SSW News
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by Uri Yanay  Photo l to r: Uri Yanay presents a gift to dean Jon K. Matsuoka Photo and story by Jackie Graessle |
by Uri Yanay On August 20, 2009, visiting scholar Uri Yanay gave a brown-bag presentation entitled Social workers at the front: The Israeli Case. Highlighted were some of the challenges facing social workers in Israel, including a constant stream of immigrants with housing, medical and mental health needs, and what it is like to live under the constant threat of terrorist acts. His interest in restorative justice and indigenous healing led to meetings with healers in the Native Hawaiian community as well as judges, correctional workers and victim advocacy workers. His research also took him to Kaua'i and Maui. Professor Yanay researches and teaches at the School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In recent years, his studies have focused on social policy and welfare services designed for victims of crime and terrorism. Part of his research examines ways to empower victims and help them emerge from that role. |
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Commission on Global Social Work Education  |
Commission on Global Social Work Education Dr. Jon Matsuoka, dean of the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawai‘i Manoa, has been given the prestigious honor of being named Chair of the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Global Social Work Education. The commission works with various organizations to promote international programs and to develop international dimensions of social work curricula. The Chair is tasked with, among other things, providing leadership in global social work education and research. According to Dr. Ira Colby, president of CSWE, “[Matsuoka] brings a wealth of international and cross cultural experience to this important volunteer position. He has a special interest in indigenous populations and global climate change as relevant for social work education and the social work profession.” Since Matsuoka became dean, the School has experienced unprecedented international relationships, resulting in collaborations with Philippines, China, Japan, Thailand, Palau, and the Northern Marianas. Students are regularly sent abroad for practicum experiences. He is also credited with the development of the 2007 five-day conference entitled “Indigenous Voices in Social Work: Not Lost in Translation.” The event attracted indigenous healers, teachers, and participants from places such as Aotearoa, Africa, Guam, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Canada, the Americas, Australia, Fiji, Tonga, Taiwan, and Hawai‘i. |
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We send our best wishes and bid a fond aloha to Shannon Toriki, Student Assistant as she graduated this summer with her B.A. in Economics. Shannon served just over two years in the SSW Admissions Office and was a nominee for Student Employee of the Year in 2008. She was noted for her professional excellence and interpersonal skills in working with students, faculty, and the campus community. Shannon will be assuming her new role as a Native Hawaiian Policy Center Fellow for the Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to capacity building and providing support services to agencies and organizations focused primarily on Native communities in Hawaii and the Pacific. We see a bright future ahead for Shannon and will miss her gracious presence in our School! Mahalo a nui & we wish you all the best, Shannon! |
 l to r: Ryan Nakaima of Nan, Inc., Practicum Instructor Lei Shimizu, MSW Student Chuck Wilson |
The students and faculty at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work are all too familiar with the need to help struggling Hawai‘i residents, and Nan, Inc. has always made giving back to the community a regular part of the company’s practice. It all started in the Spring of 2005 when master of social work student, Leven “Chuck” Wilson, was assigned a practicum placement at Adult Protective Services. With a background in business, Chuck was driven with an idea to help his client who was suffering from physical and mental-health problems and facing foreclosure of her eight-bedroom home that had been neglected for nearly 25 years. “It just didn’t make sense to me to see this person…lose everything because of circumstances beyond her control,” said Wilson. Working with his practicum instructor, Lei Shimizu, Wilson met with the City and County of Honolulu and State officials, but neither were in a position to help at the time. Although he knew it was a long shot, he decided to look online for a local construction company that could save his client’s home. The first company he called was Nan, Inc. To his surprise, they told him yes and started work on the nearly-condemned home in March 2007. Since then, Nan, Inc., with donations from