Ka Pe‘ahi Lono: Monthly Message for April 2024

Date/Time sent: 04/01/2024 12:00 pm

Hoʻokāhi ka ilau like ana (Wield the paddles together)

Aloha mai kākou e UH West Oʻahu ʻOhana!

It is Spring!! Hereʻs a springtime haiku to brighten your day by Paul Holmes:

Crescent of colours
Arching high above our heads.
Sunshine brings us hope.

Spring also means that we will soon be celebrating the accomplishments of our 2024 graduates. Mark the date – Saturday, May 4, 2024. You will receive more detailed information as well as signups to volunteer/support the set-up, clean-up, and/or the event. In addition, sign up to participate in commencement activities. If you are unable to attend send me a note letting me know (mbenham@hawaii.edu).

Heads up! Onizuka Day of Exploration is this Saturday, April 6, 2024. It is an all-day family event hosted on our campus. You can learn more about this event where you and your keiki participate in a dynamic list of fun and exciting culture-based STEAM activities, prepare for college (UH West Oʻahu), sit in a Blackhawk helicopter, and so much more. See the website, flyer, and last year’s highlights. Many of our faculty participate creating engaging hands-on experiences for keiki (young and seasoned) from gardening to a dig for fossils to flight simulations! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to this free event!

Scroll down to read more about the new art installation that greets us to campus, “Nā Kiaʻi o Kapolei”, our 2024 UH System Hawaiʻi Foodbank Drive, and the first University of Hawaiʻi GIVING DAY!

E mālama pono!
Maenette Benham, Chancellor

Section divider made up of two canoe paddles.

A Celebration of Good Works: Kūlia i ka Nuʻu! (Reach for the Summit!)

We welcome home Nā Kiaʻi o Kapolei

Spring Break is usually the time when we trim the trees and repair our facilities. This past break, through the State of Hawaiʻi Art in Public Places Commission, we welcomed our newest art installation (our library tower is the first), Nā Kiaʻi o Kapolei. On Monday, March 25, under the leadership of our Kūlana o Kapolei, Dr. Manu Meyer, and Dr. Lelemia Irvine, the sculpture was formally dedicated and blessed. Dr. Irvine, wrote:

Mahalo a nui kākou for all those who paved the way before us for this kipaepae!
Mahalo a nui e Chancellor Benham laua o Konohiki Manulani for dreaming, giving life, and grounding this kipaepae!
Mahalo a nui ia kakou apau sharing your hā, wā, and your aloha for this special ritual!
For me, it is a true honor and privilege to be in ceremony with us all, at high noon, with no traffic!
What a makana to fully acknowledge that Ao Kunewa, have a safe and brave space.
The fulfillment of one prayer from Kupuna Aunty Lynette.

E ola,
Lelemia

And to everyone who participated and attended, a special Mahalo from Dr. Meyer:

A quick message to thank you – all for the quality of intention you all shared with our Kiaʻi o Kapolei.

Chancellor – Mahalo for the intimate welcome you felt and gave to our kiaʻi. I sense you truly appreciate their presence.
Lelemia – Mahalo for your excellence, and for the quality of your integrity in making this blessing real, inclusive, and instructive.
Bonnie A. and John M. – Mahalo nui for keeping us safe by re-routing all cars for 15 minutes. It felt perfect and vital to have this kindness.
Serina – Mahalo nui for all the orchestration with tables, chairs, food, water … the space looked beautiful, safe, and inviting!
Alex (Project Director) – Mahalo for the beautiful lei you gave us all! What a wonderful gift of life and aloha. Mahalo for all your work on this project.
Chaney – Mahalo for making those lei kaunaʻoa and then bringing some Dream House haumana! What a beautiful kaupapa that was to see come to fruition. Mahalo too for expressing the true meaning of kaunaʻoa.
Dave, Camonia, Bev, Kawena, Haliaaloha, and Joy – our six ʻleo makana practitioners. You who gave your voice, your intention, and your aloha to each Kiaʻi. Mahalo for expressing quiet intentionality.

As we live into this gift of guardians/oracles let us continue to support and affirm what we are all working toward. Hahai no ka ua i ka ululāʻau. (Plant a forest and the rains will come. Share purpose with others and live a life of meaning.)

Hereʻs coverage from KHON2 News: ” ʻGuardians of Kapolei’ sculpture displayed at UH West Oahu”. KHON2 will air on Living808 a segment about UH West Oʻahu and Na Kiaʻi o Kapolei from 9 to 10 a.m., with a rebroadcast on KHII from 8 to 9 p.m., on Monday, April 1.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank

Let’s celebrate our good health and our ability to be a steward of our community!

During this unprecedented time, the Hawaiʻi Foodbank needs our continued support now more than ever. The issue of hunger continues to be a major challenge facing our community and the demands on the Hawaiʻi Foodbank are even greater. While the top five needs are various canned goods and rice, which are currently in short supply, please be reminded that monetary donations are also being accepted via the Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s “Online Donation” page – be sure to list UH West Oʻahu as your campus.

This year, your Hawaiʻi Foodbank coordinators will be trying something new. Coordinators will be asking for weekly donations of the highest in demand requests from the Hawaii Foodbank.

Beginning TODAY, Monday, April 1, through May 9, UH West Oʻahu will ask for the following:

April 1 to 5: Rice (5-10 lb. bags)
April 8 to 12: Canned proteins/meats
April 22 to 26: Canned fruits
April 29 to May 3: Canned vegetables

Donations can be dropped off at Nāulu Center (C-132).

We look forward to continuing the University’s long tradition of support for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank. More information about UH’s Foodbank Campaign can be found at http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/president/foodbank. Additional Information on Emergency Food Assistance can be found at the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

Please take a moment to consider contributing to assist those who are most in need. If you have any questions, please contact Serina Makaiwa at 808-689-2770 or serina@hawaii.edu, or Ryan Perreira at rperreir@hawaii.edu.

University of Hawaiʻi GIVING Day

The UH Foundation will be leading the charge on Giving Day 2024 — April 10, 2024. This day will give our UH Community and UH Supporters around the globe an opportunity to show their support for our campus and our programs! The goal of the day is to bring awareness to the unique and wonderful opportunities that support and impact our students through philanthropy. Watch your email, your social media platforms, and campus wide announcements! You can participate by donating and/or sending messages to community members, friends and family to support our programs!

Important Announcements

Highlights from March

Here are some helpful links to help you stay informed:

Makahaiwaʻa – Weekly newsletter (emailed to students, faculty, staff on the first business day of each week). Includes weekly highlights, health, and safety reminders, UH System messages, etc.
Ka Puna O Kaloʻi – Online campus news site
Quarterly Impact Report – Campus highlights covering topics such as summer bridge programs, workforce development data, etc.
Communications Request Form (for faculty/staff submissions only) – Submit here to publicize events, honors, announcements campuswide.
Current Students page – Information for students about registration, financial aid, and support services, among other topics relevant to UH West Oʻahu students.
Faculty/Staff page – Information about campus departments, faculty/staff directory, and faculty resources, among other topics relevant to UH West Oʻahu employees.

Here are some dates to put on your calendar

April 6 – Onizuka Day of Exploration Hosted at UH West Oʻahu
April 9 – AES (Solar Panels on Mauka lands) Ribbon Cutting Reception
April 10 – UH Giving Day
April 11 – We Go West (Orientation for newly-admitted freshmen)
April 26 – Last Day of Instruction
May 4 – Commencement