Society of Native Hawaiian Engineers 2019 Conference
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Ala Moana Hotel
Honolulu, HI
On September 29 – October 1, 2019, the Society of Native Hawaiian Engineers (SNHE) held its 2019 conference at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. The conference hosted over 30 attendees and featured speakers from around the United States.
On Sunday, students and professionals were invited to tour the Coastal Hydraulics Engineering Resilience (CHER) Lab at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, followed by an ice-breaker mixer. The CHER Lab, run by Dr. Oceana Francis and her team (Dr. Linqiang Yang, Harrison Togia, Bailey Hopkins, and Hannah Harrison), houses various hydraulic and coastal equipment used for research and educational experiments, such as wave tanks and ADCPs. The attendees were also introduced to a Department of Transportation (DOT) Hawaiʻi Statewide project, showcasing an ocean hazard methodology and database developed for coastal highways in the State of Hawaiʻi by the CHER team. After touring the CHER Lab, conference attendees were invited to network and enjoy pupus on the lanai.
The following day consisted of speakers, panels, and a banquet dinner to discuss the involvement and promotion of Native Hawaiians in engineering disciplines. The morning was opened by Dr. Josh Kaakua (University of Hawaiʻi System) with the traditional pule Nā ʻAumākua. The session continued with speaker Dr. Michael Bruno, Provost of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, discussing the University of Hawaiʻi’s support of Native Hawaiians in engineering. He was followed by Dr. Brennon Morioka, Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, who spoke on his college’s support of Native Hawaiians in engineering. After the opening speakers, Dr. Oceana Francis (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa), Dr. Josh Kaakua, and Dr. Paige Smith (National Science Foundation) introduced the background discussions and work that led to the formation of SNHE. The keynote address was then delivered by Dr. David Stout (U.S. Department of Defense). Dr. Stout gave his moʻolelo and his experience being a Native Hawaiian engineer outside of Hawaiʻi.
After breaking for lunch, the afternoon was dedicated to student and industry panel sessions. Mahalo to industry panelists Dr. Ming Ding (AECOM), Scott Seu (Hawaiian Electric Company), and Sean Makanaokalani Osurman (The Boeing Company) and student panelists Tyler Akau (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa), Kaiaka Kepa-Alama (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa), and Kai Fonseca (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa) for being representatives at the conference and voicing their opinions and views on the Native Hawaiian experience in engineering. The afternoon closed with an address from Dr. Konia Freitas (Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies), who spoke on valuing indigenous knowledge and the role of indigenous professional societies.
In the evening, Dr. Kāʻeo Duarte (Kamehameha Schools) discussed the importance of supporting Hawaiian youth identity in the pursuit of engineering. Following this, a banquet with live Hawaiian music was enjoyed by all.
Monday, the final day of the conference, was dedicated to a business meeting to review the bylaws of SNHE and discuss the roles for Board of Directors and members.
Any questions, concerns, or requests for photographs and/or transcripts of the conference can be directed to snhe@hawaii.edu.