HPU School of Social Work

Junior and senior students of the BSW program came together for a potluck, joined by guests and faculty. Wishing all a fantastic semester. 🤙🏼

Please follow us on the Instagram!

HPU Social Work (@hpusocialwork) • Instagram photos and videos 1,154 Followers, 1,003 Following, 1,564 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from HPU Social Work ()

A hui hou, Prof. Yamada! 🌺

Prof. Miho Yamada of Seinan Gakuin, who has been with us as a visiting scholar for the past year, is returning to Japan 🇯🇵 this weekend. Many students have had the pleasure of spending time with Prof. Yamada, and her contributions to our school have been tremendous. 🌟

We will miss you! Come back any time. A hui hou! 👋

What did our awesome HPU School of Social Work faculty/staff do during the summer? ☀️

Dr. Vince Okada was invited by Kansai University 🇯🇵 as a visiting scholar for six weeks. He gave lectures and conducted workshops for health and well-being major students and faculty.

Dr. Okada and his foundation, the League of Japan Social Work, held retreat days on self-care for social workers from Japan near Mt. Takao in Tokyo, ⛰️ inviting his colleagues Dr. Danielle Giroux and former HPU School of Social Work faculty member Dr. Yvonne Yim, who currently resides in Japan. Dr. Giroux and Dr. Okada were also invited by Musashino University, an institutional partner of HPU School of Social Work, to serve as panelists for student presentations on their study trip to HPU in February.

During his stay in Osaka, Japan, Dr. Okada traveled to Tokyo, Kyoto, Tokushima, and Kagoshima to visit universities and high schools, as well as to meet social workers, educators and community leaders. 🫱‍🫲

Dr. Okada also spent a lot of time this summer with his German Shepherd dog, Hermes. 🐕

HPU School of Social Work welcomed new and returning BSW/MSW students who are from all over Oʻahu, Big island, Mauʻi, West Coast, Mid-West, East Coast, Alaska, Canada, Japan, Viet Nam, Korea, Norway, etc.
Have a great semester, everyone!!

What did our awesome HPU School of Social Work faculty/staff did during the summer?? ☀️

Dr. Danielle Giroux spent the summer on an Asia- Pacific international trip 🇯🇵🇸🇬🇦🇺🇳🇿where she presented at the League of Japan Social Work retreat, attended student presentations at Musashino University, taught classes for one of our partner universities the Japan College of Social Work (https://www.jcsw.ac.jp/information/entry-2382.html), and met faculty from Te Wananga o Aotearoa, and the University of Aukland.🥝

Dr. Giroux also visited many exciting attractions like the Lord of The Rings Movie Set and Ghibli Park with her toddler.❤️

What did our awesome HPU School of Social Work faculty/staff did during the summer!?!?☀️

Professor Lori Daniels played at and won first place at the USA Ultimate (Flying Disc) Masters Championships in Aurora, CO as part of a Great Grand Masters Women’s Team in July. 🎉🥇
Dr. Daniels has played frisbee 🥏 for over 40 years; she started playing frisbee (ultimate, freestyle, disc golf) while attending college in the east coast. Her GGMW team (PerSisters) this year consists of women ultimate players who >47 years old.

Congratulations, Professor Daniels! 💕

What did our awesome HPU School of Social Work faculty/staff did during this summer!?!?☀️

Professor Lori Daniels played at and won first place at the USA Ultimate (Flying Disc) Masters Championships in Aurora, CO as part of a Great Grand Masters Women's Team in July. 🎉🥇
Dr. Daniels has played frisbee 🥏 for over 40 years; she started playing frisbee (ultimate, freestyle, disc golf) while attending college in the east coast. Her GGMW team (PerSisters) this year consists of women ultimate players who >47 years old.

Congratulations, Professor Daniels!💕
What did you all do this summer?

New and current HPU School of Social Work BSW/MSW students! You have an attendance mandatory orientation/welcome back event this evening (Thursday, August 22) on Zoom. Please check your email for the link.
See you all this evening! Letʻs get ready for the new academic year!!
💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

NASW Hawai'i Chapter is hiring a new director.

