ABSTRACT. This project encompasses a study of Winston Churchill, his historical inspirations and his leadership during WWII. Churchill’s life experiences primarily contributed to the shaping of his leadership paradigm. From Omdurman to Gallipoli and ‘Never Surrender’ to ‘Iron Curtain’, Churchill, himself created the man he became in 1940. His past experiences prepared him for this moment as he walked with destiny into the furnace of war. Those that he admired only contributed to Churchill’s final form. They did not shape him. Rather, Churchill embodied the enlightened principles of liberty, freedom, and destiny to help guide him through the Nazified heart of darkness. Churchill planted and nurtured his tree of leadership and as it grew applied the ornaments or lessons drawn from his inspirations. The wisdom garnered from his idols only complemented the paradigm he had already created. Georges Clemenceau exemplified how to lead from the front. Napoleon shared an ambitious relationship with destiny and Admiral Nelson demonstrated courage and initiative in the heat of battle. This study uses a thematic framework to portray the working parts of his paradigm. The conclusions are based off Churchill's own personal assessments as well as historical analyses from secondary sources.

ABSTRACT. To further our understanding of reproductive maturation and contaminant exposure in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), this study measured plasma vitellogenin (VTG), a protein precursor to egg yolk. VTG is normally expressed in adult egg laying females but has been shown to appear in males and juvenile turtles when exposed to estrogen disrupting pollutants, such as organochlorine and polychorinated biphenyl (PCB). Presence of VTG was screened in the plasma of 404 loggerheads using a polyclonal antibody produced against VTG from the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta). The threshold of normal VTG expression was determined to be 77 cm straight carapace length (SCL), while the VTG expression in one male, five females, and three unknowns <77 cm SCL were considered abnormal. Organochlorine and PCB concentrations were measured in whole blood and/or fat biopsies of 55 of these turtles using GC-MS. The nine abnormal juveniles had total PCB plasma concentrations 65% higher than 46 juveniles that were not producing VTG, albeit not significantly different (p = 0.328). These data suggest that loggerheads inhabiting this region of the Atlantic Ocean begin reproductive maturation around 77 cm SCL and it is inconclusive whether these environmentally relevant concentrations of contaminants disrupt their endocrine system.

ABSTRACT. Problem: Limited research has been completed on Compassion Fatigue amongst Healthcare Providers. Though multiple studies that have been completed on prevalence of Compassion Fatigue there is limitation on what can be done to minimize it. The following will aim to broaden understanding of what compassion fatigue is and specifically highlight variables that exacerbate or limit Compassion Fatigue. Theoretical Framework: Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relationships places significance on the collaborative relationship. Compassion Fatigue, and provider Burnout could significantly hinder this process. Methodology: An in-depth review of the literature was conducted to evaluate modifiable variables that contribute to Compassion Fatigue. Results and Evaluation: Of the eleven studies reviewed, eleven unique variables identify as common themes in appearing in one or more studies. The variables with no significant correlation to Compassion Fatigue include gender, marital status, alcohol/tobacco use, personal history of trauma, and underlying mental health disorder. The identified factors that contribute to worse Compassion Fatigue scores include burn out, subjective time pressure at work, negative work environment. The variables with that improved Compassion Fatigue scores include completion of a Compassion Fatigue program, regular participation in self-care activities, a positive work environment, and having low levels of burn out.

ABSTRACT. This project involved the design of a Network Intrusion Detection tool using the open-source Linux distribution ​Security Onion​, which will aid HPU’s Network and Infrastructure Department in their initiative to improve their cybersecurity efforts. Internal and third-party assessments of HPU Security posture have identified Network Intrusion Detection as an area of improvement. Using an agile process framework, called the Scrum methodology, the project was worked on in increments of 2-weeks. This development methodology emphasizes accountability, iterative progress, self-organization, and efficient development while working towards a well-defined goal. The far-reaching business implications of a cybersecurity breach are evidence that a robust cyber-resilience plan for any organization is as fundamental as having marketing, financial, and business strategy. The outcomes of this project will be an increased cyber aware and secure infrastructure for HPU’s IT system, as this project aims to provide a tool to increase HPU’s preparedness in case of future potential cybersecurity breaches.

ABSTRACT. Marine plastic pollution is a widespread and growing concern globally. Yet, the full extent of marine plastic pollution is difficult to quantify due to the vast size and dynamic nature of the ocean, with the floating plastic constantly being transported by surface winds and ocean currents. Seabirds are good bio-indicators of pollutants in marine ecosystems and can help to sample and track ocean plastic. This research project characterized plastic ingested by two types of Hawaiian seabirds, Laysan Albatross and Black-footed Albatross. Ingested plastics were retrieved from 12 chick boluses and characterized by size, color, and mass. The size of the ingested fragments ranged from micro (< 5.0 mm) to macro (5.0 mm - 3.0 cm) plastic. The were also differences in the two stomach chambers: the proventriculus contained larger items and an overall greater plastic mass than the gizzard. While white was the dominant color of ingested plastic, albatrosses ingested a wide palette. These results highlight the value of albatross to sample marine debris and highlight the need to study how plastic ingestion may impact seabird condition and health.

