SPAS Showcases Initiatives at the 3rd Annual UH Mānoa Research Day at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol
The School of Pacific & Asian Studies (SPAS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa proudly participated in the third annual UH Mānoa Research Day at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. This event highlighted the diverse research and creative works addressing both local and global challenges, with the theme “UH Mānoa Research and Creative Works for the Wellbeing of Current and Future Generations.”
The event featured informational tables, demonstrations, and interactive activities on the 4th floor of the Capitol, offering a platform for lawmakers, the public, and UH Mānoa faculty, staff, and students to explore research addressing some of Hawaiʻi’s most pressing issues. Topics ranged from environmental sustainability and climate change to technological advancements and cultural preservation, reflecting the university’s commitment to tackling local and global challenges through innovative research.
As part of this event, SPAS hosted an engaging booth that focused on showcasing its contributions to Pacific and Asian studies. Attendees learned about the diverse academic programs and research initiatives led by SPAS, which span various disciplines and regions. The booth emphasized the work of SPAS’s eight area centers, think tank, and degree-granting departments, highlighting the school’s role in advancing scholarship and fostering cross-cultural understanding. By facilitating meaningful conversations with visitors, SPAS strengthened connections between the university and the broader community, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting mutual understanding and addressing regional and international issues.
About SPAS and Its Area Centers
SPAS is composed of eight area centers, one think tank, and two degree-awarding departments, all dedicated to promoting Pacific and Asian studies:
Area Centers:
- Center for Chinese Studies
- Center for Japanese Studies
- Center for Korean Studies
- Center for Okinawan Studies
- Center for Pacific Islands Studies
- Center for Philippine Studies
- Center for South Asian Studies
- Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS)
Think Tank:
Degree-Awarding Departments:
These centers and departments play a pivotal role in promoting academic excellence, community outreach, and cultural engagement across the Pacific and Asia.
About UH Mānoa Research Day
The event featured over 100 participants presenting projects on environmental sustainability, AI technology, food security, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), and climate change. UH Mānoa is recognized as one of 107 doctoral universities with the highest research activity under the Carnegie R1 designation and ranks in the top 2% globally for academic and research excellence.
As one of only four U.S. universities designated as a Land, Sea, Space, and Sun Grant institution, UH Mānoa continues to lead research that leverages its unique Pacific-Asia location to address both regional and global challenges.