Education

Theresa Chang completed an incredible journey from addiction to academic success, accepting her bachelor of arts degree in communication from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo during the Dec. 20 fall commencement ceremony.

A new study revealed that marine areas managed by local villages support higher giant clam population densities compared to federally designated no-take reserves.

The announcement was made via a message from Kamehameha Schools Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer Livingston Wong; the full cost of education for every student — including those on the Big Island — instead would be borne by the private school’s $15 billion endowment.

The grants — one to University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center for the new groundbreaking Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center and the other to John A. Burns School of Medicine to upgrade simulation and training resources — reinforce Helmsley’s commitment to strengthening health infrastructure and workforce capacity in Hawaiʻi.

Punihaole’s stewardship and education efforts at Kahalu‘u Bay preserved one of the Big Island’s most vibrant marine sanctuaries and inspired a community movement to protect it for future generations.

Unlocking the mystery of dark matter would help to get a grasp on what most of the universe is actually made of and potentially reveal fundamental new physics that could revolutionize the understanding of how everything works.

Community observing program Shadow the Scientists took the public on a tour of the famous interstellar visitor — sporting a holiday hue — with live observations from the Gemini North telescope control room on the Big Island.

The $2 million grant supports a University of Hawaiʻi program that will support 11 postdoctoral scholars from 2025 to 2028 who will work in astronomy, oceanography, life sciences, geophysics, atmospheric science and other fields vital to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.

We’re heading into the homestretch, Big Island, with just a week before Christmas, and there is everything but silent nights — or days — as a flurry of holiday events is again scheduled from one end of the island to the other. Check them out now!

The discussion hosted by Ke One O Kākuhihewa, the Oʻahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, with support from Kanaeokana, will provide an opportunity for dialogue with the finalists.

Waikōloa native and graduate of Kealakehe High School Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee was one of two Villars Institute Fellows selected for the Ice Station Expedition, a 2-week mission that took place this month; he now will begin sharing lessons from the expedition through school visits, community presentations and public outreach.

These advances allow researchers to see the sun’s magnetic landscape more accurately and improve predictions of solar activity that impacts life on Earth, including solar flares and coronal ejections that can disrupt satellites, power systems and communications.

Nonprofit Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi’s CNA+ to LPN Bridge program enables working certified nurse aides to become licensed practical nurses without having to leave their jobs to attend school or take labs.

Ceremony, which is limited to invited guests and not open to the public, is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Vulcan Gymnasium on the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus, located at 200 W. Kāwili St. in Hilo; a livestream will be available for others to watch.

Join Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff and its partners Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense in January 2026 for a series of programs around the island that will discuss eruptions and earthquakes, how Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists monitor them and the hazards associated with them.

The program — that matches students with Hawaiʻi-based observatories — helps students build clear pathways into high-quality science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers through meaningful project work, one-on-one mentorship, communication skill-building and a final technical presentation.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo commencement scheduled for Dec. 20; all 10 University of Hawaiʻi campuses throughout the state will host spring commencement services in May 2026.

As Hawaiʻi County prepares for 2026, residents are urged to enhance their disaster response skills through free Community Emergency Response Team training that will take place in January.

The project is aimed at protecting the people and ecosystems of the islands from threats such as wildfires, drought, flooding, hurricanes, tsunamis, water contamination and more.

It seems as the island is in a very festive mood already this holiday season — and we do mean very; from traditional things to do to several events that are new, there are myriad ways to get into the holiday spirit during the upcoming week. Check them out now!