This week鈥檚 糖心视频 News Image of the Week is from 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 undergraduate and Office of Communications student worker Natasha Maafala during a visit to (HIMB) on v in 碍腻苍别ʻ辞丑别 Bay.

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

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

Send us your image!

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

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

Want to get in on the action? The next 糖心视频 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.

• .

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

—Name, term, title.

More ʻ艑lelo of the Week

Check back for more ʻ艒lelo Hawaiʻi.

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

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the 糖心视频 Hilo .

and the have been recognized as some of the nation’s highest-performing institutions for student satisfaction. Both campuses have earned a place on the inaugural , released by higher education technology company EdSights.

The SVS Honors List recognizes the top-performing 20 percent of participating colleges and universities within each higher education sector, celebrating institutions that set the national standard for student experience and success. Windward CC ranked No. 2 overall among 2-year public institutions nationwide. The 糖心视频 West Oʻahu ranked No. 9 among 4-year public institutions.

Delivering on mission

This recognition signals that 糖心视频 campuses are delivering on their core mission to provide accessible, supportive and high-quality educational environments. According to the report, top-performing 2-year public institutions like Windward CC are providing access, affordability, flexible scheduling and dedicated support staff to help students balance school with work and family.

“The voice of our beloved students in this survey affirms how they flourish through the aloha and dedication of our faculty and staff who live our mission and values,” said Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg. “Windward Community College is a magical place to learn and work because of our people.”

At 4-year public institutions like 糖心视频 West Oʻahu, students highly value approachable faculty, relevant coursework, strong campus communities and comprehensive student services, such as advising and counseling, the report said.

“It brings me great pride to see our campus celebrated through the voices of our own students,” said 糖心视频 West Oʻahu Interim Chancellor Carlos Pe帽aloza. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, and it affirms that student support and success are at the heart of everything we do at 糖心视频 West Oʻahu.”

‘Where students can thrive’

The SVS benchmark is unique because it captures satisfaction directly from the students themselves at scale. The 2026 SVS Report analyzed feedback from more than 125,000 students attending 257 colleges and universities.

“At a moment when higher education is often thought of in the context of headlines about declining confidence and enrollment challenges, the Student Voice Score^® tells a more nuanced story—students are telling us that many colleges and universities are delivering exceptional experiences,” said Carolina Recchi, co-founder and co-CEO of EdSights. “The institutions recognized on this year’s Honors List have distinguished themselves by listening to students, responding to their needs, and creating environments where students can thrive.”

Under a five-year contract, EdSights has provided each 糖心视频 campus with a proactive AI chatbot designed to check in with students, connect them to resources and provide valuable insights into student needs. The initiative is part of a systemwide student success strategy to create a “common standard of care” for 糖心视频 students across the state.

The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu recently hosted the 5th annual Hawaiʻi Threat Assessment Conference (HTAC), a statewide effort that brought together more than 200 attendees and a dozen national and local experts. In collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Office of Homeland Security, the event equipped participants with vital tools to enhance community safety across the islands.

This year鈥檚 conference centered on “The Threat Continuum,” emphasizing the integration of threat prevention, management and response. By mastering both mitigation and rapid response, Hawaiʻi communities can better protect their residents.

“Making our communities safer through the incorporation of both mitigation strategies helps to limit injuries and loss of life, as well as potential liabilities,” said HTAC co-organizer and 糖心视频 West Oʻahu鈥檚 Director of Compliance Bev Baligad. “It should never be about choosing one over the other. Embracing efforts to support the entire threat continuum is the key.”

‘Preventative practice’

The conference featured speakers from the Honolulu Police Department, the FBI and other experts who shared strategies for today鈥檚 rapidly changing environment.

“Threat assessment and management is very important because it鈥檚 such a preventative practice that you can really get red flag warnings, you can see the concerning behaviors, and then you can act on it on the front end,” said Ed Howard, CEO of Pax Bello Security Solutions Hawaiʻi, LLC.

By providing these training opportunities, the conference strengthens the state鈥檚 capacity to identify risks early. Steven MacDonald, executive director of Safer Schools Together, highlighted the lasting impact of collaboration.

