Shannon Abarra, Leilani Maijastina Abaya, Richard Makaala Muraoka Abbley, Maeva Accart, BJ Isaac Pacupac Acosta, Samantha Starr Acosta, Melissa Ellen Adams, Jazlyn Aurora JoAnn Afusia, Jamaica Paz Sicat Agustin, Eric James Akerman, Alston Alika Albarado, Maureen Lucy Allison, Jenna Kuuolenalani Almarza, Heather Lov Anderson, Janelle Marie Andres, Anshuka Anshuka, Brandi J. Antonio, Krista Natsuko Aoki, Zion Makanalani Apao, Shanley Apele, Travis Roy Apple, Whiteeagle Arai, Joshua King Seong Haruo Araki-Kwee, Justin King Shan Tooru Araki-Kwee, Megan Lilinoe Araujo, Keanu Makana O Ke Akua Arke, Shawn Eugene Asistin, Janelle R. Au, Jolie Hisako Au, Sanoe M.K. Awai, Marta I. Azzollini, Rosanna R. Badua, Paul Jacob Barch, Ahnesty Mo'ilani'okamakani Barrozo, Heather Kayleen Bartlett, Paul Sloane Batausa, Robin K. Belcher, Peter Charles Bennett, Lars Arthur Bergstrom, Jacob Kaunahi Bernabe, Justin Takeo Bisel, Aaron James Bishop, Carolyn Irene Blind, Kyra Lynn Blue, Stephen Elias Bond, Lori Diane Bothwell, Brenna Katherine Bourque, Brittany Nicole Boyd, Reitchel Navarra Boyd. Michael Joseph Bradley, Anashe Brooks, Eleanor Lorraine Brown, Leena Brown, Stephen Michael Brown, Benjamin Garrett Browning, Kevin Alexander Bruce, Kristen Cara Brunell, Ashley Dawn Buasriyottiya, Josephine Malia Buck, Chase Jameson Buffam, Jenna Lee Burns, Spencer Darren Kaimalie Cabral, Dawn Akiko Kananiokapuamaeole Cabreros, Bronya Anuhea Cacal, Goody Butay Cacal, Sabine Chiemi Callarec, Malia Rose Kimiko Callo, Nicole Marie Calsbeek, Vada Grace Cambio, Britney Rose Carey, Sean Leo Carlos, Loren Leilani Case, Christina Noel Cauley, Jaeeun Cha, Amy Kaakim Chang, Andy Chang, Silas Chapman, Matt Chen, Kealii Andrew Cho, Min Ji Cho, Autumn Tehani Uakoko Chong, Brandon Lee Chun, Kobie Lehua Clarke, Connor Joaquin Clay, Gregory James Cleary, William Berkeley Cleary, Joyce M.K. Close, Kayleigh Loleka Concepcion, Nicole C. Conley, Michael Eugene Cook, Taylor Alexandra Coons, Renee Lynn Corpuz, Robin Marie Correa, Elyssa Rae-Ann Correia, Allyssa Shawna Noelani Cortez, Sean Fumio Costales, Nicole A. Cowan, Angel Lee Cruz, Jai Akualani Crystal, Nicholas Logan D'Amico, Ida Kristin Danielsen, Ida Pelihda David, Renee I. David, Jaylyn Lokelani Davis, Dwane J. Deem, Brandi N. A. L. Dela Cruz, Randy William Dellinger, Amber D. Demler, Marley M.K. Depew, Angelina Diep, Stacie Emiko Doi, Amelia Rivkah Dolgin, Noah Patterson Dolim, Ryan S. Domingo, Tiare N. Doria, Pedro Dos Santos, James Kenneth Drescher, Kaylie Lynn Drew, Alejandra Evajean Duarte, Melanie Leila Dudley, Julie Padua Duhaylongsod, Louise Marie Economy, Chad Richard Engevold, Jordan Kainoa Enos, Danielle Kanani Enright, Brianna K. Enriquez-Cabalis, Tiffany Marie Epping, Tiffany Grace Erickson, Melanie Guittap Fermin, Emily Fernandes, Erik Daniel Ferreira, Nicholas Iokua Ferreira, Chelsea K. Field, Doug Walter Fitzpatrick, Kelly Odell Fitzpatrick, Katherine Anne Foerster, Scheherazade Alexandra Folley-Regusters, Amber Marie Forrestal, Ella Rose Fregeau Olmstead, Cory Aikau French, Joshua Allen Fuentes, Samantha Kahealani Fuhrmann-Blyth, Kaitlyn Akemi Fujii, Kendra Akemi Fujioka, Ashley Ayaka Fukuchi, Christopher James Fukumoto, Tyson Kaniela Fukuyama, Naomi Sison Gagabi, Brooke Mary Gagnon, Heather Lynn Gallahorn, Brian Alberto Galvez, Dayna Lynn Pu'unani Ganigan, Jeremy Ramos Ganir, Todd Simon Taylor Gardner, Ashley Christina Garnett, Shannon Blake Garnett, Stephanie Makaleka Gayle, Kawaikapuokalani W. Genovia, David Timothy Gentry, Alex C. M. Gerken, Hattie Le`a Gerrish, Sha de

