Letter to the Editor in today’s Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

‘Imiloa Is The Best

My wife and I recently spent two weeks on the Big Island, usually in the Hilo area, visiting with family and friends. I made my usual pilgrimage to the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, and wanted to express my enthusiasm and appreciation for the exhibits and for the work of ‘Imiloa’s staff.

Quite simply, ‘Imiloa is one of the crown jewels of the Big Island. The quality of the material at ‘Imiloa is very much the equal of anything done by the Smithsonian Institution at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Air and Space is much larger than ‘Imiloa, of course, but in terms of quality, ‘Imiloa is easily the equal of its larger counterpart.

Especially gratifying is the way in which ‘Imiloa seamlessly blends the indigenous mythology of Hawaii with the contemporary insights of astronomy and cosmology, and does so in such a way as to enhance one’s respect for both. Perhaps best of all, though, ‘Imiloa does not “talk down” to visitors. Many of the “hands-on” exhibits range from challenging to downright difficult, especially those concerned with simulating how astronomers set up observations on the Mauna Kea telescopes. I spent well over an hour setting up a simulation of the Gemini telescope for an observation of the Crab Nebula — and finally getting the hang of it!

As a former amateur astronomer and as someone who has a master’s degree in physics with an astrophysics emphasis, I think that an educated layperson willing to invest the time at ‘Imiloa could come away with at least an “101″-level education in astronomy. The day I was there, I only left because my wife and in-laws were waiting dinner on me.

I urge folks in Hilo to not be like people in Philadelphia — I have met several — who have never seen the Liberty Bell. Become ‘Imiloa patrons and discover the stars!

James R. Cowles

Kent, Wash.

Link

Longtime Hilo residents Jim and Anne Sadayasu always intended to give back to UH Hilo, where they started their college careers in the early 1960s. But first they needed to put their three sons through undergraduate and graduate school on the mainland and the UH Manoa Law School. When they read recently about the UH Centennial Campaign and UH Hilo’s goal to increase the size of its endowment, they knew the time was right.

The Sadayasus stepped forward in May with a $50,000 donation to UH Hilo, inspired by the example of Barry Taniguchi of KTA Super Stores and Larry Isemoto of Isemoto Contracting, each of whom earlier donated $50,000 to fund endowments to support the recruitment and retention of faculty at the university. The gift will support two $25,000 endowed faculty funds at the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business and Economics.

“The Sadayasu family wishes to thank the people of the Big Island for their support throughout the years,” they said at a recent gift acceptance ceremony.

“We in turn are indebted to the Sadayasu family for a gift that will help us attract and retain the highest caliber faculty members, while building UH Hilo’s reputation as a top quality educational destination,” said Chancellor Rose Tseng.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Our View

Thorns and all, we love Rose

The University of Hawaii at Hilo will lose its best-ever chancellor next year.

Rose Tseng, a tireless champion of UHH, will step down in December 2009 after 11 years at the helm. It will be a loss for the university and for Hilo.

Under Tseng’s bulldog leadership, UHH blossomed from a small, unappreciated satellite school into a respected liberal arts institution.

During her tenure, enrollment grew 34 percent, research and grant funding soared, and new degree programs were created. In addition, UHH added several impressive facilities — including the University Classroom Building, the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and the just-finished Student Life Center.

But most importantly, Tseng helped drag UHH out from under the oppressive thumb of UH-Manoa by being a unrelenting advocate for Hilo. She made it clear from Day One that UHH didn’t need to be the red-headed stepchild of the University of Hawaii system, and she conveyed that message with the determination and stubbornness that became her trademarks.

Strong leaders often draw fire, of course, and Tseng’s approach wasn’t always appreciated. She had her share of detractors in Honolulu, where she frequently stole headlines and attention from the larger school.

Even in Hilo town, Tseng was sometimes criticized for being outspoken and pushy, and some professors and staff quietly questioned her administrative skills.

While those criticisms might contain some truth, we wouldn’t change a thing. In Tseng, UHH got exactly what it needed: a tireless leader with the ability to get things done.

In fact, Tseng delivered on the top priorities she identified early in her tenure.

In a column published in this newspaper in 1999, she said UHH needed to improve in three areas if it hoped to escape the shadow of Manoa: image, enrollment and infrastructure.

At the time, she said shortcomings in all three areas were barriers to UHH’s success, and she made it a goal to bolster all three. A decade later, the university’s image, enrollment and infrastructure have — without question — dramatically improved under Tseng.

