HPU Today Summer 2015

HPU TODAY SUMMER 2015

Collaborations HPU team contributes to biomedical research

INSIDE: HPU Teacher of the Year • First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige • Campus Master Plan HPU TODAY • 12

HPU Today Hawai‘i Pacific University

IN THIS ISSUE HPU TODAY 2

President’s Message

3

Campus Master Plan Planning for the Future Update | Aloha Tower Marketplace

Summer 2015 Volume 16 Number 1

4 Feature Article

Growing Science and Scientists 8 Teacher of the Year

Creating a Sustainable Future

SEA Education Program

9 Hawai‘i Profile

Inspiring Passion & Purpose Beyond the Classroom with Dawn Amano-Ige 10 Environmental Profile

Indigenous Culture Meets

Western Science 11 In the Community

HPU Athletes Spread Aloha

Campus News

President Bannister

Announces Retirement

ON THE COVER BS Biochemistry major Peter Schulmerich in the lab, conducting research on Sarcothelia edmondsoni, a soft coral that grows only in Hawai‘i. Waixenicin A, which is produced by the coral, may have therapeutic potential for human diseases.

Photo by Olivier Koning

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Building Community One Person At A Time Sept. 17, 1965, is a significant day not only in Hawai‘i Pacific University history but in Hawai‘i history as well. It is the day when the state granted a charter of incorporation to our university — then Hawaii Pacific College — marking the realization of the vision of four community-minded citizens, Eureka Forbes, Paul C.T. Loo, Elizabeth W. Kellerman, and the Rev. Edmond Walker. They saw a need in the Honolulu community to establish an independent, nonsectarian liberal arts college that could provide the people of Hawai‘i with a higher-education alternative.

From that day until now, the University’s 50th anniversary year, the leaders of HPU have shared a commitment to fostering our founders’ vision, graduating talented students and contributing to the state’s goals for an educated workforce.

Our students join us from Hawai‘i, the U.S. mainland, and nearly 80 nations around the world, forming an international learning community set in the rich cultural context of Hawai‘i. This unique and special place of Hawai‘i serves as a laboratory of learning for our students. In addition, HPU sees the value — to our students and to the community at large — of integrating applied research and community learning opportunities into our academic and co-curricular environments.

In this issue of HPU Today, we share examples of our students, faculty and alumni engaging in hands-on learning opportunities. Working side-by side with other individuals and organizations, they strive toward the common goal of making a difference in their communities. From chemists involved in research with potential medicinal applications for human diseases; to environmental scientists doing ecological assessment and restoration of stream estuaries; to athletes, nurses, and health science specialists supporting breast cancer awareness, HPU has compelling stories to tell.

Also in this edition, we spotlight Dawn Amano-Ige, the first lady of the state of Hawai‘i, who delivered the HPU spring commencement address and who was named HPU Fellow of the Pacific, in recognition of her stellar contributions in service to our community.

As September 17 nears, we at HPU recommit to the vision of our founders, acknowledge the service and contributions of those who have served the University over the past half-century, and prepare for the leaders to come. We look forward to the next 50 years and beyond, pledging to continue building an even stronger university for the benefit of our current and future students, our alumni, the state of Hawai‘i, and its people. ■

UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP President Geoffrey Bannister, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President Academic Affairs Matthew Liao-Troth, Ph.D. General Counsel and Executive Vice President Administration Janet Kloenhamer Vice President and Chief Information Officer Sharon E. Blanton, Ph.D. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bruce Edwards Vice President University Relations Sam Moku Interim Vice President Admission Sara Sato Chief of Staff and Senior International Officer Mark E. Delos Reyes Davis Dean, College of Business Deborah Crown, Ph.D. Interim Dean, College of Extended and Interdisciplinary Education Justin Vance, Ed.D. Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences David Lanoue, Ph.D. Interim Dean, College of Natural and Computational Sciences Roland “Bud” Jenkins Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences Lynette Landry, Ph.D. Executive Director, Oceanic Institute of Hawai‘i Pacific University Shaun Moss, Ph.D. Executive Director of Athletics Vince Baldemor EDITORIAL COMMITTEE and CONTRIBUTORS Sam Moku, Mark Davis, Richard Rapoza, Lianne Yamamura, Chris Aguinaldo, Kilei Nelson, Cassie Carter, Ph.D., Tara Wilson, Rich Vermeesch, Bob Bannister, Lindsey Hincks, Todd Goya HPU Today is published by Hawai‘i Pacific University, Communications, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 800, Honolulu, HI 96813. It is distributed at no charge for alumni and friends. This is the Summer 2015 issue, Volume 16, Number 1. If you are receiving duplicate copies of the magazine or want to update your mailing address, please notify the University Relations office.

