Distinguished Alumni

We honor program alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in furthering SCI’s mission of fostering communication, information, and media that contribute to a more peaceful, just, and informed society. Our Distinguished Alumni Award is an annual recognition intended to celebrate their significant contributions and inspire current and future alumni to continue positively impacting their communities, both within academia and beyond.

2025 Distinguished Alumni Awardees

Christina higa

Christina Higa

Communication

Director, Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center

Jessica yamauchi

Jessica Yamauchi

Communicology

Chief Executive Officer of the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute

Paula akana

Paula Akana Guanzon

Journalism

KITV Journalist and Executive Director, ‘Iolani Palace

Jane kurahara

Jane Kurahara

Library and Information Science

Former Head of School Library Services, Hawai‘i Department of Education, and Mentor-Volunteer at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i

Melodi Wynne

Melodi Wynne

Matsunaga Institute for Peace

Community and Cultural Psychologist and Food Sovereignty Advocate

2024 Distinguished Alumni Awardees

Nyle Sky Kauweloa

Nyle Sky Kauweloa

Communication

Director of UH Esports and Specialist Faculty, Interdisciplinary Studies

Jennifer Sur Matayoshi

Jennifer Sur Matayoshi

Communicology

Lead Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Senior Investigator, UH Mānoa

Suzanne Puanani Vares Lum

Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum

Journalism

President of the East-West Center, UH Mānoa

Ruth Horie

Ruth Horie

Library and Information Science

Retired Catalog Librarian, UH Mānoa

Anne Marie Smoke

Anne Marie Smoke

Matsunaga Institute for Peace

Administrator, Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Hawai‘i State Judiciary

Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations

Alumni from all SCI programs and degrees qualify for nomination.

  • Annual nomination period: December 15 to February 14
  • A link to the nomination form is available here during the nomination period.