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Honolulu
Chapter

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

To Quote a Scholar: Mason Russo

Mason Russo in front of poster

"I have conducted comprehensive studies on two invasive insect pests in the Hawaiian Islands that are severely impacting Hawaiian ecosystems. The coconut rhinoceros beetle is spreading fast across Oahu and has reached other islands. The hala scale impacts native coastal hala forests."

Besides offsetting the high cost of living in Hawai‘i, funds from the 2024 Maybelle F. Roth ARCS Scholar and Honolulu Scholar of the Year awards would allow Mason Russo to return to Asia if an initial survey produces promising biological control agents for the battle against destructive insects that threaten Hawai‘i trees.

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

To Quote a Scholar: Benjamin Wiseman

Benjamin Wiseman in sweet potato field

"I hustle to make sure that my expenses are covered, often working part-time jobs to make ends meet. Receiving this award means that I can place greater focus on my academic research work."

2024 Helen Jones Farrar ARCS Scholar Ben Wiseman quantifies nematodes to study soil health and explores new cover crops as an effective, sustainable way to control the pest in sweet potato fields.