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.

More than 2,000 haumāna (students), faculty and staff gathered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on September 10 for Welina Mānoa: Kick-Off!, an annual event welcoming the campus community to a new academic year.

Originally scheduled for the first day of the fall semester, the event was postponed because of Tropical Storm Moke.

The afternoon event featured a resource fair spanning the Campus Center Courtyard, Kuykendall Lawn and Legacy Path. Approximately 60 campus departments, programs and organizations participated, sharing information about resources, services, activities and opportunities available to haumāna.

“It’s wonderful after the summer break to see the students back on campus, see the energy, see the young people we bring here to educate, having fun at the Warrior Recreation Center, having fun at Campus Center and going around our facilities,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos. “It is a great, great vibe and I hope it gets better and better as we get into the semester.”

Haumāna explored resources ranging from academics and student support services to campus activities and employment opportunities. The event also featured food from Mānoa Dining Services and local food trucks, along with music, interactive activities, giveaways and prizes.

“The most valuable thing about this event is the students getting involved and the students knowing what resources are available to them, knowing what support they have on campus,” said Natasha Maʻafala, a junior journalism major. “Even though college and the campus seem super scary, super big, they’re not going through this alone and so many others are here looking for those resources too.”

Welina Mānoa is one of the first major student activities of the academic year, helping students discover resources, services and opportunities available across the UH Mānoa campus.

University of Hawaiʻi Maui College secured $178,424 in federal funding for the 2026–27 academic year to modernize classroom technology and expand hands-on training.

Under the direction of Interim Dean of Career and Technical Education Lorelle Peros, the grant will support six campus initiatives aimed at strengthening high-wage workforce pipelines for local students.

“This funding allows us to create meaningful opportunities and connections for our students through hands-on training, modern technology and industry-relevant skills that prepare them for success in the workforce,” Peros said.

High-tech and health upgrades

The funding brings artificial intelligence (AI) into classroom settings and expands equipment across medical programs.

• Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and high-tech curriculum: Led by Professor Debasis Bhattacharya, the project funds NVIDIA DGX Spark equipment (a compact desktop AI supercomputer designed for developers, researchers and data scientists to build, test and fine-tune large AI models) and faculty AI certification, impacting up to 1,250 STEM and business students.
• Dental hygiene training: Led by Dental Program Coordinator Leanne Higa, the initiative supports accreditation by Commission on Dental Accreditation, an autonomous body associated with the American Dental Association, and faculty laser therapy certification.
• Nursing lab upgrades: Led by Anne Scharnhorst, funds will purchase multiuse task-trainer manikins for realistic clinical simulations.

Skilled trades and career pathways

The remaining projects focus on automotive tech, trade partnerships and broad workforce development.

• Molokaʻi Skilled Trades Pathway: Led by the Molokaʻi Education Center’s ʻOlelo Schonely and Kelley Dudoit, the initiative creates an agricultural construction and carpentry pathway with Molokaʻi High School, including Early College courses and internships.
• Automotive technology enhancement: Led by Instructor Lawrence Martinson, funds provide modern steering and suspension lab equipment alongside Automotive Service Excellence certification exams for 50 students.
• Multi-sector workforce project: Led by Peros, the effort broadens access to industry credentials and professional development across healthcare, technology and trades.

The federal investment through the Perkins V funding (supporting career and technical education) ensures UH Maui College students gain industry-validated skills to meet evolving local workforce demands.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa senior defensive back and team captain Elijah Palmer has been named to the watch list for the 10th annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.

Palmer is one of 89 student-athletes nationwide selected to the watch list for college football’s premier leadership honor. The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership on and off the field.

As one of four team captains, Palmer has emerged as the undisputed vocal leader and general of the 2026 Rainbow Warriors. A two-time All-Mountain West honorable mention selection at defensive back, Palmer is widely recognized for his work ethic, accountability, and deep commitment to bringing out the best in his teammates while serving as a key ambassador for the football program in the community.

