Briefs for Aug. 26: Miss Universal Woman Hawaiʻi, Fulbright winner, women’s basketball newcomers, Shoji Society and more

Hawaiʻi Community College professor awarded Fulbright US Scholar Award

Hawaiʻi Community College Assistant Professor of Biology Jennifer Sims was recently named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award winner for the 2026-27 academic year. She will teach and conduct research at University of Malta.

Sims’ research focuses on microplastic pollution, plastic degradation and artificial intelligence-enabled environmental monitoring, drawing connections between shared environmental challenges facing island communities in Malta and Hawaiʻi. She will spend 9 months beginning in October co-teaching biological oceanography and contributing to artificial intelligence-driven citizen science programs and curriculum to expand undergraduate research opportunities.

Sims is the fifth Fulbright Scholar selected since 2010 from Hawaiʻi Community College, continuing the college’s success in the competitive academic exchange program. The college was also honored as a Top Producing Fulbright Institution in 2023 and 2024.

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2026-27 newcomers: Vulcans women’s basketball

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo women’s basketball welcomes 5 newcomers for the upcoming winter season under the leadership of head coach David Kaneshiro in his 17th season.

The Vulcans posted a 7-20 record last season and will look to replace seven departures from a year ago — five to graduation or exhausted eligibility. The incoming class arrives as the NCAA Division II Executive Committee recently adopted emergency legislation establishing an age-based eligibility model to allow student-athletes up to five seasons of competition.

Two newcomers will take on the guard position with 2 others at guard/forward. One will hit the hardwood as a center. Three are from Hawai‘i, one from Arizona and the other from California. There are a total of 12 women on the 2026-27 women’s basketball roster.

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New Shoji Society honors legendary coach, strengthens future of University of Hawaiʻi Athletics

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department, in partnership with University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, launched the Shoji Society named in honor of legendary women’s volleyball coach Dave Shoji and designed to mark transformational philanthropy and inspire long-term investment in the future of Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wāhine Athletics.

Shoji Society recognizes people and organizations making significant commitments to University of Hawaiʻi Athletics and success of its student-athletes. Membership begins with a minimum pledge of $50,000 throughout up to 5 years and supports the Our Team, Hawaiʻi’s Team Fund and/or the Boost the ’Bows Fund at the department or team levels through endowments, naming opportunities or capital projects.

The Shoji Society launched with 10 charter members and serves as the major giving component of the newly launched ’Bows Athletics Club, which provides opportunities for supporters at all giving levels to invest in University of Hawaiʻi Athletics. Together, the programs create a comprehensive philanthropic framework that recognizes both broad community support and transformational leadership investments. Visit the University of Hawaiʻi Athletics website for additional information.

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Hirono, colleagues raise alarms about proposed increase to naturalization fees

Hawaiʻi U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and naturalized citizen, led 11 of her Democratic Senate colleagues pressing President Donald Trump’s Administration on its recent proposed rule to increase naturalization fees and remove reduced fee options and waivers for those attempting to become citizens.

The senators in a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow raised alarms about how the proposed fee increases would limit citizenship for thousands of immigrants.

Immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship would face hundreds of dollars of fee increases, up to 80% more, under the proposed rule. Immigrants seeking a hearing on naturalization proceedings would also face a fee increase up to 83% more. Additionally, the proposed rule eliminates pre-existing reduced-fee options and waivers, designed to help immigrants achieve citizenship no matter their financial status. Hirono and her colleagues highlighted how the proposed rule burdens the pathway to citizenship without providing clear guidance about how access will be preserved for immigrants unable to meet the hiked financial threshold.

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Hong to retire as state director of Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land recently announced that associate vice president and Hawai‘i State Director Lea Hong will retire in December after 20 years leading the organization’s conservation work throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Trust for Public Land Hawai‘i protected 49 places totaling nearly 78,000 acres and leveraged more than $241 million in public and private funding to support conservation efforts statewide under Hong’s leadership. She and her team also reimagined and expanded the organization’s approach beyond land acquisition to one that integrates environmental protection and cultural values.

Also established under Hong’s tenure were an Aloha ‘Āina program that returns lands to Native Hawaiian stewardship and ownership, which to date resulted in 30 places and 36,000-plus acres returned to Native Hawaiian organizations; a Sustainable Hawai‘i program that protects lands that produce Hawai‘i’s food, forests and water; and a Parks for People program.

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First Miss Universal Woman Hawaiʻi from Hilo will represent the islands on international stage

Kaysha Koroi of Hilo — dedicated to empowering women through confidence, service and leadership — is using her platform as the first Miss Universal Woman Hawaiʻi to advocate for expanding accessible educational opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s youth. She plans to share her message as well as Hawaiʻi’s culture and spirit of aloha this fall on the international stage.

The Big Island woman, who was also 2024 Miss Hawaiʻi Island USA, will compete in Cambodia for the Miss Universal Woman title. She plans to travel Sept. 27 for the competition that begins Sept. 29 and is now raising funds for the about $2,000 round-trip. Her accommodations in Cambodia already were secured.

Stay connected and follow her journey, plus reach out to learn how you can help get her to Cambodia, by following Koroi and Universal Woman Hawai‘i on Instagram.