October 30, 2009

Going on a scavenger hunt

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — campustalk @ 9:42 am

Equipped with GPS units, 90 Waipahu Intermediate School students were on the hunt for various UH Manoa locations–including Hawaii Hall, Campus Center, Ka Leo and Varney Circle–on Tuesday, October 27. The hands-on, high-tech scavenger hunt aimed to introduce and increase student interest in GPS technology while exposing the group to the 320-acre University of Hawaii at Manoa campus.

Co-sponsored by isisHawaii and GEAR UP Waipahu, the project is spearheaded by Women in Technology’s GeoTech for Hawaii Schools program, a statewide initiative to integrate the use of geospatial technology into local K-12 schools. GeoTech for Hawaii Schools encourages hands-on learning and real-world application of the latest Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Remote Sensing technologies.

Thanks to an unprecedented partnership agreement between ESRI, the world’s leading GIS software developer, Women in Technology and the Hawaii State Department of Education, all public and private K-12 students statewide now have free access to state-of-the-art, industry standard GIS software.  While at the UH Manoa campus, representatives from the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) and Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) also showcased the use of GIS, GPS and RS technologies within these areas of study. Students were also given a brief overview on how to prepare for admission to the Manoa campus.

GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a federal program that aims to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared for higher education. For more information about GEAR UP Waipahu, visit www.manoa.hawaii.edu/gearup/waipahu

The scavenger hunt begins for Waipahu Intermediate students.

The scavenger hunt begins for Waipahu Intermediate students.

Lorna Ramiscal, GEAR UP Waipahu assistant director, helps a student with her GPS device.

Lorna Ramiscal, GEAR UP Waipahu assistant director, helps a student with her GPS device.

Waipahu Intermediate students put their heads together in front of Crawford Hall.

Waipahu Intermediate students put their heads together in front of Crawford Hall.

October 28, 2009

Degrees of (artistic) Distinction

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — campustalk @ 9:41 am
By Diane Chang

Wherever you are at UH Mānoa, there’s a hidden oasis just around the corner.  On the trek from the parking structure to Campus Center, there’s a tranquil fishpond in the middle of Krauss Hall.  At the top of the Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Students, there’s a rooftop lanai with an expansive view of the city skyline.  And, in the imposing castle-like structure of the Art Building, there’s a sparkling jewel known as the UH Art Gallery.

Starting this week through December 11, come marvel at the gallery’s latest facets, as 24 artists and art historians—all educated at the Department of Art and Art History—showcase their works in the Degrees of Distinction Alumni Invitational Exhibition.  Perhaps you or a parent went to school with one of these talented alumni artists:  Maile Andrade, Reiko Brandon, Sean Browne, Momi Cazimero, Willa Cox, Allen Hori, Grant Kagimoto, Harold Koda, John Koga, James Kuroda, Jason Minami, Wayne Miyamoto, Wayne Morioka, David Naito, Aaron Padilla, Mary Philpotts McGrath, Abigail Romanchak, Gordon Sasaki, Laura Smith, Noe Tanigawa, Inger Tully, Junko Wong, Shige Yamada, and Carol Yotsuda.

There are tours every Sunday beginning November 1 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Plus, tonight (Wednesday, October 28), at 7:00 p.m., two alumni artists from the mainland will give a special lecture at the Art Auditorium. Jason Minami is the studio manager and glassblowing instructor at Glassroots Inc., in Newark, N.J., and Gordon Sasaki, who has used a manual wheelchair since 1982 following an automobile accident, is a teaching artist and educator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.  Also in the Art Auditorium on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m., Junko Wong of Japan will present a lecture.  She is a driving force in the designer toy culture—the creative director of the fashionable and highly coveted Blythe doll collectible.

They serve as proof that an art or art history degree from UH Mānoa can lead to a brush with success.  See the Art Gallery’s home page at http://www.hawaii.edu/artgallery/.

Junko Wong’s Blythe doll collectibles.

Junko Wong’s Blythe doll collectibles.

Grant Kagimoto’s Cane Haul Road T-shirt designs.

