In a historic milestone for the University of Hawaiʻi System, 100% of available performance funding—totaling $6,208,198—has been awarded across all 10 UH campuses for Academic Year 2025–26 under a revised transitional framework.

This marks the first time in the history of UH performance funding that 100% of potential funds were awarded to campuses. In comparison, under the previous historical framework, only 49% of available performance funds would have been distributed for Academic Year 2025–26. Designed to bridge the gap between historical practices and the finalized fiscal year (FY)27 vision, the transitional model used for this year is based on a new two-part funding structure that rewards both sustained progress on core student success metrics and proactive institutional innovation.

These resources will empower campus leadership to invest in initiatives that maintain and expand upon these positive outcomes.

Understanding the funding model

The FY26 performance allocation combines two integrated methodologies:

1. Segmented Lifecycle Model (Performance Pool: $3,795,621 awarded)

Recognizing that student success occurs along a continuum, a campus’s potential performance pool allocation ($4,966,558 total systemwide) is divided into two equal 50% allocations:

The Early Progression Pool (50%): Evaluates onboarding, credit momentum across full-time, part-time, and transfer cohorts, first-year retention rates, and gateway English and Mathematics completion rates.

The Long-Term Attainment Pool (50%): Evaluates how many students graduate within 6 years for a 4-year university and 3 years for a community college graduation rates, articulation and transfer rates, and median alumni earnings five years post-graduation.

Evaluations are grounded in three sequential three-year rolling averages (2021–23, 2022–24 and 2023–25) to reward sustained performance trajectories rather than single-semester variances.

2. Pillar-Activation Model (Innovation & Scaling Pool: $2,412,577 awarded)

Unawarded balance from the performance pool was combined with innovation funds to form a $2.41-million Innovation & Scaling Award pool. This pool rewards high-impact engagements aligned with the university’s Common Standard of Care pillars—including structured first-year support, academic design, career-oriented learning, proactive advising, financial wellness and outreach.

Campus allocations and strategic highlights

UH Mānoa ($2,564,257 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $1,971,127
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $593,130

Leeward Community College ($825,794 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $524,927
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $300,867

Honolulu Community College ($594,824 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $219,052
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $375,772

UH West Oʻahu ($448,293 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $279,865
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $168,428

Kapiʻolani Community College ($431,441 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $206,638
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $224,803

UH Maui College ($397,098 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $144,762
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $252,336

UH Hilo ($350,990 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $127,954
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $223,036

Hawaiʻi Community College ($222,634 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $150,281
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $72,353

Kauaʻi Community College ($207,405 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $95,929
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $111,476

Windward Community College ($165,462 total)

• Segmented Lifecycle Award: $75,086
• Innovation & Scaling Award: $90,376

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel highlighted UH‘s response to recent severe weather events, efforts to simplify the application process for prospective students and an upcoming public forum on the university’s new budgeting process and $123-million strategic investment initiative during her September report to the UH Board of Regents (BOR).

Hensel delivered the report at the September 17 BOR meeting at Leeward Community College’s Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center. She began by recognizing UH teams who helped campuses respond to an unusually active year of severe weather, most recently Hurricane Lowell. The storm caused significant damage and prolonged power outages on Kauaʻi, forcing Kauaʻi Community College to close for a week before reopening to students on September 16.

Hensel also provided an update on fall enrollment, highlighted the October 1 launch of Apply Hawaiʻi, a single undergraduate application for all 10 campuses, and announced a September 28 public forum on UH‘s budget and $123 million strategic investment initiative.

• Severe weather response and emergency preparedness (video)
• Fall 2026 enrollment (video)
• Apply Hawaiʻi launch (video)
• Direct2UH expansion to all 10 campuses (video)
• Time, Place and Manner policy update (video)
• September 28 budget and $123-million strategic investment forum (video)
• UH News highlights
  • Inaugural Waiʻanae EMT program (video)
  • Hawaiʻi CC $920,000 NSF drone technology grant (video)
  • Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Project (video)

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

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Kauaʻi Community College’s Dayne Gonsalves, an undergraduate in creative media.

Gonsalves shared: “An image of Kaumualiʻi Highway on the morning after Hurricane Lowell, taken from Kekaha.”

Previous Images
Ching Athletics Complex rainbow
First week fun
First day of class
Fungi
Many Manu-o-Kū
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.

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel and Vice President for Budget and Finance and CFO Luis Salaveria will host a hybrid public forum on Monday, September 28, to discuss UH‘s budget, current financial status and $123 million in strategic investments planned over the next several years.

Hensel and Salaveria will provide an overview of the university’s new budgeting process, the strategic investments and UH‘s financial request to the Hawaiʻi State Legislature for Fiscal Year 2028. The presentation will be followed by an open question-and-answer session for in-person and virtual participants.

“It is important that our campus community understand both how we made these important financial decisions and the plan for investing $123 million in support of our strategic goals over the next several years,” Hensel said in an email to the 10 campuses announcing the forum. “This is an important step in moving from planning to execution—aligning our resources with our priorities and being transparent and accountable about how we make those decisions.”

UH Budget and Strategic Investment Public Forum

• Monday, September 28, 4:30 p.m.
• BOR Conference Room (Kiawe), Bachman Hall 106, UH Mānoa
• In person and online
• Participants can join the forum via Zoom using password 902892.

The University of Hawaiʻi is proposing a new four-year tuition schedule that would keep undergraduate tuition unchanged at all 10 campuses for the first two years, followed by increases beginning in academic year (AY) 2029–30. The current schedule expires at the end of AY 2026–27. The proposal is on the agenda for the September 17 Board of Regents meeting for informational purposes only; no action will be taken.

The proposed schedule would cover AY 2027–28 through AY 2030–31, replacing the current schedule that expires at the end of AY 2026–27. The exception to the two-year freeze is tuition at the professional pharmacy program at UH Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, where tuition would increase 5% annually beginning in AY 2027–28 to address operational needs and accreditation requirements.

Proposed tuition rates

At UH’s four-year campuses, undergraduate students pay a flat full-time tuition rate once they enroll in 12 credits per semester and can take additional credits at no additional tuition cost.

UH Mānoa

• AY 2027–28 and 2028–29: No increase
• AY 2029–30: 5% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases from $11,760 to $12,360 annually
• AY 2030–31: 5% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases to $12,984 annually
• The increases apply to undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition rates.

