Hawaiʻi to Kagoshima: A life-changing summer in Japan for rising UH Mānoa freshmen

MAK students wear traditional yukata while visiting a bukeyashiki or samurai residence.

Before entering the Terukuni Shrine, students perform a purification ritual.

A student learns the fine art of playing the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument.

Students take part in a Japanese tea ceremony, also known as chado or “the way of tea.”

Students visited Sakurajima and witnessed the Sogadon no Kasayaki Festival.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/0VUIFLTlBHU 

What if your first college class took you more than 4,000 miles from home—and gave you an entirely new view of the world?

That’s exactly what 10 freshmen at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa experienced this summer in the Mānoa Academy Kagoshima, a unique pre-college program developed and administered by the College of Social Sciences (CSS). Held July 8–29, 2025, the innovative three-week program combined academic coursework with full cultural immersion. It began with four days of classes at UH Mānoa followed by 11 days in Kagoshima, Japan where students engaged in academic and cultural classes, activities and experiences. The group then returned to UH Mānoa for final presentations.

“By immersing themselves in Japan’s history and society, Mānoa Academy participants gained a fresh perspective on study topics including peace, leadership, collective action and cross-cultural communication,” said CSS Dean Denise Eby Konan, founder and executive director of Mānoa Academy.

‘A bridge of humanity’

For psychology-bound student Noah Aoki, a graduate of Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy, the experience was deeply humanizing.

“Spending time with my partner at Kagoshima University made me realize that all people desire peace, which is the ability to reconcile differences between each other appropriately,” said Aoki. “Even though we live in different parts of the world and speak different languages, the two groups of students were still able to bond. I could see that there’s a bridge of humanity covering the vast river of languages and cultural differences.”

Cseretha Jones, a Leilehua High alumna interested in biochemistry or psychology, drew powerful cultural connections during her time in Japan.

“We visited Sakurajima and got to witness the Sogadon no Kasayaki festival from front-row seats,” she said. “The heat of the umbrellas burning against the night sky reminded me of the times I visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, where night performances and storytelling were huge forms of entertainment. Being able to be a part of this (Japan) experience made me appreciate home a little more.”

Participants earned three UH Mānoa credits through the Social Sciences 124 course, “Leadership and Social Issues,” applying their classroom learning to real-world contexts through field visits, community exchanges and reflections—all while giving them a good start on their freshmen year at the flagship campus of UH System.

Now back home and preparing for their first semester at UH Mānoa, these students bring with them more than early college credit—they carry a global awareness and experiences that will shape their personal and academic paths for years to come.

Program instructor locally and abroad was Eiko Ushida, with leadership provided by Professor Nori Tarui, senior advisor to the CSS Dean on Global College Initiatives, and chair of the Department of Economics; and Spencer Kimura, CSS director of international programs.

Mānoa Academy Kagoshima was sponsored by CSS, Kagoshima University, Hawaiian Airlines, Shigetomi Shoji Co., Ltd. and Fujitsu. These partners covered expenses including round-trip airfare to and from Fukuoka, room and board, ground transportation and excursion fees.