Semifinalists for the award will be selected on October 13. Three finalists will be named on December 14, with the overall winner revealed at the official award ceremony in the spring of 2027.

The award winner will receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school’s athletic scholarship fund, donated by Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation.

Read more at Hawaiiathletics.com.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department announced Eric Okasaki as the recipient of the Spirit of the Rainbow Award.

The Spirit of the Rainbow Award was established to honor longtime athletics department staff members who demonstrated exceptional service and unwavering dedication to the department. The award recognizes individuals who spent at least 25 years in a support staff position and have retired from the university.

“Eric embodies everything the Spirit of the Rainbow Award stands for,” said Deputy Athletics Director Lois Manin. “For over four decades, he was a pillar of our department, working tirelessly to ensure our student-athletes were healthy, safe and supported. His legacy is felt not just in the championships he helped make possible, but in the countless lives he touched as a mentor, leader and friend.”

Okasaki’s history with the university spanned a total of 46 years, beginning as a junior varsity baseball player at UHin 1973. He went on to spend 43 years as an athletic trainer at UH, which included 35 years serving as the head athletic trainer.

During his distinguished career, Okasaki served as the trainer for the 1980 College World Series baseball team, the 1992 Holiday Bowl championship team, the historic 2007 Sugar Bowl team and the 2010 College World Series softball team.

In retirement, he regularly attends games and serves as a trustee for the Dr. Alvin and Monica Saake Foundation, one of 10 charter members of the Shoji Society.

Okasaki will be presented with the honor during the Green and White Celebration on October 16 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Read more at Hawaiiathletics.com.

Building on the success of its drone certification program, Hawaiʻi Community College has secured a new $920,238 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to expand education using tools such as drone-mounted sensors to collect data across the state. The three-year project aims to meet workforce demand or stackable credentials for use in utilities, civil engineering, agriculture and environmental hazard mitigation.

“Expanding the Impact of Geospatial Remote Sensing in Hawaii,” leverages Hawaiʻi CC’s existing drone education credentials. By introducing advanced two- and three-dimensional surveying, lidar technology (a remote sensing technology that measures distances using laser pulses) and powerful computational tools, the program will train students not only to fly unmanned aerial vehicles but also to process and analyze complex data.

Students will conduct local projects in several courses in engineering technology, forestry management and surveying, which will lead to a certificate in geospatial remote sensing.

Expanding tech career pathways

Related story: Hawaiʻi CC launches first community college drone certification program

“This new award represents a massive leap forward for our local students,” said Principal Investigator Orlo Steele, an associate professor of agroforestry. “We are integrating cutting-edge technologies directly into our forestry, engineering and surveying courses. Furthermore, by introducing mapping training at our Pālamanui campus in West Hawaiʻi, we are opening doors for students across the island and partnering with other Pacific Islands to build a truly regional tech workforce.”

The project also aims to expand access to high-tech career pathways for all students and increase their qualifications to be competitive in the rapidly growing drone economy. Strengthening pathways from high school to community college to four-year institutions, while also providing upskilling opportunities for incumbent workers in utilities, agriculture, public safety and natural resource management is also a goal of the project.

“We are focusing deeply on student outcomes and workforce readiness,” explained Co-Principal Investigator Donna Pacheco, an associate professor of engineering technology. “We want to ensure our graduates understand how to apply their skills in the field, making them highly competitive for high-paying positions within private, state and federal engineering and environmental agencies.”

Kauaʻi Community College will remain closed through Friday, September 11, due to damage and other impacts from Hurricane Lowell. In-person and online classes were canceled for the remainder of the week, and employees were told not to report to campus unless specifically directed to do so.

Campus officials are assessing damage and determining what work is needed before the campus can safely reopen. Students and employees are asked to stay away from campus while damage assessments and recovery work continue.

In a message to the campus sent on September 8, Chancellor Margaret Sanchez said, “We understand that students and faculty will have questions about missed class time, assignments, deadlines and other academic matters. We will work together to determine how those issues will be addressed once conditions stabilize and will provide additional guidance as soon as possible.”