other companies, has spent over $130,000 to completely rebuild the home at no cost to the home-owner. “When we were approached by Chuck, it was clear that it was the right thing to do. We also encouraged our young engineers to get involved to learn that you must first give in life before you receive,” said Fooney Freestone, President of Nan, Inc., who sacrificed his weekends with numerous volunteers at the construction site. The School and Nan, Inc. gave special thanks to others who provided time, materials and/or money, including Mason Architects, Inc., MH Electric Co., CB Tech Services, Inc., Paradise Landscape Maintenance, Allied Pacific Builders, S & S Tile, Divison X, Inc., ICI Paints, Cunningham Cabinets, Ltd., Rasco Supply, Mutual Plumbing Supply Co., Inc., Honsador Lumber Corp., MAC Products, Inc., RSI Roofing & Building Supply, White Cap Construction Supply, Dial Electric Supply Co., Inc., Island Pacific Distributors, Inc., Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., Grabber Pacific, the many volunteers from Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, and the City and County, who waived nearly $80,000 in fees and fines. “This was an ‘ohana bailout,” said Wilson. “We were able to keep this person in her home and her house out of foreclosure. I was able to learn the meaning of aloha through this project—it was about a group of people with only an idea coming together to help someone in need without expecting anything in return.” Nan, Inc. vice-president Ryan Nakaima said, “During these tough economic times, I hope this story raises awareness about our neighbors in need and inspires those in a position to help to get involved and make a difference.” The blessing of the residence, performed by School faculty members Rev. Kaleo Patterson and Ha‘aheo Guanson, took place on July 19, 2009. The event was covered by KHNL News 8. The School and Nan, Inc. each received awards from Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland for their outstanding community outreach. Wilson has since graduated. |
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Recent Master of Social Work graduate Kehau Padilla participated in the School’s Native Hawaiian Learning Program with financial support from OHA and Kamehameha Schools. She was mentored by the School’s Native Hawaiian Kupuna and consultant, Lynette Paglinawan. Her capstone project resulted in a community cooperative that will serve to Working with community members, they formed a consumer's coop that will own the market. The market will sell fresh fruits and vegetables and locally made products from suppliers in the community and the surrounding area. The idea is to buy local and eat fresh. The profits from this market will go back into the Waimanalo community by supporting youth and kupuna programs that serve local residents. The market is governed as a retail cooperative with a non-profit foundation that reinvests market profits in the community via grants and micro-loans. The mission is to promote, strengthen, and maintain community-based economic development in Waimanalo by operating a fresh produce market cooperative that will reinvest profits to support youth and cultural programs while reviving sustainable agriculture. Formed as an alternative to the high-fat, low nutritive food offerings that dominate the Waimanalo food system, the Waimanalo Market serves as a critical resource for the community by increasing access to fresh, healgthy locally grown foodsm and as a venue for the sale of home grown produce. Phase I of the project will be a virtual market that will launch this summer and Phase II will be on site. kehau@waimanalomarket.com our website is still in construction - www.waimanalomarket.com. |
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Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Students in the Philippines The Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work is sending its fourth cohort of MSW students to the Philippines to engage in a summer practicum experience. The international program is supported by the Consuelo Foundation. The students will spend 10 weeks at Consuelo supported programs in Dumaguete, and Bohol that address the needs of children and families. The picture represents those who have previously been involved and Chris Smith, Erica Rimando, and Georgia Clariza who will be going to Philippines this summer.  |
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Congratulations to the Spring 2009 BSW Students who made the Dean's List for their excellent academic performance. The Dean’s List distinction is awarded to undergraduate students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more graded credits, without receiving grades of W, I, F or NC for that semester. Click on this link to view the List. |
