Author: Meredith F. Acly
Major: Marine Science
Campus: Hilo
Mentor(s): Michael Parsons
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Assessing the Affects of Excess Nutrients Due to Non-Point Source Pollution on Phytoplankton Production Levels in Hilo Bay, Hawaii Using ASTER and In Situ Data

Hilo Bay is located on the Northeast coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Years of pollution, both point and non-point source have impacted the waters of Hilo Bay, affecting nutrient, turbidity, and bacteria levels. Porous basalt rock composing the foundation of Hilo quickly allows ground water to flow into Hilo Bay while picking up numerous non-point pollutants including un-treated sewage from subsurface cesspools and leeching fields. Although there have been known large scale releases of un-treated sewage into Hilo Bay, we can not trace the origin of non point source pollution entering the bay. Phytoplankton, microscopic marine plants, consume excess nutrients found in sewage, which are then used in photosynthesis. Although phytoplankton are beneficial to their marine environment, abnormally high nutrient concentrations promote extreme phytoplankton growth, reducing the dissolved oxygen in surrounding waters. The decrease in oxygen then impairs growth of other organisms, decreasing oceanic productivity. The goal of the current research has been to: one) assess the effects of nutrients on phytoplankton production levels, and two) map phytoplankton concentrations in Hilo Bay. Samples from multiple sampling areas north and east of Hilo Bay have been compared with remote sensing data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Radiometer (ASTER). ASTER measures primary production levels, i.e. phytoplankton, using chlorophyll concentrations as an estimate of phytoplankton biomass. Research is still in the early stages, as long-term trends for the project are needed to determine concentrations and fluctuations due to seasonal or weather effects.

  Author: Juanita G. Aguerrebere Beck
Major: Anthropology/Archaeology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): James Bayman
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
A Preliminary Look at Moanalua Cave Shelter (Site O-15)

The ahupua`a of Moanalua has been significantly important to the Native Hawaiian community. The Moanalua cave shelter is located in an area of environmental diversity. with all the components of a traditional ahupua`a. Over 20 years ago, (in 1980) the Department of Anthropology at the University of Hawai`i conducted an archaeological field school at the Moanalua Cave Shelter, commonly known as Site O-15 located in the Kamana-nui Valley, within the ahupua`a of Moanalua. The field school excavated and mapped the cave, but a report was not completed. Various University of Hawaii students completed a modest analysis of the recorded data and the excavated material as part of archaeological lab course. This project has entailed synthesizing and evaluating the archaeological data from the 1980 University of Hawai`i Field School at Moanalua in the form of a report for submission to the State Historic Preservation Department (SHPD). Thus, making available relevant knowledge of pre-contact Hawaiian culture to the present Native Hawaiian and Academic Communities in the SHPD Library.

  Author: Jason Akagi
Major: Electrical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Wayne Shiroma
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Remote Robotic Control via TCP/IP

The robot remote control system is composed of three major parts: robotic hardware; wireless communication between PCs and microprocessors, and remote control software. Hardware for my robot includes a Z-World RabbitCore 2000 Microprocessor, a MOSFET motor driving circuit, RF transmitter and receiver circuits, antenna, power regulation circuit, infrared sensor board, and chassis. Communication for the robot consists of RS232 serial communication between the host PC and the robot's microprocessor, and TCP/IP communication from a remote PC to a local PC. The remote control software is a graphical user interface written for POSIX environments.

  Author: Clifford Anguay
Co-author: Timothy Goshi
Major: Electrical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Tep Dobry
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Investigating and designing a wave energy device to be used in Hawaii's Coastal Regions

Wave Energy is a new topic that has surfaced to become a viable alternative solution to our energy crisis worldwide. Through four months of research and brainstorming, we have settled on a design that we feel will utilize the coastal energy surrounding our island. Our design is simple in that we can create current through a single movement. By understanding the concepts of induced current and wave pressure/depth we were able to refine our design.

In our construction phase we acquisitioned materials and started to build our device. With like any other experiment, we encountered several problems. This set us back to the drawing table in hopes of improving on our design. We got advice by McGuire Bearing Company on the use of gears in our device. We also attended a wave energy seminar where we were able to investigate the feasibility of our project and the designs of other wave energy devices that have already been developed.

We are converting the alternating wave currents (produced by ocean waves) to a usable direct current source. After studying the wave period from buoys off of the Hawaiian Islands, we found it useful in the designing of our AC/DC converter. Our goal is to produce enough current to light up a light bulb to show that electricity exists with the concepts we used.

  Author: Margarita I. Ayala
Major: Political Science and History
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Belinda Aquino
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Women's Access to Political Power in the United States

My honors paper will examine operating factors that allow women access to political positions of power in the United States. The main assumption of my paper is that politics operates in a broad context of race, gender, class, kinship, and culture. I argue that class and kinship are primary predictors to women's political participation, and that gender can be a significant contributor to women's political success. I believe that an examination of factors that allow women access to political power will provide insight to flaws in the current political system as well as suggest methods that will allow women greater political equality. My paper will include analyses of female legislators and female presidential candidates. I will also cite countries where women have attained national leadership. My research will be done primarily through literature but will also include some interviews.

  Author: Zachary M.P. Babb
Major: Geography
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Jon Goss
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
(Dis)Community Development: The Gated Community at Ko Olina

Honolulu has undergone extraordinary rates of urbanization in the past three decades. In recent times, urbanization has included the development of "gated" communities, a housing development with restrictions to public access and conditions to ownership. This development trend, long established on the Mainland, introduces social segregation, and creates an inclusion/exclusion dichotomy between the inside and outside. My research will focus on the gated community at Ko Olina resort on the island of O'ahu and on the use of space in its design. The project will examine how the developers have created the place image of Ko Olina to sell the Hawaii "lifestyle". I will examine how the gated community will fit (or not fit) into the already established social mosaic on O'ahu. For resources of information, I am going to draw upon an extensive review of public documents (Census data, environmental impact statements, developer/realtor/travel industry propaganda, and published social science statistics), interviews with the developers, and questionnaires with development residents. This research will address not only the question of who the target consumers of this development are, but also wider implications of the effects of socio-economic and land-use changes on the community, including increased depletion of natural resources, socio-economic seclusion/isolationism, and urban balkanization.

  Author: Tai W. Blechta
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Lloyd Hihara
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Ambient Temperature Cure Glass Coatings

Surface treatments used for the protection and property enhancement of aerospace alloys are an indispensable technology. The purpose of this proposed research will be to examine the strengths and weaknesses of new ambient temperature cure glass (ATC Glass) coatings. Manufactured by Adsil LC, ATC Glass is high-performance silica based coating, and can be used to protect a variety of surfaces. Current corrosion coatings in use such as Hexavalent Chromium coatings (Alodyne, Irridite) and anodizing all fall short of being ideal protectants. These coatings are either difficult to apply, are highly toxic, or lack superior corrosion protection properties. ATC Glass boasts easy application, low toxicity and superior corrosion protection. Corrosion is a major problem in both the global economy and in the aerospace industry. The annual U.S. cost of corrosion exceeded $500 billion in 2000, which equates to $1200 per citizen. Corrosion is also a major problem in today's aerospace industry, with even minor corrosion posing a serious danger. Because of the widespread use of corrosion resistant surface treatments, and the lacking performance of the available coatings, development of new alternative coating technologies would have a significant and important impact.

  Author: Dariann M. Choy
Major: Psychology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Bruce Chorpita
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Assessing Risk Factors for Childhood Anxiety Disorders in Hawaii

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent forms of psychopathology that affect children and adolescents. Most children become fearful and apprehensive when confronted with unfamiliar situations. Children with anxiety disorders, however, display more extreme behaviors that can result in severe impairments in functioning. They tend to be over sensitive, timid, and harbor unrealistic fears. The most common anxiety disorder is separation anxiety disorder, with a prevalence of about 3.5% to 5.4%. This is characterized by the child becoming excessively distressed when separated from familiar home surroundings and major attachment figures. Social phobia, the most common adolescent anxiety disorder, is defined as a constant fear of social situations where they may act in an embarrassing way. Other anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many overly anxious children, unfortunately, are not recognized or properly treated. Studies suggest certain anxiety disorders have early onsets and if untreated lead to depression, increased stress, social isolation, and possible chronic problems in adulthood. Therefore, my project will focus on the etiologic factors that influence the development of anxiety disorders. I will consider the child's school history, stressors, and family background using data collected by the Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. In addition, studies rarely address ethnic issues. I will examine if there are any significant differences in the prevalence and type of anxiety disorders between diverse ethnic groups in Hawaii. Overall, this study will help to accurately identify children at risk for developing anxiety disorders.

  Author: Leslie J. K. Comstock
Major: Political Science
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Emanuel Drechsel
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Happy Endings?: Thailand's Changing Population As a Result of the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis

With a long and embattled history, Thailand has experienced major political problems culminating in the economic collapse of 1997, which has increasingly blurred once clearly defined class boundaries. Much has been written about Thailand's rise under the guise of the International Monetary Fund's reform, but its lasting effects on the people have received little attention until today. I will look at the changes in class structure since the economic collapse by focusing on the emerging middle class, the persistence of impoverished communities, and the growing division of urban and rural areas. For analysis, I shall draw upon market studies, historical documentation, and the current literature in the political economy of Thailand. By comparing economic data before and after the crash, I intend to examine recent developments in the country's socioeconomic changes, and hope to make some predictions as to the economic future of Thailand.

  Author: Heather M. Cox
Major: Political Science
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Kate Zhou
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Analysis of Property Law and its Effects on Women's Role in the Formal and Informal Political Economies of India.

The overall objective of this project is to analyze the economic ramifications imposed upon women by inadequate formal property laws and legislation, and to look at current efforts undertaken to reverse economic repression while discussing possible policy initiatives. The connection between restrictions to the acquisition of property, both commercial and personal, and the lack of participation in the economy is evident and is why, with the current legal restrictions imposed upon women, that the present-day largest democracy still mimics 19th century Europe in regards to women's economic participation. The relevance of this subject matter for today's audience is apparent when one considers that India is the world's largest democracies, will soon have the largest population of any country, and is among one of the poorest countries. To become competitive in the global economic sector it is imperative for all members of Indian society to have equal access to entrepreneurship and commercial property, but women only consist of a small minority within the formal economic sector. Thus, policies and attitudes in India regarding women's access to property and their participation in the formal economy must change in order for India to progress economically and socially. The resources used in this project include statistical economic indexes, research articles, theoretical perspectives, as well as analysis of current trends in the economic and political spheres.

