David Akana

The event recognized the dedication, service, and leadership of outstanding faculty, staff, and students committed to the university's mission of excellence. Special guests and distinguished members of the community were acknowledged, including the interim chancellor and vice chair of the Board of Regents. Congratulatory messages were read from Governor David Ige, Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. The ceremony presented several awards: the Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching, the Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Research, the Francis Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (Faculty and Graduate Assistant categories), the Robert W. Clopton Award for Distinguished Service to the Community, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa Chancellor Citation for Meritorious Teaching. Award recipients were recognized for exceptional contributions in teaching, research (including work on adaptive optics and brown dwarfs), service to the community (Elder Law focus), and student mentorship.

The John A. Burns School of Medicine's strategic vision is centered on attaining lasting optimal health for all in Hawaii. It focuses on integrating high-quality healthcare delivery, comprehensive training, and impactful research, while fostering community partnerships and multidisciplinary collaborations. Key priorities include enhancing diversity and equity across all goals, addressing health disparities, and ensuring robust clinical translational research programs. The institution aims to operate under a model of inclusive excellence and continuous quality improvement to better serve its ohana and the broader communities.

The Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health operates with a common vision to achieve social justice and health equity for the people of Hawaii and global citizens. This document provides an overview of the school's diverse programs, research endeavors, and activities across its three core units: social work, public health, and the center on aging. It highlights comprehensive degree programs in social work (BSW, MSW, PhD in social welfare) and public health (BA, Minor, MPH, MS, PhD), including specialized offerings like the unique Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health MPH and robust distance education initiatives. The school demonstrates substantial research engagement, securing $16 million in extramural funds annually, with focuses on suicide prevention and health inequities. It emphasizes deep community engagement, extensive field placements, and collaborative partnerships as foundational to addressing health disparities and promoting overall well-being, leveraging its expertise in areas such as biostatistics, epidemiology, indigenous health, health literacy, and policy analysis.

The University of Hawaii Cancer Center's strategic overview details its mission to reduce the burden of cancer in Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands. It achieves this through integrated efforts in research, education, patient care, and community outreach, emphasizing culturally attuned and inclusive approaches tailored to the region's unique demographics and environment. Key strategic pillars include Population Sciences, leveraging resources like the Multi-Ethnic Cohort and Hawaii Tumor Registry for prevention, and Cancer Biology, focusing on understanding cancer mechanisms for therapeutic and diagnostic advancements. The center prioritizes enhancing diversity, expanding clinical trials, and fostering educational opportunities, supported by strong collaborations with academic and healthcare partners.

This document outlines the mission and vision of the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy, focusing on educating pharmacy practitioners and leaders, fostering innovation, and delivering quality patient care. Key strategic priorities include addressing declining enrollment by differentiating programs and attracting local students, particularly native Hawaiians, and retaining graduates in Hawaii by expanding practice settings. The college emphasizes increasing research funding and collaborations, engaging in legislative advocacy for health professions, and strengthening interprofessional partnerships and educational pathways.