The four-year graduation rate for University of Hawaii at Manoa undergrads has doubled in the last decade and now matches the national average for public universities — 36% for the class of 2019. Especially heartening: Hawaii residents are outpacing those averages, with slightly more than 40% of local public and private high school alums earning bachelor degrees within four years of enrolling as first-time freshmen at the flagship campus.

Kudos to UH-Manoa’s leadership, which credits much its grad-rate progress to a range of tools — from mandatory academic advising, to an app that helps students map paths to timely graduation.

Surfing champ Moore riding high

Carissa Moore, newly qualified to join the U.S. women’s surfing team at the Summer Olympics 2020, is a bright star for Hawaii to watch during the Tokyo games, July 24-Aug. 9. The just-crowned four-time world champion hopes to inspire others to follow.

Moore Aloha Charitable Foundation (moorealoha.com), her nonprofit, encourages budding female surfers at camps and global exchanges “to be strong, confident and compassionate individuals.” Besides her athleticism, the Honolulu resident’s giving spirit is something to admire.