Alumni

Designing Women

March 1, 2024

Avery Solmssen ’04 and Lily Kanter collaborate to open full-service design studio

Avery Solmssen likens her first meeting with a potential client as a date, posing the question to herself: “Do we match?” Apparently, during her initial encounter with Serena & Lily CEO, Lily Kanter, the two immediately clicked. In addition to colors and textures, they talked about interior design and Solmssen’s approach to her own work, all the while developing a burgeoning close personal relationship.

“I really like to get to know my clients before I fully commit to a job,” says Solmssen, who graduated with her BFA in Interior Design from Chaminade in 2004. “Every project takes on a different life; no two projects are ever alike.”

Interior design has a timeless appeal as a profession, drawing talented individuals who possess a passion for creativity, aesthetics and transforming spaces into functional works of art. That appeal, in part, is the reason Solmssen pivoted from her first career in education. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado in 1998, Solmssen changed her mind about getting her degree in Special Education, choosing instead to pursue her BFA in Interior Design at Chaminade University.

“At the time, I was a teacher with Assets School, and I really enjoyed working with the kids,” Solmssen says. “But I’ve always had an interest in interior design so I chose to change careers.”

Avery Solmssen and Lily Kanter have collaborated to open Averylily Design Studio in 2022 and Averylily Home Collection this past January.

When the term “interior design” comes up, it often evokes images of HGTV, room-makeover challenges or DIY decor projects on Pinterest. However, what they’re actually envisioning is interior decorating. Although decorating contributes to crafting functional and aesthetically pleasing living spaces, the role of an interior designer stands apart from interior decorating in significant ways.

Though there are areas of common ground between interior design and interior decorating, they are inherently distinct. Interior design involves the fusion of art and science to comprehend human behavior, thereby crafting functional spaces within a structure. Conversely, interior decorating focuses on furnishing or embellishing a space with decorative elements to achieve a specific aesthetic. In essence, interior designers may engage in decorating, whereas decorators do not engage in design.

During the pandemic, Kanter purchased a home on Hawaii Island that was move-in ready, replete with reclaimed wood and a natural palette of colors and varying patterns. After asking her realtor for the designer’s name, Kanter connected with Solmssen, who was then a senior designer at the Honolulu-based firm Philpotts Interiors.

“Meli James (co-founder of Mana Up and president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association) introduced me to Lilly at an event,” Solmssen recalls. “We met in 2018 in Mauna Kea, and she has been a mentor to me ever since.”

She is now also a business partner, with the two collaborating to open their portmanteau Averylily Design Studio in 2022 and Averylily Home Collection this past January.

“It was all Lily’s idea,” Solmssen says. “She encouraged me to work on my own, which I knew would be different after always having worked for someone else for the past 22 years.”

One of the greatest motives for Solmssen’s willingness to open a design studio was to be able to keep jobs in Hawaii, and hire local talent. She believes that it’s important to support Hawaii’s future designers and to mentor them, like Kanter has mentored her.

“We do a lot of team bonding,” says Gerlie “Gigi” Valiente ’17, a fellow Chaminade alumna, whom Solmssen brought on to be a designer with Averylily Design Studio. “I’ve learned a lot from Avery who taught me that we need to learn to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations, and it’s not always about being right.”

Since opening their design studio and now a home collection that carries such household basics as linens, home décor, tabletop accessories and beach towels—all inspired by Hawaii’s natural beauty and designed in Hawaii—Solmssen and Kanter are able to offer a comprehensive interior-design service for both renovations and new construction.

“One of our main goals is to keep jobs in Hawaii,” Solmssen emphasizes. “We want our local high school and college students to be able to come to our studio, and to develop their skills and apply them in real life.”

Gala Benefit Dinner

February 28, 2024

An evening to honor donors and announce two new Hall of Fame inductees

Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington gave the opening remarks before the Hall-of-Fame announcement of inductees.

Athletics Director Tom Buning and Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington flank Hall of Fame inductees, Chico Furtado ’80 and Teri Chong ’92.

Athletics Director Tom Buning and Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington pose next to Hall of Fame inductee, Chico Furtado ’80.

Teri Chong ’92 accepts her Hall of Fame award from Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington and Athletics Director Tom Buning.

Guests were treated to an evening of fine wines and delectable food.

Guests smiled and talked story.

Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington mingled with guests throughout the night.

Guests enjoyed each other’s company.

