East-West Center Alumni Hawaii Chapter

Meet the 2024-2025 EWCA Hawaii Chapter Board. We have supported the EWC Student Endowment Fund, the Student Emergency Fund, the annual CBI picnic for incoming students and alumni at Kapiolani Park, student travel grants to help students attend professional conferences related to their studies, and the EWC Mentoring program.

Due to EWC alumni generosity, the EWCA Hawaii Chapter was able to host an group of current students, who enjoyed the luncheon and provided 3 of the talented student performers who entertained with vocals and dance on the stage to the delight of the alumni & Friends audience. Kaelyn Howard Vocalist, Paul Cosme, Pianist and Janani Lakshmanan, Classical Indian Dance. Also depicted with a thumbs up is our EWC participant photgrapher Patricia Grillet.

At the 2025 EWCA Hawaii Chapter Luncheon we also honored the 2019 Outstanding Service Awardee Ms. Trudy Schandler-Wong. Accepting on her behalf is husband Mr. Al Wong and her daughter Dr. Shaaroni Wong.

EWC participant Janani Lakshmanan performed Classical Indian Dance and wowed the crowd with her dances pieces Saraswathi Jathiswaram and Atana Thillana.

Ms. Karen Knudsen is the 2025 Outstanding Service Awardee announced at the 2025 EWCA Hawaii Chapter Annual Luncheon held at the beautiful Pacific Club. Handing her the certificate is EWCA Hawaii Chapter President Dr. Carl Hefner.

You're invited to join the EWCA Hawaii Chapter for its annual Fundraiser Luncheon on Saturday, April 5, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Connect with EWC colleagues and friends, both old and new, and celebrate our 2025 Outstanding Service Awardee: Ms. Karen Knudsen. Enjoy a buffet lunch, silent auction of Southeast Asian art and other treasures, and cultural performances by EWC students.

The EWCA Hawaiʻi Chapter's proceeds from past annual gatherings have been used to support EWC summer student travel scholarships that enable students to attend professional conferences, EWC Students Emergency Fund, annual EWC Community Building Institute Picnic, Mentoring Program, and more broadly the EWC mission. In 2004, we were recognized by the EWC Foundation with an Award of Merit and with the prestigious EWCA Outstanding Chapter Award!

Email [email protected] for ticket information.

🎄 Happy Holidays 2024!
Our first Hawaii Christmas in 1978. A large tree branch broke and fell in the wind outside of Hale Manoa, so we brought it inside our room on the top floor to decorate.
Karen & Greg Knudsen

East-West Center—-WALL OF HONOR

During this season of thanks, let's take this time to reflect on those who have made an impact on us.

Who from your EWC days helped shape your path? Who inspired you? Whether it was a fellow student, a staff member, or a friend who stood by you, now you can share your appreciation for them!

Comment or tag their name below with a few words about what they meant to you.

Consider honoring them on the East-West Center Wall of Honor to recognize their impact and help inspire future EWC students.

👉 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fGdk73


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Wall of Honor Wall of Honor: Celebrating 10 Years

EWCA Hawaii Chapter welcomes you and looks forward to your support!