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This article by Native Hawaiian Initiative Alakaʻi (Coordinator) at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Kamakanaokealoha Aquino was first published in .
As we begin this new year, let us take a moment to reflect on 2025. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ awarded 2,086 degrees and certificates to Native Hawaiians. As of fall 2025, there are 12,618 Native Hawaiians enrolled.
There are so many accomplishments by students, faculty, staff, and administrators, to programs, community outreach, and engagement to highlight. Here are a few:
- Hear from Native Hawaiian community college students fulfilling their kuleana: Cathryn Krueger, Â鶹´«Ã½ CC; Kamananui Anderson, Honolulu CC; Melanie Camat, Kapiʻolani CC; Hiʻilani Cremer, Kauaʻi CC; Stevie Puna, Leeward CC; ʻAleʻa Kimokeo, UH Maui College; Kauakaweli Haili-Nakamoto, Windward CC.
- UH Hilo honored Mary Kawena Pukui with a panel that coincided with Women¡¯s History Month and her posthumous selection as a 2025 honoree for the U.S. Mint¡¯s Native American $1 coin.
- The Hawaiian collection at the UH Hilo Edwin H. Moʻokini Library was named the Edith Kanakaʻole Hawaiian Collection.
- UH West Oʻahu hosted a two-day ʻAha Hoʻoponopono with 300 haku hoʻoponopono, social sector professionals, aloha ʻ¨¡¾±²Ô²¹ practitioners, and community members.
- UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s Hawaiian Theatre program celebrated its 10th anniversary with its latest Hawaiian language production Puana, and an invitation to perform at the Kia Mau international Indigenous-led performing arts festival in Aotearoa.
- Windward CC extended its Hawaiian studies program to paʻahao incarcerated at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona, with 25 students enrolled in their first course.
- Haʻina Ko Wehi: Celebrating West Maui in Mele a project by students from UH Maui College¡¯s Institute of Hawaiian Music was named Compilation Album of the Year at the 2025 N¨¡ H¨k¨± Hanohano Awards.
- Honolulu Community College hosted a two-day Indigenous education symposium ʻAha K¨±kalahale 2025, uplifting Hawaiian knowledge funded by the K¨±kalahale Title III Grant and in partnership with Kanaeokana and Pacific Rim Concepts.
- UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Native Hawaiian Student Services¡¯ Hawaiian Youths Abroad program Japan took a cohort of 13 students and 6 faculty/staff to explore Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, while retracing connections between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Japan.
- Kuiokalani L. Gapero succeeded Ernie Kaʻaumoana Wilson Jr. to the UH Board of Regents for a 5-year term.
- Winners of the Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching included: Mapuana Antonio (public health associate professor, UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹); Ashlee Kalauli (math instructor, Â鶹´«Ã½ CC); Tracie Kuʻuipo Losch (Hawaiian studies professor, Leeward CC); Mehana Kaʻiama Makaʻinaʻi (Hawaiian studies instructor, UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹); Peter Kalawaiʻa Moore (Hawaiian studies professor, Windward CC); and Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio (political science associate professor, UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹).
- Kenny Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan received the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ P¨¡kela Award for being an outstanding academic advisor.
- Shayla Spotkaeff, a business management major and undergraduate research assistant at the Center for Oral History received the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Student Employee of the Year Award.
- Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ William S. Richardson School of Law celebrated 20 years.