Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center - University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center - University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo The Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center’s vision is to provide a Hawaiian place of learning at UHH

The Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center’s vision is to ensure a Hawaiian place of learning at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Kīpuka promotes Native Hawaiian student success through the provision of culturally appropriate and responsive student support services and activities; supports the academic development and success of Native Hawaiians by promoting learning environments that are culturally responsive and appropriate; and implements community and cultural programs to increase educational opportunities for Native Hawaiians within Hawaiian and Pacific communities.

09/11/2026

E mai, e mai, nou ka hale!

Join us for Heahea Kauhale, an opportunity for haumāna to engage in community and get to know Kīpuka! Come by to meet and connect with your Makamakalehua Peer Mentor, learn more about our services and support available to all haumāna.

🗓️Thurs. Sept. 24
⌚️4PM-6PM
🏡PB-12, Kīpuka Lānai

Live music by Ei Nei ft Lina Robins
‘Ono food by YourNextFix

Save the date, bring your hoa makamaka, and we’ll see you there! 🫶🏽🫵🏽

08/27/2026

August Newsletter is here! 📮

Check out this month’s edition for upcoming on-campus events, features on our three pop-up locations and services, community happenings, and more.

Not subscribed yet? Head to the link in our bio to stay up to date with all things Kīpuka

08/20/2026

Mahalo a nui to everyone who stopped by the Mōkaulele Mixer and added a little something special to their bag at our bar!

We love welcoming our incoming haumāna and ʻohana back University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and kicking off the school year together. Be sure to follow us here to keep up with all of our events, programs, and services throughout the year!

Missed out on the bag charms? 👀 Don’t worry. Stay tuned for updates!

DormLife

Big congratulations to our incredible Hoʻolana Intern and recent graduate, Cambry Carenio! 🎓🎉Before walking across the s...
08/07/2026

Big congratulations to our incredible Hoʻolana Intern and recent graduate, Cambry Carenio! 🎓🎉

Before walking across the stage, Cambry wrapped up an impactful undergraduate research journey at UH Hilo, serving as a dedicated Lab Research Assistant right here in Wentworth Hall. 🔬🏢

Cambry’s role was vital to our ongoing environmental microbiology studies. She was tasked with the meticulous work of isolating and cultivating amoebae straight from Hawai‘i’s unique soil environments—a job requiring immense precision, patience, and technical skill! 🌍🌱

🧫 Inside the Lab: Cambry’s Primary Responsibilities Included:

Aseptic Technique: Maintaining pristine, sterile environments for precise cultivation.
Media Preparation & Sterilization: Crafting the perfect environments to grow target organisms.
Bright-Field Microscopy: Spending hours analyzing samples at a microscopic level to hunt for amoebae.
Genomic DNA Isolation: Extracting DNA to unlock the genetic blueprints of the organisms.
PCR Analysis & Gel Electrophoresis: Utilizing advanced molecular biology techniques to identify and classify the isolated amoebae.

Programs like the Hoʻolana Career Development and Internship Program are designed to give students the exact hands-on, high-level laboratory skills they need to transition seamlessly from undergrads to thriving industry professionals and graduates. We are so proud to have been a part of Cambry’s academic and professional journey! 🚀✨

✨ Stay tuned for more Hoʻolana Internship Highlights as we continue to showcase the incredible students and recent grads shaping the future of science in Hawaii!

Meet the minds shaping the future of scientific research in Hawaii! 🧬✨ Today, we’re spotlighting Christian Lee, a Lead S...
08/06/2026

Meet the minds shaping the future of scientific research in Hawaii! 🧬

✨ Today, we’re spotlighting Christian Lee, a Lead Student Assistant at our UH Hilo Campus internship site.

Working under the guidance of Dr. Jonathan D. Awaya, Christian and his team are tackling real-world health challenges right here in our community.

🔬 The Mission: Christian’s lab is researching how Acanthamoeba species might act as a reservoir and increase the virulence of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM)—a pathogen linked to rising respiratory infections in Hawaii.

breakthrough? After 3 years of rigorous trials, errors, and methodology revisions, Christian and his team just achieved their first positive test confirming the NTM-amoeba interaction in Hawaii! 🛑👏

Swipe left to see what a typical day looks like for Christian, from DNA extraction to microscope analysis, and find out how this internship program fosters both professional independence and lifelong friendships. 👇

💬 In His Own Words:

On Professional Growth: "My primary area of growth has been independence. This internship pushed me to be accountable for myself and for the research experience of others as the Lead student assistant."
On the Power of Community: "I entered thinking I would be working primarily on my own, but this has essentially turned out to be a valuable networking opportunity... It feels like a casual hangout with friends while doing our research work."
Christian’s Advice for Future Applicants: "Choose your advisor and their work wisely! If you start early in your academic career, there’s a chance you could be in the lab for most of your time in undergrad."

✨ Stay tuned for more Hoʻolana Internship Highlights as we continue to showcase the incredible students shaping the future of science in Hawaii!

Bridging traditional wisdom with modern science! 🌿🔬 Today, we’re incredibly proud to spotlight Leilani Badamo, a phenome...
08/05/2026

Bridging traditional wisdom with modern science! 🌿🔬 Today, we’re incredibly proud to spotlight Leilani Badamo, a phenomenal graduate who utilized our Hoʻolana Career Development and Internship Program to fuel her passion for agriculture, community health, and sustainable lifestyles.

Through the Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, the Hoʻolana program supported Leilani’s wish to serve her community by diving deep into hands-on undergraduate research. She maximized this opportunity by interning in two separate, cutting-edge labs at UH Hilo:

🧬 In Dr. Jon Awaya’s Biology Lab: Leilani gained technical skills by extracting and analyzing the DNA of amoeba and non-tuberculosis cyanobacteria from local soil samples.

🌱 In Dr. Leng Chee Chang’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Lab: She explored ethnobotany, studying the health benefits of Native Hawaiian herbs and plants traditionally used in the healing practices of lāʻau lapaʻau.

Leilani’s journey is a prime example of how internship programs empower students to step out of the classroom and into real-world discovery.

💬 In Her Own Words:

"Internships such as these allow students to build their network, relationships, and explore career opportunities before graduating."
🚀 Looking to cultivate your career, connect with world-class mentors, and give back to the community?

The Hoʻolana program is dedicated to helping students explore their topical interests, build professional networks, and pave the way for future career goals.

✨ Stay tuned for more Hoʻolana Internship Highlights as we continue to showcase the incredible students shaping the future of science in Hawaii!

05/09/2026

Finals? We in dis 😎☕️📚⚡️

Check out our Finals Week schedule and swing by to refuel, reset, and study with us at our ʻAlahonua Pop-Up & The Loft We’ll have a quiet place to study, FREE printing for your final papers and projects. Snacks and good vibes to help you get through the week.

05/05/2026

Seat belts, everyone! 🚌✨

From huakaʻi across Hawaiʻi Island to the journeys ahead. Mahalo for riding with us this semester! Wishing our haumāna all the best on your huakaʻi into summer and beyond.

We hope to see you all next semester in Papa Kuleana & Community 🫶🏽❤️

Address

200 W Kawili Street
Hilo, HI
96720

Opening Hours

Monday 7:45am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:45am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:45am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7:45am - 4:30pm
Friday 7:45am - 4:30pm

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