Musician Nick La’a serenaded the crowd.

Enjoying the evening conversations.

Gala attendees got to see the impact of their donations.

Chico Furtada, left, and Bill Villa engage in a conversation.

The evening’s menu featured a three-course dinner by MW Restaurant.

Guests enjoying themselves.

Cathy Ching listens to Dr. Lynn Babington’s opening remarks.

A group of longtime friends.

Chaminade’s Director of Development, Heidi Bow, shares a laugh with guests.

Attendees mingled outside Ching Hall during the cocktail reception.

Fr. Chris Wittman talks with Dr. Lynn Babington and her husband Dr. Randy Carpenter, and Tertia Freas.

Enjoying a cocktail before dinner outside of Ching Hall.

MW Restaurant’s executive chefs Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka developed a creative menu.

Tables were elegantly set with a floral arrangement as the centerpiece.

The three-course menu was a delight for the senses.

The mood was buoyant as guests arrived and mingled before the start of the Silverswords Gala, a benefit dinner for student and athletic scholarships. However, beyond the laughter and good cheer, the gathering served a deeper purpose—a purpose woven into the fabric of education and opportunity.

“Through your generosity, we can provide scholarship support for many students at Chaminade to help them achieve their academic goals and set them up for successful careers in their communities,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., in her opening remarks. “We are very grateful to you all for believing in and supporting our mission.”

In a video presentation, Chaminade senior Audrey Pilar ’24 described how she cried for an hour after learning that she received a scholarship. “These scholarships are way more than just a financial burden lifted off someone’s shoulders,” the forensics major said. “It’s way more than just money to a person because to me, I think you’re giving someone hope and you’re giving someone a chance.”

A sophomore Communications major, Easton DelaCruz ’26 said nothing would be possible without the scholarships, without all the financial aid that he has been able to receive. “When you think of college, the next thing you think about is the financial burden that it puts on everybody,” he said. “And with these scholarships, it helps relieve the financial burden for myself and my parents.”

In this landscape of financial uncertainty, scholarships emerge as powerful catalysts for change. These financial awards, often based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both, play a pivotal role in dismantling barriers to higher education. By providing financial assistance, scholarships enable deserving students to access resources, facilities and opportunities that would otherwise remain beyond their grasp.

In addition to thanking donors for their support, the Gala served a secondary purpose: the opportunity to grow the Silversword Hall of Fame with two new inductees: Thomas “Chico” Furtado ’80, an outstanding basketball player who still ranks as the third best all-time assists leader with 486; and Teri (Bertulfo) Chong ’92, who holds Chaminade Volleyball’s all-time career kills at 1,487.

“Tonight, we get a chance to recognize two former Chaminade student-athletes who made their sport matter for their teams,” said Athletic Director Tom Buning, before inviting Chong and Furtado to the stage to join him.

“These esteemed inductees into our Athletic Hall of Fame are individuals whose remarkable achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come,” added Kahala Kabalis Hoke ’05’ MS ’07, the Women’s Volleyball coach and the evening’s emcee.

Among the sponsors were KemperSports Management, Kitty and Buzz Wo, The Queen’s Health Systems, Saint Louis School, Aramark, Becker Communications, CKW Financial Group, Edward Enterprises, Marianist Center of Hawaii, Maryknoll School, Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Francis Healthcare.

“Education transforms lives,” Babington said. “Our students set out to change the world—they are making a difference.”

Ocean Protection

February 22, 2024

Martina Sagapolu ’88 helps enforce ocean regulations

When she first entered Central College in Pella, Iowa, in the early 1980s, Martina Sagapolu’s interest was largely in political science. However, as she quickly found out from one of her professors, she was woefully behind in her knowledge of current events, and it would require a lot of hours to get on par with most of the other students on campus.

“I grew up in American Samoa so our AP News and television broadcasts were all pre-recorded and two weeks late,” says Sagapolu ’88. “So, when I arrived on campus, I learned for the first time that a woman (Kathryn D. ‘Kathy’ Sullivan) had just gone to space, yet that happened at least a month prior to my arrival.”

Sagapolu, though, wasn’t late in choosing a major. Because her heroine was the fictional teenage sleuth Nancy Drew when she was growing up in Pago Pago, she decided to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. After spending a bitterly cold winter in Iowa, the American Samoan native decided to leave Central College for Chaminade University of Honolulu.

