Chaminade University of Honolulu

Guest Speakers

Hogan Students Learn How Culture and Business are Intertwined

Ramsy Tatum and Elena Farden
Ramsy Taum (President & Founder, Life Enhancement Institute of the Pacific) and Elena Farden (Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student)

LAWE I KA MAʻALEA A KUʻONOʻONO.
Acquire skill and make it deep. This ‘Ōlelo No’eau, or wise proverb, outlines the path of success in becoming good at anything, you must immerse yourself in practice and learning until it becomes part of you. Serving as a guide on this deep journey of enlightenment, was our honored guest speaker, Kumu Ramsay Taum.

Ramsay Taum is the President and Founder of L.E.I, Life Enhancement Institute of the Pacific that provides sustainability consulting, cultural impact assessments and facilitating community engagement and planning. Taum also leads the MBA Island Business concentration program at Chaminade University. Through his work in teaching students and helping companies understand the value-impact vs. the value add of Hawaiian cultural values in the workplace, he describes himself as a community lei maker.

Lei ‘imi na’au’ao (lei of seeking knowledge; enlightenment)
And like an expert lei maker, Taum selects each piece and explains its value to the lei, starting with culture.
“Culture is important,” explains Taum. With culture in place, this moves the conversation from a values-conflict space to prioritizing what’s truly important as a business leader. To successfully navigate this we must understand that we all come with a “supply-side thought”, or preconceived notions, experiences and biases. In business management, when everyone does this they can take weight of their collective principles, values and practices towards shaping things together for deeper impact in business and the community. As Hogan Entrepreneurs, this sentiment resonates with our motto of doing business that makes social sense, and social impact that makes business sense.

Lei haliʻa aloha (Lei of fond remembrance; often said of someone cherished, such as a beloved elder)
As graduate of Kamehameha Schools, US Air Force Academy and University of Southern California, this knowledge Taum shared with the Hogan program wasn’t just given to him, it was gathered and earned. Throughout his life, key mentors such as Papa Lyman, former Bishop Estate Trustee, and Pīlahi Paki, beloved kupuna and cultural expert, pushed Taum to deepen his worldview and identity as a Hawaiian.
Today, Taum is a kumu and mentor himself. He teaches the values he has learned to help local businesses align a place-based approach of people, place, and prosperity in the context and content of how they do business in Hawai’i.

Lei pilina (Lei of closeness; a woven relationship or association)
Above all, the culture that shapes us and the values that help define us are all driven by relationships. Taum explains that culture is the lens that gives us new eyes – new eyes to see and new eyes to see how success is measured. To that he closed the evening with a simple question to measure if you are successful as a leader and business: did you eat.
If you can feed your family, if your workers can feed their families, if your community has access to food and the means to feed others less fortunate in the neighborhood, then you are successful.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Elena Farden
Speaker Session with Ramsay Taum 4/19/17

Alum Shares His Journey from Employee to Business Owner

Brittain Komoda and Grelyn Rosario
Brittain Komoda (Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student) and Grelyn Rosario (B.A. Business ’94, McDonald’s Franchise Owner)

It was a privilege to hear from Chaminade alumnus, Mr. Grelyn Rosario, owner and operator of Maui McDonald’s of Dairy Road, Kahana, Kahului, Lahaina, Pukalani, and Wal-Mart of Kahului.

Mr. Rosario is a second generation owner of McDonald’s franchises. In 1969, his mother moved to Oahu from the Philippines and started working at McDonald’s. Mr. Rosario also worked at McDonald’s at the age of 16. After graduating from Aiea High School, Mr. Rosario’s mother moved to Maui to open her own franchise. Mr. Rosario stayed back in Oahu to attend Chaminade University. He continued to work at McDonald’s throughout his undergraduate and graduate career and was able to learn more about the ins and outs of the company. After receiving his MBA degree, Mr. Rosario moved to Maui and attended Hamburger University. With timing, luck, and preparation, he opened his first franchise in Wal-Mart on Maui. Today, he owns and operates six McDonald’s on Maui.

Mr. Rosario shared with us McDonald’s “three-legged stool.” McDonald’s foundation is based upon three “legs”: franchise, corporation and its suppliers. The balance and relationship between the three legs is vital to McDonald’s journey to success. Mr. Rosario also emphasized the importance of serving the community. He has served the community through supporting educational projects, feeding needy children and providing the necessary materials to upkeep church in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Serving the community provides the opportunity to positively impact the society, especially the community around you.

Lastly, he ended his talk with a very memorable phrase: “fire in your belly!” This means finding your motivation, your muse, and your inspiration. Mr. Rosario’s “fire in his belly” was his mother. She motivated and inspired him to be the success that he is today. He also told us that it is okay to fail because that’s how you learn and succeed. It doesn’t matter what you want to do in life, just be the best at it.