  Author: Michael A. Dahilig
Major: Geology & Geophysics
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Stephen Martel
Category: Physical Sciences
Abstract:
An Assessment of the Approach of the Private and Public sector regarding the Alani-Paty Landslide, Manoa Valley, O`ahu, Hawai`i

Increasing population growth during the past century in the City and County of Honolulu has resulted in the development of housing in areas not necessarily well-suited for residential use. One particular hazard, slope instability, affects developments in several valleys. For example, more than three dozen homes are sited on the Alani-Paty Landslide in Manoa Valley. Sliding there has wreaked havoc on both the structural integrity of the homes and on the public utilities that service the area. This project will document the history of planning, permitting, and construction of housing units in the Alani-Paty area. The various methods of remediation used by homeowners and the government to deal with the landslide will also researched. The final product of the project is an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses in the approach of the homeowners and governmental agencies towards curtailing or preventing damage to homes due to landslides.

  Author: Abbi D. Dela Cruz
Major: Accounting, Management
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Shirley Daniel
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Gender Inequity in the Accounting Profession

In 1999, women accounted for more than half of the accounting profession; but they occupied no more than 10% of all partner positions in the 25 largest CPA firms. During the past three years, women have made some gains, yet are still under the "glass ceiling," i.e. the non-promotability or lack of promotability of women in the workplace. Gender discrimination theory suggests that male candidates appointed for partners determine what qualities future prospective candidates should possess. This project will analyze the disparity between the promotability of women and men in the Big Five firms located in Hawai`i (Arthur Anderson, Ernst & Young, PriceWaterhouse, KPMG, and Deloitte & Touche) by using questionnaires and follow-up interviews and addressing issues about women's career paths. By eliciting specific data, I hope to provide accounting practitioners and the wider public with a greater awareness about gender imbalance regarding upward mobility in the accounting field.

  Author: John K. DeLay
Major: Geography and Conservation Biology
Campus: Hilo
Mentor(s): Randy Senock and James O. Juvik
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Plant-water use and meteorological factors in a tropical montane cloud forest(TMCF)

Sap flow measurements taken using the heat balance collar method on two native tree species of a cloud forest community are compared with local micro-meteorological data. The study site is situated at 1200m elevation near the headwall of Alakahi Valley in the Kohala Forest Reserve on the windward side of Hawaii Island where Metrosideros polymorpha and Cheirodendron trigynum dominate the canopy. Heat collar data yielding sap flow for apical stems in grams per hour is combined with leaf area and presented as a function of flux per square meter. Weather monitoring equipment was used to record rainfall, cloud water, canopy throughfall, wind direction and speed, solar radiation, leaf wetness, air temperature, and humidity. Evapotranspiration, calculated using the Penman equation is compared to sap flow as an indicator of transpiration. Porometer measurements provide supplementary transpiration data. Previous sap flow data from both native and alien vegetation at Alakahi are compared with photosynthetically active radiation and discussed in the context of water-balance implications of invasive species for a watershed area. The comparative value of ecosystem services provided by a native forest community versus one dominated by herbaceous invasive exotics is explored.

  Author: Jennifer Fukushima
Co-author: Jeannie Morgan
Major: Psychology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Karl Nelson
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Student Perfectionism and the Prevalence of Emotional Distress in an Ethnically Diverse University Setting

Our study will investigate perfectionism among undergraduate students attending University of Hawaii at Manoa. Many researchers have associated perfectionism with an array of negative effects such as procrastination, underachievement, feelings of guilt and failure, indecisiveness, and low self-esteem. Perfectionism has also been linked with more severe outcomes including depression, eating disorders, and alcoholism. We feel it is important to study these negative affects of perfectionism in school settings because perfectionism is frequently linked to intense motivation for academic achievement. In this study, factors of emotional distress that are related to perfectionism will be addressed. This investigation is an extension of previous similar research. However, we will be looking at an added ethnic/cultural component as it relates to the above factors, given the distinct ethnically diverse environment at this University. The study is in early stages and is currently in progress. A sample of 50 undergraduate psychology students will be asked to participate by filling out 2-3 questionnaires measuring perfectionism and emotional distress (depression and anxiety). We expect to find a significant positive correlation between perfectionism and emotional distress.

  Author: Minerva S. Garcia
Major: English and Philosophy
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s):
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
When Are You Going Home?

The setting is in Hawai`i and the time is the early '90s. The main characters are the children of two Filipino families. The novel is told alternately in the first and third person, in fantasies, monologues, poems, journals entries, and letters. When Are You Going Home? depicts two Filipino family's struggle with issues of racial tension between cultural groups. The easement of alienation and isolation, the displacement and dehumanization, depression, religious differences, poverty, deviancy, and morality are the many themes of the novel.

  Author: Dennis G. Gay
Major: Architecture
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Steve Meder
Category: Fine Arts
Abstract:
Laser Sky Art

As an architecture student sustainable design is very important to me. Sustainable architecture addresses many other issues from conservation to site specific energy production. For the purposes of my Honors project I will use an artistic gallery installation to meet the following goals. First, I want to educate the public on issues relating to maintaining a sustainable lifestyle within the limited biosphere of the planet. Second, I want to instill a sense of urgency in people, regarding the crisis situation that faces our planet. Lastly, I want to motivate people to take an action. My idea involves the use of wind generation, solar photovoltaic cells, and fuel cell generated energy, to power an array of lasers light sources in various wavelengths to be projected onto the cloud layer over Honolulu. Hawaii has an abundance of rain and low level clouds that would act as a reflective screen for the lasers. I imagine a range of various colored laser beams dancing in the night skies over Honolulu, creating a nighttime rainbow of color, reminiscent of the natural rainbows seen so often in the islands. The core of the installation would be in a central site, projecting at various angles across the heavens. The low clouds would act as a living, moving canvas. Rain would disperse the beams randomly into a multitude of reflected light. A second portion of the installation would be set high in the mountains above Honolulu and would project beams of light outwards to the neighbor islands.

  Author: Timothy Goshi
Co-author: Clifford Anguay
Major: Civil Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Michelle Teng
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Investigating and designing a wave energy device to be used in Hawaii's Coastal Regions

Wave Energy is a new topic that has surfaced to become a viable alternative solution to our energy crisis worldwide. Through four months of research and brainstorming, we have settled on a design that we feel will utilize the coastal energy surrounding our island. Our design is simple in that we can create current through a single movement. By understanding the concepts of induced current and wave pressure/depth we were able to refine our design.

In our construction phase we acquisitioned materials and started to build our device. With like any other experiment, we encountered several problems. This set us back to the drawing table in hopes of improving on our design. We got advice by McGuire Bearing Company on the use of gears in our device. We also attended a wave energy seminar where we were able to investigate the feasibility of our project and the designs of other wave energy devices that have already been developed.

We are converting the alternating wave currents (produced by ocean waves) to a usable direct current source. After studying the wave period from buoys off of the Hawaiian Islands, we found it useful in the designing of our AC/DC converter. Our goal is to produce enough current to light up a light bulb to show that electricity exists with the concepts we used.

  Author: Mike K. Hall
Major: Electrical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Audra Bullock
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Construction of an External-Cavity Tunable Diode Laser (ECDL) for DIAL Spectroscopy

The intention of this project is to research, design and build a tunable external-cavity laser diode (ECLD). The laser will then be used for pending research projects including LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and DIAL (Differential Absorption LIDAR) spectroscopy applications. Furthermore, this project intends to research possible refinements in the areas of wavelength and mode stability, achieving high power and spectral purity for wavelengths in the visible spectrum, and the miniaturization and automation of the entire system. NASA is interested in monitoring concentrations of various atmospheric constituents, which is carried out through DIAL systems large enough that they must be mounted either in a dedicated van or plane. One goal of the proposed project involves miniaturization of the entire LIDAR system, which is facilitated by using laser diodes instead of the bulky though high-powered dye-pumped lasers NASA currently uses. A miniaturized system could become a candidate for such high-altitude aircraft as the NASA's HELIOS. It also seems that the present DIAL systems use LIDAR emitting at most, two laser wavelengths. It is another proposed goal to incorporate a third wavelength into the LIDAR system while maintaining center wavelength tunability to provide for higher resolution measurements. Finally, for a miniaturized system, autonomy of measurements becomes a more realizable and attractive goal, this task would be greatly simplified considering the low-power, low-maintenance components of an ECDL. A working prototype has been constructed and the mentioned refinements including automation are being researched.

  Author: Jennifer M. Halsted
Major: Astronomy
Campus: Hilo
Mentor(s): Michael West
Category: Physical Sciences
Abstract:
A Starpile in Abell 545?

The "starpile" is a faint and diffuse intracluster material that can be found in a cluster of galaxies called Abell 545. Digitized images through B, V, I, and R-band filters were obtained using the Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer on the Keck I Observatory, on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, to determine the "starpile's" structure, stellar population, and luminosity. The most plausible explanation for this intracluster material is that the surrounding galaxies have tidally disrupted a galaxy, and the remains have accumulated at the bottom of Abell 545's gravitational potential well. These images must be corrected to remove noise, such as pixel-to-pixel sensitivity variations, cosmic rays, and thermal noise. This is done using the Image Reduction and Analysis Facility (IRAF) software package. Once the images have been processed, IRAF will be used to analyze the images to determine the "starpile's" properties, which can then be compared with existing galaxy data. In particular, color information will give insight to the stellar component of this mysterious object. Furthermore, the presence or absence of substructure in the "starpile," may provide clues to its origin, which in turn will yield new information on galaxy evolution and destruction.

