On a glorious, sunny April morning in Pepeʻekeo on the Hamakua Coast of 91��ɫappʻi Island, about 15 students harvested more than 50 lbs. of bananas to feed the community.

They made quick work of chopping down the banana trees and reducing them to mulch, before washing, drying and packing the fruit at the college’s 3-acre farm Mauliola (thriving or healthy) and then loading it into their van for delivery in Hilo.

“It’s been actually life changing to have a program in which you’re hands-on every single day,” said student Kristen Decoito.

Since 2023, 91��ɫappʻi CC has donated more than 1,000 lbs of fresh produce from Mauliola to the 91��ɫappʻi Food Basket.

“Our mission is to end hunger in 91��ɫappʻi County on 91��ɫappʻi Island,” said Enola Kaneta, director of operations for 91��ɫappʻi Food Basket. “91��ɫappʻi Community College actually helps us to do that by providing fresh produce and vegetables to our community members.”

Feeding hungry families

In 2021, the college finalized a four-year agreement with landowner Honua Ola Bioenergy to farm and teach agriculture at Mauliola, as long as 90% of the food produced there goes to feed hungry families. The land the college has cleared—armed with weed wackers and lots of sweat equity—stands in stark contrast to the tall grasses and trees surrounding the farm.

“To have a project this big—three acres, 40 ʻulu (breadfruit) trees, maybe 60 banana trees in the ground—is kind of unprecedented for a small program like ours,” said Assistant Professor Lew Nakamura.

Kaneta said, “A lot of our emergency food customers actually come up daily for us and they love to have fresh produce that they can actually then go home and give their families and their keiki.”

Nakamura is excited to be able to train more students who can grow food for the community and teach others to do it, too.

“Where there is hunger, we need farmers. We need people to feed the community, and it’s good because we know if it’s grown here that it’s healthy, that it’s sustainable, and we know exactly the source of which it came from,” said Decoito, who will graduate with her associate’s degree in May and plans to pursue a teaching degree.

Theft blunts impact

Nakamura said there will be even more impact next year when the ʻulu starts to ripen. However, recurring agricultural theft is already blunting Mauliola’s impact.

“We’ve had probably over 300 pounds, or at least 30 bunches of bananas, stolen from us from this parcel,” he said. “Big problem—people taking food away from people who actually need it.”

It’s a problem harming other farmers across the island. Nakamura said he is reaching out to the community to report any agricultural thefts they may witness.

In the meantime, 91��ɫappʻi CC will be doing its part to produce the farmers the state needs, such as first year student David Marquis, who proudly posed with a heavy stalk of bananas he had just chopped down with a machete.

Marquis said, “I hope to start a small farm and become food sufficient and help other people too to obtain self sufficiency in food.”

Decoito added, “I just want people to understand that food is a very critical topic here in 91��ɫappʻi, and without farmers, we’re going to have a lot more problems in the future.”

—by Kelli Abe Trifonovitch

The University of 91��ɫappʻi is deeply committed to the right to free speech and the protections of the first amendment of the U.S. constitution. Peaceful protests and demonstrations are part of the rich history of 91��ɫapp and universities around the country. It is absolutely essential that all who wish to share their views can do so and conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful to others.

Many in our 91��ɫapp ʻohana are personally touched by specific events. But as others have said, our hearts must be big enough to mourn the loss of lives and suffering in both Israel and Gaza. Minimizing the suffering of civilians and hostages, wherever and whoever they are, is not who we are at 91��ɫapp. Nor are we a place that can tolerate either anti-semitism or Islamophobia. And we cannot make our points heard by trying to silence the voices of others. These tactics tarnish the message of anyone who wants to express their views on world events. These tactics do not show aloha.

Diverse perspectives held on local and global conflicts and controversies have always flourished at 91��ɫapp. Higher education is where our students must learn to coexist with others who hold different views—as we must all do in life. Being able to share views and to listen with respect and appreciation of others is essential to a healthy and thriving campus and community. It is the only path to solutions. It is a way to show aloha.

