University Language Access Webpage
The University of Hawaiʻi is committed to building a more inclusive and diverse community. This includes working to ensure that institutional barriers to the University’s essential programs and services are removed for individuals who have limited English proficiency. Hawaiʻi has one of the highest per-capita rates of limited English proficient persons (“LEP persons”) in the nation; those who have limited English proficiency in any one or more of four different domains – speaking, writing, reading, and listening/understanding. The University’s goal is to affirmatively address the language access needs for LEP persons, not only to meet state and federal laws concerning non-discrimination on the basis of national origin, but to ensure that we are promoting the full participation of those in our community, and optimizing our potential to become a richer and more engaging learning and working environment.
The University is affirmatively and continually working to enhance language access services for LEP persons to ensure that they will have meaningful access to essential University services and programs in areas that include health, safety, compliance, and student affairs. To this end, the University Language Access Committee, composed of members from the University System as well as each of the ten campuses, is charged with assessing the University’s areas of need and current resources and facilitating improvements to language assistance services.
Language Access Coordinators*
| Campus | Coordinator | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UH Hilo | Shaunda Makaimoku | Compliance Officer, EEO/Title IX | shaunda@hawaii.edu |
| UH Mānoa | Debra Ishii | Assistant to the Senior Executive, President’s Office | debrai@hawaii.edu |
| UH Mānoa | Dina Yoshimi | Associate Professor, East Asian Languages and Literatures | dinar@hawaii.edu |
| UH Mānoa – CTAHR | Emilie Kirk | Assistant Extension Agent, CTAHR | erkirk@hawaii.edu |
| UH Mānoa – CTAHR | Jeff Goodwin | Interim Associate Dean, CTAHR | jeffg3@hawaii.edu |
| UH Maui College | Brian Moto | Special Assistant to the Chancellor | bmoto@hawaii.edu |
| UH West Oʻahu | Beverly Baligad | Director of Compliance/Title IX Coordinator | bbaligad@hawaii.edu |
| Community College System | Christine Chun | Director of Compliance, EEO/AA, and Title IX, Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges | csychun@hawaii.edu |
| Hawaiʻi Community College | Kesha Kubo | Coordinator, Student Affairs-Information Center | keshas@hawaii.edu |
| Hawaiʻi Community College | Christine Quintana | Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs | cdamate@hawaii.edu |
| Honolulu Community College | Wayne Sunahara | Interim Dean, Communications and Services Programs | waynens@hawaii.edu |
| Kapiʻolani Community College | Jan Fried | Interim Dean, Communications and Services Programs | jfried@hawaii.edu |
| Kauaʻi Community College | Calvin Shirai | Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services | shiraic@hawaii.edu |
| Leeward Community College | Tom Hirsbrunner | Title IX Coordinator | hirsbrun@hawaii.edu |
| Windward Community College | Karen Cho | Human Resources Manager | kcho@hawaii.edu |
*All LAC Coordinators also serve as LAC Committee Members
Additional Language Access Committee Members
University of Hawaiʻi System
Brian Aune
Investigator and Compliance Officer
Compliance, EEO/AA, and Title IX, Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges
Tamami Mohandie
Institutional Analyst, System EEO/AA Office
Keala Monaco
Executive Assistant, President’s Office
Corey Nakamoto
Lead Investigator, System EEO/AA Office
Jennifer Rose
Director, Office of Institutional Equity
Ryan Tanaka
CTE Educational Technology and Civil Rights Specialist
Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education
Dee Uwono
Interim Director of the System EEO/AA Office
Director & Title IX Coordinator for University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Additional Information and Resources on Language Access
U.S. Department of Justice: LEP.gov
Hawaiʻi Office of Language Access: health.hawaii.gov/ola/
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FORTHCOMING