  Author: Elise H. Harada
Major: Psychology & Communication
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Karl Minke
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Incoming freshmen decisions NOT to join learning communities

It has been well documented in the past that the transition from high school to college may be a rough one for many students. In an attempt to make this process an easier one, many institutions of higher education are using learning communities as a way of providing students with the familiarity of high school, while at the same time allowing them to experience what college is all about. Much research has been done exploring the reasons why students opt to participate in learning communities; however, I was interested in just the opposite. When presented with the opportunity to enroll in a learning community, what is the determining reason(s) for students' decisions NOT to join? For instance, maybe they opt to forgo the learning community experience because there isn't a program that they are interested in; or perhaps their social contacts advise against doing so. Or, even more likely, maybe their decisions are based on a combination of factors. To discover what could be the cause of this behavior, I worked with Dr. Karl Minke to formulate a questionnaire targeting first-year students NOT enrolled in a learning community at the University of Hawaii. This questionnaire was distributed over the phone to a total of 29 first-year students. As of present, the data are still being compiled, but there are some notable trends: students who elect not to join learning communities do so not because they are unsure of what they want, but rather, because they DO.

  Author: Krislyn M. Hashimoto
Major: Journalism
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Emanuel Drechsel
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Coconut Wireless

January 8, 2002 marked the fifth Eddie Aikau big-wave surf competition held tentatively between December 1 and February 28 at Waimea Bay. The 16-year-old event occurs only if the surf produces waves of at least 20 feet. The contest yields a crowd of around 5,000 spectators and around 25 surfers invited internationally to compete in this traditional style of surfing. Due to the unpredictability of the surf, surfers arrive sometimes with only a day's notice. More remarkably, thousands of spectators show up at the break of dawn to watch these surfers from all over the globe compete in this competition honoring Lifeguard Eddie Aikau, who died on March 16, 1978. How does an event draw a crowd of over 5,000 people without any written advertising or prior notice? This event, spread by "word of mouth", is nothing short of a noteworthy phenomenon. Oral tradition in Hawaii can be dated back to 400 AD when the first settlers arrived from Hiva. Today in Hawaii, the oral tradition remains an important tool, not only for telling stories and learning one's family history, but also for finding out where to go on weekends or where the good restaurants are. This practice of relaying information through 'word of mouth' has been nicknamed the 'coconut wireless'. Though a series interviews with spectators, surfers, and organizes, I intend to uncover the elements which are needed to produce a successful, uncostly advertising campaign.

  Author: Dennis T. Higashiguchi
Major: PEPS-Entomology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Claudia Husseneder
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Sulfur Reducing Bacteria Recovered From the Hindgut of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki).

As termites are dependant on symbiotic gut flora, they are useful models for elucidating a wide array microbial-host ecologies. In turn many of the ecological roles performed by the termite's symbionts correspond to roles postulated by astrobiologists, for example carbon cycling. Using anaerobic techniques we have recovered sulfur reducing bacteria from the hind gut, which we believe to be members of the genus Desulfovibrio. These sulfur reducing microorganisms play several critical roles in the gut ecology of the insect. The first role is the maintenance of an anoxic environment. As a product of their metabolism these organism produce H₂S, which in turn can react with oxygen forming sulfates. The second role is the recycling of carbon sources. In the course of a previous investigation it was discovered that lactic acid bacteria comprise the majority of recoverable bacterial isolates. Desulfovibrio spp. utilize lactic acid as a carbon source and produce acetate as an end product, which can then be directly metabolized by the termite. Finally, Desulfovibrio spp. have been demonstrated to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Since wood is very low in usable nitrogen, the provision of supplemental nitrogen sources would be of great benefit to the termite host. Given the versatility of these microbes, they serve as a useful model for the astrobiologist, since their crucial roles in the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles in a nutrient poor ecosystem provides a useful analog in putative astrobiological ecosystems.

  Author: Christine S. Hirai
Major: English
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Robert Shapard
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Portrait of a Pianist

Although it has not always been admitted, flawless technique rather than musical expression remains at the forefront of the piano industry. Brilliant pianists like Franz Liszt awed the public with their so-called 'transcendent' technique while shy pianists like Chopin remained famous for their compositions rather than for their skills at the piano. It is, in fact, Chopin who first stressed expression over correct notes, but his frail voice has gone unheard for over a century now. Sadly, only a few pianists possess a great talent for both musical expression and superior technique. Therefore, the purpose of my honors project is to challenge this idea of the 'perfect' technique. Does one really need 'talent' to become a concert pianist? Or can hard work pay off? Portrait of a Pianist is about a young woman named Selena who, after years of torment from her former piano teachers, is allowed to study at the prestigious Julien Conservatoire in Loire Valley, France. Lacking the necessary technique for performing difficult large works like Liszt's transcendental etudes or Chopin's Ballades, she nonetheless manages to pull through relying solely on her iron heart. Along the heroine's path towards enlightenment, she meets a host of characters who both help and hinder her growth as a pianist. Together, they discover an even darker secret that could tear the entire musical world apart. Love. Death. Mayhem. This novel incorporates them all and, above everything else, it constantly emphasizes the importance of the human heart.

  Author: Lauren C. Hong
Major: Food Science and Human Nutrition
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Petra Lenz
Category: Education
Abstract:
Creating a "foods" curriculum to teach physical science concepts in Hawaii 5th grade classrooms

Science education in Hawaii's public schools has been deteriorating over the past years. Reasons for the poor science education include a lack of trained teachers, low funding levels, and an unexciting curriculum. An innovative curriculum that teaches concepts and sparks the interest of students is fundamental to a strong science program. Students must want to engage in learning science at an early age and concepts should be taught in a way that is understandable. Foods are a possible medium to teach basic physical sciences. In my research project, I will develop lesson plans to teach the concepts of states of matter and the chemical and physical properties of substances to fifth graders using foods. These concepts are the basics to the understanding of biology, physics, and chemistry. The lesson plans will be designed to allow the students to have a concrete understanding of these concepts that they will feel a connection between the facts learned and their lives. This "foods" science curriculum will hopefully ignite student's interest in science and improve science education in Hawaii. Current lesson plans will be analyzed and new lessons will be constructed with food as the foundation of the lesson. Focus will be placed on using foods in hands-on lessons that engage the students by connecting the concepts to their everyday life. The lesson plans will be implemented in a classroom and will be evaluated by the students and the teachers for content and effectiveness using current assessment standards.

  Author: Eric K. Humphreys
Major: History
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Laura Lyons
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Increasing Globalization of Fascism

The fascisms of old (primarily in the period right after WWI and extending up to the end of WWII) tended towards provinciality. That is to say that dictators such as Hitler and Mussolini concerned themselves with their own nations' empowerment, but didn't seek to forge ties with other fascists for any sake other than to widen their own power bases. Perhaps fascists left after the war viewed their failure in light of their defeat, for as these cells regrouped they restrategized, and their fascism began to take a different shape. Communication between European, South American and North American groups increased, and these groups developed into larger organizations. Given the decades that have passed since fascism's birth in the early twentieth century, most of the "old school" fascists are deceased. In their place stands a new breed of fascist--with decades of trial and error to draw upon, as well as access to means of communication hitherto unheard of. In my project, I intend to explore these means of communication utilized by the new fascists, and how these means have helped to alter the appearance and ideology of this new fascism. Furthermore, I intend to explore North America's dominant role in the development of fascist trends--particularly the United States, which possesses sufficient wealth and freedom to proliferate propaganda material. The irony of the Third Reich's greatest foe rapidly becoming the instrument of its potential rebirth would be amusing were it not so frightening.

  Author: Joshua B. Hvidding
Major: Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Allison Imrie
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
HIV-1-Specific Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Response In a Native Hawaiian

Cytotoxic T cells target virus-infected cells and kill by mechanisms including perforin and granzyme release, and apoptosis. An inverse relationship has been shown between cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and viral load in animal models and in humans, suggesting an important role for these cells in control of viral infection. HIV-1-specific CTL responses play an important role in controlling HIV infection, and we are currently investigating the role that HIV-1-specific CTL play in control of viral replication in the central nervous system. The CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response is HLA restricted and is highly antigen specific. The antigen receptors of CD8+ cells can only recognize foreign antigens as short peptides bound to HLA molecules on the surface of target cells. Certain HLA molecules have been associated with more rapid or slower rates of progression of HIV disease, and although the exact mechanism by which this occurs is not known, the role that different HLA alleles play in the anti-HIV CTL response needs to be defined. Using a combination of Elispot and 51Cr-release assays, we are mapping the HIV-1-specific CTL response in a Hawaiian patient whose HLA phenotype is A33,34; B58,61; C6,10. This work will help to define CTL epitopes, which contribute to control of HIV disease, in an understudied population.

  Author: Joshua B. Hvidding
Major: Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Jill Betchel
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Factors Inducing Lytic Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus Infection in SLK Cells

Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as Human Herpesvirus-8, is a large, enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus. KSHV is the apparent etiological agent of Kaposi's Sarcoma, a neoplasm frequent in immunodeficient patients (AIDS, organ recipients). Little is known about the characteristics of KSHV infection in host endothelial cells. Previous attempts to create an in vitro model of Kaposi's Sarcoma by infecting SLK cells, a stable endothelial cell line derived from KS tumor, results in establishment of a latent infection where viral episomes are maintained in the nucleus but are not actively replicating. Treatment of KSHV infected SLK cells with chemicals known to induce viral replication in other cells failed to induce lytic replication of KSHV in SLK cells. We analyzed the effect of cytokines (TNF-a, IL-b) nucleotide analogs (5-azacytidine), Human Cytomeglovirus, and Sodium Butyrate on KSHV infection in the SLK endothelial cell line. Through Immunoflourescent antibody staining, we were able to detect proteins of latent KSHV infection, but could not detect any proteins of lytic KSHV infection, nor could we isolate infectious virus. These findings suggest that the cytokines, nucleotides and HCMV do not induce lytic infection of KSHV in SLK cell lines.

