Students

Co-Curricular Awards Celebrate Student Leadership and Involvement

April 20, 2017

Chaminade University celebrated student leadership and involvement, as well as individual and organizational accomplishments, during its annual 2017 Co-Curricular Awards Recognition Dinner. The event, held on April 19 in Clarence T. C. Ching Conference Center, recognized 22 students, one staff member, and two student organizations for their positive impact and contributions to Chaminade University and the greater community.

2017 CO-CURRICULAR AWARDS

Awards Presented by the Office of Student Activities and Leadership (OSAL)

Bro. Joseph Becker Awards of Excellence:
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence (freshman): Max Karg (Business Administration major)
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence (sophomore): Dalton Alatan (Elementary Education major)
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence (junior): Rena Pascual (Historical and Political Studies major)
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence (senior): Kau’imaeole Perreira (Communication major — Marketing Concentration)

Awarded annually to a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior who displayed exceptional leadership through involvement in co-curricular activities; who showed outstanding qualities of character, leadership, service, integrity, and scholarship; who demonstrated initiative, motivation, and potential for continued student leadership; who motivated his or her fellow classmates to become actively involved in the campus community; who contributed time and energy to the improvement of student/campus life and his or her designated class/community/organization during the academic year.

Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award:
Residence Hall Association and the Filipino Club

Awarded annually to a student or student organization who has gone beyond the bounds of their membership by helping to create a positive campus environment for all students and made an outstanding contribution to Chaminade University as an organization.

Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence:
Alumni Reunion Street Festival (hosted by the Residence Hall Association and Institutional Advancement–Office of Alumni Relations)

Awarded annually to a student or student organization who has exceptional creativity, planning, and execution of a University program which significantly contributed to the quality of life at Chaminade. The program must have appealed to a broad cross-section of the University community, displayed originality, and elicited participation by members of the sponsoring organization during all phases of the effort.

Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award:
Megan Robinson, Career Specialist for Retention, Advising and Career Preparation

Awarded annually to a member of faculty, staff, or administration who advises a student club/organization and consistently helped to identify, encourage, and support students in their leadership development and campus involvement, repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to the community and its needs, and expanded the horizons, skills, and value systems of Chaminade students by providing support and guidance within co-curricular life.

Awards Presented by Athletics

Male Athlete of the Year:
Rohndell Goodwin (Communication major)

Outstanding overall season performance in his conference sport; received ‘Player of the Year’ or ‘First Team’ conference recognition; must have represented Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during his season.

Female Athlete of the Year:
Lilia Maio (Elementary Education major)

Outstanding overall season performance in her conference sport; Received ‘Player of the Year’ or ‘First Team’ conference recognition; Must have represented Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during his season.

Silversword Award:
Cassie Rushlow (Psychology major)

Recognizes an act or series of acts associated with an athletic activity that represents the spirit of the Marianist philosophy to include sportsmanship, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, and respect for self and others.

Awards Presented by Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry Award:
Jerri Gisela Francisco (Accounting major)

Awarded to a student who has participated in all areas of Campus Ministry (liturgy, community service, and retreats). This person is an all-around amazing member of the Campus Ministry `ohana.

Liturgy Award:
Kierstyn Oshita (Biochemistry major)

Awarded to an individual who has willingly volunteered his or her time and talent to contribute to the quality and spirituality of our weekend and special liturgies and prayer experiences.

Retreat Leader of the Year:
Payton Sorg (Accounting major)

Award acknowledges the overwhelming commitment and dedication shown by a retreat leader in creating communities of support, faith, and love on campus. The leader selected for this award has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, maturity, dedication, and commitment to the mission of Campus Ministry.

Service Award:
Hannah Sablan (Business Administration major)

Award acknowledges outstanding servant leadership in the area of restorative justice and service for the people and the `āina (land) of Hawaii. The individual selected for this award has demonstrated just moral character, leadership skills, good humor, dedication, and humility.

