A Summer of Impact:
Punahou’s Inaugural Sustainability Fellows Leave Their Mark Across Hawai‘i
Related Article: The Bigger Picture: Punahou’s Sustainability Fellowship Program Graduates Inaugural Cohort, Welcomes New Recruits
The 20 participants in Punahou’s first Sustainability Fellowship cohort had a remarkable summer, completing 15 months of immersive learning in environmental stewardship and community building. Their journey culminated in hands-on internships with organizations across Hawai‘i, where they applied their knowledge, contributed to real-world sustainability projects, and deepened their commitment to creating a more verdant future.
Reflecting on the fellows’ accomplishments since the program launched in summer 2024, Punahou Director of Sustainability Debbie Millikan expressed her pride in their growth. She noted that the students embodied the program’s guiding mantra to “develop a sustainability mindset, demonstrate kuleana [responsibility] and feel agency in the work, and increase their eco-literacy, or their understanding of climate issues.”
Below are some of the fellows’ diverse contributions during their internships:
Climate Change and Health Working Group
Abner Chun ’26, Punahou; Nicholas Chi ’27, Punahou; Yinan Wang ’26, Punahou
Abner Chun ’26
Nicholas Chi ’27
Yinan Wang ’26
The students participated in internships with the Climate Change and Health Working Group, beginning with coursework at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Through the One Health curriculum, they explored the interdependence of human and natural systems, laying a strong foundation for their work.
Building on this, the fellows launched a research project examining heat conditions on public school campuses and their impact on students and staff. Their research included collecting wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) data and conducting interviews with students, coaches and other stakeholders. The project was later featured in Civil Beat.
Kualoa Ranch
Alaiza Alvarez, Waipahu High School; Maya Gaudiano ’26, Punahou; Pi‘i McKenzie, Kamehameha Schools; Erika Tien ’27, Punahou
Alaiza Alvarez
Pi‘i McKenzie
Maya Gaudiano ’26
Erika Tien ’27
The interns completed a practicum in diversified agriculture at Kualoa Ranch. Each week, they rotated through different farm sites, immersing themselves in daily operations and gaining hands-on experience in a range of agricultural practices. The internship offered a comprehensive view of sustainable farming, from crop cultivation and livestock management to the business aspects of running a working ranch.
Hawai‘i State Capitol – Representative Amy Perruso
Asa Shimizu ’26, Punahou
Asa Shimizu ’26
Shimizu interned with Rep. Perruso’s office, where he researched policies to protect Hawai‘i’s environment. His work included meeting with lawmakers and community stakeholders to better understand the issues shaping these policies, particularly those related to pesticide use.
Shimizu’s summer experience built on his earlier sustainability efforts. In 2023, he was appointed to the Honolulu Youth Commission (HYC). Last October, he successfully championed a resolution to install recycling receptacles in city parks and recreational facilities, marking the first time an HYC representative had a bill pass unanimously in the City Council. His work has received wide media coverage.
Hawai‘i State Capitol – Representative Tina Grandinetti
Ednice Julaton, Waipahu High School
Ednice Julaton
Julaton interned with Rep. Grandinetti, supporting research and policy development in priority areas such as housing and critical infrastructure. Her work included meeting with lawmakers and community stakeholders, through which she gained a deeper understanding of the legislative process and how to effectively engage diverse groups in advocating for change.
Hawai‘i State Energy Office
Chara Daily, Waipahu High School
Chara Daily
During her internship at the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, Daily focused on geothermal energy, compiling a comprehensive overview of its logistical aspects. With guidance from her mentors, she researched the economic viability, regulatory frameworks and social considerations of geothermal energy generation. Her work culminated in a detailed presentation highlighting key insights into Hawai‘i’s renewable energy goals and the role of geothermal power in achieving them. The project demonstrated her ability to synthesize complex information and contribute to high-level discussions on sustainable energy development in the state.
