More than a dozen leaders with University of Hawaiʻi ties were named to Honolulu Magazine’s inaugural Celebrating Wāhine Awards, which recognize women across the state for their impactful contributions in fields ranging from education and health care to sports, business and the arts.
UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham and UH Mānoa Women’s Basketball Head Coach Laura Beeman were among the honorees at an event at Mariposa at Neiman Marcus on September 10.
A Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) scholar and educator, Benham became UH West Oʻahu’s chancellor in 2017 after serving as the first dean of UH Mānoa’s Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. She began her teaching career in 1978 and has been recognized nationally and internationally for her work in leadership, education and community building. Benham has authored several books, served on major community boards, and continues to advance Native Hawaiian knowledge and collective leadership initiatives. Benham will step down from her role at the end of 2025. Read more on Ka Puna O Kaloʻi.
“E ola ka ʻāina, e ola ka naʻauao, e ola ke aloha. To be part of this inaugural cohort of Celebrating Wāhine honorees is both humbling and inspiring,” Benham said. “This is an extraordinary circle of women who are shaping Hawaiʻi with brilliance, compassion and courage. This recognition reminds me that leadership is always shared—rooted in aloha, guided by kuleana and lived through service to community.”
Entering her 14th season at the helm of the program, Beeman is a four-time Big West Coach of the Year who has led the Rainbow Wāhine to three Big West Championship titles, four regular-season crowns, and nine postseason appearances, including three NCAA Tournaments. Under her leadership, UH women’s basketball has reached historic milestones, including back-to-back NCAA berths and consecutive regular-season titles. Beeman is the second-winningest coach in program history and a driving force behind the sustained success of the ‘Bows.
“It is an honor to be recognized among so many remarkable leaders in our state,” Beeman said. “Thank you to AIO group, Pacific Business News and Honolulu Magazine for supporting women throughout the state and cultivating a continued environment of growth and positive leadership.”
More UH alumni honorees:
- Kimberly Agas—general manager, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
- Dani Aiu—executive vice president of consumer banking, American Savings Bank
- Tracy Camuso—principal, G70
- Erin Isa Donle—vice president and general manager, Neiman Marcus Honolulu
- Sherry Menor—president and chief executive officer, Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi
- Lisa Ontai—interim president and CEO, vice president of marketing and mission advancement, YMCA of Honolulu
- Teri Orton—general manager, Hawaiʻi Convention Center
- Stefanie Park—vice president and chief medical officer, HMSA
- Monica Salter—vice president, global communications and social responsibility, Outrigger Hospitality Group
- Sydney Shibuya—associate program manager, risk factor control, American Heart Association
- Susan Soken—vice president of advertising, First Hawaiian Bank
- Claire Tong—vice president, marketing and communications, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
- Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu—Native Hawaiian community leader