Phone: (808) 687-7040 • E-mail: alumni@hpu.edu Website: www.hpu.edu/hputoday

CAMPUS MASTER PLAN

Planning

for the Future The HPU Strategic Plan is the 2012 outcome of a broadly inclusive process, involving the HPU community for over a year. The completion of a Master Plan in 2014 for the University’s three campuses was the next step in making the vision of the Strategic Plan a reality; following is the Master Plan Executive Summary as forwarded by the Strategic Planning Committee of the Board of Trustees.

DEVELOP SUPPORT SPACES Redevelop and create new, high-quality student and faculty support spaces.

Create shared resources in common and convenient areas in place of decentralized resources to correct utilization and efficiency of space resources.

PRESERVE FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THE PLANNING OPTIONS FOR THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS The real estate market of downtown Honolulu is always evolving and challenging to predict. The University must remain flexible and in touch with potential opportunities. Identified opportunities will be appropriately aligned to fulfill space needs for facility expansion and realignment.

CONSOLIDATE THE ACADEMIC ENTERPRISE ON THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS Locate the undergraduate programs, along with the supporting student life and success space, on the Downtown Campus to enhance academic performance and the daily HPU

experience. Uniting the physical resources of the University will increase the collective power and depth of activity at HPU. REALIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR THE HAWAII LOA CAMPUS The Hawaii Loa Campus has a dramatic setting, which could be employed to benefit its financial sustainability and assist in developing a more specialized experience for the campus. The campus’s future is dependent on the University’s ability to create a refined development strategy and supporting business plan.

STRENGTHEN THE OCEANIC INSTITUTE’S CONNECTION TO THE UNIVERSITY The Oceanic Institute Campus is an integral part of the University’s teaching and research resources. The campus can play an even stronger role in advanced education programs and the University’s research mission. Targeted development opportunities over the long term will support the core Oceanic Institute mission.

EFFICIENTLY USE RESOURCES Co-location and programmatic realignments will improve the experience of HPU to its whole community. Centralized programs and services will increase sustainable operations and reduce the time, financial and environmental impacts of frequently moving people between campuses. Through the synchronization and integration of master planning, academic planning and financial planning robust modeling of options and scenarios can support the University’s application of resources.

PLAN CONTINUOUSLY WITH SUPPORTING POLICIES Develop a process for campus planning based on the notion of synchronized efforts.

Program planning and re-alignment must closely correlate to facility development and availability to avoid gaps, pre-building or inefficient, advance commitments.

UPDATE | ALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACE Hawai‘i Pacific University looks forward to the opening of the newly reimagined Aloha Tower Marketplace (ATM) in conjunction with the University’s 50th anniversary in September. With warm aloha, HPU will welcome members of the HPU community, the larger Hawai‘i community and visitors to the islands to ATM, which is envisioned to be a cultural, entertainment and intellectual hub of Honolulu.

Students move into the HPU Waterfront Lofts on August 24, 2015!

ABOVE | Waterfront Lofts room; Mahalo to Hawaii Home + Remodeling and Bed Bath & Beyond for the furnishings. More information www.hpu.edu/waterfrontlofts

HPU TODAY | Summer 2015 • 3

Hunter Hammersmith (BA Psychology ’14), a postbaccalaureate pre-medical studies student and research assistant, and Head of the Shared Instrumentation Facility (SIF) and Professor of Chemistry David Horgen, Ph.D. Photo by Olivier Koning

HPU TODAY | Summer 2015 • 2

FEATURE ARTICLE

GROWING

Science and Scientists Here’s how both happen at HPU

By Gail Miyasaki From the familiar Bunsen burners and long black lab tables of a chemistry class to some of the most advanced scientific research instruments in the state, the Shared Instrumentation Facility (SIF) at Hawai‘i Pacific University is all about discovery for scientists and students alike.