UH campuses and facilities on Oʻahu reopened September 9, following precautionary closures on September 8.

UH leadership and emergency management teams continue to coordinate with state and county officials. Students and employees should monitor their hawaii.edu email, UH RAVE emergency alerts and official campus communication channels for the latest updates.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa women’s soccer defender Panaʻewa Cayetano has been named Mountain West Freshman of the Week. Cayetano’s selection marks the second weekly freshman accolade for the Rainbow Wahine in their inaugural Mountain West season, following teammate Olivia Dianda.

Cayetano earned the weekly honor after anchoring a defensive performance on the backline. Playing center back, she logged 161 total minutes across two matches over the weekend. She served as the center piece for Hawaiʻi’s defense in matches against New Mexico State and Washington State.

Cayetano played all 90 minutes on September 3, helping to secure a 3–0 victory over New Mexico State, holding the Aggies to zero shots on target and only five shot attempts the entire evening. On September 6, she played 71 minutes in a physical 0–0 draw against Washington State, helping to limit the Cougars offense to seven total shots and a single shot on target.

Cayetano’s performances helped UH Mānoa begin the season with a strong defensive showing as the Rainbow Wahine (3–3–1) prepare for the start of Mountain West play.

UH officially opens its inaugural Mountain West schedule on Thursday, September 24, on the road against Colorado College.

Read more at Hawaiiathletics.com.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa outside hitter Panna Ratkai was named the Old Trapper Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week on September 7.

Ratkai led the Rainbow Wahine with 52 kills and five aces to help power UH Mānoa to a 3-0 run in the OUTRIGGER Invitational, September 3–6. The senior hit .284 while averaging a team-high 4.00 kills and 4.65 points per set over the weekend and was voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Ratkai put away a season-high 21 kills in 54 attempts and hit .296 in a five-set win over Loyola Marymount (LMU) on September 4. After LMU forced a fifth set, Ratkai scored six of UH‘s first eight points, including back-to-back aces. She also finished with 10 digs for her second double-double of the season.

Ratkai opened the tournament with 12 kills in a sweep of Utah Tech on September 3, and closed the tournament with 19 kills on 50 attempts and two aces in another five-set win over UC San Diego on September 6.

The Rainbow Wahine (4-2) close out their season-opening homestand with a two-match series with Central Arkansas on Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Read more at HawaiiAthletics.com.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s men’s soccer junior Keita Goto was named the Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week for September 1—7, after helping lead the Vulcans to a perfect 3—0 start to the season.

Goto has played a key role in the Vulcans’ three defensive wins and scored the only goal in the September 2 victory over UT Dallas on a penalty kick.

“Keita has been instrumental for us this year, providing an immediate impact in our defensive midfield position,” Vulcans head coach Diego Marroquin said. “He was pivotal against Dallas, protecting our backline for 90 minutes while shutting down one of the top midfielders in the Lone Star Conference.”

UH Hilo is the Team of the Week for the second week straight, and is heading into a three-match trip to Colorado beginning September 9.

Read more at Hiloathletics.com.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from the Office of Communications.

A rainbow appeared over the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex during the UH football team’s game against UNLV on Saturday, September 5. The Rainbow Warriors take the field again this Saturday, September 12 against New Mexico State.

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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.

At least 150 students are expected to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and data science concepts to real-world challenges through a new Kapiʻolani Community College and University of Hawaiʻi Maui College project, which received $657,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Transforming Two-Year College Information Technology, Applied AI, and Data Science Programs, is a collaboration with the Institute for Future Intelligence and will combine new and revised credit-bearing courses with industry-informed projects, hands-on learning and AI-supported learning tools—integrating into the colleges’ associate degree information technology programs. An industry advisory structure and industry-supported learning experiences will help connect classroom instruction with workforce needs.

“This initiative will equip students with practical AI and data science skills for today’s evolving workforce while strengthening their abilities in problem-solving, data analysis, collaboration and technology application,” said Principal Investigator Dale Nakasone, a Kapiʻolani CC assistant professor of IT.

