The seven University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges, UH Hilo and UH West Oʻahu have extended their application deadline to August 14, giving prospective students additional time to apply and begin classes this fall. UH Mānoa’s application deadline has passed, but all students who have been accepted are encouraged to enroll and register for classes.

Apply, explore programs or connect with an enrollment specialist

Fall classes begin August 24.

“Many people assume they have missed their opportunity once summer is coming to an end, but that is simply not the case,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “Whether you are a recent high school graduate, a working adult or someone ready to return to college, there is still time. We want to help you take that next step because there is a place for you at UH.”

Students can choose from nearly 200 degree, certificate and career and technical education programs across the 10-campus UH System, with day, evening, online and hybrid options designed to fit a variety of schedules, career goals and life circumstances. Whether students are looking to start college, prepare for a new career, earn a credential or continue toward a bachelor’s degree, there are still opportunities to begin this fall.

Affordable, flexible and worth the investment

A UH education is more affordable than many people realize. Most UH students graduate debt free, with about 90% of UH Community College graduates and nearly 70% of graduates from UH‘s four-year campuses completing their degrees without student loan debt. Eligible community college students may also qualify for the Hawaiʻi Promise Program, which helps cover direct education costs for tuition, fees and books.

“There has never been a better time to invest in yourself,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for the UH Community Colleges. “Whether your goal is to earn a degree, gain workforce credentials, transfer to a four-year university or explore a new career, we are ready to help you get started.”

A UH education remains one of the best investments students can make in their future. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree, associate degree or career and technical certificate often see the benefits right away, earning higher wages when they enter the workforce while building toward lifetime earnings that can exceed $2 million more than those of someone without a college education. They also enjoy greater career opportunities, stronger job security and increased access to benefits such as healthcare, retirement plans and paid leave.

Personalized support every step of the way

Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to maximize course options and allow time to complete financial aid, academic advising, registration and other enrollment steps before classes begin on August 24. Students do not have to navigate the process alone. Enrollment specialists are available to provide personalized assistance with applying, financial aid, advising, registration and preparing for the first day of class.

To apply, explore programs or connect with an enrollment specialist, visit applytouh.org.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Kapiʻolani Community College Liberal Arts undergraduate Maliny Soukkhasem.

Soukkhasem shared: “This past Spring on Kapiʻolani Community College campus. I won in the student division for lei contest. This is a photo of my Spanish professor who also won in her faculty division. It was a special moment to share in this winning experience on campus together since class was online.”

Send us your image!

Previous Images
Hammerhead Sharks
Lei making
35mm photoshoot
Noni lab
May Day, 1952
All Images of the Week

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• Send your image using a UH email address.

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

As the University of Hawaiʻi continues to enhance its digital learning infrastructure, a new tool is rolling out this fall 2026 to support academic integrity and student flexibility. The new tool will allow educators to conduct online proctored exams and quizzes across the UH 10 campus system.

The new online proctoring tools by Honorlock will be integrated directly into Lamakū, the university’s learning management system. Because it integrates directly into Lamakū, UH students do not need to create a separate account, schedule appointments or commute to a physical testing center to take their assessments.

The platform’s 24/7 availability is designed to accommodate the varied lives of modern distance-learning students.

“This provides students in online courses the flexibility to complete their exam when it best fits their schedule, during the exam window established by the course instructor,” said UH Chief Academic Technology Innovation Officer Gloria Niles.

Exam proctoring options

Most exams will utilize Honorlock’s automated, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven online proctoring tool. In these AI-only sessions, the software records the test-taker’s webcam, microphone and screen without the presence of a real-time human monitor. The AI flags specific behaviors—such as talking, looking away from the screen, accessing search engines, or using unauthorized devices—and compiles a report for the instructor’s review and discretion.