Presented by Retention, Advising, and Career Preparation (RACP)

Outstanding Orientation Leader:
Lyka Raza (English and Biology–Cellular and Molecular majors)

The position of Orientation Leader is for someone who enjoys getting to know other students and wants to make Chaminade an even better place by building community between returning and new students. Orientation Leaders are involved with planning, implementing, and evaluating New Student Orientation. Their primary objective is to welcome new students and their families and help welcome them fully into the Chaminade ‘ohana. While all Orientation Leaders play an important role in creating an environment of success for incoming students, the recipient of this award has displayed exemplary performance of their duties.

Outstanding Peer Mentor:
Toni Mitsumoto (Forensic Sciences major)

Students who apply for and are hired to be Peer Mentors take a leadership role in the University by being visible, available upper-class students to which first-year students can connect. As co-teachers of CUH 100, they commit significant hours to training and class preparation. Peer Mentors are responsible for maintaining regular contact with students in their class, engaging them in University life, and assisting them with both academic and personal transitions that occur during the critical first few months on campus. While all Peer Mentors play an important role in helping first-year students to adjust to and succeed at Chaminade, this Peer Mentor’s performance of these responsibilities is exemplary.

Student Employee of the Year:
Briyanna Vitug (Psychology major) and Nicole Sagapolutele (English and Psychology majors)

Awarded annually to a student employee who has demonstrated the following qualities/skills in the campus work setting: reliability, initiative, unique contribution, quality work, professionalism, community, and campus service.

Distinguished Tutor of the Year:
Milton-Eugene Bratter (Biology–Integrative and Organismal major)

Acknowledges the outstanding commitment and dedication shown by a tutor to serve the Chaminade University of Honolulu community better. This distinguished individual will be selected based on the following criteria: active attendance and participation in training seminars and meetings; overall performance; dependability; leadership skills; overall dedication to the Tutoring Center; ability to initiate contact with tutees, fellow tutors, faculty, and staff; tutor-report cards.

Presented by Residential Life

Residence Hall Association Award of Excellence:
Savannah Delos Santos (Business Administration major — Marketing Concentration)

Resident Assistant Award of Excellence:
Alilia Fataua (English major) and Cassaundra Song (Forensic Sciences major)

Dean of Students’ Special Recognition:
Kierstyn Oshita (Biochemistry major)

Frederick K.K. Kauhane, Sr. Aloha Spirit Award:
Gracelyn Lorenzo (Criminology and Criminal Justice major)

Awarded annually to a student who exhibits a humble, cheerful, and generous spirit; a dedication to fostering a sense of `ohana around campus; the ability to raise other’s spirits by consistently improving the environment around them.

Henry Halenani Gomes Alaka‘i Award:
Kahiau McKeague (Forensic Sciences major)

This award recognizes a Chaminade undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and service to the Native Hawaiian community. In ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language), Alaka‘i is the Hawaiian value of leadership. It includes coaching, guiding, and mentoring others to support their growth. Those who are Alaka‘i lead with care for their community.

Alumna Expounds on the Value of Interprofessionalism for Healthcare-Career Success

April 17, 2017

Dr. Charissa Kahue BS Biology ’07 returned recently to her Chaminade University alma mater to meet with students of the HP 390–Advanced Topics in Health Professions Preparation class. The Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research (OHPAUR) invited her to share on March 28 and March 31 about interprofessional healthcare and collaboration and then on life after Chaminade.

The Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research regularly features guest speakers from health-professions schools and health professionals. These speakers are invited to share valuable information and insight with Chaminade students through its guest speaker series each semester. Also offered are HP 190 for first-year students and HP 390 for upper-division students. HP 390 addresses advanced topics regarding the preparations necessary for applying to schools of medicine or schools of other health professions.

Students were impressed and listened intently to Dr. Kahue, as she shared her experiences and clarified career pathways to success.

Chaminade student Ann-Janin Bacani said, “I was able to understand the importance of having a group of individuals from different disciplines that can communicate and work well with each other to work towards specific goals together.”

Another Chaminade student, Melissa Ponce, agreed. “In healthcare, it requires an entire team to make sure that the patient is well taken care of. Communication is highly substantial when deciding what treatment or procedure is best for the patient. However, before Dr. Charissa Kahue’s presentation, I had no idea the number of professionals needed to treat one patient,” she said.