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Dr. Rey Martinez, LMSW, associate professor at the New Mexico Highlands University, recently gave a wonderful brown-bag presentation entitled "Conducting and Teaching Culturally Competent Social Work Research" for faculty and students. Dr. Martinez is a UH alum. |
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In June, 2009, the School's Board of Advisors held their quarterly meeting.  Front row, l to r: Masaru Oshiro, Elena Gaborno, board chair Patti Lyons, Lorraine Robinson. Back row, l to r: dean Jon Matsuoka, Al Nakatani, Speaker Calvin Say, Lynn Watanabe, Jennifer Cilfone, Susan Doyle, and Sally Kanehe Lampson. Click on this link to see the full board of advisors |
 Front Row L to R: alumnus/lecturer Marty Oliphant, faculty member Jackie Graessle, alumnus Michael Esquibil, secretary/treasurer Kathy Kreinic, and faculty member Nathan Chang To find out more about joining this organization, log onto http://www.alumniconnections.com/hawaii/. |
 Second row l to r: Bernie Strand, Sanford Sasaki, Sally Kanehe Lampson, Carrie Shklov, Leatapo "Ata" Kaleopa, Lisa Kiehl, Jennifer Cilfone, Jonathan Parker, Michelle Sajona, Eddie Mersereau, Nathan Chang, Marty Oliphant, Dolly Tatofi, and dean Jon Matsuoka. If you are interested in more information about this important organization, please contact president Jennifer Cilfone at JCilfone@FamilyProgramsHi or vice president Sally Kanehe at Skanehe@aol.com. To join, simply click onto this link - http://www.alumniconnections.com/hawaii/ - and choose social work as your affiliation. |
 Pictured l to r: Michael Ullman and Dean Jon K. Matsuoka |
On June 1, 2009, Michael Ullman successfully defended his doctoral dissertation entitled "Factors Related to Program Retention in a Transitional Substance Abuse Treatment Program for Homeless Veterans". Ullman's dissertation committee included Dr. Susan Chandler (chair) and Drs. Eddie Wong, John Gartrell, Karl Kim and Hamilton McCubbin. |
 Pictured l to r: Bryan Nakamura (Stagner's ho'oponopono graduate assistant who presented the award), Dr. Rev. Kaleo Patterson - President of PJRC and SW peace studies teacher, awardee Dr. Ishmael Stagner, & Dr. Ha'aheo Guanson - E.D. of PJRC and SW peace studies teacher. |
On Saturday, March 28, 2009, school kupuna Dr. Ishmael Stagner, specialist on cultural protocol, teacher of ho'oponopono, scholar, historian, and mentor, was recently presented with an award from the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center (PJRC) for his tireless work in this area. Stagner, instructed and mentored by the likes of Mary Kawena Puku'i, holds a special place with the Myron B. Thompson SSW. He was instrumental in advising planners on matters of cultural protocol for the highly successful conference "Indigenous Voices in Social Work: Not Lost in Translation" for which the School remains forever grateful. Story and photo by Jackie Graessle |
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The 7th Annual Practicum Instructor's Appreciation Luncheon was held on April 30, 2009 at The Willows. There were as many as 80 PIs and several of the School of Social Work faculty was in attendance. The luncheon is held as an expression of appreciation to those who give so much of their time to help prepare the School's students to become social workers. 
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 L to r: Puanani Burgess, Ho'oipo DeCambra  L to r: Tony Alvarez, Amy Agbayani  L to r: Crystal Mills, Ann Alvarez, Nathan Chang |
Amy Agbayani and Puanani Burgess have been honored as Living Treasures of Hawaii by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii's annual program which started 33 years ago. Amy Agbayani is the founding director of the Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity program at University of Hawaii and Puanani Burgess is the executive director of the Waianae Coast Community Alternative Development Corp.  L to r: Ron Matayoshi, Jackie Graessle  L to r: Jackie Graessle, Puanani Burgess, Ho'oipo DeCambra To read the article of the 2009 Living Treasures from the Honolulu Star Bulleting, click on this link. |
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Jackie Graessle (second from left) was recently elected chair of the University of Hawai'i Commission on the Status of Women. The commissioners recently held their bi-annual meeting with UH President David McClain (center). Click on this link to go to the UH Commission on the Status of Women Website |
 L to r: Senator Norman Sakamoto and Jon Matsuoka  L to r: Representative Karen Awana and Jon Matsuoka |
The Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work participated in the Opening of the Legislature in January and met with State Senators and Representatives.  L to r: Rebecca Stotzer, Jing Guo, Nathan Chgang, Representative John Mizuno, Jackie Graessle (bottom center), Ann Alvarez, Jon Matsuoka & Crystal Mills |
BSW junior Leona Kapiko was awarded 3rd prize for her poem "Just Imagine" in the "Why Diversity Matters" competition. 
