University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo first stop on Hensel’s 2026 statewide tour of campuses
“There’s no substitute for talk story and being able to really get into the stories of Hilo,” UH President Wendy Hensel said.
University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel began a statewide tour of the 10 UH campuses with Tuesday’s visit to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
Hensley and five members of her leadership team were met with a traditional greeting of oli and lei before beginning a day of conversations with students, campus leaders and employee groups.
This was Hensel’s first stop of a monthslong tour to hear firsthand about the strengths, challenges and future of each campus. She also toured the campuses and education centers after taking office in January 2025.
“There’s no substitute for talk story and being able to really get into the stories of Hilo,” Hensel said in a news release.
During her visit, Hensel described the planned $123 million in investments across the UH System for the 2026–27 academic year.
At UH Hilo, work will include faster campus internet, building repairs, dedicated spaces for Native Hawaiian students, improved retention efforts, and the hiring of a new coordinator to support second-year students.
“Having President Hensel here gives her a chance to see our campus up close and hear directly from the people who know it best,” UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin said. “These conversations help her understand both our strengths and our challenges.”
President Hensel’s campus visit schedule:
- Sept. 29: Leeward CC
- Oct. 7: UH West Oʻahu
- Oct. 8: Honolulu CC
- Oct. 13: UH Maui College
- Oct.16 : Kapiʻolani CC
- Oct. 21: Hawaiʻi CC
- Oct. 27: Kauaʻi CC
- Nov. 10: Windward CC
- Dec. 8: Waiʻanae Moku
- Dec. 9: UH Mānoa
