Award recipients include:

• Kekoa Harman, Associate Professor of Hawaiian Studies & Hawaiian Language, UH System Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award

• Elisabeth Gallant, Assistant Professor of Geology, UH System Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

• Kekoa Harman, UH Hilo Pūlama ʻIke Award

• Adriane Lewandowski, Instructor of Nursing, UH Hilo Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

• Luzviminda Miguel, Associate Professor of Nursing, UH Hilo Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi Award for Excellence and Innovation

• Hollind Paiva, Janitor, UH Hilo Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance Award

• Kathleen Hughes, Information Technology Specialist, UH Hilo Excellence in Service

For a description of awards, see: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/uhh/awards/.

Approximately 557 students have petitioned for degrees and/or certificates and for various post-graduate credentials representing the College of Arts and Sciences, Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management, College of Natural and Health Sciences, College of Business and Economics, and the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy.

The keynote address will be given by Dr. Michele Ebersole, a Professor of Education at UH Hilo who has dedicated more than two decades to preparing future teachers and strengthening educator development across Hawaiʻi Island. She earned her Ph.D. in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona and has built a career grounded in literacy education, culturally responsive teaching, and place-based pedagogy.

Her teaching and scholarship center on language and literacy development, with a particular emphasis on integrating culture, community, and identity into teacher preparation. Her work explores the role of children’s literature, narrative, and local context in fostering meaningful learning experiences. She has published in a range of peer-reviewed journals and has contributed to national and international conversations on culturally responsive teaching and literacy practices.

At UH Hilo, she has played a central leadership role in shaping the School of Education. She previously served as Chair of the School of Education, and has contributed to the development and coordination of key programs, including the Master of Arts in Teaching and new undergraduate pathways into teacher education. Her leadership extends to large-scale initiatives, including co-implementing a multi-year “Grow Our Own” teacher development grant aimed at addressing teacher shortages in Hawaiʻi.

Deeply committed to community engagement, she collaborates extensively with local schools, educators, and organizations. She has served on advisory boards, facilitated professional development for teachers, and worked closely with Hawaiʻi Department of Education initiatives to support literacy and culturally grounded instruction. Her work consistently reflects a commitment to fostering strong connections between schools, communities, and place.

Her contributions to teaching and service have been recognized through numerous awards, including the University of Hawai'i Board of Regent’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Across her career, she remains dedicated to preparing thoughtful, reflective educators who are committed to serving the students of Hawaiʻi.

Imani Lee is the student speaker. She receives her degree in psychology with a minor in political science and a pre-law certificate.

Lee has competed as a member of the Vulcan volleyball team during her four years at UH Hilo, and also served as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in 2025. This semester, she studied abroad in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, expanding her worldview as both a Gilman Scholar and a recipient of the John and Anja McVickar Study Abroad Scholarship.

Lee plans to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration abroad while continuing her volleyball career with the goal of eventually working in foreign service.

Spring commencement will be recorded and available for viewing at: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/commencement/.

To mark the occasion, the Botanical Garden at UH Hilo offers three free guided tours. Visitors can explore unique aspects of tropical gardening, learn from the experts, and discover what makes this garden a vital part of the local community.

“Ancient Survivors: The Secret World of Cycads,” begins at 9 a.m. with a journey back in time to explore a world-class collection of prehistoric plants, focusing on the fascinating biology and global conservation of the ancient Zamia genus. At 10 a.m., “Living Galleries: The Art and Engineering of Bromeliads” highlights the vibrant world of epiphytes by exploring the unique water-trapping biology of these rainforest architects. The final tour, “Princes of the Tropics: A Journey Through the Palms,” starts at 11 a.m. and showcases the architectural grandeur of the palm family, from the soaring heights of Pigafetta filaris to the Licuala genus and the evolutionary story of the native Hawaiian Loulu.

