UH faculty honored for excellence in teaching and research

University of Hawaiʻi faculty received top awards for their inspirational teaching and engagement and world-class research.

Fifteen UH faculty members from across the state have been awarded the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, and three received the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research.

In addition, six UH teachers have been recognized with the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. A Honolulu Community College student has won the Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Vocational Education.

“Congratulations to our outstanding, world-class faculty and students!” said UH President David Lassner. “We are grateful for their hard work, service and inspiration as they elevate our communities through their scholarship and teaching excellence.”

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching recognizes faculty who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity, and personal values beneficial to students. The awards were given to:

• Rosanna Alegado, associate professor of oceanography, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, UH Mānoa
• Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker, associate professor of theatre and dance, College of Arts, Languages & Letters, UH Mānoa
• Richard C. Chen, associate professor, William S. Richardson School of Law, UH Mānoa
• Lincoln A. Gotshalk, professor of kinesiology and exercise science, College of Natural and Health Sciences, UH Hilo
• Karadeen Kam-Kalani, professor of speech, Honolulu Community College
• Tiffany-Joy Kawaguchi, program director and interim academic fieldwork coordinator, occupational therapy assistant program, Kapiʻolani Community College
• Kamuela Kimokeo, director, Hawaiian Music Institute, Windward Community College
• Monica LaBriola, assistant professor of history, College of Arts, Languages & Letters, UH Mānoa
• Donald K. Maruyama, professor of culinary arts, Leeward Community College
• Summer Maunakea, assistant professor in curriculum studies, College of Education, UH Mānoa
• Alexander Stokes, assistant professor of cell and molecular biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH Mānoa
• Shawn Sumiki, instructor of culinary arts, Hawaiʻi Community College
• Maureen Tabura, assistant professor, nursing, Kauaʻi Community College
• Eli Tsukayama, associate professor, marketing, UH West Oʻahu
• Rosemary Vierra, professor and dental hygiene program coordinator, UH Maui College

For the bios of each recipient: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2023/05/14/bor-excellence-in-teaching-2023/

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research recognizes a faculty member’s scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of all in the community, nation and the world, was awarded to:

• Kenneth C. Chambers, astronomer, Institute for Astronomy, UH Mānoa
• Jeffrey Drazen, professor in the Department of Oceanography in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, UH Mānoa
• Shadia Rifai Habba, professor of astronomy at the Institute for Astronomy, UH Mānoa

For the bios of each recipient: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2023/05/14/bor-excellence-in-research-2023/

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and UH Mānoa for 19 years. This year’s awardees are:

• Katherine Aumer, associate professor of psychology, UH West Oʻahu
• Leanne Day, assistant professor of English, UH Hilo
• Aaron Hanai, associate professor of engineering, Kapiʻolani Community College
• Kalikoaloha Martin, instructor in the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, UH Mānoa
• Orlo Steele, associate professor of science, tropical forest ecosystem and agroforestry management program, Hawaiʻi Community College
• Manca Sustarsic, PhD candidate in education with a concentration in educational foundations in the College of Education, UH Mānoa

For the bios of each recipient: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2023/05/14/frances-davis-award-2023/

The Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Vocational Education rewards outstanding achievement and significant contribution to vocational and technical education by a community college faculty member or student. The award was established by family members to honor the namesakes’ role in development of the food industry in Hawai‘i. This year's winner is:

• Dayton Uchiyama, fire and environmental emergency response student at Honolulu Community College

For more on Uchiyama: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2023/05/14/kunimoto-uchiyama/ ‎