Office of Student Activities and Leadership

Celebrating Culture: Pacific Island Review

November 11, 2024

Students spent months rehearsing for the big night

Hantricia “Hanny” Lipai ’28 and Charisma Mitipok ’28 said they were excited—and a little nervous—when they made their debut performance with the Micronesian Club at the annual Pacific Island Review on Chaminade’s Sullivan Family Library Lawn. By the end of the night, they were both all smiles.

“I can’t wait to do it again next year!” Mitipok exclaimed.

Pacific Island Review, a signature fall event at Chaminade, celebrates Pacific Island culture, food and entertainment. The gathering Nov. 8 was no exception, with attendees cheering on performances from student cultural clubs, including Ka Ipu Kukui Me ka ‘ie ‘ie (the Hawaiian Club), Taotao Marianas Club, the Micronesian Club, The Filipino Club, and Lumana’i O Samoa (the Samoan Club).

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Students spent months preparing for the big day, practicing in the evenings and on weekends.

Director of Student Engagement Joanna Cecilio had been watching those rehearsals and said she was incredibly proud of all the student participants.

She noted the event highlights Chaminade’s rich diversity.

“Pacific Island Review allows our community to smile, laugh and be joyful together,” added Student Engagement Coordinator Andrew Ancheta ’21. “It is through this event that the life of our cultural diversity on campus is manifested into something tangible, something moving and powerful.”

Wearing traditional Marshallese earrings, necklaces and grass skirts, the Micronesian Club entered the Sullivan Family Library Lawn with a lyrical chant.

Nikki Katahara-Tom '25 won the crowd over with her graceful hula dance.

Wearing tradition Filipino clothing, members of The Filipino Club performed traditional dances mixed in with an unexpected rap song.

Dancers from the TaoTao Marianas Club had the crowd cheering.

The men of the TaoTao Marianas Club opened with a song in praise of their ancestors and culture.

Sano Tanna ’26 previously performed at the event and this year volunteered at a food station.

Tanna said the event brings the Silversword and surrounding community together.

“I see a lot of area residents attend,” said Tanna. “It’s a long tradition.”

Mitipok, who performed with the Micronesian Club, said she joined the cultural organization to meet fellow Micronesians at Chaminade and celebrate her culture.

“I wanted to learn more about my culture and connect with other Micronesians on campus,” she said.

The Hawaiian Club was first to step on the Sullivan Family Library Lawn at the event.

Nikki Katahara-Tom ’25 wowed the crowd with a solo hula that paid tribute to the ʻāina.

“I’ve been participating since I was a freshman,” said Tom, a Nursing student. “This event allows us to share our culture and, at the same time, learn about other Pacific Islanders’ cultures.”

The Hawaiian Club was followed by the TaoTao Marianas, with the men opening with a stirring song, and an homage to their ancestors and land. “We share our love of being back on the island,” said Isaiah Atalig ’25, president of the TaoTao Marianist Club. “This event offers a glimpse into our ’ohana at Chaminade.”

He added, “This night is what we all look forward to and talk about all year.”

Early College Exposure

September 14, 2023

Sacred Hearts Academy students experience university-level courses

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Lindsey Dimaya takes college-level communications and history classes. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she attends biology lab and expository writing courses. And in between, the 16-year-old Sacred Hearts Academy Lancer still has to juggle the requirements for her high school diploma.

While the rest of Dimaya’s classmates decided to participate in a dual enrollment program between Sacred Hearts Academy and Chaminade University in early March, the Aiea resident didn’t render her final verdict until mid-summer. For the high school junior, the question of finishing high school and simultaneously earning college credit was one of the toughest decisions she has had to ever make in her 16 years.

“It was a big decision,” says Dimaya, an inspiring journalist interested in the media industry. “I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the college experience and the added workload.”

Lindsey Dimaya is glad she enrolled in the dual enrollment program between Sacred Hearts Academy and Chaminade.

