Video: Elena Cabatu, public affairs director at Hilo Benioff Medical Center, gives public talk at UH Hilo, “Fulfilling Kuleana”
The talk, focusing on three priorities in giving back to the community, is part of UH Hilo’s Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story gatherings.
By Staff/UH Hilo Stories.
Elena Cabatu, director of marketing, legislative and public affairs at Hilo Benioff Medical Center, gave a public talk Sept. 5 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Thinking on her father’s question to her “What will you give back to your community when you grow up?” Cabatu’s talk focused on three priorities she loves and wants to get good at to help give back to her community.
Cabatu began her career in Washington, D.C., working on international women’s rights and health. She returned back to Hawaiʻi Island in 2006. She is a Hilo girl who loves serving her community by advocating for healthcare, women’s rights and LGBTQIA issues.
The talk, “Fulfilling Kuleana,” is part of a series of weekly gatherings held each semester at UH Hilo 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.
Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story
The goal of the series, named “Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story: Building Community Through Conversation” and launched in fall of 2024, is to strengthen the university’s connections to the local community through conversation. Talks cover youth-focused government programs, health care, food systems, climate challenges, and more. Following a short talk by a featured guest, attendees break out into discussion groups and then share their manaʻo (thoughts) with everyone.
The talks are held on campus at the Kilohana Student Success Center located in Edwin Mookini Library.
The Kuleana and Community series is sponsored by the UH Hilo Office of the Chancellor, Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, Kilohana Academic Success Center, Center for Global Education and Exchange, and Assistant Professor of Communication Colby Miyose and Associate Professor of Sociology Alton Okinaka.
