Chaminade University of Honolulu

Students

‘Aim Higher,’ Student-Athlete Antonio Bonnetty Urges, by Taking Full Advantage of Campus Opportunities

Some college students simply go to class and go home. Not Antonio Bonnetty.

This Chaminade University undergraduate is double majoring in Environmental Studies and Criminology and Criminal Justice, he runs cross country for the Silverswords, he represented Chaminade Athletics at a leadership retreat, he’s involved in Campus Ministry, he’s part of the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program, and in his spare time he’s into slam poetry, hiking and Xbox One gaming.

A double scholarship winner, Bonnetty also plans to join the Peace Corps, become an environmental law attorney and possibly pursue an FBI career.

“I have been very blessed at Chaminade thus far and have taken part in many opportunities as a result,” said Bonnetty, a “military brat” from Mississippi whose family moved to Oahu during his junior year of high school.

Despite suffering from scoliosis, Bonnetty was a standout athlete at Moanalua High School, where he competed in track, wrestling and football. At Chaminade, his cross country team named him last year’s “Most Inspirational Runner.”

“I fell in love with Hawaii,” said Bonnetty, who graduated from Moanalua in 2015. “I knew since I was going to college, I wanted to stay here. I actually applied to two places, both of which accepted me. But I liked Chaminade more, and the rest is history.”

Bonnetty said all his instructors “have been extremely helpful in my success.” But he’s especially grateful to Associate Professor and Environmental Studies Director Gail Grabowsky for underscoring the danger of ecological threats confronting Hawaii and the rest of the planet.

“Professor Gail ignited my love for environmental issues and led me down a path that impacted me so much that I realized that wanting to change the way the world views the environment, while not easy, is something I would be willing to spend my life in the pursuit of,” Bonnetty said.

This dedication to protecting the global ecosystem prompted Bonnetty to work with Kupu, a Honolulu-based nonprofit organization that provides young people with internships and service-learning opportunities so they can become stewards of Hawaii’s culture and natural environment.

Another instructor who stands out for Bonnetty is Professor Ronald Becker, director of the Criminology and Criminal Justice program. Dr. Becker also leads the five-day Underwater Forensic Investigation Workshop, which explores methods of locating, recovering and processing submerged evidence at crime scenes.

“These are things that I am so blessed to be a part of,” Bonnetty said, “and I will take a piece of what I learn from each experience into my future endeavors.

“Just remember to always aim higher,” he added, “and help as many people as you can do the same.”

Chaminade University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies, which prepares students for careers in fields such as law, economics, communications and information, consulting, science, ethics, health and environmental policy. Graduates of Chaminade’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science program pursue careers in law enforcement, public safety, administration and other areas at the federal, state and local level.

Environmental Studies Major Nerisa Taua Interns at Bat Lab (the Real One) on Purdue Campus