Grant Kagimoto’s Cane Haul Road T-shirt designs.

Graphic designer Momi Cazimero and Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.

Graphic designer Momi Cazimero and Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.

Diane Chang, B.A. 1979, is director of communications for the UH Mānoa campus.  See http://manoa.hawaii.edu/.

October 26, 2009

Come home to UH Manoa

Filed under: Uncategorized — campustalk @ 9:40 am

By Arlene Abiang

If you’re reading this blog and happen to be on O‘ahu on November 6, stop by Bachman Lawn on the Mānoa campus from 3:30-6:30 p.m.  Students, faculty, staff, alumni and all those who bleed UH green are invited to join in the festivities celebrating the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s 2009 Homecoming Week.  The free pep rally will be emceed by local radio personalities Lina Girl and Augie T of KCCN FM 100, who will help pump up the crowd for a fun-filled afternoon for everyone to enjoy.

The event will feature a live performance by popular local entertainer Fiji, appearances by Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, Athletics Director Jim Donovan, student athletes and coaches, including Football Head Coach Greg McMackin and the Warrior football team (let’s get them energized for the Utah State Homecoming game the next day!), cheerleaders and pep band, and tons of exciting activities!

Feeling competitive?  Challenge yourself on games such as an obstacle course, rock wall climbing and jousting events.  Visit the various booths to learn about some of our student organizations or play for your chance to win prizes from the UH Bookstore, UH Alumni Association, UH Athletics and the Letterwinner’s Club, and the UH Federal Credit Union.  The larger prizes up for grabs are $50 gift cards to the UH Bookstore/Rainbowtique (open to students); a 1-year membership package to the UH Alumni Association (open to alumni); and football and volleyball tickets (open to all). Lastly, what’s a celebration without food?  Cheap grinds available for purchase include Mexican food and desserts made by Simply Ono, Nathan’s hot dogs and a selection of cool treats.

Doesn’t this get you all excited?  The best part is that admission is free!  There is a $5 parking fee to park in the Music Building Lot (right across the street from Bachman Lawn), the Stan Sheriff Parking Structure or anywhere on upper campus starting at 4 p.m.  Need more convincing?  After the pep rally, head down to the Stan Sheriff Center and enjoy the Homecoming volleyball game where the UH Wahine will take on Fresno State at 7 p.m.  Now that’s what you call a fun outing!

So go ahead and spread the word.  We hope to see all you UH supporters there!  Go Warriors!

This is a drug and alcohol free event.  For more information on this event and other Homecoming activities, visit http://manoa.hawaii.edu/homecoming/.

To purchase tickets to the Homecoming Week games, go to http://www.etickethawaii.com/sports.html.

Play for your chance to win prizes at the various booths.

Play for your chance to win prizes at the various booths.

Fiji is back to perform at this year’s Homecoming Pep Rally.

Fiji is back to perform at this year’s Homecoming Pep Rally.

Students enjoy a challenge on the obstacle course.

Students enjoy a challenge on the obstacle course.

Arlene Abiang, B.A. 2001, is community relations manager for the UH Mānoa campus.  See http://manoa.hawaii.edu/.

October 23, 2009

‘What should I major in?”

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — campustalk @ 9:39 am

By Diane Chang

True story:  A nice young man helped bag my groceries at the supermarket, then volunteered to push my shopping cart through the parking lot.  So we’re walking to my vehicle and, on spotting my UH lanyard, he asked if I worked at the Manoa campus where he was a student.  “Yes,” I answered with a smile, following up with the natural question, “So what are you majoring in?”

Then he said something that sends chills to academic advisors and university administrators all over the nation.  “Oh, I can’t decide what to major in. And I’m a junior, going to be a senior.”  An upperclassman without a major?  Taking classes without having a major in mind is like running a race without knowing where the finish line is.

Still somewhat traumatized, I asked Ron Cambra, the assistant vice chancellor of the Office of Undergraduate Education:  What advice would you give this undecided student?  Cambra’s reply: “At UH Mānoa, we have had mandatory academic advising for the last two years. But, regretfully, since this young man is a junior, he did not receive assistance.  He should immediately meet with an academic advisor in the Mānoa Advising Center in the Queen Lili‘uokalani Center.  An advisor can assist with his STAR (student academic degree audit) report, help him indentify potential majors, and even arrange to have faculty talk to him.  But he has to act now because registration for next semester begins in November!” 