UH Hilo

• AY 2027–28 and 2028–29: No increase for undergraduate and graduate tuition
• AY 2029–30: 3% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases from $7,632 to $7,872 annually
• AY 2030–31: 3% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases to $8,112 annually
• Nonresident undergraduate tuition would increase by the same percentage.
• Graduate and graduate nursing tuition would remain unchanged for all four years.
• UH Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
  • 5% annual tuition increase in each of the four years
  • The additional revenue would support accreditation requirements, faculty and staff, research resources, technology, facilities and other operational needs.

UH West Oʻahu

• AY 2027–28 and 2028–29: No increase
• AY 2029–30: 3% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases from $7,632 to $7,872 annually
• AY 2030–31: 3% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases to $8,112 annually
• Nonresident undergraduate tuition would increase by the same percentage.

UH community colleges

• AY 2027–28 and 2028–29: No increase in lower-division tuition
• AY 2029–30: Resident lower-division tuition increases from $131 to $135 per credit
• AY 2030–31: Resident lower-division tuition increases to $139 per credit
• For a student taking 24 credits annually, tuition would increase from $3,144 today to $3,336 by AY 2030–31—an increase of $192.
• Upper-division tuition would increase at the same levels as UH Hilo and UH West Oʻahu.
• Summer school tuition for Hawaiʻi residents, reduced in 2025 to match the regular resident tuition rate, would continue at the same rate as resident lower-division tuition, including the proposed increases.

A decade of relatively flat tuition

UH tuition has remained relatively flat for a decade while operating costs have continued to rise. Recent increases in state funding have largely supported budget restorations, construction and facility improvements and negotiated salary increases, while tuition revenue has not kept pace with inflation and rising operational costs.

The proposal is intended to address those rising costs while maintaining affordability for Hawaiʻi students. About 90% of UH community college graduates and 65% of graduates from the four-year campuses complete their degrees without student loan debt.

Public review and approval process

Chancellors across the UH System notified their campus communities about the proposal and the start of the review process on September 11. The formal public review period begins September 18, followed by open public meetings on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu from October 5–16. Feedback may be provided at the public meetings or submitted online, with details to be announced when available. A summary of public feedback and any revisions to the proposal are scheduled to be presented October 29, with the UH Board of Regents considering the final proposal on November 19.

If approved, the new schedule would be filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor by December 1 and take effect in fall 2027.

To help solve a national shortage of certified secondary STEM teachers, the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu has been awarded $302,487 from the National Science Foundation. The three-year project, “Shaping Pathways, Hands-on Engagement, and Reflective Experiences (SPHERE) to Enhance Mathematics Teacher Preparation,” runs through 2029.

SPHERE creates a streamlined five-year dual-degree pathway combining applied mathematics and pedagogy, while using agreements with UH community colleges to smooth transfer routes and lower barriers for prospective educators.

“I’m excited about what this award means for our students and future students,” said Veny Liu, SPHERE principal investigator and associate professor of mathematics. “SPHERE will create a more streamlined pathway for students interested in becoming secondary mathematics teachers and expand access through scholarship opportunities.”

Building the mathematics educator pipeline

“SPHERE will help build a stronger pipeline of mathematics educators who can inspire students, support STEM learning and contribute to the long-term educational and economic well-being of Hawaiʻi,” said Professor Laurie James, co-principal investigator.

This award marks more than $2 million in NSF funding secured by Liu and James for multiple related projects, including a $1.2-million grant in 2024 to support secondary mathematics teachers serving Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.

”I see SPHERE as an opportunity to connect coursework across the UH System and create a smoother, more sustainable pathway for students pursuing teaching, while supporting broader efforts to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s educator workforce,” Liu said.

James added, “For future UH West Oʻahu teachers, this award represents more than an academic opportunity. It is an investment in their potential to become educators who shape the next generation of learners across Hawaiʻi.“

For more visit Ka Puna O Kaloʻi.

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms the workforce and daily life, the University of Hawaiʻi is making AI education available to everyone with a new, free online course designed for the people of Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Artificial Intelligence for Hawaiʻi is an open-access, self-paced course that provides foundational AI knowledge and practical skills while addressing responsible and ethical use through a Hawaiʻi lens. Free and available to anyone (no UH affiliation or login required), the course is part of UH’s broader effort to serve as a statewide leader and trusted resource as AI reshapes education, business, government and the workforce.

Start Artificial Intelligence for Hawaiʻi

Demand for AI skills is surging globally, making broad access to AI education increasingly important. Eighty percent of hiring managers consider AI skills a priority when evaluating candidates, according to CNBC, and 60% of employers are already assigning interns projects involving AI tools, according to the National Association of Colleges + Employers. UH President Wendy Hensel says UH has both an opportunity and a responsibility to help Hawaiʻi navigate this transformation.

“AI is transforming the way we work, learn and live, and Hawaiʻi cannot afford to sit on the sidelines,” Hensel said. “UH has both an opportunity and a responsibility to help our state lead through this change. That means making AI education accessible to everyone and giving people the practical skills to use these tools effectively, responsibly and in ways that reflect Hawaiʻi’s values.”

Demystifying AI

Hosted on the UH OneAI Hub, the self-paced course uses instructional videos, Hawaiʻi-based examples and hands-on activities to make AI understandable and useful for people at all levels of experience. It is designed not only for UH students and employees, but for anyone who wants to better understand and use AI, from educators and government employees to small business owners, nonprofit organizations and individual community members.

The course was also informed by UH experts in Hawaiian values, culture, language and ʻike Hawaiʻi. A UH Task Force on Hawaiian Values and Culture examined issues unique to the development and use of AI in Hawaiʻi, including appropriate protocols for how ʻike and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi resources should be used and what kinds of information should, and should not, be contributed to AI systems.

The 12 chapters take participants from basic AI literacy to practical applications:

• Chapters 1–3: AI fundamentals — How AI and machine learning work, along with key issues including bias, fairness and transparency.
• Chapters 4–6: Responsible AI and stewardship — Ethical AI use for individuals and organizations, AI’s environmental impact and opportunities to support conservation and climate resilience.
• Chapters 7–9: Education and strategy — How AI is changing teaching, learning, academic integrity and organizational operations.
• Chapters 10–12: Workplace and industry — Practical AI skills, including advanced prompting, and applications in Hawaiʻi industries such as tourism and agriculture.

“This course empowers our UH campuses and local communities to actively shape how we use AI to make our island home better,” said Gloria Niles, UH chief academic technology innovation officer. “By focusing our exploration on transparency and responsible deployment within a Hawaiʻi context, we can thoughtfully integrate these technologies while honoring our core values.”

Building Hawaiʻi’s AI capacity

AI for Hawaiʻi is part of a broader UH strategy to help prepare the state for an AI-augmented future and serve as a trusted resource for individuals, educators, businesses, government agencies and communities navigating the rapidly evolving technology.