  Author: Joshua B. Hvidding
Major: Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Vivek Nerurkar
Category: Physical Sciences
Abstract:
Tracing the Migration of People Across the Pacific by JC Virus Analysis

Molecular epidemiological data strongly suggest that JC polyomavirus (JCV) co-evolved with humankind and can be used as a convenient biological marker for tracing ancient and recent migrations of human populations. Several ethnicity-specific genetic subtypes of JCV have been previously identified, including Type 1 in Europeans, Type 2 in Asians and Type 3 in Africans. Recently, we demonstrated that the JCV in Hawaiians and Samoans reveal a high degree of genetic similarity with JCV Type 2 consensus sequences typically found in Asian populations. In extending this work, we have now sequenced 9 complete JCV genomes (~5.1 kb) from urine samples of healthy individuals residing in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Wallis and Fatuna. Phylogenetic analysis of the full-length genomes, using the maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods, revealed that the Pacific Islander JCV strains grouped with the Asian genotypes, specifically Type 2E and Type 8. These findings are consistent with archeologic and linguistic data, as well as nuclear gene and mitochondrial DNA sequence data, which support a Southeast Asian origin of Melanesians, Micronesians and Polynesians.

  Author: Jonathan Ian Iloreta
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Beei-Huan Chao
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Effects of Structure, Hydrodynamics, and Radiation on the Sooting Behavior of Spherical Diffusion Flames

A simplified three-step model of soot inception in a non-premixed spherical flame is employed with high activation energy asymptotics to study the effects of hydrodynamics, structure, and radiation on the sooting behavior of such flames. The modeling environment consists of three distinct zones: (1) the porous burner, which is divided into (a) the burner's core and (b) the porous medium, (2) the reaction zone, which consists of (a) the fuel oxidation region wherein fuel and oxidizer react to form combustion products as well as radical R (e.g. H), (b) the soot/precursor formation region where the radical R reacts with fuel to form "soot/precursor" S, and (c) the soot/precursor consumption region where S reacts with the oxidizer to form product, and (3) the inert transport zones, one between the burner and soot/precursor formation region and the other between the soot/precursor consumption region and ambient. The results of the analytical and subsequent numerical analyses yield flame temperature, flame location, and soot/precursor indices, SI and SB, and the mass flow rate from the burner. The soot/precursor index, SI, indicates the amount of S at the burner-side boundary of the soot formation region, while SB indicates the amount of S at the ambient-side boundary of the soot consumption region. The flame temperature indirectly indicates the total amount of S integrated over the formation and consumption regions because as S is formed less heat is released.

  Author: Alison Miki Izawa
Major: English and Speech
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Robert Shapard
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
The Ageless Bamboo

My story begins with a girl named Jessi. Jessi has lived an uncomplicated life with her mother in their little home nestled deep in Nu`uanu valley. But all of that begins to change when Jessi's mother announces that they will be caring for Jessi's grandmother who is unconscious after having suffered a stroke. Jessi does not know much about her grandmother, nor does she appreciate her Japanese cultural heritage. On the verge of graduating from high school, Jessi balances school, friends, and a boyfriend. She has no time to take care of her comatose grandmother. Jessi is desperate to go to the mainland for college and to leave behind a grandmother she does not know and a mother she does not understand. But in the depths of her family's despair, Jessi learns the dark secret that pulls her family apart and discovers the very thing she has longed for her entire life. Due in large part to the dominating ideology of the United States as a great "melting pot," many of us have lost our ties to our heritage. Our own ethnic identities have become foreign to us. Younger generations have failed to take the time to appreciate the accomplishments of earlier generations. Although my story centers around one Japanese-American girl and her heritage, through my writing, I hope to express my belief that the experiences and sacrifices of past generations of all peoples can bring us and keep us together as a family.

  Author: Seth W. Kamemoto
Major: Electrical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Tep Dobry
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Visual Sensing in Autonomous Robots

Robots solving mazes typically use simple sensory systems, such as infrared range sensors. I will explore a more sophisticated robot sensing system. Developments in computers and digital cameras open the possibilities for more complex sensing systems for robots. The processing power of a desktop computer can now fit in the palm of your hand, and high-resolution digital cameras are now available and affordable. I will build a robot that will solve a maze. I will use a personal digital assistant (PDA) as the brain and a digital camera as the eyes. I will take a birds-eye picture of the maze, and from that I will resolve the best solution path. The goal is to solve the maze faster and more energy efficiently than the simple sensory system. Time will be saved because the robot won't have to physically explore the maze. Also, energy will be conserved because it takes a lot less energy to power processors and cameras than it does to power motors. The maze is just the beginning for a robot that can "see." This sight will allow the robot to distinguish objects in its surroundings, making it possible to find specific things (like your lost keys). Other applications include the exploration of remote locations such as other planets and underwater.

  Author: Casey A. Kaylor
Major: Art
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Peter Chamberlain, Laura Ruby, Gaye Chan
Category: Fine Arts
Abstract:
Filmmaking with Digital Animation
"A Skewed Reality"

EXCERPT - AFTERNOON-LAKE The serene lake is surrounded by forest, it is perfectly quiet. The appearance of this environment is a-typical with blue grass, trees growing with roots upward, and schools of fish bearing a resemblance to Campbell's Soup. The calm water is a murky shade of yellow with noodles in the shape of letters floating by. Though the sun is shining it begins to rain tiny umbrellas, which dissolve into the lake. The quiet drone of the rain is interrupted by a loud blood-curdling scream. TROY falls headfirst into the lake.

Adventure, intrigue, suspense, and swimming soup cans are all things you will experience in the soon to be released animated short, "A Skewed Reality." Innovations in computer technology have helped animation develop into a multi-dimensional art form. A field once synonymous with children's cartoons, is now the tool for some of the most innovative and complex films today. Exploring the unique qualities of this film genre simultaneously with traditional production elements such as cinematography, music direction, and cinema language allowed me to fully cultivate my imagination. The resulting story deals with themes like, humor as it appeals to adults, the value of embracing imagination, and being faced with choices. The multi-layered fictional tale is a product of effective methods centering around technical details and conceptual flexibility. Ultimately, I would like the audience to understand the subtle complexities of this story and consider the importance of imagination and creativity in our daily lives.

  Author: Phaethon P. Keeney
Major: Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Don Drake
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
A Multipopulation Study of Acacia Koaia: Stratified Analysis of Soil Seed Bank Viability and Genetic Variability in Comparison to Surface Plant Populations

Population fragmentation can disrupt patterns of gene flow and thus the level and distribution of genetic variation among populations. This can affect the potential for fragmented populations to maintain genetic diversity and population viability. Fragmentation has become a defining characteristic of native dry land forests in Hawaiian Island ecosystems due to activities such as logging, development, and ranching, as evident on the Kohala Coast of Big Island of Hawaii. Several species within the dry forest ecosystems in this area are under consideration as a source of genetic material for reforestation efforts, and an assessment of genetic variability within the species populations might aid these efforts. A cornerstone species of the dry land forest is the endemic Acacia koaia, or Koai`a tree, a relative of Koa. Koai`a is an endangered species, and along with the important ecological role of Koai`a and association with other endangered species, this merits further research into the Koai`a species. Of particular interest is the genetic material stored in the seed bank beneath the trees, as the genetic material of the seed bank provides a unique opportunity to assess levels of genetic variation over time. This study will assess levels of temporal and spatial variation in population genetic structure by comparing stratified samples of the soil seed bank to samples of the aboveground populations. Information on changes in population genetic structure over time and identification of viable sources of genetic material may then be used in future reforestation efforts.

  Author: George L. Lee
Major: Economics
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Xiaojun Wang
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Politics, Economics and China

My research project is motivated by a statement in an article entitled: "To Support or Not to Support: The American Debate on China's WTO Membership." In this essay, the author writes: "People from various camps simply disagree on the means to achieve a common objective: a prosperous democratic China that will not threaten American interests." If the author is correct, then these common objectives identify America's primary interest in engaging in trade with China. However, I find this to be highly unlikely. I do not believe that America's "common objective" is to see a prosperous democratic China. I believe that the various camps involved in this debate will disagree as to what will or will not threaten American interests. In this project, I want to examine the various arguments involved in America's debate on China's WTO membership. I want to identify the underlying motives of the various groups who have influence on American foreign policy and thereby understand the issues that are important to them. I hope to identify the common objective(s) that motivate these groups and thereby answer the question: what does America hope to gain by establishing normal trade relations with China? The purpose of this project is to find a common objective, if it exists, in order to formulate a collective voice that represents America's intentions in pursuing normal trade relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC).

  Author: Grace S. Liu
Major: Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Athula Wikramanayake
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Effects of Evans Blue on Sea urchin Embryos: study of Evans Blue at the specific stages of sea urchin development and the correlation of the results in the Wnt pathway

This year alone, 552,200 Americans are expected to die of cancer. Recent studies show that pathways important to developmental biology are also the same pathways that are mutated in many cancers. Further examination and study of developmental biology can give insight to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A specific example is the canonical Wnt pathway. When mutated, it has been identified as a pathway that plays a significant role in the onset of colon cancer. Removal of the pathway results in an animalized embryo. This specific phenotype illustrates clearly the lack of formation of tissue layers endoderm and mesoderm. An aspect of research I will examine, is the study of Evan's Blue on the different developmental stages of sea urchins. O'Melia found that the chemical Evan's Blue had animalizing effects on sea urchin embryos. Any compound that elicits the same embryonic phenotype as that obtained by blocking the Wnt pathway may do so by specifically interfering with components of this oncogenic pathway. Any compound that blocks the Wnt pathway would potentially be a valuable drug in the treatment of certain cancers. By testing the hypothesis that Evan's Blue blocks the production of endoderm and mesoderm as a result of blocking the Wnt pathway, I will determine the effect it has on embryos and on what level. Using molecular techniques, I will determine whether this drug interferes with the Wnt pathway. Ultimately these findings could be used in the treatment and prevention of colon cancer.

  Author: Chrysalis D. Lizarondo
Major: Political Science
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s):
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Exploring the Elements of Children's Fantasy in the Short Story,
"The Magical Dancing Mushroom."

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the writer's knowledge and skills in the creative writing process, with emphasis on the elements of fantasy in children's literature. "The Magical Dancing Mushroom" is a modern fairy tale in the guise of a children's book. Written seven years ago, it has undergone numerous transformations, evolving from a simple bedtime story into a complex children's book loaded with political commentary, morality, and humor. It was developed to appeal to both children and adults alike. All can relate to the imperfect hero and his embarrassingly inept quest for the Magical Dancing Mushroom. Prince Jamison encounters many obstacles on his quest, which force him to reevaluate his goals, principles, and ideals. The story is set in the fictional land of Nash, complete with wizards, toads, mushrooms, and, of course, princesses. In his travels, Jamison soon learns that appearances are not always what they seem; the recurring theme of the book involves beauty and acceptance. The people he meets, in turn, also crave acceptance in their own way. Everyone from Princess Violet to Hobblesnetcher, the Wizard, seeks to gain approval from others. This creative writing piece incorporates many popular elements of children's fantasy in an anachronistic setting, in the hopes of creating a believable, enduring story for the young and old.