ABSTRACT. In the United States, there is a high prevalence of mental health problems among prison and jail inmates. Symptoms of a mental health disorder are based on criteria designed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Prisons and jails are now being called the new “insane asylums.” Currently, about 20% of all inmates in jails and 15% of all inmates in prison in the US are estimated to have a serious mental illness. Back in 2014, there were approximately 383,000 inmates with a severe psychiatric disorder. By understanding the determinants that lead to psychiatric disorders, we can begin to target and impalement interventions. Based on research, therapeutic community substance abuse programs have proven to be successful in reducing substance abuse and recidivism. Studies found that 31% of people who had both a substance abuse disorder and a psychiatric disorder committed at least one act of violence in a year, compared with 18% of people with a psychiatric disorder alone. Without this intervention, an increasing number of inmates will continue to struggle with undiagnosed psychiatric disorders and substance abuse.

ABSTRACT. This paper examines the impact of military presence and peacekeepers on local economics and human trafficking. When thinking about the military and peacekeepers, many think of the humanitarian benefits they have brought to the world. But, that is oftentimes not the case. Peacekeeping economies are when military personnel moves into an area, and the economy starts to rely on the continuous stimulation provided by these campaigns or deployments. As a result, I test a theory of supply-demand for human trafficking. The literature explores the historical relationship between the demand for sex and military troops. It also discusses the occurrence of countries being compliant with specific allegations made against military personnel or peacekeepers because there are economic incentives to do so. In this project, I investigate the relationship between the United States base presence and its impact on the sex trafficking industry globally? I analyze the base structure reports and the United States Trafficking in Persons Report for 2008 and 2018. I hypothesize a positive relationship between the presence of military and sex trafficking. The implications of the findings are that sex trafficking is a much bigger issue than previously thought, victims are further abused when their crimes go unpunished.

ABSTRACT. The Hawai’i State Department of Education envisions that every beginning teacher will participate in a comprehensive three-year induction program. This study investigates what this experience is like for beginning teachers. Furthermore, this study looks at the positive outcomes of the program and proposes ideas for implementation in the Norwegian Education System’s mentoring program, which is just underway. This study considers the factors that contribute to a successful mentor-mentee relationship. Using a mixed-method design, an electronic survey and interviews were conducted, together with an analysis of retention data. This study used convenience sampling and included in-depth questions that allowed the participants to provide the researcher with better information about the induction program. Along with the theory researched in the literature review, the study revealed certain strategies that work better than others. In particular, the findings showed that most of the participants were happy with their mentor and that they felt they had received useful guidance during their first years of teaching. The research will provide the Norwegian education system’s mentoring program with helpful information about the importance of a good relationship between a mentor and a mentee for a beginning teacher, who wishes to remain in the profession.

ABSTRACT. I completed my practicum experience with the Reef Department at Sea Life Park Hawaii. The Reef Department is responsible for health care and maintenance of the reef exhibits in Shark Cave, Touch Pool, Hawaiian Reef, Turtle Lagoon, and backstage holding tanks. This covers a range of animals including reef fish, octopus, eels, starfish, urchins, rays, and Hawaiian Green Sea turtles. I aided the Reef employees with general maintenance, but my main job was to care for all the turtles, both on exhibit and backstage. My tasks included daily feeding and topical treatment of minor scrapes and cuts, cleaning tanks, and scrubbing and relabeling all turtles weekly. I was also given access to turtle hatchling weight and length records from 2004 onwards to look at growth trends each year. With respect to my future career in veterinary medicine, this internship allowed me to gain more exposure in the exotics field. I learned about the intricacies of caring for turtles as well as other tropical marine fauna. This experience also gave me a newfound respect for the employees I was privileged to work beside, and their passion for the animals they care for.

ABSTRACT. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and is continuously rising in significance. Despite the efforts to increase awareness and prevention, suicide remains an important issue. Understanding the prevalence rate enables opportunities to implement resolutions. As young adults are products of their environmental exposers, it can be proven that different exposures inevitably lead to different outcomes. Social support and coping skills are essential and when there is a lack of these tools, the negative impact on an individual can be detrimental. Studies indicate that implementation of a specialized counseling program, professional school counselors can promote school safety. This ensures assistance to students to engage in safe and healthy behaviors thus reducing suicidal ideations and behaviors. Without this intervention, at-risk students will continue to go unnoticed and they will remain unconnected to society.

ABSTRACT. Will positive peer influence in kindergarten impact students’ behavior and productivity? This action research was applied to a kindergarten class of twenty students with an area of focus on three specific students. Student behavior, interactions, and academic success were monitored with qualitative and quantitative methods through observations, interviews, and student assessments. Students selected to be a buddy were thought to have a positive impact on students based on their character, behavior, and academic skills. Students were assigned the same buddy for the duration of week one. Buddy assignments changed daily during week 2. During week three, students were assigned a buddy determined from data collected during week 1 and 2. The outcome of this research provided evidence that positive peer relationships improve behavior and enhance academic learning. This research will provide teachers a way to improve student behavior and achieve academic success within their classroom.