Cross-campus opportunities

Students from both campuses will also participate in annual cross-campus project showcases and collaborative applied learning opportunities.

“By embedding AI, data literacy, and hands-on experiential learning into existing IT associate degree programs, we are strengthening workforce-relevant technical skills in applied AI, industry-informed learning experiences, stronger transfer and career pathways,” said Co-principal Investigator Thomas Blamey, an assistant professor of math at UH Maui College.

The project will also provide professional development opportunities for working professionals and educators, and foster faculty collaboration across campuses. It will also examine effective approaches for teaching applied AI and data science in hybrid and online learning environments.

Curricular resources, findings and implementation models developed through the project will be shared with other two-year colleges seeking to expand AI education. The goal is to contribute scalable approaches for preparing technicians for increasingly data-driven and AI-enabled workplaces.

The Waterhouse Charitable Trust is being recognized for its longstanding commitment to University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student-athletes as one of 10 founding members of the new Shoji Society, a leadership giving society established to strengthen the future of UH Mānoa Athletics. The Shoji Society serves as the major giving component of the newly launched ’Bows Athletics Club, which provides opportunities for supporters at all giving levels to invest in UH Athletics.

The Waterhouse Charitable Trust’s connection to UH Athletics dates back decades to Alexander C. “Alec” Waterhouse, a lifelong supporter of the Rainbow Warriors and one of the foundational figures in UH Athletics fundraising. Waterhouse was a founder and chairman of the Nā Koa Football Booster Club and an original member of the ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue Board of Directors. He was inducted into the UH Circle of Honor in 1997.

Waterhouse was particularly committed to improving the experience of UH student-athletes. He worked with then-football coach Bob Wagner to develop the vision for a dedicated strength and conditioning facility, and in 1998, he contributed $300,000 to help establish the training facility that now bears his name. Waterhouse’s support extended across UH teams, coaches and staff, reflecting his belief in the importance of providing student-athletes with the resources to succeed. He remained a passionate supporter of UH Athletics until his passing in March 1999.

“Long before today’s college athletics landscape, Alec Waterhouse understood that investing in student-athletes was an investment in the future of Hawaiʻi,” UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “The Waterhouse Charitable Trust has carried that vision forward for generations. We are incredibly grateful for their extraordinary commitment to our student-athletes and honored to recognize the Waterhouse legacy as part of the Shoji Society.”

Investing in UH’s future

Waterhouse’s support helped shape the experience of generations of UH student-athletes. His substantial contributions helped make possible the purchase of weight room equipment for the UH Physiology Research and Training Facility, which was named in his honor.

That legacy continues today through the Alexander Waterhouse Sports Performance Facility, which underwent a $3.3 million renovation in 2023–24. The 10,000-square-foot facility now features new strength and conditioning equipment and a nutrition center serving approximately 500 student-athletes across 21 sports.

The Waterhouse Charitable Trust also has provided significant direct support for student-athletes. In 2015, the Nā Koa Football Club received a multiyear gift of more than $1 million annually from the trust, one of the largest gifts in the athletics department’s history. The gift supports football student-athletes through summer school tuition, cost-of-attendance stipends, nutritional enhancements, strength and conditioning equipment and other program needs.

Contributions to UH Athletics from Waterhouse and the Waterhouse Charitable Trust total over $13.5 million dollars.

“Alec Waterhouse was a man of great honor, faith, and generosity,” Trustee Stanley Y. Mukai said. “His legacy continues to support many causes, including in education, community outreach, spiritual worship, and athletics with significant donations. He was passionate and proud of University of Hawaiʻi sports, and his affinity for Warrior football is well-chronicled. A humble person, Alec’s giving was conducted without fanfare. He would have nevertheless appreciated the distinction bestowed upon him as a founding member of the UH Shoji Society. On behalf of Alec Waterhouse, thank you for recognizing and celebrating his benevolence with respect to UH athletics.”