For exams requiring higher security, an “AI + Live Pop-In” version is also available. This upgraded option includes a human proctor who monitors the AI session in real-time and may intervene with the student if a potential violation is detected. Instructors seeking to use the Live Pop-In version must get approval from their UH campus leadership due to a per-student charge to the campus, which cannot be passed on to the student. Regardless of the proctoring version used, the instructor retains full authority to make final decisions on any flagged behaviors.

Training and resources

To prepare for this rollout, the UH Online Innovation Center developed an Honorlock resource and practice exam, available for self-enrollment in the Lamakū Discover area. This allows both faculty and students to experience the AI-only tool in a low-pressure environment. For ongoing assistance, Honorlock technical support is available to test-takers 24/7/365 via email and live chat.

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates August 2026 faculty and staff anniversaries.

50 years

Doktor, Robert
Professor, UH Mānoa

Leonhardt, Kenneth W
Specialist, UH Mānoa

40 years

Davis IV, Harry B
Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Debrah, Joan M
Instructor, UH Mānoa

Higa, Ross R
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Jensen, Craig M
Professor, UH Mānoa

McCraw, David R
Professor, UH Mānoa

Nakamoto, Michele S Y
Fiscal Specialist, UH System

30 years

Black, Rhonda S
Professor, UH Mānoa

Castellano, Fabiola N
Administrative Assistant, Leeward CC

Daehler, Curtis C
Professor, UH Mānoa

Iwai, Tomoko
Instructor, UH Mānoa

Lee, Femar R
Professor, Honolulu CC

Lum, Anne E
Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Malm, Elaina A
Assistant Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Mine, Jodi A K
Vice Chancellor, Hawaiʻi CC

Misawa, Mitsuru
Professor, UH Mānoa

Napoleon, David N
Vice Chancellor, Kapiʻolani CC

Nylen, Rae H
Instructor, UH Mānoa

Opulauoho, Leslie L
Assistant Specialist, UH West Oʻahu

Overstreet, Maryann E
Professor, UH Mānoa

Pourjalali, Hamid
Professor, UH Mānoa

Shinagawa, Satoru
Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Tonry, John L
Researcher, UH Mānoa

20 years

Adrian, Julie A L
Professor, UH Hilo

Agcaoili, Aurelio S
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Babcock, Mary K
Professor, UH Mānoa

Baker, Charlene K
Professor, UH Mānoa

Bernstein, Erica G
Instructor, UH Hilo

Bertz, Edward O
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Borza, Edmund J
Assistant Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Cai, Weirong
Professor, Leeward CC

Coyamin Jr, R A
General Laborer, Kauaʻi CC

Daniels, Ryan B
Professor, UH Maui College

Ferguson, Michael J
Professor, Windward CC

Frueh, Bartley C
Professor, UH Hilo

Fujita, James H
Professor, Leeward CC

Glazer, Brian T
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Golub, Alex J
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Guerzhoy, Pavel
Professor, UH Mānoa

Hamilton Faris, Jaimey E
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Heller, Mary F
Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Higa, Marguerite A
Professor, UH Mānoa

Ishihara, Christine K M V
Vice Chancellor, UH Maui College

Jiang, Hong
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Kalk, Jonathan W
Professor, Kauaʻi CC

Khaleghi, Gholam H
Professor, Leeward CC

Kim, Bryan S
Professor, UH Hilo

Kimura, Ehito
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Komatsu, Chris T
IT Specialist, UH System

Kukahiko, Eomailani K
Specialist, UH Mānoa

Lachman, Andrew A
Auxiliary And Facilities Services Manager, UH Mānoa

Li, Hongwei
Associate Professor, Windward CC

Lono, Shannon K
Administrative Assistant, Leeward CC

Loong, Chet-Yeng
Professor, UH Mānoa

Lopes, Natasha M P
Instructor, UH Mānoa

Lu, Kristina Y
Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Lundblad, Steven P
Professor, UH Hilo

Mexia, Jeffrey K
Dean, Kauaʻi CC

Nguyen, Thanh T T
Specialist, UH Mānoa

Nixon, David C
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Okazaki, Kim Y
Administrative Officer, UH Mānoa