“Central College was in the middle of nowhere,” Sagapolu says. “I remember there were only 19 minorities on the entire campus. One of the first mornings I woke up in the dorm, I could smell someone cooking SPAM and rice, and I knew that person had to be from Hawaii. It turned out there were three girls from Kauai and we’ve all kept in touch ever since.”

NOAA's Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement helps enforce ocean regulations in the Pacific Islands region. — NOAA’s Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement helps enforce ocean regulations in the Pacific Islands region.

Now wholly committed to the Criminal Justice major, Sagapolu decided to participate in a U.S. Department of Justice co-op program that the then-Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) had just rolled out. The program was designed to attract talented individuals—particularly college students—to gain work experience and potentially pursue careers in government service as civil servants. Students were provided with opportunities for internships or part-time employment during the academic year, as well as full-time employment during summer breaks.

“The pilot program started in San Diego and then came to Chaminade,” Sagapolu recalls. “There were seven of us who decided to participate, and we first had to travel to Arizona for a one-week training period.”

With the mentorship of such professors as Dr. Greg Mark and Dr. Mel Masuda who helped Sagapolu with her writing skills, the future Criminal Justice graduate was well on her way to becoming part of the law enforcement field. Meanwhile, she was nearing graduation and eyeing a position with INS. Because of her participation in the co-op program, she could be fast tracked through the usually slow federal hiring process, skipping the civil servant exam, interviews and other required bureaucratic steps.

“I graduated on December 8, 1988,” Sagapolu recalls, “and I was sworn in on January 3, 1989. There was no time to holoholo.”

Five years in as an INS agent, Sagapolu received a call from one of the students who also participated in the same INS co-op program, asking if she was interested in working in the Field Office of the National Fisheries Service, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in American Samoa. Returning home had always appealed to Sagapolu but she had her reservations about moving from one federal agency to another.

“It was going to be a huge learning curve,” Sagapolu says. “I was going to go from chasing illegal immigrants to investigating infractions in the ocean. Going to fisheries was definitely intimidating.”

But as dedicated Sagapolu was to INS, she has been fiercely entrenched with NOAA for more than two decades. As the Administration’s Assistant Director for the Pacific Islands Division’s Office of Law Enforcement, Sagapolu oversees the protection and management of the largest geographic area of NOAA’s five divisions. The Pacific Islands, comprised of American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other U.S. Pacific Islands, span a total of 583,000 square miles of ocean, teeming with marine wildlife and dotted with sanctuaries, including Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

“In concert with the Coast Guard, and other federal and state agencies, our mission is to ensure the laws and regulations protecting and conserving our nation’s marine resources are followed,” Sagapolu says. “I also serve as an enforcement advisor to domestic and international stakeholders on enforcement-related matters.”

She’s now also updated on the world’s current events.

Medical School Journey

January 17, 2024

Rachel Arakawa enters her final year at George Washington

She’s more accustomed to dispensing medicine than she is advice. So, when asked what she would advise students to expect when they’re in medical school, Rachel Arakawa ’20 offered this simple suggestion: “Keep focus on your goals. And remember, you are just as qualified as anyone there.”

During a casual information session with students enrolled in Dr. Amber Noguchi’s HP 390 class–Advanced Topics in Health Professions Preparation—Arakawa shared her journey to George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Like many freshmen who entered college amid a global pandemic in 2020, the former Silversword soccer and tennis player had to decide whether to stay home or move to Washington D.C.

“Even though all my courses were going to be online, I decided anyway to move to D.C.,” said Arakawa, who hopes to do her residency either in the Maryland–Virginia area or on the west coast. “That first year was really tough because it was my first time being away from home, and I had six to eight hours of online lectures every day, and then another two to three hours of reviewing the previous day’s content. We covered everything I learned as an undergraduate in two months.”

Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington welcomed Rachel Arakawa '20 back to campus this month for an informal discussion with students. — Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington welcomed Rachel Arakawa ’20 back to campus this month for an informal discussion with students.

Discipline and academic rigor, though, weren’t new to Arakawa. At the beginning of her sophomore year, the Kaneohe native decided to formally enter into an Articulation Agreement between Chaminade and George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

At its essence, an articulation agreement document is a formal arrangement between two colleges or universities, outlining a structured transfer plan for specific program offerings. Depending on the program and degree, students have the opportunity to initiate their path towards advanced studies as undergraduates. This involves building a robust academic record and fulfilling prerequisites during their time at Chaminade. The agreement benefits students by guaranteeing the transfer of all completed classes (credits) and providing a clear pathway for ongoing academic progression.

