The Honolulu City Council honored Windward Community College Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg on May 14 for her leadership in expanding educational opportunities across Koʻolaupoko (the area from Kualoa to Waimanalo) and all of �鶹��ý.

During the presentation at Honolulu Hale, Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina praised Eschenberg for strengthening Windward CC’s community connections and advancing educational pathways. Since 2019, Eschenberg has expanded Early College, strengthened ties with Hawaiian immersion schools, and increased access for first-generation, Native Hawaiian and underserved students.

“This is such an unexpected honor,” said Eschenberg. “I’m thankful to Councilwoman Kiaʻāina for this kind recognition and incredibly thankful for our entire community that makes this work possible. Each accomplishment noted was made possible by an entire community coming together—our students, staff and faculty, our legislators, federal grantors, the Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, high schools, business groups, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, so many individuals and organizations in our community make things happen.”

Prison education, performing arts, more

Key Windward CC achievements included establishing Hānaiaulu, the University of �鶹��ý System’s only Hawaiian immersion childcare center. Kiaʻāina also recognized the college’s efforts for incarcerated students through the Puʻuhonua program, which launched the associate in Hawaiian studies degree at Halawa Correctional Facility. Windward CC further serves the community through academic programs such as veterinary technology and the Conservatory of Performing Arts.

Eschenberg is actively involved in the Windward community, participating in neighborhood board meetings and fostering partnerships with local schools and businesses. She has also been recognized as the Kāneʻohe Neighborhood Board’s 2025 Person of the Year.

“Being able to serve the Koʻolau community is itself an honor,” Eschenberg said.

Garret Yoshimi, vice president for information technology and chief information officer at the University of �鶹��ý System, will retire effective June 1, 2026, following more than a decade in the role and a long career in information technology serving �鶹��ý. His final day in the office will be May 22.

Yoshimi returned to UH in January 2015 and has played a central role in guiding the university’s information technology strategy across its 10 campuses. He previously served as telecommunications manager and director of technology infrastructure for the university system.

“Garret is not only exceptionally knowledgeable and widely respected in his field, but also one of the kindest and most thoughtful colleagues you could ever hope to work with, and he will be greatly missed across the University of �鶹��ý,” said UH President Wendy Hensel in a message to university leadership. “Please join me in thanking Garret for his many contributions to UH and in wishing him all the best in his retirement.”

“It has been my privilege to work with such a dedicated team, including going beyond the call for multiple high-profile efforts,” Yoshimi said in a message to UH ITS employees. “I am proud of the work we have accomplished together, that made a material difference for our UH community, and our global community of institutional peers and partners.”

Leading systemwide innovation and connectivity

During his leadership, Yoshimi oversaw systemwide efforts to modernize information technology services, strengthen cybersecurity protections and expand digital tools supporting teaching, learning and operations across the university.

Among his recent initiatives, Yoshimi helped lead efforts to position �鶹��ý as a global connectivity hub. In 2025, the University of �鶹��ý System advanced a partnership with Google on a proposed trans-Pacific subsea fiber optic system, including a cable landing station at UH West Oʻahu aimed at expanding international connectivity and improving network resilience across �鶹��ý and the Pacific region.

He also supported a collaboration with Google Public Sector to develop artificial intelligence tools to support student career pathways, connecting academic programs with workforce opportunities in �鶹��ý.

Yoshimi and colleagues have been recognized for their longstanding contributions to global research and education networking. In 2026, he was part of a UH team honored with the CENIC Innovations in Networking Award for Network Partner, recognizing more than 35 years of work connecting �鶹��ý and the Pacific to global research networks.

He received the ACUTA Bill D. Morris Award for individual leadership from the Association for College and University Technology Advancement and remains active in national higher education IT organizations, including EDUCAUSE and Internet2.

A Honolulu native, Yoshimi has nearly five decades of experience in information technology leadership across higher education, government and the private sector. He was appointed vice president for information technology and chief information officer in 2015, succeeding David Lassner, who went on to serve as UH president. In addition to his time at the UH, Yoshimi’s career includes leadership roles with the �鶹��ý State Judiciary—where he served as its first chief information officer—the East-West Center and DTRIC Insurance.

Yoshimi earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and a graduate certificate in telecommunications and information resource management from the UH ����ԴDz�.

During the transition, Brad Christ, associate vice president and deputy chief information officer, will serve as interim vice president for information technology and chief information officer.

University of �鶹��ý President Emeritus David Lassner and his team—including Vice President for Information Technology Garret Yoshimi and Director for Network Infrastructure Chris Zane—have been awarded the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California . The award recognizes more than 35 years of visionary leadership in connecting �鶹��ý and the broader Pacific to the global research community.

Transforming science, education

Since establishing the first international internet connection to Australia via �鶹��ý in 1989, the UH team has fundamentally transformed global science and education. Their efforts in securing high-capacity networking for the premier astronomical observatories on Maunakea and Haleakalā have supported over $1 billion in scientific investment. The data transmitted through these connections contributed directly to two Nobel Prizes in Physics, including discoveries regarding the accelerating expansion of the universe and supermassive black holes.

Beyond these technical milestones, the UH team’s work is deeply rooted in a commitment to Pacific Island communities. By expanding ultra-high bandwidth networks, they have ensured that remote islands on the front lines of climate change have equal access to vital global research resources.

“The University of �鶹��ý‘s geographic position in the middle of the Pacific is only part of the story; what truly makes today’s Pacific Wave (a high-capacity network) connectivity possible is the people,” said Jonah Keough, managing director of Pacific Wave. “David, Garret and Chris understand that networks are built on relationships as much as fiber.”

Connecting through fiber, light

Lassner has compared this modern digital connectivity to traditional Polynesian wayfinding. Having sailed aboard ��ō��ū����ʻ��’s Worldwide Voyage, Lassner noted that just as navigators connected Pacific peoples using stars, UH is connecting them through fiber and light.