Glessner, Joseph Daniel Gomez, Makalele Alegra Gorsich, Renee Kathleen Graber, Lauren K.A.H. Grace-Finley, Rebecca Leigh Green, Sarah Ashley Green, Rachel Grace Greenbach, Emily Greene, Kylie Judith Grogg, Stine Marie Gundersen, Gabrielle Lacuesta Gutierrez, Brittany Krystal Hale, Tamara Kuulei Halliwell, Kayla H. Hamel, Soyoung Han, Jamaica Ann Hancock, Dustin Wayne Hanson, Christopher L. Hardy, Margaret Alyse Harris, Amy Frances Harrison, Courtney Ann Hideko Harrison, Ganga Devi Harrison, Vrindavan Harrison, Rose Sierra Hart, Rachel Ann Hazeltine, Tazialynn Leilani Hegarty, Britta Lena Helzberg, Ryan Barton Henderson, Karl Robert Hennen, Randi Keala Henriques, Hannah Ciera Henry, Sophia Hernz, Alexandria Aspen Herring, Noriko Hida, Ryan Alton Higa, Iris Hsing Mei Hirayama, Rya Catherine Horne, Neeley Jo Horton, Asia Carolynne Howe, Shayna Y. P. S. Hu, Molly Ann Huff, Kai Aaron Igarashi, Kadi Mie Igawa, Allena Yukiye Ikehara, Natalie Kawehiuilani Ilaban, Kana Inoue, Carrie Ga lai Ip, Kelsey Kazuyuki Ito, Linda Gabriela Ixtupe, Aimehio Vez Iyeke, Jessica Jacobs, Astrid Mafina Johansson, Annalise John, Liv Monique Johnson, Kaycie Chiemi Jyo, Jarin S. Kadooka, Shaylyn Pohaikealoha Kahawai, Ayaka Kajiura, Ashlee Keolalaulani Kalauli, Bree Kealaonaonaokanoelani Emi Kalima, Kaiulani Kamelakeonaonamaikalani Kamau, Halena Kailiehu Kapuni-Reynolds, Alyssa Ann Terra Kartheiser, Jonathan Hiroshi Kataoka, Nellie Kati, Lilinoe Yael B. Kauahikaua, Tori Sachie Kaya, Josh Leo Kedzior, Sarah Leialoha Kekauoha, Jessica Ann Kennedy, Sean Stephen Kenny, Serina Haleakakaneaumoana Kiili, Peter Allen Kim, Soyeon Kim, Yong Hoon Kim, Kristy Kathleen Michiko Kimura, Taylor Alexander Kinsey, Ronald Paul Kittle, Ku'upuamae'ole Kacie Chiyeko Kiyuna, Dania-Maria Elena Klink, Christopher Zdenek Kluzak, Andrew Emery Knight, Laura Jean Knight, Katrina A. Knowlton, Aisha-Rae Noelani Kobayashi, Evelina Kocharov, Kelly Joseph Kofalt, Ericksen Lloyd Kohatsu, Leina Konashi, Daniel Jacob Konkler, Devin C. Konkler, Keisha Kehaulani Reiko Kotake, Johann Wei-Xin Kuipers, Lauren Imi Kunishige, Jannicke Kuvas, Daniel Scott Kvale, Shuk Ping Kwok, Sophia Anne Laderman, Jenna Rose Lahousse, Franchael K. Laimana, Amy Gaylene Landers, Alastair Joel Lavin, Naomi Lynne Lawrence, Tynan Cody Lazarus, Jailyn Mei Lazo, Jennifer LeFevre, Saerom Lee, Ronaivit Vaisuatoto Leiato, Harrison K. Leite, Samelda Neimon Leon, Jon-Pierre Leone, Keola Ha Limkin, Moressa Naomi Summer Lindsey, Sean Eloaamaikamaluhia Lindsey, Hannah Ida Lipman, Brent Koji Llaneza, Olivia Lauren Long, Hannah K. C. P. Loo, Christina Marie Love, Michael Ryan Lovell, Alyssa Kealohi Loving, Marissa Kawehi Loving, Zorba Lozano, Drew Lubiniecki, Blaine C. M. Luiz, Jacob Keith Luna, Kristy L. Lungo, Sean Christopher Luscombe, Alayna Rachelle Leilani Machacek, Ashley Noel Mahlstedt, Ian Tadashi Makida, Kate Manzano Malasig, Kaela Kala'i Maluo, Alexandra Nicole