At a public presentation, the Hawaiian language scholar and the research scientist compared the first 11 lines of an ancient Hawaiian creation chant to modern astronomical theories of the origins of the universe. The similarity between the two is astonishing.
Category: Faculty Expertise
Expert in indigenous archaeology returns to UH Hilo to inspire students to study Pacific artifacts
Twenty-six years ago, Tarisi Vunidilo was an anthropology student at UH Hilo. She’s returned to UH Hilo as an assistant professor of anthropology with a passion to inspire students about the histories of places, artifacts, and indigenous people.
Study finds “America First” policy results in expansion of minority-owned U.S. firms
UH Hilo Assistant Professor of Management Todd Inouye and a team of researchers find the “America First” policy actually encourages minority entrepreneurs to expand through activating their diaspora networks in order to do more business abroad.
Two faculty from UH Hilo pharmacy college chosen for national leadership program
This year, Hawai‘i is the only state with two teams selected for the exclusive Robert Woods Johnson Foundation’s Clinical Scholars Program. Among team members are UH Hilo assistant professors of pharmacy practice Camlyn Masuda and Chad Kawakami.
UH Hilo scientists document how rainfall brings harmful bacteria into Hilo Bay
The study, a collaboration of state agencies along with UH Hilo faculty and alumni now working in health and science fields, shows staph and fecal indicator bacteria in Hilo Bay increase with rainfall and river discharge. Cloudy water is associated with higher bacteria concentrations, and high salinity with lower bacteria concentrations.
UH Hilo Indigenous educator Makalapua Alencastre receives lifetime achievement award from national association
Associate Professor Makalapua was recognized by the National Indian Education Association for her 40 years of working on the reestablishment of Hawaiian as the primary language of the family and education. Her professional and research interests include Indigenous immersion education-program planning and evaluation, teacher education, and educational reform
“Dialogues in Friendship” panel aims to foster civil discussion on TMT and Maunakea at UH Hilo
At a workshop held on campus last Friday, astronomer Heather Kaluna and philosopher Celia Bardwell-Jones shared the example of their friendship to illustrate the value of civil discourse.
UH Hilo undergraduate researcher examines Hawai‘i’s native and nonnative bee habitats
Geography student Jesse Tabor is doing bee research with his mentor Jonathan Koch (a UH Hilo alumnus now a post doc at his alma mater). The research—identifying habitats of nonnative and native bees—could prove to be critical to preserving Hawai‘i native bee populations.
Building on skill set learned doing research as undergraduate at UH Hilo, Tino Wells is now working at national research institution
At the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Tino Wells is working on machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, or AI, that involves the development of computer programs that can access data and use it to learn for themselves. The know-how on researching and creating those computer programs is the skill set the national lab values in Wells.
Newest professor in UH Hilo English department comes back home to teach Pacific Islander literature
A scholar in settler colonial studies, Leanne Day says whatever the medium, whether it is a book or slam poetry, she hopes her students will be inspired to engage in critical self-reflection.