July 2010
Community and International Outreach
In the past month, I’ve had the opportunity to share the university’s goals and objectives and some of the good things that we’ve been working on with a number of community groups and business organizations, including the Hawaii Economic Association, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and the Organization of Women Leaders.
I also participated in the East-West Center’s very successful 50th Anniversary International Conference where I was a panel presenter and part of a great discussion on the challenges and opportunities in higher education with a global perspective. It was a wonderful conference, and I extend my congratulations to the East-West Center for putting it together and on celebrating its 50th anniversary.
I also recently traveled to Japan, where I was invited to speak at a symposium of the National Women’s Education Center of Japan focused on advancing women scientists in Japan. I had the opportunity to meet with our ambassador to Japan and with officials from the Japanese Ministry of Science and Technology. These opportunities help us lay the groundwork for strategic alliances with Japan, and I look forward to more discussions on collaborative efforts.
Campus news from my July report
- 2011 APEC Hawaii Host Committee Update
- Funds for West Oahu and Hawaii CC
- Construction Procurement Advisory Committee
- Kudos to UH administrators
- Hilo telescope captures first images
- National honors for Manoa faculty and staff
- Senator Inouye recognizes UH West Oahu
- Ocean exploration with the Hokulea
- Respiratory therapy students lobby
- New environmental challenges course
- Pumping energy into Maui campus
UH System News

Artist’s rendering of Hale Makana O Nanakuli
Senator recognizes UH West Oahu
Sen. Daniel Inouye joined Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims in recognizing projects supporting Leeward Oahu communities during a ceremony at the NFL YET Center in Nanakuli.
Sims presented a ceremonial check for $682,589 to UH West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni and community project partner representative Kali Watson, president of Hawaiian Community Development. UH West Oahu’s grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development support the Hale Makana O Nanakuli Community Center, which provides affordable long-term rental housing for families leaving the Waianae emergency shelter or transitional housing programs. Construction for the facility is slated to begin later this year.