Marin, Jonathan Drew Kele Marshall, Leif Alexander Marz, Sarah Borje Marzan, Malia Victoria Masicampo, Anna Claire Masuda, Evan Seki Matsuyama, Kristen Renee Mattos, Mathew Robert Mauldin, Joseph Edward Maxwell, Nathan Mays, Leslie Lehuanani McClung, Normandy McConaugh ey, Meghan Renee Meier McGrath, Kevin Alan McKay, Megan Theresa U. Medeiros, Angelo Alcino Menezes Guterres Aparicio, Mary Katherine Metchnek, McKayla Faith Meyer, CoraLee Cassie Michaud, Garrett Franklin Micheels, Chad Ethan Miguel-Harris, Bryce Evan Miles-Leighton, Thane Bryan Milhoan, Lilia Ivanova Misheva, Kelly Kiyomi Miyamoto, Sandy Haunani Miyasato, Erin Lin Sachiko Miyashiro, Bryson Shizuo Miyose, Norman Zuniga Mogote, Jonah Laa Kaohu Molina, Sherise-Charity M. Moniz, Austin Willard Moore, Hannah Moore, Erika Morihiro, Jacob Dee Moser, Tierra Ann Moses, Lauryn Pualeihana Mary Mow, Darcy Leigh Mulligan, Koran Nichole Munafo, Kiel Andre Myers, Sui Nagata, Camie Chiharu Nakagawa, Courtney Hiroko Nakahara, Richard Toshi Nakamura, Ryan William Nakamura, Tory Mikio Nakamura, Kerri Mika Nakatsu, Remi Nakaza, Robynn Ailynn Ines Namnama, Kirstie Kanoelani Akemi Naone, Allyssa Leilani Nau, Courtney Anne Nelson, Kara Marie Nelson, Jaysen Christopher Niedermeyer, Scott Laurence Nielsen, Anela Lani Nishimoto, Chloe Y. K. Nishioka, Keenan Kalama Riki Nishioka, Nicole Chelsea Jean Nonies, Jerusha Mary Nosek, Rachel Notturno, Arren Sebastian Marie Nunez, Steven Mitsuaki Ogi, Crysta Lani Okabe, Kira Miyuki Okamoto, Michelle Michie Okamoto, Zechary Palaina Okamoto, Catherine Ann Olson, Malia Jean Olson, Amanda Orcutt, Christopher Jason Orcutt, Mari Carmen Ortega, Mari Brittany Oshiro, Chelsa Ota-Van Scyoc, Carli Leiana Owan, Samantha Renee Oxley, Aimee Lynn Leinaala Pacheco, Cheynielle Minoakalani Pacheco, Ciera Moanilehua Pagud, Nicolette Paige, Fagalima Lenell Paleafei, Samantha Marie Palmer, Bronson Paul Amio Palupe, Jannah Gaile Pante, Pauleen Shiloh Pante, Hee Joon Park, Wonho Park, Mariah Clavela Partida, Kristine Pasek, Kara Lianne Paulachak, Kristin M. Pedersen, Brian Daniel Pedro, Jessica Marie Penaranda, Brandon Perea, Rheanna Ariel Perez, Daniel James Perry, Forrest Swienckowski Petersen, Sharon Ann Petrosky, Shelley M. Phu, Malina Erin Piatt, Kaylie Renee Pickup, Bryce Matthew Pierson, Craig R. Pinkney, Hye Jin Piper, Robert Michel Pipes, Tara Applinario Pipes, Ritsuko Poerstel, Margot Ying-Hui Pontius, Arwen May Potochney, Zachary Alan Pratt, Stevan Premovic, Michael Robert Purvis, Dannielle Janine Putney, Nathaniel Nien-Cheng Quan, Willyann Kehaulani Quanan, Kori Gaila Quander, Sherri-Ann K. Quinn, Hye Jin Ra, Laurel Rain, Mark Joshua Paraggua Ramones, Justin Lopez Ramos, Micah Rhobelyn Tunac Ramos, Priya Marie Rashid, Lisa Michelle Ray, Travis Alan Reardon, Robyn Christine Rector, Maricel Masing Reid, Charlotte Rich, Chelsey Kristin Rickert, Kanani Cherise Rivera, Koa Henry Damien Rodrigues, Rebecca Marie