ABSTRACT. James Campbell Wildlife Refuge, located on Oahu’s North Shore, consists of wetland, dune, and lowland dry forest that provide a stable and safe environment for Oahu’s native plant and animal species to thrive. Through this practicum internship I gained crucial knowledge and experience for a career in fish and wildlife including start to finish restoration and remediation projects, wildlife surveying, and refuge management. I was able to learn and practice using citizen science to involve the general public as well as schools and other groups in current research and projects. Investigating the important role of citizen science throughout this practicum experience has led me to pursuing a career where I am not only able to share my science with a broader audience, but also communicate my science more efficiently and get the public more involved in conservation.

ABSTRACT. The spatial scale at which population dynamics occur must be understood first before effectively managing commercially valuable species. In marine species where adults do not move from their home reef, this spatial scale is determined by the distances and directions traveled by the larval juveniles. The painted spiny lobster, Panulirus versicolor, is an important fisheries species on topical reefs throughout the Indo-West Pacific region. Spiny lobsters have some of the largest marine species range sizes; however, recent research indicates some broadly distributed lobsters are actually two or more species or subspecies. Here, I examine genetic population structure of P. versicolor to see whether there are population or species-level boundaries in the species range. Tissue specimens were collected from over 100 lobsters at 12 locations across the Indo-West Pacific. I sequenced approximately 500 base pairs of the cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) barcoding region of mitochondrial genome of each lobster. I present a network analysis of the spatial distribution and magnitude of differences among gene sequences, and an analysis of molecular vairance (AMOVA) to evaluate regional and site-specific genetic differences. I discuss the population management implications of these findings and make recommendations.

ABSTRACT. In the strive for aquaculture restoration, data was collected to test the ideal conditions to grow two native algal species, Gracilaria parvispora and Halymenia formosa, in a traditional Hawaiian Fishpond. We evaluated three Hawaiian aquaculture methods and monitored physical-environmental parameters at two sites in Heʻeia Fishpond in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu. Three methods were tested for each algal species: floating cages, sunken cages and mud pits. Water flow, salinity, and depth were analyzed for each site. To track algal growth, the weight of each species of algae was taken for each treatment periodically over three months in the spring of 2020. Results indicate the floating cage method had the most significant overall growth in weight for H. formosa, and that depth and salinity were positively correlated with growth for each algal species. The interaction of site conditions (salinity, water flow, temperature, seasonality) and distance from the mākāhās (entrances from ocean into the fish pond) also influenced algal growth and should be considered in native algae aquaculture. My preliminary results provide a reference point for environmental conditions in combination with the floating cage method that may prove optimal to aquaculture these two native algal species in fishponds throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

ABSTRACT. Large quantities of marine plastic debris impact Hawaiʻi’s unique coastal environments and native wildlife. To reduce plastic waste and promote the welfare of Hawaiʻi, bans on single-use plastic items have been implemented throughout the state. However, the success of these policies have not yet been evaluated. Maui County enacted an ordinance restricting the use and sale of expanded polystyrene (EPS) take-out items that took effect on Dec. 31, 2018. Polymer identification methods were used to determine whether the ban had an impact on the amount and composition of plastic marine debris on Maui. Three beaches were surveyed monthly from June 2018 to July 2019. Samples were collected from beaches using a modified NOAA standing stock survey. Plastic items were categorized by type, color, length, mass, and weathering index. Polymer type was identified using an ATR FT-IR instrument. Preliminary results from the analysis of 2,532 debris pieces indicate a minimal change in debris amount and composition after 12 months after the ban. The plastic debris found on Hawaiian beaches are hypothesized to originate distant sources, and policies concerning particular single-use items are expected to make a minimal improvement in the marine debris issue on Hawaiian coastlines.

ABSTRACT. Mounding coral cores can provide useful information about reef environments and the ecological processes happening through time. This geomorphological study of several Porites lobata cores from Oahu, Hawaii investigates disruptions to the surface of the colony and the post depositional framework. These disruptions include biological impediments to growth (ie. Sea urchins, snapping shrimp), endolithic bioeroders (ie. sponges, polychaetes), Crustose Coralline Algae (CCA), and discoloration in the skeletal material. The cores represent a century of growth at nearshore and offshore reefs on south and east Oahu locations. The prevalence and association of features likely reflect environmental controls and local stressors such as, adjacent urbanization, construction, and dredging. Different colonies at the same location have very different discoloration patterns. Many of the discoloration features were bands, present in association with impeded growth and bioeroders. The cause of this type of discoloration has not previously been studied. Estimations of features extent through the core and association with other features can be used to understand several succession patterns. Additionally, patterns of discoloration in association with biological eroders and impediments to growth may potentially inform the environmental conditions at the time of skeletal deposition

ABSTRACT. The objective of this project is to relaunch the current web system for the Hawaii Chapter of the AFCEA organization with a new modernized design, integrated key services, and other features to increase community engagement. The client requested an exploratory investigation to search for new hosting and framework options. The project was determined to be completed through the WIX framework for its simple migration, template design, customization, and security. The web application will streamline content and services from several websites into a single application and allow for a wide range of features. The web application will also provide more details of the educational foundation (AHEF) and its scholarship/donation programs. Along with the main system, this project will also launch an iOS application to further develop event management and user interactions. The final draft of the web application will not only provide the required functionalities, but also establish a sense of community between new members and spark interest within the current members to propagate AFCEA forward.