“To me, that’s what the World Wide Voyage and mālama honua (to care for our Earth) stand for—sustainability, Indigenous-serving education, research and our service to the community,” Lassner said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to do exactly what the University of �鶹��ý is supposed to be doing.”

The award will be formally presented at CENIC’s “The Right Connection” conference in Monterey, California, March 31–April 1, 2026.

The University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham was honored at an aloha and mahalo celebration December 18, on campus as she prepares to step down at the end of the year after nearly a decade of leading the Kapolei campus.

About 135 guests including family, friends, faculty, staff, students, and former colleagues and mentees—wished Benham a fond farewell through beautiful lei, meaningful gifts, and heartfelt and emotional tributes.

The lunch program opened with a pule (prayer) offered by Aunty Lynette Paglinawan, beloved retired resident kupuna (elder) at UH West Oʻahu.

“We are all gathered here to join our honoree who is retiring, but who doesn’t realize life begins now,” Paglinawan said. “You’re going to join the rest of us and be more active in the things that you want to do that come from your heart.”

Throughout the celebration, guests were welcome to share personal remarks about Benham.

Matt Militello, a professor of educational administration at East Carolina University and one of three guests representing Benham’s time at Michigan State University, opened up about what he has learned from Benham, including work ethic and passion.

“Of course, the third one is compassion, especially for the silenced or marginalized voices,” Militello said, “to elevate the local voices to find solutions for their local concerns.”

Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe, director of UH System’s �鶹��ý Papa O Ke Ao and the director of the Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office at UH Mānoa, shared how Benham changed her life.

“You are amazing at so many things,” Lipe said. “For those of us who have been your mentees, we are so lucky to have, I think, experienced the best part of you.”

In closing, Benham shared, “I wish for all of you to continue to grow grounded in our shared values, reaching toward a future shaped by collective brilliance, mālama (care) and aloha. Kūlia i ka nuʻu—always, always reach for the summit. … It has been my joy, it has been a lifetime of service and stewardship that I will treasure forever. Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo.”

For more visit .

—By: Zenaida Serrano Arvman

Gloria Niles was honored as the inaugural recipient of the (WCET) Russ Poulin Award for Excellence in Digital Learning Policy. Niles, the director of online learning for the University of �鶹��ý System, is celebrated for her leadership in advancing systemwide digital learning policies, including a groundbreaking framework on micro-credentials and an innovative policy on the ethical use of AI.

Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, innovation and collaboration in higher education. Niles’ contributions reflect the spirit of the Russ Poulin Award, named in tribute to a visionary policy expert whose career and advocacy helped shape the digital learning landscape. The Russ Poulin Award was established to honor individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in digital learning policy at the state or federal level, providing policy insight and advocating for educational practices that support student success in the digital age.

An internationally respected leader in neurodivergent and technology-enhanced learning, Niles oversees systemwide planning and execution of the UH’s online learning strategies, including all related institutional strategies for online delivery of instruction. She drives the implementation of policies, procedures and systems necessary to execute the university’s vision and online education strategies across the ten campus system.

The WCET judges were impressed by Niles’ dedication to WCET and her proactive leadership across local, system and statewide issues impacting digital learning and higher education.

“I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Russ Poulin Award. This recognition reflects not only my work but the collective commitment of the University of �鶹��ý System to advancing access and innovation in digital learning,” said Niles. “Our goal is to ensure every learner—no matter where they are—has the opportunity to succeed in the digital age.”

Niles will be recognized during the awards ceremony at the upcoming WCET Annual Conference in October.

A longtime champion of community-based medical education in �鶹��ý has been selected to help shape the future of accreditation standards for medical schools across the U.S.

Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, associate dean for academic affairs and chief academic officer at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM), has been appointed to the ’ (AAMC) Medical Education Senior Leadership Ad Hoc Committee. The national group will play an advisory role in the Liaison Committee on Medical Education’s (LCME) strategic visioning process.

Buenconsejo-Lum has led JABSOM’s own LCME accreditation efforts since 2019 and brings valuable insight to the table.

“I think I was chosen because of the type of medical school we are—community-based—and because of our geography and mission,” she said. “The nature of our geography with the neighbor islands is very unique and different. We want to make sure that whatever recommendations come out of this visioning process can be met by all schools.”

The national committee includes senior medical education leaders from institutions such as Harvard, Boston University, Duke, and UCSF. Buenconsejo-Lum may be one of the few representatives from a community-based school, offering a vital perspective on working with volunteer faculty, managing diverse clinical partnerships, and delivering education across island communities.

She also emphasized JABSOM’s cultural grounding and mission of Attaining Lasting Optimal Health for All (ALOHA). “Our school embraces Indigenous values in medical education. That’s woven throughout our curriculum, our care for communities, our advocacy, our doing things pono.”

Buenconsejo-Lum will begin her three-year term on the committee in August.

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel has been selected to represent �鶹��ý as a commissioner to the (WICHE). WICHE is a regional interstate compact serving the higher education and workforce needs of 15 Western states and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States.

“I am honored to represent �鶹��ý on the WICHE Commission and contribute to the vital work of connecting education with workforce needs across the West and the Pacific,” said Hensel. “I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to ensure our higher education systems collaborate where possible and effectively serve our students and communities.”

WICHE’s 48 commissioners are appointed by the state’s governors or, in the case of the freely associated states, the leader of those three sovereign nations. The commission guides WICHE’s direction and assures that the Western Regional Educational Compact is carried out since its establishment in 1953.

Hensel will represent �鶹��ý on the WICHE Commission alongside UH President Emeritus David Lassner and Terrence George, CEO and president of the �鶹��ý Community Foundation.

