News@UH
Virginia S. Hinshaw, John Morton and Manuel Cabral
BOR Appointees
The Board of Regents appointed Virginia S. Hinshaw as Manoa chancellor and Manuel Cabral as interim chancellor for Leeward CC and approved the reassignment of Interim Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton to a permanent status.An academic leader with a distinguished record of accomplishment at UC Davis, and prior to that the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Hinshaw is also a renowned scientist with expertise in microbiology whose work over the past 25 years has aided in the understanding of the influenza virus and new approaches to vaccines.“I’m truly excited about the prospect of joining the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, an institution of many accomplishments, but clearly with increasing aspirations for the future,” said Hinshaw. (Read the news release.)
Morton has been with the university’s community college system since 1970 when he joined the Leeward faculty in chemistry and political science. From 1984 to 2005, he served as Kapi‘olani provost/chancellor, during which time the new campus was built on Diamond Head. Beginning in January 2002, Morton spearheaded the implementation of the university’s systemwide student information system, also known as Banner, and continues to oversee its development and implementation. (Read the news release.)
Cabral has served Leeward for 27 years in various capacities including faculty senate vice chair, chair of the Leeward CC Campus Council, and for the past 19 years as the mathematics and science division chair. He has been honored with University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents’ Excellence in Teaching Award and the Outstanding Leadership Award of the National Community College Division Chair Academy. (Read the news release.)
Artist rendering of the planned Kapolei campus.
Plans for the West O‘ahu Campus
The university reached an agreement on a letter of intent with the Hunt Building Corporation for the Kapolei campus.The letter signals Hunt’s intention to purchase 298 acres of the university’s 500-acre Kapolei site in fee simple, at a purchase price of $100.14 million, and will enable the first phase of construction for the new campus, estimated at $135 million, to proceed. The remaining $35 million is being requested from the Hawai'i State Legislature this session.
“When it comes to higher education access opportunities, we know that the rapidly-growing West O'ahu region is the most underserved of any in our state. We’re looking forward to expanding the reach of UH into these communities,” says President David McClain.
“When the new campus opens its doors in 2009, it will fulfill the dream of many 'Ewa and Leeward O'ahu families who have lobbied for a West O'ahu campus for the past three decades,” says West O'ahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni. “We’re excited by the opportunity to be of greater service to the residents of this region.”
Read the news release.
Information Technology Center Receives Funding
Gov. Linda Lingle released $1 million in planning funds for the design of a new UH Information Technology Center, including an Emergency Operations Center, that will be located on the Manoa campus to serve the entire UH System.The Information Technology Center will be the UH System’s first facility ever designed and built to properly house the IT resources that support the academic and administrative needs of all 10 campuses on a 24-7 basis. The university’s current communications and computing infrastructure is spread across multiple locations on campus, none of which have the kind of electrical power, air conditioning or communications capabilities to provide the availability of services needed to support a 21st-century institution of higher education.
President David McClain observed that “Constructing and operating a single shared modern information technology center for the UH system will save millions of dollars for the taxpayers and students who pay the bills by avoiding the need to duplicate this infrastructure across all 10 campuses.
Manoa Searching for Two Deans
Candidates for the dean of the College of Education and the School of Architecture will be visiting the Manoa campus over the next few weeks.College of Education dean candidates will address the topic Teacher Education and No Child Left Behind: The Role of a College of Education Dean at their open sessions in the Architecture Auditorium. For more candidate information, visit the search website.
- Donna Wiseman, professor and associate dean for academic programs, College of Education, University of Maryland College Park. Her presentation is on Mon., March 19, 4 p.m.
- Christine Sorensen, dean, College of Education, Northern Illinois University. Sorensen’s session is on Mon., April 2, 4 p.m.
- Donald Young, professor and interim dean, College of Education, University of Hawai’i. His presentation is on Thurs., April 5, 4 p.m.
Candidates for the dean's position at the School of Architecture will address Moving the Center: The Future of Architectural Practice and Education in the Asia-Pacific Region at their presentations in the Architecture Auditorium. For more candidate information, visit the search website.
- Gregory Kessler, director of the School of Architecture and Construction Management at Washington State University. Kessler’s presentation is on Wed., March 21, 4:30 p.m.