ABSTRACT. According to the national meteorological service for the United Kingdom, the MET Office, tropical cyclones are one of the most dangerous natural hazards to people. Every year, they cause considerable loss of life and do immense damage to property. While the Joint Typhoon Warning Center’s (JTWC) mission is to support the Department of Defense and US Government Agencies, the general public has grown to rely on JTWC’s weather warnings and products. Although a publicly accessible website is available, it has not been optimized for mobile delivery. Based on the global popularity of the Apple iPhone platform, seven out of the top ten smartphones are iPhones and the increase in mobile device use I created an iPhone application to provide the public with access to JTWC’s warnings and products. The application has been developed in coordination with JTWC and will be submitted to Apple for public distribution after formal US Navy testing and approval. The application provides users with all of JTWC’s typhoon products, a geospatial tracker, and alerts for global tsunami events. It is the purpose of the application to mitigate the effects of typhoons and tsunamis on the general public by enabling them to receive timely warnings and forecasts.

ABSTRACT. This study sought to analyze the heteronormative nature of English academic discourse in contexts where second-language learners are involved. The theories informing the study are those of Queer Theory and Queer Linguistics, utilizing the methodology of Corpus-Assisted Discourse Studies. In academic research, ‘queer’ indicates a critical attitude towards discourses and practices that create normative biases in sexuality-related issues. Instances of second-language class contexts were extracted from two collections of “real world” spoken academic discourse, or corpora. The resulting sub-corpus was analyzed applying Partington’s (2014) concept of “known and unknown absences.” First, a list of gender-related, sexual-related, and relationship-defining terms was created and analyzed to study the known absence of words such as ‘gay,’ or ‘transgender,’ and the heteronormative behavior of other terms (e.g., ‘her husband’ vs. absence of ‘his husband’). Next, the corpus was investigated in its entirety to find normative patterns in unanticipated ways. The findings provide a picture of academic discourse as normative, exposing students to a biased depiction of gender issues. Considering the social impact of language in academia and the social capital that English can represent to queer learners, this presentation hopes to raise awareness about hidden biases in academic discourse involving second-language learners.

ABSTRACT. One Ocean Diving, a shark ecotourism company that functions out of Haleiwa, HI, uses it’s well-known operations to research species abundance and behavioral patterns of sharks and other pelagic organisms. Alongside helping collect data, I was able to analyze three consecutive years of shark abundance data and found preliminary results of seasonality patterns, with the least amount in the summer and the most in the winter. During this practicum experience, I also helped create a library of shark identification photos for biologists to study and be able to recognize an individual visiting the observed coordinates and study its behavior. This type of non-invasive tracking prioritizes the shark’s health while still being able to identify an individual. Throughout this experience, I learned that a tourism-and-science relationship provides a unique opportunity for already functioning operations to allow pelagic research to occur with minimal extra costs. Incorporating citizen science into tours helps to not only progress research, but also allow more people to become personally invested and educated of the surrounding issues.

ABSTRACT. Meaning Journey, Huaka'i short silent film telling a kind of coming of age story for Miles as he ventures onto college and on his own for the first time.

This silent film is a visually stimulating montage of college experience common for the "right out of high school youth."

I wanted to make something beautiful and relate-able that would never boar the audience. So this film takes place on rails. The film shifts scenes, not by cuts, but by movement. Passing time and locations through uninterrupted movement. This was achieved through use of a dolly and lots of editing. The film was shot at 60 fps so as to slightly slow the action enough to add dramatic flare.

I wanted to show an aspect of college that is mostly common in order to appeal to the widest audience while still giving the "coming of age" feel the audience expects from a film about college. I made this to show my strengths in film making by creating something (as much on my own as i can) visually fun and technically unique. I specifically want to hear the reaction of "huh that was really neat."

ABSTRACT. The Moku of Waiʻanae begins at Nānākuli and ends at Keawaʻula. This Moku, according to the US Census, houses high percentages of Native Hawaiians. This paper analyzes and specifies how Hawaiians from Waiʻanae self-identify and their political attitudes. Most research on Waiʻanae focuses on health issues, education, and poverty within the community. Many of these being social determinants of health. There is less research in the literature on Native Hawaiian identity from Waiʻanae, and little research capturing the expression of pride and self-identification among Hawaiians. Native Hawaiians can identify in various ways: Native Hawaiian; Kānaka Maoli; Hawaiian; native Hawaiian; and Hawaiian. Using survey data from the 2019 Native Hawaiian Survey, I examine how Hawaiians in Waiʻanae self-identify. This project sheds light on the diverse identities and experiences of Hawaiians while also contributes to the empirical research on Hawaiian identity.

ABSTRACT. Every year billions of dollars of development aid funds are contributed to dozens of countries throughout the world. Much of these funds goes to extremely corrupt governments. To combat corruption and, in part, to ensure the effective and legitimate use of these funds, specific requirements are placed upon the recipient governments to implement particular corruption control measures in exchange for receiving these funds. This research set out to explore the effec these corruption control requirements have on combating government corruption at the national, regional, and local levels. This research draws on World Bank prescribed Governance Indicators for Corruption Control and Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index to assess 118 countries and determine the effects of corruption controls on the overall perception of corruption. Using bivariate regression the results show a strong relationship between the implementation of prescribed corruption control measures and a lower perception of corruption within a given country. In short, while there may be much disagreement about the use or efficacy of overseas development funds in general, the conditions attached to them are effective in reducing corruption.