Current Waterhouse Charitable Trust leadership members include: Trustees, Stanley Y. Mukai and First Hawaiian Bank.

Shoji Society founding members

The trust joins the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, Dr. Alvin and Monica Saake Foundation, Rie Wong and the Edwin S.N. Wong Foundation, Bank of Hawaiʻi, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Jack and Frances Tsui, Walter Dods and Gabe and Shirley Lee as the 10 charter members of the Shoji Society. Collectively, the founding members have committed more than $38.3 million over 46 years to strengthen opportunities for UH Mānoa student-athletes.

Named for legendary Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji, the society recognizes individuals and organizations making significant commitments to UH Athletics. Membership begins with a minimum pledge of $50,000 over up to five years, with giving supporting priorities such as scholarships, name, image and likeness opportunities, student-athlete development, facilities and other program needs.

For Elliott, recognizing the Waterhouse Charitable Trust is about more than acknowledging a financial contribution—it is about honoring a legacy of belief in UH Athletics.

“Philanthropy plays a significant role in allowing an athletics department to meet its mission, which is to create a great student-athlete experience,” Elliott said. “The Shoji Society gives us an opportunity to appropriately show our appreciation to the amazing people and corporations in our state that have supported us.”

The Shoji Society is the first major giving society in UH Athletics history named in honor of an individual. Its founding members represent a longstanding tradition of community support that has helped UH student-athletes compete, earn degrees and represent Hawaiʻi on the national stage.

For more about the Shoji Society and ’Bows Athletics Club, visit the UH Mānoa Athletics website.

As Hurricane Lowell approached the westernmost of the main Hawaiian Islands, heavy rainfall and strong winds were a major concern. In response, the Hawaiʻi Mesonet and Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal (HCDP) team at the University of Hawaiʻi created a new website to enable access to the most recent rainfall and wind speed data from Hawaiʻi Mesonet stations.

The 75 currently active stations in the network provide detailed up-to-date information on a wide range of weather variables. With Hurricane Lowell forecast to make a close approach to Niʻihau and Kauaʻi, interest was mainly on rainfall and wind speed. The new website provided up-to-date rainfall accumulation and maximum wind and wind gust speeds at Hawaiʻi Mesonet stations for the period starting September 7, 12:00 AM HST. Data was updated every 15 minutes.

“Events like Hurricane Lowell show us how important it is to have a dense network that covers all areas on each island.” said Tom Giambelluca, Hawaiʻi Mesonet project lead. “We urge everyone to pay close attention to updates from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center and warnings issued by the National Weather Service and county (Kauaʻi, Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi) and State emergency management agencies.”

In addition to the new Hurricane Lowell website, the UH team provided summaries of recent extreme weather events and maintained a real-time weather dashboard offering public access to live weather data from 75 monitoring stations currently active across the state. The dashboard updates data every 15 minutes, allowing users to view current, localized conditions including temperature, rainfall, wind, humidity, solar radiation and soil moisture. This creates one of the most comprehensive and timely weather resources available in Hawaiʻi.

A novel wastewater treatment solution currently undergoing evaluation at the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant on Oʻahu could offer a crucial, cost-effective path forward as Hawaiʻi faces a massive statewide infrastructure overhaul.

The Hawaiʻi Onsite Wastewater Technology Evaluation Program (HOWTEP) was officially launched during the Wastewater Innovation Tech Showcase on August 26, at the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Executed by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Water Resources Research Center (WRRC), HOWTEP is a three-year pilot testing program funded by companion bills SB 1232 and HB 736. WRRC evaluates innovative systems and provides evaluation reports to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health to support their decision-making and certification process. This directly accelerates the commercialization and approval of affordable wastewater technologies.

The initiative advances accessible, decentralized wastewater solutions to help property owners meet the Act 125 mandate requiring the replacement, conversion or closure of nearly 88,000 cesspools across the state by January 1, 2050. Beyond system certification, HOWTEP serves as a multi-purpose hub for WRRC to conduct research, offer hands-on student training and perform community outreach.

