VNR: 2,800 graduates at 鶹ýMānoa Spring commencement

University of 鶹ý at Mānoa
Contact:
鶹ýNews, (808) 492-0597
鶹ýCommunications
Posted: May 16, 2026



(Link to video and sound):

Contact: news@hawaii.edu, (808) 490-3268

WHAT: 

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa––the state public higher education system’s flagship campus––celebrated about 2,800 students at its two . 

WHEN:
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9 a.m.–--12:30 p.m. and 3:30–6:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, UH Mānoa

WHO: 

Speakers include keynote speaker Walter Dods, Jr., who will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters, student speaker Diego Haʻaheo Ortiz for the morning ceremony and student speaker Erica-Skyler Holokai for the afternoon ceremony, 鶹ýPresident Wendy Hensel, Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos, faculty, staff and administrators.

MORE INFORMATION:

  • Graduates completed undergraduate and advanced degrees and are moving on to professional careers and graduate study.
  • 鶹ýMānoa is Hawaiʻi’s only Carnegie R1 research university, ranked among the nation’s leading public universities and in the top 2% worldwide.
  • The campus is nationally recognized for strengths in science, health, engineering and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander studies.
  • 鶹ýMānoa secured approximately $570 million in research awards this year.
  • The university serves a record enrollment of 20,400 students, including 3,294 first-time, degree-seeking freshmen.

 

Link to video and sound:

VIDEO (1 minute, 50 seconds):

0:00-1:50 - Assorted shots of the commencement ceremony)

SOUNDBITES:

Josslyn Rose - 鶹ýMānoa graduate (10 seconds)

”I think some of the biggest advice that has been helpful to me and other graduates that I've heard is to network to make advantage of the connections, all the friendships that you've built in college and the wonderful people along the way.

 

Grant Nakasone - 鶹ýMānoa graduate (14 seconds)

“One thing that I found true is that there's a place for you here at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

I found my place here through the opportunities presented to me, the internships, the classes, extracurriculars, everything from freshman year to this day has prepared me for the future.”