ABSTRACT. Any situation where evidence must be handled in an investigation - whether it is criminal, civil, or private - the utmost confidence in the chain-of-custody is what ensures the fairness of the outcome. Some of the fundamentals that blockchain technology operates on include some very applicable uses for ensuring the authenticity and immutability of the chain-of-custody for any piece of evidence. By using encryption hashing and “security through obscurity”, the application I have developed as a prototype will demonstrate the usefulness of blockchain as an evidence solution. In addition, I also hope to show that blockchain technology is scalable, not only for large applications, but also small and single use instances.

ABSTRACT. ARMS is a software as a service (SaaS) solution, built for college athletic departments to manage their athletes’ data and statistics. Banner is the computer information system that contains information on courses, students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Currently, these two systems do not communicate with each other directly and require middleware (software that acts as a bridge between systems) to transfer data. This project’s primary goal is to alleviate the burden that the HPU Athletics Department currently faces, of having to manually enter athlete demographics into the ARMS system. The developed program is going to periodically send athlete information from Banner to ARMS, under minimal supervision. To develop this program we used SCRUM methodology that allows us to work on the project in increments and with strict deadlines. The outcome of this project is to streamline the integration of the two systems where the staff of the athletics department doesn’t have to manually enter in student-athlete information into ARMS. Our project could potentially serve as a useful guide or a skeleton when other external systems, not limited to athletics, are required to communicate with HPU Banner.

ABSTRACT. This creative work is part of a campaign to position Pali Lanes Bowling Center as a premier indoor entertainment experience to key audiences including families and young adults 21 years and older, while maintaining its existing significance and support within the Kailua community. Students in both MC 3910 and MC 4900 created the campaign, while this creative work project includes a set of the campaign’s creative tactics from only the MC 4900 students. The assortment of creatives includes: a storyboard for a television spot to promote a local business partnership event, designs of branded merchandise for a summer childcare program, an Instagram advertisement to promote a weekly pau hana event, and a flyer to promote a college night event. Effectiveness of these tactics may be measured through audience reach, audience engagement, event registrations, event attendance, and non-league bowling sales. These creatives demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the various elements of strategic communications, including market research, audience analysis, devising creative strategies and tactics, goal and objective setting, design, and presentation.

ABSTRACT. This semester I worked with Margo Kitts, Ph.D. editing and reviewing submissions for the Journal of Religion and Violence. Reviewing other writers’ prose has had an obvious effect on how I write my own. For my capstone, I will be focusing on the contemporary trends of Asian religious nationalism, as well as providing an analysis of the shocking rise of the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Although prime minister Modi is the figurehead associated with the rise, the BJP’s roots extend back to 1915, where an All India Hindu Sabha (assembly) emerged. This was in response to social, economic, and political dissatisfaction in India. The BJP, and others, had the primary goal to establish the Hindu Rashtra, which secluded opposing ethnic groups, and is specifically Islamophobic. This was seen in the anti-Muslim riots in Delhi at the end of February, along with in controversies about the temple of Ram in Ayodha in the 1990s and elsewhere. Overall, the Hindutva theory has an obvious resonance in discriminatory practices and outright violence against Muslims. Because I am intending to pursue graduate studies in Asian Religions, this opportunity to explore the violent fervor of contemporary Asian nationalism has been eye-opening.

ABSTRACT. Racial and ethnic inequality persist throughout the United States. Even with slavery and Jim Crow Laws abolished, racism is still an institutional problem that affects people of color in the US. This is especially true for Black women, who are both racialized and gendered. Malcom X, in 1962 said, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman” (Thelilynews, 2018). This inequality is systematic and may have dire impacts for Black women's health outcomes. This study seeks to understand Black women's health outcomes/experiences. I also examine gender inequality in the literature as another factor that explains health disparities. Utilizing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I examine state by state mortality by race and gender from 1999 to 2016. I find that White women mortality is higher than Black women, which contradicts the literature on health disparities. Previous research suggests that the interaction of racism and sexism leads to poor health outcomes for Black women in healthcare. In future studies, I will examine the within-state variation of mortality between White and Black women.

ABSTRACT. The Waimānalo Health Center Kū I Ka Māna (KIKM) Youth and Young Adult Services is seeking funding to expand Too Good for Drugs (TGFD) curriculum for the prevention and reduction of of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) for the at-risk youth in the Waimanalo Community. ATOD use in high school among Native Hawaiians is highest among all racial groups in Hawaii. TGFD has statistically shown a significant increase in knowledge, attitudes, and values associated with avoidance of alcohol and drugs. KIKM implementation objectives are to increase knowledge, attitudes, skills, and intentions of the risk of ATOD as well as increase awareness of self-esteem, identity, goal setting, communication skills, healthy relationships, and prevention techniques by 80% of middle school student (grades 6th - 8th) within the Waimanalo area over a two week, in-class session. Staff will be conducting descriptive study design to implement the program while adding pre and post test, surveys, questionnaires, and interviews, generating qualitative and quantitative data which will be generated through a stats software, SPSS, to evaluate program outcomes. KIKM Program is requesting $300,000 ($150,000 in FY2020-21, and $150,000 in FY2021-22) for staff training, salary, program materials for purchase for the required school resources.

