News@UH
Image shows the newly-identified proteasome inhibitor Syringolin A (SylA) bound to the proteasome by a novel mechanism. Reprinted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: Nature (452: 755-758) copyright 2008.
New Anti-Cancer Agent
Manoa Assistant Professor André S. Bachmann, in collaboration with an international team of scientists worked out the structure and functional mechanism of a plant bacterium-produced molecule that may curb the growth of cancer cells. The discovery was part of the study “A Plant Pathogen Virulence Factor Inhibits the Eukaryotic Proteasome By a Novel Mechanism,” published in the April 10 issue of Nature.The study found that a molecule called Syringolin A inhibits the proteasome, which is a large cellular “machine” that biodegrades regulatory proteins necessary for proper cell growth, reproduction and cell death in animals, plants and microorganisms.
While proteasomes are abundant in normal cells, they can facilitate the cancerous state since cancer cells divide more rapidly and have undergone disruptions in their normal growth behavior.
Consequently, cancer cells are more sensitive to effects of proteasome inhibitors, and adjusted drug dosages will protect normal cells while killing cancer cells. This specificity for cancer cells gives this new and unique type of agent a distinct advantage over other types of cancer drugs and promises reduced side effects during patient treatment.
Cancer Mortality Among Polynesians
A study by Epidemiology Program Director Loic Le Marchand and collaborating scientists reports that Native Hawaiians, Maoris and other Polynesians die at higher rates from cancer compared to whites of European ancestry who settled in the Pacific islands. The study will be published in The Lancet Oncology.The researchers studied cancer incidence, survival, and mortality across Polynesian populations scattered across a vast triangle in the Pacific from Hawai'i in the north, to Easter Island in the east, and New Zealand in the south.
The studies found that Native Hawaiians, Maoris, and Pacific Islanders have higher overall cancer mortality rates than whites living in the same areas. Native Hawaiians smoke slightly more than whites, but have a significantly higher risk of getting lung cancer for the same smoking history, suggesting they are more susceptible to the carcinogenic properties of cigarette smoke.
“Education regarding cancer screening programs, diet and smoking could help address this problem,” says Le Marchand. “With these data, we can help advocate for more funding to support culturally appropriate programs, including education and better health care to help individuals quit smoking or make cancer treatments more available to those who need it. These would lower the cancer burden in the Polynesian communities.”
Moamahi Project Grant
Hilo’s Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikolani College of Hawaiian Language received a $100,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Moamahi project grant will assist in the production of the revised edition of the Na Honua Mauli Ola Hawai'i Guidelines for Culturally Healthy and Responsive Learning Environments and its teacher preparation program Kahuawaiola.The one-year Moamahi project will revise and publish edition two of Na Honua Mauli Ola Hawai'i Guidelines, which will contain a new toolkit section for students, educators, schools and institutions, community and families.
“More than 10,000 copies of the original book have been disseminated and are now being used by schools and programs across the state, nationally and internationally,” says Keiki Kawai'ae'a, programs director of the Hale Kuamo'o Hawaiian Language Center. “In response to numerous requests, the revised edition will include a section on the cultural pathways, strategies and rubrics."
Professor Bryan G. Cook, right, with Curry School of Education Professor John Lloyd.
James M. Kauffman Publication Award
Manoa Professor Bryan G. Cook was awarded the James M. Kauffman Publication award from the Curry School of Education for his work on the side effects of inclusion for students with learning disabilities. His work was published in a special issue of Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal.Each year, the special education faculty of the Curry School of Education selects a scholarly work that reflects the ideals of James M. Kauffman and results in knowledge leading to exemplary special education practices. “It is a great honor to be recognized by one of the most distinguished special education programs in the country and to be associated with the work and legacy of Jim Kauffman,” says Cook.
Manoa Alcohol Project Progress
The Manoa Alcohol Project prevention efforts at Manoa may be beginning to produce positive changes in students’ drinking behaviors. A series of surveys conducted over the past three years show that Manoa students tend to drink alcohol less than their peers at other universities, and also show some decline in numbers of Manoa students who drink and who “binge drink.” However, prevention efforts will need to continue over the long term to create meaningful change among the minority of students who practice high risk drinking, and to alert students to the danger of driving after drinking.The Manoa data is based on 479 respondents from a random sample of 3,400 undergraduates. A comparison between Manoa and the national reference group indicates that alcohol consumption is lower at Manoa than for institutions of higher education on average.
