Chaminade alumnus Derek Kawakami to be keynote speaker at 2023 Commencement

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami, a 2001 graduate of Chaminade University, will be the keynote speaker for the schoolʻs 2023 Commencement on May 6 at the Waikīkī Shell in Honolulu.

The 5:30 p.m. ceremony will honor approximately 625 graduates receiving degrees from the University’s School of Business and Communication; School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; School of Education and Behavioral Sciences; School of Humanities, Arts and Design; and the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

“Chaminadeʻs Commencement Ceremony is a beautiful and meaningful occasion for our graduates and their families,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, PhD. “We celebrate this milestone and all of our graduates for their accomplishments, dedication and perseverance in pursuing their degrees. Congratulations to all of our graduates!”

This year’s graduating class is comprised of associates, bachelors and doctoral students including the university bestowing its first Doctor of Nursing Practitioner degree.

In addition to Kawakami, other speakers include undergraduate student Eri Elsa Leong and graduate student Todd Michael Sibley.

Graduates and up to 10 guests with tickets will be allowed into the commencement ceremony. Following the ceremony, graduates can meet non-ticketed guests adjacent to the Waikīkī Shell between the Shell’s entrance and the Kapiolani Park bandstand to receive lei.

For more information about the commencement exercises, visit https://chaminade.edu/commencement/.

The commencement will be live-streamed through Chaminade University’s YouTube channel.