“Dr. Hensel brings a forward-thinking vision to aligning academic programs and modern technology with evolving workforce needs,” said WICHE President Demarée Michelau. “Her deep experience leading complex higher education systems will add to our work in building effective pathways between education and employment across the West, and I look forward to having her strategic and collaborative approach as the newest member of the WICHE Commission.”

UH is �鶹��ý’s sole provider of public higher education and includes 10 campuses and dozens of educational, training and research centers across the state. Hensel began serving as UH president on January 1.

Former University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner was awarded the from (NASH). The award recognizes outstanding leadership and innovative system-level initiatives in public higher education. NASH said Lassner has left a lasting impact on higher education, demonstrating how systemwide collaboration can drive state prosperity.

Lassner is being honored for his exceptional contributions to higher education throughout his 47-year career at UH, particularly his leadership in advancing systemness to make UH a model for Indigenous-serving institutions, bolstering support for Native Hawaiian students statewide. He also prioritized technology and innovation, leveraging UH’s strengths in oceanography, astronomy and climate science to position the university as a global leader in these fields.

Related: UH ‘most important institution for �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s future’: David Lassner’s aloha interview, December 2024

“As the sole provider of public higher education in the state, the University of �鶹��ý does more than any other institution to advance a thriving and sustainable future for people and communities throughout our islands. UH leaders before me established the vision and I’m grateful to and proud of our team for moving that vision forward to make UH one of the highest-performing higher education systems in the nation,” said Lassner. “NASH and our colleagues there have been invaluable in helping us learn how to do even better than we ever could have alone, so this recognition of what we have all shared back is deeply appreciated.”

Lassner navigated challenges such as state funding constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining the UH’s commitment to excellence and service to the people of �鶹��ý.

“We will feel the impact of Dr. David Lassner’s leadership at the University of �鶹��ý for a long time,” said Wendy Hensel, president of the University of �鶹��ý. “His vision for a more equitable and accessible higher education experience for all, particularly Native Hawaiian students, has left an enduring legacy. This Lifetime Achievement Award is a well-deserved recognition of his remarkable career and the profound difference he has made.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award and 4 other awards will be presented at NASH’s fourth annual member convening in Washington, D.C.

NASH works to advance the role of multi-campus systems and the concept of systemness to create a more vibrant and sustainable higher education sector. NASH systems are comprised of more than 700 campuses and serve more than 8.2 million students in nearly every state in the U.S.

Two members of the University of �鶹��ý community were recognized among �鶹��ý’s most accomplished leaders at the second annual , hosted by the (PCF). UH Regent Diane Paloma and UH General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs Carrie Okinaga were honored at the event on February 20, at the ʻAlohilani Resort.

Founded in 1996 by former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, PCF is �鶹��ý’s premier leadership development program, fostering civic engagement and innovation among the state’s emerging leaders. Each year, the Hoʻopasifika Gala celebrates PCF alumni who have made significant contributions to their communities and professions.

“This year’s Hoʻopasifika honorees represent some of the most accomplished Fellows to have come through our program,” said Hannemann. “They have established themselves as among the most trusted leaders in our community.”

Diane Paloma

Paloma, a 2016 PCF Fellow, has served on the UH since July 2021. She has dedicated her career to advancing healthcare access, particularly for Native Hawaiian communities. As president and CEO of �鶹��ý Dental Service, she leads efforts to provide affordable dental care for �鶹��ý families. She previously served as CEO of the King Lunalilo Trust and Home and directed the Native Hawaiian Health Program at The Queen’s Health Systems.

A UH graduate and former faculty member, Paloma earned her MBA from UH Mānoa and a PhD in healthcare administration from Capella University. She has been deeply involved in Native Hawaiian culture, completing the ʻuniki process in hula and serving as a hālau leader.

“I am honored to receive this recognition alongside such dedicated leaders of �鶹��ý,” said Paloma. “All of us have a connection to the University of �鶹��ý. Our collective pilina (connection) is a testament to the value of the UH System and the development of generational success for our State.”

Carrie Okinaga

Okinaga, a member of the PCF Class of 1999, has been instrumental in shaping legal and strategic policies at UH, and with her Office of General Counsel team, ensuring the university’s stability and compliance. She joined UH in 2015, bringing with her extensive legal experience from both the private and public sectors. She previously served as corporation counsel for the City and County of Honolulu and as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of First Hawaiian Bank.

Born and raised in �鶹��ý, Okinaga attended UH Mānoa and Pomona College before earning her law degree from Stanford Law School. Since 2018, she has served the community as a member of the Honolulu Police Commission.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized alongside such accomplished leaders,” said Okinaga. “The Pacific Century Fellows program has had a profound impact on my professional journey, shaping my approach to servant leadership and working hard to pay it forward. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to our community and to support the next generation of leaders in �鶹��ý.”

Other honorees at this year’s gala include former �鶹��ý Gov. David Ige, Bank of �鶹��ý Chair and CEO Peter Ho, and Hawaiian Electric Industries President and CEO Scott Seu.

Among the University of �鶹��ý’s significant achievements under the leadership of President David Lassner are rebuilding enrollment, record graduation rates and student outcomes, record extramural funding, high-performance in philanthropy, and a new real estate program, all while UH campuses are consistently rated among the most affordable in the country.

“President Lassner’s tireless work has strengthened the University of �鶹��ý academically, culturally, and financially,” the UH Board of Regents wrote in a resolution presented to the 15th UH president, who will retire at the end of 2024.

Lassner navigated UH’s 10 campuses through the COVID-19 pandemic and controversy over Maunakea, while strengthening the university’s commitment as an Indigenous-serving and -inspired institution. As one of the lowest paid university presidents in the country, Lassner also brought together the separate roles as the head of both the 10-campus statewide system and �鶹��ý’s flagship research university, UH ����ԴDz�. Last year, Lassner personally pledged $1 million to the $1 billion fundraising campaign he helped launch.

