Brennon Morioka
Dean
University of Hawaii, College of Engineering
Dr. Brennon Morioka is a Mentor Hawaii Cohort 10 mentor. Learn more about the program here.
About Brennon
Dr. Brennon Morioka is currently the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The College educates and prepares nearly 1,500 students to face real world challenges in the areas of mechanical, electrical, civil, environmental, construction, computer, biomedical, aerospace and space science and engineering. Students of the College work with about 90 faculty to do innovative research in all of these engineering fields.
Dr. Morioka is a licensed civil engineer in Hawai‘i and California. He has served in multiple executive positions in Hawai‘i. He was the General Manager for Electrification of Transportation at Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), the former Director for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), and the Deputy Executive Director for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART). He has served as Vice President and Area Manager for CH2M HILL in the Honolulu Office and the Executive Vice President of Shioi Construction. All of these positions have provided him with extensive experiences in both the public and private sectors in the engineering and business world.
Dr. Morioka received his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and completed his doctoral studies here at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
He is often tasked with serving on various governmental advisory committees including the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Transit-Oriented Development, the Mayor’s Landfill Advisory Committee, and the Aloha Stadium Authority. He also serves on the numerous boards of community service and non-profit organizations, including the US Japan Council, Friends of ‘Iolani Palace, Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union, ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR).
Brennon is a graduate of ‘Iolani School. He is married to his wife, Jeanine, of 25 years with three keiki, Taysia and identical twins, Brayden and Bronson.
Question and Answer with Brennon
What is your preferred communication style when mentoring (in-person, video conference, phone, informal check-ins, structured meetings, etc.)?
In-Person Over Breakfast
Why do you want to become a mentor in this program?
I enjoy engaging with younger professionals who are eager to learn and grow.
What specific skills, knowledge or experience can you share with your mentee?
Patience, importance of relationships and networking, working with the legislature, making hard decisions
What are your expectations for a mentor-mentee relationship?
Good conversation, honesty, desire for personal growth
How do you approach problem-solving and conflict resolution?
Listen, discuss, absorb, try to find consensus but when you can’t, decide and move forward
How do you envision success for your mentee, and how will you measure it during the program?
They found our relationship of value, our conversations of interest and informative, and that they can apply something they’ve learned and I can say I’ve learned something from them as well.
