Awards and Recognition – College of Social Sciences, UH Mānoa

The College of Social Sciences celebrates its faculty, staff and students for excellence in research, academics and service.

Awarded by the Board of Regents as tribute to faculty members who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity, and personal values that benefit students.

2024 – Stephanie “Lani” Teves, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
2022 – Wei Zhang, Sociology
2021 – Mary Mostafanezhad, Geography & Environment
2019 – Jennifer Darrah-Okike, Sociology
2019 – Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, Political Science
2018 – Kristin Pauker, Psychology
2018 – Ty Tengan, Anthropology / Ethnic Studies
2017 – Scott Sinnett, Psychology
2015 – L. Ayu Saraswati, Women’s Studies
2013 – John Lynham, Economics
2012 – Reece Jones, Geography
2011 – Christine Yano, Anthropology
2011 – Jenifer Winter, Communications
2006 – Nevzat Soguk, Political Science
2005 – Terry Hunt, Anthropology
2003 – Krystyna Aune, Communicology (formerly Speech)
2003 – Jonathan Goldberg-Hiller, Political Science
2003 – Kathy Ferguson, Women’s Studies / Political Science
2002 – Jon Goss, Geography
2002 – Amy Hubbard, Communicology (formerly Speech)
2002 – Valli Kalei Kanuha, Sociology / School of Social Work
2001 – Karen Umemoto, Urban & Regional Planning
2000 – David Johnson, Sociology
1996 – Kathryn Takara, Ethnic Studies
1995 – Karen Joe, Sociology
1990 – Kathleen Wilson, Urban & Regional Planning
1989 – Velma Kameoka, Psychology / School of Social Work
1989 – Alvin So, Sociology
1988 – Alison Adams, Psychology / Women’s Studies
1987 – Beverly Keever, Journalism
1986 – Rebecca Chesire, Psychology
1972 – Michael J. Diamond, Psychology
1970 – Douglas Bwy, Political Science
1970 – Roland G. Tharp, Psychology
1968 – Abe Arkoff, Psychology

Recognizes University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty members who have made significant contributions to teaching and student learning.

2020 – Noenoe Silva, Political Science
2018 – Priyam Das, Urban & Regional Planning
2016 – Ashok Das, Urban & Regional Planning
2016 – Miriam Stark, Anthropology
2015 – Baybars Karacaovali, Economics
2015 – Krysia Mossakowski, Sociology
2014 – Roderick Labrador, Ethnic Studies
2014 – Priyam Das, Urban & Regional Planning
2013 – J. Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, Political Science
2013 – Monisha DasGupta, Ethnic Studies / Women’s Studies
2011 – Patricia Steinhoff, Sociology
2011 – Eirik Saethre, Anthropology
2008 – Sankaran Krishna, Political Science
2005 – Sun-Ki Chai, Sociology
2003 – Michael Graves, Anthropology
2001 – Krisna Suryanata, Geography
2001 – Matthew McGranaghan, Geography
1998 – Dolores Foley, Public Administration / Urban & Regional Planning
1997 – Thomas Brislin, Journalism
1997 – Jonathan Goldberg-Hiller, Political Science
1996 – Jeffrey Ady, Communications
1995 – Peter Manicas, Sociology
1995 – Gregory Mark, Ethnic Studies
1992 – Ludmilla Kwitko, Urban & Regional Planning / Women’s Studies
1991 – Terry Hunt, Anthropology
1991 – Joung-Im Palmore, Communications
1991 – Kelly Vitousek, Psychology
1990 – Thomas Giambelluca, Geography
1990 – Jo Scheder, Women’s Studies
1989 – Gary Fontaine, Communications
1989 – Majid Tehranian, Communications
1987 – Dan Wedemeyer, Communications
1986 – Leslie Sponsel, Anthropology

Recognizes outstanding performances by faculty as teachers. The purpose of the award is to highlight the importance of high quality teaching in the College of Social Sciences.

2024 – Seth Quintus, Anthropology
2024 – Jonas Vibell, Psychology
2023 – Emiko Taniguchi-Dorios, Communicology
2022 – Ethan Caldwell, Ethnic Studies
2022 – Jamaica Heoli Osorio, Political Science
2021 – Kelly Bergstrom, Communications
2021 – Joni Sasaki, Psychology
2020 – Nicole Grove, Political Science
2020 – Ehito Kimura, Political Science
2019 – Jan Brunson, Anthropology
2019 – Eirik Saethre, Anthropology
2018 – Noel Kent, Ethnic Studies
2018 – Rod Labrador, Ethnic Studies
2017 – Aya Kimura, Women’s Studies
2017 – Daniele Spirandelli, Urban & Regional Planning
2016 – Hong Jiang, Geography
2016 – Liang Wang, Economics
2015 – Jonathan Padwe, Anthropology
2015 – Jeff Tracznski, Economics
2014 – Colin Moore, Political Science
2013 – Katarina Heyer, Political Science
2013 – Krisna Suryanata, Geography
2012 – David Beilman, Geography
2012 – Wei Zhang, Sociology
2011 – Ehito Kimura, Political Science
2010 – Hokulani Aikau, Political Science
2010 – Bruce Barnes, SMIP
2010 – Makena Coffman, Urban & Regional Planning
2010 – Brian Szuster, Geography
2009 – Noenoe Silva, Political Science
2009 – Tom Kelleher, Communications
2008 – Michael Shapiro, Political Science
2007 – David Ching, Economics
2007 – Mire Koikari, Women’s Studies
2007 – Ilan Noy, Economics
2006 – Theresa Greaney, Economics
2005 – Ruth Dawson, Women’s Studies
2004 – Katherine Irwin, Sociology
2004 – Nevzat Sogut, Political Science
2003 – Bruce Barnes, PEACE
2000 – Byron Gangnes, Economics
2000 – Neal Milner, Political Science
1999 – John Wilson, Political Science
1998 – Denise Konan, Economics
1998 – James Mak, Economics
1997 – Nina Etkin, Anthropology
1997 – Kathleen Kane, Women’s Studies
1996 – Sankaran Krishna, Political Science
1995 – Louis Leung, Communications
1994 – Sumner La Croix, Economics
1994 – Richard Pratt, Political Science
1993 – Carl Bonham, Economics
1993 – Anthony Marsella, Psychology
1993 – Deane Neubauer, Political Science
1992 – Jonathan Goss, Geography
1992 – Herb Roitblat, Psychology
1991 – Kem Lowry, Urban & Regional Planning
1991 – Gerald Russo, Economics
1991 – Eldon Wegner, Sociology
1989 – Werner Levi, Political Science
1989 – Joselyn Linnekin, Anthropology
1989 – Patricia Steinhoff, Sociology

Recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and UH Mānoa for 19 years.

2021 – Heewon Kwon, Psychology
2017 – Nyle S. Kauweloa, School of Communications
2015 – Rex Troumbley, Political Science
2015 – Chamil Rathnayake, School of Communications
2008 – Matthew Savage, Communicology (formerly Speech)

Awarded by the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents in recognition of scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community.

2016 – Kristin Pauker, Psychology
2012 – Christopher Bae, Anthropology
2010 – Michael Shapiro, Political Science
2008 – Terry Hunt, Anthropology
2005 – Bruce Chorpita, Psychology
2001 – Nina Etikin, Anthropology
1997 – Ben Finney, Anthropology
1994 – Meda Chesney-Lind, Women’s Studies
1993 – M.E. Bitterman, Psychology
1992 – Derek Bickerton, Linguistics / Social Science Research Institute
1989 – Elaine Hatfield, Psychology
1975 – Glendon Schubert, Political Science

Recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding work in the scholarship of research. The purpose of the award is to acknowledge college faculty whose research is of highest quality and impact.

2023 – Teresa Molina, Economics
2022 – Ashley Rubin, Sociology
2022 – Manfred Steger, Sociology
2019 – Patricia Steinhoff, Sociology
2018 – John (Jack) Barile, Psychology
2015 – Meda Chesney Lind, Women’s Studies
2014 – Reece Jones, Geography
2014 – Camilo Mora, Geography
2013 – Michael Pietrusewsky, Anthropology
2009 – Michael Pietrusewsky, Anthropology
2008 – Terry Hunt, Anthropology
2008 – Michael Douglass, DURP
2006 – Robert Blanchard, Psychology
2006 – Bruce Chorpita, Psychology
2006 – Tom Giambelluca, Geography
2006 – Andrew Mason, Economics
2006 – Michael Pietrusewsky, Anthropology
2006 – James Roumasset, Economics
2006 – Michael Shapiro, Political Science
2004 – Michael Shapiro, Political Science
2003 – Ross Sutherland, Geography

Each year, the College of Social Sciences announces the availability of funds to support faculty efforts to develop and submit a nationally competitive research grant proposal. These funds are from overhead monies (RTRF) generated by extramural grants and contracts in the college’s portfolio. Awards are made to support research activities leading directly to the development of a nationally competitive research proposal that has a strong potential for being funded.

2023

Hong Jiang, Geography and Environment – Producing “Mountain Taste” amid Changing Climate: A Case of Taiwan’s High-Mountain Tea ($30,000)
Jonas Vibell, Psychology – Neuroinflammation in COVID-19 ($28,339)
Wei Zhang, Co-PIs – Yan Yan Wu, Deborah Mattheus, Sociology – Association Between Poor Oral Health and Chronic Conditions for Older Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Hawaiʻi from 2000 to 2018 ($23,992)
Steven Bond-Smith, SSRI/UHERO – Is Hawaiʻi Being Left Behind? ($13,329)
Aurora Kagawa-Viviani, Geography and Environment – Community Water Science: Urban punawai as incubators of participatory research and innovation ($29,759)
Patrick Goh, Psychology – A Transdiagnostic and Culturally Sensitive Approach to ADHD Assessment: Incorporating Intra- and Interpersonal Factors ($29,326)

2022

Katharina Heyer, Political Science and Daniela Bond-Smith, UHERO – Building a participatory data infrastructure for community-driven, real-time monitoring of the Disabled community’s needs and priorities in HawaiʻI ($23,359)
Chiako Hung and Morgen Johansen, Public Administration – The Impact of Nonprofit Commercialization on Inequities in Health Care Access ($13,386)
Karl Kim & Lily Bui, Urban & Regional Planning – Something in the Water: The Red Hill Disaster ($26,298)
Michael Roberts & Ekaterina Sherstyuk, Economics – Climate, Commodity Prices, and Storage: Can Public Policy Mitigate Price Volatility? ($26,377)
Helen Yu, Public Administration – Community Policing and Community Trust: Overcoming Barriers ($21,473)

2021

David Beilman, Geography and Environment – Pacific Island Climate Change: Wetlands in Fijias Long-term Rainfall Archives ($9,689)
Jennifer Darrah-Okike, Sociology – Pathways to and out of Unsheltered Homelessness in Honolulu and in Comparative Perspective ($10,000)
Christian Peterson, Anthropology – K2, Mapungubwe, and the Origins of Great Zimbabwe: Complex Society Emergence and Development in Iron Age Southern Africa ($8,545)

2020, Research on Implications of COVID-19 for Hawaiʻi

Emily Daubert, Psychology – Parent-child Relationships and Child Academic Outcomes: Implications of COVID-19 for Hawaiian Families ($9,998)
Dan Milz, Urban and Regional Planning – Public Participation and the Plague: How the State of Hawaii Can Carry Out Participatory Democracy Under Quarantine and Social Distancing ($9,974)
Lawrence Nitz, Political Science – Resetting the Table – Keeping and Bringing Back Hawaii’s Restaurants ($9,955)
Wei Zhang, Sociology – Exploring the Relationship between COVID-19 Spread and Social Vulnerability at the Neighborhood Level: Implications for Policy and Practice ($10,000)

2018-19

John (Jack) Barile, Psychology – Identifying the Role of Participation and Reciprocal Social Support in Enhancing Quality of Life Among People with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness ($22,910)
Lisa Kelley, Geography – Flooding and Land-Livelihood Transformations in Southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia ($22,442)
Justin Kim, Psychology – Model-Based Approach on Assessing Individual Differences in Affective Processing in Style ($22,929)
Krysia Mossakowski, Sociology – The Upstream Effect of Children’s Education on Their Parents’ Cognitive Health ($10,501)

2018-19, Support for Undergraduate Research Assistants

Nori Tarui, Economics – An Economic Analysis of Solar PV Diffusion: Investigating the Role of Community Characteristics and Economic Incentives Using Granular Data ($1,954)

2017-18

Leah Bremer, UHERO/SSRI – Restoring Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services through Cost-Effective and Resilient Agroforestry Systems ($14,376)
Reece Jones, Geography – The Geography of the Constitution Free Zone: The Border Patrol and the Fourth Amendment in the 100-mile Border Zone ($21,975)
Aya Kimura, Sociology – Citizen Science in Agri-food System: Cooperatives as a Platform ($15,397)
Lester Lusher, Economics – Loss Aversion Point Structure ($11,501)
Mary Mostafanezhad, PI & Yi Qiang, Geography – Infrastructure and Rural Connectivity: The Socio-Ecological Impact of China’s Belt-Road Initiative in Northern Thailand ($21,750)

2017-18, Support for Undergraduate Research Assistants

Mary Mostafanezhad & Yi Qiang, Geography – Tourismphobia: Understanding the Socioeconomic Drivers of Anti-Tourism Sentiments ($4,000)
Kristin Pauker, Psychology – Origins of Intergroup Perceptions and Attitudes across Diverse Contexts ($3,760)
Nori Tarui, Economics – An Economic Analysis of Electricity Demand in Commercial and Industrial Sectors and Solar PV Diffusion: Investigating the Role of Weather and Economic Incentives Using Granular Load Data ($2,255)

Awarded by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research in recognition of outstanding scholarly research endeavors by students while they pursue a degree at the doctoral, master’s or bachelor’s level.

2021 – Victor Kilonzo, Psychology
2020 – Joy Agner, Psychology

Recognizes outstanding faculty members who apply their professional expertise to improve the quality of life in the community. Its purpose is to acknowledge college faculty who use their talents and energies to address pressing social and civic problems, and strengthen ties between the college and community.

2021 – Philip Garboden, Urban & Regional Planning
2019 – Carl Bonham, Social Science Research Institute
2018 – Norman Okamura, Social Science Research Institute
2017 – Gregory Chun, Social Science Research Institute
2017 – Lawrence Nitz, Political Science
2012 – Kalei Kanuha, Sociology
2010 – Kathy Ferguson, Political Science / Women’s Studies
2010 – Karen Umemoto, Urban & Regional Planning
2008 – Beverly Keever, Communications
2007 – Muthusami Kumnaran, Public Administration
2006 – Geoffrey White, Anthropology
2002 – Michael Hamnett, Social Science Research Institute

Established by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Graduate Division in 2005, the award allows graduate students to nominate faculty for excellent mentoring, one of the foundations of outstanding graduate education.

2020 – Jarius Grove, Political Science
2019 – Patricia Steinhoff, Sociology
2013 – Krisnawati Suryanata, Geography
2010 – Richard Chadwick, Political Science
2005 – P. Bion Griffin, Anthropology

Awarded by the UH Mānoa Commission on Inclusion and Diversity recognizing a faculty member who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to enhancing diversity.

2019 – Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, Political Science

Created in 2020 by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The award recognizes up to two tenured/tenure-track faculty mentors each academic year (one from a STEM discipline, and one from a non-STEM discipline) who have shown dedicated and sustained excellence in faculty mentoring of undergraduate students in their research and creative work endeavors.

2022 – Stephanie “Lani” Teves, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Recognizes exemplary service to the university by a UH employee. It was established by the Board of Regents in 1969 to honor the long-time UH employee and secretary to the board.

2019 – Gerald Kato, School of Communications
2011 – Richard Dubanoski, Dean’s Office
2002 – Annette Chang, Dean’s Office

Recognizes a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty member for playing a socially significant role by applying intellectual leadership and academic expertise to the improvement of the community. The award was established as a memorial to longtime UH Mānoa College of Education Professor Robert Clopton and was first awarded in 1977.

2019 – Kathy Ferguson, Political Science
2016 – Karen Umemoto, Urban & Regional Planning
2006 – Sharon Moriwaki, Public Policy Center
2005 – Susan Hippensteele, Women’s Studies
2002 – Michael Hamnett, Social Science Research Institute
2000 – James Mak, Economics
1999 – G. Kem Lowry, Urban & Regional Planning
1997 – Deane Neubauer, Political Science
1994 – Sumner La Croix, Economics
1989 – Susan Chandler, Public Policy Center
1988 – James Dator, Political Science
1984 – David Chandler, Sociology
1977 – Norman Meller, Political Science

Honors a UH Mānoa staff member who demonstrates outstanding work performance, service and leadership.

2024 – Dana Singer, Urban and Regional Planning
2023 – Elaine Nakahashi, Anthropology

Honors a Mānoa staff member who demonstrates outstanding work performance, service and leadership.

2017 – Laurie Onizuka, Political Science

The purpose of the award is to recognize staff members who apply their professional expertise to improve the operation of their unit and the College.

2023 – Harry Partika, Dean’s Office
2023 – Kathleen Tagaca, Dean’s Office
2023 – Ivee Yamada, Sociology
2022 – Stacie Hanae, Dean’s Office
2021 – Patti Au, Dean’s Office
2021 – Mindy Scordilis, Economics
2019 – Cindy Scheopner, Dean’s Office
2015 – Sheryl Nohara, Dean’s Office
2015 – Janette Yuasa, Ethnic Studies
2014 – Cherry Rojo, Sociology
2014 – John Matassa, Geography
2013 – Harry Partika, Dean’s Office
2012 – Jonalyn Ragonton, Social Science Research Institute

Recognizes outstanding faculty members who have retired from the University but have continued to maintain an active and outstanding scholarly life. Their continued achievements in teaching, research, and/or application have brought high honor to themselves, their disciplines, our College, and the community. Their accomplishments exemplify the values of lifelong learning.

2023 – Sumner La Croix, Economics
2022 – James Mak, Economics/UHERO
2018 – Gordon (Kem) Lowry, Urban & Regional Planning
2015 – Beverly Keever, Communications
2012 – Louis Herman, Psychology
2010 – Alan Howard, Anthropology
2007 – Ben Finney, Anthropology
2007 – Anthony Marsella, Psychology
2006 – Seiji Naya, Economics
2006 – Arthur Staats, Psychology
2006 – Roland G. Tharp, Psychology
2005 – Abe Arkoff, Psychology
2005 – David H. Crowell, Psychology
2005 – Tom Dinell, Urban & Regional Planning
2005 – Fred Riggs, Political Science

Honored faculty members for significant contributions that strengthen ties between the University of Hawai’i and the community.

2007 – Carl Bohnam, Economics / UHERO
2007 – Byron Gangnes, Economics / UHERO
2005 – Davianna McGregor, Ethnic Studies
2004 – Kathy Ferguson, Women’s Studies / Political Science
2004 – G. Kem Lowry, Urban & Regional Planning
2003 – Meda Chesney-Lind, Women’s Studies
2001 – Karl Kim, Urban & Regional Planning
2000 – Dolores Foley, Urban & Regional Planning