So, to the nice young man from the supermarket, and others in his same predicament: See http://manoa.hawaii.edu/mac/. There are answers there, and people on campus with the answers, waiting just for you.

 

Diane Chang, B.A. 1979, is director of communications for the UH Mānoa campus.  See http://manoa.hawaii.edu/.

October 21, 2009

Where garbage cans explode

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — campustalk @ 9:38 am

By Tara Hicks Johnson

Normally when you hear a loud explosion followed by the shrieking of hundreds of kids, it’s a cause for concern. Not so at the 10th Biennial SOEST Open House at the UH Mānoa campus, where that just means science is happening! The liquid-nitrogen-filled exploding garbage can was just one of the exciting (and messy) exhibits showcased this past weekend at our Open House. Over 450 faculty, students and staff from the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) volunteered their time to host the over 6,000 students and parents who came to experience science, Manoa-style.

Events such as these are fantastic ways to not only show off the various types of research that goes on in SOEST, but to also encourage young people to consider a career in the sciences. And, even better, to pursue those science dreams right here at UH Manoa. For the younger students, we had activities such as fish printing, simulated volcanic eruptions, and play dough geologic faulting. Older students could find out more about research trends in fields such as ocean observing, natural energy research, or microbial oceanography. With over 60 hands-on exhibits on display, there was something for everyone there.

To learn more about other outreach opportunities available from SOEST, please contact me at hickst@hawaii.edu and ask to be added to our outreach email list. We also have a SOEST Facebook site, so become a fan at www.facebook.com/SOEST, and find out more about all the exciting research going on.

Students look under a microscope at a NASA lunar disk, comprised of six different samples of lunar material encapsulated in a 6-inch diameter clear lucite disk. (Photos by Brian Chee/SOEST)

Students look under a microscope at a NASA lunar disk, comprised of six different samples of lunar material encapsulated in a 6-inch diameter clear lucite disk. (Photos by Brian Chee/SOEST)

A liquid-nitrogen-fueled explosive eruption carries a 20-gallon pail of water into the air.

A liquid-nitrogen-fueled explosive eruption carries a 20-gallon pail of water into the air.

Tara Hicks Johnson (M.S. 2002, Geology and Geophysics) is the Outreach Specialist for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (www.soest.hawaii.edu) on the UH Mānoa campus.

October 19, 2009

Sustainability on the brain

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — campustalk @ 9:35 am

By Brian Chee

At UH Mānoa, we have planted the seeds for an electronic gathering place called Malama Honua or “Caring for the Earth.” This brand-new website tells the story about how students, faculty and staff are getting involved in caring for the Earth in a variety of ways. Even the hosting platform for the site is green, since it takes advantage of virtual hosting technology that allows for the support of a large number of individual sites on a single computer. This provides for, in some cases, a 20-fold decrease in energy consumption over traditional website-hosting technologies.

How appropriate that one of UH Mānoa’s school colors is green, because we live and think green, too. For example, take the community painting project involving Art 115 students and a Kuhio School father and son in Spring 2007. As part of the Moiliili Gateway Landscaping Project, the volunteers painted the underpass on University Avenue—using paint rollers, brushes, hats and gloves provided by the state Department of Transportation, and paint donated by Facilities Management. Architect Wally Gretz and I pressure-washed the underpass the day before, using a pressure washer from Landscaping. Then I created a simple Hawaiian stencil design that the university students painted in the next day. See the dramatic before and after photos below.

The goal of Malama Honua is to feature efforts like this in a new virtual magazine. It will provide a place where everyone on campus, and our community neighbors, can get involved to make a difference. Watch this Web site as we share some truly amazing sustainability efforts—projects like the Mānoa Energy Performance Assessment, Sustainable Saunders, The Center for Smart Building and Community Design, and Renewable Energy and Island Sustainability. Find links to these sites and others on the Malama Honua website at http://manoa.hawaii.edu/chancellor/sustainability/. They are all seeds of sustainability that have taken root and are thriving.

