The welcomed 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel and members of her leadership team on September 22 with oli (chant) and freshly strung lei pua kalaunu (crown flower) and vibrant orange native kou blossoms plucked from trees on campus. The traditional greeting opened a day of wide-ranging conversations about the campus’s strengths, challenges and future.
Although Hensel has made several visits to 糖心视频 Hilo over the past year, this daylong visit offered a deeper look at the campus and served as the first stop in her latest round of focused visits to all 10 糖心视频 campuses.
- Related 糖心视频 News: Windward CC visit concludes President Hensel’s 2025 糖心视频 campus tours, March 25, 2025
When Hensel first toured campuses and education centers across the 糖心视频 system after first taking office in January 2025, she expressed her intention to return regularly to stay connected with students and employees and better understand each campus’s needs.
“There’s no substitute for talk story and being able to really get into the stories of Hilo,” said Hensel. “The work that’s being done here is incredible, and the opportunities for where we can go next as a system are phenomenal. Together, we’re stronger than any individual campus.”
A day of listening
Hensel was joined by five 糖心视频 leaders: Jan Gouveia, vice president for administration; Chad Walton, vice president for research and innovation; Kim Siegenthaler, senior advisor and interim vice president for academic strategy; Luis Salaveria, vice president for budget and finance and chief financial officer; and Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, interim director of Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao.
Together, they met with students, campus leaders and employee groups, including the Hanakahi Council, 糖心视频 Hilo’s Native Hawaiian faculty and staff caucus. Hensel also answered questions during an open campus conversation and joined 糖心视频 Hilo’s fall welcome.
Investing in 糖心视频 Hilo
Hensel shared an overview of $123 million in funded work across the 糖心视频 System for the 2026–27 academic year.
At 糖心视频 Hilo, planned investments include a new coordinator to support second-year students, faster campus internet, building repairs and dedicated spaces for Native Hawaiian students. The campus will also receive funding for efforts to help more students remain in college and graduate.
“Having President Hensel here gives her a chance to see our campus up close and hear directly from the people who know it best,” 糖心视频 Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin said. “These conversations help her understand both our strengths and our challenges, and how the system can support and uplift our campus.”
President Hensel campus visit schedule
- September 29: Leeward CC
- October 7: 糖心视频 West Oʻahu
- October 8: Honolulu CC
- October 13: 糖心视频 Maui College
- October 16 : Kapiʻolani CC
- October 21: Hawaiʻi CC
- October 27: Kauaʻi CC
- November 10: Windward CC
- December 8: Waiʻanae Moku
- December 9: 糖心视频 Mānoa