Dr. Brennon Morioka
Dean
University of Hawaii, College of Engineering
Dr. Brennon Morioka is a Mentor Hawaii Cohort 11 mentor and has mentored for more than 5 years! 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 1,700 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 over 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, including as the Director for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), Deputy Executive Director for HART, General Manager for Electrification of Transportation at HECO, Vice President for CH2M HILL, and Executive Vice President of Shioi Construction.
Dr. Morioka received his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley and completed his PhD at UH Mānoa. Brennon is a graduate of ‘Iolani School.
He often serves as an advisor for major state and county initiatives including the New Aloha Stadium project, the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Transit-Oriented Development, and the Mayor’s Landfill Advisory Committee. He also serves on the numerous community non-profit boards, including the US Japan Council, Friends of ‘Iolani Palace, Blood Bank of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union, and PICHTR.
He is married to his wife, Jeanine, of 26 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, Video Conference, Email, Phone Call, Text / SMS.
Why do you want to become a mentor in this program?
I enjoy engaging with younger professionals to share what I have learned from my own mistakes and to help build their networks through the sharing of my own.
What specific skills, knowledge or experience can you share with your mentee?
Listening, relationship building, decision-making, risk taking.
What are your expectations for a mentor-mentee relationship?
To build a friendship where we can both learn and grow from each other.
How do you approach problem-solving and conflict resolution?
Through listening, collaboration, and consultation but at the end of the day, a leader must also be willing to make hard decisions that may not be popular.
How do you envision success for your mentee, and how will you measure it during the program?
That the mentee still has a desire to continue to meet long after the program is over.