Through the OneAI Hub, UH is bringing together AI education, training and resources, including AI Communities of Practice and the AI 2 Xcelerate program. The university’s broader AI strategy encompasses governance, curriculum, workforce development, research and operations.

UH is also expanding the use and understanding of AI across its 10 campuses, including AI-powered student advising and 24/7 chatbots, faculty development through EL3vate and AI Innovation@RISE, which connects students across the UH System with local industries to address real-world needs.

The free AI for Hawaiʻi course is available now through the UH OneAI Hub. No UH affiliation or login is required.

This week’s image is from the Hawaiʻi CC.

From the Hawaiʻi CC Instagram: A great start to Fall 2026! It’s been wonderful first week welcoming our students back for a new semester.

Check out more first week pics from the UH Hilo IG post.

Send us your image!

Previous Images
First day of class
Fungi
Many Manu-o-Kū
Winning experience
Hammerhead Sharks
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.

40 years

Pak, Andrew
Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

30 years

Aquino, Encarnita N
Procurement/Property Management Specialist, UH Maui College

Lee, Edmond W L
Program Manager, UH Mānoa

Lewis, Wayne S
Professor, Honolulu CC

Solis, Ron D
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

More anniversaries
August 2026
July 2026
June 2026
More anniversary lists

20 years

Barnett, Jennifer P
Assistant Specialist, UH Mānoa

Ching, Sheri G G
Administrative Officer, UH Mānoa

Dawrs, Stuart V
Librarian, UH Mānoa

Gal, Roy R
Associate Specialist, UH Mānoa

Harbin, Donna M
Professor, UH Maui College

Kawabata, Kevin Y
IT Manager, Leeward CC

Langford, Richard A
Professor, UH West Oʻahu

Miller-Cabasug, Ina
Associate Professor, Honolulu CC

Newhouse, Kimberley K
Instructor, UH Maui College

Pagano, Ian S
Assistant Specialist, UH Mānoa

Sagapolutele, Marlene E
Administrative and Fiscal Support Specialist, Honolulu CC

Snyder, Derek S
Dean, UH Maui College

Su, Shan
Administrative Officer, UH Mānoa

Takamure, Christy L
Professor, Leeward CC

10 years

Ae, Kimberly K A
Administrative Officer, UH West Oʻahu

Barko, Valerie A
County Administrator, UH Mānoa

Blamey, Thomas L
Assistant Professor, UH Maui College

Bolosan, Rowell
Janitor, UH Mānoa

Costa, Crystal A
Program Specialist, UH Mānoa

Davis, Katherine F
Specialist, UH Mānoa

Deng, Youping
Professor, UH Mānoa

Higa, Chloe N S
Fiscal Specialist, UH Mānoa

Kennedy, Kelly L M
Associate Professor, Leeward CC

Kephart, Tennille A
Administrative Officer, UH Hilo

McGuire, John H
Building Maintenance Worker, UH Mānoa

Mehan, Robin M
Janitor, UH Hilo

Messinger, Thane J
Instructor, UH Mānoa

Niblock, Gerald M
Electrician, UH Mānoa

Okamoto, Scott K
Researcher, UH Mānoa

Sanchez Guerrero, Eileen R L
Educational Specialist, UH Mānoa

Shima, Brandon H L
Project Manager, UH Mānoa

Soma Turek, Kelsey T
Fiscal Specialist, UH Mānoa

Strong-Ruiz, Kenisha M
Instructor, Leeward CC

Taira, Derek S
Associate Professor, UH Mānoa

Uehara, Darren K
Janitor, UH Mānoa

West, Kristi L
Associate Researcher, UH Mānoa

Yoshikawa, Kristy K M
Associate Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

A sensory-friendly initiative that began at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has expanded to all 10 UH campuses, giving students, faculty and staff across the system access to tools designed to reduce stress, improve focus and support overall well-being.

The effort is led by the UH Mānoa Center on Disability Studies’ CAMP+U project in partnership with campus offices statewide. Two years ago, CAMP+U collaborated with the Office of Faculty Development and Academic Support to open UH Mānoa’s first sensory room, providing a quiet space where members of the campus community can decompress, regulate emotions and recharge from the demands of daily campus life.

Spreading support

Building on that success, CAMP+U has partnered with every UH campus to provide a portable sensory kit that can be used to create sensory rooms, integrated sensory spaces or pop-up experiences.

The portable kits contain more than a dozen sensory tools—including a northern lights and moon projector, sunset and jellyfish lamps, fidget toys, space tent, cosmic cocoon (bean bag chair) and more—that can be easily transported and assembled, offering campuses a low-cost, flexible way to create calming environments wherever they are needed. The kits also contain a resource hub with educational materials.

Each campus has adapted the initiative to meet its local needs, with collaborations involving disability services, student basic needs, counseling, libraries and other student support offices. Many campuses introduced the program through sensory pop-up events during high-stress times such as midterms, finals and campus study sessions.

“College can be overwhelming for anyone, and sometimes students simply need a place where they can pause, reset and return to class feeling ready to learn,” said Holly Manaseri, Center on Disability Studies faculty member and project director. “Creating spaces that acknowledge those needs sends a powerful message that every student belongs and deserves the opportunity to succeed.”

The expansion comes as colleges and universities nationwide increasingly adopt sensory-informed learning environments to support academic success and well-being. Among UH’s peer institutions, more than half offer sensory-friendly spaces, while nearly one-quarter have dedicated sensory rooms. Sensory spaces were also offered at every 2026 FIFAWorld Cup venue, and similar spaces are now found in airports, public libraries and shopping centers to help people take a break from overwhelming sights and sounds.

Feedback shows positive impact

An ongoing research study is evaluating the impact of the UH initiative. According to Manca Sustarsic, the project’s evaluator, “Feedback from more than 500 visitors across the university system shows visitors reported feeling calmer, more relaxed and happier after using the sensory spaces. Preliminary findings also indicate significant reductions in stress, anxiety, frustration and feeling overwhelmed, while many students reported improved focus, greater motivation and a stronger sense of belonging on campus.”

CAMP+U—supported by UH Foundation and led by Manaseri, Sustarsic and Renz Louis T. Montano—focuses on supporting student success throughout the college experience, with particular attention to students with learning differences and disabilities.

For sensory room contacts at each UH campus, visit the CAMP+U website.

The Center on Disability Studies is housed in UH Mānoa’s College of Education.

Visit this link to support the CAMP+U project.