• President Lassner gives the final ʻŌlelo of the Week for 2024

Before beginning service as president in 2013, David Lassner served UH for more than three and a half decades in roles that ranged from part-time contractor and entry-level computer specialist to UH’s first vice president for information technology and chief information officer. He was UH’s most prolific principal investigator and an active leader in local, national and international professional organizations as well as a student of hula and an avid hiker.

Lassner sat down for a wide-ranging interview with UH News less than three weeks before his retirement, covering his 47-year UH career. The following has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

How did you manage to keep tuition affordable, yet grow and improve the enterprise?

Early in my time as president we stopped increasing tuition other than one increase that we dedicated to improving our facilities when the state had not been funding what we needed. We’ve had to learn a different way of functioning, taking a lot more responsibility for everything we do.

The culture here was that if we wanted to start something new, we would go to the legislature and ask for it. I think we’ve shifted to a culture where we look to ourselves first. As we have learned to manage our resources better, we have been able to address some of our priorities without always expecting someone else to fund us. We have gotten better at shifting resources to support the highest priority needs of our students and the state. When positions are vacated now we look at where we need help the most, which is not necessarily where someone just retired. We’ve also improved our operating efficiency. Our structure with combined and hybrid leadership of Mānoa and the UH System function has saved money. A recent report indicated �鶹��ý has the 2nd-lowest per capita cost of public higher education administration in the country.

What accomplishment was most meaningful to you?

There are so many things our team has accomplished. We’re stable, we’re healthy financially, we work together well as a system focused on the needs of �鶹��ý. We’ve changed the game on fundraising. I have come to work at UH Mānoa more or less every day for 47 years and the campus has never looked better thanks to Vice President Jan Gouveia and her team. We have a new and positive alumni relations program and we are also now working with our retirees, an amazing group of people who have given their careers to UH and �鶹��ý. Vice President Kalbert Young established a new Office of Strategic Development and Partnership under Michael Shibata that has been amazing; the work that we’re doing with real estate and public-private partnerships will change the face of the university. We have a very stable organization for the first time in a long time. And different parts of the system are working together really well to focus on strategic outcomes that are important to �鶹��ý.

What else stands out?

We have an amazing stewardship program on Maunakea. The work that we’ve done to reorganize our program at UH Hilo under Greg Chun, executive director of the Center for Maunakea Stewardship, is remarkable. I can appreciate there are people who do not believe astronomy belongs on �鶹��ý summits. But I spent a night on Maunakea in October and met some of our stewards and rangers. I got to Lake Waiau for my first time. Maunakea is truly awe inspiring, and I am incredibly proud of our stewardship today.

What shaped your leadership philosophy before you took the president job?

I don’t have a slogan for my philosophy. I have watched and learned from innumerable leaders as I have worked at UH and engaged with others locally and beyond. What I think many people donʻt appreciate is the importance of learning lessons regarding both what to emulate and what to avoid.

What was an example of what you thought worked well?

I thought David McClain really calmed UH after a period of turbulence. I thought MRC Greenwood inspired a lot of people to believe we could do more for �鶹��ý after this period of calm following high drama. She really wanted to elevate us to the next level, and a leader has to speak inspirationally to make that happen.

How important is UH research to the future of �鶹��ý’s economy?

It’s huge. UH is the biggest driver of our economy. Yesterday, we had a UH Foundation board meeting, and Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU) Director Shaya Honarvar spoke to them. Most of the foundation trustees had never heard of PCSU or the work it does. Shaya talked about the hundreds of PCSU employees and the important work they do to restore and protect our environment. Our extraordinary and growing level of extramural funding—over $600 million last year and well on our way to $700 million—creates thousands of good jobs around the islands.

It’s not just about trying to create Google, Viagra or Gatorade. Those are great outcomes when universities can do that. But our research enterprise represents a massive economic driver—a $600–$700-million sector that’s comparable to agriculture in �鶹��ý.

Importantly, we’re doing a much better job of focusing on areas strategic for �鶹��ý, as laid out in our �鶹��ý. The sectors where we have capacity and a competitive advantage are important, but we also focus on the areas that are critical to �鶹��ý. UH research improves the quality of life here every day. When we study Native Hawaiian health, climate change or conservation, we’re making �鶹��ý a healthier place and changing the landscape for everyone while creating economic opportunities for the people who work in these sectors. And as we increase our focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, including through the new Walter Dods Jr. RISE Center, we are also developing students and graduates who will create businesses that create jobs.

What is the significant unfinished business that you have right now?

I would love to see more progress on improving campus infrastructure, especially addressing buildings left to decay for decades like Kuykendall Hall and student housing.

On the physical side of campus, I’d like to see the campus town concept at the current College of Education site (corner of University Avenue and Metcalf Street) after they move into the new building. That would change the life of everybody on campus to have somewhere to go afterward where you could walk across the street and have a cup of coffee or beer or browse in a shop. It would create a lot more life for this place.

We have to improve the ability of students to transfer within the university system, especially to start at a community college and move into a four-year degree. We have a lot to do in our partnerships with [the �鶹��ý Department of Education] to figure out how to get more local kids who graduate from our public schools to go on for post-secondary education or training…to understand they need to do something after high school if they’re going to have a job that lets them live in �鶹��ý.

We have to do a better job collectively at addressing workforce needs. The opportunity to do it as a [university] system is so powerful because if you take an area like nursing, you can go into healthcare with not very much education and then if we can find ways to continue to elevate them professionally—from [licensed practical nurse] to [registered nurse] to [a bachelorʻs of science in nursing] to masters to nurse practitioner—if we have the right programs that are oriented to adults, they can do it while they’re working.

