By Sophia Kim-O’Sullivan
Dr. Maya Soetoro, Faculty Specialist in the Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, has been named a 2026 recipient of the Live Long and Prosper (LLAP) Tribute Award. Presented by the Nimoy-Knight Foundation, the award honors those who carry on the incredible legacy of Leonard Nimoy – the Star Trek actor who spent his life championing diverse voices and peaceful dialogue both on and off screen.The award is titled after Spock’s famous Vulcan blessing for his fellow Enterprise shipmates, and similarly celebrates those who support and champion their communities. Previous recipients include Bill Nye, LeVar Burton, Billie Jean King, as well as Nimoy’s co-actor George Takei.
Dr. Maya Soetoro has served communities in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific for many years. On behalf of the Obama Foundation, Dr. Soetoro developed leadership programs across the Asia-Pacific region and built the Hawaiʻi Girls Opportunity Alliance network to support and educate local girls. She is the co-founder of three non-profits: Ceeds of Peace, the Peace Studio and the Institute for Climate and Peace. Dr. Soetoro also directs the Matsunaga Institute’s internship program, a practicum course which allows students to gain hands-on experience working with local non-profit organizations and other institutions. Dr. Soetoro herself has volunteered with Hui Aloha to connect with houseless communities and support the building of kauhale. She also promotes ʻāina-based learning and youth leadership across the islands.
David Knight, co-director of the Nimoy-Knight Foundation, delighted in celebrating Dr. Soetoro. “Our foundation committee unanimously agreed that Dr. Soetoro’s dedication to peace and her commitment to reconciling differences make her a worthy honoree of this award. Her work reflects the very ethos that Leonard championed throughout his life–bridging divides and building a more compassionate world.”
Reflecting on Spock’s character and journey, Dr. Soetoro notes that his efforts to bridge the human and Vulcan world mirror the experiences of many who inhabit multiple cultures. “Spock’s commitment to logic was never cold detachment; it was a disciplined devotion to reason over reaction, to dialogue over violence, and to collective survival over ego,” she said. “Leonard Nimoy himself carried that ethos beyond the screen through his art, photography, writing, and advocacy—uplifting marginalized voices, celebrating human dignity, and building bridges across difference.”
Read more about the honor in UH News and on the Nimoy-Knight Foundation site.
