Kuleana and Community: UH Hilo launches weekly talk story events, open to the public

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“Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story: Building Community Through Conversation,” every Friday through Nov. 15, university ʻohana and public are invited.

Chancellor Irwin and Gerald DeMello (in lei) pose for photo.
Chancellor Bonnie Irwin (left) at the Sept. 6 “Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story” featuring Gerald DeMello (right), former director of UH Hilo’s university relations and external affairs now retired, who talked about his advocacy for showcasing Hawaiʻi history via plaques, wall murals, and walking tours in Hilo and the former plantation town of Honokaʻa. (Courtesy photo)

By Susan Enright.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has launched a series of weekly gatherings where students, faculty, staff, university retirees, and members of the local community get together in a safe and welcoming environment to share their thoughts around a common topic.

Colby Miyose pictured
Colby Miyose launched the talk-story series with the topic, “Communicating with Empathy”

The goal of the series, named Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story: Building Community Through Conversation, is to strengthen the university’s connections to the local community through conversation. Topics cover Maunakea stewardship, mental health, better communication, houselessness in Hawaiʻi, entrepreneurship, and more. Following a short talk by a featured guest, attendees break out into discussion groups and then share their manaʻo with everyone.

The program launched Aug. 30 with Assistant Professor of Communication Colby Miyose, a co-organizer of the weekly events, who shared his thoughts on “Communicating with Empathy.”

Today’s talk, the second of the series, featured Gerald DeMello, former director of UH Hilo’s university relations and external affairs now retired, who talked about his advocacy for showcasing Hawaiʻi history via plaques, wall murals, and walking tours in Hilo and the former plantation town of Honokaʻa.

Bonnie Irwin pictured
Bonnie Irwin

“The topic of preserving our local history was something every person in the audience could relate to,” says Chancellor Bonnie Irwin who attended the event. “Gerald DeMello is such an engaging speaker and deeply committed to preserving our local history.”

Schedule of upcoming talk-story events

The talk story events take place on Fridays, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Kilohana Academic Success Center, which is located on the first floor of Edwin Mookini Library. All members of the university community and the general public are invited. Light refreshments are served.

Upcoming talk story events this fall through November 15:

  • Sept. 13: Charmaine Higa, “Small Shoulders, Big Worries: Understanding Childhood Anxiety in a Post-Pandemic World”
  • Sept. 20: Randy Kurohara, “Our Responsibility for Health”
  • Sept. 27: Clifton Sankofa, “Reclaiming Health Through Food”
  • Oct. 4: Kaleo Pilago, Maunakea Stewardship
  • Oct. 11: Beverly Tese, Prizma Hawaiʻi LGBTQ Center
  • Oct. 18: Carla Kuo, Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce
  • Oct. 25: Brandee Menino, Hope Services
  • Nov. 1: Mike Miyahira, UH Regent and business owner
  • Nov. 8: Julie Mitchell, Kuikahi Mediation Center
  • Nov. 15: Sue Lee Loy, Hawaiʻi County Council Member

Sponsors

The Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story events are sponsored by the UH Hilo Office of the Chancellor, Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, Kilohana Academic Success Center, Center for Global Education and Exchange, with support from Assistant Professor of Communication Colby Miyose and Associate Professor of Sociology Alton Okinaka.

“This series is about more than just conversation, it’s about building relationships and expanding our understanding of the world,” says Carolina Lam from the Center for Global Education and Exchange. “Through these talks, we hope to create a community that learns from one another and encourages curiosity about life beyond our island’s boundaries.”

Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

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