The teacher shortage, it’s another one that doesn’t pay as well as nursing, but there’s still good jobs and we have got to figure out how to get local people into them to serve their communities because they’ll last longer.

All of the construction companies tell us they can’t find construction managers. It’s a really good paying job. We have to think about, “How do we create the opportunities for people who are already working, not just the 18 to 20 year olds?”

Our numbers can always get better, our graduation rates, our retention rates, things like that. That’s sort of a continuous effort. They’re all a lot better than they were 10 years ago and they could still be better yet.

I think the work that we’re doing to become Native Hawaiian place of learning—to help address our kuleana to �鶹��ý and Hawaiians—we’re certainly farther along than we have ever been. There are lessons we can probably still learn from places like Aotearoa. But this is the only place in the country that has a freestanding School of Indigenous Knowledge at a research university. It’s the only place in the country that has a PhD program in Indigenous language revitalization.

From your professional knowledge, what’s the next big frontier with AI? What do you think the world is going to look like in 10 years?

I think we will all be using something called “AI” in our work lives and home lives. I think it will increasingly be like the Internet, which many people are using all the time without really thinking about it as the Internet. It will permeate what we are doing in education, commerce and civic engagement.

Do you think that will make society more factionalized or isolated?

I don’t think AI will inherently have that impact, but it’s going to be increasingly difficult for people who don’t have access to networks and technology to fully engage. That’s why the work that Vice President Garret Yoshimi has taken on to advance broadband connectivity and utilization for the state is so important.

In your bio, it says you led a major statewide project funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce that interconnected all public schools, libraries and campuses on six islands with fiber optics.

It was a federal stimulus project during the Obama Administration after the Great Recession funded by the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program. �鶹��ý was the first state in the country to directly connect all these institutions with fiber. That’s why UH is leading �鶹��ý’s major broadband infrastructure development now under the able guidance of our VP for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Garret Yoshimi. UH took this on at the request of most of the legislature, the governor, and the congressional delegation, who recognized that UH was the best equipped to help lead the state’s broadband efforts.

What haven’t we covered in your career that you think is important for people to know?

Until 2013 my career was in technology, going back to before there were no PCs, cell phones or the Internet. It was an incredible time to be engaged in bringing those capabilities to bear on improving higher education and serving �鶹��ý.

When I became president and talked with the board about separation, I told them all I wanted was to be given the title President Emeritus with an office in the IT Center so I can continue to work on IT projects out of the hair of the next president. Right now the three I am still involved with are the Maui High Performance Computing Center, the Pacific Disaster Center, and an NSF-sponsored project that connects research and education in Asia and the Pacific with high-speed fiber optic networks.

Earlier this week, you mentioned going on a cruise in retirement…

I’m looking forward to traveling more—without a laptop! I have a long list of places to which I want to travel, places I havenʻt seen. I signed up with National Geographic to cruise to Antarctica. My bucket list also includes Greece, Turkey, Tuscany, the Dolomites, Iceland, Portugal, Morocco, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, the Galapagos, Rapa Nui, Palau, Bora Bora … In the U.S., I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon.

I’d like to spend more time in the Pacific, so I’ll see if I can get myself back into shape and contribute to the Moananuiākea Voyage with ��ō��ū����ʻ��.

I also haven’t been hiking seriously since I took this job. I need to get back out and hike more and see if I can still backpack.

What’s one of your favorite Oʻahu hikes?

Poamoho in central Oʻahu. It’s a beautiful hike through native forest. The summit offers views of both sides of Oʻahu from the mountains. When I was younger, it was part of a regular backpacking route along the Koʻolau Summit Trail.

What hālau did you dance for?

I’ve had four different kumu. I started with Hoʻoulu Cambra here at UH in 1981. She brought a group of us—nine dancers and three musicians—to France to share hula for three weeks in folk festivals throughout the French countryside. This is the group that surprised me by reuniting at one of my recent retirement celebrations.

• Image of the Week: Aloha President Lassner

Then I danced for Aunty Maiki [Aiu Lake]. I was in her hālau when she passed. Then I studied with Ed Kalahiki, one of the kumu she had trained who taught with her. As I got busier at work, I was less engaged. When one of my hula brothers with whom I had started with Aunty Maiki became a kumu—Ab Valencia—I went back to hula. All four of my kumu have passed away, but I’m looking to go back to hula after I retire and have more time.

Why did you give $1 million to the UH Foundation?

Because I could, and I believe UH is the most important institution in the state for �鶹��ý’s future.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno was awarded the 2024 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region VI President’s Award, recognizing his leadership and commitment to advancing the quality of student life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and initiatives. Bruno received the award at the Western Regional Conference in San Diego in November.

Bruno has served as UH Mānoa’s Provost since 2019 and previously as vice chancellor for research. He has earned praise for his dedication to students, particularly during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Maui wildfires. Colleagues have commended his transformative impact on the university and the broader community.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed—not just academically, but in all aspects of their development,” said Bruno.“This award is actually a reflection of and a testament to the dedication and hard work of my colleagues at UH ����ԴDz�. Together, we’ve created a supportive environment that empowers all students to reach their full potential. It’s about fostering a campus culture where students can thrive and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

Student-centered leadership

Lori Ideta, vice provost for student success (retired in 2023), highlighted Bruno’s prioritization of student well-being, even during crises. Reflecting on his leadership during the pandemic, she said, “Provost Bruno was acutely aware of the essential staff’s unwavering commitment to student success, even when their own healths were at risk. He was, and remains, their biggest cheerleader.”

Colleagues also noted Bruno’s commitment to equity and student support services, including mental health resources, disability access, and advocacy for military-connected students. Ideta underscored his determination to preserve vital student and academic affairs programs during financially challenging times, even as many campuses faced budget cuts—an approach she described as a defining example of his student-centered leadership.