Honu Hub

Honu Hub, which is supported by a $5 million National Science Foundation grant, is the first technology to be evaluated under the HOWTEP platform. It is led by Assistant Professor Zhiyue Wang (WRRC and Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering), Professor and Director Tao Yan (WRRC and Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering) and Professor Daniel Yeh (University of South Florida).

Honu Hub is a decentralized wastewater treatment system designed to process sewage completely above ground. By packing its technology into a compact 52-square-foot space—roughly the size of a standard garden shed—the unit eliminates the need for expensive heavy machinery, extensive excavation and costly landscape restoration.

For many homeowners, replacing a cesspool with a conventional septic system costs between $30,000 and $50,000—a financial burden amplified by difficult terrain, high water tables and tight lot boundaries. Honu Hub was engineered as an affordable alternative designed to drastically lower these conversion costs.

“The WRRC team’s role in this is to help with research and development to improve the technology and study the fate and transport of emerging contaminants in this system,” Wang said.

Read more about Honu Hub on the WRRC website.

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 demand for medical laboratory scientists grows, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is preparing students for the critical health care profession through a program that reports a 100% employment rate within one year of graduation.

The John A. Burns School of Medicine’s Medical Technology Program has trained medical laboratory scientists since 1946. Their behind-the-scenes work helps physicians diagnose patients and determine treatment.

“Our students work in labs, and they run the tests that assist physicians with diagnosing patients. They actually look at cells, look at bacteria under a microscope, and a whole host of other things,” said program director Rhena Singh. “About 70% of medical decisions rely on test results produced by medical labs and the people that run medical labs are our students, our alumni.”

Singh said career prospects are strong as medical laboratory scientists nationwide continue to retire.

“The job outlook for our students is excellent,” Singh said. “We have a 100% employment rate so every single one of our students gets a job within one year of graduating.”

Small program, strong connections

The program also connects students with local industry leaders and alumni, including through its annual open house, to encourage networking and mentorship.

For student Sandy Liang, a 2025 UH Mānoa graduate, working as a lab assistant introduced her to the profession.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to work in the medical field and I knew I loved the lab but honestly, I did not know about med tech until I started working as a lab assistant,” Liang said.

The two-year bachelor’s degree program currently has 30 students, is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and is the only medical technology program in the state. Enrollment is expected to expand with the relaunch of an online program in fall 2027.

Liang hopes to use her training to build a career in Hawaiʻi.

“It’s home, you know? I don’t want to have to leave. I want to live here. I want to stay here. I want to help the people here,” Liang said.

Read more at JABSOM.

Hawaiʻi Island teens transformed fabric into handmade garments while building sewing, fashion and photography skills at the Hawaiʻi 4-H Fashion Camp at Honokaʻa High School. Organized by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), the camp brought them together with fashion professionals to keep traditional craftsmanship and practical skills alive.

Sewing is a life skill, but it is being lost at a rapid rate among younger generations. Through 4-H’s “learn by doing” approach, students learned to operate sewing machines, select and cut fabric, style outfits and photograph their finished creations.

Led by Honokaʻa High and Intermediate School teacher Lisa Anderson, volunteers from Honokaʻa’s Sew Fun program helped youth learn how to use a sewing machine, pinning, cutting, and pressing as they brought their outfits to life.

One of the camp’s most important roles is highlighting the cultural importance of textile arts in Hawaiʻi. “It’s a great intergenerational program,” said CTAHR Extension Agent Marielle Hampton, emphasizing that island sewing traditions, such as Hawaiian quilt making, carry deep historical significance that risks fading if not passed down.

By completing their projects, the students who finished this year’s camp walked away with custom apparel, cost-saving practical abilities, and a renewed connection to an island tradition.

