Hawaii Pacific University

School of Social Work

Faculty and Administration

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	Lorraine Marais, M.S.W., Ed. D.: Associate Professor and Director, School of Social Work Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201D Office Phone: (808) 566-2475 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: lmarais@hpu.edu Dr. Marais received her social work training at Western Michigan University and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. She has extensive experience and expertise in macro social work and program evaluation, and has led student trips to South Africa.
	Patricia Nishimoto, M.S.W., Ph.D.: Assistant Professor and Program Director for Master of Social Work Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201E Office Phone: (808) 544-1482 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: pnishimoto@hpu.edu Dr. Nishimoto earned her Doctorate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she also earned her MSW degree. Prior to working at HPU, she served as the Chief Executive Officer at Responsive Caregivers of Hawaii. Dr. Nishimoto presented at numerous conferences and also has several publications.
	Michaela Rinkel, M.S.W., Ph.D.: Assistant Professor and Program Director for Bachelor of Social Work Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201B Office Phone: (808) 566-2489 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: mrinkel@hpu.edu Dr. Rinkel earned her Doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Her professional experience includes administrative positions in the field of social work and mental health care.
	Margo Bare, M.S.W.: Instructor and Director of Field Education Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201G Office Phone: (808) 544-1487 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: mbare@hpu.edu Ms. Bare earned her MSW degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently the MSW Practicum Coordinator, and is responsible for finding practicum sites that fit the needs of our MSW students. She is a seasoned practitioner with extensive experience in medical social work and been in academia for over 23 years. She is well respected in Social Work circles. Margo has been a presenter and moderator at numerous conferences throughout the United States.
	Aislyn Matias, Administrative Assistant Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201A Office Phone: (808) 544-0234 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: amatias@hpu.edu
	Mark Fox, M.S.W., M.F.A., M.S.: Instructor of Social Work Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201F Office Phone: (808) 687-7033 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: mfox@hpu.edu Mr. Fox has extensive direct service and administrative experience in behavioral health, social service and educational settings in Hawaii, Arizona, Connecticut and New York. His primary areas of specialization and concentration at H.P.U. include M.S.W. theory, methods and practice courses focused on the micro level.
	William "Bill" Hummel, Instructor of Social Work Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201F Office Phone: (808) 389-5211 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: whummel@hpu.edu Mr. Hummel earned his MSW from Hunter College in New York City. He has extensive experience in services provided to people who are homeless.
	Kelli Larsen, M.S.W., Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of Social Work Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201E Office Phone: (808) 566-2479 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: klarsen@hpu.edu Dr. Larsen earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland Baltimore, where she also earned her MSW. Dr. Larsen has worked with a variety of clients over the years but is particularly interested in helping the homeless population and international social work.
	Scott Okamoto, M.S.W., Ph.D.: Associate Professor of Social Work Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201C Office Phone: (808) 544-1160 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: sokamoto@hpu.edu Dr. Okamoto earned is doctorate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He also earned his MSW degree from San Jose State University. Dr. Okamoto currently serves as principal investigator for research titled “Ecological Factors and Drug Use of Native Hawaiian Youth.” Dr. Okamoto also published articles in numerous academic journals.
	Paul Tuan Tran, Instructor of Social Work Office Location: 1188 Fort Street Mall (MP), Suite 201B Office Phone: (808) 544-0855 Office Fax: (808) 544-9306 Email: ptran@hpu.edu Mr. Tran's past work experiences involved working with Southeast Asian adolescent and run away youth. His current focuses include indigenousness perspectives, international and spiritual social work, immigrant and refugee populations, and fatherhood. In his play time, he likes surfing, running, community volunteering and traveling abroad.