Dr. Linda Furuto is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and founder of the UHWO Mathematics Center (now the No‘eau Center for Writing, Mathematics, and Academic Success). Prior to joining the UHWO ‘ohana, Dr. Furuto was a fellow at the East-West Center while completing her Ph.D. at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Furuto obtained her master’s degree from Harvard University and bachelor’s degree from BYU. Research interests include number theory, ethnomathematics, mathematics achievement, quantitative research methods, and educational access and equity.
Over the past ten years, Dr. Furuto has been a Visiting Scholar of Mathematics at the University of Tokyo, worked with students in the Boston public school system as a research-practitioner in Harvard University’s “Inventing the Future” project, taught mathematics and music at the Technical College in Suva, Fiji, collaborated with the East-West Center and Ministry of Education of Vietnam on the International Forum for Education 2020 initiative, and helped to design mathematics programs with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. In addition, Dr. Furuto has researched and consulted at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., UCLA Center for International and Development Education in Los Angeles, and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning in Honolulu. She was recently featured as a member of the Pacific Business News’ Top Forty Under 40 cohort in 2010, selected as a Mathematical Association of America Young Scholar in 2011, received the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2011, and was bestowed the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching in 2012. Dr. Furuto grew up on the North Shore of O‘ahu, and enjoys surfing, spear-fishing, and playing the organ.
Dr. Furuto’s vision for developing mathematics at the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu is symbolically expressed through voyages of the Hōkūle‘a (“star of gladness”), an internationally renowned double-hulled canoe guided by traditional techniques and celestial navigation. The Hōkūle‘a embodies the message of mālama, “to care for each other,” and represents resourcefulness, inventiveness, wisdom, and courage. The Hōkūle‘a has completed voyages to locations such as Tahiti, Aotearoa, Rapa Nui, Cook Islands, Marquesas, mainland U.S., Samoa, Tonga, Micronesia, Japan, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, reconnecting with people of common ancestry and reawakening pride in rich mathematical traditions. Dr. Furuto is currently training to sail around the world on the Hōkūle‘a beginning in 2013.
It is hoped that UHWO will continue to cross oceans as we work toward cultural harmony, historical reverence, and a voyaging spirit in the increasingly interconnected world we live in. Through this we will expand our vision of global kinship, perpetuate our heritage, and encourage stewardship amongst our greater community. This is an exciting point in time and Dr. Furuto is committed to equitable and quality mathematics education at the state, national, and international levels.
Linda H.L. Furuto, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematics
University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu
91-1000 Farrington Highway E112
Kapolei, HI 96707
Phone: (808) 689-2358
Email: lfuruto [at] hawaii.edu