Considered a well-equipped facility for a university of HPU’s size and funded by a National Institute of Health (NIH) biomedical research grant since 2002, SIF has enabled HPU to invest in leading edge research technology, attract top notch researchers, and collaborate on research in chemistry and biochemistry,

including ground-breaking work with local, national and international peers.

The growth in science research at HPU has been impressive, from none to 15 externally funded investigators, and from no research space to 5,600 dedicated square feet, plus an expansion of related academic curriculum in marine sciences and biochemistry. Annual research funding has jumped from less than $100,000 in 2002 to nearly $2 million, largely due to NIH’s INBRE (Institutional Development Award [IDeA] Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) grant, now in its third cycle at HPU. What distinguishes the SIF, which houses HPU’s major scientific instruments, is the student researcher in safety glasses working on these instruments is an undergraduate, not a graduate assistant typical in a university research facility. And the scientist guiding the student’s work not only researches but also teaches. HPU’s approach underscores the educational importance the state’s largest independent university places on how chemistry/biochemistry research with potential medicinal applications can enrich student learning early on as aspiring doctors, pharmacists or researchers.

ABOVE Macro shot of the Hawaiian soft coral, Sarcothelia edmondsoni. A natural occurring marine compound produced by the coral, waixenicin A, may have therapeutic potential for human diseases.

Photo by Paula Berger (MS in Marine Science ’15)

“The real tangible outcome of our research is the opportunity for students to engage in real-world problem solving and to gain the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for how science can contribute to our health and wellbeing,” said David Horgen, Ph.D., who heads SIF and is a professor of chemistry in the College of Natural and Computational Sciences.

Student research assistants at HPU number a robust 50 or so annually. Instrumentation is also integrated into undergraduate science

curriculum, an innovation credited to Horgen.

This gives hands-on experience with SIF’s sophisticated instruments to about 80 HPU undergraduates yearly across all natural science courses, a rarity at other campuses.

On the map Real research happens at HPU. Six years ago, Horgen’s research team discovered new biological activity for a naturally occurring marine compound, called waixenicin A and produced by a soft coral that grows only in Hawai‘i. This compound may be a valuable resource for finding new therapies for a wide range of human diseases, including cancer and strokes. Two ensuing research publications by Horgen’s team and collaborators spurred wide scientific interest and inquiry from as close by as The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu to research, medical and higher education institutions in the Netherlands, Germany, Australia and Italy. Research on waixenicin A continues at HPU, as do the steady inquiries from researchers worldwide, said Horgen.

“Our strategy (at HPU) is to study ion channel proteins that are understudied but where there is evidence that turning them off or on with drug-like molecules can help cure or treat human disease,” said Horgen, who discovered his calling as a specialist in marine natural products chemistry doing what his lab assistants now do in his senior year in college.

HPU’s research focus achieves educational goals while contributing to biomedical research, a lengthy and expensive process from discovery to therapy, he added.

In the search for new drugs, ion channels in the human body are a frequent target of biomedical researchers. So it’s exciting when a little known compound, such as waixenicin A, HPU TODAY | Summer 2015 • 5

shows potential to act as a drug to inhibit ion channels, which act as “gates” responsive to stimuli to selectively allow or prevent entry of ions into human cells, where changes can lead to disease.

Since HPU research hones in on small molecules interacting with proteins, its researchers, like Horgen, have specialties that can complement their colleagues’ efforts as well as progress independently to expand and diversify the University’s research capacity.

Collaborative science One promising outgrowth of Horgen’s breakthrough work with waixenicin A is the natural marine compound serves as a model for a synthetic version that can take it a step closer to human therapeutic use. For the last three years, Gideon Berger, Ph.D. has been working on a man-made version, hoping to simplify a complex natural molecule while retaining its therapeutic biological properties.

