The Study Hawai‘i Educational Consortium was established in 2007 to promote the State of Hawai‘i as a study destination for international students. Study Hawai‘i’s members share a belief that international education advances learning and scholarship, builds understanding and respect among different peoples, enhances constructive leadership, and fosters peace in the global community. The consortium represents all sectors of education in the state including language schools, private high schools, community colleges, and both undergraduate and graduate universities. Study Hawai’i works closely with the State of Hawai’i Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to develop international student attraction as an important export and economic driver for the state.
Study Hawai’i’s activities are designed to assist members with international student recruitment, bring attention to the unparalleled educational opportunities in Hawai’i, elevate the importance that international students have on our local economy, and partner with the State of Hawai’i to encourage more international student enrollment in Hawai’i’s schools. These efforts include:
Leading recruitment trips to Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea
Hosting familiarization tours of member schools for educators and press from Asia and Europe
Hosting free virtual recruitment fairs for members
Sponsoring International Education Days at the Hawai’i State Capitol
Sponsoring booths at the national and regional NAFSA conferences
Attending ICEF conferences on behalf of membership
Developing social media promotion for members
Hosting informational seminars and social gatherings
Producing an annual economic report of the impact of international education in conjunction with the State
Study Hawai’i is governed by a volunteer Executive Board made up of representatives from member schools. Below are the current members of the Executive Board.
Current Executive Board Members
Joel Weaver
Hawai’i English Language Program (HELP)
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
Joel has been a passionate advocate for International Education as a force for peace and intercultural understanding for decades. As a founder and original board member of the Study Hawaii consortium in 2007, he has taken on many leadership roles throughout Study Hawaii’s existence. Joel currently serves as president and lead cheerleader of Study Hawai’i’s efforts to promote the state as “The Best Classroom in the World!”
Aya Hara-Joesting
Interim Program Manager, Office of International Programs
Leeward Community College
Aya has been in the field of international education for nearly 20 years. She currently serves as the Interim Program Manager of the Office of International Programs, overseeing inbound and outbound study abroad programs including customized short-term programs. She has been a member of the Study Hawai‘i Educational Consortium Executive Board since 2020. Aya currently serves as Vice-President of Study Hawai’i.
Bernard Chong
Director, Office of International Students & Scholars
Hawai’i Pacific University
Bernard has been involved in international education for over 30 years. An advocate for Hawai‘i as an education center and location for spreading aloha. Have served in various capacities ranging from admission – Graduate and Undergraduate, recruitment, liaison with educational consultants, academic advising. Original board member in 2007 of the Study Hawai‘i Consortium. Served on various NAFSA Region XII Committees and NAFSA Hawai`i Pacific District Committees.
Eri Hall
Assistant Coordinator, Office of International Programs
Hawaiʻi Community College
Eri has been working at Hawaiʻi Community College for almost 10 years, assisting in various aspects of international-related duties. She is an alumna of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and has been a member of the Executive Board since 2023.
Karen Hanada
Director, Maui Language Institute
University of Hawaii Maui College
Karen serves as Director of Extended Learning and Workforce Development at UH Maui College. She oversees the Maui Language Institute along with other programs. She has worked at the Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Kapiolani CC’s Office of Continuing Education, and in a variety of staff and administrative positions at UH Maui College. As part of her graduate studies, she has written on globalization, innovation in higher ed, and multicultural perspectives.
Kyoko Ikeda-Chun
International Program Coordinator
Kauaʻi Community College
Kyoko has served as the international program coordinator at Kauaʻi Community College since 2013. She oversees all aspects of the Kauaʻi CC international program from short-term customized programs, international enrollment and student support, study abroad to international partnerships. She has served on the Study Hawaiʻi Educational Consortium Executive Board since 2021.
Michelle Kaneshiro
Director of Enrollment
Hanalani Schools
Michelle serves as the Director of Enrollment at Hanalani Schools. She oversees the admissions office and processes, collects and analyzes data for enrollment management, oversees the international program admissions, and assists students and families with financial aid and scholarships. Having 20 years of experience in the field of education, she has been committed to helping students find their potential through educational opportunities. She has been a member of the Study Hawai‘i Educational Consortium Executive Board since 2023.
Christine Quintana
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Hawaiʻi Community College
Christine has dedicated the past 25 years to the University of Hawaiʻi, taking on various roles such as research assistant, program coordinator, and counselor. She currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Hawaiʻi Community College. Christine is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and has been a member of the Executive Board since 2014. Christine is currently the Treasurer for Study Hawai’i.
Sara Sato
Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management
Hawai‘i Pacific University
Sara is currently at HPU and has served in various roles in Enrollment Management overseeing the admissions, recruitment and outreach of local, mainland, international and military students including the management of the university’s international partnerships for incoming students. She has served on the Study Hawai‘i Educational Consortium Board since 2017 and enjoys her role in promoting Hawai‘i as the best educational destination in the world.
Todd Shumway
Director of Global Exchange
University of Hawai’i at Hilo
Todd has worked in international education for more than 30 years. He has spent the last 20 years at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo as an ESL teacher, program director and, most recently as the director of the incoming study abroad program working with more than 40 university partners. He has been a member of the Executive Board since 2011 and has served as both president and vice president of Study Hawai’i.
Kumiko Yabe-Domingo
Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
Hawaii Tokai International College
Kumiko Yabe-Domingo is the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at Hawaii Tokai International College. As a former international student from Japan, she earned her Master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. With over 20 years of experience in international education, she has been dedicated to supporting students pursuing study abroad opportunities. She has served on the Study Hawai‘i Educational Consortium Executive Board since 2021.
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