- Clark E. Llewellyn, director of the School of Architecture, Montana State University. His session is on Fri., March 23, 4:30 p.m.
- Joseph Bilello, dean and professor of architecture, Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning, visited Feb. 28–March 1.
Honolulu’s Excellence in Education Day
Honolulu CC celebrated A Journey into Hawai'i’s Future during the annual excellence in education day. Manoa Professor James Dator kicked off the day with a keynote address to get participants thinking about the future. Students presented a wide range of idea of what the future might hold.The Architectural, Engineering and CAD Technologies students were recognized for their outstanding plan HCC in 2037. The campus was transformed with ultra-modern buildings and programs named after distinguished faculty.
The event also included the screening of An Inconvenient Truth and the presentation of Honolulu Professor Rick Ziegler’s book Earthquest Hawai'i 2054.
Get More Fruits and Vegetables
Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ Cooperative Extension Office is assisting the launch of the Fruits and Veggies-More Matters initiative. CES will serve as the state program coordinator for the Hawai'i initiative.“Fruits and Veggies-More Matters is designed to help Americans overcome common everyday barriers to eating fruits and vegetables,” says Hawai‘i Foods for Wellness Project Coordinator Carissa Poon. “These include differing tastes within a family, not knowing how to prepare them or keep them fresh, or simply not liking them.”
The new initiative promotes new daily consumption guidelines implemented by the National Fruit and Vegetable Program, formerly known as the 5 A Day for Better Health Program. Since 1991, the national 5 A Day for Better Health Program has been dedicated to promoting healthy eating through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. While efforts raised awareness, public health recommendations were not met.
Guide to Marine Plant Life
Manoa Emeritus Professor Isabella A. Abbot and Professor Celia M. Smith co-authored Hawaiian Reef Plants with John M. Huisman.Hawaiian Reef Plants is an easy-to-use yet comprehensive guide on nearly all species of marine plants present in Hawai'i. This book is valuable to experts and novices alike, and is a must-read for everyone interested in marine plants and the complex ecosystems in which they live.
This volume concentrates on a significant part of Hawaiian marine life—marine plants, or seaweeds. Hawaiian culture was and is heavily dependent upon the sea, and reef algae or “limu” as it is known in Hawai'i, is a prominent part of the culture.
Hawaiian Reef Plants’ 264 pages are packed with stunning photographs of the Hawaiian marine flora, plus keys, descriptions, introductory chapters, sections on Hawaiian use of seaweeds and more.
Hawaiian Reef Plants is available at the Manoa bookstore and at the Sea Grant website.
Peter G. Nicholson, center, was presented the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal by Assistant Secretary of the Army John Paul Woodley Jr. and Chief of the U.S. Corps of Engineers Lieutenant General Carl A. Strock.
Kudos
Manoa Assistant Professor Petrice R. Flowers received a grant from the Research Relations Fund to conduct research in Japan for her project, “Social Implications of International Law: Women’s Employment and Gender Equality in Japan.”Manoa Associate Professor Bob Gibson, Director of the Hawai'i English Language Program Steve Jacques and Director of the English Language Institute Kenton Harsch will be presenting a workshop at the 41st Annual TESOL convention in Seattle, WA on "Exploring Qualities of Effective Program Administrators". Harsch will also be presenting on "Productive Pedagogical Approaches to Plagiarism and Patchwriting" with masters graduate Kelly McLanahan.
Hilo Professor Ron Gordon participated on a panel on The Limits of Western Communication Theory at a conference held at the Center for Korean Studies at Manoa.
Vilsoni Hereniko, Manoa professor, took part in the opening programs for the Asia–Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, Australia. Hereniko was invited to be on a panel that responded to the keynote address, given by Doug Hall, the director of the art gallery.
Maui Assistant Professor Jennifer Owen’s artwork was included in three juried exhibitions in Germany and was on display at the Hui No’eau Arts Center Annual Juried Member’s Exhibition. Her art is also part of the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ permanent collection.
Peter G. Nicholson, Manoa associate professor, was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for assistance with field assessment and data acquisition, investigations and contributions to the Hurricane Katrina Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force. This award is one of the highest Army honorary decorations that can be awarded to a civilian.