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The UH Manoa Commission on Diversity sponsored a poetry contest and BSW junior Leona Kapiko was awarded 3rd prize for the following poem: Just Imagine" in the "Why Diversity Matters" competition held by the UHM Commission on Diversity in March. Click on this link to read the poem. Click on this link to read the 1st place essay & other news worthy articles in the UHM Commission on Diversity Spring 2009 Newsletter. |
2009 Human Rights Day: "Creating a Culture of Peace" |
The Theme for the 2009 Human Rights Day at the Legislature was "Creating a Culture of Peace." This event is sponsored by Representative Lyla Berg.  Pictured l to r in front of the School's booth are dean Jon K. Matsuoka, school friend Joshua Cooper, and faculty members Jackie Graessle and Mari Ono. |
 Crystal Mills and Jeanie Conner |
On March 5, 2009, the School cosponsored a presentation of the Michigan Mental Health Model. Co PIs included Michigan's Joan Abbey and Jeanie Conner. Presenting the model were Dr. Crystal Mills and Jeanie Conner, MSW. A special mahalo goes out to cosponsors Hawai'i Family Support Institute (in particular, Gaily Breakey), and First Relationships. This event was well-attended by nurses, social workers, public health workers, and others in related fields.  |
"It's More than Just Medication: Psychopharmacology for Social Workers." |
On March 4, 2009, the School hosted Dr. Sophia F. Dziegielewski who gave a presentation entitled "It's More than Just Medication: Psychopharmacology for Social Workers." It was attended by faculty and students.  Dr. Dziegielewski |
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Malina Kaulukukui provided the first of a series of brown bag presentations on indigenous issues. This was entitled: Indigenous Healing: A First Nation's Response to the Massacre at Wounded Knee. |
 Heberle with the dean and her dissertation committee l to r: Jon Matsuoka (dean), Dennis Ogawa, Paula Morelli, Heberle, Judith Daniels, and Kathryn Braun |
Congratulations Kyoko Yokoyama Heberle for successfully defending her dissertation entitled "Tsuraikeredomo Ganbaru: Japanese Women's Journeys Through Acculturation"  L to r: Heberle with PhD Program Chair Paula Morelli |
 Pictured from left to right: Dean Jon Matsuoka, Dr. Ernestine Enomoto, Dr. Kathryn Braun, Katalina McGlone, Dr. Davianna McGregor, Dr. Susan Chandler and Noreen Mokuau |
Congratulations to Katalina McGlone for passing her final examination and defense of her dissertation entitled: "Raised Hanai: Recollections of Hawaiian Adults" Mahalo to her Chair: Dr. Noreen Mokuau; Committee Members: Drs. Kathryn Braun, Susan Chandler, Ernestine Enomoto, & Davianna McGregor |
  
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A bit of history: 'Ohana Day began in 2004 after one of our students lost his family home in a fire on New Year's eve. The GSO officers of that year created a family-centered fund raising event to help his family rebuild their home (which they eventually did!). Since that time, 'Ohana Day has been a special event for all students, faculty, staff, your friends and families to gather & simply spend fun time together! This year's Ohana Day was held on Sunday, February 15 at Ala Moana Beach Park (Magic Island). Congratulations on a wonderful event and thanks to everyone who participated.    
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Congratulations to the Fall 2008 BSW Students who made the Dean's List for their excellent academic performance. The dean’s list distinction is awarded to undergraduate students with a grade point ratio of 3.5 or better without receiving grades of W, I, F or NC for that semester. Click on this link to see who made it on the Dean's List |
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The 2009 Practicum Fair was held on January 30, 2009 at the University of Hawaii Campus Center Ballroom. Many of the social service organizations had booths and displays to share information with students and anyone else interested. It was an excellent way to meet future employers, network with future colleagues, and find out what kind of opportunities are out there. Here are a few pictures of the event:     |
 
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On January 26, 2009 at 10:00am in the State Capitol Rotunda, the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work's faculty and students took part in a rally to increase awareness of the importance of health, housing and human services for Hawai'i's most vulnerable - children, the elderly, physically challenged, mentally challenged, the underserved, the homeless... In uncertain financial times, it is usually those at the lowest economic levels of the community that are most impacted. Cuts are often made in health and human services with devastating results to our most vulnerable citizens. The following are pictures from the rally: 
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 Myron "Pinky" Thompson   |
The Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work hosted a dinner to celebrate its new name, on December 9, 2008 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Almost 400 guests attended the event which featured entertainment by the Nahenahe Singers, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble and Haunani Apoliona. Pinky Thompson's family were guests of honor and his grand daughter Tia Blankenfeld began the evening by reading Pinky's Pule. Funds raised from the event helped to establish the Myron B. Thompson Endowed Scholarship in Social Work Nainoa Thompson, who could not attend the dinner, wrote the following speech that was read by the dean. Click on this link to view Nainoa Thompson's speech. (PDF)  |
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