Finances, however, also played a major role in Dimaya’s mind. Since she is one half of fraternal twins, her parents would have had to pay for college for two kids at the same time. And that adds up quickly. Earning college credits in high school could reduce the financial barrier to college for many students—and help address the student debt crisis. Indeed, it can be a faster, cheaper way to get a college degree.

“My parents encouraged me to participate in the dual enrollment program because it was a more affordable option,” Dimaya says. “In addition to getting a head start in college, I could also save my parents a lot of money.”

States—including Hawaii—have prioritized college and career readiness as a key goal of high school, reflecting the reality that most jobs require postsecondary education. The Early College High School Initiative (ECHSI) was established in 2002 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Over the past two decades, Early Colleges have expanded rapidly nationwide.

In a 2019 American Institutes for Research (AIR) study, researchers found that, over four years, Early Colleges cost about $3,800 more per student than traditional high schools. However, the estimated return on that investment was about $33,709 in increased lifetime earnings for each student. Furthermore, a cost-benefit study by AIR found that Early College programs pay off with lasting benefits for students and the broader population. (Chaminade’s program is separate from this consortium of Early Colleges, which are partnerships among school districts, charter management organizations or high schools, and two- or four-year colleges or universities.)

Also called concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment programs offer many cost-saving benefits, making these types of options popular among high schoolers. But many students, particularly those who are low-income and/or of color, lack access to a well-rounded high school education. Inadequate preparation in high school leaves high school graduates with fewer choices and pathways to postsecondary education. As a result, postsecondary enrollment and completion gaps persist. Early College High Schools focus explicitly on overcoming these challenges.

“This is really a part of Chaminade’s service-oriented mission, which is to make higher education accessible to all Hawai’i students,” says Janet Davidson, Ph.D., Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and the driving force behind the University’s early college initiatives. “We launched a similar program with Kapaa High School in 2021. But unlike this new early college program, Kapaa participants only had the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Sacred Heart students can actually earn their Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts.”

Since this trend began, AIR researchers have conducted a number of comprehensive studies on their impact, finding overall that Early Colleges show strong and lasting evidence of effectiveness for all students. Promoting postsecondary access and success can be an effective policy strategy for improving postsecondary enrollment and completion rates.

“Early college exposure is inspiring and formative,” says Kim Baxter, Chaminade’s Early College Director. “Sacred Hearts students will earn their Associates degree in May 2025, and two weeks later, they’ll graduate from high school.”

Dimaya’s grateful that she opted in this program, which will prepare her to be better equipped when she continues to pursue her bachelor’s degree either at Chaminade or Portland University.

“At first, I was afraid of the workload, but now I see that I can handle it,” Dimaya says confidently. “I think that this early college exposure has helped me manage my time, as well as taught me to be more independent and disciplined.”

Read Lindsey’s story in the Sacred Hearts Academy newspaper.

2022 Co-Curricular Awards: Making a Positive Impact Across Campus

May 6, 2022

They go above and beyond—and their work doesn’t go unnoticed.

Last month, students, student organizations and clubs, and faculty members and staff whose commitment to putting Chaminade’s mission into action every day were recognized at the 17th annual Co-Curricular Awards. The event was a chance to thank awardees for their tireless efforts and showcase the positive difference they’re making across campus and the community.

In all, 19 awards were presented, including for service, scholarship and to outstanding student-athletes.

One member of each undergraduate class was selected to receive the Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence, which recognizes those who display exceptional leadership skills through involvement in co-curricular activities. The awardees, with a diversity of scholarly ambitions, were: freshman Moanna Blaksteen, sophomore Andrew Nishitomi, junior Kobe Ngirailemesang, and senior Josephine Iose.

The Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award went to the Chaminade Student Programming Board, which works to organize events and promote a sense of community on campus. The award recognized the organization’s outstanding contributions to helping create a positive and welcoming campus environment that embraces service and fosters a true sense of ‘ohana.

