HPU's fall commencement features two ceremonies on December 17 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
HPU will honor the achievements of its fall 2024 graduates with two commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, December 17, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Nearly 400 students will be awarded their degrees during the celebrations.
The morning ceremony, beginning at 10:00 a.m., will recognize all doctoral, master’s, and graduate certificate recipients. The afternoon ceremony, starting at 4:00 p.m., will celebrate associate, bachelor’s, and undergraduate certificate graduates. Doors open 15 minutes before each ceremony.
HPU President John Gotanda, J.D., will deliver remarks and confer degrees, and HPU Acting Provost Brenda Jensen, Ph.D., will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
Marking a Historic Milestone
The inaugural cohort of Doctor of Physical Therapy students with HPU faculty and staff at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
This year’s commencement marks a significant milestone for both HPU and the state of Hawai‘i with the graduation of the inaugural cohort of 93 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. These individuals are Hawai‘i’s first-ever DPT graduates, completing the state’s only DPT program that launched in August 2022. Their achievements will be celebrated during the morning ceremony, representing a pivotal moment in HPU’s nearly 60-year history.
The diverse cohort of DPT graduates, who have an average age of 27, come from 26 states across the U.S., and represent six distinct racial and ethnic backgrounds. Notably, 25% of the graduates resided in Hawai‘i at the time of admission, and an equal percentage plan to remain in the islands. Additionally, 50% of the cohort intends to serve communities on the West Coast, exemplifying HPU’s mission to prepare culturally responsive healthcare professionals for diverse populations.
Undergraduate Valedictory Speaker
Allan Mark Cariaga Polendey, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate from Ewa Beach, Hawai‘i, is dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities he serves. At HPU, Polendey serves as vice president of the Å·ÃÀAƬ Student Nurses' Association (SNA) and is a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He was introduced to HPU through fellow military service members, who spoke highly of the university's Military Campus Programs.
Polendey's clinical experience Å·ÃÀAƬ includes rotations in medical-surgical, post-anesthesia, critical care, and pediatrics across three Oahu medical centers. He further enhances his healthcare experience by working part-time as a clinic aide at Straub Benioff Medical Center.
On campus, Polendey and his fellow SNA members engage with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) by volunteering as ambassadors and organizing events to raise awareness and encourage donor registration. This fall, the SNA collaborated with HPU's Undergraduate Infrastructure Student Research Center to host a Blood Bank of Hawaii and NMDP drive.
Polendey is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society, demonstrating his commitment to academic achievement, leadership, and the advancement of nursing.
Looking ahead, Polendey aims to leverage his education and experiences to pursue a career in nursing and continue making meaningful contributions to patient care and community health.
Graduate Valedictory Speaker
Alyssa Makanapulamaʻiaonalani Eva, Doctor of Physical Therapy, is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist at Smith Therapy Partners in Las Vegas, Nevada. Originally from Kapolei, Hawai‘i, Eva is a member of the inaugural class of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – Honolulu Program Å·ÃÀAƬ, where she serves as class president.
During her time Å·ÃÀAƬ, Eva and her classmates formed strong bonds in immersive on-campus lab sessions and volunteered with organizations like Access Surf Hawaiʻi, Mālama Loko Ea Fishponds, and Special Olympics, demonstrating their commitment to community care.
Eva gained hands-on experience in patient care as a physical therapist technician and later created an exercise program for post-treatment cancer patients while pursuing her bachelor's degree in kinesiology and rehabilitation science. As a DPT student, she refined her clinical skills with outpatient orthopedic experience at JACO Rehab and furthered her expertise with a rotation at Kauaʻi Veteran's Memorial Hospital, treating patients across outpatient, inpatient, skilled nursing, and long-term care settings.
Now embarking on her career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Eva is committed to continuous learning and aims to make a significant impact in the lives of her patients and contribute to the well-being of her community.
Alumni Speaker
HPU alumnus Quentin Koch earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business Administration in 2001, and an MBA from UoP Tokyo in 2011. He currently serves as President of Blue Hawaiian Helicopters and Activities and is an adjunct faculty member Å·ÃÀAƬ.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Koch moved to Hawaiʻi to attend HPU, an experience he describes as life-changing, introducing him to diverse cultures and fostering his passion for travel and leadership. His career began at United Airlines, where he held leadership roles in Tokyo and Guam before returning to Hawaiʻi to lead Blue Hawaiian, the state’s largest air-tour leader for 35 years, serving all the Hawaiian Islands and are the largest activity reseller in the state, located in 35 hotels in Hawaiʻi.
Dedicated to community engagement and leadership development, Koch encourages embracing change, collaboration, and valuing employees as key to professional success.