Mentorship and community connections

The camp connected young people with higher education and industry professionals:

• Professors Andrew Reilly and Minako McCarthy, faculty members in CTAHR’s Fashion Design and Merchandising program, shared insights on fashion design and academic pathways.
• Local fashion entrepreneur Mariah Toledo-Tavares of KaloKini spoke about creative business opportunities
• A photoshoot led by local photographer Sarah Anderson captured students modeling their handmade garments.

The camp was funded through a Weinberg grant from the Hawaiʻi 4-H Foundation. Hawaiʻi 4-H is a CTAHR program serving youth across the state.

The University of Hawaiʻi helped bring technology professionals, community members, educators, policymakers and other stakeholders together for the inaugural Hawaiʻi School on Internet Governance (HiSIG), a one-day symposium focused on the future of Internet and digital governance in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

About 80 people attended the September 4 event at Servpac’s Activity Room in Mililani Tech Park during Hawaiʻi Tech Week. The free symposium featured presentations and discussions on Internet governance, artificial intelligence, digital equity, Indigenous knowledge and online safety under the theme “Navigating Global Digital Governance.”

The UH Mānoa Communication Program in School of Communication and Information in the College of Social Sciences was a sponsor of the event, with faculty and students participating in the symposium. The program’s involvement reflects its commitment to preparing students to understand the rapidly changing digital environment and its impacts on communication, society and communities.

Shaping Hawaiʻi’s digital future

“Internet governance is no longer simply a technical conversation. It touches how we communicate, how information is shared and who has a voice in shaping our digital future,” said School of Communication and Information Chair and Communication Professor Wayne Buente. “Having our faculty and students participate in these discussions creates an important opportunity to bring communication perspectives to issues that will affect communities across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.”

UH also was represented on a panel examining Indigenous knowledge in the digital age. Leimomi Bong of the UH Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation joined other experts to discuss the importance of ensuring that Indigenous communities have control over how traditional knowledge is digitized, protected and used.

The symposium featured national and international experts addressing topics including Internet governance, the multistakeholder model, digital equity, inclusive Internet access, and trust, safety and risk in a connected artificial intelligence world.

The keynote address, “State of the Internet,” was delivered virtually by Internet pioneer Vint Cerf, chief Internet evangelist at Google. The session explored the history of the Internet in Hawaiʻi and how the technology continues to evolve.

Building digital connections across the Pacific

HiSIG was created to raise awareness and build capacity around digital technologies across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The initiative grew from discussions held with the Internet Governance Secretariat during the World Summit on the Information Society+20 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, in July 2025.

Participants in HiSIG gained a deeper understanding of how the Internet works, the factors that shape its development and the ways communities can contribute to the evolution of their digital pilina (connection, relationships).

What happens to the food in rubbish cans after thousands of fairgoers enjoy plate lunches, watermelon contests, and locally grown fruits and vegetables? At this year’s Hawaiʻi Farm Fair, nutrient-rich compost was the answer. This was the first zero-waste diversion effort for the farm fair.

Mindy Jaffe, an educational specialist in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and founder of the Oʻahu Worm ʻOhana partnered with CTAHR student ambassadors and staff to divert 1,200 pounds of food waste over the two-day event.

Green waste, worm food and compost

CTAHR student ambassadors helped separate uneaten food from disposable packaging. After the fair, Jaffe hauled the waste to the college’s Magoon Research Station, where food was diverted to green waste, fresh-fed composting worms, or integrated into hot compost piles.

“I thought if there’s any place we should be diverting food waste from the landfill, it’s at the farm fair because these are farmers; they’re dependent on good soil, and it should be composted,” Jaffe said.

Waste diversion and food security

Jaffe plans to scale up the initiative for next year’s fair. She would like to create an official “Farm Fair Pile,” since a single fair generates enough waste to build a 1,000-pound compost pile. The premium compost would be auctioned off at next year’s fair, with proceeds donated to local agriculture and food security projects.

Jaffe is working with a team of CTAHR faculty and staff and the UH Foundation on proposals to expand composting research and community education. “Food waste is a resource. You can do a lot with it, and if we’re not taking advantage of that, we’re crazy,” she said.