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.

From the pitcher’s mound to the boardroom, Andy Archer, MS ’22, is proving that leadership, impact and aloha can thrive wherever your cleats land. The former University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warrior baseball standout and current pitcher with the wildly popular Savannah Bananas, blends his passion for baseball, a sharp mind for finance and heart for community. 

After more than two decades of leadership at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Vance Roley plans to step down as dean of the Shidler College of Business. A national search for his successor will begin this fall.

Hundreds of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa business and travel industry management students are graduating with job offers in hand, thanks to Shidler College of Business’ robust internship and career development programs.

Oʻahu native Erin Kanno Uehara, owner of Mānoa chocolate boutique Choco leʻa always knew she wanted to study at the University of Hawaiʻi.

Fifteen high school students from a STEM-focused girls’ school in Tokyo traveled to Hawaiʻi not just to learn—but to help tackle some of the islands’ toughest social and environmental issues, from reef-safe sunscreen to houselessness.

A partnership between the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business and the Family Business Center of Hawaiʻi (FBCH)—a nonprofit, member-based forum, housed within the Shidler College—is expanding career-ready opportunities for students by engaging with local family businesses.

The University of Hawaiʻi Venture Competition marked its 25th anniversary this year with record prize money, standout student startups and a celebration of entrepreneurship across the UH System. Hosted by the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in UH Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, the milestone event, supported by title sponsor American Savings Bank, featured 13 semifinalist teams representing more than 20 academic disciplines and two campuses.

Shidler College of Business’ Development Team headed to Asia last month for two special alumni events. Joined by Dean Vance Roley, Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama and several Hawai‘i and West Coast-based alumni, the mixers were held to bring alumni, students and friends of the college together for evenings of networking, updates and a renewed sense of community.

The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa celebrated its 64th annual Business Night on May 8, at the Sheraton Waikiki. This signature event brought together nearly 500 students and business professionals for an evening of mentorship, recognition and networking.

Meet Sean Ganhinhin, BS ’08, general manager for the Prince Waikiki, a property featuring oceanfront rooms and suites. His responsibilities include overseeing operations, sales and marketing efforts for Prince Waikiki and Hawaii Prince Golf Club. Prior to his current post, he held leadership positions at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. He earned his bachelor’s degree in travel industry management from the School of Travel Industry Management. Ganhinhin resides in Honolulu with his family. 

For alumna Qynn Nguyen, VEMBA ’12, the journey from earning her master’s in business administration to now leading strategic initiatives at YouTube has been a story of adaptability, innovation and resilience. As manager of Video on Demand for YouTube TV, Primetime Channels, FAST and NFL Sunday Ticket, Nguyen’s career showcases how core business skills and a passion for learning can propel success in dynamic industries.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business’ School of Travel Industry Management (TIMSchool) held its 23rd annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism gala on April 2, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. As the largest fundraiser in support of TIM School student scholarships, this year’s event raised more than $300,000 thanks to the generous support of the hospitality and Hawaiʻi business community.