Looking ahead to her personal career goals, Chaminade student Kaikeline McCarthy shared, “As a future healthcare professional, I can practice being a professional individual now, especially when I am at conferences, internships, and dealing with superiors.”

Stories of Dr. Kahue’s experiences at Chaminade as an undergraduate student, her transition to a two-year research experience for her post-baccalaureate, then entrance into Vanderbilt School of Medicine and her matched residency for the specialty of Otolaryngology inspired Bacani and Ponce.

“Her decision to leave for medical school to grow and explore her options for her medical career pathway was one of the things that stood out because this is a decision that I will need to consider when it comes to applying and deciding whether or not I would want to leave home to attend medical school,” said Bacani.

Ponce asked Dr. Kahue, “Have you ever had any moments in your career where you told yourself that you couldn’t do it anymore, and if so, how’d you motivate yourself to keep going?”

Dr. Kahue shared that many medical students either drop out in the middle of medical school or decide to pursue a different career path after they graduated. Every medical student will go through doubts and challenges.

“A final thought that I took as words of wisdom was Dr. Kahue’s statements on perseverance and determination. Although there are obstacles that we may encounter during the pathway into the medical field, a strong mind and motivation will conquer,” Bacani said.

Dr. Kahue felt honored for the opportunity to give back to Chaminade and believed that she was where she was today because of the university. Through Chaminade’s network of partners, access to national conferences, and amazing faculty and administrators, she was able to gain access to opportunities that she did not know existed. “I was able to work under the guidance of prestigious researchers and present that work at conferences. I learned that an even greater emphasis was being placed on research experience in considering medical school applicants,” remarked Dr. Kahue in a Chaminade Quarterly interview.

Dr. Kahue graduated from Chaminade University in December 2007 and was distinguished with the honor of the Outstanding Biology Graduate of her class.While at Chaminade, she participated in summer research programs and presented her research at several national conferences. In the summer of 2006, Dr. Kahue participated in a Pediatric Oncology Education Program internship at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital–Department of Biochemistry in Memphis, Tennessee. At St. Jude’s, she collaborated with a postdoctoral fellow on a research project involving novel drug therapy for imatinib-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia. She collaboratively published with fellow researchers in the Journal of the American Society of Hematology in 2007 on the results of their hematological anti-cancer research. In 2007, Dr. Kahue participated in Yale’s Biomedical Sciences Training Program and Enrichment program. In 2007, she was honored by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) along with nearly 80 other undergraduate students from across the nation for their undergraduate research, by presenting her work at the “Posters on the Hill” (Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.) event.

After graduating from Chaminade, Dr. Kahue completed a post-baccalaureate research fellowship from 2008 to 2010 at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland under the mentorship of Dr. Ira Pastan. She graduated from Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee in May 2014. In July 2014, she began her five-year residency program at Vanderbilt in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery.

The Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research assists students who seeking advanced academic opportunities. It provides students with information and advising about careers they wish to pursue after graduation, guidance for planning their academic and professional timeline, and expertise to strengthen their applications to their desired program of study. Services include advising, test preparation, internship and shadowing opportunities, summer research programs, professional seminars, guest speaker engagements, and community service activities.

2017 Alumni Reunion Was Hot, Hot, Hot!

April 13, 2017

It was innovative. It was fun. And it was family. Chaminade University’s alumni ignited the campus with positivity for their annual reunion celebration from Thursday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2.

2017 Alumni Reunion Mocktails and Masterpieces Thursday evening’s Mocktails and Masterpieces event kindled the fire with bursts of creativity. With artist Jenny B. facilitating, alumni painted canvas masterpieces that they could take home. The alumni mingled and caught up with old friends. The familiar warmth of campus ‘ohana surged feelings of nostalgia and fanned their anticipation for Saturday.

