HPU School of Social Work

10/31/2026

HPU Social Work students and friends volunteered at Papahana Kuaola to work in the loʻi for community service day.

10/31/2026

HPU social work students and friends volunteers for Trunk or Treat activity at Papakolea Community through Kula no na Po’e Hawai’i- Papakolea.

10/30/2026

🎉 We're hiring for Assistant Professor! Please share with your networks.

Application via the QR code or at this link https://go.hawaii.edu/ExS

10/30/2026

HPU School of Social Work faculty (Dr. Danielle Giroux, Dr. Peter Mataira, Dr. Tammy Kahalaopuna Kaho’olemana Martin, Dr. Tracy Stewart and the Director of Field Education, Gia Douglas) attended the CSWE Annual Conference in Atlanta this year!

We were honored to receive the Community Partnership Action Award this year🎖️ Mahalo Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 🙇🏻💕

This award is also dedicated to our partner agencies, organizations, and communities as well as our students, alumni, colleagues, staff, friends, supporters and kūpuna who have guided us! 💖

10/30/2026

Many events happened in October!

Dr. Vince Okada hosted a successful screening of the film from Japan "To Heal the Heart "at Palolo Hongwanji Temple on Thursday October 22. Approximately 25 people gathered to share a deep and meaningful time filled with tears and warm conversation.

In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month in October, Mr. Atsushi Takebayashi from Move4Japan shared updates on the current post-earthquake recovery efforts in Kumamoto and Ishikawa of Japan prior to the screening, and J-Center President, Ms. Nana Horoiwa spoke about grief care following the film.

After the screening, those who stayed enjoyed special, delicious yakisoba—the same kind Atsushi normally provides at disaster shelters—prepared by Atsushi and his wife, Mayumi.

It was a precious time to reflect on the importance of bonds and connections with ʻohana, friends, and the community—touching on the loss of loved ones and the journey of healing.

A huge mahalo to everyone who attended, the volunteers who supported the event, and Rev. Fujimori of Palolo Hongwanji for providing the venue.
And special thanks to the film producer Sungyang Ahn for giving us the wonderful opportunity to host this screening in Hawaiʻi (the overseas premiere!).

10/30/2026

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, HPU School of Social Work had the privilege of hosting world-renowned palliative care experts and researchers through our HPU-ESPEC (Educating Social Workers in Palliative and End-of-Life Care) community event at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, coordinated by our adjunct instructor Airy Mae Stocker, LCSW. The event brought together approximately 80 community leaders, faculty, staff, students, and guests participating both in person and virtually.

10/30/2026

A first draft of the 2029 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) is now available for public review and comment through Friday, November 20, 2026, 6:59 PM HST - https://www.cswe.org/2029-epas

EPAS Public Information Session on Friday, Nov 13, 2026, 7 AM HST.
RSVP- https://www.cswe.org/event/2029-epas-public-information-session

10/22/2026

https://www.hpu.edu/about-us/the-ohana/article.php?nid=sp10162601

Each October, World Mental Health Day puts the focus on the people who provide mental health care in communities across the country. More than 816,000 social workers work across the U.S., including nearly 139,000 who specialize in mental health and substance abuse, according to the U.S. Bureau of La...

10/22/2026

See you in Atlanta! 🤙🏽

10/16/2026

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🌺 Social work in action: Students at Hawaiʻi Pacific University are connecting classroom learning with community service, Indigenous knowledge, and care for the land. The School of Social Work has earned the 2026 Community Partnership Action Award for its commitment to community partnerships and social and environmental justice. https://www.hpu.edu/about-us/the-ohana/article.php?nid=nc05192601