WĀHINE MANA: RESISTANCE & RESILIENCE

2025 Virtual CSW Conference

The University of Hawaiʻi Commission on the Status of Women is proud to host its 2025 Wāhine Mana virtual conference. In ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, wāhine mana means both “powerful women” and “female empowerment.” The 2025 Wāhine Mana series features three webinars, exploring what grounds us and what drives us during periods of change. All are welcome!

#TradWife –The Women behind the Trend & Modern Feminist Reactions
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Nondiscrimination at UH: Continued Protections for All
Thursday, May 1, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Kūkulu Kumuhana Wellbeing Framework: Grounding in Ancestral Abundance
Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Accommodation Requests: If you would like to request accommodations, please contact event organizers at (808) 956-4564 or cctixo@hawaii.edu as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request.

Content Warning: Given the subject matter, some conference webinars may be emotionally upsetting. If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. 

All members of the UH Community are welcome to attend CSW webinars. These webinar events will not be recorded. Registration is required to attend the events.

All attendees are asked to come to this space with curiosity and an open mind and to engage in these challenging conversations with ahonui, haʻahaʻa, mālama, and most importantly, aloha. It is our kuleana as a UH Community to treat each other with patience, humility, care, and kindness.

Please note that this programming involves structured presentations. It is not an open forum. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters through a Q&A webinar function. Relevant audience questions will be posed to the presenters as time permits.

All participants and attendees are expected to abide by UH Policies, such as the following:

• Executive Policy EP 1.202 and Executive Policy EP 1.204– Nondiscrimination Policies, which prohibit harassment and discrimination.
• Executive Policy EP 9.210 – Workplace Non-Violence Policy, which prohibits threatening, abusive, and disruptive conduct by employees or students.
• Executive Policy 7.208 – Systemwide Student Conduct Code, which prohibits verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, bullying, etc. by UH students.
• Executive Policy EP 2.210 – Use and Management of Information Technology Resources Policy, which addresses misuse of UH technology resources.

Those who violate UH Policies may be subject to disciplinary action.

Disruptive attendees may be subject to removal from the webinar or other actions, to ensure others may fully benefit from the programming.

Nondiscrimination at UH:
Continued Protections for All
Thursday, May 1, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Given current events in the news, people may be wondering about the status of nondiscrimination policies and practices at the University. But, state and federal civil rights laws continue to provide foundational protections against discrimination based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, and gender expression. Learn about UH policies and resources that continue to address sex-based and gender-based misconduct and what you can do to create safe and welcoming spaces for all! Featuring Jessica Shaffer and Jamie Newalu.

Register here

Kūkulu Kumuhana Wellbeing Framework: Grounding in Ancestral Abundance
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Finding ways to prioritize your wellbeing for yourself and your ʻohana is critical during times of change and upheaval. Learn how traditional Hawaiian culture and values can offer grounding and renewal amid challenges. Featuring Dawn Rego-Yee.

Register here

The Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ Equality (“LGBTQ+ Commission”) and the Commission on the Status of Women (“CSW”) celebrate the ways that our differences make life at the University of Hawaiʻi richer. Further, we honor that our shared humanity demands common dignity.

Both Commissions recognize that uplifting our most vulnerable community members is our shared kuleana. We welcome people of all genders and sexual orientations to UH.

We understand that some of our community members, including those who are women, māhū, and/or LGBTQ+, feel anxious, afraid, or alone right now. During these difficult times, please know that we stand with you and we will continue to oppose discrimination in all its forms, including discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

The Commissions advocate for safe and welcoming UH campuses, free from discrimination of any kind. UH policy prohibits sex and gender-based discrimination. If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct, such as discrimination or harassment based on sex or gender, we encourage you to connect with UH resources. Confidential support is also available. Additionally, clubs and centers across UH provide community, safe spaces, and advocacy.

The LGBTQ+ Commission and CSW aim to cultivate a culture of equality, acceptance, and respect at UH by hosting awareness events, organizing conferences, and conducting studies. We meet regularly to discuss gender equity issues that impact UH students, faculty, and staff.

You can help make a difference! If you’re interested in becoming an LGBTQ+ Ally or Advocate, please reach out to your campus’ LGBTQ+ commissioners for more information on how you can help make a difference. If you would like to join CSW or attend one of our meetings, please email us at uhcsw@hawaii.edu.