  Author: Naomi Long
Major: English
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Morgan Blair
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Serial Walker: Walk Poems and Photographs

The walk is a means to experience the landscape, to wander without purpose or destination, to go astray. The walk also symbolizes the inner journey, the solitary pilgrimage inside the self, the human longing for revelation and understanding. This dual function of the walk has been explored by writers throughout literary history, in poems that try to articulate the interplay of mind, body, and world that occurs during a walk, sometimes composed in the very act of walking, each step evoking poetic meter and rhyme. In a series of poems, I attempt to conflate poetic form with walking. And in photographs, I seek to convey in images what is seen and encountered during the walk. Part myth, part autobiography, these poems (and photographs) investigate the question of "place" and the "self" as fugitive repositories for memory and meaning. As the landscape changes, physical and emotional boundaries are redefined, and the walker finds him/herself stranded between a "somewhere" and a "nowhere." Thus exiled in the desert, the walker in these poems observes her experience with dislocation and fragmentation as a way towards awakening and healing.

  Author: Justin T. Matsuura
Major: Psychology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Stephen Haynes
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
The Reliability and Validity of a Questionnaire on Smoking Behavior

Cigarette smoking among teenagers and young adults is a serious and prevalent problem. In some instances, questionnaires are used to inquire what the smoking behavior of these individuals are. However, there is the possibility that these measures could be unreliable or invalid. What individuals indicate on these inventories may be different from their actual smoking behavior. This research will explore the reliability and validity of a smoking behavior questionnaire by having subjects monitor their own smoking behavior. The subjects will complete a week long self monitoring log, upon filling out the questionnaire inquiring about their smoking behavior. The subjects themselves will be students in a Psychology lecture class. After the subjects have participated in the study, the data will be collected and the statistical difference between the smoking behavior questionnaire and the self monitoring log, will produce the result. This research contributes to verifying if these questionnaires asking about the smoking behavior of individuals is valid and reliable. With more effective methods of assessment on smoking behavior, therapists can utilize effective treatments.

  Author: Tony C. Matulonis
Major: Astronomy
Campus: Hilo
Mentor(s): Richard Crowe
Category: Physical Sciences
Abstract:
Examination of the Seeing at Various Locations on Mauna Kea

This research project examines the integrated seeing at Hale Pohaku (HP) and at the summit of Mauna Kea (MK). Observational measurements of the seeing at each site as well as at sites around HP are taken using the Differential Image Motion Monitors (DIMMs). This data is compiled into a long-term database and will be crucial in determining the average seeing on MK, the effect of telescope enclosures on dome seeing, and what the difference is in seeing between HP and the summit area of MK. In addition, this study will be providing a baseline for seeing forecasts on MK with regard to nightly, seasonal and yearly variations.

  Author: Daniel G. Meier
Major: Psychology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Karl Minke
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Academic Self-Perceptions of International Students at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa

The number of international college students in the United States has steadily increased over the last decades. While these students have been subject to research in various areas of psychology, there has not been much effort yet to study the academic self-perceptions of international students. The present study examines academic self-perceptions of international students. In an online survey, 188 international students provided detailed quantitative and qualitative information about their academic self-perceptions, as well as about social and cultural factors. Using a cross-sectional approach, changes in academic self-perception over time were analyzed. In addition, the international students' familiarity with the concept of learning communities was assessed. Results show a statistically significant positive correlation between the number of completed semesters and positive academic self-perception. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found when comparing students form different regions. The majority of international students were not familiar with the concept of learning communities, but many of them would have considered joining a learning community if they had been aware of them.

< Author: Shane K. Menza
Major: Political Science
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Ira Rohter
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
The Asian Development Bank in Southeast Asia: Benefactors, or Not?

I start with the assumption that the Asian Development Bank should tailor loan packages to its recipients' unique cultural, political, and economic situations and offer more manageable repayment options when loaning money to its poorest member countries. I look at what effects the Asian Development Bank has had on Southeast Asian communities where projects have been implemented, and if the Bank has succeeded in its primary mission of helping to reduce poverty in Asia and the Pacific. I find out exactly who gains most from Asian Development Bank projects, and who, if anyone, "loses." I pay special attention to the Southeast Asian poor, and the difficulties they face because of ADB projects, such as the Samut Prakarn Wastewater Management Project in Thailand and the Nam Theun Hinboun in Laos. The Bank has faced increasing international criticism from the same human and environmental rights groups that oppose globalization and general neo-liberal views on development. The critics favor a more people-empowering and environmentally-friendly approach to helping Asians and Pacific Islanders out of poverty than what the Bank has been delivering. The critics claim that the Bank's macro, money-focused solutions to local problems do not benefit the poor as much as it benefits ADB loaner country interest groups, such as United States-based heavy equipment and engine manufacturer, Caterpillar. Also, critics claim that the Bank's project planners themselves are too money-focused; the economists tend to ignore environmental ramifications and cultural impacts of projects.

  Author: Cyd Miyashiro
Major: Finance
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Rosita Chang
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
An Overview of the Asian Over-the-Counter Market

In the 1990s, Nasdaq experienced tremendous growth and established itself as a leading securities exchange. Nasdaq played an instrumental role in nurturing the United States technology industry by offering venture capitalist an exit route. Over the last decade, Asian countries have created Nasdaq-modeled over-the-counter (OTC) markets hoping to foster their domestic technology sector. By looking at market size and performance, the OTC markets in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan are evaluated for strength and viability.

  Author: Jeannie Morgan
Co-author: Jennifer Fukushima
Major: Psychology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Karl Nelson
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Student Perfectionism and the Prevalence of Emotional Distress in an Ethnically Diverse University Setting

Our study will investigate perfectionism among undergraduate students attending University of Hawaii at Manoa. Many researchers have associated perfectionism with an array of negative effects such as procrastination, underachievement, feelings of guilt and failure, indecisiveness, and low self-esteem. Perfectionism has also been linked with more severe outcomes including depression, eating disorders, and alcoholism. We feel it is important to study these negative affects of perfectionism in school settings because perfectionism is frequently linked to intense motivation for academic achievement. In this study, factors of emotional distress that are related to perfectionism will be addressed. This investigation is an extension of previous similar research. However, we will be looking at an added ethnic/cultural component as it relates to the above factors, given the distinct ethnically diverse environment at this University. The study is in early stages and is currently in progress. A sample of 50 undergraduate psychology students will be asked to participate by filling out 2-3 questionnaires measuring perfectionism and emotional distress (depression and anxiety). We expect to find a significant positive correlation between perfectionism and emotional distress.

  Author: Thomas Isao Morinaka
Major: Theatre
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Dennis Carroll
Category: Fine Arts
Abstract:
Karmic Slave: Trapped on the Wheel of Reincarnation
A Venture into Contemporary Experimental Theatre

Over time, theatre has grown from its original ritualistic function into a secular form of entertainment. Yet, regardless of its various forms, theatre has most often been used as a tool for communication. Traditionally, speech was the primary tool in this interaction with the masses. More recently however, experiments have been done in theatre where speech has been eliminated and messages are delivered through abstract movements and music. Nonetheless, in an age of music videos, television commercials, and "short-attention span" cinema, I feel that theatre has trailed behind contemporary media. "Karmic Slave" was my resolution to this lapse in theatre's evolution. Combining realistic movement, everyday situations, contemporary music, and abstract sets and costumes, "Karmic Slave" was an attempt to transform the traditional linear forms of theatre into a new, "MTV-esque" staged performance, and communicate messages to the audience in a new format. The plot chronicles the many incarnations of a soul as it is reincarnated across the history of the world. Through each lifetime, the soul suffers physical abuse, harsh traditional values, and death, while also experiencing power, murder, and love. In the end, the soul is freed from its karmic cycle. Though "Karmic Slave" has already been performed, the analysis of its success has not yet been completed. I have met with mixed critiques from various people in the community, and though there were some who loved it, there were others who did not. Thus, the analysis continues, and more research must be done.

  Author: Samuel I. Mukai
Major: Physics
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Stephen Olsen
Category: Physical Sciences
Abstract:
Study of inclusive D meson production a sqrt(s) = 10.58 GeV

We studied the inclusive production of D mesons at the Upsilon(4S) resonance, sqrt(s) = 10.58 GeV. The D mesons were reconstructed in the K plus/minus pi minus/plus final state. We used a continuum data sample taken below the Upsilon(4S) at sqrt(s) = 10.52 GeV to subtract the continuum component of the 10.58 GeV data set, isolating the D mesons originating from B meson decay. Using this sample, we searched for a flavor asymmetry between the K plus pi minus and K minus pi plus final states. The measured asymmetry was consistent with zero asymmetry.

  Author: Taron K. Murakami
Major: American Studies
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Dennis M. Ogawa
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
The Legacy of Katsu Goto

In 1889, a tragedy occurred on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island. Japanese immigrant, Katsu Goto, was lynched, strung up a telephone pole near Honokaa. He had immigrated to Hawai`i four years before from Japan and worked on the Ookala Plantation in Hamakua. After three years, he moved off the plantation and started a general store which became successful and which was not popular with nearby store-owner Joseph Mills. Despite Goto's success, he returned to the plantation to interpret for other Japanese workers who did not speak English. His willingness to interpret and stand up for these workers against plantation owner Robert Overend earned him Overend's animosity. Rising hostility between Goto and these men ultimately led to his demise. Fumiko Kaya, Goto's niece, grew up in Japan not knowing about her uncle. When she returned to Hawai`i, she found his grave in shambles and asked Honokaa community members to erect a headstone. Throughout the years, she continued to visit the grave and was determined to perpetuate his story and give back to her parents who she felt indebted to. In 1992, her dream was realized with the Goto of Hiroshima Foundation, a scholarship organization that aims to bridge the gap between Japan and Hawaii by awarding a scholarship to a Hawaii student to study Japan/U.S. relations. This is a descriptive history of the Goto of Hiroshima Foundation. My methods include interviews with those closest to its creation, committee members, recipients, and Fumiko Kaya.