Ono, Ira-Vance M
Painter, UH Mānoa

Osborne, Thomas A
Professor, UH Mānoa

Park, Hyoung-June
Professor, UH Mānoa

Park, Mee-Jeong
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Petersen, Carole
Professor, UH Mānoa

Powers, Julie E
Professor, UH Maui College

Reelitz, Ena T C
Child Care Center Teacher, UH Mānoa

Reemelin, Spencer C
Instructor, UH Mānoa

Reiss, Suzanna J
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Robinson, Scott D
Specialist, UH Mānoa

Rosenlee, Li-Hsiang L
Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Scheffler, Pamela Y
Professor, Hawaiʻi CC

Scully, Michael
Professor, Leeward CC

Sharma, Nandita
Professor, UH Mānoa

Shek, Dina M
Specialist, UH Mānoa

Shibuya, Noriko
Janitor, Windward CC

Shumway, Todd R
Junior Specialist, UH Hilo

Singh, Navtej
Professor, Windward CC

Szostak, John D
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Tagami, Jeffrey S
Fiscal Specialist, UH Mānoa

Takamiya, Marianne
Professor, UH Hilo

Tarui, Nori
Professor, UH Mānoa

Teramoto, Jennifer L
Contract and Grants Specialist, UH System

Wen, Hsing
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Williams, Philip G
Dean, UH Mānoa

Wilson, Stefanie D
Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Yoshida, Joseph D
Assistant Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Yung, Felicia B K F
Financial Aid Specialist, UH Mānoa

10 years

Allen, Sarah T
Professor, UH Mānoa

Atalag, Ozan
Associate Professor, UH Hilo

Bisbee, Michelle A
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Bussiere, Simon M
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Chinen-Moore, Joanne S
Instructor, UH West Oʻahu

Ching, Kelli W J L
Educational Specialist, UH Mānoa

Ching, Penny D O S
Student Services Specialist, UH Mānoa

Custodio, Ricardo C
Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Dagdag, Faustino
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

De Soto, Kate L E
Associate Professor, Hawaiʻi CC

Dill, Susie M D
Assistant Professor, Hawaiʻi CC

Dinh, David L
Instructor, UH West Oʻahu

Duong, Danny K Y
Janitor, Honolulu CC

Edwards Jr, Donald B
Professor, UH Mānoa

Ehlers, Sharon M
Assistant Professor, Kauaʻi CC

Erum, Alexis J
Associate Professor, Kauaʻi CC

Fujii, Rayna R H
Associate Specialist, UH Mānoa

Galicinao, Jeffrey A
Lab Manager, UH West Oʻahu

Gonzales, Coty J
Associate Professor, Honolulu CC

Goodwin, Jeff L
Specialist, UH Mānoa

Gorbach, Julien S
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Haag, Andre R
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Hensley, Patricia K
Associate Professor, UH Hilo

Ho, Jeffrey B
Assistant Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Hopela, Charlene
Distance Education Specialist, UH West Oʻahu

Horovitz, Liana M
Associate Professor, UH Maui College

Itoga, Holly T
Associate Professor, UH West Oʻahu

James, Laurie Y
Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Johnson, Irene Y L
Administrative and Fiscal Support Specialist, UH Mānoa

Jube, Sandro L R
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Kaio, Pele H
Assistant Professor, Hawaiʻi CC

Kanahele, Tracy N K H
Assistant Professor, Hawaiʻi CC

Kao, Pei-Ling
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Knope, Matthew L
Assistant Professor, UH Mānoa

Konh, Bardia
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Kotecki, Kristine E
Associate Professor, Hawaiʻi CC

Laimana, John K
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Liu, Veny
Associate Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Mar, Christina J
Assistant Professor, Kauaʻi CC

Martin, Margary
Associate Professor, UH Hilo

Masuda, Akihiko
Professor, UH Mānoa

McCafferty, Heather R K
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

McDonnell, Bradley J
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

McGuire, Laura M
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Medeiros, Matthew C I
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Mitchell, Craig D
Instructor, Hawaiʻi CC

