When Lyra Pascual, BBA ’17, a senior accountant at Nakupuna Companies, volunteered at the Ironman World Championship in 2024, an idea took root. Watching athletes cross the finish line, she wondered if she could do the same. There was a small problem –– she didn’t know how to swim. “Maybe some day,” she told herself.

For Shidler College of Business finance and risk management professor Hua Chen, Hawai‘i’s position between Asia and the continental United States creates an ideal environment for bridging rigorous research with global, practice-focused education.

While they were freshmen in Shidler College’s Direct Admit Program, alumnae Amber Abara, BBA ’12, MS ’21, and Morgan “Birdy” Cobb, BBA ’12, MS ’21, crossed paths and quickly became best friends. What they didn’t know then was that their friendship would later spark a business — one inspired by a vivid dream Abara had during their Master of Science in Marketing Management program. In the dream, she saw a soap bar shaped like a gua sha. When she shared it with Cobb, expecting a laugh, Cobb immediately responded, “Let’s do it.”

Shidler College of Business alumnus Alexis Buchholz, BBA ’04, has released a new book, title “Why You’re Still Poor: And What to Do About It.” The book offers a practical framework to help readers build financial stability and long-term wealth through disciplined decision-making and ownership thinking.

Christian de Quevedo, JD/MBA ’21, founded Lē‘ahi Landscaping after identifying a disconnect between the importance of Hawai‘i’s built environments and the standards of the industry serving them. Landscapes shape some of the state’s most visible and valuable spaces, yet the work behind them is often noisy, emissions-heavy and unreliable.

Fion Lau, a 2005 University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School) graduate, is turning her experiences as a mother into a children’s book series that explores sibling relationships, growth and family life. The series, The Courageous Forrest Brothers, was inspired by a quiet period in Lau’s life after transitioning from a corporate job.

The 59th annual Hawaiʻi International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business, convened global thought leaders at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa Maui, January 5–9. It brought together more than 1,300 scholars, industry experts and policymakers from more than 42 countries.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School) will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026, marking six decades since its founding in 1966. What began as a pioneering program in Hawaiʻi has grown into an internationally respected leader in hospitality, tourism and transportation education.

More than 300 participants from around the world convened at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for the 9th annual Hawaiʻi Accounting Research Conference (HARC) from January 3 to 5 at the Shidler College of Business.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa earned high marks in nearly 20 academic subjects in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, with oceanography, atmospheric science and hospitality and tourism management leading the way among the highest-ranked programs.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa sophomore has returned from Antarctica after serving as the only participant from Hawaiʻi and the United States on a global expedition focused on protecting the continent beyond 2041.

The Shidler College of Business hosted a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) mixer on November 4 at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center. The event was attended by approximately 40 students and supported in part by the CFA Society Hawaiʻi, with participation from numerous finance faculty members. The audience enjoyed an engaging evening of discussion and networking centered on the theme “Where Are We Headed? Navigating the Future of Finance in Hawaiʻi.”

Meet David Morimoto, BBA ’91, vice chairman and chief operating officer for Central Pacific Bank (CPB). His responsibilities include leading customer growth and success, and building new customer relationships. Prior to his current position, he served as the chief financial officer of Central Pacific Financial Corp. and Central Pacific Bank for a decade. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the Shidler College of Business and his master’s in business administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Morimoto resides in Honolulu with his family.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business celebrated the power of giving and education at its annual Scholarship Luncheon, held at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, November 3. More than 300 donors and students gathered for an afternoon of connection and sharing stories about how scholarship support is transforming lives and shaping Hawaiʻi’s future business leaders.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School) in the Shidler College of Business hosted its annual Ambassador L.W. “Bill” Lane Jr. and Mrs. Jean Lane Lecture on Sustainability on October 29 at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. The free event drew more than 100 attendees for an engaging conversation on regenerative tourism and sustainable business practices.

A packed room of 80 recent Shidler College graduates standing amongst Aloha Beer Company’s owner and Shidler alumnus Steve Sombrero, MBA ’94, while chanting “Aloha Beer!” isn’t exactly what most picture as alumni engagement. But it’s events like the recent alumni mixer, held in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Young Professional (YP) Program in April, that are gaining momentum amongst the newest generation of alumni. These gatherings are building community, creating mentorship opportunities and strengthening the alumni network in innovative ways that are engaging and a whole lot of fun.

A health tech startup improving how community health workers (CHW) document client visits took the $2,000 first place prize in the second annual Innovate 808 competition, hosted by the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business. The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of UH Mānoa students that competed in the two-week challenge.

The School of Accountancy (SOA) is gaining international recognition for its growing influence in accounting research, highlighted by a steady rise in the Brigham Young University Accounting Research Rankings. The school now stands among respected peers such as Boston College, the London School of Economics, Purdue University, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine—a reflection of the school’s alignment with Shidler College’s mission to advance thought leadership on a global scale.

While he was a student at the School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School), Jared Matsuki, BS ’19, executive director of Hele Mua, had a defining moment that would shape his future — he attended his first beach cleanup at Makapu‘u Beach Park in 2018. He was a frequent beachgoer, but this time was different because it opened his eyes to a problem hidden under the sand.

Sometimes circumstances choose our path forward. For TIM School Associate Professor of Travel Industry Management and Hee Foundation Endowed Fellow Lenna Shulga, her journey to academia was happenstance. Shulga was born in Ukraine and several decades ago, she and her family immigrated from Russia. She landed her first job in America after connecting with a woman who also had a young child and was the daughter of a Japanese immigrant. The bed and breakfast owner hired Shulga on the spot as a front desk girl.

As the director of human resources at Young Brothers, Shannon Lum, BS ’12, MHRM ’17, doesn’t just manage teams— she connects people, communities and purpose across the Hawaiian Islands. With a deep belief in compassionate leadership and a foundation built at Shidler College, she’s helping move what matters most in Hawai‘i. 

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business hosted its 32nd Hall of Honor Awards at the Sheraton Waikiki, October 2. The event celebrated distinguished business professionals who exemplify excellence in their fields while raising critical funds to support the college.

Jordan Odo, EMBA ’17, is a proactive leader driven by purpose, innovation and community. These qualities coalesced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when he started a virtual summer internship through the Jordan and Cara Odo Scholarship Foundation with classmate John Doyle, EMBA ’17, and his former colleague Jeff Berlin. Odo describes it as a challenging but rewarding time. The program continued for four more years as the Next Gen Leaders Program, empowering dozens of students with essential leadership skills.

We all know people who roll with the punches seamlessly. For Shidler College accounting instructor, Manu Ka‘iama, that sentiment stands true. Life presented her a challenge–in this case, it was her federal funding, which limited the work she could do for Shidler. And with uncertainty looming over what funding will look like in the future; she’s pivoted her path. These days, she pours her talents, knowledge and passion into all things Native Hawaiian with class offerings for Shidler’s faculty and staff.

Enterprise Mobility currently employs numerous Shidler College of Business graduate across Hawai‘i and serves as a strong launchpad for alumni as they begin their careers. Working at the company offers them a path to grow their skills, and meet fellow graduates and local business associates, all while staying rooted in Hawai‘i.