On Saturday, a gentle mist of rain blew through campus, and the angelic acapella voices of Kaipo Leopoldino, BS ’14, Teuila Tauaese, BA ’13 and Baron Kaholokua, BA ’13 sang the Hawaiian Doxology Ho‘onani I Ka Makua Mau ( Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow). People in the crowd pulled out their cell phones to record the “chicken skin” moment. With that blessing, the Alumni Reunion Street Festival – Food Truck Rally opened into a free-flow night under the stars.

Residence Hall Association (RHA) students lined the Sullivan Family Library stairs to welcome home alumni. The RHA students wore white “I LOVE CHAMINADE” T-shirts accessorized with round Chaminade spirit buttons that read, “Once a student, Always an Alum.” Blue ribbons with the message “Alumni in Training” hung from the buttons.

“It was so beautiful to see that we had alumni, commuter students, resident students, and faculty come together for this event. When I stepped onto Second Road and saw all the food trucks and so many people, it was overwhelming,” said RHA student president Savannah Lyn Delos Santos from Saipan.

2017 Alumni Reunion Acts of Kindness booth Outside of the Sullivan Family Library, a photo booth captured the memories of friendships and newly made friends. There was a ceramic pot sale setup by Fine Arts professor Yukio Ozaki, and the Campus Store offered Chaminade logo items for sale. Alumni like Teresa Fujino, MBA ’16 guided activities such as “DIY – Salty Scrubs,” where participants made bath scrubs. Kacie Cohen, MSCP ’13 and Darren Iwamoto, MSCP ’98 with Dale Fryxell, grant director of the E Ho‘opili No Na Haumana Project and interim dean of Education, manned the 110-AOK (Acts of Kindness) beading table.

The crowd echoed excitement when Leopoldino kicked off his shoes to dance the hula. From that point on, the event accelerated into high energy as Stacie Ku’ulei, BS ’02, MED ’10 emceed and entertained throughout the evening.

2017 Alumni Reunion Food Truck Rally The Reunion Street Festival – Food Truck Rally had many memorable highlights, thanks to the collaboration of the Office of Alumni Relations and Residence Hall Association. Tasty smells from the food trucks permeated the air as people lined up in front of Hawaii’s favorite food trucks on Second Road. Chardonnay Pao, BA ’13, MBA ’15 and Cherie Ann Park, MSCP ’13 served various ono plates from Kapakahi Grindz. The Nalo Made Lemonade booth was a hit. Shawn Niwa Kadooka, BBA ’91 mentioned how happy she was to be a part of the event, and said it required two resupply runs. Also, depending on your appetite, you could also choose dishes from Prime Sandwiches or Chamorro Grindz or something refreshing from Tats Shaved Ice.

2017 Alumni Reunion “Featuring alum or alum related vendors is the best! It brings a sense of pride to the event knowing that Chaminade is investing and supporting alum businesses. I saw alum, current students, and employees coming to buy our product. The positive vibes were just on a whole other level of awesome,” Pao said. “Good music, ono food, and the use of Chaminade Dollars brought another sense of school spirit to the event.”

Jeannie Pinpin Lum, BA ’05, MBA ’07 crafted a social meet-up game, Mingle Bingo, which gave participants the opportunity to meet each other and for students to connect with alumni and build their Chaminade networks. Lolita Lum Hoy ‘61 gave it two thumbs up. “The Bingo game was fun. It gave me an opportunity to meet many new people. I was able to meet people from Pittsburgh, Texas, Guam, Georgia, Oakland, and Mililani,” she said.

2017 Alumni Reunion alums say aloha to Bro. Bernie During a more structured part of the evening, Aunty Susan Frank Kama, BS ’61 in her melodic voice started a Lei Aloha ‘oli that cued alums to form a line as Chaminade president Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM was escorted to the lawn. The chant continued as alums showered Bro. Ploeger with lei, warm hugs, and bid him a fond farewell as he concludes his 23 years of service at Chaminade University.

Pinpin danced to “I’ll Remember You,” the classic song by Kui Lee. She offered the heartfelt emotional hula as a gift to Bro. Ploeger on behalf of the alumni.

