Hawai’i Community College sees second-largest enrollment jump in UH system

Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo experienced one of the largest enrollment increases in the University of Hawaiʻi System this fall, reaching its highest headcount in years.

According to the University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaiʻi Community College enrollment rose by 8.7% to 2,489 students, indicating renewed momentum across Hawaiʻi Island and the University of Hawaiʻi community colleges.

“Hawaiʻi Community College’s enrollment gains this fall reflect the opportunity and connection students find when they choose to learn close to home,” Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Susan Kazama said. “The number of resident students grew 8%, continuing students increased 8.2%, and first-time freshmen rose 13.7%, showing that more students are seeing Hawaiʻi CC as both a starting point and a steady path for growth.”

In addition, Native Hawaiian and part-Hawaiian enrollment grew 9.5%, highlighting progress in advancing educational access and success for Hawaiʻi’s indigenous students. The college also saw a 5.8% increase in early admission students, high school students who earn college credit while completing their diploma.

“What makes these numbers meaningful isn’t just the growth — it’s what they represent,” said Kazama. “Each student who walks through our doors is creating something for themselves. Hawaiʻi CC is where the journey begins — where skills grow, confidence takes root, and futures are shaped right here at home. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our faculty and staff who support and uplift our students.”

Across the 10 campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi, total enrollment reached 51,411 students in fall 2025, a 2% increase from last fall and the highest since 2017. This marks the third consecutive year of growth for Hawaiʻi’s public higher education system, reversing earlier declines and continuing positive momentum across both four-year and two-year campuses.

University of Hawaiʻi system enrollment:

• University of Hawaiʻi 10-campus system: 51,411 (+2% from fall 2024)
• University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa: 20,404 (+1.9%)
• University of Hawaiʻi Hilo: 2,649 (−0.7%)
• University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu: 2,897 (+2.9%)
• University of Hawaiʻi community colleges: 25,461 (+2.2%)
• Hawaiʻi Community College: 2,489 (+8.7%)
• Honolulu Community College: 3,628 (+8.6%)
• Kapiʻolani Community College: 5,704 (−3.6%)
• Kauaʻi Community College: 1,324 (−0.8%)
• Leeward Community College: 6,210 (−4%)
• University of Hawaiʻi Maui College: 2,997 (+7.3%)
• Windward Community College: 3,109 (+12.4%)

Enrollment gains across the University of Hawaiʻi system were driven by increases in first-time freshmen, record participation in programs allowing high school students to earn college and/or high school credit, and rising undergraduate home-based enrollment at UH four-year campuses.

“Enrollment is one of the strongest indicators of confidence in the value of higher education and our 10-campus system,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel. “I am proud that more Hawaiʻi students are choosing to pursue their degrees with us. This momentum is critical to preparing the state’s future workforce and ensuring opportunities for every student.”

Hensel acknowledged challenges that remain, including a 3.5% decline in undergraduate transfer enrollment, and emphasized that the University of Hawaiʻi is prioritizing systemwide solutions to improve the student experience.

By next year, the University of Hawaiʻi system is working to ensure that online programs available at community colleges are aligned with online bachelor’s at the four-year campuses.

The system will be adopting EAB Navigate360 and EAB Edify, which are platforms that use predictive analytics built on historical and current student data to proactively alert faculty, advisors, and staff at the earliest signs a student may be at risk of taking the wrong course.

“Addressing transfer barriers is one of our top priorities,” Hensel said. “These tools will give students the support they need, often before they even realize they need it, to ensure they reach their educational goals.”

The goal of these platforms is to deliver timely support when it can make the most difference, helping students stay on track, succeed in their studies, and graduate.