Rogers, Saul David Rollason, Gerry Abergido Romero, Kainoa Kamakani Rosa, Kevin Lewis Rose, Malaika Amani Ross, Kyle Royce, Richard Casper Rudolph, Ardena M. J. Saarinen, Christa Nicole Sadler, Michael Anthony Sado, Julie Anne Garo Sagabaen, Philip Mau Sakaba, Francis Elliott Sakai-Kawada, Jade Wun Salvador, Megan Sue Santos, Teresinha Santos Da Costa , Alyssa Mayumi Sato, Zutchill Dingle Sato, Neil David Scheibelhut, Krystal Schlechter, Jordan Lacey Schneider, Helen Marie Schrock, Sabrina Juliana Schultz, Eloise Amie Scott, Kanoa James Severson, Ishael Kiheionapuamamolehua Shaw-De Mello, Brandi L. Shifflett, Kirsten Hisako Shimizu, Lorena Jo Dessa Ko'ani'ani Shire, Stephanie Lee Shor, Kananimauloa Tahmaraj Silva, Sarah Jessica Silva, Summer Rae Singer, Kenneth Adam Smith, Lauren Marcia Smith, Patricia Snel, Ethan Edward Souza, Brittany Lauren Spencer, Courtney R. Spencer, Christopher Michael Stewart, James Stilley, Andrea Stroescu, Anne Cecilia Elisabeth Stromhielm, George N. Subiono, Torri Lee Suda, Jeremy Martin Suguitan, Ashley Suh, Grady Sullivan, Kris Ramelb Sumaoang, Paige Naomi Sumida, Alanna Renee Sutton, Yvonne L. Sylva, Ricky William Kanaina Tabandera, Dillon K. Tacdol, Helaman Toa Golden Tafua, Hazel Pontanes Tagalicud, Deeana Nohealani Tagata, Tara Miyoko Takamori, Cameron Noboru Takamura, John James Gregorio Taman, Jove Jenn Maalihan Taman, Aisha Reiko Tanaka, Shelby Tanaka, Jaime-Rose Cayme Tangonan, Cullen Ku'ula Sunao Tanoue, Reuben Blake Tate, Larissa Chloe Hisako Tawata, Tyler Shaun Terai, Ashley Carol Terrell, Rachel LeeAnn Terry, Aijah Joshua Thompson, Rachel Lorraine Thompson, Kristina Louise Tietjen, Zachary Tman, Charles Andrada Tolentino, Taylor Tomita, Ashley Chanel Nobuko Tomori, Katrease Lipiniokalani Kimiko Torres, Chelsie Lynn Toyomura, William Yamashita Toyozaki, William Ernest Trout, Jennifer Leigh Trujillo, Kyle Kenta Tsubota, Peter Aaron Tuck, Michelle Emiko Uchida, Christine Joy Calabucal Uco l, Wesley James Ulloa, Elaine Lazaro Valdez, Korie Lihau Maelia Valeho, Keith Joseph Valentis, Sage Trinidad Van Kralingen, Mark J. Vancamp, Nichelle Leanne Veien, Alexandra Rose Ventresca, Conan-Cordero Laahia Vierra, Jodi Anne Souza Vierra, Joseph Hunter Vinarcsik, Jacob Lim Vinluan, Sheryl Vea Visitacion, Joyce Dyan Vitales, Christopher Vito Vizzone, Brittany A. Wagner, Tianna Kenani Waipa, Maria Karin Walczuk, Emily Grace Wallingford, Gerald Thomas Walsh, Jennifer Gail Wass, Casandra Jo Weatherly, Bobby Ray White, Alexandra Brooke Williams, Daisy Lee Willis, Stone Adam Willow, Kellie Nicole Wilson, Leah Adele Wilson, Denyse Nichole Kuupuaimohalaikalani Woo-Ockerman, Bailey Aya Wooldridge, Mariah Wyckoff, Arlinda Meagan Yamaguchi, Kelli Emi Yamane, Nicholas William Yamauchi, Christopher Germain Yoakum, Katrina Pomaikaiwale Yogi, Nicole Michiko Yoneishi, Tristan Kazuo Yoshida, Lynn Hiromo Inaba Young, Jamie Alan Yugawa, Qi Zhang, Izabella Zobova.