Meanwhile, two winners were selected for the Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award of Excellence, bestowed on a student or student organization for exceptional creativity, planning and execution of a university program that contributed to the quality of life at Chaminade. Ashley Yoshikawa and Kayleen Lau were recognized for their Field Day Fundraiser for the Our Kupuna Foundation, a nonprofit that connects kupuna with sponsors who can help them with errands. And Melissa Dela Cruz was also honored for her My Culture is Not a Costume event to bolster cultural understanding.

The Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award went to Malo Sipeli’i, for outstanding service mentoring a student organization. The award recognizes members of the faculty, staff or administration who seek to encourage and support students in leadership development and campus involvement.

Sipelii was also honored for a strong commitment to helping students greatly bolster their life skills, embrace innovative challenges, and balance and excel at their school, life and co-curricular obligations.

2022 Co-Curricular Awardees

Male Athlete of the Year: Isaac Amaral-Artharee
Female Athlete of the Year: Alexia Byrnes
Silversword Award: Kayleen Lau
Campus Ministry Award: Alia Mercado and Amber Sablan
Liturgy Award: Liam Sullivan and Kobe Ngirailemesang
Retreat Leader of the Year: Celine Mesiona-Perez and Kara Grace Joves
Service Award: Kaitlin Derouin and Tiffany Rivera
Outstanding Peer Mentor: Dimitrius Dominguez and Sharon Cain
Resident Assistant Award of Excellence: Kelsey Sablan
Residence Hall Association Award of Excellence: Cayenne Gabaylo and Jason Nowak
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence:
- Freshman: Moanna Blaksteen
- Sophomore: Andrew Nishitomi
- Junior: Kobe Ngirailemesang
- Senior: Josephine Iose
Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award: Chaminade Student Programming Board
Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award: Malo Sipeli’i
Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence: “Field Day Fundraiser for Our Kupuna Foundation” (Ashley Yoshikawa & Kayleen Lau); “My Culture is Not a Costume” (Melissa Dela Cruz)
Frederick K.K. Kauhane, Sr. Aloha Spirit Award: Aloha Lei Garo and Sean-Zacharry Lorenzo, Jr.
Henry Halenani Gomes Alaka‘i Award: Alia Mercado and Alaina Mercado

A Cultural Experience

October 25, 2019

There are few traditions as beloved – or as fun – at Chaminade as the Pacific Island Review.

Pacific Island Review 2019, Samoan Club performance

Every year, hundreds come together to watch members of the University’s student cultural clubs take to the Sullivan Family Library Lawn to showcase their talents in music and dance with high-energy performances. It’s an evening punctuated by good food – and lots and lots of good cheer.

And this year was no exception.

From sunset well into the night on October 26, dozens of students from the Hawaiian, Micronesian, Marianas, Tongan and Samoan cultural clubs donned traditional garb and took to the lawn to perform.

Along the way, they got plenty of applause and encouragement from the big crowd, which included students, members of Chaminade’s faculty and staff as well as attendees from the community at large.

The Pacific Island Review is annually one of Chaminade’s biggest events.

And this year, it got some buzz in the press.

In the ramp-up to the big day this year, the Samoan Club got a chance to perform on KITV morning news. And the Star-Advertiser attended the event to capture hundreds of photos for an online gallery.

Missed it? Don’t worry, Jackie Martinez ’23 created a video recapping the exciting event.

A World of Opportunity

April 16, 2018

Nerisa Taua doesn’t believe in waiting for opportunity to come knocking, it’s time wasted. Instead, she hunts it down.

Taua – who will graduate from Chaminade University in May with a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies – has knocked on a few of opportunity’s doors during the past four years.

On the academic front, she found her true passion through Chaminade’s Summer Research Program. While other students soaked up the sun, Taua spend her summer at Purdue University collaborating with experts in the university’s bat lab. Alongside Associate Professor of Wildlife Science Patrick Zollner – who became one of her mentors – she was able to get up close and personal with long-eared bats. Using acoustic monitors and echolocation, her research involved finding efficient and cost-effective ways to capture the animals.