Hilo Associate Professor Ken Staton is orchestra contractor for the Hawai'i Opera Theatre’s Maui pro-duction of Madame Butterfly. Staton is taking 20 players from the Big Island to Maui where they will join musicians from O’ahu and Maui as the pit orchestra for Puccini’s famous opera.
Photo Highlights
More than 500 high school students attended the recent Honolulu Community College HS2HCC recruiting day. Participants explored the 20-plus shops on campus, including carpentry, where they put together koa wood boxes.
Future UH entomologists? Fern Elementary School third graders recently visited the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' Insect Museum to get a glimpse of a bug's life.
The fuel cell hardware-in-loop test stand at the Hawai'i Fuel Cell Test Facility in Kaka'ako.
Natural Energy Seminar Series
Manoa’s Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute’s spring seminar series continues through May. All seminars will be held in POST 723, 3:15 p.m. (808) 956-8890- March 20—Hardware-in-Loop Fuel Cell Testing, Guenter Randolf
- April 3—Biorefining of Renewable Feedstocks for Biofuels and Bioplastics, Associate Professor Jian Yu
- April 10—Advanced, High Capacity Metal Hydrides for Hydrogen Storage, Professor Craig Jensen
- April 17—Latest Hardware-in-the-Loop Development and Fuel Cell Vehicle Simulation, Associate Specialist Mebs Virji
- April 2—The Current State of Photovoltaics, Assistant Researcher Eric Miller
- May 1—Physical and Dynamic Fuel Cell Models in Modelica, Assistant Specialist Kevin Davies
March 18–23—Sinisterabstract, a MFA thesis exhibition by Mark Maresca, Manoa, Commons Gallery, (808) 956-6888
March 19–22—Kapi'olani’s 19th Annual International festival, featuring lectures, exhibits, performances, demonstrations and more, (808) 734-9715
March 20—The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes presents a seminar on how to protect home and family from earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami, Hilo, Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria, 6 p.m., (808) 974-7642
March 21—John Hope Franklin lectures on Where Do We Go From Here: Some Reflections on Foreign and Domestic Policies, Manoa, Hemmenway Theatre, 6:30 p.m., (808) 956-8436
March 21—Manoa Assistant Professor Thomas Rosencranz performs works by Jackson, Scriabin and Bach, Manoa, Orvis Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., (808) 956-8742
March 22—Manoa Professor Gaye Chan speaks on her book Waikiki: A History of Forgetting and Remembering, Manoa, Henke 325, 12 p.m., (808) 956-3774
March 23, 24—The Hilo Acting Troupe and Dance Ensemble perform Aesop’s Fables and Carnival of the Animals, Hilo Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), (808) 974-9310
March 25—UH Centennial Celebration High Tea, with music by the Royal Hawaiian Band, Manoa, Hawai'i Hall, 2 p.m., (808) 956-5526
March 25—Assistant Professor I-Bei Lin performs works by Beethoven, Chopin and Bolling, Manoa, Orvis Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., (808) 956-8742
Announcements
Systemwide LGBTI Gathering
The first systemwide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex gathering takes place March 23–24 at the Manoa Campus Center Ballroom. The gathering seeks to build community and will engage participants in critical conversations to increase our appreciation of our own identities, our shared sense of community, and the opportunity for collective action.The LGBTI Commission believes that having this visible community-building gathering will help students, faculty, and staff of diverse communities develop a sense of identity within and build connections throughout the UH system. They encourage participants to take action and to engage in their own campuses as they serve as peers, colleagues, mentors, role models, and/or allies for LGBTI equality.
The gathering includes seminars, round-table discussions, readings and more. Scholarships are available for Neighbor Island Students to subsidize airfare. For more information call (808) 956-9250 or email.
Study in France Application Deadline Extended
Kapi'olani CC offers a new summer study abroad opportunity to Aix-En-Provence, France. The one-month program includes an intensive language program, a Kapi'olani-exclusive culinary excursion as well as opportunities for more excursions and cultural activities. The application deadline has been extended to April 1.Voted by the French as "the most desired French town to live in," Aix-en-Provence is graced with numerous fountains, narrow winding streets, and beautiful old buildings. Though small, Aix is equipped with all the modern facilities of a larger city and is bustling with life and amazing ambiance. The treasures of this quaint town make Aix enjoyable to explore as well as an ideal study abroad destination.