Hawaiʻi Tech Days of Fall 2026, a series of free events to provide workshops and training sessions for students to strengthen jobs in the tech and cyber sectors, will launch on September 2 with a joint kick-off event for Hawaii Tech Days and Hawaii Tech Week at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center.

• View a full listing and register online

UH and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii co-sponsor the series, in collaboration with local organizations, to increase awareness of and enhance Hawaiʻi‘s skilled-tech workforce and the rising demand for local jobs in the rapidly growing tech, artificial intelligence (AI), and cyber industries.

“As the technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly, particularly with the integration of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, UH represents both the supply and demand elements in our local tech workforce,” said Brad Christ, UH vice president for information technology and chief information officer. “Modern digital skills are critical prerequisites to success in virtually all career paths. We are excited to collaborate with local employers, state agencies, and community partners to host Tech Days of Fall 2026, offering local students a direct pathway to high-quality, high-paying jobs right here in Hawaiʻi.”

Events run through November 2.

Connect, network with tech professionals, learn tech skills, more

The kickoff event on September 2 at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center will feature Miki Hardisty, CEO and cofounder of Ōlelo Intelligence, speaking on “Built for This: Steering Your Path in an AI World” and tech evangelist Guy Kawasaki on “Building the Bridge,” alongside recent alumni BJ Ramel and Rina Ogino. Attendees will gain practical workforce insights as they prepare to enter the tech sector.

This year’s series also features a three-part Introduction to UX (user experience) workshop series by UXHI (a volunteer-led UX design community) in late September, focusing on human-centered design, and the virtual kickoff of the Hawaii Annual Innovation Challenge on October 24, which focuses on leveraging AI to solve state government problems.

Other event partners include Builders VC, ThriveHI, Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative (P3I), CIO Council of Hawaii, Association for Computing Machinery Student Chapter, Kapiʻolani Community College, Kauaʻi Community College, Leeward Community College, Windward Community College, UH West Oʻahu, Hawaiian Electric, PACE, UXHI, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education.

Hawaiʻi Tech Days of Fall 2026 schedule

Hawaii Tech Days + Hawaii Tech Week Kick-off 2026
Wednesday, September 2, 12–1:45 p.m.
Location: Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center (1810 University Avenue)
Sponsored by UH System, Hawaii Tech Week
Registration

Windward Community College Career Fair
Thursday, September 3, 10–12 p.m.
Location: Windward CC, Hale ʻĀkoakoa
Sponsored by Windward CC

Leveling Up!: Understanding the Changing Landscape of Tech
Tuesday, September 15, 4:30–6 p.m.
Location: ITS Building, Room 105AB, UH Mānoa (Front entrance closed. Please follow the signs to the back entrance.)
Sponsored by UHSystem, UH Mānoa – ICS Program
Registration

Talk Story with Tech Professionals at Kapiʻolani Community College
Monday, September 21, 5–7 p.m.
Location: Kapiʻolani CC, Kopiko Learning Community
Sponsored by ThriveHI, Builders VC, Kapiʻolani CC, UH System
Student registration
Volunteer sign-up

Talk Story with Tech Professionals at Kauaʻi Community College
Wednesday, September 23
Location: Kauaʻi CC, 12–2 p.m.
Sponsored by ThriveHI, Builders VC, Kauaʻi CC, UH System
Student registration: Coming soon
Volunteer Sign-up

Introduction to UX — Three-Part Workshop Series
Tuesday, September 29, Wednesday, September 30, and Thursday, October 1, 4–6:30 p.m.
Location: ITS Building, Room 105AB, UH Mānoa
Sponsored by UHSystem, UH Mānoa – ICS Program, UXHI
Registration (Note: These workshops build upon each other; please sign up for all workshops you are able to join.)

Kapiʻolani Community College Career Fair
Tuesday, October 6, 12–2 p.m.
Location: Kapiʻolani CC Library, 2nd Floor, Lamaku Open Flex Space
Sponsored by Kapiʻolani CC, UH System
Learn more

Resume Review Day
Thursday, October 7, 3–5 p.m.
Location: UH Mānoa, Information Technology Center, Room 105AB
Sponsored by UH System (Participating companies: eWorld Enterprise Solutions, Inc. and more to be confirmed)
Registration

Talk Story with Tech Pros
Thursday, October 8, 4–6 p.m.
Location: Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center (1810 University Avenue)
Sponsored by Builders VC, UH, Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE), CIO Council of Hawaii, ThriveHI
Student registration: Coming soon
Volunteer Sign-up

Hawaiian Electric Information Session (Information Technology)
Tuesday, October 13
Location: UH Mānoa, Information Technology Center, Room 105AB
Sponsored by Hawaiian Electric

Careers in Tech and Intelligence Fair at UH Mānoa
Wednesday, October 14, 1–4 p.m.
Location: UH Mānoa Campus Center Ballroom
Sponsored by UH System, The Association for Computing Machinery at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, UH Mānoa – ICS Program
Learn more

Gateway to Federal Jobs
Wednesday, October 14, 5–8 p.m.
Location: To be confirmed
Sponsored by UH System, Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative (P3I)

UH West Oʻahu Career and Internship X Careers in IT and Cyber Fair
Thursday, October 15, 10:00 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: UH West Oʻahu – Campus Center Multipurpose Room
Sponsored by UH System, UH West Oʻahu, UH Community Colleges
Learn more

HAIC 2026 Kick-off Event
Saturday, October 24
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Sponsored by Hawaii Annual Innovation Challenge
Registration
Learn more

Tech Career Pathways Summit
Monday, November 2
Location: UH Mānoa Campus Center Ballroom
Sponsored by UH System, CIO Council of Hawaii, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Hawaiʻi P–20

Aloha UH ʻohana,

When we announced the implementation of the updated free expression policy and procedures (Time, Place and Manner Policy or TPM) on an interim basis on July 1, we intended to provide clear, viewpoint-neutral guidelines that would protect expressive rights while ensuring our campuses remain safe, accessible and functional for teaching and learning. There is no question that free speech, academic freedom and robust intellectual debate are the lifeblood of our 10-campus system.

The interim TPM policy and procedures are the product of significant outreach, education and engagement with our campus community and others over the last year, as our resource website shows. During this time, we have heard extensive feedback from students, faculty and staff across our campuses, and the policy has undergone significant revisions in response to these conversations.

Since the implementation, we have heard concerns from some members of our community that the interim rules, particularly around parameters such as the 25-foot building setbacks, the 60-decibel noise thresholds and chalking feel overly restrictive and could discourage expressive activity. At the University of Hawaiʻi, our community has a rich, proud history of peaceful protest. It is essential that our policies not only withstand constitutional scrutiny on paper, but also maintain the trust and confidence of the people they govern.

