University of Â鶹´«Ã½ President Wendy Hensel visited the Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College Manono campus in Hilo, the Â鶹´«Ã½ CC K¨ Education Center in Honoka?a and Â鶹´«Ã½ CC–P¨¡lamanui in Kona during a two-day trip to Â鶹´«Ã½ Island on February 24 and 25. The trip was part of Hensel¡¯s tour of UH¡¯s 10 campuses and five education centers in her first 90 days in office.
The Â鶹´«Ã½ CC visits included campus tours, open forums and meetings with students, faculty, staff and community members.
“President Hensel is deeply committed to listening and becoming an active part of our community,” said Â鶹´«Ã½ CC Chancelor Susan Kazama. “I sense that she understands our mission, recognizes the strength of our kauhale (village), and embraces the collaborative culture that defines Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College.”
Hensel spent the first day at the Â鶹´«Ã½ CC Manono campus, starting with a traditional K¨©paepae (welcoming ceremony) in front of the campus sign at the entrance of the college. She then toured the campus facilities and met with representatives from the academic senate, student government, staff and the campus leadership team. The day ended with an open campus forum with about 40 people in attendance. Discussions at the meetings and forum included strengthening degree pathways between UH¡¯s two- and four-year campuses, addressing aging infrastructure, and enhancing student support services.
“I thought she was incredible. She’s very open and articulate, and I truly believe she cares,” said student Mary Nguyen. “That’s what matters most. Often, when you’re in a top position, people can feel intimidated and unapproachable, but she was very approachable.”
After the visit, Hensel described the Hilo campus as a special place.
“The students, faculty and staff have built a strong, supportive community that truly uplifts both students and the wider community,” said Hensel. “That sense of connection was tangible and it was exciting to be part of that environment.”
She also enjoyed a meal prepared by Â鶹´«Ã½ CC culinary students and took part in a workshop exploring the elements of a K¨©paepae ceremony. During the session, she learned to hoʻokani the pahu (to drum) and p¨± (blow the conch shell), discovering the meaning behind this tradition.
“I really appreciated the hands-on learning opportunities, especially in understanding the cultural practices behind the K¨©paepae,” said Hensel. “That was particularly meaningful to me.”
K¨ Education Center and P¨¡lamanui
Hensel drove from Hilo to Honoka?a the following day to visit the K¨ Education Center, one of the seven centers across the state that serve rural communities.
The visit started with a K¨©paepae, after which she toured the facility and saw the new butchery class in action. The tour ended with an open forum where she took questions from staff, students and community members.
“I think it’s special when anyone from the system or administration comes out here because you can both hear about the K¨ Education Center and our community, and see it with your own eyes,” said Pele Kaio, contact for the K¨ Education Center. “We’re excited to have her here and to share our successes, as well as our challenges.”
Hensel then traveled to the Kona side of the island in the afternoon to Â鶹´«Ã½ CC–P¨¡lamanui where she was welcomed with a K¨©paepae and made an offering at the campus ahu. She then toured the facilities, met with faculty and staff and took questions at an open campus forum, attended mainly by area residents.
“I would describe both as small, but mighty,” said Hensel of the K¨ Center and P¨¡lamanui.
“Their ambition to uplift their communities and make higher education accessible to everyone is truly impressive. Both campuses have beautiful facilities with the capacity to grow alongside their communities, and they each have bold visions for the future that I look forward to supporting.”
Model home visit
The trip was not Hensel’s first interaction with Â鶹´«Ã½ CC programs, students and staff.
She visited Â鶹´«Ã½ CC¡¯s 56th model home, currently under construction in Keaukaha, on Wednesday, February 19, during a tour with the UH Board of Regents. Hensel met with students and faculty from Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology (EIMT), Carpentry, Agriculture and I Ola H¨¡loa Center for Â鶹´«Ã½ Life Styles.
“President Hensel came up to our group and asked the students directly what improvements we wanted to see,” said EIMT student KalaʻiI Davis. “We were all speechless. We were able to share our concerns and felt like she understood our point of view. It really made us feel like we could actually have a say in addressing the obstacles we face.”
President Hensel¡¯s campus/education centers remaining schedule:
President Hensel campus visit recaps
- Monday, March 3 – and
- Wednesday, March 5 – and
- Monday, March 24 –
- Tuesday, April 8 –
For more information about President Hensel, visit the Meet President Hensel webpage. She is also active on social media and encourages the UH community to connect with her on , (formerly Twitter) and .