Marisol Alvarez, Chelsea A. Alward, Dayna E. Bersamin, Debra H. Cannoles, Shanda L. K. Carvalho, Claire E. Cea, Krystel R. Charkowski, Winona Yi-an Chen, Soomin Chung, Christina M. Evert, Norine R. Fitzgerald, Benjamin J. Friedlander, Daniel Z. A. Fujii, Matthew C. Garvey, Sarah J. K. Hamakawa, Anna Sofia Marie Hamlin, Justin K. Hirako, Hanale Hose, Summer K. Ilac-Wong, Melanie C. Isa, Yvonne S. Johnny, Josie L. Johnson, Aysia K. M. Kaaumoana, Hitomi Kitade, Amber L. Koker, Corey K. Kozuma, Tomoaki Kurima, Jonathon F. Laudner, Hyunchul Lee, Matthew P. M. Luga, Elise L. Martin, Christina M. Method, Coryn A. Miyashiro, Candela Montero Llasera, Marvin Louis P. Nagtalon, Alexandria J. Nakao-Eligado, Taylor L. Neel, Alvin K. Nguyen, Kelli S. Okumura, Yulia I. Orlova, Navarone K. Ortiz, Jesica L. Pacheco, Tehani-Jenae L. K. Palolo, Junyong Park, Michael S. K. Patterson, Zachary J. Pettus, Lindsey F. Poulsen, Mikhail A. Romantchouk, Kristen L. Ross, Karyle K. Saiki, Shannon N. T. Sampaga, Aaron Sanchez Robles, Thomas Jay T. Shigemoto, Ji Hye Shin, Kun H. Sigrah, Brandi Lei H. Smith, Logan M. Snell, Jana Soli, Travis T. A. Stancil, Mark Tokuuke, Risa Watabiki, and Kayla S. Yugawa.

