‘Innovation students help Japanese students solve complex issues in Hawaiʻi’

Students from the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa recently collaborated with students from Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan, to address key issues in Hawaiʻi. The initiative involved developing innovative solutions to local challenges, including creating a beach advisory mobile app, reducing plastic waste by repurposing bottle caps, providing educational opportunities for beginner surfers, and designing a sled type device for parents with strollers on the beach.

Under the guidance of PACE students, field research was conducted, interviews were carried out, and prototypes were developed to implement the proposed solutions. Rochelle Jokura, a PACE student, highlighted the value of working with international students and gaining diverse perspectives on Hawaiʻi’s issues.

The collaboration was made possible through a partnership with Very50, a social enterprise accelerator in Tokyo that focuses on experiential learning and addressing social challenges in Asian regions. The PACE students who participated in this project were commended for their efforts, with support and coordination from PACE Leaders.

The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship is affiliated with the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. This cross-cultural collaboration exemplifies the importance of international partnerships in fostering innovation and addressing global challenges.