Looking for a new challenge? Interested in becoming the next Executive Director of the NASW HAwai'i Chapter? Apply now! : Executive Director - Hawaii | Dayforce Jobs (dayforcehcm.com)

Mālama ‘Āina - Laulima - Aloha
Our last program day with University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU - Hanoi 🇻🇳, joined by Portland State University faculty, took place today at the ‘Āina Wellness Academy, focusing on self-care. 💕

have often engaged at key points to broaden inclusion. What about the 2024 elections? Join us for a nonpartisan event on why social workers & students should get involved & how they can make a difference: https://csd.wustl.edu/engaging-voters-24

Center for Social Development

E komo mai, Dr. Stewart! 🌟
Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the HPU School of Social Work, Dr. Tracy Stewart!

Here is the profile of Dr. Stewart:
Dr. Tracy J. Stewart is an Alaska Native (Unangax/Aleut) with deep familial roots in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. She earned her doctorate in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in 2022. Before pursuing her doctorate, she completed a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Angelo State University and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from UAA.

Dr. Stewart brings extensive clinical experience across diverse settings, including college counseling centers, integrative health outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and Tribal healthcare clinics. Her broad expertise underscores her commitment to holistic, community-centered approaches to mental health. Dr. Stewart is passionately dedicated to working at the community level, particularly with rural and Indigenous populations. Her work is deeply informed by her cultural heritage and a commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved areas.

Before joining Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU), Dr. Stewart contributed her expertise to a non-profit Tribal healthcare organization in Alaska, serving the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands region. Her work there was pivotal in writing, securing, and managing grant funds to support the organization's Food Sovereignty program. This program plays a crucial role in promoting Tribal wellness practices, including the use of traditional food methods, to mitigate health disparities and enhance food security in Indigenous communities.

Heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Lori Daniels and Dr. Peter Mataira on your well-deserved promotions to Professor. 👏🏽🦈
Also, congratulations to Dr. Daniel Giroux and Dr. Vince Okada on your advancement to Associate Professor. 👏🏽💕

A final academic exchange day between VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities Hanoi and HPU School of Social Work faculty! 🇻🇳🌈🤙🏼💪🏽💕

A busy week continues for the professors of VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities-Hanoi 🇻🇳 as they are visiting Papahana Kuaola for the service learning activities. 🌱💦💕

Time to relax and enjoy after a busy week. Professors from VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi 🇻🇳 prepared delicious Vietnamese food for everyone! It was a great time with stories, laughter, music, hula, and fireworks. 💕

The Reciprocal Cultural Exchange and Discussion Series with VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi 🇻🇳, continues. Dr. Danielle Giroux, HPU School of Social Work MSW Program Chair and Associate Professor, and Dr. Lori Daniels, Professor of Social Work, gave talks to the visiting professors from Vietnam today.

Professor Hoang Ba Thinh and Professor Nguyen Thi Thai Lan from VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities-Hanoi; José Barzola, Conflict and Peace Specialist from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; Dr. Christine Nguyen, Assistant Professor at the HPU School of Nursing; Dr. Peter Mataira, Professor at the HPU School of Social Work; and HPU 24-25 Visiting Scholar Professor Miho Yamada from Seinan Gakuin University in Japan gave a series of talks and presentations at the Reciprocal Cultural Exchange and Discussion - Lunch and Learn, coordinated and facilitated by Paul Tran, a social work instructor at the HPU School of Social Work.

More talks will take place tomorrow (Thursday) and next Monday.

Stay tuned this fall for more info about Fulbright-Hays DDRA! Start date for the 2025 Competition is TBD. For updates, please visit https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsddrap/applicant.html

Open to the Public Events:

HPU School of Social Work is hosting visiting scholars from Vietnam and offering a series of lectures and workshops. No RSVP required. Come and meet the scholars from Vietnam! 🇻🇳🤙🏼

Tue, 8/13 11am-1pm
Aloha Tower Marketplace MPR2
"Reciprocal Cultural Exchange and Discussion "Lunch and Learn"
Presentation from VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities professors:
- Veterans in Viet Nam: Policy and Support Program by Professor Hoang Ba Thinh
- Social Welfare and social work in Viet Nam by Professor Nguyen Thi Thai Lan
Bring your favorite food to share
More presentations in the afternoon.