Krystal Schlecter and Emily Peavy are among the students accepting 2013 Akamai Internships who will begin work on their projects June 9th.

The Akamai internship program, funded by the National Science Foundation, University of Hawaiʻi, Air Force Office of Research, Thirty Meter Telescope and National Solar Observatory, provides internship opportunities in high-tech fields to local students. More than a dozen UH Hilo students have been awarded internships since the program was established in 2004.

Schlechter will work with UH Hilo Physics and Astronomy Instructor John Hamilton of the PISCES project gathering data for NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environmental Explorer Mission that departs for the Moon on August 12th. Their research will employ the use of two 11” telescopes and high-speed video cameras to measure the impact and frequency of meteor strikes on the non-illuminated side of the Moon. The findings will help NASA scientists determine how safe living on the lunar surface is.

Peavy will work with Dr. Mark Chun of the University of Hawaiʻi's Institute for Astronomy in Hilo. She will develop a "table-top" adaptive optics system similar to those being used at large astronomical telescopes to correct for the blurring effects of the Earth's atmosphere. She will integrate the components of the "bench-top" system and characterize its performance in the lab. With this project, she will lay the foundation for future telescope experiments on Mauna Kea.

Rayna Morel, instructor of communication, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Morel was described by one nominator as a teacher who engages students using clever and relevant examples that make abstract concepts more tangible and meaningful to them.

The Board of Regents Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to Dr. Kalena Silva, professor and former director, Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language. A key member of the team that made the College a reality, Silva is described as a teacher first and foremost. He helps students learn through studies of historical language resources, how to understand the relevance of those materials, relate that understanding to contemporary times, and understand the importance of viewing Hawaiian as a living, evolving language.

Dr. Faith Mishina, assistant professor, Spanish, received the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. She is described as a committed teacher who helps students learn another language by using it as a window into the larger world of global opportunities.

Dr. Norman Arancon, assistant professor, horticulture, received the Chancellor’s Special Recognition Award for Contribution to Campus and Community. Arancon has pioneered research in the utilization of earthworm-worked soil amendment, referred to as vermicomposts, which has benefited Hawaiʻi’s agriculture industry and local communities. Students in his courses grow produce on campus that are given to students in residence halls and sold at a student-organized farmer’s market.

Imagine Cup is Microsoft’s premier student technology competition that honors technology innovations addressing the world’s toughest problems as student innovators from around the world use Microsoft resources to take their one-of- a-kind, ground breaking application ideas from concept to the marketplace. The national finals featured the top 10 U.S. teams pitching their ideas and solutions to investors, entrepreneurs, and technology professionals for a chance to win cash prizes and support for their businesses.

UH Hilo’s Team Poliahu, comprised of seniors Mike Purvis, Kayton Summers, Wallace Hamada and junior Ryder Donahue from the UH Hilo Computer Science Department, topped the field of competition with their application entitled “Help Me Help,” which focused on community help for disaster relief efforts. The program aids the community and emergency response personnel in disaster situations by allowing users to upload images of nearby hazards through the use of smart phones.

Team Captain Purvis said the idea grew out of a senior project to design software that could track native and invasive plant species.

“We realized tracking that kind of information could be applied to a larger scale with more impact,” said Purvis. “So we decided to rewrite our entire idea for disaster response.”

Team Adviser Dr. Keith Edwards, associate professor, computer science, said the student’s achievement is evidence of what hard work and creative thinking can accomplish.

“As a professor, I am always the most pleased when students are able to transcend the material taught in the classroom to develop knowledge and capabilities beyond what is presently known,” Edwards said. “The success achieved by these students is a perfect representation of how the tremendous creative possibilities at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo can have a worldwide impact.”

The Laulima Certificate of Leadership was presented to the A.L.O.H.A. Project Committee comprised of students from The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy for their community outreach health projects. Rita Kahoane Aione of Kipuka the Native Hawaiian Center was recognized for motivating students to succeed in their majors with an individual Laulima Certificate, while Kahealani Walker and Tyson Fukuyama received Malama Certificates of Leadership for their volunteerism toward community service and outreach.