Nonetheless, we know that some protected speech can be extremely hurtful to others. At the onset of the events of October 7, in Israel and the subsequent actions in Gaza, 91��ɫapp reached out directly to students with offers of assistance. We continue to extend that support to students who are impacted. We take great pride in the fact that our 91��ɫapp campuses are among the most diverse higher education institutions in the nation and 91��ɫapp stands strongly committed to non-discrimination and working together to overcome intolerance. We all benefit when our entire community feels safe and secure and heard.

—91��ɫapp President David Lassner and 91��ɫapp ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno

University of 91��ɫappʻi at ����ԴDz� claimed a Big West top honor, and four Rainbow Wahine pairs earned recognition.

For the second time in three seasons, 91��ɫapp head coach Evan Silberstein was tabbed Co-Coach of the Year. The 91��ɫapp pairs of Jaime Santer/Alana Embry and Riley Wagoner/Sydney Amiatu were named to the all-conference first-team. Meanwhile the duos of Kaylee Glagau/Pani Napoleon and Anna Maidment/Sydney Miller garnered honorable mention.

Silberstein, who last earned Co-Coach of the Year accolades in 2022, shares the honor with Cal Poly’s Todd Rogers. Silberstein helped lead the Rainbow Wahine to their fourth conference title and guided 91��ɫapp to its third straight NCAA Championship appearance under his helm.

Santer and Embry have gone 24-11 overall and 8-2 against Big West competition, including three key wins during the team’s Big West title run.

Amiatu and Wagoner gained first-team honors after going 22-11 on the season, including 21-6 at the No. 4 spot.

Honorable mention pair Maidment and Miller has sported 91��ɫapp‘s best overall win percentage (22-7, .759) playing at the No. 3, 4 and 5 flights.

The newly formed pair of Glagau and Napoleon found instant success with eight wins in 10 matches together at the No. 2 court.

The Big West Conference announced its all-conference awards for , and University of 91��ɫappʻi at ����ԴDz�’s Quinn Snyder was voted to the All-Big West second team for both singles and doubles with partner Andy Hernandez. Snyder earned Big West Player of the Week honors twice and led 91��ɫapp with a team-best 8-6 overall singles record—all while playing at No. 1.

With doubles partner Hernandez, the duo played at No. 1 for the first eight matches, recording a 3-3 record together.

Karl Collins earned Honorable Mention honors in singles. He posted a 7-6 singles record. It is Collins’ second all-Big West honor after earning first-team doubles honors with partner Andre Ilagan in 2022.

The University of 91��ɫappʻi at ����ԴDz� had four earn all-Big West honors. Nikola Homolkova, Nelly Knezkova and Ana Vilcek all earned All-Big West second team honors in singles. In doubles, two 91��ɫapp duos, Sheena Masuda/Knezkova and Homolkova/Vilcek both earned Honorable Mention awards.

Homolkova earned All-Big West honors for the third-straight season. This season, she earned a spot on the All-Big West second team after leading 91��ɫapp with a team-best 12-7 singles record all played on the No. 3 court.

Knezkova posted an 11-8 overall record and was named Big West Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks (March 20 and 27). Knezkova started the season at No. 2, but finished at No. 1.

Vilcek earned All-Big West honors for the third straight season. This season, Vilceck recorded a 10-7 record and was named to the All-Big West second team.

As a doubles team, Homolkova and Vilcek earned Honorable Mention honors for the second-straight season. Together, they went 5-6 overall and 2-3 in conference.

Knezkova and Masuda also earned Honorable Mention doubles honors. For Masuda, it was her third Big West doubles honor. They went 3-7 overall and 2-4 in conference action.

After sweeping through the Big West season, the University of 91��ɫappʻi claimed two of the league’s top individual awards, and seven Rainbow Wahine players received all-conference recognition on the 2024 Big West Women’s Water Polo All-Conference Team.

91��ɫapp sophomore Bia Mantellato Dias was named the Big West Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, and Maureen Cole earned her fifth Coach of the Year honor.