Before: Volunteers help clean the underpass on University Avenue.

Before: Volunteers help clean the underpass on University Avenue.

After: The newly spruced-up and beautified underpass welcomes cars headed to UH Mānoa. Photos by Laura Ruby

After: The newly spruced-up and beautified underpass welcomes cars headed to UH Mānoa. Photos by Laura Ruby

Brian Chee does high-speed communications research at the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), and is a Senior Contributing Editor for InfoWorld Magazine. He attended UH Mānoa in the early 1980s.

October 16, 2009

Ben Vereen coming to campus

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — campustalk @ 9:34 am
By Diane Chang

A Broadway legend is coming to town to perform with the Honolulu Symphony next weekend and, oh yes, he’s stopping by the UH Mānoa campus on Monday for the first of a slew of community appearances.

Acclaimed dancer, singer and actor Ben Vereen will visit Dance Professor Elizabeth “Betsy” Fisher’s combined Dance 331 and 431 Modern Technique classes on October 19 at 12:30 p.m. at the Dance Building, located near Cooke Field and the parking structure.  The campus community is invited to attend.  “This is an opportunity of a lifetime—to meet a living legend in musical theater,” said an excited Professor Fisher, who first saw Vereen in Pippin on Broadway.

He will share a short DVD of his work, and then answer questions from the audience.  Vereen has appeared in Wicked, Fosse, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, to name just a few of his credits.  And then there was his moving portrayal as Chicken George in the historic TV miniseries, Roots.  I remember driving home from my part-time job in 1977 on the night of its finale and the roads were deserted, because everybody was at home watching it!

“Ben Vereen’s warmth, his stage presence, his articulate performance—he is truly a great star,” says Professor Fisher.  “Just to be there when he tells his story will be a remarkable event.”  For the home page of UH Mānoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance, see http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/.

Triple threat dancer/singer/actor Ben Vereen will meet with UH Mānoa Dance students on Monday. (Photo by Abby Brack/Getty Images)

Triple threat dancer/singer/actor Ben Vereen will meet with UH Mānoa Dance students on Monday. (Photo by Abby Brack/Getty Images)

Diane Chang, B.A. 1979, is director of communications for the UH Mānoa campus.  See http://manoa.hawaii.edu/.

October 14, 2009

Music and medicine merge

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — campustalk @ 9:33 am

By Diane Chang

There are many awesome things about UH Mānoa, but one of the best is our students.  Take Momi Sui Lan Ho Mahon, a retired radiologist who has returned to college to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in music.  Last year, she joined the UH Hui Po‘okela chapter of the Mortar Board Honor Society, in which each member is expected to chair a service project.  But what?  Momi mulled the possibilities, and decided to combine her two professional strengths and loves—medicine and music—in a big way.

From 7:30-9:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, the Mortar Board is putting on a benefit concert for the Waikīkī Health Center called “Music Mania!!!” at the newly renovated Orvis Auditorium, at the corner of University and Dole streets.  Event chairperson Momi is jazzed that, for a $10 ticket, every attendee can enjoy a jam-packed night of music and dance, ranging from music Associate Professor I-Bei Lin playing a thrilling cello rendition of “The Flight of the Bumblebee,” to a hula halau performing with the melodious Popoki Hawaiian Quartet.  Oh yes, and musically gifted UH Mānoa students like Momi will be singing, too.

For Momi, the event is a personal tribute to someone who made an impact on her from small-kid time, and her eventual decision to become a physician. “The late Reverend Frank Chong, who ran the Waikīkī Health Center for many years, was someone I’ve always admired.  He also served as the youth minister at my church when I was young,” she recalls.  With all “Music Mania!!!” ticket sales to be divided between the health center (with its approximate 6,000 patients every year, including the homeless) and the Mortar Board, Momi and her fellow honor society members show that smart students do more than hit the books.  They help the community.  Contact Momi at musicalmania1@gmail.com.

