Ka Lama Kū: UH Hilo students receive awards for their outstanding leadership on campus

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Based on native Hawaiian cultural values, the annual Ka Lama Kū awards recognize the exceptional contributions the honorees make as student leaders on campus.

By Staff/UH Hilo Stories.

Ka Lama Kū logo with three torches.University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Ka Lama Kū Student Leadership Development Program held its annual award ceremony on April 21, 2023.

Based on Native Hawaiian cultural values, the program’s Ka Lama Kū Awards recognize contributions students have made in their formal and informal leadership roles on campus and acknowledge those individuals who show strong evidence of future leadership potential.

Each year, a committee of UH Hilo students reviews the nominations for Ka Lama Kū Award recipients and selects the awardees.

“It was such a delight to see the energy and creativity honored in our student leaders,” says UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, who attended the event. “In addition to gaining valuable experience in leading these initiatives for the campus, it was clear that the students had also become good friends through working collaboratively on shared goals.”

The following students and groups are the 2023 Ka Lama Kū Award recipients.

Individual Awards

  • Alakaʻi Award: Leadership – Haley Williams (not present at award ceremony)
  • Kuleana Award: Accountable and Responsible – Carley Atkins
  • Mālama Award: Taking Care of Others and Community – Lillian Lewis
  • ʻIke Pāpālua Award: To Have the Gift of Vision – Mekaila Pasco
  • Laulima Award: No Task is Too Big When Done By All – Russell-Jearuss Ronolo

Group Awards

Alakaʻi Group Award: Leadership

Group poses near Ka Lama Kū banner.
The First Year Experience team won the Alakaʻi Group Award. Front row from left, Chris Wung (nominator), Makanoe Hufana, Mekaila Pasco, and Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. Back row from left, Clare Aragon, Michelle Bond, Calyx Badon, Natasha Figueroa, Carley Atkins, Lillian Lewis, and Russell-Jearuss Ronolo. (Courtesy photo)

First Year Experience

  • Clare Aragon
  • Carley Atkins
  • Calyx Badon
  • Michelle Bond
  • Natasha Figueroa
  • Makanoe Hufana
  • Lillian Lewis
  • Mekaila Pasco
  • Russell Ronolo

ʻIke Pāpālua Group Award: To Have the Gift of Vision

Group poses with the Ka Lama Kū logo and signage on the right.
Ka Pouhana Mentoring Program team won the ʻIke Pāpālua Award. From left are three guests (names not known), and then awardees Trevondrick Francis, Mekaila Pasco, Ayzlynne-Kalia Fishman-DeVera, and Kit Neikirk. At far right is Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. Not present are awardees Mahina Hanakeawe, Tuʻupuamalamakahonua Helekahi, Tiffani Napihaʻa, Coral Richardson, Elena-Marie “Lehua” Waianuhea, and Catherine Cornella. (Courtesy photo)

Ka Pouhana Mentoring Program

  • Catherine Cornella
  • Ayzlynne-Kalia Fishman-DeVera
  • Trevondrick Francis
  • Mahina Hanakeawe
  • Tuʻupuamalamakahonua Helekahi
  • Tiffani Napihaʻa
  • Kit Neikirk
  • Mekaila Pasco
  • Coral Richardson
  • Elena-Marie “Lehua” Waianuhea

Laulima Group Award: No Task is Too Big When Done By All

Chancellor and group pose near the Ka Lama Kū banner.
UH Hilo’s Psi Chi Psychology Honors Society Club won the ʻIke Pāpālua Award. From left, Professor of Psychology Adam Pack (nominator), Makani Walker, Aurelia Castagnetti, Mekaila Pasco, Peighten Kapper, and Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. (Courtesy photo)

Psi Chi Psychology Honors Society Club

  • Aurelia Castagnetti
  • Peighten Kapper
  • Mekaila Pasco
  • Makani Walker
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