The theme of Research Day 2025 was “UH Mānoa Research and Creative Works for the Wellbeing of Current and Future Generations.” Featuring informational tables, demonstrations, and interactive activities, this annual event provided an opportunity for lawmakers, the public, faculty, staff, and students to discuss research that tackles some of Hawaiʻi’s most pressing issues. CALL departments and areas participated in several ways.
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(l-r): Sulin Kim, Chiyeon Hwang, Harrison Kim
Early Records of the Korean Diaspora
Noticeable among the many Mānoa research units featured at Research Day was a team from CALL’s Department of History. Researchers Cheehyung Harrison Kim (Associate Professor of Korean History), Sulim Kim (PhD Candidate in History), and Chiyeon Hwang (PhD Candidate in EALL) showcased their work on the documents of Korean immigrants in Hawai‘i in early twentieth century. Archives at Hamilton Library and the Center for Korean Studies hold unique records about the Korean diaspora’s experience working in plantations and fighting for independence of their homeland. Their research was funded by the Center for Korean Studies.
Alex Mawyer and Pia Arboleda (background) with Amy Agbayani (emeritus assistant vice chancellor)
School of Pacific & Asian Studies Showcases Area Centers
Pia Arboleda (Center for Southeast Asian Studies) and Alex Mawyer (Center for Pacific Island Studies) enjoyed meeting representatives Andrew Garrett, Ikaika Hussey, Greggor Ilagan, and Amy Perusso, and, senators Donna Mercado Kim and Kurt Favella. Faculty and staff also had the opportunity to discuss research challenges and concerns with Provost Michael Bruno and Dean Peter Arnade.
SPAS is composed of 8 area centers that serve as focal points for faculty with interests in specific geographical areas, thereby facilitating collaboration. Centers also reach out to the community, public schools, and organizations through ways such as sponsoring lectures and serving as educational resources. The centers are:
Center for Chinese Studies Center for Pacific Islands Studies
Center for Japanese Studies Center for Philippine Studies
Center for Korean Studies Center for South Asian Studies
Center for Okinawan Studies Center for Southeast Asian Studies
Showcasing Innovation: CLT Team Presents at Mānoa Research Day
Naiyi Xie Fincham and Aitor Alvarez from the Center for Language & Technology were invited to present their research project, “Leveraging Generative AI for Enhanced Personalized Language Learning” at Research Day.
This longitudinal project explores the potential of generative AI, specifically, using Large Language Models to support personalized language learning. It focuses on helping learners at various proficiency levels develop speaking skills in the target language through AI-guided conversations, personalized feedback, and tailored scaffolding. Their work contributes to the broader goal of enhancing educational experiences and preparing learners for future human-AI collaboration. Their research highlights how educational technology can address real-world challenges and create meaningful impacts for learners both locally and globally.
Carson Compos and Subramanian Shankar
Mānoa Journal
Mānoa, a literary journal based in the English Department, met with lawmakers in order to present the creative writing carried in the journal for more than 30 years. Their theme was “Kuleana to Hawai‘i and the World: Our Commitment to Excellence in Research.” On a poster board, Mānoa shared its readership and research impact data, successful grant raising activities, awards won, forthcoming issues, and information on Hawai’i communities served. The poster board included information on a forthcoming issue, edited by a team led by Brandy Nālani McDougall, that focuses on the impact of the Maui Wildfires through the voices of writers from Hawai`i. The Mānoa booth also displayed past issues featuring writing from Japan, China, Korea, CHamoru, and, most recently, the Philippines and its diaspora.
The NSF-funded DLPHI project supports language communities through training in linguistic documentation methods and research that focuses on the Micronesian Diaspora in Hawaiʻi. Through the Micronesian Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship in Linguistics, graduate and undergraduate students work together on language projects. The student-run Language Documentation Training Center provides language documentation and conservation training to community members. And the upcoming the 9th International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation will have a special focus on diaspora language communities.
Kieko Matteson, Christina Karamperidou, Jennifer Pagala Barnett
EARTH (Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub) Engineering Research Center
History Professor Kieko Matteson joined Professor Christina Karamperidou (Atmospheric Sciences) and Jennifer Pagala Barnett (SEED Office) to spread the word about EARTH: Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub, a NSF-funded Engineering Research Center comprised of an interdisciplinary team of researchers from UH and five other U.S. universities.
Integrating science, social science, business, industry, and workforce development, the project seeks innovative and solution-driven approaches to recycling and repurposing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — highly potent greenhouse gases used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning — and to develop safe, sustainable and affordable approaches to cooling and refrigeration. Professor Matteson is the only representative of the humanities among the 50+ EARTH faculty.