Three student organizations were recognized with a Ka Lama Ku Plaque. Colleges Against Cancer, which coordinates UH Hilo’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the Samoan Club Tupulaga o Samoa mo a Taeao, who shares its heritage as part of campus and community wide outreach, received the Malama Award. Both are Registered Independent Student Organizations (RISO).

The Student Activities Council – a Chartered Student Organization, received the Laulima Award for collaboration and networking of campus-wide activities and mentoring fellow students on “Leading with Aloha.”

Maile Boggeln was awarded an Outstanding Ka Lama Ku Leadership Plaque for mentoring and coaching fellow students, collaborating and facilitating with several committees and her demonstrated commitment to student leadership.

The Ka Lama Ku Umeke Award was presented to students in the following leadership categories:

Alaka`i Leadersip Award: Steven Riddle (Campus Recreation IMUA Fitness Program) for volunteerism and mentoring; Leena Brown (Kinesiology and Exercise Science) for mentoring undergraduate students and research development; and Pua`ala Pascua (Kipuka Science and Math tutor) for perpetuating native Hawaiian culture and being a positive role model for her students.

Ike Papalua Award – To Have the Gift of Vision: Amanda Nicolas (National Community Pharmacists Association) for volunteerism with Compounding for Kids and The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy’s Bone Marrow Drive; Tiana Gillia for coordination of the yearly Filipino American Heritage Month and support of activities to recruit under-represented high school students to college; and Astronomy student Krystal Schlechter for volunteerism with community activities such as the Onizuka Day, Astro Day, and for her effort to revolutionize how the general public perceives astronomy.

Kuleana Award – Being Responsible and Accountable: Kelsea Machida, for perpetuating the mission and vision of Kipuka as a Tutor/Peer Advisor and role model; Break Thru Adventure (BTA) Leader Aiko Lepeka English for her leadership qualities, and knowledge of her native Hawaiian culture as applied to the goals and vision of BTA with service learning community outreach projects.

Malama Award – Taking Care of Others: Wendy Sera Mefeae for her work as an intern at the Women’s Center with Safe Zone educational training sessions on campus and in the community, being part of the Pacific Island Student Center’s first conference and volunteering with many activities in support of UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College students.

The Ka Lama Ku Student Leadership Recognition Awards is sponsored by the Campus Center Student Leadership Development Program and the Campus Center Fee Board.

Taishoji Taiko, under the direction of Chad Nakagawa, was founded under Yoshihumi Ono at Taishoji Soto Mission in Hilo. “Their energetic, dramatic style will have you feeling the rhythm right to your core!” said Lee Dombroski, Performing Arts Center manager and festival producer.

Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko, under the guidance of Milton Yafuso and Troy Sakihara, practices and performs a drumming style based on Okinawan martial arts. “Our three-fold mission builds leadership and promotes and preserves the interest in and appreciation for the history and traditions of Okinawan culture and the arts,” said Yafuso.

The Puna Hongwanji Taiko Club, under the direction of Rev. Earl Ikeda, Paul Sakamoto and Lani Tak, was founded in 2003 by Ikeda as a community-focused group with drummers of all ages and experience striving to perpetuate taiko as a cultural and recreational activity.

Kona Daifukuji Taiko was founded in 1988 by Rev. Tamiya and his wife and is comprised of youth from elementary through high school under the direction of instructors Akemi Iwamoto and Justin Fernandez.

Tickets are general admission and priced at $10 General, $5 Seniors, UH Students (with valid ID) & Children 17 and under. Summer Box Office hours are Monday – Friday, May 28- June 7, 10 - 2 p.m. Call 974-7310 or order online at artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu.

Mimi Pezzuto, faculty member at DKICP, took several first-year student pharmacists to the school to talk about pharmacy, Hilo Drug Company’s historical pharmacy collection, and explain about pharmaceutical compounding.

“Not everyone responds to drugs the same way,” Pezzuto said. “With compounding, pharmacists can provide better patient care by customizing a prescription that addresses each individual situation.

