Weekly Newsletter for Faculty & Staff, Oct. 20, 2020

Posted on October 20, 2020December 13, 2025 by Staff

Featured in this week’s issue of Haʻilono o UH Hilo (News of UH Hilo): Makoa Caceros, Jeff Smith, Randy Hirokawa, Steve Lundblad, Jennifer Stotter, Kālepa Baybayan, and more!

In fall and spring, this newsletter is a weekly e-blast of news and information for faculty and staff, produced by University Relations, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

What does #VulcanPride mean to you?

People

Randy Hirokawa casual portrait. — Randy Hirokawa

Jeff Smith portrait in his office with row of books in background. — Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith, chair and associate professor of history, presents his research on a podcast of the Military Times. “Seeking the Military Solution to Suicide,” on the historical study of suicide in the U.S. Army, is presented with co-author Michael Doidge of the Department of Defense. The interview stems from the December 2019 publication of “A Historical Examination of Military Records of US Army Suicide, 1819 to 2017” in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which also includes the work of co-researchers Chris Frueh, professor of psychology, Ryan Hanoa, a recent UH Hilo graduate, and Doidge.

Communication Professor Randy Hirokawa sees online teaching not as a pandemic glitch, but as the future.

Research

Professor of Geology Steve Lundblad: Student research into fault system following Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption yields important findings.

Supporting Student Success

Faculty are asked to encourage their students to watch the new weekly video series by StudentLingo, brought to UH Hilo by the Division of Student Affairs. This week’s topic is Effectively Communicating Online. To watch, register here for a free account.

Community Outreach

Cultural webinar series launched to celebrate music, dance, and storytelling of the islands.

Vulcan Athletes

Former Vulcan Meghan “Wonder Woman” Langbehn is now a real life superhero.

Administration

UH stems enrollment decline despite pandemic and economic fallout.

UH Hilo is currently accepting donations for the annual campaign of the Hawaiʻi Island United Way, the cornerstone of the island’s health and human service community. Send in pledge form with cash, check, credit card number or payroll deduction to Lei Kapono, Office of the Chancellor, by Nov. 13, 2020. Additional forms are available upon request. Call 932-7348 or email Lei with any questions.

Regents appoint Maunakea Planning Task Group.

Budget

Long Range Budget Planning Committee meeting notes are available here. Log in required.

Operations and Services

The Title IX Compliance Soccer and Softball Field project begins this week. There will be no access to the area, including the field access road at the southern end of the Athletics Complex parking and through the soccer and softball fields to the adjacent Hale Kawili (ASH Housing). The Athletics Parking lot remains open.

Sodexo Dining Services has extended Campus Center Dining on-line order pick-up hours to better accommodate customers during the reduced hours of operation, which is 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. GET Mobile app online orders are accepted until 1:30 p.m. for late pick up by 2:15 p.m. The Campus Center Dining Room elevator-facing doors are open until 2:15 p.m.

COVID-19 Updates

Continue to stay informed through the UH Hilo COVID-19 webpage and UH Hilo Quarantine FAQ page for up-to-date information and advisories, which now includes the Student Fees Information for 2020 Fall Semester. Information can also be found on the UH System COVID-19 page.

Events

Community of Hei workshop, Wednesday, Oct. 21, noon to 1:00 p.m., Campus Center Plaza. Limited to 10 people. Contact Yolisa Duley or Malu Dudoit with any questions

“Disability Awareness Training – Know Your Rights” by Jennifer Stotter, Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action director for UH Mānoa and UH System; Mary Perreira, EEO/AA director for community colleges; and Darsh Dave, EEO officer, Kapiʻolani Community College, Thursday, Oct. 22, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., via Zoom. Registration required. Presented as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month Webinar Series.

ʻAuamo Kuleana Domestic Violence Summit—Resiliency: Trends, Advocacy, Culture, and Community Support, Friday, Oct. 23, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., via Zoom. Registration required. Hosted by UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College.

“Fruit lies when you’re having fun: a brief introduction to tephritid genomics and implications for the sterile insect technique,” by Sheina B. Sim, Ph.D., research biologist, USDA-ARS Daniel K Inouye U.S .Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Friday, Oct. 23, 3:00 p.m., via Zoom. Passcode: tephritid.

“Hōkūleʻa—The Revival Begins, 1975-1980” live virtual talk story session, Friday, Oct. 23, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Registration required. Panelists include Gordon Piʻianaiʻa, Billy Richards, John Kruse, Snake Ah Hee and Kālepa Baybayan.

“The ADA Interactive Process: Best Approach to Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants and Employees” by Teresa Kono, program officer, UH Mānoa, and Corey Nakamoto, Investigator, EEO/AA, UH Mānoa and UH System, Monday, Oct. 26, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., via Zoom. Registration required. Presented as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month Webinar Series.