“This gathering shows the great work that鈥檚 already been done across the islands, across the Pacific,” MacDonald said. “That鈥檚 going to be one of the greatest ways for our communities to continue to grow and get stronger.”

With funding support from Homeland Security and Department of Justice grants, these efforts ensure Hawaiʻi remains at the forefront of community-wide safety and resilience.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

This week鈥檚 糖心视频 News Image of the Week is from Leeward Community College.

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

.

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

Send us your image!

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

Want to get in on the action? The next 糖心视频 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.

• .

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

—Paddle (As a canoe).

More ʻ艑lelo of the Week

“E kaup膿 aku n艒 i ka hoe a k艒聽mai (Put forward the paddle and draw it back).”

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

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the 糖心视频 Hilo .

The University of 贬补飞补颈驶颈鈥揥别蝉迟 翱驶补丑耻 has achieved a major milestone, for the National Cyber League (NCL) spring 2026 competition. This performance, involving more than 7,500 students from 670 institutions, marks the university鈥檚 highest placement to date, rising from 9th in the previous fall competition.

“NCL teaches you the skills you can’t always pick up in the classroom,” said student Sean Belisle. “You need to use your academic knowledge and combine it with logic and problem solving skills to find answers, and it’s this combination that has been preparing us well for our careers after school.”

The NCL event, powered by Cyber Skyline, tests students against real-world workforce challenges, including forensic data analysis, pentesting (a simulated cyberattack) and ransomware recovery.

Student Joel Kawamae added, “In a field like cybersecurity, where technology is constantly evolving, the solutions that work today are not always the same solutions we will rely on tomorrow. Competitions like the National Cyber League and other CTFs (Capture The Flag, a common format for cybersecurity competitions) challenge us to adapt to unfamiliar problems and to learn under pressure, and that ability to keep learning is one of the most valuable traits a cybersecurity professional can have.”

Skill, determination, teamwork

“Participation in the National Cyber League provides students with an opportunity to apply their cybersecurity knowledge in a realistic, hands-on environment while competing against some of the best student talent in the nation,” said Anthony Eich, team coach and a cybersecurity lecturer.

In May, a 糖心视频 West 翱驶补丑耻 team, which included students from Honolulu Community College, secured 4th place nationally in the NCL Team Standard Bracket.

Eich said, “Earning a top-four team finish and helping 糖心视频 West 翱驶补丑耻 achieve a third-place national Cyber Power Ranking demonstrates the skill, determination and teamwork of our students. I am incredibly proud of what they accomplished and excited to see the continued growth of our cybersecurity program.”

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

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

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

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

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

More than 100 AI-infused courses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This week鈥檚 糖心视频 News Image of the Week is from 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补’s Shea McNulty, an undergraduate studying psychology and art.

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

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

Send us your image!

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

Want to get in on the action? The next 糖心视频 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.

• .

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

—Wild ginger.

More ʻ艑lelo of the Week

“Nui n膩 ʻawapuhi i koʻu m膩la (There is plenty of ginger in my garden).”

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

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the 糖心视频 Hilo .

This week鈥檚 糖心视频 News Image of the Week is from Patrick Williams of 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

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

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

Send us your image!

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

Want to get in on the action? The next 糖心视频 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.

• .

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

—Out of sight, hidden.

More ʻ艑lelo of the Week

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

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

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the 糖心视频 Hilo .

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

This year鈥檚 donations of 517,177 meals across the City, State and 糖心视频 exceeded Hawaiʻi Foodbank鈥檚 goal of 510,000 meals, marking an outstanding accomplishment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Five new regents begin service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Akitake’s statement after being elected BOR chair

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

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

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

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

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

30 years

Akiu, Debora A U
Supervising Library Technician, Honolulu CC

Libarios, Laurie T
Associate Professor, Leeward CC

Ricci, Kori L
Educational Specialist, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

Tamanaha, Janice T
Administrative Officer, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