Your concerns have been heard. I am directing the withdrawal of the interim TPM policy and procedures, effective immediately. We will return to our pre-interim guidelines (the 2014 version of Executive Policy 10.206, “Free Expression on University Campuses”) while we continue our conversations together and identify a new path forward.

This pause will allow us to build on the consultation already completed and more effectively build a TPM policy with our community. We are committed to striking the right balance between protecting active learning environments and honoring our historical role as a forum for moral and political expression from all vantage points and perspectives.

During the remainder of this semester, we will proceed as planned to host open, in-person listening sessions to ensure everyone has the opportunity to share their concerns, ideas and suggestions.

I want to thank everyone who has stepped forward to share their perspectives, write letters and participate in this debate. Your engagement is a powerful demonstration of the academic freedom and active civic participation that makes the University of Hawaiʻi so special.

Let us continue to engage in a constructive, respectful dialogue that models the very best of who we are as an institution.

With warm aloha,
Wendy Hensel
UH President

This week’s image is from the UH Hilo.

From the UH Hilo Instagram: First day of freshman year or your last 1st day on campus? No matter where you are in your journey, we’re so glad you’re here. Let’s make this year the best one yet!

Check out more first day pics from the UH Hilo IG post.

Send us your image!

Previous Images
Fungi
Many Manu-o-Kū
Winning experience
Hammerhead Sharks
Lei making
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.

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel presented a series of proposed organizational changes designed to elevate the voices of the university’s seven community colleges, strengthen systemwide academic planning and create what she described as a more unified student success ecosystem.

Hensel outlined the changes to the UH Board of Regents (BOR) at its August 20 meeting at Kauaʻi Community College in her presentation, “Final Reorganizational Directives for the University of Hawaiʻi System.” The proposed plan for discussion would eliminate the Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges. All seven community college chancellors would then report directly to the president and serve alongside the chancellors of UH Mānoa, UH Hilo and UH West Oʻahu on the president’s executive cabinet.

Elevating the voices of the community colleges

Over the next few months, Hensel will discuss the proposal with campus governance groups and the broader campus communities, receive feedback and consider that input as the proposal moves forward.

The plan is intended to be “an amplification of the community colleges, not a diminution of those community colleges, and I just can’t say that strongly enough,” Hensel told the BOR. The proposal would elevate “the voices of the community college chancellors so they are sitting at the table with the four-year chancellors and directly contributing to the decisions we are making for the entire university.”

Hensel said the proposal responds to feedback from the community college chancellors, who expressed a desire for a more direct role in systemwide planning and decision-making. The new reporting structure is intended to increase the voice and accountability of each campus while strengthening communication and collaboration across all 10 campuses. The proposal was developed following multiple conversations with administrators, faculty and staff across the community colleges over the last eighteen months.

Hensel made clear the proposed administrative change would eliminate an administrative layer but would keep intact the support structure serving the community colleges.

“We are not eliminating the critical work that is being done or the people who are doing it,” Hensel said. “We are taking those essential functions and placing them where they can be more fully integrated with the academic and administrative work of the entire system.”

Under the proposal, community college academic affairs—including student support, institutional effectiveness, workforce innovation and academic support services—would move as a unit under the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. Community college administrative functions, including budget, human resources and facilities, would transition as a unit to the Office of the Vice President for Administration.

The reporting-line changes and elimination of the vice president position will be discussed over the fall semester, with the intent of reaching a conclusion by the end of 2026. A second phase, beginning in spring 2027, would include more detailed work and consultation within reporting structures to determine how to maximize collaboration and effectiveness of the new teams.

Separating UH Mānoa and system leadership

Hensel also highlighted the July 2026 separation of UH Mānoa and UH System operations as a major step toward the new organizational structure.

Before the separation, the UH president also carried many of the responsibilities traditionally assigned to the UH Mānoa chancellor. With Vassilis Syrmos now serving as the dedicated UH Mānoa chancellor, Hensel said the president’s office can focus more fully on statewide academic, workforce, operational and financial strategies while ensuring balanced attention across all 10 campuses.

The new governance boundaries assign Hensel responsibility for systemwide integration, long-term statewide alignment and fiduciary oversight. Syrmos is responsible for the day-to-day academic operations, student experience, research enterprise and physical infrastructure of the flagship campus.

“Having a dedicated chancellor at Mānoa allows that campus to receive the focused leadership it deserves, while allowing the president to look across the entire state and ask what every campus and every community needs from the University of Hawaiʻi,” Hensel said.

Exploring a West Oʻahu regional model

The university is also examining opportunities for greater coordination between UH West Oʻahu and Leeward Community College, which have been operating under the interim dual leadership of Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza since January 2026.

The pilot is exploring how the two campuses can better serve the rapidly growing West Oʻahu region through shared resources, coordinated academic offerings and streamlined pathways that allow students to move more easily from associate to bachelor’s degree programs. Hensel emphasized that no final outcome has been predetermined.

“This is an exploration,&lrdquo; she said. “The purpose is to determine whether there are opportunities to create stronger academic pathways, use resources more effectively and provide students with a more integrated experience. We will follow the evidence and the input we receive rather than begin with a predetermined answer.”

A formal recommendation on the future structure is expected in early 2027.

Elevating academic technology and Native Hawaiian leadership

Additional changes include permanently placing the Office of Academic Technology and Innovation under the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. The move is intended to better align academic technology, online education and instructional innovation with the university’s broader academic and student-success strategy.

Hensel is also proposing to elevate the director of Hawaiʻi Papa o Ke Ao to an assistant vice president and executive director position reporting directly to the president. The change will formally embed Native Hawaiian perspectives and the university’s commitment to becoming a model Indigenous-serving institution within the executive leadership structure.

Together, the changes are intended to create clearer responsibilities and a leadership structure centered on UH Mānoa excellence, community college parity, integrated administrative support, holistic academic strategy and cultural authority.

Building a statewide student ecosystem

Hensel said the reforms are the culmination of two years of systemwide conversations that started before her arrival about how UH’s administrative structure can better advance its mission and serve students.

“How do we create an infrastructure that outlives independent personnel changes?” Hensel asked. “Too often, academic administrations are built around particular individuals and personal relationships. We need an integrated architecture that does not depend on who happens to be sitting in a particular chair, but instead supports collaboration and student success over the long term.”

Hensel said a more integrated system can improve course sharing, transfer pathways and access to academic programs while establishing a common standard of care for students regardless of which UH campus they attend.

“This is not about making every campus the same,” Hensel said. “It is about preserving the identity and strengths of each campus while building the connections that allow us to serve students and the state far more effectively as one university.”

