The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa took center stage in an engaging community outreach initiative that aimed to reintroduce the campus as a vital resource in addressing challenges from the local neighborhood level to the global stage. The campus hosted a UH Mānoa Talk Story session on February 20, inviting new state legislators to discover and support the university’s innovative initiatives.
The inaugural event spearheaded by the UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series was held at Capitol Modern in downtown Honolulu.
It was an opportunity for legislators to dive into the exciting projects and ideas brewing on the Mānoa campus. Deans and directors from various departments were on hand to share their insights and discuss how the university faculty can assist the legislators in addressing issues that are important to their constituencies.
“This talk story marked the beginning of a series of planned community outreach efforts, showcasing the university’s dedication to being a proactive force in addressing the challenges faced not only locally but also at the state, national and global levels,” said UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno. “It was more than just a meeting of minds; it was a convergence of experience, with legislators and educators sharing concepts and visions.”
Among the distinguished guests were several Hawaiʻi state legislators from both the Senate and the House. Notably, Representatives Luke Evslin, Lisa Marten and Jackson Sayama, a current UH Mānoa graduate student, proudly represented their alma mater. It was a homecoming of sorts for these UH alumni, who joined their colleagues, including Sen. Brandon Elefante, and Reps. Rachele Lamosao, May Mizuno, Kirstin Kahaloa and Andrew Garrett.
UH Mānoa is on a mission to build bridges between education and policy in an effort to work hand-in-hand for the betterment of Hawaiʻi and beyond.
