The ‘Ohana
2021 News Article
HPU student wins first prize at national POSea conference
Cherise Spotkaeff, a Master of Science in Marine Science (MSMS) student at HPU, took home first prize in a national Marine Science conference centralized around People of Color.
5 Things You Don't Know About Me
Get to know your HPU faculty and staff with episodic installments each month. This week, we talk to history instructor Captain Carl Schuster.
Serving Hawai‘i’s Kūpuna One Meal at a Time
In 2005, Courtney Barry graduated from HPU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurial Business Administration. For over 20 years, he has been involved in nearly every facet of the hospitality industry and is currently the Culinary Service Director at Hale O Meleana with Ohana Pacific Health.
HPU Professor Helps Author Research Paper on Seabirds
David Hyrenbach, Ph.D. was part of an international team from 18 institutions in seven countries that found up to 52% of seabirds not only ate plastic, but also accumulated the plastic’s chemical components in their bodies.
Randal Lee's Career in Criminal Justice - Podcast
As a youth, he shared his hope for the future and was shot down, but Judge Randal Lee transformed the moment into lifelong motivation. Hear how he encourages students as he brings his diverse career to the classroom at Hawai‘i Pacific University.
HPU Lands Federal Grant to Boost Native Hawaiian Student Representation in STEM Majors
HPU has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to foster the number of Native Hawaiian students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at the university.
HPU Presents Pride Week
HPU's Campus Activities Board presents a week-long event celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
HPU's Nursing Program Garners Top Rankings in Hawai‘i
HPU was ranked in U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 Best Colleges Rankings as having the best undergraduate and graduate nursing programs for all private universities in the state of Hawai‘i.
5 Things You Don't Know About Me
Get to know your HPU faculty and staff with episodic installments each month. This week, we talk to Tyler McMahon, associate professor of English.
Shark Bites September 2021
September #SharkBites roundup: Hawai'i Pacific University students, alumni, faculty, and staff are active members of their communities, learning, engaging, collaborating, and serving.
HPU Kupuna in Residence Receives Two Community Honors
Lynette Cruz, Ph.D., received honors from the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation and at the annual Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea celebration.
5 Things You Don't Know About Me
Get to know your HPU faculty and staff with episodic installments each month. This week, we talk to Linda Lierheimer, Ph.D., professor of history and humanities, department chair of history and international studies, and director of honors programs.
HPU Alumna co-authors paper impacting how scientists collect future data
HPU Alumna Nan Himmelsbach has co-authored a paper that hopes to change how scientists collect information for future studies.
Professor Completes 2021 Guahan Survey with Undergraduate Researcher
Ngoc T. Phan, Ph.D., traveled to Guam to recruit survey respondents, asking them about their identity and what they envision for the future.
HPU Alumna Receives Grant to Research Deadly Bacterium
Isabelle Yazel Eiser was born and raised in Indiana, and holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and specializes in caring for patients battling COVID-19. The grant will help fund research into the pathogenic bacteria V. vulnificus and its widespread growth in Hawai‘i.
Getting the Global Experience at HPU
Studying at HPU encouraged Scott Nolan Smith to approach the world through a different lens. He chose HPU because of the small class sizes and the ability to study the Asia-Pacific region while living in the Pacific. Smith met his future wife, HPU alumna Alicia Kubert while studying at HPU, both living at the scenic Hawaii Loa campus.
Submit Your Work to Wanderlust
WANDERLUST, the undergraduate literary magazine of HPU, is seeking submissions for its new issue.
Experiencing Simulation in Virtual Reality
Global Healthcare Simulation Week was September 13-19, and the HPU College of Health and Society students, faculty, and staff participated in various activities to advance educational opportunities and awareness of healthcare simulation.
The Latest Addition to the Student Union
Come down to Sharky's Cove and enjoy the digital jukebox!
HPU Student Scholar Receives Grant to Research HNF4a Gene
Andy Yu has received a grant to research the mutated gene Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha (HNF4a) that may be partly linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
HPU Assistant Professor of Management Publishes Paper in Law Practice Today
“Can You Crowdfund a Law Firm?” by Assistant Professor of Management Elana Bertram, JD, MBA, was published in Law Practice Today, a publication by the American Bar Association.