The program also highlighted those classes ending in two and seven, pioneer classes from 1959 – 1966, and the class of 1967 celebrating its 50th Reunion. Those, who had traveled from out of state to attend, were also recognized. There were lots of prizes to give away, thanks to generous alumni, as well as lots of nostalgia and the tears that go with it.

2017 Alumni Reunion Then Micah G hit the stage and got the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and Marianists to get out of their seats and dance. The lawn in front of the library turned into a huge dance floor.

Night settled, and lights dimmed. On Sunday morning, the warmth of the embers could still be felt at Mystical Rose Oratory for the Alumni Mass. The alumni received a special blessing. Later they hugged each other and said their ‘a hui hou’ (until we meet again).

“There’s a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into a reunion celebration, and it is gratifying to see so many come out and enjoy the festivities,” remarked Be-Jay Kodama, ’86, MBA ’16, Chaminade’s director of Alumni Relations. “This year’s reunion committee took a rather bold move to carefully craft a reunion that would create moments of renewed connection to our Chaminade community, and create opportunities to enrich the lives of students who are alumni tomorrow through collaborative efforts of the Office of Alumni Relations and the Residence Hall Association. What an evening to witness the spirit of the Chaminade community through this experience. I can’t wait to build upon this for next year.”

At the recent 12th Annual Co-Curricular Awards, the Office of Alumni Relations and Residence Hall Association were presented the Father Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence for “The Reunion Street Festival – Food Truck Rally,” in recognition of valuable contributions to Chaminade University as the best event of the year.

2017 Alumni Reunion entertainment Mahalo to all, especially the Alumni Reunion Committee Volunteers: Alice Kaahanui BA ’86, Bernard Lum Hoy, BA ’59, Lolita Lum Hoy, BS ’61, Christy Aiwohi, BBA ’87, David Dinh, MBA ’15, Heather Nakao, BS ’12, BA ’15, Jeannie Pinpin, BA ’05, BA ’07, Lois Nakamura, BA ’85, Linda Tavares, BS ’63 Michael “Pika” Ahakuelo, BA ’02, MBA ’11, Scott Kishimori, BBA ’87, Shayne Iwamoto, AA ’12, BS ’13, Susan Frank Kama, BS ’61, Sweetie Pacarro, BA ’89, Terrence Kong, BS ’89, MSCP ’03.

Missouri Trip to ATSU Inspires Medical School Dreams

April 12, 2017

Chaminade and ATSU students, faculty, and staff Chaminade University students Vanessa Ignacio, Dexter Manglicmot and Adam Perez have set their eyes on becoming medical doctors. So, when offered the opportunity by the Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research (OHPAUR) to tour the world’s oldest college of osteopathic medicine, they enthusiastically went for it.

Accompanied by OHPAUR advisor Amber Caracol Noguchi, Ph.D., the students made the 4,000-mile trek March 22-26 to A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) in Missouri. Known for its rigorous studies to engage biomedical research and its cutting edge healthcare delivery program, ATSU/KCOM has a legacy that stretches back to 1892 when Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D. O, founded the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri.

KCOM staff and faculty generously gave of their time and energy to the Chaminade students, and the Chaminade students appreciated it. “This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the amount of accommodation we received from the staff showed how much they care for individuals,” said Ignacio. “I was able to speak one-on-one with an admissions counselor and really go over the details concerning my application to the school.”

A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine simulation lab The students received overviews and demonstrations in a myriad of laboratories, including osteopathic skills, anatomy, ultrasound, and simulation skills laboratories throughout the campus. ATSU KCOM student ambassador and Chaminade alum Ryan Santos ’13 (BS Biology) helped answer the students’ questions and showed them around campus.

Manglicmot’s interest was piqued by the demonstration of the manipulations of osteopathic medicine. “I did a little research and learned that manipulation is a modern diagnostic test of illness and injury called osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). This hands-on care involves stretching, pressure, and resistance of the muscles and joints, a holistic healthcare approach that considers a patient’s medical history, lifestyle, emotional, and mental health. Ultimately, it acknowledges the mind, body, and spirit of the patient,” Manglicmot explained with fascination.