Diane Chang, B.A. 1979, is director of communications for the UH Mānoa campus.  See http://manoa.hawaii.edu/.

Momi Mahon and pianist Jevon Gegg-Mitchell will perform at “Music Mania!!!”

Momi Mahon and pianist Jevon Gegg-Mitchell will perform at “Music Mania!!!”

October 12, 2009

Turning over a new leaf

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — campustalk @ 9:32 am

By Dyan Kleckner

Beautifully verdant Hawai‘i seems to have no shortage of plants, trees, shrubs and greenery of all kinds.  So it might be surprising to learn that native plants in the Islands represent a full one-third of all the federally listed endangered and threatened plants in the entire U.S.—earning us the dubious distinction of being the “Endangered Species Capital of the World.”

But there’s good news at UH Mānoa’s Lyon Arboretum, not only a popular tourist attraction but a haven for the state’s most critically endangered native plant species.  The arboretum’s Hawaiian Rare Plant Program (HRPP) was recently awarded a nearly $250,000 National Leadership Grant from the prestigious Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C.

The money grant for the three-year project will be used for research on the rescue, recovery and storage of Hawai‘i’s most critically endangered native plants. Coupled with Lyon Arboretum’s contribution and matching funds, the total working fund is $422,927.  “To have such a grant awarded to the Lyon Arboretum is a true testament to the value of the statewide and national significance of the work our staff conducts on endangered plants,” says Director Christopher Dunn.

For more on what Dunn, and green-thumbed staff members like Nellie Sugii, Alvin Yoshinaga, Cindy Nose, Kalani  Matsumura and Tim Kroessig are doing, see the Lyon Arboretum home page at http://www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum/.

Dyan Kleckner is a public information officer for the UH Mānoa campus.  See http://manoa.hawaii.edu.

Nellie Sugii, assistant researcher, observing the health of a cloned tissue culture specimen of the endangered species Cyanea dunbariae.

Nellie Sugii, assistant researcher, observing the health of a cloned tissue culture specimen of the endangered species Cyanea dunbariae.

Koa tree in a test tube

Koa tree in a test tube

October 9, 2009

AUW Softball: We are the champions

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — campustalk @ 9:30 am

By Diane Chang

Usually, the three university and seven community college campuses in the University of Hawai‘i system get along splendidly. We’re all in this together, right?

But once a year, since 2006, it’s a different story. Softball teams from UH system and its affiliate campuses practice, strategize, bring their own rooting sections, and get sweaty and dirty. The reason: to win the coveted President’s Trophy in an annual softball tournament played at Les Murakami Stadium, while raising money for Aloha United Way.

On September 25, President M.R.C. Greenwood threw out the opening pitch as UH Mānoa and UH West O‘ahu, as well as Honolulu, Kapi‘olani, Leeward and Windward community colleges, UH System and AUW played in the refreshing Mānoa rain from 5-10 p.m. for bragging rights for the year.

After an evening of camaraderie and “friendly competition, a record-setting $1,840 was raised for AUW, with UH Mānoa claiming the 2009 championship title. All hail these mighty Warriors!

Diane Chang, B.A. 1979, is director of communications for the UH Mānoa campus. See http://manoa.hawaii.edu.

UH Mānoa 2009 Softball Team Champions: (Kneeling, from left) John Stanley, Stanford Togashi, Michelle Isa, Kyle Tateishi, Kelsy Yoshimura, and Jason Yoshino. (Standing) Jim Caron, Tim Merrill, Co-captain Gary Ostrander, Ed Schell, Dee Wisneski, and Coren Kajioka. Missing: Co-captain Francisco Hernandez.

UH Mānoa 2009 Softball Team Champions: (Kneeling, from left) John Stanley, Stanford Togashi, Michelle Isa, Kyle Tateishi, Kelsy Yoshimura, and Jason Yoshino. (Standing) Jim Caron, Tim Merrill, Co-captain Gary Ostrander, Ed Schell, Dee Wisneski, and Coren Kajioka. Missing: Co-captain Francisco Hernandez.

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