ABSTRACT. Urbanized coastal zones are known to produce land-based pollutants that often impact marine habitats offshore. Heavy metals are a concern because they accumulate in runoff and adhere to sediments, impacting marine communities long after the pollutants are introduced. A variety of marine biota rely on these sediments for habitat and foraging. Many of these reef species are also valuable food resources, and human consumption of affected marine life can lead to health problems. The type of sediment present on a reef may be an indicator of its source and potential pollutant load. In this study, sediment samples from seven reef sites adjacent to areas of varying pollutant sources around Oahu, Hawaii were collected. These sediment samples were size fractionated using seven mesh sieves ranging from 4mm to <53um. The percent size fraction of each location was then compared to the measured metal concentrations for each sample. Preliminary results indicate that sites with finer sediment have higher concentrations of several different heavy metals. Specifically, I discuss the relationship between arsenic concentrations and sediment size across sites. Understanding the interaction between sediment type and metal concentration can be used to predict the impacts of land-based pollutants on specific members of marine communities.

ABSTRACT. There are thousands of children around the world who are eligible to be granted a "wish" by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Recent studies have shown a positive correlation between the wish experience and several improved determinants of health. Further progress can be made in improving wish kids' overall well being by ensuring that they are receiving the highest quality health care in conjunction with the wish. It has been proven that the kindness of a physician makes a difference in a patient's health outcomes; therefore, it becomes a priority to provide eligible wish kids a great wish experience, and a personalized, improved medical care experience. The "K.I.N.D.C.A.R.E.S." intervention will aim to improve the quality of health care by assessing key indicators of quality health care like the patient-physician relationship, physician kindness, shared decision making, and patient education, and intervening to address issues when necessary. The desired intervention outcomes will demonstrate the ability of community efforts in advocating for kind and sensitive health care professionals to improve the health outcomes of wish kids.

ABSTRACT. This study investigated the factors that have been driving excellent performance of Chinese students in elementary and secondary math education. Factors extracted from the literature review included a systematic math curriculum implemented in early grade levels, a well-trained teacher workforce, determined parental support, and linguistic advantages. These factors represented the point of views of educators and professional researchers, but the students’ perceptions of their learning experience were rarely included, the purpose of this study was to explore students’ opinions regarding their K-12 math learning experience in China. Using a mixed method research design, an electronic survey was conducted, to confirm the factors discovered in the literature review and to uncover any other relevant factors perceived by adults who had completed their elementary and/or secondary math education in China. Convenience sampling and snowball sampling strategies were applied in the survey to collect qualitative data, including two open-ended questions that allowed participants to express additional thoughts. Highlighted findings from the survey were: a significant preference for the importance of a well-designed math curriculum and students’ self-determination in math learning. In addition, the survey data presented the participants’ expectations for possible improvements in the current Chinese math education curriculum.

ABSTRACT. Projects4Charity.net (P4C) was designed as a meeting space within which Information Systems (IS) students and business professionals can efficiently connect for a mutually beneficial purpose, while providing an innovative option for each to give back to their communities. P4C also allows IS professors to review, track and evaluate the progress of student projects, while increasing opportunities for academic professionals to develop continued relationships with these professionals.

Envisioned by IS students who had struggled to identify real-world projects and motivated clients, P4C serves as a repository for businesses to post projects which, although meaningful, fell “below the line” of their organization’s IT budget. IS students will continue to require relevant projects, and the most meaningful projects are expected to continue to come from the business community. P4C will improve student outcomes by providing project ideas already thought out by the business professionals from the workforce within which they desire to work.

Once tested and proven successful within HPU’s Information Systems curriculum, P4C’s capabilities can be expanded to various academic programs, institutions and regions. Beyond the classroom and business environments, charitable institutions will also benefit from P4C’s option to “pay it forward” to worthy causes in need.

ABSTRACT. The work will explore the relationship between the increases in the ethnic minority population and the increase in left-wing (Democratic Party) electoral success in the United States. In the 2016 Election, the majority of white Americans voted for Donald Trump and the Republican Party. In this paper, I examine whether increases in the ethnic minority population within a state increase Democratic Parties vote shares. To explore this question, I build an original dataset that uses poll data, election results, and US Census data. This research examines the 2016 House race and demographic data. Although there is variation in minority voting patterns, there is one similar trend: as the minority population increases, the vote share for the Democratic Party also increases. An implication of this finding is ethnic minority voters may prefer the platform of the Democratic Party compared to the Republican Party.

ABSTRACT. This project aims to gain grant funding for a teledentistry program on Kauai that that will impact the oral health of children. As the most common childhood disease, dental caries result in poor oral health and children falling behind socially and academically in school. In Hawaii, untreated caries rates are almost twice the national average, the highest rate in the US, which affects approximately 100,000 five to nine year olds. Access to care is challenging on the neighbor islands and the higher concentration of dental services on Oahu amplifies disparities across the state, affecting the children of Kauai. Disparities of poor oral health and lack of dental care continue to be most evident among poor and low income children, a disproportionate portion of whom are children from minority groups. Teledentistry is an important tool to combat several barriers that are facing the Kauai population including: lack of access to dentists due to concentration of dentists and specialists on Oahu, lack of parental oral health education, Teledentistry will help to increase the coverage of children receiving preventative oral health care and help to improve children’s attitudes toward a dentist or oral care, improving their future attitudes toward preventative appointments.