Comic book fans and TV watchers know all about the secret bat lab at fictional Wayne Manor in Gotham City. But Nerisa Taua, a Chaminade University Environmental Studies major, knows about a real bat lab. It’s housed at Purdue University in Indiana, where she focused on three species of the flying mammals through the national Summer Research Opportunity Program. Nerisa Taua“Spending the whole summer catching bats was fun, mostly because of the people I got to do it with,” according to Taua, who interned with Associate Professor of Wildlife Science Patrick Zollner and his Hoosier “bat crew.” “Working with them has been a great experience,” said Taua, who plans to apply for graduate school at the West Lafayette campus. Encouraging Taua to pursue the internship were Environmental Studies Director and Associate Professor Gail Grabowsky, along with Associate Provost Patricia Lee-Robinson from Chaminade’s Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research. “I was interested in working with endangered species or wildlife conservation,” Taua said. “I found a couple of interesting internships. However, most of them didn’t provide board and/or transportation, which was a problem for me.” Fortunately for Taua, the Purdue program fit her needs. Taua’s research centered on the detection rate of bats using acoustic monitoring equipment and the subsequent capture rate of bats using mist nets. Similar to volleyball nets, mist nets catch birds and bats in flight so they can be tagged and studied by scientists. “I found a significant relationship between detection rate and number of captures was only present for Indiana bats and not Big brown bats and Eastern red bats,” Taua explained. This can be because Indiana bats have specific habitat requirements, while Big brown bats and Eastern red bats are omnipresent in the landscape.” Based on these preliminary results, Taua and her Indiana colleagues decided to expand their study with the goal of publishing a paper. “So while I am here in Hawaii, the bat lab is sending me data to analyze,” Taua said. She also reunited with her colleagues recently through Purdue’s Graduate Diversity Visitation Program “to talk about where we are with the project and manuscript.” Nerisa TauaTaua, who’s from American Samoa, learned about Chaminade when a team from the university visited her high school during senior year. “I was attracted to the small classroom size because it made it possible for students to have a positive interaction with their professors,” she said. “I spoke with alumni and they all said great things about the Chaminade community. “This was something I looked for in an institution – a university with a community that is home away from home.” Taua said her professors – notably Dr. Grabowsky – “taught me a lot of important lessons that are not only useful in the classroom but also life in general.” “Dr. Gail has helped my passion for wildlife, environment and my culture grow,” Taua emphasized. “Her enthusiastic personality always reminds me why it is important to love what you do and do what you love.” Chaminade University’s Environmental Studies undergraduate program within the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics employs a multidisciplinary approach in exploring issues such as policy and law, science, economics, ethics and values.

Combining Native Hawaiian Culture with Science and Conservation is Ho`oulu Scholar’s Passion, Purpose

For Chaminade University student Hulali Kinilau, combining Native Hawaiian cultural practices with science and conservation is her passion and career goal. She also regards this three-pronged approach as key to achieving sustainability in the ecologically fragile Aloha State. Hulali KinilauKinilau, who’s double majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Environmental Studies, was greatly influenced this past summer by the Hawaii Conservation Conference, which had a theme of “He Waʻa, He Moku – Mālama Honua: Caring for Our Island Earth.” This 24th annual gathering at the Hawaii Convention Center brought together scientists, educators, students, conservation practitioners and community members with the goal of preserving natural resources in the Pacific region and beyond. “I was blown away by the people at the conference,” said Kinilau, who’s attending Chaminade through the Ho`oulu STEM Scholarship Program funded by the university and Kamehameha Schools. “It was amazing to hear what what they had to say. “I especially enjoyed learning about the scientific techniques that were being done in the outer islands within smaller communities,” Kinilau continued. “The scientists were working on establishing a connection with the community and figuring out what the community’s interests, needs and concerns were. Only after determining what could benefit the community did the scientists begin their studies/experiments.” A declaration by one of the conference speakers that “Hawaiian culture is science” made a particular impact on Kinilau. “I thought it was the most profound statement I could have heard that day,” she said. “And it was when I decided that – as a Native Hawaiian female in science – I have to do more.” With that ambition in mind, Kinilau is applying for summer internships and master’s and Ph.D. programs on the Mainland. “My plan is to focus on getting a higher education that builds on my scientific knowledge and experience,” she said. “Once I’ve done that, I plan on returning home and collaborating with the programs that are present on the Islands.” Aiding Kinilau in her graduate school preparations are an internship with the Sierra Club and participation in Chaminade’s I Am a Scientist mobile outreach program, which encourages public school children to pursue STEM educations and careers. “Both the internship and the I Am a Scientist events are helping me develop the communication skills needed when talking to the community on a scientific topic,” Kinilau said. “I’m learning how to gain the interests of the community through social media, while connecting them with knowledgeable individuals who have actively participated in conservation efforts on Oahu.” Reflecting on her Chaminade education, Kinilau said she appreciates the confidence shown in her by Biology Assistant Professor Jolene Cogbill, Biology Lecturer Chrystie Naeole and Environmental Studies Associate Professor Gail Grabowsky. “They have been the most supportive and understanding,” Kinilau said. “I’m grateful that they’re in my life. “The staff at Chaminade University want you to succeed in all walks of life,” Kinilau added, “and they are willing and able to help you achieve your goals. Even if you have no idea what it is that you want to do with your degree, they will help you figure it out.”