University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) Chair Lauren Akitake outlined her priorities for the year ahead, emphasizing student success, greater collaboration across the 10-campus system and preparing UH for Hawaiʻi‘s future.

Akitake, who was elected chair in July, delivered the remarks at the BOR‘s August meeting at Kauaʻi Community College as part of a new agenda item focused on the BOR‘s direction for the coming year.

“Our role as Regents is to set strategic direction, provide oversight, ask questions and support President Hensel as she leads the University,” Akitake said.

UH President Wendy Hensel is scheduled to present her strategic priorities to the BOR at its September 17 meeting. Akitake said the Board’s work should be guided by several overarching themes, beginning with student success—from recruiting students and helping people across Hawaiʻi understand UH as a pathway to opportunity and a stronger future, through enrollment, navigating UH, transferring, graduating and finding meaningful opportunities after graduation.

She also emphasized strengthening UH as one University while recognizing the distinct communities, missions and strengths of each of its 10 campuses. Akitate said her recent experiences at UH Maui College and Kauaʻi Community College reinforced the strong sense of community and pride of place that makes each campus unique.

Akitake also highlighted the Board’s responsibility to keep sight of who it serves.

“The University of Hawaiʻi is one of Hawaiʻi‘s extraordinary public assets,” she said. “It belongs to the people of Hawaiʻi, changes lives and strengthens communities, and we have a responsibility to ensure it remains strong, innovative and prepared to serve Hawaiʻi for generations to come.”

Akitake also called on the Board to “prepare for the future, not simply manage the present,” citing artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, workforce needs, cybersecurity, technology and a changing economy.

“We need to be asking what Hawaiʻi will need from UH five, 10, and 20 years from now—and making decisions today that prepare us for that future,” Akitake said.

Committee priorities

She is working closely with committee chairs and vice chairs to understand their priorities and vision and align their work with the Board’s broader goals. Akitake also outlined the work ahead for the BOR‘s six committees:

• Committee on Independent Audit & Risk: Continue oversight of UH‘s internal and external audit functions with increased emphasis on enterprise risk management. The BOR has approved 16 internal audit projects, including systemwide reviews of construction project management, information security and Title IX.
• Kuleana & Community Engagement Committee: Advance the Kuleana Imperative’s 18-month action plan and metrics and further develop the BOR‘s new community engagement responsibilities. The committee, chaired by Regent Keola Whittaker, begins its work October 1.
• Governance Committee: Oversee implementation of the BOR‘s April 2026 committee restructuring, including confirming the committees’ new charges and completing remaining bylaws work. The committee will also establish a regular process for reviewing bylaws and policies and follow up on the 2025 Board self-assessment.
• Student Success Committee: Focus on the full student journey, from recruitment and enrollment through graduation and beyond. The committee will also look at opportunities to further support UH Athletics and student-athletes, building on strong support among Regents and the new leadership of Chair Keith Amemiya and Vice Chair Makai Freitas.
• Committee on Facilities & Long Range Planning: Chaired by Regent Neil Abercrombie, the committee will focus on UH‘s long-term infrastructure and capital priorities, including developing strategies to address the deferred maintenance backlog and planning for future campus facility needs.
• Finance & Investment Committee: Continue oversight of UH‘s financial position, investments and long-term financial sustainability while also engaging with Hensel’s planned investment of more than $100 million and a new financial policy approach that connects budget decisions with strategic priorities.

“These committees give us a way to take the broader questions we are asking as a Board and turn them into focused oversight, decisions and action throughout the year,” Akitake said.

Take a closer look at many of Hawaiʻi’s rising leaders, and you’ll find a common connection: the University of Hawaiʻi. This year’s Pacific Business News 40 Under 40 list is a striking example. Half of the honorees have ties to UH.

Two of them are current UH employees serving Central and West Oʻahu communities: Darian Padilla, the UH Foundation’s director of development for UH West Oʻahu and Leeward Community College, and Hailey Zhou, product development manager at Leeward CC’s Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC).

Darian Padilla

Padilla builds philanthropic partnerships for both campuses, connecting people and resources with opportunities that strengthen education, support workforce development and serve Hawaiʻi’s communities.

“Being named to PBN’s 40 Under 40 is both humbling and meaningful,” Padilla said. “I don’t see it as an individual achievement. Instead, I accept it on behalf of the many people who have guided, supported and inspired me along the way.”

She added, “Working with UH has shown me that meaningful impact is rarely the result of one individual. It comes from people coming together around a common purpose and investing in the success of others.”

Hailey Zhou

Zhou leads product development initiatives at the WVAPDC, where she has supported more than 150 Hawaiʻi food entrepreneurs to commercialize their products. She secured funding from the Ulupono Initiative for a dozen clients and assisted a Hawaiʻi baby food product in earning a 2026 NEXTY Award.

“Being named to PBN’s 40 Under 40 is incredibly meaningful because it recognizes not just my individual accomplishments, but the work happening across Hawaiʻi food ecosystem,” Zhou said. “My work at Leeward Community College and the WVAPDC has given me the platform and freedom to be innovative in designing solutions that meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

20 out of 40

UH’s connection to the 2026 40 Under 40 class extends across the 10-campus system. Eighteen additional honorees are UH alumni:

• Davin Aoyagi (BA ‘13, UH Mānoa)—senior manager of government relations, Turo
• Joseph Castaneda (BBA ‘11, UH Mānoa)—principal broker, REMAX Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu
• Louie Gangcuangco (MS ‘20, UH Mānoa)—medical doctor and HIV specialist, Waikiki Health
• Cosmo Hirai (BA ‘13, UH Mānoa)—bishop, Hawaiʻi Tōdaiji Temple
• Chanel Josiah (AA ‘18, Leeward CC)—chief operating officer, Hawaiʻi Community Lending
• Katie Kaahanui (BA ‘21, UH West Oʻahu)—director, Safe & Sound Westside, Department of the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney
• Jai Keep-Barnes (BA ‘10; JD ‘17, UH Mānoa)—partner, Lung Rose Voss Wagnild
• K. Sean Kekina (BS ‘12, UH Mānoa)—deputy administrator and chief operating officer, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
• Kris Kokame (MBA ‘17, UH Mānoa)—Hawaiʻi lead, external affairs, AES Hawaiʻi
• Richmond Luzar (BA ‘20, UH Mānoa)—principal, Aura Strategies LLC
• Marc Malate (BA ‘12; MSW ‘17; MURP ‘18, UH Mānoa)—licensed clinical social worker, Marc Joseph Malate
• Kelsey Nishi Darling (attended UHMānoa)—founder and executive director, Make Lemonade Project; owner, calligrapher and graphic designer, Hawaiʻi Calligraphy
• Jordan Odo (MBA ‘17, UH Mānoa)—first vice president and compliance associate, American Savings Bank
• Nahelani Parsons (JD ‘17, UH Mānoa)—founder and president, Pacific Government Relations
• Keane Santos (BBA ‘10, UH Mānoa)—vice president, product strategy department manager, Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union
• Sara Strona (JD ‘14; MBA ‘15, UH Mānoa)—director, Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher, A Law Corporation
• Cody Winchester (MURP ‘18, UH Mānoa)—community resilience planning manager, G70
• Jamie Yoshikane (JD ‘13, UH Mānoa)—assistant general counsel, Hawaiʻi Gas

As these leaders continue to drive change across every sector of our islands, they serve as a powerful reminder of UH’s role in cultivating leaders who are building a bright future for Hawaiʻi.

