Chaminade University of Honolulu

Academic Excellence

A Lesson on Making Math Fun—for Everyone

Teachers in training at Chaminade welcomed students from the Hawai’i School for the Deaf and the Blind to campus recently for a shared learning experience where everyone walked away with a greater appreciation of just how fun—and hands-on—math can be.

The middle and high school students were guests in ED323—Elementary Math Methods II, taught by Associate Professor Travis Mukina, Ph.D. During the lesson, Chaminade Education majors paired up with HSDB students to go through key math concepts.

Mukina said the opportunity is designed to spark curiosity and joy in learning.

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The HSDB students get a chance to visit a college campus and puzzle through mathematical problems. The Chaminade students, all preparing for their student teaching practicum experiences, learn valuable skills they’ll one day use in their own classrooms.

Mukina said ED323 focuses on “how to teach mathematics to all types of learners.”

The visit March 13 kicked off with a mental math warm-up exercise and then HSDB students jumped into an activity on measurement concepts.

“This was a great experience to practice communicating and being patient with others as they explained mathematical thinking,” Mukina said. “I teach mathematics using non-traditional methods, so it allows them to work through mathematical situations in a way that makes sense to them.”

It was the third time Mukina has invited HSDB students to his class.

Aubriana De Francia ’26 said that working with the HSDB students was a rewarding challenge as she sought to communicate effectively. “Even without spoken words, I was still able to connect with the students and have fun together,” she said.

De Francia added the experience “broadened my understanding of instruction by showing me the importance of using multiple teaching methods.

“In my future classroom, I want to ensure that every student has equal access to learning by incorporating different ways to communicate and engage with material.”

Mukina said he hopes his ED323 students walked away from the experience with a new appreciation for the importance of teaching in new ways.

“Most teachers teach math as all formulas and memorization, which is the absolute worst way to teach the subject,” he said.

“In all of my math courses, I spend a majority of time trying to change my students’ beliefs about how mathematics is best taught and best learned. My math classes promote conceptual understanding rather than procedural understanding.”

Chaminade Lauded in ‘Best Colleges’ Rankings

Chaminade’s Nursing Program also ranked in the Best Undergraduate Nursing category

Chaminade University secured high marks for academic excellence, value and student life by two organizations that provide annual rankings of universities.

In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings, Chaminade clinched the No. 21 spot for “best value” among regional universities in the West.

The publication also recognized Chaminade as No. 33 in best regional universities in the West.

And Chaminade’s Nursing Program ranked in the Best Undergraduate Nursing category.

“We are honored to be named among the best regional universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report and to be recognized for our strong commitment to affordability and exceptional value,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D.

U.S. News & World Report Rankings:

  • Regional Universities West: #33
  • Best Value – Regional Universities West: #21

Niche Rankings:

  • Best College Locations in Hawaii: #1
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in Hawaii: #1
  • Safest College Campuses in Hawaii: #1
  • Best College Campuses in America: #28 (out of 1,373)

“Our world-class programs, service-oriented mission, and focus on leadership development and academic excellence prepare our students for success after graduation, ensuring they can maximize their potential for making a positive impact in Hawaii communities.”

Chaminade has consistently ranked high in the “best value” school category, with the university recently implementing its Hawaii Guarantee tuition program.

The initiative provides Hawai’i high school seniors entering as freshmen the same tuition rate as the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s annual resident undergraduate tuition.

The guarantee also includes an achievable pathway to graduate in four years.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on up to 19 key indicators of academic quality, evaluating nearly 1,500 four-year bachelor’s degree-granting institutions across the nation.

These statistics reflect educational excellence and graduate outcomes as well as considerations that vary person-to-person, like campus culture, strength in specific majors, and financial aid offered.

In a separate college ranking, Chaminade was named No. 1 as best college location and for best student life in Hawaii, as well as the safest college campus in Hawai’i by Niche, a company that provides rankings for different aspects of the college experience based on a combination of data sets and reviews.

Nationally, Chaminade was ranked by Niche an impressive No. 28 out of 1,373 schools for the best college campuses in America.

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Silversword Awarded Obama Foundation Scholarship

Easterlei Tuitasi ’26 is among just 100 students nationally selected for the honor

Chaminade Psychology student Easterlei Tuitasi ‘26 was recently selected for the prestigious Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, which aims to celebrate student leaders with access to new opportunities and offers recipients financial assistance and a generous travel stipend.

Tuitasi was among just 100 students nationally selected for the 2024-26 scholarship cohort.

She is the first recipient of the Voyagers scholarship from American Samoa, and said her selection offers a chance to “broaden my perspective, develop new skills, and create meaningful connections that will shape my future career and the impact I hope to have on others.”

Tuitasi said her long-term goal is to become a clinical psychologist, focusing on trauma and child psychology. “I plan to use this opportunity to expand my academic knowledge and gain practical, real-world experience” and explore different approaches to mental health, she said.

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The Voyager Scholarship, which is administered by the Obama Foundation, is funded with a $100 million gift from Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky.

Recipients receive financial aid of up to $25,000 a year to cover educational expenses, a 10-year travel stipend totaling $20,000, an invitation to a fall summit, and access to a mentoring network of leaders.

Tuitasi said in applying for the scholarship, she emphasized her passion for psychological research that delves into cultural attitudes toward mental health.

“My interests aim to dissect how diverse perspectives influence everything from treatment options to the assimilation of mental wellness routines in everyday life settings,” said Tuitasi, who is a junior.

Tuitasi said she selected Chaminade for its highly-regarded Psychology program and low student-to-professor ratio. After graduation, she plans to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology.

“Alongside further studies, I also plan to gain practical experience through internships or entry-level roles. Hands-on experience is critical,” she said.

She added she’s extremely grateful to the funders of the scholarship.

“The chance to connect with others with the same passion for public service inspires me even more to contribute to building stronger, healthier societies,” Tuitasi said, adding she feels “blessed.”