“I’m far from finished,” said Berger, an assistant professor and instructor at HPU in sophomore organic, general and biochemistry, who said synthesizing a natural compound can take years and developing a drug can take decades. At HPU since 2008, he has worked with about 25 undergraduate assistants since 2011, and is currently working with eight student researchers to create intermediate models, or structural analogs, along the way.

compounds can be used as pharmacological tools or inspire other compounds discovery or modification,” said Chen.

Lei Wang, Ph.D. also studies proteins in the brain to understand long term memory, which for scientists begins after 30 minutes for humans. At HPU since 2012 and actively working with two undergraduate assistants, Wang uses a variety of instruments to separate small molecules to learn how proteins stick together and how they can fold to prevent or delay diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cataracts that are the result of such aggregation occurrences.

Wang brought to HPU research collaborators from his previous affiliations, including UH’s School of Medicine, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) and St. Jude Children’s Hospital through The Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Some of his partnerships offer his research team access to advanced instrumentation not available in Hawai‘i.

“Most of what we create never existed before, except in my flask,” said Berger. Once an aspiring engineer because of a lifelong fascination for “building things,” he discovered synthetic organic chemistry, where one can build things “indoors with air conditioning.”

Among Berger’s current collaborators are The Queen’s Medical Center, and the Cancer Center and the chemistry department at University of Hawai‘i.

Another intriguing avenue for HPU research is the work of Yongli Chen, Ph.D., a specialist in ion channels. Currently mentoring four undergraduate students, Chen is exploring how small molecules modulate neurotransmitter receptors (ion channels) that are involved in various degenerative disorders of the brain, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and epilepsy.

Her team works on small organic compounds with collaborators, including researchers at the Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, and experts in environmental biochemistry and pharmaceutical science, respectively, at UH Mānoa and UH Hilo.

“We only focus on studying the mechanism of the interaction and hope some of these 6 • HPU TODAY | Summer 2015

ABOVE 3-D rendering of waixenicin A Diagram by David Horgen, Ph.D.

A newcomer to teaching, Wang said he’s still on a learning curve at HPU teaching courses ranging from introductory general chemistry, labs on instrumental analysis and biochemistry to a senior research section.

Both Chen and Wang, natives of China, grew up in an era when science and scientists were highly respected. “I assumed my career would be in science from a very early age and I’ve never had regrets,” said Chen, for whom becoming a scientist was not attributable to a single factor, but a collective of experiences from home, school and society. Wang said

simply, “The good kids study science” in China.

No doubt HPU got two of the “good kids.”

Students first “Life-changing” is how Horgen describes the undergraduate research experience for many HPU students. For work-study student Tifanie Vansach (BS Marine Biology ’08), four years of SIF lab work at HPU revealed a talent for research and helped steer her to earn a doctorate in natural products research. Today, she’s a researcher at a pharmaceutical company in south Florida, said Horgen, her proud mentor.

Others, like undergraduate Allyssia Boelk, gain a deeper understanding of classroom work.

“Our students do the real work of scientists,” said Wang, whose research assistants have had to communicate their work and respond to questions in presentations, and attend national scientific conferences and local research forums.

“Whether our students go on to graduate school for a career in research or with a pharmaceutical company, they are exposed to advanced scientific techniques, current research results and operating advanced instruments before they even have to decide,” said Wang, who believes HPU gives undergraduates an idea of what to expect in medical school or graduate research in science. Some, like Berger’s assistants, have even earned the title of coauthors on publications in scientific journals before graduating from college.

Enrollment is up in the College, a reflection of a conscious effort to increase studenttailored opportunities as HPU research grows.

They include SIM (Student Instrumentation Mentoring) Team, where senior students in research help train and mentor beginning students. “What better way to know the skills you’ve gained than to teach it to someone else?” said Berger who, as a faculty supervisor, acknowledges that experienced student mentors can often provide better personalized one-on-one guidance. Students in chemistry/ biochemistry with clear career goals in health care, for example, can also earn a chemistry degree through a pre-health professional concentration academic program tailored to facilitate their career choice.