  Author: Malia K. Noyes
Major: Psychology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Emanuel Dreschel
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Increasing Native Hawaiian Engagement in Therapy

Native Hawaiian children living in Hawai`i experience stressing situations similar to children of other geographical areas dealing with their families and schools; however, their mode of responding to and coping with these stressors differs greatly. The Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Clinic at the University of Hawai`i needs a better method of engaging the families of native Hawaiian children suffering from stress and anxiety disorders into therapy. If families do not commence or engage in therapy to a substantial degree, then the efficacy of therapy cannot be conclusive and positive outcomes for the children are less likely. Structured manuals dictate most diagnostic and treatment methods to ensure the reliability of the diagnosis and treatment and to allow efficient treatment and positive outcomes. Now an efficient away needs to be devised to maintain family engagement in therapy taking into consideration the cross-cultural customs and family structures of native Hawaiian families in order to increase engagement with the CBT clinic and help children with stress and anxiety disorders in Hawai`i.

  Author: Aaron T. Ohta
Major: Electrical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Wayne Shiroma
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
The University of Hawai`i CubeSat Student Satellite Project

Satellites are an integral part of our lives, providing for the ever-increasing demands of consumers, corporations, and governments. Yet, while historically their increasing complexity has resulted in increases in size, the high cost of sending a satellite into orbit, coupled with recent innovations in microelectronics, have shifted attention towards smaller satellites. One example of a small satellite is a 1 kg, 1000 cm³ cube, known as a CubeSat. A team of over fifty undergraduates at the University of Hawai`i is in the process of designing, constructing, and testing a CubeSat, which is scheduled for launch in April of 2003. In order for a satellite to function properly, there are a number of essential subsystems that make up what is known as the satellite "bus." The bus includes the mechanical structure as well as the power, data processing, and communications systems. The function of each part of the bus is analogous to a human. The mechanical structure provides the housing for the satellite, like a person's body; the power system provides energy, like the digestive tract; the satellite's data processing is its brain; and the communications system is the satellite's ears and mouth. Participating in designing a satellite bus as an undergraduate is a rare and valuable opportunity, meeting the goal of the UH CubeSat project: to offer a hands-on educational experience to undergraduate students, while providing valuable experience in both satellite design and teamwork.

  Author: Jennifer Y. Oshita
Major: English
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Kathy Ferguson
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Coming to terms with today's Globalized World and the Literary Testimony of Global Slavery.

Globalization: a word signaling the processes which characterize the state of our world today. The enslavement of over 27 million humans: A phenomenon not chosen to describe the state of our world today. What people in America know about globalization reaches the level of the internet, trade embargos, and multi-nationals. What about the fact that there are more slaves alive today than in any other period of slavery in history? What would the story of globalization read from this point of view? In my thesis I identify three major disconnections going on in globalization today: space-time distanciation, Action-Reflection distanciation, and finally the less conceptual, disconnection among people. I then go into the relevancy of using the literary testimony of those enslaved for the lay person to come to terms with the changes undertaking the world we live in. From a literary standpoint, the enslaved person's testimony offers experiential rather than theoretical knowledge to the reader. More than a cognitive understanding, it transforms a person's consciousness. Secondly, from a theoretical standpoint, the testimony of people who are slaves offers a uniting ground for the billions of diverse global citizens - the human ability to suffer. R. Radhakrishnan says, paraphrasing Ashish Nandy, "suffering. . .is a universal and omni-locational phenomenon that cuts across rigid and overdetermined self-other oppositions." Nandy wants to coordinate a global project to eradicate suffering "in all its protean manifestations." Lets begin with testimony of the enslaved.

  Author: Jonathan G. Padua
Major: English
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Steven Goldsberry
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Meat and Chemicals: A 9-11 Chronicle

Although the fictional narrative Meat and Chemicals: A 9-11 Chronicle utilizes the September 11 terrorist attacks as its core theme, the main focus is with Simon Ruby, a Long Island college freshman, and the course of his life right before and shortly after the catastrophic events occur. The work itself is a loosely connected collection of short stories involving (and often not involving) Simon, and a wide cast of supporting characters, from his paranoid and delusional mother, to his apathetic and indifferent girlfriend, as they try to cope and make sense of the drastically changing world in which they occupy. Taking influence from contemporary writers such as Kurt Vonnegut and Bret Easton Ellis, Meat and Chemicals sheds a satirical and humorous light on such a significant and serious subject. Divided into four parts each representing a specific setting in which the stories take place in; home, the local community and University, New York City, and finally, the World Trade Center Ruins, Meat and Chemicals attempts to show the profound, complex, and often strange impact September 11 has had on every aspect of modern American life. Meat and Chemicals, while primarily a fictional work, is more importantly a commentary on modern American society using the September 11 attacks as a platform to which the work takes off from. It is, in essence, a collection of stories about the human condition; the ability to do the highest good, the worst evil, and the apathy to not care either way.

  Author: Ngac N. Phan
Major: Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Katalin Csiszar
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Screening for potential interactions of Lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM)

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a copper-dependent protein that catalyzes the cross-linking of fibrillar collagens and elastin in the extracellular matrix (ECM). A similar protein, lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL), shares a copper binding region similar to that of LOX which is required for enzymatic activity. Because of this sequence similarity and immunolocalization data, LOXL may also demonstrate a similar function in the ECM. However, preliminary evidence presented here suggests that LOXL is also expressed in certain neurons within the central nervous system, an area in which LOX-like proteins have not been examined to date. In addition to the copper-binding region, LOXL also contains a proline-rich region not found within the LOX protein. We hypothesize that this proline-rich region demonstrates a function that is distinguished from LOX. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified proteins that interact with LOXL. This data will shed light on the function of LOXL in the brain.

  Author: Carolyn Quiroga
Major: Accounting and Marketing
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Jim Caron
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
The World Wide Web as a Tool of Profitability for Marketing Music and Television

Despite its widespread use and acceptance, the World Wide Web has failed to produce a consistently profitable revenue model for most site proprietors. This plight typifies the entertainment segment on line, boasting some of the most popular and well-trafficked sites on the Web. I am interested in exploring the options that entertainment marketers can pursue in improving the profitability of their websites. For this purpose, I will send out surveys to official and other legitimate sites in the online entertainment industry. In particular, I intend to use a questionnaire designed to gauge opinions about the profitability of entertainment Web sites. The objectives of this study are: (1) to take a "snapshot" of the online entertainment industry to assess the degree to which companies are devoting money and resources to establishing and maintaining an online presence; (2) to determine the investments into and earnings of online entertainment sites by marketers and the industry as a measure of their commitment; (3) to identify the revenue models used by online entertainment marketers and to explore the perceived viability of each model.

  Author: Lynnette E. S. Ramirez
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Carlos Coimbra
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Characterization of Particle Motion in a Microgravity Simulator for Biomedical Applications

This project is dedicated to the theoretical and experimental determination of the mechanics of three-dimensional bodies moving through a viscous fluid in a simulated microgravity reactor. Under microgravity conditions cells and biological tissue develop three-dimensionally as opposed to tissue grown in conventional two dimensional plate systems. The 3-dimensional growth has important implications in many areas of biomedical research and allows researchers to determine the effects of long-term space travel on cells and tissue. Microgravity conditions are simulated on the ground with a rotating cylinder system that resembles the geometrical configuration of space bioreactors. The cylinder rotates on its horizontal axis, similar to a bioreactor, and the motion of the particles are characterized using non-intrusive, high-speed digital photography equipment. The equation for the motion of the particle within the cylinder has been solved exactly and the results are to be verified using the experimental setup. This mathematical model can then be used to determine optimum operating conditions and improved design of bioreactors for ground and space research.

  Author: Malia A. Ribeiro
Major: Liberal Studies, Holistic Health Science
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Jane Starn
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Holistic Health-Care Model

At least 42% of Americans are using some form of complementary medicine (CAM) and interest is growing concludes a recent study by Harvard professor of health-care policy, Ronald Kesseler. Conventional treatments are those that are widely accepted and practiced by the mainstream medical community. A treatment is generally called complementary when it is used in addition to a conventional treatment. Medical schools throughout the country and national research foundations are beginning to include CAM therapies into their training and research. Even Hawaii's own John A Burns School of Medicine has added elements of CAM into their curriculum through the recent addition of a department of complementary and alternative medicine. The National Institute of Health has funded numerous studies to assess the role of CAM therapies in health care. However, there still appears to be a lack of connection between traditional and CAM therapies. A change in paradigm is needed to reconcile these two contrasting approaches to therapy. A shift from the traditional Cartesian model of medicine that separates mind and body to a new holistic model with an integrative approach would better address health care needs. In my thesis I will explore a holistic paradigm as the new health care model. In this approach there will be no such thing as CAM because CAM will become a conventional therapy. In discussing one disease I will demonstrate how this new integrative model of health care could be implemented.

  Author: Randy K.H. Sakagawa
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Mehrdad Nejhad
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Integration of Active Composite Struts and Panels into an Adaptive Platform for Vibration Suppression and Precision Positioning

Adaptive or intelligent structures, which have the capability for sensing and responding to their environment, promise a novel approach to satisfying the stringent performance requirements of future space missions. Sensors and actuators in combination with composite materials afford lightweight structures with increased structural efficiency and thermal stability, in addition to the ability to monitor and respond to external stimuli to control shape, properties, and dynamic responses of the structure. The main objective of this research is to integrate the active composite tubular housing and strut with vibration suppression and precision positioning capabilities. The active composite tubular housing and strut will then be integrated into a platform system. The applications of the adaptive platform with vibration suppression and precision positioning capabilities, include an optical bench or a thruster vector control mount for a satellite.