Mantellato Dias was joined on the All-Big West first team by Alba Bonamusa Boix, Bernadette Doyle and Daisy Logtens. Lot Stertefeld made the second team, and Lucia Gomez de la Puente earned honorable mention recognition. Logtens and Agatha Weston were voted to the All-Freshman Team.

The Rainbow Wahine captured the Big West regular-season and tournament titles and will represent the conference at the National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo Championship on May 10 at the Spieker Aquatics Complex.

Four University of 91��ɫappʻi at Hilo athletes were named to the 2024 Softball All-PacWest teams.

Rayna White was selected to the second team, while Jayda Favela, Lexie Tilton and Chloe Sales landed on the third team.

The four Vulcans helped the team finish No. 3 in the PacWest Conference with an 18-10 record.

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University of 91��ɫappʻi at ����ԴDz� alumna Donna Hayashi Smith was appointed as the ninth Curator of the U.S. White House, where President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden live and work. Hayashi Smith is the first Asian-American to hold the position and oversees the stewardship and care of approximately 60,000 objects, ranging from fine art to furniture to china.

She is responsible for working with the President and First Lady’s staff to select furnishings and decorative artworks for display in the iconic rooms at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

“Serving as Curator of the White House is an honor and privilege that I have always considered an ultimate career achievement,” Hayashi Smith said. “After almost 30 years [at the White House], I am excited for the opportunity to lead the talented Curator’s Office team to accomplish new and different goals while serving presidents and their families.”

Guardian of heritage

Hayashi Smith has worked at the White House since 1995 starting as an administrative/collections assistant under the President Bill Clinton administration.

“Donna Hayashi Smith brings years of experience to this position, along with unique perspectives from serving under five administrations. She understands the history and legacy of the White House, as well as the intricate innerworkings of the building itself,” said First Lady Jill Biden.

In her new role as Curator, Hayashi Smith will oversee the acquisition, documentation, research, and interpretation of the White House’s extensive collection. Among the notable pieces her team oversees are the revered paintings of American presidents, such as the stoic portrayal of George Washington and the renowned downward gaze portrait of John F. Kennedy. Also, among the treasures is Georgia O’Keeffe’s Mountain at Bear Lake – Taos oil painting.

“We want everyone who visits the White House to feel a connection to the President’s House while learning about its history, great collection of fine and decorative arts, and the presidents and families who have lived there,” Hayashi Smith said.

Life-changing journey

Hayashi Smith grew up in Wahiawā and graduated from Leilehua High School before earning her BA in at 91��ɫapp ����ԴDz� in 1990. Hayashi Smith recalls a life-changing moment on the ����ԴDz� campus when she stumbled upon a flyer about a study abroad program in London. The overseas experience in 1988 propelled Hayashi Smith to form a deep appreciation for museums, history and culture.

After returning to 91��ɫappʻi, she relished her time at 91��ɫapp ����ԴDz� studying under art professors like Tom Klobe, who still mentors her today. Hayashi Smith said Klobe had a profound impact on her career.

“Just his passion about his work really inspired me,” Hayashi Smith explained. “I didn’t know what my passion was. Just being surrounded by people like him who work so hard, he really stuck with what he really enjoyed and what made him happy. I feel like that’s what I’m doing today.”

When she told Klobe about her new appointment at the White House, he cried.

“For me, what is exciting is to see how she has grown,” said Klobe, a 91��ɫapp ����ԴDz� professor emeritus of art and founding director of the 91��ɫapp art gallery. “One of the things for me that is most important as a teacher is when I’m teaching I try to get the students to realize who they are and to build on their abilities and their interests, their own personal experience.”

Senator’s guidance

Her roots in the nation’s capitol were first planted in the early 90s. Prior to graduation, Hayashi Smith contacted Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office about job opportunities at museums on the U.S. continent. The office advised her to apply for an internship at the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program. She landed a three-month minority fellowship and eventually secured a museum aide position at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American Art and worked in the Registrar’s Office for four years.

A privilege

As she begins this exciting chapter in the nation’s capital, Hayashi Smith considers it an honor to continue the work of preserving the treasures and stories of the White House.

