A one-of-a-kind nursing simulation center, innovative classroom spaces, and student-made satellites launched into space were some of the highlights from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Talk Story: Campus Tour on June 26, which invited new state legislators to discover and support the university’s academic and research spaces.
“We were glad our lawmakers were able to get a better understanding of what we are doing here on campus,” said UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno. “The tour showcased some of our exceptional programs, spanning from innovative learning spaces to creating a workforce pipeline in space science. Our representatives also had the opportunity to meet some of our incredible faculty, staff and students who make this campus the world class institution that it is.”
Hawaiʻi state legislators from the House participated in the tour including Reps. Trish La Chica, Darius Kila, Luke Evslin, Andrew Takuya Garrett, Jackson Sayama and Kirstin Kahaloa.
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The tour began with a welcome message at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Success. The first stop was the UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center in the Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing, where theatre and dance students portray patients and their families while nursing students practice patient interactions through HealthCAST.
“This was actually my first time touring the campus,” said Kila. “The highlight for me was seeing where the university is positioned for almost this tangible strategic future plan. I’m truly impressed with the nursing facility that we got to tour. I’ve been impressed with every facility that we’ve seen and the quality of staff, faculty and students. Now I can actually visualize the programs here and I am proud of the work that’s being done.”
The highlight for me was seeing where the university is positioned for almost this tangible strategic future plan.
—Darius Kila
Representatives also toured the Department of Art and Art History’s glass blowing classroom; innovative learning spaces in Sakamaki Hall and the Laboratory for Advanced Visualization and Applications (LAVA Lab); and the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory, where students are trained to engineer small satellites that are being launched into space. The tour concluded at UH’s Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center for a Q&A session.
“As a mom raising two young kids here, I’m constantly thinking about ways to enable our youth to stay,” said La Chica. “One of the highlights from today was the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory and learning about the opportunities to diversify our economy and create pathways for high tech jobs here. And looking at how UH is creating opportunities for our students to get a world-class education and a strong start in their careers. It was just a wonderful experience today. And I’m looking forward to continuing to get more exposure and learning how else we can best support the university.”