—By Devon Bedoya

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel is moving UH toward a more coordinated approach to managing its financial resources, with the 10 campuses sharing risk and investing collectively in priorities that benefit students across the system.

Hensel outlined the approach during her presentation “Collaborative Strategic Investment: A New Paradigm for UH” to the UH Board of Regents on August 20 at Kauaʻi Community College, describing it as part of a larger shift toward operating UH as one university system rather than 10 largely independent campuses.

“What we have is a very decentralized 10-campus system, which means that we are often pulling in different directions in ways that compete with each other that are not optimal,” Hensel said.

The new approach is built around what Hensel described as a “we rather than I” philosophy—maintaining the individual identities and priorities of each campus while taking greater advantage of the financial strength of the entire UH System.

Historically, campuses have largely managed their own reserves, tuition balances and financial risks. That meant campuses generally had to respond on their own to challenges such as enrollment declines while also funding many of their own strategic priorities. It has also contributed to significant differences across the system, with some campuses accumulating substantial cash balances while others have had fewer resources available.

Across the system, campuses have held a fluctuating total of about $200 million in unutilized cash balances. Hensel described having those resources as a “gift” compared with universities across the country facing structural deficits and other significant financial challenges. The opportunity now, she said, is to put more of those resources to work for UH students, faculty and staff.

“We are moving from ‘preserve’ and ‘defend’ capital to ‘deploy’ and ‘anticipate’ the future so that we can meet the needs of the moment that we’re in,” Hensel said.

Sharing risk across 10 campuses

One major step has already been taken. UH has consolidated approximately $156 million that had been held as reserves at individual campuses into a single systemwide reserve. Instead of each campus carrying its financial risk alone, the university now has a shared safety net that can be used when significant needs or emergencies arise anywhere in the 10-campus system.

UH is taking a similar approach to excess tuition balances. Campuses will retain 20% of their tuition cash balances, preserving resources for campus-specific priorities and needs beyond their normal annual operating expenses. Funds above that level at the close of each fiscal year will be redirected to key strategic investments across the university. The approach follows existing state law that directs excess tuition funds to be returned to the system annually for strategic use.

The goal, Hensel said, is not simply to shift money from one campus to another, but to use UH’s collective resources where they can have the greatest impact while preserving appropriate campus autonomy. The approach supports Hensel’s broader goal of establishing a more consistent standard of care for students across the 10 campuses. A student, faculty or staff member’s access to basic technology, services and support should not depend on the financial condition of their particular UH campus.

Investments will focus on needs that are difficult for individual campuses to address on their own effectively and efficiently, such as modernizing Wi-Fi infrastructure across all 10 campuses and establishing a regular, equitable replacement schedule for technology such as laptops. By acting collectively, these improvements can be secured at a lower cost and result in greater strategic impact across the system.

The shift is part of a larger change in how UH approaches budgeting and planning—connecting financial decisions more directly to the priorities of the university’s strategic plan and using the collective resources of the 10–campus system to better serve students across Hawaiʻi.

Despite the ongoing overhaul of federal science funding that has rocked university research across the country, the University of Hawaiʻi has secured its second highest extramural funding record amount of $647.3 million in fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026). While it represents a slight decrease of 11.8% from last year’s record-setting total of $734 million, it also marks the fifth consecutive year that UH has topped half a billion dollars in extramural funding.

“The true measure of this investment is not just the funding secured, but the discoveries made, students trained and communities strengthened because of this work,” UH President Wendy F. Hensel said. “UH research addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing Hawaiʻi and the world, and these achievements reflect the dedication of our researchers and the importance of sustaining a strong research enterprise for generations to come.”

Extramural funding is defined as investments from external agencies such as the federal government, industry and non-profit organizations that support research and training activities conducted by university faculty and staff. Projects funded by extramural funds support research and innovation that helps to provide solutions to improve the quality of life not only in Hawaiʻi, but across the nation, and around the world.

“During this extremely difficult period of federal funding for university research, achieving a fifth consecutive year of securing over half a billion dollars in extramural funding is something that both the University of Hawaiʻi and the state of Hawaiʻi can really be proud of,” said UH Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad B. Walton. “It is a clear testament to the effort, dedication, and true nature of our dedicated and hardworking faculty, staff, and students that continues to successfully fuel the UH research enterprise—a major contributor to Hawaiʻi’s economy.”

A strong research community

Leading the way for UH in FY 2026 was UH Mānoa, the research flagship of UH’s 10 campus system, with an extramural award amount tally of $516.0 million. The UH System brought in $88.4 million, UH Community Colleges totaled $21.1 million, UH Hilo received $17.9 million, and UH West Oʻahu totaled $3.9 million.

“I am extremely proud of the UH Mānoa research community for their efforts and remarkable resilience during this unprecedented period in federal research funding,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos. “Their dedication and commitment to their craft has once again positioned UH Mānoa to be a major contributor to UH’s extramural funding and reaffirms our on-going commitment to become the premier global flagship in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Syrmos, who also oversees federal relations for the UH System, noted that the uncertainties surrounding federal and state research funding will continue to have a profound and long-lasting impact on university research across the nation, including key UH Mānoa projects in the areas of agriculture, astronomy, climate resilience, conservation and health that are vital to the state.