Miyahara, Nolan M
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Namba, Ruria
Associate Professor, Hawaiʻi CC

Neo, Rachel L
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Nguyen, Nhu H
Researcher, UH Mānoa

Ninci, Jennifer M
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Odani, Jenee S
Veterinarian, UH System

Ongosia, Elisa T
Residence Life Specialist, UH Mānoa

Paulo, Julius R S
IT Specialist, UH Mānoa

Prudencio, Jarred B M
Associate Professor, UH Hilo

Puniwai, Noelani P F
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Quintus, Seth
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Rader, John C
Assistant Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

Reyes, Nicole A
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Romero, Yasmine A
Associate Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Ross, Megan C
Associate Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Sergi, Huijin K
Assistant Professor, Leeward CC

Sharma, Rina
IT Specialist, UH Mānoa

Shinagawa, Myles T
Building Maintenance Worker, UH Mānoa

Sierralta, Karla I
Professor, UH Mānoa

Smith, Amanda R
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Stepec, Joseph A
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Teramoto, Teri A K
University Security Officer, Kapiʻolani CC

Thornton, Paul D
Associate Professor, UH Maui College

Walguarnery, Justin W
Assistant Professor, UH Mānoa

Watkins, Stephen W
Assistant Professor, Kauaʻi CC

White, Sherrie
Lab Manager, UH Mānoa

Yogi, Susan Y
Educational Specialist, UH West Oʻahu

Zhang, Guohui
Professor, UH Mānoa

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from UH Mānoa undergraduate and Office of Communications student worker Natasha Maafala during a visit to Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) on Moku o Loʻe in Kāneʻohe Bay.

Maafala and fellow Office of Communications student workers Liliana Okimoto and Emili Phomsouvanh had the opportunity to experience some of HIMB research—including young hammerhead shark—and educational outreach.

From the “living laboratory” of Hawaiʻi, HIMB advances fundamental research and develops new technologies to address the challenges facing Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, and the world’s oceans.

Send us your image!

Previous Images
Lei making
35mm photoshoot
Noni lab
May Day, 1952
Weekend weather
All Images of the Week

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• Send your image using a UH email address.

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

Inoa

—Name, term, title.

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

Check back for more ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

—Moanikeʻala Nabarro, Office of Communications, Ke Kulanui o Hawaiʻi ma Mānoa (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo Wehewehe Wikiwiki.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Leeward Community College.

“Leeward Community College staff and students participate in a lei-making workshop organized by the college’s Office of Workforce Development and led by Honolulu floral and botanical studio Palai Hawaiʻi. The hands-on team-building event encouraged creativity, cultural learning and connections. Photo by Maria Orona.”

Check out the video from the event on Leeward CC‘s Instagram.

Previous Images
35mm photoshoot
Noni lab
May Day, 1952
Weekend weather
Monk seals
All Images of the Week

Send us your image!

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• Send your image using a UH email address.

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

Hoe

—Paddle (As a canoe).

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

“E kaupē aku nō i ka hoe a kō mai (Put forward the paddle and draw it back).”

—Lanakila Grosse, he haumāna ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo Wehewehe Wikiwiki.

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel presented a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) strategy to the Board of Regents (BOR) on July 16 at UH Mānoa, detailing a bold vision to accelerate AI training and adoption across the university system and serve the needs of Hawaiʻi.

Likening the technology to “the new electricity,” the presentation emphasized the urgency to prepare Hawaiʻi’s workforce for a rapidly shifting landscape. Hensel highlighted industry statistics, noting that one-third of entry-level jobs now require AI skills, and 80% of hiring managers consider AI competency a priority when evaluating candidates.

“Because this is here, it is going to radically transform what we do, and the failure to talk about it as an institution of higher education means that we will constantly be reacting rather than setting the course for our students, our faculty, staff and the state,” said Hensel during her presentation at the BOR meeting.

