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UIPA Request Pursuant to HRS Chapter 92F — JABSOM Commencement Ceremony Recording, May 2024

Request to:
University of Hawaii
Law used:
State of Hawaii UIPA
Status of this request:
Awaiting response
Summary of Request
Pursuant to the Uniform Information Practices Act (Modified), Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F, I am formally requesting access to or a copy of the following government record: The complete video recording of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) MD student Commencement Ceremony held in May 2024. I am requesting the recording in digital format (MP4, MOV, or any standard video format), delivered electronically to my email address. This request is made in connection with an IRB approved research study examining commencement ceremonies at U.S. allopathic medical schools in 2024, which we are preparing for submission. I am aware that JABSOM 2024 ceremony is not available on the SOM website; however, given that prior years' ceremonies (including 2022) were recorded and posted publicly on the JABSOM YouTube channel, I am also respectfully requesting written confirmation of whether a recording exists, and if not, written confirmation that no such record was created or retained. Please respond within the timeframe required by Hawaii law. Thank you for your assistance.

Messages in this request

From Steven Roth
Subject Records Request for University of Hawaii: UIPA Request Pursuant to HRS Chapter 92F — JABSOM Commencement Ceremony Recording, May 2024 [#1808]
Date Sept. 7, 2026, 9:45 a.m.
To University of Hawaii
Status Awaiting response
Attachments
Aloha, Pursuant to the public records law, I would like to request the following records in electronic format sent to my email address.
Pursuant to the Uniform Information Practices Act (Modified), Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F, I am formally requesting access to or a copy of the following government record: The complete video recording of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) MD student Commencement Ceremony held in May 2024. I am requesting the recording in digital format (MP4, MOV, or any standard video format), delivered electronically to my email address. This request is made in connection with an IRB approved research study examining commencement ceremonies at U.S. allopathic medical schools in 2024, which we are preparing for submission. I am aware that JABSOM 2024 ceremony is not available on the SOM website; however, given that prior years' ceremonies (including 2022) were recorded and posted publicly on the JABSOM YouTube channel, I am also respectfully requesting written confirmation of whether a recording exists, and if not, written confirmation that no such record was created or retained. Please respond within the timeframe required by Hawaii law. Thank you for your assistance.
  1. 1 week, 5 days agoSept. 7, 2026, 9:45 a.m.: Steven Roth sent a message to University of Hawaii.
From UH SYSTEM UIPA – University of Hawaii
Subject Re: Records Request for University of Hawaii: UIPA Request Pursuant to HRS Chapter 92F — JABSOM Commencement Ceremony Recording, May 2024 [#1808]
Date Sept. 7, 2026, 11:48 a.m.
Status Awaiting response
Aloha Steven, Your request has been received and forwarded to UH Mānoa. Mahalo. On Mon, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:48 AM Steven Roth < <name and email address> > wrote: > Aloha, > > Pursuant to the public records law, I would like to request the following > records in electronic format sent to my email address. > > Pursuant to the Uniform Information Practices Act (Modified), Hawaii > Revised Statutes Chapter 92F, I am formally requesting access to or a copy > of the following government record: > > The complete video recording of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns > School of Medicine (JABSOM) MD student Commencement Ceremony held in May > 2024. > > I am requesting the recording in digital format (MP4, MOV, or any standard > video format), delivered electronically to my email address. > > This request is made in connection with an IRB approved research study > examining commencement ceremonies at U.S. allopathic medical schools in > 2024, which we are preparing for submission. I am aware that JABSOM 2024 > ceremony is not available on the SOM website; however, given that prior > years' ceremonies (including 2022) were recorded and posted publicly on the > JABSOM YouTube channel, I am also respectfully requesting written > confirmation of whether a recording exists, and if not, written > confirmation that no such record was created or retained. > > Please respond within the timeframe required by Hawaii law. Thank you for > your assistance. > > > > Mahalo, > > Steven Roth >