The Pinnacle of Success in Hospitality and Tourism Management
HPU alumna Cornelia Samara was appointed general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. She will oversee hundreds of hotel team members at the first and only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel.
HPU Receives Grant from Pfizer for COVID-19 Education
HPU has received funding from Pfizer to educate Hawai‘i’s underserved Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Shark Bites August 2021
August #SharkBites roundup: The Hawai'i Pacific University 2021-22 academic year is off to a great start, and our 'ohana looks forward to a productive year of collaboration and engagement within the university and the broader community.
2020-21 Golden Apple Awards Presented
The awards recognize and commend colleagues’ contributions toward advancing teaching, scholarship, and service to the University.
Asia Pacific Management Review Publishes the Research of Tolga Ulusemre, Ph.D.
Ulusemre is an Assistant Professor of Management and Management Program Chair at HPU.
HPU Student on Winning US Pitch Competition Team
The project that took second place was entitled "UNLOCKWORK Online Program: A Solution for Attracting Workers to a Slowing Labor Market."
HPU Creates New Online eAds Service
HPU's new online eAds Service is provided for HPU students as a courtesy to aid in students' off-campus housing search.
Filing Your Electronic Petition to Graduate
Filing of your PTG ensures that you receive vital information related to degree completion and the commencement ceremony.
Jennifer Lynch and the Plastics Crisis — Podcast
In this edition of the Different Ideas podcast, we get to know Jennifer Lynch, Ph.D. and what’s behind her drive to take on one of the greatest challenges on our planet.
The History of the Bishop Bank Building
The oldest bank in Hawai‘i, the Bishop Bank Building, was once located behind Pioneer Plaza.
5 Things You Don't Know About Me
Get to know your HPU faculty and staff with episodic installments each month. This week, we talk to Allison Gough, Ph.D., dean of the college of liberal arts and associate professor of history.
HPU's New Minor in Editing and Publishing
The new minor in editing and publishing provides students with a focused curriculum that emphasizes practical experience in the editing and publishing fields.
5 Things You Don't Know About Me
Get to know your HPU faculty and staff with episodic installments each month. This week, we talk to Sterling Higa, M.Ed., debate coach and lecturer in the HPU Department of Communication.
HPU Alumna Becomes Managing Editor of MidWeek
Nicole Monton graduated from HPU with a B.A. in journalism, interned at KHON, then accepted an entry-level position at MidWeek. Ten years later, she's the managing editor.
Students Enjoy New Student Union
HPU announced its new student union, Sharky's Cove, at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
The Story of Aloha Tower
Aloha Tower is a historic icon and landmark for HPU's campus. At one time the tallest building in Hawai‘i, it stands at 184-feet tall and is seen as a symbol of welcome to anyone who arrives on O‘ahu.
5 Things You Don't Know About Me
Get to know your HPU faculty and staff with episodic installments each month. This week, we talk to Vice President of Enrollment Management Greg Grauman, M.Ed.
Shark Bites July 2021
July #SharkBites roundup: The members of the HPU 'ohana are enjoying a productive summer, engaging in projects and community collaborations in Hawai‘i and afar.
History Professor Organizes a Visiting Study Program
Russell Hart, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Diplomacy and Military Studies program organized a visiting study program for students and faculty of the University of Southern Mississippi
Student Health Research Concept Competition (HRCC) Scholars Awarded Grants
The Hawai‘i Pacific University Undergraduate Infrastructure Student Research Center has named its first HRCC student scholars.
OI of HPU Focuses on Rejuvenating Prized Hawaiian Fish
Oceanic Institute of HPU has received a nearly $300,000 grant from NOAA to develop culture methods for marine fish species for local food production.
It’s a Plant-Based Paradise
In 2021, Sarena Celseti completed her MBA at HPU and immediately applied her business knowledge and expertise into owning and operating a café in Kailua called Plant Based Paradise.
Medical School Admittance… Guaranteed?
Elizabeth Milner shares her unique story of being part of the Early Acceptance Program (EAP) in Medicine and Dentistry at HPU.
To Study Abroad and See the World in a New Light
HPU alumna Katarina Lage loved the experience of studying abroad so much she went to Greece, Ecuador, and Thailand. Her experience abroad led her to a career as a foreign service officer in the Dominican Republic.
