Empowering Innovation: How University of Hawaiʻi Faculty Are Transforming Classrooms Through Entrepreneurial Thinking

Nine faculty members at the University of Hawaiʻi were recently honored for their efforts in transforming classrooms through entrepreneurial thinking. The celebration took place on May 16 at the Walter Dods Jr. Center, marking the end of the first season of the EL3vate program.

This year-long initiative supports faculty to blend experiential learning with entrepreneurship and engineering design in their teaching. Sandra Fujiyama, Executive Director of the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE), highlighted that these methods are meant to equip students with vital skills for today’s job market.

The inaugural group included professors from various fields like architecture, business, and nutrition. They received recognition through digital badges, certificates, and stipends for redefining student learning experiences.

During the program, faculty members like Kacie Ho, Yasushi Ishida, and Xiaodan Mao-Clark engaged their classes in PACE’s business and innovation competitions. Notably, students under Ho and Ishida won awards for their innovative chip seasonings and an architectural redesign project.

Mao-Clark spoke about the inspirational creativity he witnessed while mentoring student entrepreneurs through the Kalo Grants program. He emphasized how these projects not only inform his teaching but also fuel his research aimed at community sustainability.

Collaborations between faculty have also sparked creative initiatives across campuses. Ishida worked with a faculty member from UH Maui College to formulate a course that combined design with business insights, while Mao-Clark engaged with partners from UH Hilo to connect students with local communities.

In the realm of esports, students are gaining entrepreneurial skills through a partnership led by Nyle Sky Kauweloa, the UH Esports director. With the upcoming opening of a new esports arena, Kauweloa anticipates even more opportunities for students to merge their passion for gaming with business acumen.

PACE remains committed to enhancing entrepreneurial education across the UH system. The EL3vate program, in collaboration with the UH Online Innovation Center and the Maui Economic Development Board, continues to seek innovative ways to foster learning. Faculty can find more about upcoming opportunities here.

In a world where adaptability and creativity are more essential than ever, these initiatives prepare students to face future challenges head-on.

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