“A relative asked what I would ever do with an art history degree. I replied that I was not sure but that I really enjoyed studying it, and felt it was the right choice for me. I am thankful I followed my interests and pursued a career that continues to bring me happiness,” Hayashi Smith said.

A researcher at the University of 91��ɫappʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) received a Fellow of the American Society of Plant Biology (ASPB) Award which is granted to no more than 0.2% of the current membership each year. Robert Paull, of the , will be formally recognized in June during the ASPB’s Annual Plant Biology Conference. In 2014, he was previously made a Fellow of both the American Society for Horticulture Sciences and the International Society for Horticulture Science.

Paull’s research has led to improved crop growth and yield under environmental stress, and extended postharvest life of tropical ornamentals, fruits and vegetables. His research is valued by the agricultural industry, and his publications have led to more than 17,300 citations in his career, with about 1,000 citations per year since 2019. Paull has been placed on Stanford University’s list of the top 2% of the most-cited scientists in various fields (2022–23).

“Unique to Robert is his willingness to energetically help anyone on any project who requests his assistance,” said David Christopher of the . “He has formed a cadre of respected and grateful national and international academic colleagues, farmers, industry scientists and friends who value his collaborations.”

Paull has made numerous contributions to the areas of tropical and subtropical fruit, nut, vegetables, ornamental physiology and genetics, their postharvest physiology, handling and storage. He has co-authored five books; edited an encyclopedia, seven volumes and proceedings; authored 127 book chapters; and published 151 peer-reviewed journal articles and 138 conference abstracts and presentations.

“We congratulate Robert for his lifetime of diverse, impactful, and exceptional contributions to tropical agriculture, the field of plant biology and for bringing prestige to the University of 91��ɫappʻi,” said Christopher.

The award is a recognition of a lifetime of distinguished contributions to plant biology and to serve society in areas including research, education, mentoring, collaborations, outreach, and professional and public service.

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A data analyst at the University of 91��ɫappʻi at Mānoa (ARL at 91��ɫapp) was selected for the highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) . This five-year fellowship will cover tuition and provide a stipend at any eligible graduate program for which the awardee is selected.

Joining ARL at 91��ɫapp, Ian Robertson became involved with the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) project. One of his contributions to the project was the development of a cutting-edge machine learning algorithm aimed at characterizing how waves break over artificial structures. His work has helped to advance the understanding of wave dynamics and holds promise for improving coastal defense strategies.

“When I started at ARL, I had limited hands-on experience in oceanography despite my math degree,” said Robertson. “However, over the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on various projects and pick up invaluable skills.”

Robertson is continuing his education through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program by pursuing a PhD in physical oceanography.

“Collaborating with experts in different fields has been instrumental in my research journey,” Robertson said. “Working with colleagues from ocean engineering, marine biology, and various institutions has been eye-opening. It’s essential to bridge the gap between scientists and engineers to develop holistic solutions to complex oceanographic challenges.”

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ARL at 91��ɫapp is leading the development of a hybrid coral reef that is designed to protect coastal infrastructure from flooding, erosion and storm damage. The goal of this project is to provide alternatives to coastline hardening solutions, such as traditional breakwaters, jetties or sea walls, with a nature-based solution that incorporates a living ecosystem with a wave-attenuating base structure.

“Coral reefs are in a dire state worldwide and the impact goes beyond the losses of beaches and coastal property,” said R3D Principal Investigator Ben Jones. “These losses negatively affect local economies and Indigenous communities throughout the Pacific who have subsisted off reefs for generations. Ian’s research will help us understand the nature of the waves breaking near our hybrid reef and will ensure that we can reestablish a thriving, diverse coral reef community in areas where degraded reefs currently persist.”

ARL at 91��ɫapp is partnering with the and the 91��ɫapp Mānoa as well as a local industry partner, Makai Ocean Engineering, to develop this living breakwater that can reduce wave energy, encourage coral settlement and growth, and survive marine heatwaves. In December 2023 AARL at 91��ɫapp was awarded phase two of the project which includes deployment of a prototype structure in Kailua Bay near Ulupaʻu crater on Mōkapu peninsula.