University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel visited the �鶹��ý Community College Manono campus in Hilo, the �鶹��ý CC Kō Education Center in Honokaʻa and �鶹��ý CC–������������Գܾ� in Kona during a two-day trip to �鶹��ý 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 �鶹��ý 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 �鶹��ý 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 �鶹��ý Community College.”

Hensel spent the first day at the �鶹��ý CC Manono campus, starting with a traditional Kīpaepae (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 �鶹��ý CC culinary students and took part in a workshop exploring the elements of a Kīpaepae ceremony. During the session, she learned to hoʻokani the pahu (to drum) and pū (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 Kīpaepae,” said Hensel. “That was particularly meaningful to me.”

Kō Education Center and ������������Գܾ�

Hensel drove from Hilo to Honokaʻa the following day to visit the Kō Education Center, one of the seven centers across the state that serve rural communities.

The visit started with a Kīpaepae, 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 Kō Education Center and our community, and see it with your own eyes,” said Pele Kaio, contact for the Kō 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 �鶹��ý CC–������������Գܾ� where she was welcomed with a Kīpaepae 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 Kō Center and ������������Գܾ�.

“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 �鶹��ý CC programs, students and staff.

She visited �鶹��ý 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 Hāloa Center for �鶹��ý 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 .

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel was in Waiʻanae for her first visit to a UH Education Center on February 5.

The Leeward Community College Waiʻanae Moku Education Center, which has been serving the community since 1970, provides access to higher education for approximately 200 students, about 60% of whom are Native Hawaiian. The center offers full-service academic programs, allowing students to earn degrees and certificates close to home.

“I’m so impressed, not only with the programs that they’re offering, but with the passion of the people for this community and the absolute dedication to advancing students to their life goals,” said Hensel. “It really inspired me and makes me excited about the work that we’re doing at the university.”

Hensel, who began her tenure as UH president on January 1, 2025, has prioritized engagement with students, faculty and staff across the UH system, as she visits all10 campuses and six education centers in her first 90 days. During her visit to Waiʻanae Moku, she participated in discussions with students and faculty, learning about their personal stories and the challenges and successes of the center.

“The main thing was that she wanted to listen and learn,” said Waiʻanae Moku student Hiʻilani Naluai. “Hearing that—it was a very warm feeling in that room after we had all our discussions—and seeing how much of who she really is and how much she’s willing to help.”

Another student, Alaysia Kyle, expressed enthusiasm for Hensel’s leadership.

“I think she’s amazing so far,” she said. “I love that she has many great plans for the future and for our community college and then just integrating us better into our communities, so I look forward to that.”

Leeward CC Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza praised Hensel’s commitment to engaging with Waiʻanae Moku and its students.

He said, “The students, the faculty, the staff in the community have really embraced President Hensel’s visit, appreciating that she’s committing to being here, committing to coming back to Waiʻanae and supporting all of the amazing programs that have quite frankly, as some of the students have shared, saved their lives.”

• Related UH News story: Leeward CC opens permanent home for Waiʻanae education center, October 10, 2017

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 .

President Hensel’s campus/education centers remaining schedule:

President Hensel campus visit recaps

• Monday, February 10 –
• Tuesday, February 11 –
• Tuesday, February 18 –
• Monday, February 24 –
• Tuesday February 25 – and
• Monday, March 3 – and
• Tuesday, March 4 –
• Wednesday, March 5 – and
• Monday, March 24 –