East-West Center Alumni and Community

Welcome to the East-West Center Alumni Community, graduates! This marks the beginning of a new chapter that connects you to a lifelong global network of leaders, changemakers, and fellow alumni across the world. We can't wait to see where the journey takes you next! 🌎✨🎓

Update your contact information with us to stay connected 👉 https://forms.office.com/r/MrHN3NZFiX

Happy East-West Center Day! For today's , take a look at photos from the very first official EWC Day celebration in 1985.

Did you know? Although the East-West Center was founded in 1960, May 14 was not officially proclaimed as "East-West Center Day" until the Center's 25th Anniversary in 1985, when the late Hawaiʻi Governor George R. Ariyoshi issued the proclamation honoring the Center's impact and legacy.

The celebration included a special anniversary cake shared with EWC staff, participants, and their families.

On hand for the signing are (front row, left to right) Marion Saunders, Chairperson, International Association East-West Center Alumni; Victor Hao Li, President, East-West Center; George Chaplin, Chairman, Board of Governors; (back row, left to right) Vicki Shambaugh, representing Hawaiʻi Chapter Alumni; Bryant Robey, Director of Public Affairs; Arun Kashyap, President of the EWCPA; Marvin Anderson, Counselor to the President; Kenneth Chong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the EWC; and Seiji Naya, Director of Resource Systems Institute.

The April 2026 issue of the EWC Alumni Newsletter is here! In this issue, watch EWC’s new video, "The Pacific Way," read inspiring alumni stories, and take a look back at East-West Fest — past and present. Have your own East-West Fest memories or photos to share? Drop them in the comments below! 👇

Read the full newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7455722653559971841

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The reports are in! This quarter, EWC Association chapters have been fostering connections through reunions, community events, cultural gatherings, and more.

Read the summary on our website: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/news/announcement/ewca-quarterly-chapter-reports-quarter-1-2026

Swipe to see the highlights 👉

The East-West Center mourns the passing of former Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi, a visionary leader whose legacy is deeply woven into the Center's history and mission.

Governor Ariyoshi played a pivotal role in strengthening the East-West Center's institutional foundation and global engagement. In 1975, he worked with the Hawai'i State Legislature to establish the Center as an independent educational nonprofit corporation separate from the University of Hawaii, reinforcing its ability to serve as a bridge between the United States and the Indo-Pacific.

Learn more about his commitment to regional cooperation: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/news/announcement/ewc-mourns-passing-former-board-chair-and-hi-gov-george-ariyoshi

The East-West Center mourns the passing of former US Representative Colleen Hanabusa, who represented Hawaiʻi’s First Congressional District from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2016 to 2019, and was a strong supporter of the Center and its mission to strengthen understanding and cooperation between the United States and the Asia Pacific.

During her time in Congress, she spoke to the importance of the Center as a place for dialogue and collaboration across the region. Her commitment to Hawaiʻi and to international engagement will be remembered.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and the many communities she served.

Photo: Colleen Hanabusa in 2016
(Courtesy | US House of Representatives)

The January 2026 Issue of the Alumni E-Newsletter is out: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ewc-alumni-newsletter-january-2026-ewcalumni-skfhc

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Early- to mid-career professionals from Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Republic of China (Taiwan), apply now for the 2026 Pacific Islands Leadership Program (PILP) with Taiwan!

The 2026 PILP will be a six-week hybrid program in three phases: online asynchronous module, residency in Honolulu, and field immersion in Taiwan, including a two-day leadership retreat.

Click on the link below for more information and to apply online.

https://www.eastwestcenter.org/apply/2026-pacific-islands-leadership-program-pilp-taiwan

Photo: Courtesy PILP G10

Our EWCA chapters ended 2025 with a bang! Check out Quarter 4 chapter activity highlights from Chennai and Okinawa, or click here to read the full report 👉🏽 https://www.eastwestcenter.org/news/announcement/ewca-quarterly-chapter-reports-quarter-4-2025

We're so excited for what's to come in 2026!