The Botanical Garden at UH Hilo was started in 1990 and is home to over 130 species of cycads, hybrid bromeliads, and gigantic palms. In December 2024, it was recognized as an accreditation garden by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

“The UH Hilo Botanical Garden is dedicated to plant conservation, research, and education,” noted Don Hemmes, founder of the garden. “Featuring an impressive collection of cycads, bromeliads, and palms, the garden serves as a valuable resource for the community and a contributor to global plant conservation initiatives.”

The Botanical Garden at UH Hilo is open daily with no admission fee.

Contact Robert Talbert at talbertr@hawaii.edu with any questions.

Winston Wu, Ph.D., is one of 25 national ambassadors representing 23 states who will serve to advance AI education through the NAIRR Pilot Classroom and the NAIRR Pilot Classroom Expansion AI EDU Research Coordination Network (RCN). As a Fellow, Wu will pilot and adapt courses utilizing NAIRR Pilot Classroom resources, support faculty nationwide in integrating these materials into courses, and help shape the strategic direction of the NAIRR AI EDU RCN.

Wu’s research develops natural language processing and machine learning methods for multilingual and low-resource applications, with a current focus on supporting language revitalization and education efforts in the local community. He teaches a wide range of courses, from introductory programming to advanced undergraduate courses on natural language processing and deep learning, and also coaches the UH Hilo competitive programming teams.

He received undergraduate degrees in computer science and Latin from the University of Texas at Austin, earned his Ph.D. in computer science from Johns Hopkins University, and was a postdoc at the University of Michigan. In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano.

“These Fellows will serve as ambassadors for AI education across the country, helping faculty and institutions leverage NAIRR resources to strengthen their courses and programs,” said Jeff Forbes, director of broadening participation in computing initiatives at CRA and lead for the NAIRR AI Education initiative. “By elevating their leadership and connecting them nationally, we’re amplifying both their impact and the broader goals of the NAIRR AI Education program.”

Wu’s Fellowship runs March 2026 – February 2027 and includes a $5,000 stipend and national visibility as a leader in AI education.

This year’s show will feature approximately 150 students in 10 different performances spanning the globe. Crowd favorites such as Tupulaga O Samoa Mo a Taeao representing Samoa, and Taishoji Taiko representing Japan, return to center stage. Other performances will showcase the unique cultures of Hawaiʻi, the Philippines, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Kosrae and Pohnpei islands in Micronesia.

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $5 for students and children 17 years and under. Tickets may be purchased online at https://pay.hilo.hawaii.edu/pac/tickets/ or by phone at (808) 932-7490 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, Tuesday through Thursday. Advance ticket purchase is recommended as tickets always sell out prior to the show.

For ticket information, contact the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center Box Office at (808) 932-7490.

“This exciting event will include an Ask-Me-Anything session with NASA astronaut Donald R. Pettit, hands-on workshops for students in grades 3–12 (registration required), STEM exhibits and demonstrations, special guest speakers, food trucks, and a state-qualifying VEX IQ Robotics tournament,” said PISCES Director Christian Andersen.

This year’s Ellison Onizuka Science Day resumes at UH Hilo after the event was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event also commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy while honoring Astronaut Ellison Onizuka’s enduring legacy and commitment to education.

“Ellison Onizuka was from the Big Island, and he showed the world what is possible when we dream big, work hard, and have fun,” said PISCES Engineer and Project Manager Amber Imai-Hong. “We are excited to bring Ellison Onizuka Science Day back to our community, providing an opportunity to explore the exciting world of STEM, and we hope it inspires keiki to pursue their own dreams, no matter how big.”

Workshop sessions will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis so families are encouraged to register early to secure their student’s preferred workshop. For more information and to register, visit: bit.ly/onizuka-day.

The event is sponsored by American Savings Bank, covering travel expenses for the NASA astronaut, and KTA Super Stores, providing student lunches.

PISCES is an aerospace research and education program at UH Hilo’s College of Natural and Health Sciences. Founded in 2007, PISCES develops aerospace technology to help humans live and work beyond Earth. The program’s applied research projects offer unique opportunities for high school and undergraduate students to learn hands-on work skills and gain real-world research experience. Learn more at www.pacificspacecenter.com.