Faculty also benefit from “working to engage more undergrad students in cutting-edge research while making teaching our priority,” said Chen.

“We have the best of both worlds here, where the time and energy we spend that goes into teaching is as well respected as our expertise in research,” added Berger. “It’s a great situation for students.” ■

Shared Instrumentation Facility (SIF) Faculty Research Interests

DAVID HORGEN, PH.D. | Professor and Head of SIF at HPU Marine natural products chemistry: Horgen’s research team discovered new biological activity for a naturally occurring marine compound, waixenicin A, which is produced by a soft coral that grows only in Hawai‘i and may be a resource for finding new therapies for cancer and stroke.

GIDEON BERGER, PH.D. | Assistant Professor Synthetic organic chemistry: Berger and his team are working on a man-made version of waixenicin A, hoping to simplify a complex natural molecule while retaining its therapeutic biological properties.

YONGLI CHEN, PH.D. | Associate Professor Functional modulation of ion channels: Chen and her team are exploring how small molecules modulate ion channels that are involved in various degenerative disorders of the brain.

LEI WANG, PH.D. | Assistant Professor Protein aggregation: Wang and his team use a variety of instruments to separate small molecules to learn how proteins stick together and how they can fold to prevent or delay diseases.

HPU TODAY | Summer 2015 • 7

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Creating a Sustainable Future Regina Ostergaard-Klem, Ph.D., provides global leadership in environmental science through community-based research

By Sara Ecclesine

Hawai‘i is known for rich research opportunities in volcanology, marine biology and astronomy. The 2015 Hawai‘i Pacific University Teacher of the Year Regina Ostergaard-Klem, Ph.D., is on a mission to add environmental science and sustainability to that honor roll. Hawai‘i’s unique combination of diverse ecosystems, an economy dependent upon those resources, and cultural connections to nature, means HPU students can do globally relevant sustainability research without ever leaving the islands.

“Business and the environment have a symbiotic relationship that is critical to quality of life in Hawai‘i,” noted Ostergaard-Klem, an Associate Professor of Environmental Science.

“There is no more interesting place on earth to study sustainability.”

Ostergaard-Klem’s primary research focus is the customization of the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) to the unique needs of Hawai‘i.

GPI was developed two decades ago as a supplement to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). GPI and GDP start at the same point, but GPI is then adjusted for negative and positive effects of economic activity, such as saltwater intrusion in a well, or the value of grandparents watching their grandchildren. GPI expresses these economic pluses and minuses as a dollar

value, in order to aid policy planners in modeling trade-offs. Business leaders will recognize GPI as the macro expression of a movement also taking place at the micro level that includes Corporate Sustainability Plans, B-Corporations and the Global Reporting Initiative.

“The low hanging fruit for companies is the reduction of waste, which is good for the environment by eliminating externalities and good for business by saving money,” said Ostergaard-Klem. “GPI is a way to track how well our whole economy is doing at reducing externalities.”

Ostergaard-Klem, her University of Hawai‘i collaborator Kirsten L.L. Oleson, Ph.D., and their army of graduate and undergraduate students produce a GPI for Hawai‘i, showcased in the State of Hawaii Environmental Council annual reports. Ostergaard-Klem explained the process: “GPI reporting is driven by data collated across different agencies and organizations that do not necessarily talk to one another. The GPI framework can be a model for other initiatives like Aloha + Challenge and its Sustainability Dashboard project.”

As for her teaching philosophy, she said, “It’s not that I’m parenting the students, but I think about my courses within the context of

the student’s career development, rather than simply as an opportunity to teach the subject matter on the syllabus. I try to give them realworld skills.”