“I know of pharmacists who also create compounds for veterinarians and their animal patients,” she added. “We try to prepare our students to be as versatile as possible when they graduate, so this is an important skill for them to learn.”

The 46 elementary students also learned the importance of what goes on a label. They designed and colored their own labels, then made scented lotions.

“This was a very good experience for all the students,” said Lynn Fujii, a teacher at Keaukaha Elementary. “They were engaged and had fun. It was important for them to see that science can have practical applications.”

Pezzuto takes her first-year students from laboratory to local schools at least once a semester. Student pharmacists have given demonstrations at several local schools, and student organizations participate in community events such as Ocean Day and Onizuka Day. The compounding booth is always popular with the crowds, she said.

“This is one way we try to give back to our community, but also a way we try to spark interest in science at a young age,” Pezzuto explained. “I am hoping that some of these budding chemists will be my future pharmacy students.”

Xietan Kawai Anuhea Dutro, a student fiscal/administrative assistant at Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikōlani (KHUOK) College of Hawaiian Language, was honored as Student Employee of the Year. Dutro has worked at the College since 2008 and is an integral part of its preparation and planning for events and activities as well as being the College’s representative on the Merrie Monarch Parade committee.

The Outstanding University Support Employee Award was presented to Shana Kaneshiro whose work as an office assistant in the Financial Aid Office positively affects the 8,200 students applying for financial aid each year. Kaneshiro redesigned all the FAO forms that can now be done online, and each year volunteers for the College Goal Sunday events in Hilo and Kona that help up to 400 students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). She has served as president of the UH clerical support group Nā Laulima, and has been the campus clerical representative on the UH Hilo Chancellor’s Professional Development Committee since 2011.

College of Continuing Education and Community Service (CCECS) Program Coordinator Corinne Tamashiro, who began working for the College as a student in 1971, received the Professional Staff Award. A former Interim and Acting Dean, Tamashiro played a significant role in planning and establishing the North Hawai’i Education and Research Center (NHERC) in Honoka`a, and single handedly built UH Hilo’s summer session program into what it is today.

This year’s Taniguchi Excellence & Innovation Award went to Dr. Philippe Binder, professor of physics, and Dr. Ramon Figueroa-Centeno, associate professor of mathematics. Binder and Figueroa-Centeno were recognized for their work on three-dimensional visualization of complex mathematical objects in `Imiloa’s 16-meter state-of-the-art stereoscopic planetarium. Their work offers significant advances in the presentation of complex mathematical data sets, which allow data to be manipulated so that it can be better understood and become a powerful tool in physics and mathematics courses. The first of its kind to be presented in a planetarium environment, the data has been presented at a national level visualization conference and used in university classes.

The event also recognized retirees and employees receiving various years of service awards.

The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. The three-year award includes a $30,000 annual stipend, $12,000 cost-of- education allowance to the institution, international research and professional development opportunities and access to the XSEDE Supercomputer.

Yanger plans to use her award to conduct research on the impact of pathogenic fungi on native and invasive seeds. Her study will focus on identifying seed fungal pathogens in the ecosystem and the amount of damage they cause to better understand and manipulate the probability of seed survival.

“Once dispersed, seeds are susceptible to a range of predators that can cause extensive or even total seed loss, which would bring the process of plant regeneration to a halt,” Yanger wrote in her application. “Many studies have looked extensively at seed predation by introduced rodents, but few have examined the effects of other predator types like fungal pathogens, which can cause more seed loss than other predators.”

Yanger said Hawaiʻi provides a unique case study because native plants evolved without common animal predators such as rats, ants and slugs, which may have caused them to lose important chemical defenses. She is interested in learning if seed chemistry is related to fungal attack, and whether native seeds are being lost to introduced fungal pathogens. Her research will take place at nine lowland wet forest sites in East Hawaiʻi, representing a range of native canopy dominance from no native representation to a medium-high native presence.

Yanger plans to present her study and findings at local, national and international conferences in 2014-15 and to her hula halau to promote greater interest and support for forest preservation among cultural practitioners.