Eco-Minded World Traveler and ‘Gearhead’ Max Karg Lands in Business School

Undergraduate Max Karg, an ecologically minded world traveler who buys, rebuilds and sells vehicles to make ends meet, eventually touched down on Oahu and found his way to Chaminade University. Max Karg (Business Administration)A Business Administration major who’s minoring in Environmental Studies, Karg developed a taste for domestic and international travel as a teenager and hasn’t slowed down since. “I have gone to different countries in Europe for both leisure and on a foreign exchange trip with my high school as I was growing up,” said Karg, a native of North Manchester, Indiana. “When I turned 16 and got my driver’s license, I took a 10,000-plus-mile solo road trip across the United States, exploring many different states and regions in doing so. “This winter, I plan to visit Cuba and the Bahamas,” Karg continued. “In the future I hope to visit Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, South Korea and Japan in one trip, Australia and New Zealand in another trip, and Spain, Italy, Greece, Austria and Switzerland in another trip.” Max Karg (Business Administration)To fund his travels and help pay for college, Karg – a self-described “gearhead” – has bought, repaired and sold nearly 70 cars, trucks and motorcycles to date. “I did this back home beginning at age 15, not thinking much of it,” Karg said. “But it has gained me very valuable business and sales skills that allow me to make practical connections in class.” Karg said he set his sights on Honolulu after applying to colleges nationwide and receiving a scholarship offer from a university in Hawaii. “Having never been to Hawaii, I booked a ticket to check out the school and island over the winter,” Karg said. “I fell in love with the island’s rich culture, lush greenery and tropical sun. “Since I was on the island, I checked out other schools,” Karg said. “I stepped on Chaminade’s campus and something just felt right. I took a tour of the campus and knew that this was somewhere I’d love to attend. I got home, applied and got in with a substantial academic scholarship that made it possible to come out here for my education.” Chaminade’s small class sizes and friendly atmosphere immediately appealed to Karg. “I would say my favorite part of Chaminade is the student/faculty ratio,” he said. “This has enabled me to make deep connections with the staff and faculty here that I likely wouldn’t be able to accomplish at larger institutions.” Karg praised all his Chaminade professors for being “incredibly helpful,” but said two of them “have really stuck out.” “The first being Dr. (Gail) Grabowsky in the science department, who got me thinking about an environmental science minor,” Karg said. “She’s very passionate about what she does, which clearly shows in her classes. “The second is Dr. (Margaret) Friedman, who is in the business department and specializes in marketing. She also keeps her class very engaging and brings in lots of real-world examples. “I’m glad I’m able to call both of these women not only my professors,” Karg said, “but also my advisors and mentors.” Max Karg (Business Administration)When he’s not in class, Karg participates in numerous extracurricular activities. “I am on the Student Allocations board,” he said, “served as treasurer of the Communications Club my first year, started the Photography Club and serve as Vice President of the Adventure Club. I also went to a leadership conference on Maui last year.” Following graduation, Karg said he plans to buy, improve and sell real estate. “I hope to not only make a property more appealing aesthetically,” he said, “but also more energy efficient and utilize sustainable materials in any reconstruction that may need to be done. “I am also considering a master’s degree in Business Administration – possibly with an emphasis in sustainability- a little bit down the road.” For an adventurous world traveler such as Karg, that road could lead just about anywhere. The Business Administration program offered by Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication helps students become proficient in interpersonal communication and business intelligence through coursework, internships and service-learning opportunities. The Environmental Studies minor offered by the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics focuses on policy and environmental law to prepare students for careers in environmental science, ecology and conservation biology.