ABSTRACT. The valence shell electron repulsion (VSEPR) model is a qualitative concept that predicts molecular shapes for covalently bonded main group molecules. A fundamental aspect of VSEPR that is found in general chemistry textbooks notes that lone pairs repel more than bonding pairs, this detail is relied on as a structural predictor. This concept is cited as the reason that the H–N–H bond angles in trigonal pyramidal NH3 are smaller than 109.5º, and the Faxial-S–Faxial angle in diagonal disphenoidal (see-saw) SF4 is smaller than 180º. We explored this behavior computationally and found that this simplified model fails for a range of molecules such as PX4, SX4, and SeX4 families (X = F, Cl, Br, I). We examined this behavior using a variety of model chemistries and electron localization models. The electron localization function (ELF) provided electron densities that were visualized to display a decrease in electron density around the central atom’s lone pair as the outer substituents increased in size and decreased in electronegativity. Further topological analysis of electron densities could be used to quantitatively determine the size of lone pairs.

ABSTRACT. Making a film has three stages, pre-production, production, and post production, knowledge and experience in each stage are required to master the art of filmmaking. The pre-production phase includes writing, casting, and producing. The Wall: AntiPosteriori is a musical satire about military procedural compliance and esprit de corps set in an immersive dystopian future. The message is relatable to other industries as well, because it is about being the new person and doing something you don’t want to do or think doesn’t make sense. It’s also about dedication people have for doing it the way it’s always been done. Most of the cast and crew were veterans and The Wall was filmed on location at Hawaii Media Inc. For the production phase, performance and filming is the focus along with costumes, props, catering, and accounting. The final step of post production is where perfection is achieved, and this is the most time consuming stage. Over the past year special effects, original music, sound effects, and end credits have been added while fine combing the content through rigorous editing. The final part of post-production is distribution, for The Wall that means submissions to film festivals.

ABSTRACT. Healthy corals are a fundamental part of reef ecosystems. Unfortunately, corals face a variety of threats due to climate change and human pollution. The purpose of this study was to examine how plastic pollution, both large and small, impacts the health and diversity of Hawaiian reefs. Benthic surveys were conducted along seven Hawaiian reefs to determine coral cover and species diversity. Plastic surveys were conducted along the shorelines of inshore surveyed reefs to determine the density of large (≥2 cm longest width) and small (<2 cm longest width) plastic debris. This study found no significant correlation between small (linear regression, P=0.170, R2=0.386) or large plastic (linear regression, P=0.740, R2=0.023) debris and coral cover. This study also found no significant correlation between small (linear regression, p=0.289, R2=0.220) or large plastic debris (linear regression, P= 0.941, R2=0.001) and coral diversity. This is most likely due to the large variability in plastic over short-term spatial and temporal areas and impact from other stressors. Further study to look into how plastic impacts the health of coral reefs is recommended.

ABSTRACT. Over half a million women die each year due to complications during pregnancy and birth. In 2000, the number of maternal deaths worldwide was 529,000, most of them in Africa and Asia. While women in developed countries have only a 1-in-2800 chance of dying in childbirth and a 1-in-8700 chance in some countries, women in Africa have a 1-in-20 chance. For every woman who dies from obstetric complications, approximately 30 more suffer injuries, infection and disabilities. In 1999, WHO estimated that over 2 million women living in developing countries remain untreated for obstetric fistula, a devastating injury of childbirth. Women living in poverty and rural areas and women belonging to ethnic minorities/indigenous populations are among those particularly at risk. Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for women aged 15 to 19 in developing countries. First, the burden of maternal mortality is borne disproportionately by developing countries. Second, in many countries, marginalized women, such as those living in poverty and ethnic minority/ indigenous women, are more vulnerable to maternal mortality. Third, maternal mortality rates are indicative of inequalities between men and women in their enjoyment of the right to the highest attainable standard of health.

ABSTRACT. I will be developing an augmented reality mobile application that will allow HPU students to design their dorm rooms before making a purchase and doing any labor of moving furniture. This augmented reality application will use preset furniture objects in various styles and shapes. This will save students time and money. They will be able to screenshot their design and share it among their friends to exchange ideas or see if their design is a good idea.

ABSTRACT. “Sun & Sea” began as simple sketches and grew into a multimedia design collection with a focus on nature and the Oahu landscape. It will consist of three different types of multimedia assets combining graphic design, photography and film. The graphic design portion consists of Oahu-inspired sketches and mockup files, turned into t-shirts and stickers. The photography collection will be called “(Human) Nature” and consists of subjects on hikes wearing the custom designed shirts and capturing them in the natural environment. There will be four different shirt designs including a sun design, a wave design, the Sun & Sea logo design, and a shark design. The film portion will consist of a short meditation video using clips and sounds taken on the same hikes around Oahu. The film will provide a deep and intimate look into the Oahu landscape, featuring its unique and natural elements such as water, greenery, weather, and wildlife clips. The end goal of the project is to combine the multimedia assets learned in our college career to produce a real-world design collection fully based in Hawaii and for Hawaii, and to create more in the future.

