Diversity Matters at Mānoa
As part of Diversity Matters week, former faculty members were honored for their contributions to the university community. In the following videos these distinguished faculty reflect on their experiences at UH Mānoa.
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Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott
A renowned international botanist, Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott was the first woman of Hawaiian descent to teach at Stanford University and the first Native Hawaiian woman to earn a doctorate in science. She has a profound appreciation for her Native Hawaiian culture and is the author of eight books and numerous papers.
Dr. Ramon de la Pena
A former professor of agronomy and soil science, Dr. Ramon de la Pena arrived from the Philippines to research tropical crops and how to improve wetland and dry land taro production. He is a member of the Board of Regents and one of the first faculty members of Filipino descent at the UH Mānoa.
Dr. Richard Kosaki
Dr. Richard Kosaki began his UH career in 1942 as freshman class president. Since his retirement in 1985, he has held a number of different posts and was awarded the Regents Medal and the title of Chancellor Emeritus. Kosaki is most noted for his administrative acumen and for launching the UH community colleges.
Dr. Barbara B. Smith
Dr. Barbara B. Smith came to the UH Mānoa Music Department after the second world war in 1949. During her tenure she introduced ethnic music performance classes and established the master's degree program in ethnomusicology. Highly respected by her peers and dearly loved by her students, Dr. Smith was recognized as a "living treasure" of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences in 2000. The amphitheater and ethnomusicology wing of the music department are also named in her honor.