The following are examples of UH programs that attracted the attention of funders:

• The UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences received a $12.5 million award from the Office of the Governor—State of Hawaiʻi for the Social Science Research Institute to serve as the lead unit in expanding virtual care statewide as part of Hawaiʻi Rural Health Transformation Program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• The National Science Foundation awarded $4.1 million to UH Mānoa’s College of Engineering to continue its efforts in recruiting high-quality scholars for cybersecurity careers including recruitment of Native Hawaiian and female students. These efforts have led to jobs in the cyber security workforce in Hawaiʻi as well as nationally.
• The UH System Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation received a $2.8 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense to work with industry, communities and state and federal government agencies to build Hawaiʻi’s innovation economy with an emphasis on blue economy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
• The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at UH Mānoa received a $2.8 million award from the National Institutes of Health to provide data for state and local nutrition programming policy aimed at reducing food insecurity and health disparities among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities.
• The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources awarded $1.9 million to UH Mānoa’s College of Natural Sciences to mitigate threats to the health and resilience of the Olowalu reef, which is a critical resource for fishers, recreational users, community groups, and businesses in West Maui.
• The School of Ocean Earth Science and Technology at UH Mānoa received a $1.6 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense to explore the feasibility of using techniques such as desalinization to develop and maintain resilient drinking water supplies for its bases, such as Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi, and their surrounding communities.
• The UH Cancer Center received a $1.5 million award from the National Cancer Institute to continue work under a Specialized Program of Research Excellence, which conducts translational research to help alleviate lung cancer and breast cancer, which are highly relevant to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.

According to Syrmos, more than $340.1 million in awards were received from the federal government in FY 2026. He attributed much of it as a direct result of the close working relationship between UH and Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz
“This new funding is great news for the UH, its students, and our state. It will support important research, create opportunities for students, and strengthen programs that benefit communities across Hawaiʻi. While the White House continues to threaten federal funding for universities across the country, we’ll keep doing everything we can to protect UH and the important work it does.”

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono
“Despite ongoing attacks on federal funding for higher education and public schools, UH remains a beacon of innovation both in Hawaiʻi and around the world. Investing in UH doesn’t just benefit thousands of students—it fuels our state’s economy and shares our cutting-edge research with the world. I will continue to advocate for UH’s federal funding requests and work closely with university leadership to protect its federal funding for years to come.”

U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawaiʻi – First District)
“This funding for our flagship university is critical on several levels for our Hawaiʻi. First, it is a testament to UH’s growing research and innovation talent and international recognition. Second, it reflects the advanced partnerships that UH has forged over the years in successfully identifying and jointly pursuing funding opportunities. And finally, it increases the university’s contributions to our island economy. In spite of its success, challenges remain, and I stand with our Congressional delegation to continue supporting the mission and advances of UH.”

U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (Hawaiʻi – Second District)
“Achieving another landmark year reflects the extraordinary talent across the University of Hawaiʻi. These federal investments tackle our state’s unique challenges—from advancing rural healthcare and sustainable agriculture to protecting ocean resources. With White House budget cuts threatening these vital programs, our work is far from over. We must stand with our partners and fight to protect the funding that fuels this essential work.”

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel highlighted the start of the 2026–27 academic year, UH’s second-highest extramural funding total in history and the leadership transition at Hawaiʻi Community College during her August report to the UH Board of Regents (BOR). The report was delivered at the August 20 BOR meeting at Kauaʻi Community College.

Hensel reported that UH secured $647.3 million in extramural funding in fiscal year 2026, the second-highest total in university history and the fifth consecutive year above $500 million. She also provided an update on the leadership transition at Hawaiʻi CC, where Interim Vice President for Community Colleges and UH Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana is serving as interim chancellor while UH prepares an interim chancellor for the campus and the launch of a national search for a permanent leader.

Hensel also highlighted UH’s inaugural AI Institute Day, which brought together 546 participants from across the UH System on August 11, and the launch of the ’Bows Athletics Club and Shoji Society, two new initiatives designed to strengthen annual and transformational giving to UH Mānoa Athletics.

Finally, Kauaʻi CC’s Justin Seto was recognized with the UH President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance for his dedication, technical expertise and “campus-first” approach.

• Enrollment and start of fall semester (video)
• Leadership retreat and strategic investments (video)
• Hawaiʻi CC leadership transition (video)
• FY26 extramural funding (video)
• ’Bows Athletics Club and Shoji Society (video)
• AI Institute Day and strategic AI investments (video)
• UH News highlights
  • UH Community Colleges ranked 11th best (video)
  • Kauaʻi CC, Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center partnership (video)
  • Kauaʻi CC Summer Institute Pāpala Lele Internship (video)
• President’s Award for Excellence (video)

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

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is one of the nation’s best colleges and universities, according to The Princeton Review’s 2027 edition of “The Best 392 Colleges” guide, released on August 18.

The rankings are based solely on its surveys of college students about their schools. The schools included in the “The Best 392 Colleges” of 2027 are not ranked from No. 1–No. 392, and feature the top 14% of approximately 2,800 four-year colleges in the U.S.

In addition, The Princeton Review placed UH Mānoa as one of the top 79 colleges in the west.

“This recognition is a reflection of what our students experience every day at UH Mānoa,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos. “From the classroom to campus life, their feedback shows the value they see in their education, their professors and the opportunities available to them. We’re proud that their voices are helping tell the story of what makes UH Mānoa a special place to learn and grow.”

In October 2025, The Princeton Review also named UH Mānoa one of the nation’s top “green” colleges, which recognizes the most environmentally responsible schools.

More about ‘The Best 392 Colleges’

The Princeton Review surveyed 172,000 students at the schools included in “The Best 392 Colleges.” The 98-question survey asked students about their professors, administrators, financial aid, campus amenities, school services and other aspects of their college experience. Students responded using five answer choices, with scales ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree” and “excellent” to “poor.”

“The colleges we profile in ‘The Best 392 Colleges’ vary by type, size, locale and campus culture. In our opinion, each one offers an academically outstanding undergraduate education,” said Rob Franek, lead author of the book and editor-in-chief at The Princeton Review. “They are truly a select group: they comprise only about 14% of America’s nearly 2,800 four-year colleges. For 35 years, our goal for this project has been to create multiple ranking lists and resources to help college applicants answer what is likely the toughest but also the most important question in their journey to college: ‘Which college is best for me?’”

‘The Best Colleges in America’

UH Mānoa and UH West Oʻahu were also recognized in Money’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings, which evaluated more than 700 four-year colleges nationwide. The rankings are designed to help students and families compare colleges based on the value they provide, with an emphasis on affordability and post-graduation outcomes. Money evaluated schools using 25 factors across three categories: quality of education, affordability and outcomes. Measures included graduation rates, net price, student debt, earnings, employment and economic mobility.

Recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026–27 Global University Visibility Rankings, July 23, 2026
• 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, June 17, 2026
• 2026–27 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities rankings, June 16, 2026
• 2026 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 8, 2026
• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026