Center for Pacific Island Studies

The center's activities revolve around a dedicated and dynamic group of core and affiliate faculty, staff, and students. Areas of faculty expertise and interest range from the evolution of social complexity in the Pacific to contemporary politics and identity, from early maritime history to contemporary music and dance. Four instructional faculty and the managing editor, the outreach coordinator, and the administrative assistant are housed at the center offices in Moore Hall. Affiliate faculty are housed in their respective UHM departments or in nearby institutions, such as the East-West Center and Bishop Museum. The students’ international backgrounds and cross-disciplinary orientations are reflected in their life histories and in their wide-ranging research interests.

core faculty and staff

David Hanlon, PhD, Professor and Director,
hanlon@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-6077 or (808) 956-7700

Vilsoni Hereniko, PhD, Professor and Editor of The Contemporary Pacific,
vili@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-2658

Terence Wesley-Smith, PhD, Graduate Chair and Associate Professor,
twsmith@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-2668

Jan Rensel, PhD, Managing Editor,
rensel@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-2670

Letitia Hickson, PhD, Outreach Coordinator,
ctisha@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-2652

Charlotte Needham, Administrative Assistant,
cpis@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-7700

Sania Fa'amaile (Betty) Ickes, Visiting Lecturer
ickes@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-2659