For all her success, however, Tseng has had her share of disappointments. Although enrollment has grown steadily since she became chancellor, UHH failed in 2007 to reach its longtime goal of 5,000 students. And the U.S.-China Center — a cornerstone project of her administration — spent a decade in limbo before finally moving forward this year.

That said, Tseng’s legacy will still be outstanding, and the next chancellor — whomever it is — will have mighty big shoes to fill.

“A rose is a rose is a rose,” author Gertrude Stein famously wrote. Not so, in this case.

This Rose is one in a million, and she will be missed.

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Untying the maile at the blessing and grand opening of the first part of Phase Two at UH Hilo’s North Hawaii Education and Research Center in Honoka‘a is (left to right) UH Regent Marlene Hapai, student Winona Chen, State Representative Dwight Takamine, UHH director of University Relations Gerald DeMello, Chancellor Tseng, and interim director of the center Farrah-Marie Gomes. Photo courtesy of NHERC.

KGMB9 News - news@kgmb9.com

A blessing ceremony was held [May 22] for the first of two Phase II improvements at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s North Hawai‘i Education and Research Center (NHERC).

The center, located in the old Honoka‘a hospital, serves as UH Hilo’s outreach center for the North Hawai‘i region stretching from Laupahoehoe through the Hamakua Coast to Kohala and Waikoloa.

Since opening two years ago, NHERC has become a valuable community resource and gathering place by offering introductory college courses, a wide variety of specialty classes sponsored by the Osher Life Long Learning Center, a speaker’s series, and hosting various special events, programs and conferences.

UH Hilo is one of the proud sponsors of a new interactive Internet-based television network recently launched with nine “channels” featuring Hawai‘i news, entertainment, original programming, vintage television, sports, travel information, educational and public service programs, all provided free to the public.

PacificNetwork.tv, with the tag line “The Native Hawaiian Portal to the World,” is described on its website as being a TV network. “We provide news and movies so we feel like TV,” it says on the site’s About Us page. “We also offer articles and radio programs and some of our original shows feature interactivity.”

The National Science Foundation’s Hawai‘i Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), a statewide science and technology program initiated at UH Hilo, is proud to be a part of Pacific Network through the sponsorship of several short video pieces and video news releases on the site. The videos can be found throughout the site, particularly in the “Science and Environment” and “In the Classroom” categories.

Look for the PRISM movie featuring UH Hilo biology professor and co-director of Hawai‘i EPSCoR Don Price (at left) and others, including one about the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, and another about coqui frogs. UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Education Center is also featured.

Pacific Network is run by local video & film producers, writers, filmmakers, web designers, artists, and journalists. The News Desk reporters are Native Hawaiian. Everyone on staff has a connection to Hawai‘i. The founding underwriter is the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

[6/3/08 UPDATE: Groundbreaking for China-US Center originally scheduled for June 26 is rescheduled to the fall when students return to campus and can take part in ceremony.]

When fully completed, the China-US Center will house a conference center, hotel, student dormitory, and various student- and university-related commercial services. Rendering courtesy UH Hilo.

Reported in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald (outside news source determines link expiration).

by Bret Yager

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is ready to break ground for the new China-U.S. Center, a project aimed at easing the current student housing crunch.

Developer Bridgecreek International and the university plan to have the 300-student apartment building — the first of four — ready in time for fall classes in 2009.

A Native Hawaiian blessing will be part of the groundbreaking ceremony, set for 10 a.m. on June 26.

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Aloha,

George Applegate, executive director of the Big Island Visitors Bureau, is asking business leaders and residents to write letters to him regarding the need for more flights to Hilo.

Mr. Applegate plans to use these letters to persuade airlines to fly from the mainland to Hilo and Kona. Because of the recent departures of ATA and Aloha Airlines, some 9,500 seats into Hilo will be lost this summer.

Mr. Applegate says local people want to travel off-island for vacations, and to visit friends and family. Besides tourism, businesses that ship products — especially agricultural businesses — would benefit from more flights. He says Hawai‘i really has to set itself apart from other tourist destinations and show airlines they will have support if they fly here.

He says we are up against some really heavy duty competition, but that he’s not worried. The Big Island has a lot to offer like its rich culture and Kilauea volcano.

The Big Island has the fastest growing population in the state and Puna alone is growing at a tremendous rate. He says folks living here want to know they can travel to the mainland once a year to visit family and friends.

Mayor Harry Kim encourages the community to support Mr. Applegate’s efforts and send letters.