More anniversaries
June 2026
May 2026
April 2026
More anniversary lists

20 years

Barkhoff, Harald
Vice Chancellor, 糖心视频 West Oʻahu

Ching, Kelly J
Academic Support Specialist, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

Dunn, Liloa
Research Associate, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

Huang, Vicky X
Fiscal Specialist, 糖心视频 System

Luke, Amy M
Chief of Staff, 糖心视频 System

Sears, Heejoon R
Research Associate, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

Serrano, Susan K
Professor, Law, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

Yrizarry, Lisa A
Associate Professor, Kapiʻolani CC

10 years

Andrade, Troy J H
Associate Dean, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

Cepeda, Julian A
Residence Life Specialist, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

Escobar, Louis Y
IT Specialist, 糖心视频 Maui College

Gordon, Emmanuel M
IT Specialist, 糖心视频 System

Lips, Sarah A
Student Services Specialist, 糖心视频 Hilo

Muraoka, Kerri H
Office Assistant, Kauaʻi CC

Segeral, Nathalie
Associate Professor, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

Sutter, Shelley R
Dean, Kauaʻi CC

Young, Heather A
Administrative Officer, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补

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

Previous Images
Weekend weather
Monk seals
Chainsaw ice
Dundee under a K墨lauea sun
Championship trophy tour
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 糖心视频 ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next 糖心视频 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.

• .

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

Keola Robert Whittaker was appointed to the (BOR) on June 26, 2026, by Gov. Josh Green, pending confirmation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate. Whittaker will represent Maui County through June 30, 2030, filling the seat vacated by Kuiokalani Gapero following his resignation.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Whittaker has lived on Maui since 2020. A land use attorney, he represents clients on development projects, environmental review under the Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act and regulatory matters involving state and county land use agencies.

“I understand the unique challenges facing communities on Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, and the transformative role the University of Hawaiʻi can play in their future,” Whittaker said. “I will strive to bring a neighbor island perspective that is essential to the governance of a university system that serves the entire state.”

More about Whittaker

Whittaker also serves on the boards of Habitat for Humanity Maui and Wave of Harmony, a foundation that supports performing arts education, cultural programs and youth development. He previously served as board president of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles and on the board of Outright International, a global nonprofit that advances human rights for LGBTQ+ people.

Whittaker earned a BA from Whitman College, an MA from Reed College and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is completing a Master of Divinity degree at Starr King School for the Ministry, where he serves as student body president.

More about the BOR

The BOR governs the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system and is responsible for policy direction, financial oversight and long-term strategic planning. The board consists of 11 non-compensated volunteer members representing every county in the state, including five from the City and County of Honolulu, two each from Hawaiʻi and Maui counties, one from Kauaʻi County and one 糖心视频 student.

Forty years ago, Tim Lee was just a self-described “surfer boy” taking classes at and walking the length of Waikīkī begging for a foot in the hospitality door. Today, he is a world-renowned hotelier managing a legendary Michelin Three-Key resort. Yet, his deepest wish is simply to bring his global success back home to give back to the islands.

“I bring my aloha spirit wherever I go,” Lee said. “It鈥檚 always a part of the equation.”

Lee鈥檚 journey is one of the emotional heartbeats of the 2026 issue of .

Other stories in the issue show 糖心视频鈥檚 impact in Hawaiʻi and beyond:

• A bold new vision for the future: Get an exclusive look at President Wendy Hensel鈥檚 first year at the helm. From launching the Direct2糖心视频 admission initiative to driving increases in applications from first-time freshmen for fall 2026, 糖心视频 is breaking down barriers to ensure academic excellence remains accessible and affordable.
• Keeping kamaʻāina home: The mission is clear: keep our kamaʻāina in the islands by building seamless, reliable pathways directly from the classroom to fulfilling careers. This issue highlights 糖心视频鈥檚 aggressive “generational workforce commitment.”
• Groundbreaking, world-class science: 糖心视频 continues to lead the globe in environmental and earth sciences. Learn about a revolutionary 糖心视频 study that discovered how Kīlauea Volcano signals magma shifts through the seismic energy of ocean waves—not just earthquakes—allowing for vastly improved eruption predictions.



