Aloha! The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's College of Social Sciences (CSS) recently hosted the on-site portion of the UHM-KU COIL Plus Program from September 8 to 17, 2025. This blended mobility initiative was a resounding success, providing Kansai University students with an unforgettable and enriching experience exploring leadership, multiculturalism, and sustainability. Students had a wonderful time as they engaged with critical questions about how people from diverse backgrounds connect and cooperate successfully, blending in-class learning with real-world experiences to foster deep understanding. By the program's conclusion, students could critically analyze written sources, discuss leadership challenges, explain the development of Hawaiʻi's multicultural society, and deliver insightful group presentations.

The academic rigor was led by a distinguished faculty group. Professor Nori Tarui (UHM) provided crucial insights into climate change and coastal management, while Professor Makena Coffman (UHM) explored decarbonizing energy systems. Ulla Hasager (UHM) delivered a foundational introduction to Hawaiʻi's history, which included lively discussion and group work with University of Hawaiʻi students. Ruben Enrique Campos III (UHM) offered a compelling session on the diverse Peoples of Hawaiʻi. The program also featured experts like Ann Teranishi from American Saving Bank, who spoke on the topic of Leadership in the Community, and Shannon Dorsey from the East-West Center, who discussed Leadership in Diplomacy. From Kansai University, Associate Professor Markane Sipraseuth led sessions on data collection and analysis, guiding his students as they conducted fieldwork research by interviewing U of H students and locals on program-related topics of interest.

The learning experience extended far beyond the classroom, incorporating fun and immersive cultural activities. Students had the opportunity to learn to oli (chant) and hula, and they enjoyed a creative lei making session. In a unique hands-on lesson with UHM Hawaiian Studies, students even got their feet muddy in the loʻi kalo (taro pondfield) on campus, connecting directly with traditional agricultural practices. Students embarked on a series of immersive field trips that brought academic topics to life. They visited significant sites including the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, the Bishop Museum, and Hawaii's Plantation Village. The program's focus on sustainability was highlighted by a visit to the H-POWER waste-to-energy plant and a hands-on beach cleanup experience with Sustainable Coastlines. A tour of the Waikīkī coastline provided a direct look at coastal management, where Dolan Eversole (UHM) spoke to students on-site about climate change and its impacts.

The seamless coordination and student support were made possible by dedicated staff from both institutions, including Norika Akahori and Prof. Sipraseuth from Kansai University, alongside the UHM team of Prof. Nori Tarui, Ulla Hasager, Spencer Kimura, Ruben Enrique Campos III, Eiko Ushida, and Saveun Nhim.

Through this dynamic blend of lectures, discussions, and immersive experiences, the UHM-KU COIL Plus Program offered students an invaluable opportunity for both academic and personal growth. They not only gained a wealth of knowledge but also forged new connections and left with a profound appreciation for Hawaiʻi's unique history and culture. Mahalo to all the students, faculty, and staff who made this program a memorable success. We look forward to further future cooperation between the two schools.