The overall goal of the Manoa Alcohol Project was to reduce alcohol consumption among freshman residents. The project aimed to correct student misperceptions of drinking norms through posters, games, and small group education. The project also sought to increase harm reduction practices among those who chose to drink.
Kudos
Hilo Associate Professor Harald Barkhoff and Hawai'i Assistant Professor Taupouri Tangaro had their paper, “Uluakea—Hawaiian Place-Based Educational Teaching of Sport Psychology” accepted for presentation at the Third International Conference on the Teaching of Psychology in St. Petersburg, Russia.Jerry Calton, Hilo professor, and Roxanne Salen, candidate for the China-U.S. relations master of arts program, will present a “Sinopec and Global Corporate Citizenship: Institutional, Strategic and Discursive Perspectives on the Greening of Business Legitimacy Claims in the New China” at the Corporate Reputation, Brand Identity, and Competitiveness conference in Beijing, China.
Hilo Associate Dean Sonia Juvik and Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center Director Gail Makuakane-Lundin had their paper, “Transforming Institutions of Higher Education in the Pacific: Supporting the Academic Success of Indigenous Students” accepted for presentation at the 2008 WASC Academic Resource Conference in San Diego, CA.
Cecilia Mukai, Hilo associate professor, and Emress Matsumoto, Nurse CARE project manager, presented a poster in Washington, D.C. during an HRSA All-Grantees Meeting.
Kapi'olani Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Louise Pagotto was honored with the Distinguished Administrator Award at Phi Theta Kappa’s 90th International Convention, held in Philadelphia, PA.
Manoa Assistant Professor Andrew Reilly’s "Gay Men Who Sun, Salon and Cosmetic Tan: Differences in Body Image, Self-Esteem and Internalized Homophobia" has been accepted to the Making Sense Of: Health, Illness and Disease conference to be held at Mansfield College, Oxford, England.
Endowment Donation
Isemoto Contracting Chairman Larry Isemoto donated $50,000 to build an endowment for Hilo’s five degree-granting colleges—College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business and Economics; College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management; College of Hawaiian Language; and College of Pharmacy. The funds will be used at the discretion of the deans of the respective colleges to support the recruitment and retention of faculty.Isemoto Contracting has been involved in a number of construction projects over the years on the Hilo campus and is currently completing work on the new Student Life and Event Center, set to open this fall.
“This gift will have a transforming impact on UH Hilo because it responds to two of the university’s highest priorities: building our endowment and investing in our faculty,” says Chancellor Rose Tseng.
Student Kudos
Manoa senior Tiffany Baring won first prize for her poster at the American Association of Anatomists convention. Her poster A New Spontaneous Mutation (tuft) Causing Defective Neuropore Closure and Craniofacial Lipoma Maps to Proximal Chromosome 10 in the 3H1 Mouse focuses on the study of a brain deformity discovered in a mouse.Hilo sophomore Brian Yannutz was awarded a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hollings Scholarship. Yannutz will receive two years of academic assistance up to $8,000 for full-time study during the nine-month academic year, and a 10-week, full-time summer stipend-supported internship at a NOAA facility. He hopes to become involved in a scientific diving project in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands or study shark behaviors on the Pacific Coast.
Safe Jumping
Hilo Lecturer Sarah Blanchard published Jump with Joy: Positive Coaching for Horse and Rider.Understanding the concepts of jumping benefits both rider and horse in any equestrian discipline. With a logical, step-by-step progression, purely positive training methods, simple exercises, a conversational tone and lots of photos and diagrams, this book helps any rider aged 13 or over master the complex tasks in safely learning to jump.
Jump with Joy guides aspiring riders with a green horse from the first jump to riding a challenging course in a show ring, building confidence all along the way.
Jump with Joy: Positive Coaching for Horse and Rider is available from the publisher’s website.
Anniversary List
Photo Highlights
Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’s Urban Garden Center hosted Ag Awareness Day in April with more than 500 students from seven elementary schools on O'ahu. The popular event strives to increase awareness of agriculture and the environment, and to introduce students to career opportunities in agriculture and the environmental studies.
UH School of Social Work staff and students participated in the 17th Annual Honolulu AIDS Walk in Kapi'olani Park on April 20th, 2008. Photo by Rose DeAquino.
