Congratulations to Pauline Sato (ULS c/o 1981) for receiving the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UHM) College of Education’s (COE) Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award! Pauline is the current Executive & Program Director for Mālama Learning Center, however, before she was an ‘Āina warrior, she was a Junior Bow! After graduation from ULS, Pauline attended University of Michigan receiving her bachelors of science degree in Natural Resources in 1984. She then returned home and got her Masters of Education Technology, now called Learning, Design, and Technology, (LTEC) in 1991. 

In a feature on the LTEC website, Pauline shares:

“I grew up in McCully-Mōʻiliʻili in the home where my mother still lives. The giant mango tree in our front yard is the root of many cherished memories, from picking mangoes with my dad high up in the tree to playing with a neighborhood friend making mud “brownies” under the shade of the tree. I even wrote about the mango tree in a high school essay written partly in pidgin English titled, simply, “Da Mango Tree,” which was published in a local publication thanks to my English teacher, Dr. Harstad at University Laboratory School.

The “Lab” school as we called it played a key role, I believe, in helping me see the value of being an educator and going to a school that promotes diversity and creativity. I had friends from all parts of the island and different socio-economic backgrounds, which helped me see things through different eyes while wearing other peopleʻs slippers.”

Pauline was honored at the 2025 COE Gala & Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony held at UHM Campus Center on June 7, 2025. Congrats Pauline! We are proud and grateful to have you as a ULS alum. Mahalo for all you do for the community!