Laura Lyons, interim vice provost for academic excellence, credited Bruno’s personal experience as a first-generation college student for shaping his holistic approach to leadership. “He and his twin were the first in his family to attend college, so he knows the generational challenges and opportunities his parents’ migration made possible and that experience resonates with many UH Mānoa students, helping them see that they are not so different from this man who leads their campus.”

Bruno’s leadership was also evident during the recent Maui wildfires. Lyons said, “He understands that, while immediate needs are overwhelming and must be addressed, we, as a university, must demonstrate that our commitment will last as long as necessary.”

Impact on research, graduate student support

An ocean engineer by training, Bruno is passionate about research. He understands firsthand the impact that research opportunities can have on students and has championed programs that provide the resources necessary for students to succeed.

With his support, UH Mānoa has allocated more than $4.5 million to fund the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) since its inception a few years ago, enabling transformative undergraduate research and capstone projects.

Mark Willingham, Jr., president of the , also commended Bruno’s transparent leadership and advocacy for graduate students, including increasing graduate assistant pay, improving grievance policies and implementing sick and bereavement leave.

“Every institution should have a Dr. Michael Bruno, but there is only one, and we’re so fortunate to have him. His impact is palpable and contagious in all the great ways leaders should be,” said Nikki Kāhealani Chun, vice provost for enrollment management, who credits Bruno for fostering her professional growth and leadership as a Native Hawaiian and first-generation college graduate.

Chancellor Maenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the (AASCU).

The AASCU is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of more than 500 regional public colleges, universities and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underrepresented student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development, according to AASCU.

“We are thrilled Chancellor Benham will serve on the AASCU Board of Directors,” said Charles L. Welch, president and CEO of AASCU. “She is a strong advocate for student success, and we look forward to seeing her use a national stage to advocate for the needs of the more than 3 million students AASCU members serve.”

The AASCU membership elected Benham to a three-year term through 2027 at its annual conference, on November 19 in Puerto Rico. Benham said she is honored to serve.

“The AASCU is a particularly important organization as their mission aligns with a kuleana of UH West Oʻahu, which is to ‘empower these stewards of place to catalyze economic and social mobility,’” Benham said. “Both UH West Oʻahu and UH Hilo are members of AASCU along with our cousin school, the University of Guam, so I have the opportunity to bring the culture and values of Pasifika to this important national table.”

Qualifications for board members include extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in higher education; a commitment to and understanding of AASCU’s mission, vision and its member institutions; savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating and building consensus among diverse individuals; and personal qualities of integrity, credibility and a passion for improving AASCU institutions. Board member responsibilities specifically include the broad leadership, governance and oversight of AASCU.

For more visit .
—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from the (UR) in Okinawa, Japan, honoring his impactful contributions to international exchange and commitment to advancing education and research. Lassner was presented with the award during an international symposium on interisland sustainability at UR on November 5.

UR President Mutsumi Nishida praised Lassner’s accomplishments, stating, “We believe that your exceptional achievements exemplify the spirit of excellence and dedication that we strive to embody at our institution. We believe that your acceptance of this honorary degree will not only inspire our graduating students but also serve as a testament to the values of scholarship, innovation, and leadership that we hold dear.”

Following the award presentation, Lassner delivered a keynote address on inter-island sustainability. He shared examples of UH‘s efforts to protect �鶹��ý’s natural environment, including using technology to manage mosquito populations to preserve pollinating bird species and habitats.

“The wisdom of the islands can also be used to address global issues,” he said, highlighting the importance of blending traditional knowledge with modern science and technology.

Lassner also spoke about UH’s role in revitalizing the Hawaiian language, noting that language programs have helped grow the community of Hawaiian speakers to nearly 20,000.

“The revival of culture and tradition also leads to the revival of the pride of the Indigenous people,”he said.

During his visit to Okinawa, Lassner also met with the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, highlighting the long-standing and meaningful bond between UH and the region.

More on UH-UR partnership

Related �鶹��ýNews story: UH reaffirms partnership with Okinawan university

Since establishing a sister relationship in 1988, UH and UR have built one of UH’s most active partnerships. UH helped guide the creation of UR’s law school in the early 2000s, leading to its opening in 2004. In 2006, UR sent 14 law students to UH for a two-week program, which has since grown to 50 students annually. The two universities also have active exchanges in ocean research, tourism studies, medical research and one-year student exchanges.

University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham has been named the Claremont Graduate University (CGU) School of Educational Studies 2024–25 Distinguished Bowen Lecturer.

In October, Benham presented, “In Our Mothers’ Voice: Ulu aʻe ke welina a ke aloha,” at the CGU campus in California.

Her talk wove together ancestral stories, professional knowledge, and community-based action. Benham explored the concept of “nānā i ke kumu” (looking to the source/finding your truth) as a powerful approach to navigating challenges and creating spaces for dynamic learning and growth. She offered insights into how cultural knowledge can guide living and leading with balance, justice and grace.

“Our UH West Oʻahu faculty, staff and students exemplify this post-secondary education commitment through the vibrancy of our engaged learning and teaching, our engaged scholarship with our students and the communities we serve, and our engaged service to ‘Hoʻola, Hoʻoulu Paeʻāina; Vibrant People, Thriving Lands,’” Benham said. “It was an honor to be asked to present the way I think about and lead our campus, and the remarkable work of our extended ‘ohana.”

DeLacy Ganley, CGU School of Educational Studies dean and professor, said Benham “hit a home run with her talk,” which left him with two takeaways.

“First, we need to ground the identity and spirit of our educational institutions in the identity and spirit of our community and heritage. Strength, balance, and health (what some might call being pono) comes from this alignment,” Ganley said. “And, second, people—all people—have an inner gift, something that they bring to their community and share with the world.”

