A research project on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced web design by recent University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu graduate Emi Yoneda was showcased this summer at the International Conference for AI, an online event sponsored by Walsh University in Ohio and the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, then published last month in the peer-reviewed journal, “Walsh University’s Inspirations in AI Innovation, Volume 1.”
“AI-Enhanced Web Design: Developing a Google Site with Integrated Analytics for the UHWO Data Analytics Club” is the title of the project by Yoneda, who graduated with distinction in May from UH West O‘ahu with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Data Analytics, part of the program’s inaugural cohort.
Yoneda completed the National Science Foundation-funded internship project — which began in late May and concluded in early August — under the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Fiorella Peñaloza, Assistant Professor with the Business Administration Department at UH West O‘ahu.
The hands-on project involved designing and launching a user-friendly Google Site for the UH West O‘ahu Data Analytics Club (DAC) using AI and User Experience (UX)/User Interface (UI) principles to create a central hub for professional development and resources. The new website monitors interaction and engagement using Google Analytics and is shared with student leadership. These data-driven insights help guide the club’s planning for future activities and events, with the goal of enhancing student involvement and participation.
“The site is integrated with Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to act as a living lab, providing club members with real-world experience in using data to analyze user behavior and make informed decisions about the site’s content and design,” Yoneda said.
Yoneda said seeing the idea for the DAC website come to fruition and knowing her work directly contributed to its reality was very rewarding.
“Specifically, I found the process of learning how to create a highly functional web design that incorporates integrated analytics extremely valuable, as this website will serve as an essential resource for the club’s future projects, workshops, and student experiences,” Yoneda said.
Peñaloza said Yoneda is an impressive student with a strong commitment to academic excellence and applied learning.
“Her work stands as an inspiring example of student scholarship and innovation at UH West O‘ahu and I couldn’t be prouder,” Peñaloza said.
From project to presentation and publication
Yoneda recently showcased her work at the first International AI Conference, a collaborative endeavor sponsored by Walsh University and the University of Cape Coast, and held on July 31 online.
“The most enjoyable aspect of this experience was the rich, global, cross-cultural exchange that the virtual format enabled, allowing researchers and students from different continents to connect and discuss the real-world impact of AI in areas like education, data science, and web development,” Yoneda said.
Following the conference, Yoneda’s research, “AI-Enhanced Web Design: Developing a Google Site with Integrated Analytics for the UHWO Data Analytics Club,” was published in September in “Walsh University’s Inspirations in AI Innovation, Volume 1” — which Yoneda described as highly significant because it validates the practical application of AI within a real-world educational and student organization context.
“This work is valuable as it demonstrates an innovative approach to using AI for web design while simultaneously integrating data analytics capabilities — a critical skill for the UH West O‘ahu Data Analytics Club members,” she said.
Yoneda continued, “Being published provides a platform to share this successful methodology and its outcomes with the wider academic and technological community, serving as an inspirational case study for other groups aiming to leverage AI for better digital engagement and data-informed strategy. Inclusion in this journal specifically emphasizes the project’s important contribution to the evolving field of applied AI.”
Prestigious internship opportunity
In addition to Yoneda’s exceptional AI-enhanced web design research, she was selected for the Hele Imua Internship Program, a competitive and prestigious opportunity to contribute to Hawai‘i’s growing innovation and technology ecosystem.
The program, sponsored by the Workforce Development Division (WDD) of the State of Hawai‘i, is designed to provide exposure to high-demand state government occupations. Yoneda’s host agency is the Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), a state agency focused on diversifying Hawai‘i’s economy by fostering technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
After graduating from UH West O‘ahu, Yoneda enrolled in the program, starting her internship on Aug. 1 and continuing until January 2026. Her duties and responsibilities are centered on supporting HTDC’s new strategic plan, specifically by conducting research and analysis, managing the planning and execution of major stakeholder events, and developing clear data visualizations and reports.
“A major achievement was the development and execution of the Waves of Innovation (WOI) event panel, which convened leaders across the five key tech sectors — aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, ocean, and healthcare,” Yoneda said.
Yoneda was responsible for crafting the panel’s focus to encourage cross-sector collaboration, developing all professional collateral, and creating a powerful data visualization of audience participation data.
“This internship has been incredibly rewarding and beneficial, as it has given me direct insight into the complexities of Hawaiʻi’s economic diversification efforts and how a state agency drives change,” she said. “I’ve gained practical experience in high-level event management and strategic analysis, strengthening my skills alongside the accomplished HTDC staff.”
UH West O‘ahu’s ‘instrumental’ role in recent achievements
Yoneda transferred to UH West O‘ahu after graduating in May 2022 from Leeward Community College with an Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts.
“I originally planned to transfer to UH West O‘ahu as a General Business major, but as I reviewed UH West O‘ahu’s program offerings, the Data Analytics major immediately captured my eye,” Yoneda said.
She said she was interested in the unique blend of business knowledge and advanced technical skills it offered.
“After discussing potential career paths and future employment prospects with my family, I realized that Data Analytics was a fast-growing, high-demand field that would offer me greater career resilience and the opportunity to drive strategic, data-informed decisions in business,” Yoneda said.
The insight heavily influenced her decision to ultimately major in Data Analytics.
“My experience at UH West Oʻahu was instrumental to these recent accomplishments, primarily due to the exceptional support from its faculty and programs,” Yoneda noted.
She said the Data Analytics curriculum provided her with the technical expertise and critical thinking necessary for both the NSF research project and her current role at HTDC.
“The continuous mentorship and personal guidance, especially from Professor Peñaloza, provided me with a safe space for validation, clarity, and expressing my ideas throughout my academic journey,” Yoneda said. “All of my accomplishments, including the published research and securing the Hele Imua Internship, would not have been possible without her unwavering help and support, for which I am forever grateful.”
Yoneda contemplates what’s next for her.
“While I don’t have a secure, fixed plan for my immediate next steps, my goal is to strategically use the knowledge and practical experiences I’ve gained — from my Data Analytics degree, the AI-Enhanced Web Design research, and the Hele Imua Internship — to actively seek a role that strengthens my skills in a future career involving data-driven decision-making and technology innovation here in Hawai‘i.”