University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel provided updates to the UH Board of Regents (BOR) on the UH Mānoa chancellor search and progress on the eBanner student information system transition in her monthly report during the board’s March 19 meeting.

Hensel delivered her report virtually from Portland, Oregon, where the UH Mānoa Rainbow Warriors men’s basketball team prepared to compete in the first round of the NCAA Division I Tournament.

Hensel also recognized a $1.2-million NASA-funded research project led by UH Hilo focused on coastal resilience, as well as UH Maui College’s Hale Pāpaʻi (small structures) program, which is supporting wildfire recovery efforts while providing hands-on workforce training opportunities.

• UH Mānoa chancellor search (video)
• eBanner update (video)
• UH Mānoa basketball, Go ʻBows! (video)
• UH ROTC victory (video)
• UH Hilo NASA research project (video)
• UH Maui Hale Pāpaʻi (small structures) program (video)

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel provided updates to the UH Board of Regents (BOR) on the transition to the upgraded eBanner student information system for UH’s 10 campuses and the latest Direct2UH enrollment numbers during her monthly BOR report at the board’s February 19 meeting at the UH Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy.

Hensel also highlighted the start of an exploratory effort to strengthen coordination between the John A. Burns School of Medicine and the UH Cancer Center and the launch of an artificial intelligence (AI) certificate at UH Hilo.

• eBanner update (video)
• Direct2UH update (video)
• JABSOM/Cancer Center initiative (video)
• School of Travel Industry Management’s 60th anniversary (video)
• UH Hilo AI certificate (video)
• UH Hilo athletics, Go Vulcans! (video)
• UH Mānoa athletics, Go ʻBows! (video)

University of Hawaiʻi alumni and friends braved the winter weather to gather in New York City to meet UH President Wendy Hensel and celebrate Hawaiʻi ties in January at the first UH Foundation Office of Alumni Relations (UHFAR) Pau Hana of 2026.

The gathering of about 50 was part of UHFAR’s ongoing effort to strengthen bonds between UH alumni and the university. Hensel spoke about the challenges facing the UH system, achievements across campuses, and the powerful role alumni play in supporting students.

“The accomplishments of our alumni demonstrate the power of a UH education,” Hensel said. “When alumni share their stories, support our students, and champion the value of higher education, they amplify our mission in ways no one else can.”

Her message struck a chord with those in the room, inspiring attendees to reflect on how their UH experiences continue to impact their lives.

“Staying connected to the UH ʻohana in New York means carrying Hawaiʻi with me—its values, its community and its spirit—no matter how far I roam,” said 2006 UH Mānoa graduate Colonel Rance Lee. “President Hensel’s speech reminded me that our shared roots aren’t just memories; they’re a living bond that continues to guide and unite us.”

Staying connected

The event took place at Arader Galleries, a renowned art and rare book gallery on Madison Avenue. The evening was lively and warm, with alumni from a wide range of industries filling the gallery with conversation and photo-worthy moments.

“As a proud UH Mānoa alumni, connecting with fellow alumni in New York always feels grounding. It brings us back to our time in Hawaiʻi, reminds us to slow down, stay present and appreciate the people around us, while living in NYC,” said 2011 UH Mānoa graduate Travonté Taylor.

Stay connected with President Wendy Hensel by following her on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel provided updates to the UH Board of Regents (BOR) on the Inaugural President’s 10-Campus Address, the start of the 2026 Legislative session and the UH Mānoa chancellor search during her President’s Report at the board’s first meeting of 2026 held at Windward Community College on Thursday, January 15.

Hensel also highlighted the launch of a strategic exploration of a unified vision for UH West Oʻahu and Leeward Community College; the success of the AI chatbots, now available across all UH campuses; and increase in applications attributed to the Direct2UH initiative, which aims to give Hawaiʻi public high school students a more seamless transition from high school to higher education.

• Inaugural 10-campus Address (video)
• 2026 Legislative season underway (video)
• Federal update (video)
• New student information system (video)
• UH Mānoa chancellor search (video)
• Leeward CC/UH West Oʻahu exploration (video)
• AI chatbots success (video)
• Direct2UH update (video)
• UH Mānoa recognition (video)

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel delivered her inaugural systemwide address on January 14, outlining key accomplishments from 2025, addressing challenges facing higher education and setting priorities for the year ahead across UH’s 10-campus system.