To meet this demand, the university has adopted a holistic approach to AI that spans governance, curriculum, workforce development, research and operations. A cornerstone of this approach is the newly adopted UH AI Policy, which establishes guidelines for the “responsible and ethical use of AI technologies,” promoting transparency, accountability and fairness across the university community. To implement this vision, UH has formed a dedicated AI Task Force focused on Hawaiian culture and values, ethics and governance, and curriculum and pedagogy.

More than 100 AI-infused courses

The university currently boasts more than 100 new or AI-infused courses and has launched new AI certificates, concentrations and programs at UH Hilo, UH Mānoa, UH Maui College, UH West Oʻahu and Honolulu Community College. Furthermore, nearly 100 instructors from across the system have been supported in developing and incorporating AI-related assignments into their classes.

The university is also prioritizing hands-on experiential learning. Initiatives such as EL3vate provide intense faculty professional development to weave AI and design thinking into course curricula, while AI Innovation@RISE offers students systemwide opportunities to work directly with industry partners on real-world tech needs in Hawaiʻi.

Beyond the 10 campus system, UH is providing resources to the public. The newly launched “AI for Hawaiʻi” is a free, open-access, 12-chapter foundational course offering training and applied learning for communities across the islands. UH is collaborating with tech companies such as Google and Microsoft, and is proposed as a regional anchor to adapt AI curriculum co-created with MIT. All of these tools, community practices and resources are centralized on the OneAI Hub website.

“It’s going to happen whether we embrace it or not, and the important thing is that we decide how we deploy it and use it through a position of information and knowledge, and not reacting to the winds of change,” said Hensel during her presentation.

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel provided an update to the UH Board of Regents (BOR) on recent leadership transitions in her report at the July 16 monthly meeting.

The updates included changes at Hawaiʻi Community College, UH Mānoa and the VP of Academic Strategy. Hensel discussed next steps for the University Laboratory School partnership, the interim adoption of the Time, Place and Manner policy, and the modernization of student housing, and highlighted several bright spots across the UH campuses, including the demolition of Hale Noelani to make way for modern student housing, massive research milestones at the UH Cancer Center, and a $5-million investment in UH Athletics.

She also recognized UH recipients of the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service, including the Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Team of the Year.

• Hawaiʻi CC chancellor transition (video)
• UH Mānoa leadership and VP of Academic Strategy updates (video)
• University Lab School agreement (video)
• Time, Place and Manner policy update (video)
• Hale Noelani demolition (video)
• Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center and NIH funding (video)
• NIL funding commitments for UH Athletics (video)
• Governor’s Awards (video)

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from UH Mānoa’s Shea McNulty, an undergraduate studying psychology and art.

McNulty shared, “This is a film picture (35mm) taken during a photoshoot for a local small business. I study film photography at UH, and had an amazing opportunity to showcase my skills in a beautiful place.”

Previous Images
Noni lab
May Day, 1952
Weekend weather
Monk seals
Chainsaw ice
All Images of the Week

Send us your image!

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• Send your image using a UH email address.

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

ʻAwapuhi

—Wild ginger.

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

“Nui nā ʻawapuhi i koʻu māla (There is plenty of ginger in my garden).”

—Haʻaheo, he haumāna ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo Wehewehe Wikiwiki.

In a major step toward expanding educational access and affordability, Gov. Josh Green signed into law HB 2338 CD1 as Act 235, providing critical updates to the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges’ Hawaiʻi Promise Program. The new law removes the program’s “last-dollar” restriction, allowing students to keep more of their additional scholarship resources while the state continues to cover up to 95% of tuition. As a result, students can use federal Pell Grants and private scholarships to help pay for essential living expenses and basic needs costs such as housing, food, transportation and other education-related costs.

The program’s impact is reflected in the experiences of students such as Kapiʻolani CC student Kanako Horner. “The Hawaiʻi Promise Program has lifted the majority of the financial burden associated with my education, allowing me the opportunity to explore my career goals and further my education.”