Students who want to take advantage of participating in an articulation agreement, for example with George Washington University, should apply in January of their sophomore year. “This timeline avoids any gap year between undergraduate and graduate programs,” Noguchi noted. “Applicants are required to have spent two years (four semesters) in an undergraduate program of the contractual college and to have completed approximately 60 semester hours of course work by the end of the semester during which they apply.”

Articulation agreements streamline the transfer process for everyone involved. This will help alleviate the stress surrounding the application process, the credit transfer process, and several other issues students might encounter when applying to a graduate program. By simplifying this process with transfer agreements, it is beneficial to all parties involved.

Third year bio-medical major, Joshua Dumas ’25, plans to go to med school even though he didn’t pursue an articulation agreement. The aspiring physician’s decision was based on his preference to attend a school on the west coast so he can be closer to Hawaii and family.

“I was studying all winter break for the MCATs, but I decided to wait until I was better prepared,” said Dumas, a Regent Scholarship awardee and COPE Health Scholar with Adventist Health Castle. “It was inspiring to hear how her Chaminade experience helped her in med school, as I am sure it will help me.”

Now in her fourth year and two of three medical licensing exams behind her, Arakawa has applied to various residency programs and received 20 interviews. Her choice of post-graduate training will be in emergency medicine, a specific area that she has been interested in ever since she started her academic track in the health field.

“I did a lot of event medicine, like at concerts and marathons, and I really enjoyed it,” Arakawa told the students. “I get to look at trauma, but it’s not for everyone. You’ll have to find your own passion and specialty.”

Asked by sophomore Ku‘ulei Koko ’26 if she ever experienced the impostor syndrome, Arakawa unhesitatingly answered yes. “I am a first-generation medical student and the only Hawaiian–Japanese in my class,” Arakawa added. “Some of the other students were also more familiar with the social cues and mores of the medical field since they weren’t first gen. But, I overcame impostor syndrome by not comparing myself with others, and got involved with activities that I liked.”

Healthcare is indeed the perfect complement to Chaminade University’s mission. As a Marianist institution, faculty members educate their students to embrace adaptation and change, family values and community service, which are all core components of our healthcare system. And as a liberal arts school, Chaminade ensures that graduates have a wide breadth of knowledge and are able to think critically across a range of disciplines.

“I learned a lot during my years at Chaminade years—inside and outside of the classroom,” Arakawa said. “The small class sizes and the supportive faculty helped shaped my belief in serving the community and being an empathetic individual that can make a transformational impact.”

Senate Confirmation

December 12, 2023

Shanlyn Park ’91 confirmed in a bipartisan vote

The District of Hawaii has its first Native Hawaiian woman to serve on the federal bench as a district court judge. Shanlyn Park ’91 is a current state court judge and former federal public defender. She was nominated for the judgeship on September 27, and sat for her hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 4. She was confirmed on November 30.

In a bipartisan U.S. Senate vote, Shanlyn Park ’91 was confirmed as the first Native Hawaiian woman to serve on the federal bench as a district court judge.

“Judge Park’s unique combination of experience, tenacity and genuine kindness will be a huge asset to the federal bench,” said Chief U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson in a released statement. “We are excited to have her join us as our colleague in 2024.”

Park was confirmed on a bipartisan vote of 53-45. The lifetime appointment is particularly significant in terms of representation as Native Hawaiians comprise 21.8 percent of the population in the district where she will preside.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Park has been a state circuit court judge since 2021. She previously worked in private practice and at the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Hawaii. While a practicing attorney, she has also represented individuals on a pro bono basis, including cases of employee discrimination.

In a joint statement, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono applauded Park’s confirmation, saying she “led a distinguished career dedicated to public service.”

“She has exhibited a commitment to justice, fairness and impartiality throughout her career, and is highly qualified to serve on the U.S. District Court,” the senators said. “As the first Native Hawaiian woman to serve as a federal district court judge, Judge Park’s confirmation reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to building a federal judiciary that reflects the diversity of our communities.”

Park was the second Hawaii judge to be confirmed in November. The Senate also voted to confirm Micah Smith, a federal prosecutor, to a district court judgeship. Appointed under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, federal district court judges are nominated by the president, confirmed by the U.S. Senate and serve lifetime appointments upon good behavior.