The livestreamed address marked the beginning of a new annual tradition intended to promote transparency, accountability and engagement with the UH community. Hensel, who began her tenure on January 1, 2025, framed the address as an opportunity to reflect on progress while charting a clear path forward for the university.

“Today is really a down payment on our commitment to transparency,” Hensel said. “We’ve been trying to do a lot of town halls and conversations about what’s going on in a very difficult time when it’s not so easy to talk about what’s happening. This is our attempt to make sure you know what we’re doing—that we’re delivering the value that the state expects—and also to identify where you can get involved to help us reach where we all want to go together.”

In her remarks, Hensel highlighted major developments from the past year and priorities going into 2026, including enrollment across the 10 campuses topping 51,000 in fall 2025, the highest in eight years; the launch of Direct2UH, an initiative that streamlines admission to UH for Hawaiʻi public high school seniors; advancing artificial intelligence across the UH System; building an integrated workforce ecosystem; improving student success, including graduation and retention rates; record extramural funding in FY2025 amid increased uncertainty in 2026; capital improvement project requests; current landscape of collegiate athletics, including the impact of NIL; and UH’s financial outlook, including state appropriations, tuition and fees, grants and reserves.

She also acknowledged ongoing challenges facing the university, such as swiftly changing federal policies, and cuts to federal research grants and awards, as well as underscored the need for continued dialogue and systemwide alignment as UH navigates a rapidly changing higher education landscape in Hawaiʻi and across the nation.

The address was livestreamed to ensure broad access for faculty, staff, students and community members across the state.

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on January 12, 2026.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

As a new semester and new years begins, our 10 campuses are once again filled with energy, purpose and possibility. This moment, when classrooms reopen, projects restart and goals come into focus, offers a chance to reset and remember why our work matters to our students, our communities and these islands.

For me, it always starts and ends with our students. Your wellbeing, your experience at UH and your success beyond graduation guide our decisions and priorities. The world you are entering is changing rapidly, and our responsibility is to prepare you not just to navigate it, but to shape it.

None of this would be possible without our faculty, staff and administrators, those who teach, advise, mentor and support our students every day, and who make our 10-campus system work. The past year has brought a lot of change, some beyond our control and some of our own making, and I am deeply grateful for your openness, candor and commitment to continuous improvement. Your feedback, especially constructive feedback, ensures we stay on the right path.

Inaugural 10-campus system address

As I complete my first year as president, it is time for me to report back to all of you. I invite you to tune in Wednesday, January 14 at 5 p.m. to a livestream of my inaugural 10-Campus System Address, an annual event moving forward. I will share a recap of 2025, highlight successes and challenges and outline where we are headed in 2026. This is part of my commitment to transparency and accountability with my most important stakeholders: all of you. The livestream information will be sent out later this week.

Looking ahead

As this semester unfolds, I encourage each of us to step outside our comfort zones. For students, that may mean joining a club, attending a campus event for the first time or trying something new. For faculty and staff, it may mean exploring new approaches, building partnerships or participating in initiatives that move our system forward. Progress is built on curiosity, connection and shared purpose.

Here’s to a semester grounded in curiosity, care and collective progress.

With aloha,
Wendy F. Hensel
President, University of Hawaiʻi

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This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on December 15, 2025.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to pause and reflect and express my heartfelt mahalo. In just a few weeks, I will mark one year as president of the University of Hawaiʻi, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary university in one of the most beautiful and meaningful places in the world.

Throughout the past year, I’ve spent time on our campuses and had the chance to get to know many of you. I have seen your dedication up close in how you learn, work and support one another, especially during moments of challenge and accomplishment. That care is felt everywhere.

To our students, mahalo for placing your trust in UH and for bringing your ideas, energy and voices to our campuses. You inspire us and remind us daily of the purpose of our work.

To our faculty and staff, mahalo for your dedication to teaching, research, service and student success. Your expertise and compassion are the foundation of this institution and make a lasting difference across our state.

As we enter the holiday season, I hope you’re able to rest, recharge and spend meaningful time with loved ones. May this be a time of reflection, renewal and gratitude.