While Hawaiʻi Promise is one of 38 statewide Promise programs nationwide, it was previously the only one that required outside grants and scholarships to be deducted from a student’s state award.

“This legislation is a vital change that will directly support more residents across our islands,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for the UH Community Colleges. “By restructuring the award to maximize a student’s total financial aid, they can now use additional scholarship resources for essential costs like housing, food and transportation—making a college education more affordable for local families.”

Act 235 builds upon the Hawaiʻi Promise Program’s proven track record of helping local residents pursue higher education despite Hawaiʻi high cost of living.

Proven impact and academic excellence

In academic year 2024–25, the Hawaiʻi Promise Program demonstrated its impact:

• Distributed $5.69 million to 1,941 recipients, with an average award of $2,933.
• Served the 22% of recipients who demonstrated financial need but did not qualify for federal Pell Grants.
• Recipients earned more credits on average (17.9 vs. 13.0) and maintained higher GPAs (2.89 vs. 2.73) than their non-recipient peers.

Long-term outcomes

Since 2017, the Hawaiʻi Promise Program has served 11,921 recipients, achieving a 70% overall success rate—defined as earning a degree or certificate, transferring to a four-year institution or remaining actively enrolled. Just 30% of recipients have stopped out, meaning they are no longer enrolled and have not yet completed a credential, a rate well below the national average of 45%.

Hawaiʻi is strengthening one of its most effective college affordability initiatives, ensuring the Hawaiʻi Promise Program can help even more residents complete their education while supporting the state’s workforce and economic future.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Patrick Williams of UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

Williams shared, “Students Samantha Iha (left) and Yanli He (right) in Assistant Professor Nan Jiang’s lab working with noni extracts.”

Previous Images
May Day, 1952
Weekend weather
Monk seals
Chainsaw ice
Dundee under a Kīlauea sun
All Images of the Week

Send us your image!

A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the UH ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

• Send your image using a UH email address.

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

Nalo

—Out of sight, hidden.

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

“Aʻole au i ʻike ka puka komo i ke ala hekehi, ua nalo (I did not see the entrance to the hiking path, it disappeared).”

—Kiki, he haumāna ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo Wehewehe Wikiwiki.

This year’s University of Hawaiʻi foodbank drive raised $53,810 in monetary donations and 6,146 pounds of food for 2026. According to Hawaiʻi Foodbank, the university’s contribution equals more than 120,800 meals.

This year’s donations of 517,177 meals across the City, State and UH exceeded Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s goal of 510,000 meals, marking an outstanding accomplishment.

“The UH ʻohana showcased incredible compassion and generosity that will make a major impact on the community and those in need,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this happen.”

The issue of hunger continues to be a major challenge facing the community, affecting those most vulnerable. The contributions will provide vital support to those who need it most.

The UH Board of Regents (BOR) elected Lauren Akitake as chair for the 2026–27 academic year and welcomed five new members during a special meeting on July 2 at UH Mānoa. Akitake was elected by a vote of seven to four.

Akitake was appointed to the board in 2023 and represents Maui County. The BOR governs the UH 10-campus system and is responsible for policy direction, financial oversight and long-term strategic planning. As chair, she will preside over board meetings and work closely with UH President Wendy Hensel and fellow regents to help guide the university’s strategic priorities.

“This is more than an honor. It is a responsibility to serve the University of Hawaiʻi system—our students, faculty, staff and the communities we are entrusted to serve across Hawaiʻi and beyond,” said Akitake (the complete statement is included below). “At the center of our work must be our students—their experience and their success—while supporting their academic and life journey.”

The board also elected former Chair Gabriel Lee as first vice chair and newly appointed Regent Keith Amemiya as second vice chair. Both will serve one-year terms during the 2026–27 academic year.

Five new regents begin service

The new leadership takes office alongside five newly appointed regents, making this one of the board’s largest transitions in recent years.