Research in Hawai‘i has the potential to lead the development of globally relevant protocols for localizing GPI. The original GPI formula includes items that are unimportant in Hawai‘i, such as human-made air pollution, while undervaluing others, such as sea-level rise from climate change. Ostergaard-Klem has shared her work on the localization of GPI with local organizations like the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Planning Association and the Hawaii Economic Association and will present to the United States Society for Ecological Economics In October. These sessions help policy makers, planners, and economists realize the limits of GDP, while providing them with GPI as a more comprehensive alternative. Ostergaard-Klem has found that “planners and policy makers are often trying to piece together information on policy impacts, so our GPI reporting is very useful for them.” ■

ONLINE CONTENT Read an online exclusive story on Ostergaard-Klem, HPU’s 2015 Teacher of the Year, at: www.hpu.edu/hputoday

ALOHA ‘AINA SEA Education Program For a second year, Hawai‘i Pacific University has partnered with the Sea Education (SEA), to give students the opportunity to study Hawaiian culture and sail aboard a research vessel through the islands.

Read the story at: www.hpu.edu/hputoday

LEFT SEA Semester’s 134-foot steel sailing brigantine research vessel – SSV Robert C. Seamans, docked at Pier 8 – Aloha Tower Marketplace Photo by Chris Aguinaldo 8 • HPU TODAY | Summer 2015

HAWAI‘I PROFILE

INSPIRING PASSION & PURPOSE

Beyond the Classroom Dawn Amano-Ige challenges future leaders to work together to leave a lasting impact on the community

By Megan Tsuchida Hawai‘i’s First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige – Lanai of Washington Place, Honolulu, Hawai‘i Photo by Marc Schechter

Dawn Amano-Ige stepped into the room with a warm smile, welcoming guests to the open lanai of historic Washington Place and guiding them to wicker armchairs for a chat.

Amano-Ige has been hard at work as Hawai‘i’s first lady since Gov. David Ige arrived at the state capitol six months ago.

In another time, Amano-Ige may have been conducting the interview; she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Hawai‘i. After beginning her career as an account executive at a leading Honolulu public relations agency, she joined a local medical center where she served as the director of marketing. Next, she followed her passion by returning to school and pursuing a career as an educator.

“My three children inspired me to go back to school and earn a professional diploma in elementary education,” said Amano-Ige as she reflected on how her career unfolded. “It was not an easy decision to make,” she added.

Education has always been important to Amano-Ige, so much so that she has dedicated her life to becoming a life-long learner. As first lady, she is on sabbatical from her job as vice principal, where she enjoyed balancing all aspects of the education system, addressing different issues, working with students and solving problems.

“When the education community works together — teachers, parents and students — it takes programs to the next level,” she said, recounting the collective effort needed to help students and initiatives succeed.

While Amano-Ige never dreamed of becoming the first lady of Hawai‘i, her experience as vice principal and love for community has helped her transition into the role. At top of her list of priorities are improving education and promoting healthy living.

When asked about what she is most looking forward to during her time as first lady, AmanoIge is most excited to work with the community.

“It’s been a remarkable experience to learn more about Hawai‘i, about the community and how so many individuals are dedicating their lives to make our state better.”

It is fitting that Amano-Ige was presented with the Fellow of the Pacific Award at Hawai‘i Pacific University’s spring commencement ceremony, acknowledging her unselfish and unwavering commitment to the community and ideals of higher education. The award, which has been conferred upon 85 individuals since 1973, honors outstanding community leaders for contributions to Hawai‘i, the Pacific Rim and the University.

Throughout her career, Amano-Ige has advanced health care causes and supported opportunities for youth in education, but little things have inspired her the most. Whether it has been parents helping one another and volunteering as little league coaches, or a farmer working to feed his community, she finds that often the simplest acts are the most powerful. As individuals empower each other and their communities, acts of kindness capture the aloha spirit.

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Amano-Ige also points to diversity as a key to the state’s social and economic success. Seeing Hawai‘i as home to people from around the world, from different cultures and with different ways of thinking, helping our state learn how to work together and find unique solutions to problems, she believes we can serve as an example for the world.

As for parting advice for HPU students, Amano-Ige said, “Take the initiative.”

Although studying is a key factor of success after college, Amano-Ige also encourages students to get involved in activities and experiences that they are interested in.

