Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Our Capacity For Hope

Dr. Carolyn Woo bowed her head in prayer before addressing the audience gathered in the Mystical Rose Oratory. Then she began simply: “I’m here to talk about hope.”

As the latest guest in the Marianist Lecture Series, Woo offered far more than reflection. Through personal experience and global perspective, she challenged listeners to recognize both their responsibility and their capacity for hope—even amid devastating news and uncertainty in the United States and around the world. Her speech aligns with the University’s commitment to community partnership and impact, one of the commitments of the Strategic Plan.

Drawing from her years of humanitarian leadership, Woo shared vivid stories and metaphors. She recounted how a Guatemalan corn farmer, facing the loss of his land, adapted by cultivating papaya and ultimately built a thriving livelihood. She described how Chinese Christians, confronted with the destruction of religious statues, responded creatively—crafting an image inspired by a folk legend of a peasant woman carrying a light on her head, symbolizing Mary and the Christ Child. In each example, adversity became an invitation to resilience and renewal.

“The biggest blessing of my work at Catholic Relief Services is realizing that problems can be solved in significant ways,” Woo said.

Woo served as president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS)—the official humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community—from 2012 to 2016. Founded in 1943 by the Catholic bishops of the United States to assist survivors of World War II, CRS has grown to serve more than 200 million people in over 100 countries across five continents.

Before leading CRS, Woo built a distinguished career in higher education. From 1997 to 2011, she served as dean of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. Under her leadership, the college earned national recognition, including top rankings for undergraduate business education and consistent distinction for excellence in ethics education and research.

Acknowledging today’s social and political tensions, Woo reminded the audience that history, too, has known periods of darkness, including World War II. Yet resilience, she emphasized, is the signature of hope. Drawing from the theological virtues, she explained that hope emerges when faith is joined with charity—when belief is put into action.

Her international impact has been widely recognized. In 2013, Foreign Policy named Woo among its 500 Most Powerful People for her global leadership, identifying her as one of 33 individuals considered “a force for good.” In 2015, she was one of five speakers at the Vatican press conference introducing Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, and she later co-coordinated the Vatican’s Energy Transition Dialogues in 2018 and 2019.

Woo concluded with a call to personal responsibility: “Agency is the offspring of responsibility and capacity,” she said. When individuals recognize both, they can “build back better.”

At the close of the lecture, Woo was presented with the Mackey Award for Catholic Thought, named in honor of Fr. Robert Mackey, S.M., the first president of Chaminade University.

The Marianist Lecture Series—sponsored by The Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi, Chaminade University, and St. Louis School—fosters inclusive dialogue on Catholic thought and social responsibility. Gathered on the Kalaepōhaku campus in a spirit of community and shared purpose, attendees were reminded that hope is not passive optimism, but a call to resilient action.

Opening Doors to Early College

After registering for a day of college experiences at Chaminade University, twin brothers Lawrence and Andrew Robello sat patiently as other high school students trickled into Ching Hall for the third annual Early College Summit. The brothers say they felt genuinely welcomed by Chaminade. Seniors at St. Louis School, they are among the 92 high school students currently enrolled in the program’s fall 2025 term which culminated with the Summit on December 11th. 

“I like how the people are really welcoming here,” Lawrence says. “The college students don’t isolate us because we’re in high school but they welcome us in. If you also need help, the counselors, Ms. Kim (Baxter), Noe (Tugaoen), are there for support.” 

In addition to St. Louis School, students from Sacred Hearts Academy and Kapa’a High School attended the Summit that included interactive workshops and opportunities to connect with other students, Chaminade faculty, and Chaminade academic support programs. Students also engaged with peer mentors and participated in sessions on leadership, time management, and college selection, and were introduced to professors for their spring courses.

Students were impressed with tours of the dormitories, visits to the nursing labs and seeing the high-tech manikin (full-body patient simulator). A visit to the “Crime Scene” house with Professor Carlos Gutierrez of the school’s Forensic Sciences program was also a hit. Also on the day’s agenda: Discussions with Chaminade student-athletes on their athletic programs. Students also had the opportunity to speak with Chaminade admissions and the counseling center. 

“I love this program because it gets me ahead of the game and it opens doors for me, ” says Carlee Lomabita of Sacred Hearts Academy.

Chaminade University’s Early College Program allows high school students to earn college credit, as well as be eligible for high school credit. The program provides a college education to a diverse group of Hawai’i high school students, in line with the University’s mission to prepare leaders for tomorrow, ready to make impactful contributions to their communities and professions. 

Studies show that Early College students are better prepared for full-time college entry, college life and expectations. Students also tend to exhibit higher grade point averages, retention rates and graduation rates.