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa: Wave Energy Lab
Charlie Koh ’27, Punahou; Tahan Bapna ’27, Punahou
Charlie Koh ’27
Tahan Bapna ’27
The duo expanded their knowledge of scientific discovery and project management through internships at the Wave Energy Lab. Koh helped design and build a working wave energy model for educational use, gaining experience in managing a project from start to finish, including budgeting. He presented the completed model to STEMworks, an organization that provides resources to educators across Hawai‘i.
Meanwhile, Bapna focused on analyzing data from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). His work involved estimating two-dimensional wave spectra, offering detailed insights into local wave conditions. This analysis is essential for designing efficient wave energy converters and advancing the development of sustainable, renewable energy solutions powered by the ocean.
Hawai‘i Department of Transportation
Nicholas Nishimura, Waipahu High School; Grace Pu ’26, Punahou
Nicholas Nishimura
Grace Pu ’26
During their four-week volunteer internship at the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation’s Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, Nishimura and Pu gained experience in the strategic decarbonization of the state’s transportation sector. They assisted with a range of tasks, including drafting contracts and economic frameworks and reviewing legislation related to potential sustainable remedies. The internship gave them valuable insight into how policy, networking and urban planning can be leveraged to advance a greener future for Hawai‘i.
Environmental Court
Dava Watson, University Lab School
Dava Watson
Watson served as a bailiff in Courtroom 12, assisting with court proceedings. This role provided hands-on experience with civil cases, including the opportunity to read and analyze motions related to environmental law, an area of particular interest for Watson. When court was not in session, she observed proceedings in other divisions, such as criminal cases, which broadened Watson’s understanding of the legal system. This internship strengthened her interest in pursuing a career in environmental justice by offering valuable insights into court procedures and the real-world application of the law.
The Kobayashi Group
Ilyana Alba ’26, Punahou; Dylan McManus ’26, Punahou
Ilyana Alba ’26
Dylan McManus ’26
For four weeks, Alba and McManus contributed to a sustainability project on graywater systems. They researched the role of these systems in two of Kobayashi Group’s new high-rise residential buildings, Kuilei and Ālia, which are slated to be the first in Hawai‘i to incorporate this technology. Their internship combined online research with in-person meetings and culminated in a presentation explaining how the systems would function.
The Department of Emergency Management, City and County of Honolulu
Elia Belluzzo ’26, Punahou
Elia Belluzzo ’26
Belluzzo gained firsthand experience with the department’s operations and functions. She assisted with the Hazard Mitigation Plan, a key initiative designed to prepare the community for potential emergencies and natural disasters. The internship gave her valuable insight into the strategies and processes used to minimize the impact of hazards on the public.
WRNS Studio
Tati Chen ’27, Punahou
Tati Chen ’27
Chen explored adaptive reuse, the process of repurposing existing buildings or structures to promote sustainability and honor cultural legacy. During her internship, she navigated a professional office environment for the first time and embraced the responsibility of shaping her own learning experience. Moving beyond initial research tasks, she fully engaged with the company’s culture, gaining an appreciation for adapting to new communication styles and taking initiative to make the most of every opportunity.
The Sierra Club of Hawai‘i; Rumi Murakami Designs
Sydney Chung ’27, Punahou
Sydney Chung ’27
Chung held two distinct internships this summer, gaining experience in both environmental advocacy and media. At the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, she conducted more than 10 interviews with community leaders and experts on topics such as climate change and local contamination. She used her research to produce eight pieces of media content and develop two comprehensive content calendars for the organization.
Concurrently, her internship at Rumi Murakami Designs involved filming b-roll for Goodwill campaigns and assisting with shopkeeping and fashion-related tasks. She also observed special events, including a fitting for Hawai‘i First Lady Jamie Green.
Sustainability is an integral part of everyday life across Punahou. In this photo, Class of 2038 students in the Omidyar K – 1 Neighborhood are actively engaging with the natural world – and building powerful connections that will last through their years in the Academy.