  Author: Heidi M. Y. Sakuma
Major: English/Journalism
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Rodney Morales
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
The Best that Money Can Buy

"The Best that Money Can Buy" follows two girls through their senior year in a fictional college preparatory high school in Hawai`i. Based on the experiences of some of Hawai`i's private high school alumni, the story explores how the modern attitudes reflect the founding values of the school. I loosely based the structure of my story on "Rolling the R's" by R. Zamora Linmark. Instead of a continuous, single-voice narrative, I have two speakers who tell their tale in vignettes, editorials, and "practice college application essays." With the concern about "brain drain" in Hawai`i, my story explores some of the attitudes held by private school students toward the mainland and the University of Hawai`i that may contribute to our state's steady exodus of academic achievers. I'm also trying to make it not as serious as all that. We all need to laugh a little, and every private high school alum who has heard about my project thinks it's pretty funny. Heh.

  Author: Susan Sanger
Major: English
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Craig Howes
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Snapshots, Images of a Life

"Snapshots, Images of a Life" Is a non-fiction creative memoir. It is the story of a descent into addiction and recovery. What is different, or special, about it is that it is not the kind of recovery story where the heroine lives happily ever after; it is more honest. She will always be an addict. Addiction is a disease. Addicts generally perceive the world around them in such a way that they feel alienated; different than other people. Drinking is a symptom of this disease. When drinking, we generally feel more comfortable in our skin; more able to interact. The problem is that by drinking , we ultimately cause greater problems for ourselves; a drunk generally makes bad choices. Recovery does not mean that the perception changes. What it does mean, is that the addict learns to identify his or her personality flaws and to channel them into more suitable avenues. In trying to tell this story I decided to present vignettes in which the reader can gain a sense of my character's state of mind. I broke it up into chapters, each dealing with a specific period of time. The first chapter sets the tone and narrative arc. The following chapters, each present three episodes. The early episodes are designed to parlay a sense of my character's flawed decision making process. The later episodes show an exploration, by my character, of her personality flaws as they manifest in other ways.

  Author: Edward H. Schmidt
Major: Botany
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): John Craven
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
The Super Spring Phenomenon: An Experiment to Test the Effect of Soil Temperature Gradients on Growth of Corn Using an Unique Method of Agriculture at the Common Heritage Corporation, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i

During Summer 2000, for my Marine Option Program "Student Skills Project", I interned at the Common Heritage Corporation (CHC), Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). At the CHC, cold deep ocean water (DOW) pumped from a 2000 foot depth is used to produce fresh water, grow plants, provide air-conditioning and industrial cooling, and generate energy. Plants are grown using an unique method which runs cold deep ocean water through enclosed pipes buried in the soil. The cold temperature of the pipes (about 45^oF, or 7^oC) condenses fresh water out of the atmosphere and into the root zone of plants. The resulting enhanced plant growth observed through use of this method has been termed "Super Spring". Yet the physiological basis of Super Spring has not yet been determined. Dr. John P. Craven, CHC Founder and President, has developed his own theory to explain Super Spring based on simple principles of thermodynamics. To test the theory, from June 10 to August 10, 2000, I set up a preliminary experiment to test the effect of soil temperature gradients on the growth of corn. For the experiment, I grew corn at four soil temperatures (50^o, 60^o, 70^o, and ambient) regulated by the flow of cold deep ocean water through pipes running through the soil. The results of that experiment were intriguing. Although I encountered several unanticipated setbacks during the course of the experiment, I consider it to be a valuable trial run which sets the stage for future experiments.

  Author: Cory M. Soon
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Mehrdad Nejhad
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
Design, Analysis, Manufacture, and Testing of Active Composite Panel Prototypes with Embedded Sensors/Actuators and Vibration Suppression and Precision Positioning Capabilities

Intelligent structures, which have the ability to sense and respond to their environment, have applications in many different areas. These adaptive structures can solve many of the problems inherent to rigid structures. Sensors and actuators embedded in composite materials can be used to create lightweight structures with increased structural efficiency and thermal stability, in addition to the ability to monitor and respond to external stimuli to control shape, properties, and dynamic responses of the structure. The main objective of this research is to design, analyze, fabricate, and test active composite panels. These panels are embedded with sensors and actuators and have vibration suppression and precision positioning capabilities. The panels will be utilized in an active composite platform. It is envisioned that a thruster would be mounted on the active composite platform and would be used in satellite applications. Piezoelectric active fibers will be embedded inside composite materials to develop active composites that can perform both vibration suppression and precision positioning. The composite structures will be thin enough to ensure the feasibility of precision positioning. Computer models have been generated to predict precision positioning as well as to determine which configuration of the piezoelectric actuators delivers optimum vibration suppression. The optimum configuration of the actuators has been determined and different voltage schemes are nearly complete. The developed system will be manufactured and tested for its functionality.

  Author: Adam S. Sprouseblum
Major: English and Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Todd Sammons
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Picaresque Genre/Picaresque Studies

The picaresque genre is a writing style that originated in Spain and has been around for the last 6 centuries. My goal was to define the characteristics that define this beautiful genre. In order to do this I have analyzed 8 picaresque novels with the hope of finding commonalities between all 8 novels with the idea that these commonalities will be a basis to the "formula" which all picaresque novels follow. Through my analysis I have found 10 characteristics that I have deemed "essential" to the genre. That is, all 10 of these essential characteristics must be a part of any novel included in the picaresque genre. The next portion of my thesis, which I am currently working on, has to deal with national characteristics and looks at the picaro within the context of his country of origin. My idea is to find characteristics that are common to all picaros from a particular country and to look at each of these characteristics individually with the hope of connecting them to some established criticism of that country. (For example, the American picaros may exhibit ideas connected with capitalism.) Because I had this concept in mind, my 8 novels were split between American and British types.

  Author: Michael A. Tamamoto
Major: Electrical Engineering
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Wayne Shiroma
Category: Engineering
Abstract:
An Active Antenna for the University of Hawai`i CubeSat

CubeSat communication systems currently operate in the UHF/VHF range. While this frequency range is sufficient for current CubeSat missions, future data-intensive missions will require communication at a higher frequency to provide greater data-transmission rates. Unfortunately, high-frequency communication results in a greater link loss. Thus a power combining scheme must be employed to provide adequate transmit power. However, conventional power combiners occupy large amounts of area and are inefficient for large numbers of devices, making them impractical for use in a CubeSat. One proposed mission for the University of Hawaii's CubeSat is an active antenna that provides practical high-frequency operation through an innovative power-combining scheme. The active antenna consists of an array of semiconductor devices directly embedded into a planar radiating structure. Transistors spaced a fraction of a free-space wavelength apart are mounted on a metal grid that serves as a DC-bias distribution circuit, RF-embedding circuit, and radiating structure. The grid is backed by a dielectric substrate and metal mirror that provides the feedback necessary for oscillation. Unlike typical phased-array antennas, the spacing between devices is only around a tenth of a free-space wavelength, making it very compact at microwave frequencies. Another attribute of this design is its built-in redundancy, making it tolerant to single-point failures. The University of Hawaii's active antenna will be the first of its kind in space, and will help lay the groundwork for future, more data-intensive CubeSat missions.

  Author: Joan Y. Tamashiro
Major: Secondary Education
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Shuqiang Zhang
Category: Education
Abstract:
The Effects of Group Work on Middle School Students' Attitudes Toward Math: An Observational Study

Math is important to the future of all students, but it can also be their worst subject. Cooperative learning is one solution to improving the learning experience for students in math because it allows students to work together, instead of individually listening to a teacher lecture. Cooperative learning is effective and often a pleasant learning experience for the students that are involved. Many things can contribute to a successful group-work experience, but the focus of my project is the interaction among group members. I believe that every student can learn math, but when the student is not motivated to learn, the student needs a positive learning experience to get going. Group work could be that positive experience. The purpose of this project is to observe students working in groups to discover patterns of group interaction and the effect of their group work on their attitude towards learning math and their participation in class. For my research, I have observed students in an eighth-grade Algebra I class at the University Lab School, surveyed these students, and interviewed their teacher. Learning is based on the student and how much he or she understands, therefore, the observational approach will give me solid student experiences that will help me to understand the responses in their survey. There are three types of group work that I have observed: Presentation Preparation, Poster Sessions, and Labs. Many students conveyed a positive attitude toward their math class in their surveys and through their participation in class.

  Author: Ronald B. Tanaka
Major: English and Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Peter C. Nicholson
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
English Orthography Reform: Its History and Importance in a Second Language, Post-Colonial Setting

The use of English in the last 400 years has increased exponentially from around 6 million native speakers at the end of the 1500s, to some 250 million by the end of the twentieth century. But securing its place as the future dominant world language is an even more impressive diversification from a population almost exclusively British, to an assortment of post-colonial dialectal strongholds. The result has been the almost universal adoption of English as an official and legislative language both in former British and English-speaking protectorates as well as in settings where English has no historic precedence, eclipsing all rival languages as the modern lingua franca. However, the application of English around the world is not as one might initially suspect. While the use of English as a native language declines its widespread diffusion as a second and foreign language in multicultural settings is more probable. But if English becomes the lingua franca of a possible globalization, is it too demanding and inconsistent for mass consumption? Language reform is a nagging task for native speakers, but becomes apparent when confronted in a second language setting. The following will focus on the problems of English orthography, specifically considering a growing population of L2 speakers. This examination will discuss previous spelling reforms to explain problematic trends in today's system and also function to develop a general criteria for the successful adoption of certain historical modifications to the language, as well as explain the failure of various other attempts.

  Author: Ronald B. Tanaka
Major: English and Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Sherwood Maynard
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Development of an Efficient Detection Method for Histamine in Fish Products

High levels of histamine concentration, 4-(2-aminoethyl) imidazol, due to time/temperature abuse in fish and meat products have been identified as a primary source of food-related intoxication. Histamine, a heterocyclic primary amine, is the result of bacteria that produce the enzyme histidine decarboxylase, which alters the molecular structure of the amino acid L-histidine. Due to rising fish consumption in the United States, quality control through histamine detection is becoming increasingly urgent. Despite FDA regulations regarding the handling and refrigeration of fish upon death, the nature of the histamine-producing bacteria requires further evidence of quality and freshness. Histamine detection techniques have most often employed fluorometric or chromatographic methods, but these have typically required expensive laboratory equipment and excessive amounts of time. Often the tests are a trade-off between relatively quick, semi qualitative, and precise, quantitative results. Under the auspices of Dr. Joanne Ebesu from Oceanit, the proposal for a more efficient method of histamine detection will focus primarily on refining the purification steps of the standard, three-phase approach of extraction, purification and detection. Compared to methods currently in use, this proposed method would not only expedite and possibly enhance a lengthy enzyme linked immunosorbent assay procedure (ELISA), but it would also require less laboratory equipment involved in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation.

