University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham has been named the Claremont Graduate University (CGU) School of Educational Studies 2024–25 Distinguished Bowen Lecturer.
In October, Benham presented, “In Our Mothers’ Voice: Ulu aʻe ke welina a ke aloha,” at the CGU campus in California. View a recording of the full presentation.
Her talk wove together ancestral stories, professional knowledge, and community-based action. Benham explored the concept of “nānā i ke kumu” (looking to the source/finding your truth) as a powerful approach to navigating challenges and creating spaces for dynamic learning and growth. She offered insights into how cultural knowledge can guide living and leading with balance, justice and grace.
“Our UH West Oʻahu faculty, staff and students exemplify this post-secondary education commitment through the vibrancy of our engaged learning and teaching, our engaged scholarship with our students and the communities we serve, and our engaged service to ‘Hoʻola, Hoʻoulu Paeʻāina; Vibrant People, Thriving Lands,’” Benham said. “It was an honor to be asked to present the way I think about and lead our campus, and the remarkable work of our extended ‘ohana.”
DeLacy Ganley, CGU School of Educational Studies dean and professor, said Benham “hit a home run with her talk,” which left him with two takeaways.
“First, we need to ground the identity and spirit of our educational institutions in the identity and spirit of our community and heritage. Strength, balance, and health (what some might call being pono) comes from this alignment,” Ganley said. “And, second, people—all people—have an inner gift, something that they bring to their community and share with the world.”
According to CGU, the Distinguished Bowen Lecture is named in honor of the late Howard Bowen, who was an authority on economics in higher education. It features some of the most respected scholars in higher education who present their work and engage CGU students and faculty in discussions about critical issues in higher education.
For more visit Ka Puna O Kaloʻi.
—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman
