College of Social Sciences, UH Mānoa
College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at MānoaCollege Logo
College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at MānoaCollege Logo

Awards and Recognition

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.

  • 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 – 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.

  • 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.

  • 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