• Culturally rooted AI: 糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 LOHE Lab (Listening Observatory for Hawaiian Ecosystems) has partnered with Google鈥檚 Perch AI to process massive amounts of acoustic data in near real-time, creating a life-saving early warning system for Hawaiʻi‘s endangered native birds.
• Celebrating alumni creativity and voice: Be inspired by the incredible achievements of our alumni who are dominating the literary world. Celebrate Lee Tonouchi, the acclaimed “Pidgin Guerrilla,” as he takes on the role of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 new poet laureate, dedicating his term to empowering marginalized communities to embrace their unique voices.
• Magical realism and history: Dive into the world of Hilo-born author Jasmin ʻIolani Hakes鈥� new novel, The P艒haku, which weaves 300 years of Hawaiʻi-California history and climate themes into a beautiful story of generational healing.

Whether you are passionate about new technology, environmental conservation, local economics or the vibrant arts, this issue of University of Hawaiʻi Magazine proves that the legacy you are a part of is stronger—and more impactful—than ever.

University of Hawaiʻi Magazine is published by PacificBasin Communications in partnership with the , and annually highlights alumni accomplishments and news from 糖心视频鈥檚 10 campuses.

The following guest column by University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel was published in the .

A recent June 21 Honolulu Star-Advertiser article about the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 proposed updates to its Free Expression policy raised important questions—questions I welcome. As a former law professor who taught aspects of First Amendment law, I believe deeply that free speech and open intellectual debate are essential to our mission across all ten 糖心视频 campuses. Protecting these freedoms is one of my most important responsibilities as president.

At the same time, applying First Amendment principles in a real campus environment is complex and highly charged. Like all public universities, 糖心视频 must safeguard individuals鈥� constitutional rights while also ensuring that our campuses remain places where teaching, learning, and research can occur without disruption.

Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) policies are the standard way universities strike this balance. These policies are鈥攁nd must be鈥攕trictly viewpoint-neutral. They do not regulate what people say. Instead, they set reasonable expectations for how, when, and where expression can occur so that campuses remain safe, accessible, and functional for everyone.

糖心视频 has had a TPM policy for decades, but the current version—last substantially updated more than ten years ago—contains ambiguities that have sometimes led to inconsistent interpretation and enforcement. Ambiguity is one of the greatest threats to free speech because it can allow decisions to be influenced, or appear to be influenced, by viewpoint. Our proposed revisions aim to eliminate that risk by clarifying rights and responsibilities for all members of our community.

These updates were not drafted in isolation. Over the past eight months, subject-matter experts have worked closely with faculty senates across all ten campuses, law school scholars, student leaders, employee unions, legal counsel, campus administrators, safety personnel, and civil liberties advocates. Their feedback has strengthened the policy, making it more precise, transparent, and workable. We plan to implement the revised policy in July as an interim measure, allowing for additional discussion and educational sessions in the fall.

The proposed policy reaffirms 糖心视频鈥檚 longstanding commitment to free expression, academic freedom, and the open exchange of ideas. Peaceful protests, demonstrations, rallies, speeches, petitions, and other forms of constitutionally protected expression remain fully protected. The policy also explicitly preserves the right of students, faculty, and staff to spontaneously assemble and engage in expressive activity in generally accessible outdoor areas without prior approval.

What the policy does require is that all activities follow reasonable, viewpoint-neutral TPM standards—such as managing noise levels near classrooms and offices, designating appropriate posting areas, and ensuring that building access remains unobstructed. These are common expectations at universities nationwide. They are designed not to restrict speech, but to ensure that free expression and the core functions of the university can coexist.

I encourage Star-Advertiser readers to visit the university’s resource webpage, where they can review the interim policy, a side-by-side comparison of the proposed changes, a consultation timeline and frequently asked questions.

We welcome continued debate, scrutiny, and engagement. These conversations embody the very academic freedom we are committed to protecting. By working together to establish clear, fair, and consistently applied standards, we can ensure that the University of Hawaiʻi remains a place where robust debate, free inquiry, and transformative learning thrive for generations to come.

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