  Author: Jeremy A. Uota
Major: Marketing
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Qimei Chen
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Increasing users' acceptance and retention of B2C online storefronts' cookies

Many people begin surfing the Internet feeling completely anonymous only to learn about a hidden world of the Internet putting their privacy at risk. The Internet's most infamous privacy invader is the cookie. E-businesses use cookies to customize websites and to collect marketing data. However, real and potential abuses of such information have caused Internet users to reject cookies, presenting challenges to owners of websites with cookies. This project will focus on the question: Can B2C [business-to-consumer] online storefronts make cookies more appealing to users to increase their cookies' acceptance and retention? To answer this question, I will examine the actual use of cookies in real-life settings (including a website of my own), interview local webmasters for their experiences, and survey local Internet users for their attitudes. For research models, I shall draw upon recent studies in Internet use. Eventually, I intend to make recommendations to e-business managers on how they can improve the image of their cookies as trustworthy tools in the personalization and management of websites.

  Author: Jessica A. Velez
Major: English
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Daphne Desser
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
A Rhetorical Analysis of the Campus Hate Speech Debate

It is estimated that 70% of the colleges and universities in America have codes designed to restrict offensive speech. This offensive speech, which has been given the term "hate speech" is usually defined as speech that targets a group based on race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. The rise of campus speech codes that regulate hate speech has caused a heated debate over whether or not a college or university should be allowed to regulate speech. This is a debate that not only involves university students, but it also involves the concept of free speech, which is something that applies to everyone. For my project I will write a rhetorical analysis of the campus hate speech debate. I will be looking at the structure and strategies that the different groups employ to try to persuade their audience. I will analyze the types of words used, and evaluate the effectiveness of the argument. Language is very powerful, and by examining the language, and the context in which it occurs, I will be able create a better understanding of the subject.

  Author: Nel C. Venzon, Jr.
Major: Biology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Piera S. Sun
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Effect of Temperature on Taura Syndrome Virus Challenge of Juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei

Taura syndrome disease, a viral etiology caused by Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV), is considered as one of the most catastrophic viral diseases of the penaeid shrimp. This study examined the susceptibility of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei to TSV and the effect of temperature on survival rates when orally inoculated with virus. In this experiment, 120 shrimp ranging from 1 to 2 grams were cultured at 24, 30, and 32 degrees Celsius. Experimental juvenile L. vannamei were initially orally-inoculated with TSV-infected shrimp tissue for 2 days, then regular shrimp pellets were fed throughout the experiment period of 26 days. Total RNAs were isolated from the moribund shrimp tissues during the acute, transition, chronic, and post-chronic stages of infection. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for the detection of TSV in the shrimp tissues using gene-specific primers. Results from this study showed that TSV was detected in 100%, 50%, and 36% of the shrimp at 24, 30, and 32 degrees Celsius, respectively, with corresponding survival rates of 0%, 30%, and 70%. Furthermore, heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) gene was also detected in most of the shrimp tissue samples from the different temperature conditions. Based on the results of this experiment, the temperature of 32 degrees Celsius plays a protective effect on the shrimp survival when challenged with TSV. This research was supported by a grant from Haumana MBRS NIH Grant # 5R25GM56930-04 and Sea Grant College Program Grant # NA86RG0041.

  Author: Darla J. White
Major: Marine Science
Campus: Hilo
Mentor(s): Michael Parsons
Category: Biological Sciences
Abstract:
Ciguatera on the Island of Hawai`i: Windward vs. Leeward Shores

Approximately 60% of all reported cases of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) in the state of Hawai`i are due to toxin-contaminated fish caught in the coastal waters of the Big Island. The vast majority of these cases (87%) are reported from the West, or leeward side, of the island. However, studies have shown toxin-producing dinoflagellates, known as causative agents for ciguatera, to be present on both sides of the island. To date, there have been no studies focusing on fish in East Hawaii to make a preliminary determination whether the difference in reported cases is based on fish toxicity or other factors (e.g., shoreline accessibility, fishing pressures, environmental conditions, etc.). This study focuses on two species, Ctenochaetus strigosus (Kole) and Cephalopholis argus (Roi), both of which are listed in the top five fish involved in ciguatera outbreaks since 1980. Samples obtained were cut from the epaxial musculature posterior to the head. The samples were tested for presence of ciguatoxins using a monoclonal immunoassay (MIA) stick test. The occurrence of toxicity in the fish was compared in leeward (West) vs. windward (East) samples using a one-way ANOVA and Chi Square analyses. Of 90 fish tested (39 windward & 51 leeward), there was no significant difference in East vs. West samples: i.e. fish on both sides of the island appear to be equally prone to ciguatera.

  Author: Brandon M. Wilborn
Major: English
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Laura Lyons
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Dying Angel: A Novel Proposal

My generation has grown up during and after an almost epidemic increase in violence toward minors. And most of that increase has been in schools, where young people spend at least a third of their time. Students are actually more likely to be victims of violence at school than anywhere else (Crews, Gordon 98). What the media hasn't focused on is the common connection between students' mental health and increased school violence. As ADHD and child depression has risen, so have the sudden deadly outbursts of violence in schools. The most brutal recent event, the shooting at Columbine High School is an example. Through a novel of 250-300 pages I intend to portray the change that a promising and happy student can undergo, falling to the point of suicide-murder, when his mental health is in trouble. My main intent then is to show that there are telling signs of serious trouble-however minute-and that preventing such deadly outbursts isn't impossible or difficult; these aren't necessarily the acts of an evil person, but one with a serious problem.

  Author: Cathy L. Wood
Major: Asian Studies
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Patricia Steinhoff
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Intercultural Interactions: U.S. American and Japanese Airline Crewmembers Onboard a United States Airline

U.S. owned airlines, such as in this study, hire Japanese nationals as interpreters in an attempt to bridge the gap between customer expectations and Western service standards. However, ignorance of cultural differences caused failures in intercultural communication between interpreters and flight attendants. This study looks at how differences in cultural expectations and behavior affect communication between U.S. American and Japanese airline crewmembers. My research analyzed data gathered through participation in and from direct observation of the interaction between U.S. American flight attendants and Japanese interpreters onboard Trans-Pacific flights between Hawai'i and Japan over a fifteen-month period. I gathered data through observations and informal conversations, and recorded my experiences in a journal immediately after a flight. The conflicts and miscommunications recorded during the study indicate that labor divisions and expectations of assigned work related roles influence intercultural interaction. Cultural differences, especially in respect to apology behavior, and lack of cultural training were leading causes for misunderstandings and conflict. In addition, work roles subtly changed depending on a participant's ethnicity and knowledge of Japanese culture and language. I found that Japanese-Americans and long term residents of Hawai'i may become engaged or stepped away from a situation according to their own self-concept and cultural proficiency. The results from observations exposed common scenarios for miscommunication and types of conflicts. The extended period of observation and increased number of case studies provided sufficient data for analysis without compromising the confidentiality of the participants.

  Author: Chun-Hoe Wu
Major: Travel Industry Management
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Mark Hukill
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Online Reservation System: Impact on Intermediaries

Consumers' demand for preferences in flexible travel and leisure services provide a strong motive for a new form of information technology. To move with the market and to produce new services under cost effectiveness, the hospitality industry must draw on an increased exchange of electronic information for greater flexibility and for closer cooperation with other industries. This research examines the way by which online reservation systems have had an impact on various types of intermediaries, i.e. third-party dealers authorized by hotels, car rentals, or airlines to sell services on their behalf. My project reviews the types and significance of intermediaries in the hospitality industry before and after the introduction of online reservation systems. The methodology consists of archival research with already published documents (including statistical records), the on-site inspection of some hotel reservation websites, and personal interviews with head directors of information technology departments in the hospitality industry. This approach will provide me with the necessary historical background within which we can analyze recent patterns of change in the hospitality industry demonstrating a decrease in the use of intermediaries.

  Author: Caitlin Y. Yamamoto
Major: English
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Ruth Hsu
Category: Humanities
Abstract:
Understanding A Contentious Local Literary Community: The Controversy Over Lois-Ann Yamanaka's Blu's Hanging

In 1998, Lois-Ann Yamanaka's novel, Blu's Hanging, was selected for the Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS) Fiction Award, activating a heated debate within the Hawaii community and beyond. While the novel was perceived in a number of different lights, many took issue with Yamanaka's stereotypical portrayal of Filipinos, claiming that such negative representations promoted discrimination and racial profiling. In my thesis, I locate Yamanaka's representation of Filipinos within a context of local Japanese and white structural power in Hawaii. Through the unveiling of oppressive (neo)colonial structures, I hope to deconstruct the myth of Hawaii as a multicultural paradise. More specifically, I will indicate a widening social cleavage between Japanese American and other ethnic groups in Hawaii, particularly Filipino Americans, marking a shift in paradigm from the old colonial paradigm--"local" versus "haole"--to a new colonial, or neocolonial paradigm--"local" versus "local."

  Author: Robyn Yee
Major: Psychology
Campus: Manoa
Mentor(s): Ashley Maynard
Category: Social Sciences
Abstract:
Effects of number of siblings on controlling behavior expressed by preschool aged children.

American families are decreasing in size, and families with only children are becoming more common than in previous generations. Knowing this, one wonders whether only children are socialized differently than children raised with siblings, and if having a greater proportion of only children in the population will affect the attitudes and actions of America's future society. For instance, does growing up without siblings socialize people to become more controlling and bossy? Since only children are not required to get along and compromise with other children in their home, they should exhibit more controlling behavior than children raised with siblings. To test this hypothesis 10 to 15 minute videotaped interactions of 3 year old children, attending UH Lab Children's Center will be recorded. After conducting a pilot study to create a list of what kinds of controlling behavior children express, each videotaped subject will then be scored on the degree to which they expressed controlling behaviors, and recorded as either an only child, or a child raised with siblings. A statistical analysis will then be employed to judge whether or not controlling behavior is correlated with possessing one or more siblings.