I am so honored to continue this journey with you and look forward to the year ahead as we listen, learn and build together.

With warmest aloha and best wishes for the holidays,

Wendy Hensel
President, University of Hawaiʻi

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University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel briefed the UH Board of Regents (BOR) on the aftermath of the 43-day federal government shutdown, student support measures and key operational initiatives during her monthly President’s Report at the November 20 BOR meeting at UH Mānoa.

Hensel noted that normal operations at federal agencies resumed on November 12, and UH lifted temporary spending safeguards the following day. Federally funded extramural projects, subawards and Research and Training Revolving Fund use have all returned to standard procedures.

To help students facing financial hardship from the prolonged shutdown, Hensel reaffirmed a temporary grace period that allows students to register for spring 2026 despite unpaid fall 2025 balances. Payment plans will be available in January 2026.

She also highlighted food distribution efforts at Windward and Leeward Community Colleges in partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank, and a UH Mānoa Athletics food drive.

Hensel provided an update on the major upgrade of the Banner Student Information System, expected to be largely in place by January 3, with full transition by summer. The modernization will improve integration, financial aid processing and mobile-friendly tools across the 10-campus system.

• Federal Government Shutdown (video)
• Temporary grace period for registration holds (video)
• Food aid efforts: Leeward CC, Windward CC, UH Mānoa Athletics (video)
• Banner information system transition (video)
• UH News: C-MORE 15th anniversary (video)
• UH News: $1.5 million gift for Lunalilo Scholars (video)
• UH News: Athletics accolades (video)

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel addressed the ongoing federal government shutdown and its potential impact on UH during her monthly President’s Report to the Board of Regents (BOR) on October 16, at Honolulu Community College.

“Thousands of our employees are either fully or partially funded by federal dollars, including many who support our veterans,” said Hensel during the report. “It has been both standard practice and statutory requirement for universities to be reimbursed for any prepaid federal salary after a shutdown. However, President Trump has indicated that may not be the case this time, though there is countervailing law. We are closely monitoring the situation.”

Hensel also outlined the university’s strategy to safeguard mission-critical programs and maintain student services during the shutdown.

She then highlighted UH’s continued commitment to transparency and engagement, including a recent budget forum at UH Mānoa, public forums at Leeward Community College and UH West Oʻahu and the successful launch of Direct2UH. The initiative is a partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education that streamlines the college admission process for public high school seniors to nine UH campuses.

• Federal shutdown (video)
• UH Mānoa budget forum (video)
• Leeward CC and UH West Oʻahu forums (video)
• Direct2UH launch (video)
• UH Mānoa national recognition (video)
  Times Higher Education rankings
  Wall Street Journal rankings

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on October 1, 2025.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

As you may have heard, the federal government as of today has officially shut down after Congress was unable to agree on a budget to fund federal agencies and programs.

Many parts of the federal government are now temporarily closed, with services slowed or halted until Congress and the president approve a new budget. “Essential” services such as air traffic control and Social Security will continue (more information on how the shutdown may affect institutions of higher education can be found in this fact sheet by the American Council on Education).

The impact to our 10 campuses will depend on how long the shutdown lasts. I met yesterday with our chancellors and vice presidents to coordinate UH’s response and plan for multiple scenarios. The university has more than 7,000 employees whose salaries are funded in part or in whole by federal dollars, along with many federally supported programs that benefit students.

If the shutdown continues, the effects will grow and extend across Hawaiʻi. State agencies such as the Departments of Education and Agriculture rely heavily on federal support, and the state will likely take the lead in managing the broader impacts. We will be working closely with the governor and our state partners.

In the immediate term, our federally funded researchers are most directly affected. This morning, the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation shared an email providing guidance addressing the uncertainty around the reimbursement of expenditures, restrictions on federally funded accounts and additional review requirements. These proactive measures are intended to safeguard our resources and preserve the Research and Training Revolving Fund during this challenging period. We may also need to take proactive steps beyond research depending on how long the shutdown continues.

Please know that university and campus leadership are working closely together to do everything possible to mitigate the impacts and keep our campuses operating smoothly. I will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves.

Mahalo for your dedication, resilience, and care for our students and one another during this uncertain time.

With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of Hawaiʻi

Stay connected with President Wendy Hensel by following her on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.