New Species of Jellyfish Discovered at HPU
A new species of jellyfish with the binomial, Tima nigroannulata was discovered by an international team of researchers from HPU, Japan, and Canada.
Shark Bites June 2021
June #SharkBites roundup: The HPU 'ohana embraces collaboration, working with partners within HPU and communities throughout Hawai'i, across the U.S., and worldwide. And to our newest HPU Sharks, the incoming Fall 2021 students, we can't wait to welcome you to campus!
HPU Kumu Featured on Different Ideas Podcast
Taum shares thoughts on getting in touch with Hawaiian values to make real change.
Understanding Coral Reefs to Save Them from Demise
HPU professor Thomas DeCarlo, Ph.D. has co-written a new article entitled "Global declines in coral reef calcium carbonate production under ocean acidification and warming" in the May 2021 publication of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States.
HPU Co-hosts Girls in Tech Summer Camp
HPU welcomed more than 30 middle and high school girls from local schools for a STEM Summer camp co-hosted with CGEST Arizona State University.
HPU Libraries: Another Year By-The-Numbers
The Libraries' infographic for 2020-21 highlights some of the library resources and services.
History Professor Presents at 87th Annual Military History Conference
Russell Hart, Ph.D., participated in two of only three presidential panels/roundtables at the conference.
HPU Student Spotlight: Raleigh Aiden Johnson
Raleigh Aiden Johnson is a is a senior at HPU and is following his passion by majoring in marine science.
Spotlight on HPU Faculty: Robert Nakata, Ph.D.
Professor Nakata is an engineering professor at HPU, and has worked for over 35 years in the technology industry.
HPU Alumna Helps Discover New Species of Jellyfish
Anita Harrington teamed up with a team of researchers from Japan, Canada, and Hawai’i.
Opitz Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing Presented
The College of Liberal Arts announces the 2020-2021 winners of the award named after the late Andrew Opitz, Ph.D., English faculty.
HPU Chemistry Professor and Students Publish Research
Professor David Horgen, Ph.D., and three INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research) student team members co-authored a paper with a team from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Shark Bites May 2021
May #SharkBites roundup: We pay special tribute to our newest HPU alumni, the Spring 2021 graduates. We are so proud of the achievements of all members of HPU's 'ohana, who are doing remarkable work to advance their careers and communities.
First Look Mixed Media Festival Winners Announced
The Multimedia Cinematic Production Club hosted the 13th annual festival on Monday, May 17.
Sigmund Sumulong Honored As Ke Kaukahi Award Winner
Sigmund, Registration Coordinator, is described as "the unsung hero behind the scenes."
Communications and Marketing Recognized As Ke Kaukahi Award Winner
The team goes above and beyond, always keeping the university's best interests as its biggest priority.
Statement on Herff Jones Security Breach
HPU's IT department has investigated and confirmed that the transactions do not involve any systems at HPU.
HPU is First in State for 7th Year in a Row at ICPC
The ICPC is recognized as the largest and most prestigious programming contest in the world.
Hawai‘i Pacific University Turns to Debbie Snell to Lead Sharks Athletics
Snell will begin her leadership of the 14-sport Hawai‘i Pacific Sharks program on July 1.
Hawai‘i Pacific University Announces Director of Honors Programs
HPU welcomes Linda Lierheimer, Ph.D., Professor of History and Humanities, to her new role as Director of Honors Programs.
HPU Bids Aloha to Third Butler Daughter with Degree in Nursing
Autumn will join her older sisters Aubrey and Maile in serving as a nurse in Hawai‘i.
HPU eyes record first-time student enrollment
Positive pandemic management seen as one factor
Valedictory Speaker: Daria Rae Baer, College of Liberal Arts
Daria Rae Baer will earn a Bachelor of Arts in History
Valedictory Speaker: Aileen Somera Claveria, College of Health and Society
Aileen Somera Claveria will earn a Master's in Public Health
College of Natural and Computational Sciences Graduation Speaker: Benjamin N. Miller
Benjamin N. Miller will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Shark Bites April 2021
April #SharkBites roundup: The HPU 'Ohana commits to collaborating with partners within our university and the broader community. We are proud of our students, faculty, and staff and their community impact and accomplishments.
