In Fall 2021, the new slate of Public Administration Student Organization (PASO) officers Melanie Martin (President), Sharon Baillie (Vice-President/Secretary), Jared Kawatani (Treasurer) and Fahzeela Mohamed (Student Liaison Officer) met to plan fun, yet meaningful events for PUBA graduate students.
PASO Officers
Led by their fearless PUBA faculty leader, Dr. ChiaKo Hung, PASO officers got to work and organized a community service project, at Residential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE), a non-profit organization that serves at-risk youth and young adults on the windward side of O’ahu. Volunteers got their hands dirty in the garden and relocated a heavy aquaponics system.
Students who attended: Monica Bennett, Sharon Baillie, Melanie Martin, Cheryl Bellisario, Yvonne Yoro, & Guhn Kim
Also, in December, several PUBA students enjoyed an end-of-year celebration at Aiea Bowl. It was a great way to decompress at the end of the semester.
Students who attended: Elaine Chugen, Monica Bennett, Sharon Baillie, Cheryl Bellisario, Hao Le, & Tristan Bones
In March 2022, PASO organized another community service day at the Hawai’i Foodbank. Volunteers worked hard packing food for those in need. It was a fun way for PUBA students to network and get to know their cohort.
Students & faculty who attended: Jared Kawatani, Monica Bennett, Sharon Baillie, Joyce Umali Perreira, Yvonne Yoro, & Dr. David Nixon
PASO scheduled several events for Spring 2022 including a speaker series event on April 13th. Director of Taxation, Isaac Choy; State Tax Collector, Lynn Araki-Regan; Administrative Services Officer with the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, Keith Regan; and Chair Emeritus of the HonoluluCity Council, Ernie Martin spoke on public policy and budgeting. In May, PASO is planning an end of year gathering. Stay tuned for more exciting events coming in the Fall of 2022.