“Failure is success in progress,” – Albert Einstein

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Brittain Komoda
Speaker Session with Grelyn Rosario 4/12/17

Hogan Students Learn About the Art of Invention from Rob Yonover

Dr. Rob Yonover and Lee Fujino
Dr. Rob Yonover (Founder & CEO of SEE/Rescue Corp.) and Lee Fujino (Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student)

It was a privilege to hear from Dr. Rob Yonover, founder and CEO of SEE/Rescue Corporation. He is a scientist and inventor of survival technologies used by the U.S. and foreign military. He is also a member of our Hogan Advisory Board and author of Hardcore Inventing: Invent, Protect, Promote, and Profit From Your Inventions and Brainstorm Islands: Invent to Survive.

Seeing the need for survival, Dr. Yonover came up with multiple inventions which include the RescueStreamer, LIFE/FLOAT technology, Emergency Supplemental Flotation System or PocketFloat, and the Emergency Pocket Water Desalinator. One of his upcoming inventions includes a water bicycle.

Dr. Yonover invents on simplicity, necessity, and survival. “The simpler the idea, the broader the patent.” His inventions will not only save lives but will also be protected by other companies that would try and copy his ideas. His main clienteles are the U.S. and foreign military, and one of his goals is to expand his inventions to civilians as Honecessary survival gears. The secret behind his success is his passion, and confidence in his products and brands.

Dr. Yonover also taught us to not be afraid to fail. As we embark on a journey and new ventures, we must keep in mind that great success comes with struggles and hardships.

Written by: Hogan Entrepreneurs Program student, Lee Fujino
Speaker Session with Robert Yonover 3/15/17

The Rules of Dating: A Conversation about Dating and the Hook-Up Culture

It was late afternoon when Chaminade students gathered in the Vi and Paul Loo Student Center to listen to guest speaker Kerry Cronin speak on The Rules of Dating: A Conversation about Dating and Hook-Up Culture. The title was intriguing enough.  Cronin’s boisterous style – cheerful, friendly and nonjudgmental – made her easy to like. Her subject matter piqued their interest as she drew them into a conversation about dating and hooking up.

Bro. Ed Brink, Kerry Cornin, and Allison Jerome
Bro. Ed Brink, Kerry Cornin, and Allison Jerome

Cronin covered the basics of dating and the need for social courage. Statistically, students on college campuses may be having sex.  Some may need help with decisions about that, and some may not. However, the larger majority just needs help on basic social cues, which the culture does not give them.  When she described dating, Cronin intentionally downplayed the issue of sex and focused on the importance of relationships. In general, students seemed more concerned with how to actually ask someone out on a date.

According to Cronin, the purpose of dating is to determine if one wants to be in a relationship. This first level of dating is reconnaissance work. You have to be focused because you are trying to find out if you are really interested in and attracted to someone. Many students would prefer to find out about somebody in a group, but a group has its own dynamic.

Connecting with someone one-on-one is different in that your attention is on someone else, and you are allowing someone else’s attention to be on you.  This takes courage because you have intentionally placed yourself into a vulnerable position. She stressed that this kind of dating as being alcohol-free and lasting for at least an hour so that you can figure out the depth of your romantic and sexual interest.

These days, the hookup culture has become very appealing. The hookup scene is motivated largely by a desire for a connection, but it is a desire hampered by a lack of courage. The biggest difficulty is having the simple courage to ask somebody if he or she would want to sit down for an hour and talk.

Students appreciated her straightforwardness and honest approach to the discussion as she advised them on how to go about the business of dating.

“Being in a relationship for 10 years, I was not too familiar with the hooking up culture and what that meant. It was nice to be able to relate to other students who have been engaging in this type of activity,” said Sashalee Torres, a senior majoring in Forensic Sciences. “She was really funny and extremely relatable. I felt comfortable speaking with her after the talk. She was not speaking poorly of the hooking up culture but trying to get a better understanding of it.”

Toni Mitsumoto, also a senior majoring in Forensic Sciences decided to attend Cronin’s talk because she thought it would interesting to learn about the hookup culture, “Especially when you’re living in a generation where it’s so common to hookup, and you never really take a second to think about it and how it affects us,” she said.  “My favorite part of the talk was when she read some of her students’ reflections. Some were really sweet, and it was nice to hear their point of views on how dating is compared to just hooking up. It was very relatable and made the talk more engaging.”

Mitsumoto said that she would definitely take some time to reflect on how the hookup culture played a role in her own life. “And who knows, maybe I will participate in her assignment and ask someone on a date! That would be interesting!” she added.

Torres would even be interested in taking a class on the subject. “I think that maybe there should be a club or class that discusses relationships and how to date. This would be beneficial for students who are not familiar with that area of their lives.”

Cronin, who serves at Boston College as the associate director of the Lonergan Institute and the Faculty Fellow at the Center for Interdisciplinary Perspectives program, works extensively with undergraduates in retreat programs. She also teaches classes on dating, which include dating assignments and dating scripts, and is quite popular. A regular speaker on college campuses, she addresses topics of student culture and formation. Her talks on dating have a wide internet following. As part of its Health and Wellness program, the Office of the Dean of Students with the Office of the Rector sponsored Cronin’s special speaking engagement at Chaminade University.

