This fall, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is welcoming the public to its 2024 Kuleana and Community Talk Story series, a weekly event designed to foster meaningful connections between students, faculty, staff and the broader community. The series takes place every Friday and features guest speakers from various fields who will share their insights on topics relevant to the community.
“This series is about more than just conversation—it’s about building relationships and expanding our understanding of the world,” said Carolina Lam from the UH Hilo Center for Global Education and Exchange. “Through these talks, we hope to create a community that learns from one another and encourages curiosity about life beyond our island’s boundaries.”
Uplifting kuleana
The Kuleana and Community Talk Story series which started on August 30 is held at the Kilohana Academic Success Center on the first floor of Mookini Library and emphasizes the Hawaiian value of kuleana, or responsibility, by inviting the UH Hilo ʻohana and community members to engage in discussions that inspire collaboration and shared learning. It offers a platform for students to network, explore internship opportunities, and connect with local mentors who can guide their academic and professional journeys.
Speaker schedule
- September 13: Charmaine Higa—“Small Shoulders, Big Worries: Understanding Childhood Anxiety in a Post-Pandemic World”
- September 20: Randy Kurohara, Community First
- September 27: Clifton Sankofa—“Reclaiming Health Through Food”
- October 4: Kaleo Pilago, Mauna Kea Stewardship
- October 11: Beverly Tese, Prizma Hawaiʻi LGBTQ Center
- October 18: Carla Kuo, Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce
- October 25: Brandee Menino, Hope Services
- November 1: UH Regent Mike Miyahira, business owner
- November 8: Julie Mitchell, Kuʻikahi Mediation Center
- November 15: Sue Lee Loy, Hawaiʻi County Council Member
The series will run through November 15, and is sponsored by the UH Hilo Chancellor’s Office; Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center; Kilohana: The Academic Success Center; Assistant Professor Colby Miyose (Department of Communication), Center for Global Education and Exchange and Associate Professor Alton Okinaka (Department of Sociology).