Both Park and Smith fit into President Joe Biden’s broader goal of diversifying the federal judiciary.

“They have the legal acumen as well as the character and temperament required to fulfill the duties of US District Court judges,” Sen. Schatz (D-HI) said at the September 27 hearing. “It’s for these reasons that I’m proud to support their nominations to the federal bench.”

Park is expected to fill the seat currently held by U.S. District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi, who is expected to go on senior status in October 2024. “Judge Park’s credentials are impressive by any measure, Schatz said. “But the historic nature of her nomination should not be lost on anyone.”

Schatz added that Park has a commitment to equal justice and has spent two decades as a public defender “giving voice to those most in need.”

“She represented low-income defendants on a variety of complex cases, earning a reputation among colleagues and opposing counsel alike as a highly-skilled, compassionate and solutions-oriented attorney,” Schatz said. “And she has brought her integrity and sound judgment to the bench since becoming a state court judge in 2021.

Smith will fill the seat currently held by U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright, who will go on senior status in January.

Appointed under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, federal district court judges are nominated by the president, confirmed by the U.S. Senate and serve lifetime appointments upon good behavior.

Early Childhood Education

November 30, 2023

Flex program allowed Sienna Delano to work in a classroom and as a fairytale character

She has been Snow White. She has dressed up as Belle. And Sienna Delano ’23 has even donned on the wings of Tinkerbell. Her ultimate princess fairytale, though, came true in May when she slipped into her blue gown and sashayed across the stage to receive her Chaminade University bachelor’s degree at the Waikiki Shell. But, it has not always been an animated Disney fantasy world for the Kapolei resident.

“When I was in high school, I was dealing with health issues that impeded me from actually attending school,” says Delano, who received a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. “The underlying problem was gastritis, which caused me to pass out a lot, and I was throwing up everything I ate. I really hit rock bottom, but I used my mind to heal myself.”

And it worked with the help of her parents, Ken and Jacqueline, who are both psychologists. Delano ended up getting her high school degree online with Penn Foster. And when she finished her last class at 10 p.m., she recalled waking her parents up and screaming “I just finished.” She was only 16 years old, but this self-described “hustler” has always been somewhat of a wunderkind.

Chaminade University president, Dr. Lynn Babington, presented Sienna Delano with her bachelors degree.

“Even though I got better, I was already enrolled in Chaminade’s Flex program, and I decided to stay with it,” Delano says. “Plus, I didn’t have my driver’s license then, and even though I do have my license now, I still don’t really like to drive.”

Chaminade’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) bachelor’s degree is aligned with state requirements and National Association for the Education of Young Children standards. The ECE major is flexible, and is offered through online courses that allow students to fit instruction into a busy schedule.

“We did some surveys and early childhood educators indicated that their life situations don’t allow them to take in-person courses,” says Dr. Elizabeth Park, associate professor and director of the Early Childhood and Montessori programs. “So what we did was really spend the energy and time to design robust online courses, so that we could really meet the needs of our educators.”

Delano understands the importance of early childhood education, and how it lays the groundwork for a child’s lifelong learning journey, contributing to their intellectual, social and emotional development. The positive experiences and skills acquired during these formative years create a strong foundation for success in school and in life.

“I started the Flex program in 2020 and my goal was to become an early childhood educator in a couple of years,” Delano says. “I really liked Chaminade’s online modules, which allowed me to set my own pace.”

Delano decided she wanted to become a second or third grade teacher because she enjoys reading to kids, a skill that she cultivated and strengthened while working at Storybook Entertainment Hawaii, which primarily provides character entertainment for private parties.

“I’ve always loved reading,” Delano says. “When I was young, I would read with my dad in a green chair that was designated for reading. I’ve probably read six to seven books this year alone.”

Delano’s parents have always stressed to her and her three sisters the importance of the mind and how to best use it to their advantage. She believes in the importance of using one’s mind lies in its transformative impact on personal development, cognitive abilities, emotional well-being and the overall quality of life.

“Even though I didn’t have the in-person campus experience, I was still able to create a lot of memories online,” says Delano, who will finish her student-teaching requirement at Kapolei Elementary School in December. “We would have ‘Session Rooms’ and ‘Workspaces” where we could post our ideas and have peer interaction.

“Sr. Malia Wong even had us submit videos of ourselves so it felt like we knew each other,” Delano adds. “She made me cry … in a good way. She called me an inspiration and said to me ‘Maybe I’ll see you as a princess.’”