HPU Students Recognized for Outstanding Research Papers
Menjam Tamang was awarded the Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship award for her paper, and Cidney Hopkins was chosen as an alternate for her paper.
HPU Provides ‘We Care’ Campus Safety Training to Kamehameha School Seniors
The HPU team engaged with the soon-to-be college-bound students and families.
International Studies Professor Named Teacher of the Year
Andrea Malji, Ph.D., was named HPU's 2021 Teacher of the Year.
Where Words Once Were: HPU’s Spring Theatre Production
Don't Forget to Get Your Tickets for the Finale Weekend of Livestream Performances
HPU Professor Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award
Andrea Malji, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of International Studies, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to India.
HPU Students Win Prizes at Annual Phi Alpha Theta Conference
History, Diplomacy and Military Studies, and Political Science students received recognition and awards.
Music of Hope & Humanity: A Free Virtual Concert
Featuring the HPU Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble
Shark Bites March 2021
March #SharkBites roundup: In the home stretch of the Spring term, activity abounds — in and out of the classroom — at HPU. Go Sharks!
Hawai‘i's First Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at HPU to Welcome Applicants in 2021
The DPT Program's innovative curriculum will blend distance learning, on-campus lab experience.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders
The new Women's Executive Leadership Council matches talented students with trail-blazing female executives.
Shark Bites February 2021
February #SharkBites roundup: In and out of the classroom, the members of our HPU 'ohana are doing great things. We salute our students, faculty, and staff for their accomplishments and achievements.
Integrating Simulation into a Research Study, Focusing on Obesity Bias and Stigma
Linda Nosaka, DNP, APRN-Rx, AGACNP-BC, is the first HPU Doctor of Nursing Practice student to perform a research activity utilizing simulation modalities in the University’s College of Health and Society Simulation Program.
DAISY Award Recipient Unpacks the Gratifying Field of Nursing
Simulation educator Naomi Bretschneider, RN, CCRN, receives the Daisy Award, upon nomination from two of her students.
Cinematic Multimedia Arts Professor’s Textbook Published
Kendall Hunt Publishing Company recently published the textbook Foundational Digital Multimedia by William Erwin Quest Kennelly.
The 2021 HPU Short Script Contest Winners Announced
The annual contest recognizes students' work in the categories of Best Original Script and Best Adapted Script.
First Look Poster Competition: Open to All HPU Students
The Multimedia Programs have announced the 2019 First Look Mixed Media Festival Poster Design Competition.
Student Messages: COVID-19 Updates
Check Back Here Regularly for the Latest Updates
Annual HPU Poetry Award Winner Announced
Ness Morrison is the winner of this year’s James Vaughan Award for Poetry.
Shark Bites January 2021
January #SharkBites: As we kick-off the start of the Spring semester, we highlight campus programs and achievements of our 'ohana in the New Year.
Housing and Residence Life Recognized As Ke Kaukahi Award Winner
The Special Events and Recognition Committee, on behalf of the Staff Council, presented the Fall 2020 Ke Kaukahi Recognition of Excellence award to the Housing and Residence Life department.
Chris Martin Honored As Ke Kaukahi Award Winner
The Special Events and Recognition Committee, on behalf of the Staff Council, presented the Fall 2020 Ke Kaukahi recognition of Excellence award to Chris Martin, Security Manager.
College of Business Faculty Research Published in a Top-ranked Business Journal
Assistant Professor of Management Tolga Ulusemre, Ph.D., and Associate Professor of Economics Xin Fang, Ph.D., received acceptance of their article by the Journal of Business Ethics.
HPU’s Sam Moku to Join Blangiardi Administration
Senior administrator Sam Moku will leave HPU at the end of January to become chief of staff in the administration of newly elected Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
HPU Intern Hosts Her Own Talk Show at ThinkTech Hawaii
Communications major Grace Laudick hosted a bi-weekly talk show called "Educating Ourselves in These Difficult Times."
Oceanic Institute of HPU Staff and HPU Graduate Student Receives Research Grant
Rising Tide Conservation awarded Katie Hiew a grant to support her thesis research