, faculty members and staff attended the bash, which also included a blessing.

Zembik said the redesign was based on student surveys and other input.

“We wanted to take on a project that really mattered to us. Our goal was to create a space on campus where our peers could truly enjoy themselves,” she said. “The Loo has always been a hotspot on campus, and it just needed a little revamping.”

She added, “We kept the desk with the whiteboard tabletop, but everything else was upgraded with newly refurbished furniture. Outlets were added in different areas, the layout was refreshed, and overall, it has become exactly what it needs to be—a thriving, welcoming space for students.”

The center is named after the late philanthropist, businessman and Chaminade Regent Paul Loo and his wife, Vi, also a strong supporter of education and the arts. The two supported the University in countless ways, including in helping make the student center a reality.

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Junghwa K. Suh, D.Arch, associate professor at Chaminade and co-chair of the Environmental + Interior Design program, said what makes the Loo Center redesign so special is that students and graduates were instrumental in making it happen—and executing a vision from start to finish.

Suh said she was also honored to add her own direction and guidance to the project.

“I recommended several aspects of interior design, including updated wall colors, improved lighting, varied seating options, spatial reconfiguration, and new furniture and accessories,” she said. “My primary goal was to bring vibrancy and meaning to this space for the students.”

One particularly meaningful touch: Ceramic leis crafted by students were integrated into the center’s sconces. The leis were created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the bridge to the Kalaepokahu campus and represent collaboration, creativity and community.

“This feature brings new life to the space and infuses it with the spirit of aloha,” Suh said.

She added, “What stands out most to me is the spirit of collaboration that made this project possible. Art and Design faculty and students, the Student Engagement directors, and our incredible facilities team all worked together with openness and enthusiasm.”

A Summer Spent ‘Walking the Halls of Congress’

Easton DelaCruz ’26 dreams of serving others in public office.

So you can imagine just how excited DelaCruz was when, over the summer, he found himself in U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Washington, D.C. office, speaking to the politician himself.

“Throughout the whole meeting, I was kind of fangirling,” DelaCruz quips.

DelaCruz was in the nation’s capital after being selected as an intern for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. He worked under U.S. Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, who represents DelaCruz’s home of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

As an aspiring politician, DelaCruz said the experience was transformative.

“I’m a 20-year-old from CNMI and I’m walking the halls of Congress,” he said.

“Being able to step foot in the capital and actually work to get stuff done for the people, it’s just a big honor. Attending all the committee hearings and briefings, they were so eye-opening.”

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During that meeting with the House speaker, Johnson turned to DelaCruz as part of a conversation about creating opportunities for young people and asked why he decided to leave the CNMI. His answer: “To get more experience, bring it home and share it with my community.”

DelaCruz, who is from Saipan, says his work at Chaminade is a big part of that experience building.

The Communication major hopes to bring new solutions to the CNMI. The U.S. territory is struggling economically amid a tourism decline and, DelaCruz says, jobs are difficult to find.

In studying at Chaminade, DelaCruz was following in the footsteps of his mother and sister.

His mom, Elaine, holds a Psychology degree from Chaminade along with a master’s of science in counseling psychology (2003) and a Doctor of Education (2024). His sister, Victoria DelaCruz ’24, studied Data Science at Chaminade and now works at nonprofit Aloha Harvest in Honolulu.

Easton DelaCruz ’26 got the opportunity to sit down with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson during a summer internship in the nation’s capital. The aspiring politician joked the experience had him “fangirling.”

DelaCruz says what he appreciates most about Chaminade is its family-oriented atmosphere.

“I’m a pretty social person, but it’s difficult sometimes,” he said. “Being here at Chaminade, you see the same faces every day and you start to talk story. It allows you to get out of your shell.”

At Chaminade, DelaCruz has also been able to take advantage of several once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. In May 2023, for example, he traveled to Los Angeles as part of a Marianist program to conduct community service at homeless shelters on Skid Row.

And then in October 2023, he was one of two Chaminade students selected to travel on a group pilgrimage to Israel. “I go to church every Sunday and they say all these different places in the Holy Land, and I was there,” he said. “We just went through all these sacred sites.”

This coming term, DelaCruz says he hopes to continue his growth as a leader.

One thing on his “to do” list: DelaCruz is trying to sharpen his Chamorro language skills.

He practices Saipan’s native tongue with other students at Chaminade from Guam or the CNMI, and tests his knowledge on his grandparents, who are fluent.

“They still laugh at my pronunciation,” DelaCruz said, “but then they correct me. That’s part of how I’m learning.”