Wed 8/14 10am-12pm
Aloha Tower Marketplace MPR2
- Community Based Participatory Research, Engaging Communities and Learning About the Role of Artificial Intelligence and Health Equity Research by Dr. Peter Mataira, Professor and Co-PI on the AIM-AHEAD PAIR Study
- Presentation by Prof. Miho Yamada, Visiting Scholar (23-24) from Seinan Gakuin, Japan

Thu 8/15 9am-12pm & 1pm - 3pm
Aloha Tower Marketplace MPR 2
- Question Persuade Refer (QPR) Method for Su***de Intervention by Dr. Danielle Giroux, MSW Program Chair and Associate Professor
- Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by Dr. Lori Daniels, Professor

Mon 8/19 9am - 11am
Waterfront Plaza Building 1 Room 304A
- Weaving Indigenous Content into the Delivery of an Online MSW Program by HPU School of Social Work faculty

Open to the Public:

HPU School of Social Work is hosting visiting scholars from Vietnam and offering a series of lectures and workshops. No RSVP required. Come and meet the scholars from Vietnam! 🇻🇳🤙🏼

Tue, 8/13 11am-1pm
Aloha Tower Marketplace MPR2
"Reciprocal Cultural Exchange and Discussion "Lunch and Learn"
Presentation from VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities professors:
- Veterans in Viet Nam: Policy and Support Program by Professor Hoang Ba Thinh
- Social Welfare and social work in Viet Nam by Professor Nguyen Thi Thai Lan

Bring your favorite food to share

Wed 8/14 10am-12pm
Aloha Tower Marketplace MPR2
- Community Based Participatory Research, Engaging Communities and Learning About the Role of Artificial Intelligence and Health Equity Research by Dr. Peter Mataira, Professor and Co-PI on the AIM-AHEAD PAIR Study
- Presentation by Prof. Miho Yamada, Visiting Scholar (23-24) from Seinan Gakuin, Japan

Thu 8/15 9am-12pm & 1pm - 3pm
Aloha Tower Marketplace MPR 2
- Question Persuade Refer (QPR) Method for Su***de Intervention by Dr. Danielle Giroux, MSW Program Chair and Associate Professor
- Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by Dr. Lori Daniels, Professor

Mon 8/19 9am - 11am
Waterfront Plaza Building 1 Room 304A
- Weaving Indigenous Content into the Delivery of an Online MSW Program by HPU School of Social Work faculty

Professors from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU-Hanoi 🇻🇳visited Spill The Tea Cafe (STTC) 🌈 this afternoon, where our students often complete their practicum experiences. STTC is an inclusive mental health clinic focused on teens, offering a safe and welcoming space. 🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🖤🤎❤️

A message/request from Maddy, a recent BSW graduate! Please kokua.
🙇🏻‍♂️🙏🏾
******
Aloha,
I recently became a school counselor at Kapaʻa Elementary on Kauaʻi and am working on setting up my office to become a safe space for third through fifth graders. I linked below my project that allows you to donate/ help buy items for my students. If you are able to donate I would greatly appreciate it. Or if you can share with your colleague, friends and family that would be greatly appreciated as well!

https://www.donorschoose.org/project/counselor-office-grades-3-5/8587378/

https://www.donorschoose.org/project/counselor-office-grades-3-5/8587378/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=project&utm_term=teacher_9635144&rf=page-dc-2024-08-project-teacher_9635144&challengeid=22368867

Counselor Office Grades 3-5, a project from Ms. Maddy Help me give my students mental and emotional support, I am a counselor and am setting up my office to be a safe space for third- fifth graders, help me organize important documents, give resources...

Aloha! E komo mai! 🌺🌈
We’re thrilled to welcome professors from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU, Hanoi, Viet Nam🇻🇳, who have just arrived in Honolulu. They’re here for a meaningful exchange of social work knowledge and dialogue, and we look forward to learning from one another!

Two former HPU MSW students, Sooz Stever and Ashley Bonton reconnected at a conference in SnowBird Utah! Mahalo for sending us this picture! ❤️

HPU 3rd Annual Military Appreciation Night - Saturday May 25 4pm-8pm
https://hpu.edu/calendar/2024/05/military-night-market.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR08xYr3ezwE6Vv7yWnyf5R1g_1bjvHFbuWVJQd-203c6La4RVVJ_CE93N4_aem_Ade-P2Bd1VVBYSTEf6pqY5NXKPzq-tT52mQUEzyhRTBBy2ahDkRdZmZDvfY8uzbtrT0CxSuMXzOGY0XMg3ikAeUz