AAUW Honolulu Branch

Welcome Jen Komata to the AAUW Honolulu Board!

LGBTQIA+ workers earn roughly 90 cents for every dollar earned by the typical worker — though that gap widens significantly depending on gender identity, sexual orientation, and race.

Join the AAUW HI Annual Meeting.

Elizabeth Fujiwara has prepared a comprehensive update on the state of reproductive rights and access.

Dr. Reni Soon will be joining us as one of the panelists. Dr. Soon is a true leader and for example, she was recently awarded JABSOM Inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award.

Congratulations to our AAUW Honolulu 2026–27 Undergraduate Scholarship Recipients! We will be highlighting each of them throughout the next few months.

Maevin Malasig — Chaminade University | Nursing
Olivia Freitas — Chaminade University | Teaching / Special Education
Ravahere Tehotu — Chamberlain University | Nursing
Megan Riddle — UH West O'ahu | Community Health
Shawna Egami — UH West O'ahu | Education
Jazzlyn Young — Chaminade University | Nursing
Darcy Taylor Inouye — Windward Community College / UH Mānoa | Civil Engineering
Cameron Pagador — Kapi'olani Community College | Nursing
Bryia Keliikuli — UH Hilo | Nursing
Alexis Hand — UH Mānoa | Social Work
Barbara Keola — Kapi'olani Community College | Culinary Management
Shelly Sato — UH Maui | Nursing
Olivia Moke — UH Maui | Nursing

Week one of Girls Talk Back is in the books — and what a week it was! 🌺

The girls dove into leadership curriculum, built vision boards for their lives ten years from now, and formed four community action groups based on their passions: Menstrual Poverty, Mental Health, Awareness & Advocacy, and Food Security. They were also matched with mentors and heard from three incredible speakers — Representative Perruso on the power of collective action, Maya Soetoro on inner peace and intention, and Professor Jen Nafarrete on navigating higher education with confidence.

Today marks the anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, signed into law on June 10, 1963.

Over 60 years ago, the Equal Pay Act made it illegal to pay women less than men for the same work. It was a landmark moment — and a necessary one. We honor that milestone today.

And yet, the gender pay gap persists across nearly every industry and profession. Women overall still earn approximately 84 cents for every dollar earned by men — and for women of color, the gap is significantly wider.

Welcome Grace Arends to the AAUW Honolulu Board!

Welcome Nicole Fesharaki to the AAUW Honolulu Board!

After five years of serving as President, Hope Bennett has stepped down to allow for new leadership and fresh ideas. Please welcome Valerie Lam as the new President.

Valerie has been on the AAUW Honolulu Board for four years and is excited to step into this new role. Read more in our June Newsletter.

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June is Pride Month!! 🌈🌺

At AAUW Honolulu, we believe that gender equity and human rights are inseparable, and we stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ friends, members, and allies.