“Things happen in life, but it always seems that everything works out in the end,” she said. “Treasure the relationships you’ve made, believe in yourself and trust your gut instinct.

Most importantly, find something that gives you a greater purpose in life.”

Take it from Dawn Amano-Ige, someone who has truly found a passion and purpose in life: we can all make Hawai‘i, and the world, a better place. ■

ONLINE CONTENT A video of Amano-Ige giving the HPU Commencement address and receiving the Fellow of the Pacific award is posted at: www.hpu.edu/hputoday HPU TODAY | Summer 2015 • 9

ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE

Indigenous Culture

Meets Western Science

By John Wythe White

“I take my personal experience into the classroom,” said Susan Carstenn, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental Science, “although I prefer teaching in the field.” For Carstenn, “the field” means stream mouth estuaries all over O‘ahu, including the He‘eia watershed in Kane‘ohe. Many of the most valuable lands of ancient Hawai‘i were located in Kane’ohe, where mountain streams in the ahupua‘a (parcels of land stretching from the mountains to the sea) nourished crops before entering thriving bayside fishponds.

Today, despite large-scale agricultural and developmental damage, these environments are being studied, monitored, managed and restored — partially with the help of Carstenn and her students. They provide research and monitoring support to local nonprofit organizations such as Hui o Ko‘olaupoko, Hui Kū Maoli Ola and Paepae o He‘eia, that are leading efforts to restore water quality, native vegetation, marine organisms and stream bank integrity.

“I want to learn as much from my students as they may learn from me,” said Carstenn, who received her Ph.D. in Systems Ecology at the University of Florida. One such student was Kelly Ratana (MS in Marine Science ’14), a New Zealander who came to HPU on a Fulbright scholarship.

“Kelly was the perfect student for my lab,” said Carstenn. “She contacted me because she wanted to integrate indigenous and western sciences.

Because she is Māori, she already had a special link to Hawai‘i, and she helped me to better understand Hawaiian culture. Hawaiians developed what western scientists call ‘adaptive management’ of natural resources long ago. Kelly applied a Cultural Health Index (CHI) developed in New Zealand to the He‘eia watershed, and with the community adapted it to better capture Hawaiian culture.” The CHI is “culturally grounded monitoring done by the community for the community,” Ratana said. She used the CHI, in combination with geographical information systems (GIS), in an attempt to integrate local, indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge.

“I found Susan to be open-minded, supportive and encouraging,” Ratana recalled. “She understood my need to be myself, express myself and stay true to what I believed.” Back in New Zealand, she works at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research as an environmental scientist specializing in marine ecology and Māori environmental science.

Susan Carstenn, Ph.D., (foreground) conducting research at He‘eia stream with Fulbright scholarship recipient Kelly Ratana (left), and Fulbright visiting researcher Ani Kainamu.

Photo by Tracy Wright Corvo

10 • HPU TODAY | Summer 2015

Hawai‘i’s contemporary ecosystem faces new challenges, including rising sea levels and introduced species, such as mangroves (which are considered beneficial to coastal environments elsewhere in the world). “We need to use all of our collective knowledge, both western and indigenous, to enhance ecological processes to benefit both humans and nature,” Carstenn said. “Indigenous cultures have done this for centuries, and now western science, particularly restoration science, is buying in.” ■

IN THE COMMUNITY

CAMPUS NEWS

HPU Athletes Spread Aloha From hosting National Girls and Women in Sports Day to promoting breast cancer awareness and raising awareness for helmet safety, the University’s student-athletes serve the community.

“ HPU Athletics is deeply committed to developing its student-athletes to be community-minded citizens.

Through university-sponsored service activities, our studentathletes have the opportunity to make a difference in the community.

Likewise, the students benefit, building their character.”