At a Marianist Education Associates meeting earlier that day, Cronin explained to faculty and staff that there were two syllabuses in the formation of students as they go through college.  The first syllabus dealt with content, tests, and academics.  The second syllabus dealt with students endeavoring to find friends, resolving issues, practicing adulting, discovering joy, finding their gifts, and ridding themselves of baggage.  “Students want us to walk with them as they try to navigate through college life,” she said. “It’s part of educating the whole person.”

Forging Relationships with Mentors Makes Good Business Sense for Hogan Students

The Hogan Entrepreneurs Program launched its first Hogan Mentors Night to rave reviews and a packed house. Held Feb. 22, the event introduced the Hogan mentorship offerings to its students and alumni in an innovative way. Divided into five per table, the students eagerly waited for the opportunity to ask their questions from the Hogan in-residence mentors, entrepreneurs, and leadership coach. The mentors switched tables every 10 minutes, speed-dating style.

“Everyone was engaged in the conversations–not one shy student in the room,” said Eloisa Rising, Hogan Entrepreneurs program specialist. “Students showed interest in each mentor. I overheard at one table success stories, at another table students sharing their future career plans, and at another table, a mentor was giving advice.”

Hogan student Lena Farden, who was on track for her MBA with a nonprofit focus by 2018, was grateful to meet the mentors. “As a grad student and driven professional, access to mentors is a key growth strategy for moving your ideas, your goals or your career onto a successful trajectory. With a mentor, you have someone who has been through the hard lessons to help guide you — someone who can believe in your project and, more importantly, in you.  After that, you have no excuse not to get started with building your success,” Farden shared.

Drumming up excitement at the event were the Mentors-in-Residence  Mike Herb, Rob Kay, John Gleeson, Rob Kinslow and Gen. Dwight Kealoha; Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Rechung Fujihira and Russel Cheng; and Leadership Coach-in-Residence Scott Simon. The in-house cadre of experienced business people has proven to be an invaluable resource for many a budding Hogan entrepreneur.  These outstanding business people give their time, energy and advice freely to those willing to take advantage of the venue.  Be it encouragement or cautionary flags, practical advice or strategizing on the big picture, they make it a point to serve the Hogan students one-on-one.

“Although entrepreneurs are known as independent workaholics, having a mentor is something that you will eventually need– someone to talk to when producing your upcoming product or service,” said Gabe Torno, a December 2016 MBA graduate from Chaminade and a Hogan alumni. “I learned that as an entrepreneur, it is very helpful to have a few mentors — not just one — to keep in your circle of networks.  As an entrepreneur, you can’t do everything by yourself.”

The interactive event forged new relationships between students and mentors. Rising noted that after the event, students contacted her to set up one-on-one meetings with the mentors. “The event was very effective, and we will definitely do this again next year,” said Rising.

The Hogan Entrepreneurs Program is open to all Chaminade undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of their majors. This one- or two-year certificate program provides students with the tools, skills, business connections and motivation to succeed in entrepreneurial ventures. 

Panelists Offer Solutions for ‘Housing the Houseless’

Faith-motivated responses to Hawaii’s homelessness epidemic was the topic of “Housing the Houseless,” a well-attended panel discussion at Chaminade University. Moderated by Hawaii News Now TV reporter and weather anchor Ben Gutierrez, the March 12 event was part of the Mackey Marianist Lecture Series: Catholicism in Prophetic Dialogue.

Panelist Peter Savio, a real estate broker/developer and social worker, characterized homelessness as a symptom of a greater problem – that being the high cost of housing in the Aloha State. As a result, many renters are just one paycheck away from losing their homes.

Savio called for the construction of affordable housing units financed by low-interest government loans. He also favors expansion of home ownership through equity-building rent-to-own projects that create “hope and opportunity” for lower-income families and individuals.

Panelist Terry Walsh (Behavioral Science ’93.), the new president and CEO of Catholic Charities Hawaii, believes in a “housing first” approach to getting people off the streets. First, provide shelter and meals for these needy individuals, Walsh said. Then tackle more deep-seated challenges such as alcohol abuse, drug addiction and mental illness.

“It takes a community to address this problem,” Walsh emphasized. “All of us together.”

Rounding out the panel were Dave and Bernie Reeves, retired teachers from Chaminade College Preparatory School in West Hills, California, and chairs of the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Committee at St. Ann’s Parish in Kaneohe.

Bernie Reeves, who volunteers for the state’s annual point-in-time homeless count, said the crisis is worse than the numbers indicate. That’s because many street people decline to provide information about themselves to outreach workers.

According to the statewide count from a single night in 2016, there were 7,921 homeless in Hawaii, up 4 percent from the previous year. More than half those counted lacked shelter of any kind.

“You have to organize individuals to solve problems,” Dave Reeves urged. Homeless people can help themselves to an extent, he said, “but they cannot do it alone.”

The Mackey Marianist Lecture Series has been sponsored for 20 years by Chaminade, Saint Louis School and the Marianist Center of Hawaii. The twice-annual lectures are dedicated to the memory of Chaminade’s first president, Father Robert R. Mackey, SM.