History of the Honolulu Chapter

Supporting Hawai‘i Science Since 1974

Cynthia Hunter, Laurence Kolonel, Alan Teramura talkingHonolulu celebrated ARCS Foundation, Inc.'s 50th anniversary with a luncheon at College Hill, traditional home of the University of Hawai‘i president, in 2008. Chapter president Cynthia Hunter, an ARCS Scholar alumna, visited with UH representatives Laurence Kolonel, 2005 ARC Honolulu Scientist of the Year, and College of Natural Sciences Dean Alan Teramura.

Incorporated on Dec. 27, 1974, Honolulu is the foundation’s fourth-oldest chapter.

Founding Officers

Mrs. Charles M. Floyd II, President
Mrs. Dean C. Macho, 1st Vice President
Mrs. Robert C. Hogan, 2nd Vice President
Mrs. Cyril J. Mockridge, 3rd Vice President
Mrs. Peter G. Weelon, 4th Vice President
Mrs. Darrell Nordwall, 5th Vice President
Mrs. Don Van Dyke, Recording Secretary
Mrs. L. Bob Berger, Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. George Reed, Treasurer

Inaugural Board of Directors
Mrs. Delphia Cupp, Parliamentarian
Mrs. Melvin G. Frailey, Jewelry and Special Awards
Mrs. James G. Lathrop, ARCScoops
Mrs. Alice Wheelon, Telephone
Mrs. Robert Maxey, Historian
Mrs. Phyllis Spalding, Advisor
Mrs. Lloyd Martin
Mrs. Adrian Perry
Mrs. Don Swan
Mrs. Carlyle Nelson (Hilo Hattie)
Mrs. King-Lit Ching
Mrs. W. Donald Castle
Mrs. E. Gordon Dickie
Past Presidents

1974–76 Allene Floyd *
1976–78Margaret (Peg) Hogan *
1978–79 Anne Swan *
1979–80 Marjorie (Marge) Garmhausen *
1980–81 Marion Fox *
1981–82 Laurie Siegfried *
1982–84 Penny Anderson *
1984–86 Virginia (Betti) Starbuck *
1986–87 Gladys Minchin *
1987–88 Pat Hufford *
1988–90 Shelagh Kresser *
1990–92 Mary Ezar
1992–94 Timmie Richards
1994–96 Margaret (Peg) Hogan *
1996–98 Sydney Kenny *
1998–00 Jackie Takeshita
2000–02 Patricia Cooper
2002–04 Helena Sena
2004–05 Barbara Wong
2005–06 Cheryl Ernst
2006–08 Patricia (Patty) Lee
2008–10 Cynthia Hunter
2010–12 Susan Lampe
2012–15 Cheryl Ernst
2015–19 Patricia (Patty) Lee
2019–21 Sui-Lan Ellsworth and Cheryl Ernst
2021–2023 Jacqueline (Jacquie) Maly and Cheryl Ernst
2023– Wendy Lagareta and Cheryl Ernst
* deceased

Scholar Update: Lunar Luminary Paul Lucey

Dr. Paul Lucey in labsuit

"When I began research in planetary science as an undergraduate, I saw it as a tangible way to explore space and make meaningful contributions to that endeavor. As time passed, I have enjoyed helping many students do the same, and watch them become successful scientists."

1987 Honolulu ARCS Scholar Dr. Paul Lucey received the NASA Eugene Shoemaker Distinguished Scientist Medal recipient for lifetime achievement in the study of the Moon and other rocky planets. A professor in the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa's Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, he has been instrumental in developing imaging spectrometers for NASA. His use of hyperspectral imagery to efficiently map lunar materials and quantitative modeling of near-infrared spectra have generated key insights regarding the composition of the lunar crust and interior. Read more

Scholar Update: Oceanographer Amy Baco-Taylor

Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor onboard research ship

“Because most species in the deep sea are slow growing and long-lived, deep-sea species are actually more vulnerable to human impacts than many shallow-water ecosystems.”

– 1999 Honolulu ARCS Scholar Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor, explaining the importance of her research on deep sea ecosystems in a Q&A on the Florida State University website where she is now a professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science. Read the profile

Dr. Mark Hixon on ARCS Scientist Honor

Dr. Mark Hixon, Photo by Chris Pala

"I am especially grateful that ARCS Honolulu appreciates the mentoring of graduate students, who are society’s future scientists during an era when science is increasingly under attack."

ARCS Honolulu Chapter named marine ecologist Dr. Mark Hixon its 2021 ARCS Scientist of the Year for his remarkable record of research, mentorship and public outreach. He is the Sidney and Erika Hsiao Endowed Chair in Marine Biology and chairs the Zoology Graduate Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Photo by Chris Pala