Joining the 11-member governing board are Keith Amemiya, Marie Laderta, Makai Freitas, Keola Robert Whittaker and student Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee. Together, the new regents bring expertise in higher education, business, finance, law, labor, public service and student leadership.

Amemiya, a UH Mānoa graduate and senior vice president at Central Pacific Bank, previously served as BOR executive administrator and secretary.

Laderta has nearly three decades of public service experience, including leadership roles with the state Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Taxation and the Department of the Attorney General.

Freitas is a Hawaiʻi Island labor leader with more than two decades of experience with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, where he has led workforce development initiatives and labor negotiations. He also serves as the West Hawaiʻi representative on the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Whittaker is a Maui-based land use attorney with experience in environmental and regulatory law and a longtime community volunteer.

Gee, an honors student at UH Mānoa majoring in international business and finance, has served in state and county youth leadership roles and will represent students across the UH system.

The 11-member board is composed of volunteer regents representing every county in Hawaiʻi, including five members from the City and County of Honolulu, two each from Hawaiʻi and Maui counties, one from Kauaʻi County and one student regent.

Akitake’s statement after being elected BOR chair

“To say this is an honor is an understatement. I was born and raised in Waiehu, on Maui, and I was shaped by my community, my public school teachers, and the values I learned at home. I carry that foundation with me, and it is what brought me to this seat today.

This is more than an honor. It is a responsibility to serve the University of Hawaiʻi system—our students, faculty, staff, and the communities we are entrusted to serve across Hawaiʻi and beyond.

I often ask a simple question: Where are we going? My hope is that, as a board, we continue to answer that question together—clearly, consistently and with purpose—so that our decisions are connected, not piecemeal, and that we are moving in one direction. I am grateful to be doing this work with five new regents who bring experience and fresh perspectives, and I look forward to working with all of you.

At the center of our work must be our students—their experience and their success—while supporting their academic and life journey. I look forward to working with you to strengthen this university—not only as a place of learning, but as a destination for world-class research, academics, athletics, innovation and service to our communities. Thank you for this honor. I will not take it lightly, and I look forward to the work ahead.”

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates July 2026 faculty and staff anniversaries.

30 years

Akiu, Debora A U
Supervising Library Technician, Honolulu CC

Libarios, Laurie T
Associate Professor, Leeward CC

Ricci, Kori L
Educational Specialist, UH Mānoa

Tamanaha, Janice T
Administrative Officer, UH Mānoa

More anniversaries
June 2026
May 2026
April 2026
More anniversary lists

20 years

Barkhoff, Harald
Vice Chancellor, UH West Oʻahu

Ching, Kelly J
Academic Support Specialist, UH Mānoa

Dunn, Liloa
Research Associate, UH Mānoa

Huang, Vicky X
Fiscal Specialist, UH System

Luke, Amy M
Chief of Staff, UH System

Sears, Heejoon R
Research Associate, UH Mānoa

Serrano, Susan K
Professor, Law, UH Mānoa

Yrizarry, Lisa A
Associate Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

10 years

Andrade, Troy J H
Associate Dean, UH Mānoa

Cepeda, Julian A
Residence Life Specialist, UH Mānoa

Escobar, Louis Y
IT Specialist, UH Maui College

Gordon, Emmanuel M
IT Specialist, UH System

Lips, Sarah A
Student Services Specialist, UH Hilo

Muraoka, Kerri H
Office Assistant, Kauaʻi CC

Segeral, Nathalie
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Sutter, Shelley R
Dean, Kauaʻi CC

Young, Heather A
Administrative Officer, UH Mānoa

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is a May Day court at UH in 1952. The image is courtesy of Miyamoto Photo Collection, University of Hawaiʻi Archives. See more archive images in the 2026 issue of University of Hawaiʻi Magazine via this UH News story.

Previous Images
Weekend weather
Monk seals
Chainsaw ice
Dundee under a Kīlauea sun
Championship trophy tour
All Images of the Week

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