Scholars 2001-2010

Madoka Nagado

2010-2012
Madoka Nagado received her PhD degree in English at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in May 2018. She holds an MA in Nineteenth-Century Studies from the University of Hull, England and a BA degree in English Studies from the Kobe City University of Foreign Studies.

Sharon Fukayama

2010-2011
Sharon Fukayama received her PhD in Education from the University of Hawaii—Manoa. She holds an MA degree in Education from Chaminade University and a BA degree in Environmental Information from Keio University. Currently, she teaches in both private and public schools in Hawaii.

Michael Dziesinski

2009-2011
Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Hawaii; Dr. Michael Dziesinski received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He also holds a master of arts degree in Asian Studies and master of arts degree in Sociology from University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a bachelor of arts degree in Japanese Studies from Florida State University. His research interests involve the interaction of globalization with Japanese class structure.

Satona Murakami

2009-2011
Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University; Dr. Satona Murakami received her Ph.D. in Orthopedics and Rehabilitation from Shinshu University School of Medicine in Nagano.

John Oglevee

2009-2011
John Oglevee is a Ph.D. ABD in Japanese Noh Theater at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He holds a master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. He is Managing Director of the company Theatre Nohgaku and was Artistic Associate of the company Theatre of Yugen (San Francisco).

Yohei Sekiguchi

2009-2011
Yohei Sekiguchi is a Ph.D. Candidate in American Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He holds a master of arts degree and a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Tokyo. His research interest includes the cultural and historic aspects of Vietnam War Literature.

Natsuko Higa

2008-2010
Natsuko Higa is a Ph.D. Candidate in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her research interests include the Kingdom of Tonga focusing on everyday interaction microeconomics, interaction analysis, and performance studies. She holds a master of arts degree in Anthropology from Kyoto University.

James Jack

2008-2010
Dr. James Jack is an artist who has developed socially engaged art projects for the Honolulu Museum of Art, Setouchi International Art Festival, Busan Biennale Sea Art Festival, Art Base Momshima and the Mizunoki Museum. He received his Ph.D. from the Painting Department from Tokyo University of the Arts, a master of arts degree in Japanese Art History from the University of Hawaii Manoa, a certificate from Stanford Inter-University Center for Japanese Studies, and a bachelor of arts degree in Studio Art from Sarah Lawrence College. His works on paper have been featured in exhibitions held at galleries in Tokyo, New York City, Yokohama, Portland, Kyoto and Singapore. His writings have been featured in Art Asia Pacific, The Japan Times, Modern Art Asia, Tokyo Art Beat and art catalogs published by Blum & Poe Gallery, LASALLE College of the Arts, Satoshi Koyama Gallery and The Contemporary Museum of Hawaii.

Hiromi Yoshida

2008-2010
Hiromi Yoshida is a researcher at Waseda University. She was Senior Assistant Professor at Okayama University. She holds a master of arts degree in Sociolinguistics from the Department of Second Language Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Pamela Runestad

2008-2009
Professor of Global Health Studies, Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania; Dr. Pamela Runestad received her Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa focusing on HIV/AIDS in Japan. She holds a master of arts degree in Japanese Language and Society from the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom),a master of arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and bachelor of arts degrees in both Biology and English from Augustana College. She is interested in medical narratives, and bio-cultural aspects of infectious disease, chronic conditions, and nutrition.

Mark Ombrello

2007-2009
Dr. Ombrello relocated to Kauai in 2017 to take a position at Kauai Community College as an East-Asian and World History instructor. He previously was an Associate Professor in the International Affairs Division at Kansai University. He received his Ph.D. in History from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, specializing in Modern Japanese History. Dr. Ombrello has also taught at the University of Guam where he integrated online platforms into his East Asian History and World History courses. He holds a master of arts degree in Micronesian Studies from the University of Guam as well as a master of arts degree in History from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Ayami Shirashi

2007-2009
Ayami Shiraishi received her Ph.D. from the Department of Plant Environment and Protection Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She holds a master of arts degree in Forest Sciences from the University of Tokyo and a bachelor of arts degree from International Christian University.

Kaoru Villa

2007-2009
At the time of receiving the scholarship, Kaoru Villa was a Ph.D. (ABD) Candidate in Japanese Literature at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, conducting her dissertation research on the medieval Japanese court poetry at Doshisha University. She holds a master of arts degree in Japanese Literature and a master of arts degree in Religion (Asian) both from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a bachelor of arts degree in Religious Studies from San Diego State University.

Yukie Hara

2006-2008
Project Assistant Professor, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo; Dr. Yukie Hara received her Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She holds a master of arts degree from Tohoku University. Her research interests include psycholinguistic projects on Japanese/English language acquisition research on local children.

William Matsuda

2006-2008
Dr. William Matsuda obtained his Ph.D. in Japanese Literature from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, focusing on the Chinese poetry and prose composed by Kukai, founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. He also holds a bachelor of arts degree and master of arts degree in Japanese Language and Literature from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is Associate Professor of Japanese Language and Literature at Sichuan University in China.

William Stevenson

2006-2008
Dr. William Stevenson received his Ph.D. in History from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, focusing on Japanese exploration as a research student at Nichibunken in Kyoto.

Masahiro Yoshioka

2006-2008
Masahiro Yoshioka received his PhD in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering from the University of Hawaii—Manoa in collaboration with the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. He holds an MS degree in Biosystem Studies and BS degree in Bioresource Science both from the University of Tsukuba.