According to CGU, the Distinguished Bowen Lecture is named in honor of the late Howard Bowen, who was an authority on economics in higher education. It features some of the most respected scholars in higher education who present their work and engage CGU students and faculty in discussions about critical issues in higher education.

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

The �鶹��ý State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) on September 24, honored University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner and UH Maui College’s Nicolette van Der Lee as part of the second annual Workforce Development Hero Awards.

Lassner was honored with the lifetime achievement award and van Der Lee was tapped for her work with the UH Community Colleges to provide free training in collaboration with �鶹��ý employers and community organizations.

The Workforce Development Hero Awards honor key contributors to workforce excellence across the islands. September is Workforce Development Month.

The DLIR pointed to Lassner’s 46 years of service at UH and that under his leadership, the UH System has become a driving force in meeting �鶹��ý’s workforce needs, setting records in research, graduation rates and inclusion of underrepresented populations.

“This recognition is an honor that so many of our UH team, like Nicolette, deserves,” Lassner said. “We have made it clear that we aim to meet the workforce needs of the industries in �鶹��ý and to prepare our students for jobs that are still coming as part of our mission to educate.”

Van Der Lee, who also served as a program manager for the UH Community Colleges, was recognized for her efforts in leading important workforce development programs such as the Hana Career Pathways and , which offers free skills training in high-demand industry sectors. This program has served thousands of �鶹��ý residents and brought in millions of dollars of federal grants to promote job training classes at the UH Community Colleges.

2024 Workforce Development Hero Award Winners

• Oʻahu: Lord Ryan Lizardo, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and Ariel Villanueva, ʻEwa Makai Middle School
• Maui: Nicolette van Der Lee, University of �鶹��ý, Maui Campus
• Kauaʻi: Kaina Makua, Kumanu I Ke Ala
• �鶹��ý Island: Kevin Aki, County of �鶹��ý
• Legislator of the Year: Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz
• Lifetime Achievement Award: David Lassner, President, University of �鶹��ý

The honorees will be recognized at the Future of Work 2025 Conference on September 30, 2024.

Among the 2024 University of �鶹��ý Mānoa awardees was a surprise honoree. UH President David Lassner received the “Outstanding President of the University of �鶹��ý” award at the UH Mānoa Awards Ceremony on May 8 at Kennedy Theatre.

UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno was joined by UH Mānoa leadership onstage who presented him with the award along with a special oli. They praised Lassner for his contributions to the university and the wider community over his distinguished 45-year career, as well as his dedication and transformative leadership of the 10-campus system over the past decade.

“He has no idea we’re going to do this, but after 4-plus decades, 10 years of steering this canoe, this university we all love through storms—political, financial and even medical, through COVID, the Mānoa leadership would like to recognize our leader, David Lassner,” stated Bruno.

The award certificate, signed by all members of the Mānoa cabinet, commended Lassner’s “unwavering vision, stellar leadership, commitment to excellence, strategic innovation, inspiring resilience, and endless achievements” throughout his tenure.

“Our successes are the successes of the team,” said UH President David Lassner. “It has been an honor and a privilege to work with a group of remarkable leaders who have excelled in moving UH Mānoa forward for our students and the entire State of �鶹��ý.”

Lassner announced in September 2023 that he will retire at the end of 2024. He has served as the 15th president of �鶹��ý’s 10-campus public higher education system since September 2013, the first 10 months on an interim basis.

A quarter of a million dollars to increase the number of medical students and residents-in-training who choose to practice medicine on the neighbor islands and in rural areas of �鶹��ý
Oʻahu through the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM) was raised at the Kūlike Kākou (“stand together”) Gala. Held on April 13, at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, the sold-out event was headlined by �鶹��ý comedian and UH alumnus Tumua Tuinei, and a performance by Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning singer Kamakakēhau Fernandez. UH President David Lassner was also honored for his decade-long stewardship of the university.

Jaimie Tom and Shane Morita, alumni of JABSOM, spearheaded the gala, which marked their 25th anniversary, both in marriage and as graduates of the school. Originally conceived as a class reunion, the event evolved into an opportunity to give back to their alma mater.

Tom is an emergency medicine physician at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children and Pali Momi Medical Center, and associate director of admissions for the JABSOM. Morita is now The Queen’s Medical Center’s vice chief of staff and medical director of surgical oncology, and associate professor of surgery for JABSOM.

The gala was an evening of entertainment and camaraderie. Tom and Morita, alongside JABSOM‘s Interim Dean Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, presented Lassner with a custom-made steersman paddle, symbolizing his accomplished leadership.

Gov. Josh Green also attended and acknowledged Lassner’s significant contributions to the university and delivered a proclamation in his name.

“It’s been amazing,” said Lassner reflecting on the decades of service. “UH is the only place I’ve ever had a grown-up job in my life. I’ve worked here my entire career, and the opportunity to give back as president, while unexpected, is just the honor of a lifetime.”

Through generous donations and community support, the gala exemplified the enduring impact of medical education and the spirit of Aloha in �鶹��ý.

“25 years ago, we would never have thought we would be able to give back to our school in this way,” said Tom and Morita. “Not only did we receive excellent medical training at JABSOM, but we also gained a lifetime partner, three wonderful children (Josiah, Elijah, & Zechariah), and the privilege of returning home to care for our community. For these opportunities, we are forever grateful to the medical school, our parents, our families, and those who embody the essence of the Aloha spirit, who stepped in to help us whenever we needed it.”

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The main entry road to in North Kona, �鶹��ý is now “Rockne Freitas Way,” named in honor of the late �鶹��ý CC chancellor who played a major role in developing the campus.