Culinary Arts Gala
Leeward presents the L'ulu, Leeward Culinary Arts Gala, Sat., May 10, 6 p.m. This event is an opportunity to invest in educational opportunities for culinary students, and brings together the leaders of Hawai'i’s regional cuisine. The evening features cuisine from Hawai‘i’s finest chefs, entertainment and a silent auction complimented by an array of wines, beers, spirits and specialty coffees and teas to complete the festive atmosphere.The Culinary Arts Program will also be unveiling the Hawai'i Regional Cuisine Wall of Fame. Chef Roy Yamaguchi will be honored this year. (808) 455-0300
More Events
May 8—Former Governor Ben Cayetano speaks in the Nisei Veterans Endowed Forum Series, Leadership in a Changing World, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, 9 a.m., RSVP by May 5, (808) 956-5790
May 9—Stars of the Pharaohs reenacts the mythological creation of the Egyptian universe, Windward, Hale Hokulani Imaginarium, 7 p.m., (808) 235-7433
May 10, 11—Windward’s Paliku Theatre presents Dueling, Dancing, and Romancing, scenes and monologues performed by students, (808) 236-9138
May 10, 11—Great Moments in Opera conducted by Associate Professor Ken Staton, Hilo Performing Arts Center, (808) 974-7310
Through the second week of May—Maui students exhibit their work in painting, digital media, sculpture, fashion design and more, Maui, Library, (808) 984-3202
Announcements
Fall 2008 Faculty and Staff Tuition Waivers
Eligible University of Hawai'i employees (this does not apply to graduate assistants) may enroll in credit courses in the university system and use a Faculty/Staff Tuition Waiver to pay for a maximum of 6 credit hours per semester. Employees must first apply for admission (submit a UH Admission Application Form to the Admissions Office) by the appropriate deadline and be admitted before registering for classes.Employees should disregard the scheduled registration time given to them by MyUH since Faculty/Staff Tuition Waivers are valid only for classes registered during the Late Registration Period, Aug. 25–Sept. 3. Employees must register on MyUH web site. Faculty and staff who register before the late registration period will be assessed all applicable tuition and fees. No refunds will be made.
Tuition and fees must be paid in full by Wed., Sept. 3, 2008, 4 p.m. (HST). Please refer to the Fall 2008 Schedule of Classes for detailed information.
For more information, contact the UH Cashier's Office at 956-7554, email or visit the website.
Manoa Fall 2008 Tuition Payment Deadline—July 18
Tuition and fees for students registering April 30 to July 18, 2008 must be paid in full or enrollment in the Payment Plan by Fri., July 18, 2008, 4 p.m. (HST). UH Installment Payment Plan will be offered starting July 1, 2008; see MyUH portal for details.If full payment or enrollment in the Installment Payment Plan is not made by July 18th, 4 p.m. (HST), your registration will be canceled.
Note: If you are a fall 2008 financial aid recipient, please disregard the July 18 deadline, your deadline is Wed., Sept. 3, 2008, 4 p.m. (HST). Please refer to the Fall 2008 Schedule of Classes for detailed information.
Full payment or enrollment in the Payment Plan must be POSTED to your MyUH account by July 18, 2008, 4 p.m. (HST).
Payment can be made with a credit card (MasterCard, VISA, or JCB); E-check or savings; or sign up for the Installment Payment Plan over the web by connecting to MyUH.
Check payments can be mailed to University of Hawai'i Cashier’s Office, 2600 Campus Road, QLC 105, Honolulu, HI, 96822-2205. Students should allow a minimum of 5 days for mail delivery to meet the payment deadline. Students should use the Mail-In Payment Remittance Form in the Fall 2008 Schedule of Classes to mail in their payment. Campus mail and drop off payments are not accepted.
Payment by cash or check can be made in person at the Cashier's Office, Student Services Center, First Floor, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For students’ convenience, the Cashier’s Office will have extended window service hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the period July 17 – July 18, 2008.
For more information, contact the UH Cashier's Office at 956-7554, email or visit the website.
Nominations Sought for Governor's Awards for Service
The university is accepting nominations for the 2008 Governor's Awards for Distinguished State Service, State Manager of the Year and Team of the Year. The deadline to submit nominations for the 2008 Governor's Awards is Fri., May 30, 2008.The three awards—Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year and Team of the Year—are designed to honor the state's executive branch employees and managers who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication to serving the people of Hawai'i.
Nominations are to be submitted to the Office of Human Resources, 2440 Campus Road, by May 30, 2008.
A memo from the president, detailed instructions, nomination forms and selection criteria for the three award categories may be viewed at the OHR homepage. For more information call 956-8607.