Mamina Koga

2005-2007
At the time of receiving the scholarship, Mamina Koga was a Ph.D. Candidate in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Tokyo. She holds a master of arts degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Tokyo and a bachelor of arts degree in Musicology from Tokyo University of Fine Arts & Music. She is a former Miss Maui Nei (Hula competition – solo division).

Frances Mammana

2005-2007
At the time of receiving the scholarship, Frances Mammana was a Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) at the University of Hawaii Manoa. Her research on kumiodori and Okinawan performing arts has been showcased internationally (i.e. Japan Anthropology Workshop Conference). She was a member of the Japanese Society of Theatre Research (for whose journal she has published), and the International Federation for Theatre Research.

Jolyon Thomas

2005-2007
Assistant Professor, Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Jolyon Thomas received his Ph.D. in Religion from Princeton University. He holds a master of arts degree in Asian Religions from the University of Hawaii Manoa. His publications include “Shuukyou Asobi and Miyazaki Hayao’s Anime” in “Nova Religion” Vol. 10, no. 3 (2007) and “Manga to shuukyou no genzai: Niju seiki shounen to nijuuisseiki no shuukyou ishiki” (Gendai Shuukyou 2008).

Erika Miyazaki Hori

2004-2006
Erika Miyazaki Hori received her PhD in American Studies at Nagoya University. She holds an MA degree in American Studies and a BA degree in American Literature from Nagoya University. Her publications include “Racial Politics of Kanyaku Imin in Late 19th Century Hawaii and Japan” (Annual Review of Migration Studies 23, 2017: 37-56). She is currently a visiting researcher/scholar at the University of Texas.

Jessica Sipos

2004-2006
Dr. Jessica Sipos received her Ph.D., Anthropology with a specialization in Medical Anthropology at the University of Hawaii Manoa. Her research interests include healthy longevity among rural elders in southern Japan (Kumamoto-ken), bio-cultural investigation of breastfeeding practices and ideologies in Japan. She is a blogger and writer (tinyshells.org).

Jane Yamashiro

2004-2006
Dr. Jane Yamashiro received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She also holds a master of arts degree in Sociology from University of Hawaii at Manoa and a bachelor of arts degree in Sociology and a bachelor of arts degree in Japanese Studies from the University of California-San Diego. She has been visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo and Sophia University. Her academic research has been published in Ethnic and Racial Studies; AAPI Nexus: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Policy, Practice and Community; CR: The New Centennial Review; Sociology Compass; Geoforum; and Migrations and Identities. Dr. Yamashiro’s latest book (2017), “Redefining Japaneseness: Japanese Americans in the Ancestral Homeland” was published by Rutgers University Press.

Yusuke Fujisawa

2003-2005
Yusuke Fujisawa holds a master of arts degree in English as a Second Language from the University of Hawaii Manoa. He has also coordinated the “Rainbow Connection” – a cultural exchange program between Kochi, Japan and Makiki Christian Church in Honolulu.

Kelly Hansen

2003-2005
Assistant Professor, Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages, San Diego State University; Dr. Kelly Hansen received her Ph.D. and master of art’s degree in Japanese Literature from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She also holds a master of arts degree in Linguistics from Michigan State University. She lectures on Asian Culture and Film. Her interests include language discourse in early modern and modern Japanese literature, new media forms and shifting writing conventions in contemporary Japanese, and Japanese and Asian film.

Kyle Ikeda

2003-2005
Dr. Kyle Ikeda is Associate Professor, Japanese Language and Literature, University of Vermont. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Japanese Language from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Toru Yamada

2003-2005
Dr. Toru Yamada is an assistant professor at University of Tsukuba and holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He also attended the University of Tsukuba.

Eric Ishiwata

2002-2004
Dr. Eric Ishiwata is Associate Professor, Political Science and jointly-appointed with the Center for the Applied Studies of American Ethnicity at Colorado State University. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His publications include “Local Motions: Surfing and the Politics of Wave Sliding,” “Cultural Values,” and “Re-made in Japan: ‘Nikkeijin’ Disruptions of Japan’s Ethno-Spatial Boundaries” (Japanstudien).

Rino Kawase

2002-2004
Rino Kawase is an English Teacher at Ritsumeikan Keisho High School.

Aya Kitamura

2002-2004
Assistant Professor, Center for Liberal Arts, Meiji Gakuin University; Doctoral degree candidate; M.A., Asian Studies, University of Hawaii Manoa; Her research on international Japanese women was published in March 2009 from Keisoshobo.

Scott Mudd

2001-2003
Scuba Instructor/USCG-certified Captain; Ph.D., Japanese History, University of Hawaii Manoa; B.A., History, Dartmouth College.

Ayako Okochi

2001-2003
Associate Professor, Yokohama City University; Ph.D., University of Tokyo; M.S., University of Tokyo.

Yohei Shinozuka

2001-2003
NASA Ames Research Center; Ph.D., Oceanography, University of Hawaii Manoa; B.Eng., University of Tokyo; He studies the air pollution over East Asia and North America as well as its impact on the climate.

John Treiber

2001-2003
US Air Force Historian, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan; Ph.D., Modern Japanese History, University of Hawaii Manoa; M.A., Japanese Studies, University of Hawaii Manoa.