The University of �鶹��ý Board of Regents (BOR) approved the honorific naming at the August 17 board meeting. Freitas’ sons, Makai and Makoa, both testified in support of the measure.

“Dad believed in education,” said Makai Freitas at the meeting. “He believed education was a path forward, so the (symbolism) of Rockne Freitas Way resonates a lot for us.”

�鶹��ý CC–Pālamanui opened its doors in 2015 after years of planning and construction. The new campus is also home to the �鶹��ý and created a permanent home for higher education in West �鶹��ý, which had been one of the most underserved regions of the state.

Freitas, who died in 2022, served in many leadership roles at UH, including as �鶹��ý CC chancellor from 2004 to 2010. He was a driving force in securing funding and establishing the partnerships that would allow the �鶹��ý CC–Pālamanui campus to be built.

“While at �鶹��ý Community College, he had a vision on ways to help the youth of West �鶹��ý and inspired the community to make the campus at Pālamanui a reality,” said Interim �鶹��ý CC Chancellor Susan Kazama in her testimony to the BOR. “His legacy is his strong advocacy and advancement of Native Hawaiians and other underserved populations. His impact on our college will always be felt. Naming the entryway after Rockne Freitas is an appropriate honor to preserve his legacy.”

Following his All-Pro career as an NFL lineman, Freitas served in several administrative roles during a 23-year career at the University of �鶹��ý. He was a pioneer in Native Hawaiian advancement, including as a leader in establishing �鶹��ý Papa O Ke Ao, a plan for UH to become the model Indigenous-serving higher education institution in the state and the nation.

Raynette “Kalei” Haleamau-Kam, the director of �鶹��ý CC–Pālamanui, has worked at the college for more than 30 years and has seen up close the transformation brought about through Freitas’ efforts.

“I would like to mahalo Rockne for his leadership and tenacity to not give up on our community,” said Haleamau-Kam. “Now it is up to us to continue his vision and preserve his legacy.”

�鶹��ý CC plans to host an event later in the semester to celebrate the honorific naming.

�鶹��ý CC–Pālamanui offers affordable, accessible higher education pathways for West �鶹��ý residents with associate degrees and certificates in nursing, culinary arts, natural science, liberal arts, Hawaiian studies and more. The degrees prepare students to enter the workforce right after graduation or transfer to a bachelor’s degree program to continue their studies.

The University Center, West �鶹��ý provides access and support for local students who want to enroll in online and hybrid bachelor’s and graduate degree programs from UH four-year campuses.

The University of �鶹��ý Board of Regents (BOR) honored Regent Randy Moore and Regent Eugene Bal III in resolutions adopted at a July 6 BOR meeting. The two regents were recognized for their many years of dedicated service to the university.

Randolph G Moore

Moore began his tenure with the board as Honolulu County regent in 2013 and served four terms as chair and three terms as vice-chair. He also served on a number of committees, often in leadership roles, including the committees on Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Budget and Finance, Personnel Affairs, Planning and Facilities, Research and Innovation, and University Audits.

“The Board of Regents is a great group of people,” said Moore after the meeting. “I was impressed with the caliber and quality of the boardʻs discussions and decisions, it was a really good experience.”

Although he is stepping down from the board, Moore continues to support UH through a $1 million donation to create the �鶹��ý Sustainability Fund for innovative sustainability research and initiatives across all 10 UH campuses.

Read the full BOR proclamation honoring Moore.

Eugene Bal III

Bal has served on the BOR as Maui County regent since 2013, and during his tenure served two terms as the vice-chair. He has served on a number of committees, often in leadership roles including the committees on Budget and Finance, Community Colleges, as well as Student Affairs, Intercollegiate Athletics, Personnel Affairs, Planning and Facilities, and Research and Innovation.

“Ten years seems like a long time, but it went incredibly fast,” said Bal after the meeting. “I am very proud of what the board has done in terms of things like selecting the president, all of the decisions with regards to tuition and then, most recently, the strategic planning activity.”

Read the full BOR proclamation honoring Bal.

Former University of �鶹��ý regents Robert Frank Westerman, Sr. and Kelli Acopan were honored by their fellow regents for their service and commitment to the UH 10-campus system at the January 19 (BOR) meeting. Their terms as regents ended in 2022.

Westerman, a Vietnam veteran who had an illustrious military career and was awarded several commendations and medals, was also a retired chief administrator of the Kauaʻi Fire Department. He was appointed by Gov. David Ige in 2019 and represented the county of Kauaʻi on the board through June 2022.

During his tenure, Westerman served on various committees and held multiple leadership roles, including chair and vice chair, as well as on a number of task groups and affiliated organizations.

According to a resolution adopted by the board honoring Westerman, he is honored for, “his dedicated service, guidance, and invaluable contributions to the University of �鶹��ý and the State of
�鶹��ý.”

During the meeting, Westerman expressed his mahalo for those he served with and for the UH System for all of the great work it does.

He earned his MBA from UH Manoa and a BSBA from the University of Phoenix.

Acopan, who served as the student member of the BOR, was appointed by Gov. Ige June 2019 through June 2020, and reappointed for a two year-term. During her tenure on the board, she served on many committees, including as vice chair, and was also a part of a number of affiliated organizations.

According to the resolution, she “has been the consummate student advocate dedicating herself to both undergraduate and graduate students.” Acopan championed issues such as increased student engagement, greater availability of Open Education Resources and administrative transparency, and supporting student success through academic and outreach activities for students aged K–12 and beyond.

Acopan conveyed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board as the student voice and hopes to continue supporting the university in the future.

She is a proud alumna having earned her associate of arts in liberal arts at and a bachelor of arts in history at UH ����ԴDz�. She is currently seeking a master’s degree in history at UH ����ԴDz�.

BOR resolutions honoring Westerman and Acopan (Agenda Item V) (PDF)