Pauahi Foundation Scholarships Help Joey Pantil Pursue Her Dream of Attending Nursing School

Two prestigious scholarships from the Pauahi Foundation are helping Chaminade University undergraduate Joey Pantil realize her dream of becoming a nurse. Nursing student Joey Pantil “When I found out that I received the scholarships, I was so ecstatic, thankful and relieved because I would have a bit of a financial burden lifted off of my shoulders,” Pantil said. The Nanakuli High and Intermediate School graduate is the youngest of four children and the first person in her family to attend college. Now Pantil is on track to receive a bachelor of science degree in 2021 from Chaminade’s School of Nursing. After that, she plans to enroll in graduate school and eventually become a nurse midwife or nursing informatics specialist. “I found out about the Pauahi Foundation through my high school’s college and career center,” according to Pantil. “During my senior year, I made it a point to apply for every scholarship I was eligible for. And because the Pauahi Foundation scholarships have a preference for people with Native Hawaiian ancestry, it was one of the many scholarships I applied for. The foundation awarded Pantil the Dr. Lori Ann Kim Scholarship for students pursuing STEM degrees. Pantil also received the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1960 Scholarship for students demonstrating academic excellence, good character and a commitment to serving their communities. “I had no idea how I was going to pay for college,” Pantil said. “The scholarships that I received not only allow me to attend college, but they push me to work harder in getting my degree in nursing. “Because there are people who believe in me,” she added, “and that is shown with their endorsement.” Chaminade University’s School of Nursing offers a four year, full-time undergraduate program leading to a bachelor of science degree. The school’s core values include holism, caring, diversity, integrity and commitment, plus Marianist values of lifelong learning and community service. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Chaminade Students Inspire School Children at Annual ‘Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery’

By sharing their knowledge and love of science, two teams of Chaminade University students encouraged children to pursue STEM educations and careers at the “2017 Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery.”

Held Oct. 28 at Punahou School, this 16th annual event honored the life and legacy of NASA astronaut Charles Lacy Veach, who flew on Space Shuttle missions in 1991 and 1992 and developed robotics for the International Space Station. The Punahou alumnus and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 51.

2017 Lacy Veach Day - anchialine pools activity

One team of Chaminade students conducted a workshop on the tiny opae`ula Hawaiian red shrimp and the ecologically fragile anchialine pools where they live. Anchialine pools are enclosed bodies of water with underground connections to the ocean.

“The kids we worked with made a habitat for the shrimp and were really excited to take them home,” said English major Kalei Ehlers from the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program. “Kids are excited by science and I had a blast teaching them something new.”

Also conducting the workshop were students Aulani Oka, Martina Segura, Tara Supit and Luwella Leonardi.

A team of students from the “I Am A Scientist” mobile outreach program showed children how to dust and “lift” latent fingerprints.

2017 Lacy Veach Day - fingerprint activity

“We got to educate kids and parents about the different characteristics in fingerprints that are unique to the individual person,” said Nursing major Heather Carvalho. “We also taught them that fingerprints are how they catch criminals.”

Carvalho said she enjoyed encouraging parents and children “to engage in science education together as a family.”

“It was an awesome way to get the kids outdoors,” she said, “instead of in front of the television and internet devices.”

Forensic Science major Kaitlyn Castillo said she initially thought young children “wouldn’t really think about doing science-related things.”

“After this event, I know that I was wrong and that some kids really do enjoy science so much,” Castillo said. “A few parents I talked to said they had bought their kids fingerprint kits and they would be dusting for prints all over the house.

“I liked knowing there were kids that got interested in forensic science by actually doing things related to forensic science,” Castillo added, “rather than from a TV show.”

Working with Carvalho and Castillo at the fingerprint booth were students John Aiwohi, Chante Carter, Doris Sanborn and Samantha Williams, along with alumna Cassandra Song and biology lecturer Dr. Eric Umemoto.