The typical stress of a college semester paled in comparison to the sudden and frightening circumstances Nina Kapuni faced when she had to quickly leave her Â鶹´«Ã½ Island home in 2024 with her young son, to protect them from circumstances that placed their safety at risk.
“It was a really difficult and overwhelming experience,” said Kapuni, a single mother currently pursuing her master¡¯s in counseling psychology at UH Hilo. “I realized we needed to leave right away to be safe.”
With no savings, Kapuni did not have the financial resources to secure stable housing. At the encouragement of a faculty member, she reached out to , which provides student support services, including access to emergency funding.
She applied for support and spoke with Sherri Akau, UH ±á¾±±ô´Ç¡¯²õ acting senior director of student care and conduct. Within days, Kapuni learned her request had been approved.
‘Beyond being an advocate’
“Sherri started by taking the time to talk with me,” Kapuni said. “She really heard me and saw me when I couldn¡¯t see myself. She went above and beyond being an advocate for me.”
Akau and Kaleb Matthews, interim coordinator for , are central to advancing student support services at UH Hilo. They see firsthand how access to resources¡ªsuch as (which provides food, supplies, clothes and hygiene items) and emergency financial assistance¡ªcan help students to persist and succeed.
“Many students carry a deep sense of hesitation or discomfort when it comes to seeking support for basic needs,” said Akau. “An important part of our role is to help shift that perspective and remind students that reaching out for support is not a weakness, it is a courageous and necessary step toward continuing their education and overall well-being.”
Helping thousands of students
Demand has skyrocketed from 2,000 students who used the pantry in 2024 to 5,000 projected by the end of 2026. This led to a network of strategically placed “food hubs” across campus.
“Creating this food pantry network helps reduce that barrier by making food readily available in the spaces where students already gather, ensuring they have consistent access to something to eat throughout the day,” said Matthews.
Your gift to the helps ensure that unforeseen circumstances, such as Kapuni¡¯s, do not disrupt a student¡¯s ability to persist and succeed.
Read more about UH ±á¾±±ô´Ç¡¯²õ .