Mr. Applegate encourages anyone who wants a mainland-Hilo flight to write him (Applegate) and tell him why at his e-mail address: bivbhilo@hvcb.org .

He says people can also write him at 250 Keawe St., Hilo, HI, 96720, by May 16.

Please direct any questions about the proposal or letters requested to Mr. Applegate.

Mahalo for your attention to this matter,

Rose Tseng

The university’s cable show, Focus on UH Hilo, wraps up the season tonight with Don Price (at left), Randy Hirokawa and Mark Manuel discussing the integration of culture, science and technology in education and research at the university. The 30-minute show airs live on local cable Channel 55 starting at 8 p.m.

Price is a biology professor who serves as co-project director of Hawai‘i’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. Administrated by UH Hilo, EPSCoR is a federal program funded by the National Science Foundation to strengthen the research capacity of the entire state.

Randy Hirokawa is dean at UH Hilo’s College of Arts and Sciences. Mark Manuel is a graduate student in UH Hilo’s Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science master’s program.

Focus on UH Hilo, hosted by Chancellor Tseng and moderated by Ken Hupp, highlights programs, developments and partnerships with community organizations.

For more info, contact Michelle Araki at University Relations, melander@hawaii.edu.

In today’s Hawaii Tribune-Herald (link expiration determined by outside news source).

Mark Chun, left, Lucas Chun, 7, Shy Canfield, 6, and Samantha Mondragon, 10, color star buttons at Sunday’s free AstroFest 2008, which was held at UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i. Photo by Jason Armstrong/Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

By Jason Armstrong

Hundreds of rural schoolchildren and their families got to explore the universe Sunday thanks to the generosity of a prominent Big Island family.

“We strongly believe this was a very successful first event,” David De Luz Jr., vice president of special events for Big Island Toyota, said of AstroFest 2008 held at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i.

The De Luz family, headed by patriarch David De Luz Sr., owner of the dealership, provided 1,200 passes so public and private schoolchildren could enjoy a free day at the planetarium.

“This is something that came out of our experience with ‘Journey Through the Universe,’” De Luz Jr. said of the weeklong astronomy education program available only to students in the Hilo-through-Laupahoehoe region.

Wanting to expose more children to the world-class planetarium, the De Luz family sponsored AstroFest, which was offered to elementary students in the Puna, Kohala and West Hawaii areas. It’s slated to become an annual event.

“That’s our plan,” De Luz Jr. said. “Our dreams are only as big as our imaginations.”

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Keiki, adults plunge right in to UH-Hilo’s Ocean Day

by John Burnett

In Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Brothers Joao, left, and Daren Garriques hold clams and oysters like those found in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. These 11/2-year-old specimens are being raised in greenhouse tanks on the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center, in hopes of developing a viable bi-valve industry in the state of Hawaii. Saturday’s annual Ocean Day opened the gates of the Keaukaha facility to the community, providing hands-on educational activities focused on celebrating Hawaii’s ocean and coastal heritage. - Photo By William Ing/Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

Families enjoyed music, food and fun — for example, touching live octopi and sea urchins — at the second annual Ocean Day Hawaii held Saturday at Puhi Bay in Keaukaha.

The event was hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center and the Marine Science Department, in partnership with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant. The site was PACRC’s 12.5-acre shorefront facility.

“It’s just beautiful; we couldn’t have asked for a better day,” said Kevin Hopkins, PACRC’s interim director and an aquaculture professor at UHH.

Subtitled “Year of the Reef,” the free, family-friendly educational event, celebrating Hawaii’s coastal heritage and resources, featured demonstrations and activities by more than 30 organizations, community groups and agencies.

The turnout was phenomenal, according to Sharon Ziegler-Chong, PACRC associate director, who co-coordinated the event with Masaki Takabayashi, an assistant professor of marine science at UHH.

“We figure we have about double the number of people from last year, which means about a thousand people,” Ziegler-Chong said.

The younger keiki, in general, seemed to have the most fun — counting fish in aquaculture tanks, interacting with scuba divers during demonstrations, directing robot-like remote-operated vehicles underwater and enjoying a close encounter with zooplankton using a powerful microscope.

“Every booth had some sort of activity, so it wasn’t just a poster telling you something. It’s truly interactive,” Ziegler-Chong noted.

Especially popular with the youngsters were the “touch tanks” — a marine petting zoo of sorts. Richard Cromwell, a UHH marine science major, said that the tanks contained “marine invertebrates collected from Onekahakaha Beach Park” in “fresh salt water, cycled — the tanks are aerated to keep them alive.”

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