ABSTRACT. The objective of the Cyber Security Awareness project is to develop an engaging and informational program that will help teach cyber awareness to people of all ages in Hawaii. There are many threats on the Internet, and it is of vital importance to help people become aware of the many dangers that include phishing, viruses, password security, and identity theft. This project has the practical application of teaching individuals through interactive and age-appropriate simulations. This interactive challenge is relevant in modern society, in that it simulates real-life scenarios that individuals may encounter, such as creating secure passwords and phishing scams. The program, especially aimed towards a younger demographic, will ultimately give users the practice and knowledge they need to safely navigate through the Internet. During the development process, the program was built utilizing the SCRUM methodology as a guide to learning how to work as a cohesive unit. The broader implications of making programs such as these are that they are more readily available to the public and are empowering the people by building their awareness of online threats in a rapidly growing technological world.

ABSTRACT. Asian Americans, an understudied minority population that is seen as the “model minority,” but is becoming increasingly politically relevant. Through Social Identity theory, this study aims to explore Asian American immigrants’ social identity based on the region they reside in. This study focuses on the level of contact and exposure immigrants have with other racial groups because the identity expressed in a social environment will be redefined through group interactions. In this study, Asian immigrants respond to their different social environments and will also identify differently depending on where they live. Using the 2016 National Asian American Post-Election Survey, I compare 4,020 Asian immigrants’ social identity changes within different environments. I expect to find that foreign-born Americans are less likely to adapt to American mainstream culture if there is a predominant percentage of co-ethnics living within the same area. Also, individuals are more likely to value their culture of origin if the area they live in has a heterogeneous population. Further attention could focus on how the economic status or education status of immigrants impacts how they express their identity.

ABSTRACT. Recent studies indicate that predictive text may influence the writing product of its users (Arnold, Chauncey, & Gajos, 2018; Waldron, Wood, & Kemp, 2017; Arnold, Gajos & Kalai, 2016). This study focuses on the potential beneficial and adverse effects of Google Smart Compose, a predictive text feature of Gmail, on second-language learners’ writing process and product. 10 participants completed written tasks with and without the aid of predictive text. Screen capture, video recording, and think-aloud protocol were used to probe into their writing processes. Quantitative and qualitative analysis suggests that predictive text generated by artificial intelligence has both positive and negative affordances. Positive affordances are how it accelerates work and gives helpful suggestions. Negative affordances are changes in behavior and the creation of bias in the written process and product. The implications for this study create awareness and understanding for teachers and students in language learning about not only how AI can affect their writing but how it can be responsibly used as an asset.This research thesis incorporates the research skills and the knowledge about second language learning and computer-assisted language learning that I gained in the TESOL program.

ABSTRACT. The structural complexity of a coral reef plays a fundamental role in ecosystem function. Structural complexity is driven by live, sessile reef-building corals, which in turn provide habitat for a higher number and diversity of fishes. Despite its importance and predictive value for reef habitat functions, structural complexity is challenging to measure and quantify in a way that is consistent enough to accurately and reliably compare spatial and temporal differences among reefs. Structure-from-Motion (SfM) is a 3-dimensional (3D) modeling approach that generates spatially accurate and precise reconstructions of a coral reef, providing scientists with a way to examine structural complexity from an entirely new perspective. This study used SfM 3D models captured on the west side of Hawai’i Island between 2015 and 2019 to determine whether significant changes could be detected using this method. Three structural variables were extracted and compared across identical reef plots through time. The combination of variables that best explain reef structural change through time is reported, and an estimate of the percent change over time detectable with this method is included. These results will help inform research and monitoring programs about the utility of implementing SfM to evaluate reef complexity.

ABSTRACT. The MSIS capstone class of the spring semester has been tasked with finding a solution for hotels around the Honolulu area. The problem is: many of hotels in Hawaii have had problems with retaining and teaching foreign employees. Our solution is to develop a software development plan that will eventually be built into a augmented reality mobile application. This will need for the hotel to develop a "teaching room" that has objects that the app can identify and display video or text to the employee and walk them through the process. The training room will mirror the hotel's standard room to eliminate all guess work out of the task that might be misunderstood by the language barrier.

ABSTRACT. The Navy Region Hawaii Financial Management department provides Financial Program Review briefings to the organization’s Executive Director on a quarterly basis. These reviews are conducted to communicate the budget execution status of over 50 command programs in order to ensure the organization’s entire mission is executed in accordance with the applicable operations plans, appropriation laws and regulations. This is currently being done manually through applications such as Microsoft Word. Our Finance Automation Desktop Application will allow for a more efficient and user-friendly interface. It also features a database on the back-end which allows senior budget and accounting representatives to import data pulled directly from source accounting and budget systems. This system will allow the different departments to access their needed data. By giving separate roles to the user’s we help ensure the integrity of the data. This system was born out of a need to modernize certain processes even though those processes were still working. Once this modernized system is implemented, we project a sharp increase in the efficiency and productivity of the entire finance department. We expect this application to help raise the productivity level and the efficiency level by at least 40%.