For more information on how to enroll in the Early College program at Chaminade, visit https://chaminade.edu/earlycollege/

Entrepreneurship Soars in Silversword Competition

In the spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity, business and community leaders gathered in Chaminadeʻs Ching Conference Center on November 20 to hear and judge five student business pitches in the annual Silversword Business Competition. Director of Chaminadeʻs MBA Program, Masahisa “Masa” K. Yamaguchi, and Dean of the School of Business and Communication, Annette Taijeron Santos, as well as President Lynn Babington greeted guests. Program. 

As part of the Business Strategy Class in the School of Business and Communication, student businesses provided goods and services that ranged from  baked goods to menʻs hair cuts to fitness. All of the student presentations and business plans were well-done. 

1st Place: Open Oven – Team Members: Kyla Castro, Daniella Bali, Lrae Anne Pungtilan

2nd Place: C.U.H. Cuts – Team Members: Jace Tsutomi, Cade Fujii, Max Patterson

3rd Place: Fuel Soda – Team Members: Adrianna Nichols, Marianna Carpenter, Owen Malone

Wags for Wishes – Team Members: Isabella Minaudo, Nathan Medina, Delaney Poling

Step Wealth – Team Members: Eli Loebll, Kira Ferguson, Killen Kawelo

Following each presentation, judges asked students about their finance and marketing strategies as well as provided guidance and advice for their  emerging businesses. 

Judges included: Eric Fujimoto, MBA ʻ94 member of the Chaminade University Board of Regents and President of Hoʻea Wealth Advisory; Jerry Garcia ʻ82, former Chief Financial Officer of Aria Home Health in Dallas, Texas and and owner of Consolidated Sports Products Hawaii; Alana Iuga, co-owner of Voyage Rental Cars; Stacey Katakura, Chief Financial Officer of Accumulus: Lisa Kracher, Vice President at Array Corporation; Lori Lum, Senior Vice President at Anthology FINN Partners; and Tim Moore, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Hawaii at Republic National Distributing Company. 

Mahalo to all of the judges who shared their wisdom, insight and served as role models for students. Special thank you to Eric Fujimoto, MBA ʻ94 who provides the prize money to encourage students to gain real-world experience while applying what they’ve learned at Chaminade to an actual business plan.

Mom and Daughter Graduate on Same Day

Leila Morinaga and her daughter, Maelia Thomas, share a lot.

They both believe in hard work and they both have a passion for business and finance.

And at Chaminade’s Commencement on May 3, they both got to share the stage—accepting their respective degrees on the same memorable day. Morinaga graduated with her MBA and Thomas accepted her associate’s degree, earned through Chaminade’s Early College partnership with Sacred Hearts Academy.

She was among 17 Sacred Hearts students who completed their associate’s degrees this Spring—and part of the first cohort to achieve the milestone.

Maelia, 17 and a senior at Sacred Hearts, said her mother inspires her every day with her example.

For Morinaga, the feeling is mutual. She decided to go back to school and get her MBA after watching her daughter juggle the dual obligations of high school and college work.

“I’m just so glad that I get to share this special moment with her,” Morinaga said, before the Commencement ceremonies on May 3.

Added Maelia, “I’m really happy that I get to graduate with my mom. What really kept me going with this program was seeing my mom every night working on homework, staying up late. Seeing how she can do all this and still manage to get a master’s.”

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Morinaga is chief operating officer at KÉCO CAPITAL, an investment firm. She opted for Chaminade’s Professional MBA given her years of experience, and said she knew she’d made the right decision after meeting her fellow cohort members and professors.

“Everyone I’ve met in the program has been amazing,” she said. “They bring all kinds of strengths.”

She said networking was a weekly opportunity with her fellow students, executives from a diversity of fields. “Pharmacy, medical, tourism. It’s been very interesting to hear and see the way everyone works while we’re all trying to achieve the same goal,” Morinaga said.

Maelia said she decided to pursue the Early College program at Chaminade because of its cost-effectiveness, allowing her to graduate from high school with two years of college under her belt.

At Chaminade, she also found professors who challenged her to delve into ethics and social justice—topics that she believes will offer a strong foundation in her business career.

For now, though, her focus is on taking a moment to celebrate.

Her graduation party later in May will also mark another special occasion: Her 18th birthday.

Kristina Viloria, MEd 2018

How did your education here contribute to your professional success?

My education at Chaminade University of Honolulu played a significant role in my professional success, particularly in building my confidence and expertise in higher education. Entering the program, I felt some initial nervousness about the rigor of a master-level program. However, the supportive mentorship I received, coupled with assignments that were clearly aligned with the practical needs of developing my teaching pedagogy, quickly alleviated those concerns. These experiences not only enhanced my skills but also instilled in me a deeper understanding of effective teaching practices.

Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you?

Two experiences from my time at Chaminade stand out as particularly impactful. First, my Special Education courses with Dr. Smith provided an invaluable bridge between theory and practice. Through activities like developing BSPs and role-playing IEP meetings, I was able to refine my skills under her expert guidance. Her dedication extended beyond the classroom; she even visited my class in ‘Aiea, creating a memorable experience for my students. Second, EDUC 643 with Kumu Keahi challenged me to rethink my approach to teaching English. This synchronous course prompted a deep reflection on my role as an indigenous educator and the importance of creating culturally relevant learning spaces for my Kanaka and Pacific Islander students. Both of these experiences, in different ways, significantly shaped my pedagogical approach and strengthened my commitment to culturally responsive teaching.

How did your education here shape your perspective and personal growth?

Despite my time at Chaminade being primarily online, I developed a strong sense of connection to the school and its community. This experience demonstrated the power of intentional design in fostering meaningful relationships, even in a virtual environment. It has broadened my perspective on what’s possible in online education and instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of community in learning. I feel empowered to continue my education and professional development, knowing I have a supportive network and ongoing opportunities for growth.

How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?

Graduating from Chaminade opened doors to opportunities I didn’t foresee. The education I received provided a solid foundation that has allowed me to grow quickly in my career. I’ve focused my professional development in two key areas: curriculum development and leadership. On a daily basis, I’m involved in making decisions about curriculum, and I’ve also taken on leadership responsibilities within my school. This has required me to deepen my understanding of educational leadership principles and refine my decision-making skills. Furthermore, the connections I made through Chaminade have continued to be a valuable resource, expanding my professional network and providing ongoing support and mentorship.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

My education in Instructional Leadership has profoundly influenced my personal and professional growth, leading to achievements I hadn’t initially imagined. The focus on responsive curriculum development provided a strong foundation for my work as an inclusion teacher in social studies and math. This experience then led me to become an Academic Coach, where I had the opportunity to mentor and influence other teachers’ curriculum design. Now, as a school principal, I have a broader platform to impact student learning, teacher pedagogy, and professional development. My confidence in designing relevant and challenging curriculum for all students has grown exponentially through these experiences.

Overall, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities and connections I’ve gained through Chaminade University of Honolulu. I’m proud to be a Silversword and believe my experiences there have prepared me well for this next step in my career.

Edgar Benavides Gonatice, MSCJ 2006

How did your education here contribute to your professional success?

As I started graduate school at Chaminade and started to learn and pass classes, my confidence also grew in my abilities and ambition. The sense of accomplishment and achievement has been the fuel to not only further my education and learning, but to also motivate and encourage others to do the same. I constantly remind my staff that I want to sustain a culture of ambition and continuous self-improvement. It’s a joy to see others win in education and life while making a difference in the world and their personal paths of life.

Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you?

Managing time and setting a routine to study and learn were disciplines that I acquired while getting my graduate degree at Chaminade. I was able to not only work full time and live independently, but also ensure I scheduled time to study on campus and attend classes. As a young adult, I appreciated being around other like-minded scholars working hard at learning and achieving their goals. The environment at Chaminade was one where you were part of a community that valued education and were surrounded by others that held ambitions to be productive members of society.

How did your education here shape your perspective and personal growth?

The classes I took at Chaminade were led and facilitated by passionate educators with a heart to pour in and grow students. The same efforts extended to me as a student, I have been able to do as well in my role as an educator and administrator. It also has given me confidence in the ability to work on challenges, press on through to victory, and ensure I can apply learning in the environments I am placed in.

How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?

I decided to attempt my PhD in Human Service with a focus on Criminal Justice shortly after graduation. After a brief two semesters, I focused on my career and young family as I brought them from the Philippines. A few years later we all moved to the mainland where we eventually landed in Texas. I had started my teaching certification and started on a path leading to a career in education. A few years later I obtained my principal’s certification and shortly was able to get hired as an assistant principal where I served for seven years. During that time, I continued to get my superintendent certification. I am currently finishing my third year as a building principal in Fort Worth, Texas. Although I have applied, and set up plans to obtain an EdD, I currently have not committed. Going back to finish a doctorate is a current goal that I hope to achieve soon.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

Continual growth is key. Learning new skills, pushing the tolerance of abilities, and building knowledge and wisdom from prior learning all have contributed to helping me be a more well rounded person that adds value to my family, my relationships, my community, and the other realms of influence I am a part of. Keeping a legacy mindset where I leave the world and relationships that I’ve established better than before is a motivational driver to continue to improve myself and give back to society. Higher education has equipped me to build my capacity and push my limits to not only do better for myself, but also be a positive role model to those around me.