A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine cadaver lab For Perez, it was the anatomy lab. “It was beautiful to see their anatomy lab and see how the school goes through great measures to accommodate for the cadavers. It says a lot when you take care of people like that, even if they are dead…It was probably one of the best anatomy labs with the ventilation system and their practice of trying not to use too many chemicals,” he said.

The trip opened the eyes of the Chaminade students to the possibilities and the challenges of medical school and provided wisdom for accomplishing their goals. All three students thought of KCOM as somewhere they would like to attend for medical school. “After this visit, I can firmly say that A.T. Still University–Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine is my first choice for medical school,” Ignacio said.

The Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research (OHPAUR) assists students interested in healthcare careers, regardless of their major. Services include: advising, test preparation, summer programs, guest speaker presentations, professional seminars, community service activities and internship/shadowing opportunities. OHPAUR also maintains articulation agreements with four ATSU campuses, as well as Boston University School of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Pacific University, Samuel Merritt University, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, University of Dayton and Western University School of Health Sciences.

Chaminade Boosts Grad School, Career Options for Underrepresented Students Through Leadership Alliance

April 11, 2017

To expand graduate school and career opportunities, as well as encourage diversity for students from underrepresented and underserved populations, Chaminade’s Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research hosted a March 28-29 campus visit by Dr. Medeva Ghee, executive director of the Leadership Alliance.

Established in 1992, this national consortium develops underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, business and the public sector. Chaminade is one of 36 institutions forming the alliance, along with other universities such as Columbia, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Yale.

During Dr. Ghee’s visit she met with students, faculty and staff at a poster reception and roundtable luncheon. Her keynote address, “Exploring the Unexplored,” encouraged students to pursue doctoral degrees.

Dr. Ghee is a faculty member with Brown University’s Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences. She also provided technical assistance and strategic advice for the Clinton Foundation initiative on preventing and treating HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Among the Leadership Alliance opportunities for undergraduates is the Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP). These fully paid internships provide training and mentoring in research principles so undergraduates can competitively apply for Ph.D. and MD-Ph.D. programs.

Internships are available in life and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities at over 20 institutions nationwide.

Among the Chaminade students who completed an SR-EIP internship is Dior-Ashton Teodosio. After graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, she plans to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology so she can treat children with learning disabilities.

Teodosio’s internship, conducted through the American Psychological Association, took place at Washington University in St. Louis.

“I worked on two different studies this past summer,” Teodosio says. “One focused on false hearing and analyzing previous data from another false hearing study. And the second one focused on second language vocabulary and speech perception.”

Teodosio urges other Chaminade students to consider an SR-EIP internship.

“If I had to give any advice to future students applying for any type of summer program, I would say to do it and go in with an open mind,” she says. “This is an opportunity that most don’t have, so you should definitely try it out!”

The Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research provides services to students interested in pursuing medical careers. These services include: academic preparation and advising, professional seminars and guest speakers, and undergraduate research programs. Chaminade students also have the opportunity for early admission to graduate programs through articulation agreements arranged with numerous medical schools.

Students Experience Spiritual Growth through Kalaupapa Pilgrimage

April 5, 2017

During spring break, eight students from Chaminade made a pilgrimage to Kalaupapa, Molokai to walk in the footsteps of Father Damien de Veuster, SS. CC. and Mother Marianne Cope and see the world through their eyes. Father Damien, known as “the apostle of the lepers,” and Mother Marianne, known as the “mother of outcasts,” were canonized for their work at Kalaupapa’s leper colony. Located on the northern peninsula of Molokai, isolated Kalaupapa has long been associated with Saint Damien (Contemplative Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary) and Saint Marianne (Sisters of Saint Francis).

Campus Ministry 2017 Kalaupapa Pilgrimage

The Chaminade students were eager to connect with both saints.

“I wanted to immerse myself into my culture and gain a stronger appreciation for the islands and learn about the leprosy settlement on Kalaupapa. I wanted to walk where Father Damien and Mother Marianne walked and served,” said Karinna Himan, a junior majoring in Criminal Justice.