– Vince Baldemor, Executive Director of Athletics

President Bannister announces Retirement

In June 2015, President Geoffrey

“extraordinary opportunity to work for

Bannister announced his retirement

the success of a great university” and is

from Hawai‘i Pacific University at the

thrilled that his final year will be spent

end of the 2015-2016 academic year.

celebrating the achievements of HPU

As the fourth president in HPU’s

through the 50th anniversary.

history, President Bannister has

The Board of Trustees is currently

steered strategic plans that will

committed to the selection process

immensely improve the quality of the

for an individual who will continue to

ABOVE

University. Such plans included the

guide the University toward its best

Student Athletes Advisory Council Co-President Susanna Sarkki has fun with participants of the Spring 2015 National Girls and Women in Sports Day event held at Hawaii Loa campus. Girls in the community from 4-13 had the opportunity to try every sport HPU offers and engage with the University’s female athlete role models.

redevelopment of Aloha Tower, master

future. Letters from Board of Trustees

plans to renovate the campuses, and the

Chairman Joachim Cox and President

merging of HPU with Oceanic Institute.

Bannister can be found at:

President Bannister expressed how

www.hpu.edu/HPUNews

grateful he was to have had an

More photos posted at www.hpu.edu/hputoday

Progress with Bikeshare Hawaii: In June 2015, the state and the city pledged $1 million each toward the program, estimating to put 1,700 bicycles on O‘ahu roads in 2016. HPU is among the program sponsors, and Aloha Tower Marketplace will be a bicycle-station site.

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Self-Paced Online Courses

WWW.HPU.EDU/CXE

Courses allow students to complete academic courses online, at their own pace, and in a supported environment For the student juggling a full life: career, family, high travel commitments and/or difficulty committing to traditional classroom

career change.

Multiple form Awards and HP move forward in their current car Recognition wit

Part-time Hybrid

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Professional, Project Management, IT & Software Online Development,Workplace Readiness, Health Careers

WWW.HPU.EDU/CAP

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Hybrid

Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program

HPUwww.hpu.edu/yellowribbon is proud to participate in the Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program, which enables veterans who are 100 percent eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, or family members eligible for transferred benefits, to have their tuition fully covered up to a specific number of credits. Visit: www.hpu. edu/yellowribbon

Mission Statement

Full-time

Part-time

Self-Paced Online Courses Career Advancement

Online •C Multiple formats.

Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program Program

Online, non-credit courses for a career change, professional Full-time advancement or personal enrichment. HPU offers courses to meet your professional needs.

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additional ski • Business & Professional designed to provide students with corporate sec Hybrid additional skills to advance careers in management of the in the Post HPU is proud to participate • Project Man Courses 9/11 GI Bill YellowSelf-Paced Ribbon Program, Online which corporate sector. management Online enables veterans who are 100 percent skill base and • Project Management & Quality Our courses in project www.hpu.edu/self-paced eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, or family and valued ce management andto quality are designed to augment an existing Courses allow students complete members eligible for transferred benefits, • IT & Softwa skill base andonline, educational background with highly recognized academic courses at their own to have their tuition fully covered up to a positions, info pace, in a supported environment Full-time specific number of credits. Visit: www.hpu. andand valued certifications.

Full-time hold enormou • Workplace • the IT &student Software Development With edu/yellowribbon nearly half a million open For juggling a full cou Part-time life: career, family, high travel technology positions, information and software development Part-time readiness career sector Mission Statement commitments and/or potential difficulty for career opportunities. hold enormous • Health Care Hybrid committing to traditional classroom Hybrid • Workplace Readiness We offer aMission seriesStatement: of workplace these courses The College of Extended Self-Paced Online Courses deadlines better workfo readiness courses teaching skills that are applicableEducation across any and Interdisciplinary specializes Online Online Flexible schedule in helping non-traditional students career sector.for the student with technology restrictions. These including military service members, their • Health Careers Developed to enhance workplace competency, families, Veterans, U.S. Government civilians courses equips you to learn when these courses provide a solid footingFull-time upon which to build a

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Online, non-credit courses for a career change, Multiple formats.to help students • Non-credit self-paced courses designed • Self-paced online offering professional advancement or personal enrichment. move forward in their current career or prepare for a Full-time • Non-credit self-paced courses d HPU offers courses to meet your professional needs.

Extended and Interdisciplinary Education

Full-time

• Courses offered at 6 locations o Recognition Recognition

Multiple formats.

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