PUBA News

Learn more about our Program, Faculty, students, and activities.


David Lee

Former PUBA Faculty, Dr. David Lee, Speaks on the Role of Nonprofits in the Refugee Resettlement Process

On February 1, 2024, Dr. David Lee from Ewha Womans University returned to PUBA as part of our Speaker Series to provide students, faculty, and our community a presentation titled, “Let Refugees Learn: The Role …
Saunders Hall

Recent Highlights from PUBA Faculty, Winter 2024

Dr. Morgen Johansen Dr. Johansen most recently published an article on Advancing Social Equity in East Asia: Education and Health Care Policy in China, Korea, and Singapore in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Public …
Helen H. Yu, PUBA

Aloha, from the New Interim Program Director, Dr. Helen Yu

Hauʻoli makahiki hou. I hope everyone had a nice winter break and is excited about the Spring 2024 semester. I have been appointed as the Interim Director of PUBA effective January 1 through …
Morgen Johansen, PUBA

Aloha from the Outgoing Director, Dr. Morgen Johansen

This year marks 40 years of the PUBA program. Established as a certificate program in 1984, it grew to a Masters degree in 1990, which was made permanent by the Board of Regents …
Policing and Society - An International Journal of Research and Policy

New PUBA Faculty Publication

Publication TitleLGBTQ+ Officers in US Federal Service: An Examination of Workplace Inclusion and Experiencing Sex-Based Discrimination Author(s)Helen H. Yu and David Lee (current and former faculty respectively) Date of publicationOct 13, 2023 AbstractWorkplace …
Chetsada Changmai

Student Bio – Chetsada Changmai

Chet is a second year MPA student, and is PASO’s co-Vice President!! Why did you choose PUBA? I chose UHM’s PUBA program because I have heard that it has a strong connection with …
Speaker Series: Public Policy & Climate Change

PASO Event Reflection – Speaker Series: Public Policy & Climate Change

Gathering nearly 70 attendees, PASO’s panel was a success! Some highlights from our two panel members came from Matthew Gosner, Chief Resilience Officer & Executive Director at the City and County of Honolulu’s …
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)

PUBA in the Community – Helen Yu, NASPAA

Our Graduate Chair, Dr. Helen H. Yu, was recently selected to serve a 3-year term (Oct 2023-Sep 2026) as a member of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) …
Ecosystem restoration efforts.

PASO Event Reflection – Maunalua Bay

On September 17th, a handful of PASO’s incoming officers and their faculty advisor, Dr. Chaiko Hung, joined PUBA alumnus Yvonne Yoro to volunteer for Mālama Maunalua. Mālama Maunalua works to restore Hawaiʻi’s marine …
Andrew Phomsouvanh

Student Bio – Andrew Phomsouvanh

Andrew is a second-year MPA student and is PASO’s newest communications officer! Why did you choose PUBA? I chose PUBA at UHM to develop expertise in government-public relations and managing the intersectionality of …
Jordyn Ryan

Student Bio – Jordyn Ryan

As the fall semester begins, we would like to introduce our new graduate assistant, Jordyn Ryan. Jordyn is a second year MPA student, and this may be a secondary introduction for those who …
Brendan Kinoshita

Alumni Spotlight – Brendan Kinoshita

Fall ‘17 Alumnus Advances to Prominent Role in the Department of the Attorney General. The Public Administration Department has fantastic news to share. Our PUBA alumnus, Brendan Kinoshita, has been appointed as the …
Client Change Adaptation Needs and Priorities in Palau

Insightful Publication from MPA Graduates ‘23

Our Spring 2023 Graduates had their capstone project published for the Center of Excellence Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance through the ARIS Academic Partnership Program.
Climate Change Priorities in the Republic of the Marshall Islands: The Fight against Climate Disruption

MPA Graduates Co-Author Impactful Capstone Publication

The capstone project for our MPA graduates last fall has been accepted for publication in LIAISON, the magazine of INDOPACOM’s Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM).
Public Administration Student Organization (PASO)

PASO – An Exciting Year in Review

In Fall 2022, a new team of Public Administration Student Organization (PASO) officers Sharon Baillie (President), Melanie Martin (Vice President), Jared Kawatani (Treasurer), Tristan Bones (Secretary) and Moises Ayala (Student Liaison) gathered to …
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