A UH plant pathologist assists a Liliu'okalani Trust program that teaches traditional agriculture to build self-esteem in Waimea youth. Theaters at Manoa, Hilo and Leeward and Kaua'i Community Colleges host community cultural events and feature guest artists. UH Hilo sponsors the biennial National Print Exhibition, and UH Manoa, the International Shoebox Sculpture exhibition. Numerous faculty members participate in community dramatic, musical and visual presentations. The UHM Department of Communications maintains a National Endowment for the Humanities home page for discussion about pluralism in America.
Faculty members give public talks and write guest editorials on a myriad of topics.
The Center on Aging polled the community for its views on assisted suicide. UH experts helped the Department of Education reduce fat and improve nutrition in school lunches. The Cancer Research Center of Hawai'i brings experimental cancer treatments to Hawai'i through clinical trials and operates the Hawai'i Tumor Registry and Hawai'i Birth Defects Monitoring Program. Leeward Community College operates the Motorcycle Safety Education Program for four counties. A UH Hilo biochemistry professor serves as hazardous materials consultant to the Big Island Fire Department.