  1. 1 week, 5 days agoSept. 7, 2026, 11:48 a.m.: Received an email from University of Hawaii.
From Elmer Kaai – University of Hawaii
Subject Notice to Requester – JABSOM Commencement Video UIPA Request
Date Sept. 16, 2026, 2:46 p.m.
Status Awaiting response
Attachments
Aloha Mr. Roth, Attached is the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Notice to Requester (NTR) in response to your UIPA request concerning the JABSOM commencement video recording. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the attached notice. Best regards, Elmer Kaʻai Director, Government Relations and Community Affairs …
-- *Elmer Kaʻai* Director, Govʻt Relations & Community Affairs Office of the Chancellor University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (808) 956-3816 | <<email address>> manoa.hawaii.edu
  1. 3 days, 7 hours agoSept. 16, 2026, 2:46 p.m.: Received an email from University of Hawaii.
From Steven Roth
Subject Notice to Requester – JABSOM Commencement Video UIPA Request [#1808]
Date Sept. 16, 2026, 3:23 p.m.
To University of Hawaii
Subject: RE: UIPA Request — JABSOM 2024 Commencement Recording Dear Mr. Kaʻai, Thank you for your prompt response to my UIPA request dated September 7, 2026. I am writing to respectfully follow up on the determination that the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa does not maintain the requested record. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that prior JABSOM commencement ceremonies have been professionally recorded and publicly posted. Specifically, the JABSOM 2022 commencement ceremony is publicly available on the JABSOM YouTube channel, confirming that full commencement recordings have been produced and retained in recent years. In light of this, I am respectfully requesting: 1. Written confirmation of whether a video recording of the JABSOM 2024 MD Commencement ceremony was created by or on behalf of the University, in any form. 2. If a recording was created, identification of which department or office maintains it, so that I may direct my request appropriately. 3. If no recording was created or retained, written confirmation to that effect, as requested in my original UIPA submission. I appreciate your assistance and look forward to your response. Sincerely, Steven Roth, M.D. Michael Reese Professor of Anesthesiology University of Illinois College of Medicine 312-996-0052
  1. 3 days, 6 hours agoSept. 16, 2026, 3:23 p.m.: Steven Roth sent a message to University of Hawaii.
From Steven Roth
Subject Notice to Requester – JABSOM Commencement Video UIPA Request [#1808]
Date Sept. 17, 2026, 7:36 a.m.
To University of Hawaii
Dear Subject: RE: UIPA Request — JABSOM 2024 MD Convocation — Additional Information 17 September 26 Dear Mr. Kaʻai, Thank you again for your response to my UIPA request. I am writing to follow up with additional information that I believe is relevant to your determination. I have located the recording of the University of Hawaiʻi Manoa Spring 2024 combined convocation ceremony, which is publicly available at the following URL: https://youtu.be/OLB0RKONW0U This joint ceremony included graduates from seven schools, including JABSOM. However, I note that according to publicly available AAMC data, the JABSOM Class of 2024 consisted of 77 MD graduates. Only 43 JABSOM MD graduates appear to have participated in this joint ceremony. This strongly suggests that a separate JABSOM MD-only convocation ceremony was held in May 2024, at which the remaining 34 graduates were recognized and hooded. (there was no hooding at the joint ceremony) This is consistent with JABSOM's documented practice of holding separate MD convocation ceremonies, as evidenced by the full JABSOM 2021 MD Commencement Ceremony publicly posted on the JABSOM YouTube channel. In light of this, I am respectfully renewing my request for: 1. Confirmation of whether a separate JABSOM MD-only convocation ceremony was held in May 2024. 2. If yes, confirmation of whether that ceremony was recorded. 3. If a recording exists, access to the complete, unedited recording. I appreciate your assistance and look forward to your response. Sincerely, Steven Roth, M.D. Michael Reese Professor of Anesthesiology University of Illinois College of Medicine 312-996-0052Sir or Madam, ... Sincerely yours Steven Roth
  1. 2 days, 14 hours agoSept. 17, 2026, 7:36 a.m.: Steven Roth sent a message to University of Hawaii.
  2. 1 day, 17 hours agoSept. 18, 2026, 4:51 a.m.: Steven Roth made the request 'UIPA Request Pursuant to HRS Chapter 92F — JABSOM Commencement Ceremony Recording, May 2024' public.