Kimberly Rose Aguada, a first-year student at Chaminade and an alumna of Damien Memorial High School, revealed, “When I first learned about Saint Damien, I decided to model my life after him – to always act courageously and faithfully.” Aguada is studying to be a nurse making Saint Marianne also significant to her.

Flying in on a small plane with all their belongings and supplies, the students spent March 18-21 in one of the most beautiful places on earth and yet, at one time in history, one of the saddest places on earth.

“The most memorable part of this trip for me was that for so long, Kalaupapa was known to be a place of sorrow and hardship,” said Yaron Fernando, a Criminal Justice major with a Forensic Sciences minor who will graduate in 2019. “Now it is a place where people can feel joy and compassion in the heart and learn to appreciate the beauty that God has created.”

This was the second time that Chaminade’s Campus Ministry offered the Kalaupapa Pilgrimage to its day undergraduate students. Chaminade Campus Ministry director Daniel O’Regan took his first Chaminade group there in 2013. He noted the powerful impact that this pilgrimage had on students’ spiritual growth. “It’s a way to connect with the earth, God, and be inspired by the history and people living in Kalaupapa, as well as allow the natural beauty of the island to speak to us of the grandeur of God’s goodness,” he said.

Aguada recalled one of the most memorable parts of the pilgrimage for her. “We hiked up a trail and at the top was a giant white cross. It overlooked the entire settlement and a beautiful valley. When I sat under the cross, I heard the wind blowing through the trees. It was almost as if God was speaking. I remember just sitting there and feeling at peace. I truly felt like He was there with me. It still gives me chills,” Aguada said.

From Ohio, Shea Smith, who will graduate in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice, found the pilgrimage serene and meaningful. “I walked around by myself to reflect and focus on my spiritual side. Nature for me is calming, and it helps me see God. The beauty of the earth helps me see the beauty in my life that God has given me. This trip allowed me to realize just how grateful I am for my life,” Smith said. “I remember sitting on the pier looking at the crystal clear water and watching these colorful fish swimming around. I don’t see fish like that in Ohio, and when I see them here, I thought it was so amazing. It was another peaceful moment for me that I will always remember. It was relaxing, and it made me happy seeing them swim around and flow with the current. That moment was God talking to me, making me smile and helping me to remember that He is always with me and that I have so much to be grateful for in my life.”

The students had no set schedules, no agendas, and no phone signals as they shook off the stress of school. “As you visit the place, you realize that you are trying to move away from the insanity of our life filled with agendas, timelines, and meetings,” said O’Regan. “In Kalaupapa, you need to have the courage and confidence to go with the flow. There was downtime to visit the sacred historical sites, hike, visit the locals and even get in a game of volleyball. There was time to reflect under a full night sky of stars, but everything was done by feeling the moment and doing what was right. That is something Kalaupapa teaches you.”

Himan noted how grateful the residents were. “They don’t need to have the most glamorous things to be happy. They enjoy the simple things in life and truly love and care about their Kalaupapa. Knowing the history of this place with the positivity of the people and its patients, it’s easy to forget the sad history of this settlement, which some have described as a giant graveyard.”

Once back on Oahu, Himan missed Kalaupapa intensely. “On our last night, we listened to locals have a jam session and just talked story with them. One of the less-than-a-dozen leprosy patients still there told us his experience of being at the settlement. The man described Kalaupapa better than I ever could and told us ‘one day we all going die, but I’m not worried because I already live in Heaven.’”

The value of family spirit and being able to experience the pilgrimage with each other stood out in the students’ memories. “The people I went with became family, the place felt like home, and I will never forget the memories we’ve made. If anyone wants to experience a serenity that’s absent on our busy island, make new friends, and truly connect with God, I suggest that they apply for this opportunity the next time it’s available,” Aguada said.

Campus Ministry aims to provide students with the best spiritual support during their time at Chaminade University and offers abundant opportunities to nurture spiritual growth. Though Chaminade is a Marianist Catholic Institution, Campus Ministry welcomes and serves people of all faiths and traditions.