With graduation on the horizon, Taua dreams of returning home to American Samoa to research the fruit bat, one of the country’s few native mammals. But before she does, there’s another stop on her journey before she returns.

She’ll be making a round trip back to Purdue University to further pursue her newly found passion at the graduate level, seeking a master’s degree in the Wildlife Science program, and continue working with Zollner and his team.

Paying for graduate school is never easy, but the cost for Taua isn’t a factor. Again seeking out opportunity, she found the Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership grant and applied for its scholarship program. Taua was accepted, she is now a Sloan Scholar.

“I was beyond excited,” she says. “This was another step closer to opening a pathway for my people. As a Samoan, this is such a huge opportunity. The first thing that came to mind was ‘if I can do it, anyone from American Samoa can do better.’”

Although she’s been busy with her studies during her time at Chaminade, Taua has kept her culture alive in her heart and shared it with other through her experiences performing with her brothers and sisters of Lumana’i O Samoa.

There’s been personal growth as well and Taua says she’s grown immensely during her time at Chaminade. She now considers herself to be better at public speaking, more social, open-minded, approachable and professional.

A PERSONAL CHEERING SQUAD

It takes a village – and an enthusiastic cheering squad – to raise a child and Taua found hers since arriving in Honolulu four years ago. She’s has a team of dedicated and caring professors, advisors and staff encouraging her success and guiding her to individualized opportunities.

“I’ve received help from a lot of mentors who guided me toward a passion I didn’t know existed,” she says. “Their encouragement and belief in me is what motivated me to set and accomplish goals. Without mentorship, I would probably be lost and still searching for the next step to a brighter future.”

Taua leaves Chaminade with many great memories. She says she’s humbled and honored with the opportunities she’s been provided and that she’s proud to represent her home, family and those who’ve helped her along the way. Now she wants to give back to others as a mentor to help them grow and succeed in the ways she did. She especially wants to channel her energy toward the youth in America Samoa.

When Taua leaves Chaminade with her degree in hand, she’ll take with her a world of experience and lessons. She’s built a solid foundation at Chaminade and this is just the beginning.

The Environmental Studies minor offered by the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics focuses on policy and environmental law to prepare students for careers in environmental science, ecology and conservation biology.

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.

International Extravaganza 2017 Showcased Chaminade’s Rich Diversity

April 21, 2017

A spring tradition at Chaminade, the annual International Extravaganza on April 7, 2017, featured student-led performances of dance and song. Seven cultural clubs with 120 participants shared their talents with the campus community. The campus organizations involved were the Filipino Club, Ka Ipu Kukui Me Ka ‘Ie ‘Ie (Hawaiian Club), the Indigo Lotus Club, Lumana’i O Samoa (the Samoan Club), the Marianas Club, the Micronesian Club, and the Temana Tahitian Club.

“This event is an important opportunity for students to showcase their clubs and their culture to the Chaminade and Oahu communities. As one of the most culturally diverse universities in the nation, we host this event to showcase and celebrate the diversity of our students and staff,” said Jay Spenser Darden, the director of the Office of Student Activities and Leadership.

The Office of Student Activities and Leadership sponsored the event, which took place on the Sullivan Family Library lawn. Dressed in elaborate cultural wear, students sang, chanted and danced traditional numbers from the represented geographical locations. Students had to not only the learn the songs and dances, but they also had to learn the stories and the meanings behind their performance numbers. The student-led performances exhilarated the crowd for hours.

There was an opportunity to honor and thank Chaminade president Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM with applause and love. Bro. Ploeger, who has been a foundational pillar for the university for decades will conclude his service as president on June 30, 2017, after having served the university for 23 years: eight years as its president plus the prior 15 years in other leadership capacities.

The Office of Student Activities and Leadership (OSAL) offers Chaminade students opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities and out-of classroom experiences that promote personal development and leadership training. OSAL has over 30 student clubs, wellness programs, recreation and intramural sports, various campus activities throughout the year, and more.