Homecoming at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was a night of celebration. Fans cheered as the Rainbow Warriors defeated the Portland State Vikings on September 13, and the university honored its 2025 awardees with a special on-field recognition for their outstanding contributions.
Related UH News story: 2025 Mānoa Awards spotlight campus excellence
The Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex buzzed with energy as UH President Wendy Hensel and UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos joined the honorees on the field at halftime. Their achievements were highlighted on the video board for the UH ʻohana and community to celebrate.
“What a great event this was to celebrate our faculty and staff excellence at UH Mānoa—from teaching to research to service,” Syrmos said.
For honorees, the recognition was unforgettable. “It was a thrilling experience being on the field and feeling the energy of the crowd,” said Kenny Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan, assistant faculty specialist in the Department of Information and Computer Sciences and recipient of the Pakela Award for Most Outstanding Academic Advisor. “I want to send my gratitude to the University of Hawaiʻi for recognizing us in such a special way.”
Melissa Price, associate professor of natural resources and environmental management and recipient of the Presidential Citation for Meritorious Teaching, shared her excitement: “Receiving this teaching award alongside my own teacher, Dr. Chris Park, was such a unique and special experience. I’m grateful to have celebrated with friends, family, and former students—and to top it off with a Warriors victory!”
Other UH Mānoa 2025 awardees joining Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan and Price on the field were Sladjana Prišić, Michele Inouchi, Mapuana Antonio, Matthew Cain, Sloan Coats, Chad Miller, Chris Park, Kaori Tamura, Michael Liu and members of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience Academic Advising team: Maile Sing, Kayden Iwasaki and Irene Morrow.
The halftime spotlight has become a Homecoming tradition, celebrating the university’s dedicated faculty, staff and students. The honorees were recognized at a formal ceremony in April at Kennedy Theatre, and full biographies of all 2025 award recipients are available on the UH Mānoa Awards website.
